A proper greasy spoon breakfast is fast becoming a lost art in central Manchester, as hollandaise-loaded benedicts move to slowly edge out the classic fry-up cafes.
Sadly, Linda’s Pantry is no more, neither is Fatso’s- yes, we shed some tears writing this. Don’t worry, though, there are still some great little greasy spoon spots to head for a spot-on builder’s brekkie – and we’ve done our best to locate them all for you.
Keep reading to discover where to get the best no-muss, no-fuss, traditional fry up in Manchester this weekend.
If you know of any more, let us know over at @themancuk.
Essy’s can be found on King Street and is just as popular with the solicitors as builders in the morning / Image: Zomato
Essy’s
With its no-frills appearance, Essy’s feels very much pulled from another era – before brunch was a hipster pursuit and everyone was happy enough with a fried egg and sausage butty.
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All-day breakfasts start at £8.50 here, or you can get a breakfast Vienna for £4.95. They also have a special ‘builder’s breakfast’ on the menu for £7.50.
Find it at 31-33 King St W, Manchester M3 2PW.
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Rustica is iconic in the Northern Quarter – just ask anyone / Image: Georgina Pellant
Rustica
Known for its butties and all-around great breakfast menu, if you’re in the Northern Quarter you can’t go wrong with a takeaway breakfast from Rustica.
With dishes starting from just £2, grab yourself some egg on toast or some sort of variation on an egg, bacon and sausage butty for under £3. If you want a full fry up, it’s a fiver with toast, whilst cups of tea and coffee start at just 60p. Not too shabby, like.
Find it at 1 Hilton St, Manchester M4 1LP.
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Gemini Cafe is a student favourite and can be found on Oxford Road / Image: Worldorgs
Gemini Cafe
A classic student haunt (and for good reason), Gemini Cafe is an Oxford Road staple. Close to the unis and various halls of residence, it’s understandably popular with Manchester’s undergrads – but is also frequented by a load of locals for its reliably spot-on cafe breakfasts.
This classic breakfast diner, with its Formica tables and PU seats, isn’t fancy – but then that’s not what we’re here for. It’s all about the scran and the very reasonable prices.
Find it at 328-330 Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9NG.
This cafe in the Manchester Arndale is always busy / Image: Signage Systems
Rowntree’s Cafe
A solid Mancunian favourite, Rowntree’s in Manchester Arndale can always be relied upon for a solid breakfast scran. A city staple for over 25 years, it’s open from 8am most days serving all day breakfast fry ups and other bits and bobs too.
Inside, you’ll find pictures of Coronation Street characters all over the walls – just part of the place’s quirkiness. Be prepared, the portions here are huge – so make sure to come hungry.
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Find it at Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre, 20 High St, Manchester M4 1QB.
The Koffee Pot might have upgraded its aesthetic but it still does a banging breakfast / Image: The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot
Over the years, The Koffee Pot has moved away from its builder’s breakfasts roots – upping sticks from its original Stevenson Square home where you could once count on the biggest mug of tea (or coffee) in the Northern Quarter, over to Oldham street.
Nowadays, you’ll still find a solid choice of fry ups including a Fully English, Irish Fry and a ‘Big Yin’ with MacSween haggis, square sausage and a tatty scone. Fry ups start at £9.50. Alternatively, or opt for a big Manc Muffin with sausage patty, american cheese, bacon, potato rosti and runny egg for the same price.
Find it at 84-86 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE.
Part bakery, party deli, Hansfords has been around for over a century / Image: Hansfords
Hansfords
Part bakery, part deli, Hansfords is one of the Arndale originals and in that time the offering has barely changed. In the bakery business for over a century, its counters are stuffed with pies, cakes, sausage rolls and cheese but it’s the breakfast vienna sandwiches that have really got our attention.
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Popular with the builders in the morning, get in early and opt for a Full English in a Vienna at breakfast for the ultimate morning treat. Alternatively, go for a full tradional breakfast with plenty of black pudding to get your day started.
Find it in the Manchester Arndale at 49 High St, Manchester M4 3AH.
Cafe North’s breakfast is available all day long / Image: Cafe North
Cafe North
Found on the edge of the Northern Quarter, this independent cafe can always be relied on for good grub. On the breakfast menu here you’ll find not one, not two but six different fry-up varieties – ranging from ‘mini’ to ‘big’ to ‘super’ sized, with further options for veggies too.
With prices starting from £7 for the mini, which includes one sausage, one bacon, one egg, beans, tomato, mushrooms, and toast, it’s not necessarily the cheapest builders breakfast in the world but it’s still a damned good shout. No need to book, just turn up.
Find it at 66 Shudehill, Manchester M4 4AA.
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Kim’s Kitchen in Hulme has recently had an oveerhaul – but their breakfast menu is just as brilliant as ever / Image: Kim’s Kitchen
Kim’s Kitchen
If you want service with a smile, go to Kim’s Kitchen for one of their ‘Propatop’ breakfast fry ups or barms.
Served until 4 pm, there’s two vegan options and a veggie alongside the classic meaty full English (£9) – plus barms in fluffy Lancashire oven bottom muffins. We like the look of the halloumi and hash brown one (£5) a lot, actually but there’s absolutely loads to choose from.
Find it at 49 Old Birley St, Hulme, Manchester M15 5RF.
Porky Pig began life as a street food stall but now has it’s own cafe in Manchester / Image: Porky PIg
Porky Pig
If you love a traditional full English but fancy it with a twist, why not try it tucked inside a giant Yorkshire pudding?
What first began as a street food stall at Manchester Christmas markets now has its own permanent home just behind the town hall. Get the full works – – tucked inside a giant Yorkshire, or opt for it without, whatever you like.
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Breakfast Yorkshire puddings include bacon, sausage, egg, tomato, mushroom, beans and hash brown and will set you back £8.25, but there’s some fat breakfast sandwiches and burgers to be found here too as well as cheap options like two slices of toast for £2.15.
Find it at 7 Cooper St, Manchester M2 2FW.
Hatty’s is often thought of as a late-night takeaway, but their breakfast sandwiches are mega / Image: Trip Advisor
Hatty’s
You might’ve frequented this little Deansgate kebab and pizza shop after a night out, but it can also be relied on for a cracking breakfast barm. It’s super cheap too – a fried or scrambled egg barm will cost you just £1.50, rising to £2 if you want bacon or sausage.
They’ll also put in extras like hash browns for you in the breakfast barm, so you can build it just how you like it. Perfect when you’re feeling hungover and fussy. Be warned, though, they don’t start it until 11am.
Find it at 247 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN.
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Bowler’s is an institution in Manchester / Image: TripAdvisor
Bowler’s Sandwich Bar and Cafe
An institution on Albert Square, Bowler’s has got its own little bit of rustic charm.
Sat next to the quaker building, the owner has been here for years serving up reasonably-priced sandwiches, baked potatoes and breakfasts. A fry up here will; set you back £4.50 – leaving you with change from a fiver.
Find them at 2 Mount St, Manchester M2 5WQ.
Moose Coffee is an all-round favourite with some great Canadian breakfast options / Image: Moose Coffee
Moose Coffee
Strictly a Canadian breakfast spot, there are some absolutely belting fry ups to be had here. The menu is massive, with a whopping eighteen different fry ups to choose from on their all day breakfast section.
With prices starting from £8.95, it’s also pretty reasonable too. Be warned, it’s really popular here so you’ll probably have to queue.
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Find it at 20 York St, Manchester M2 2BB.
Bread and Bowl at The Crown and Anchor
A whole loaf of sourdough bread, hollowed out and filled with all the best bits of a fry up? It’s not traditional, but we’re here for it.
Bread and Bowl’s comes with juicy high-grade sausages, thick-cut bacon and hash browns between layers of beans, cheese, mushrooms, and tomatoes and will set you back £11 for a regular or £15 for a large. There’s veggie and vegan options too, and they even deliver if you’re feeling lazy (or happen to be isolating).
Find it at the Crown and Anchor, 41 Hilton St, Manchester M1 2EE.
News
Pep Guardiola signs new contract to stay at Manchester City until 2027
Danny Jones
Blues will be delighted to hear that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is staying after agreeing to sign a contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least 2027.
The Catalan coach and supremely talented tactician has won all there is to win with Man City and after completing not only a record-matching treble but making history by becoming the first English team to win four Premier League titles in a row, you could argue his Etihad project is well and truly completed.
Guardiola, who joined City back in 2016, has gradually been creeping towards the end of his most recent contract, leaving those slowly searching for his replacement and the fan base wondering what the future holds for their next chapter.
But it turns out they don’t have to worry about life after Pep for a little while longer, as the 53-year-old has now extended his stay for another two seasons. The blue moon that has loomed over Manchester for the best part of a decade isn’t going anywhere just yet.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager, who is comfortably one of the most decorated and celebrated coaches in football history, was due to leave the club at the end of the current campaign.
However, although his contract would have seen him depart by June of next summer, this new deal will now see him stay in post until the end of the 2026/27 campaign, which will see him surpass the 10-year mark and then some.
It’s the news all Blues have been waiting for and an announcement that will no doubt come as a huge relief given the immense success he has brought to East Manchester.
Despite waiting until now to seemingly decide his future, the man himself has actually been pretty clear on the matter, insisting that he “fell in love” with the club from the moment he got here and saying as far back as 2020 that “unless they [CFG] sack me, I will stay here.”
Speaking in an official statement, Guardiola said: “Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season here; we have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club. That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”
“Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me – The Owner, The Chairman Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and of course the fans… everyone connected to Manchester City. It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here.”
Man City fans will honour Pep with a banner which reads in Catalan, 'we want you to stay'…
"They'll have to bring me the bill. I will pay the bank. I don't want them to spend money for that reason. I feel in love since the first day I came here." 🥺
Better still, while the details of the agreement are yet to be fully detailed, it is thought that the new contract still includes an option to extend for an extra year, meaning we could be looking at Pep in Premier League dugouts even longer.
Should City go on to close the gap on current league leaders Liverpool, it would mean Guardiola would have overseen five title wins with the same team in a row: a feat only matched by very few in European football, most notably Juventus and Bayern Munich, the latter having managed 13 consecutive years.
Who knows if/when Guardiola will actually leave the Etihad Stadium for a new challenge, all we know is he changed modern football forever and has given Manchester – a city already spoilt in this respect – some of the most impressive football it’s ever seen.
All we do know is that the beautiful game’s passionate, bald, tiki-taka extraordinaire known simply as Pep is staying in 0161 for the time being and there are countless fans who are absolutely buzzing about it.
Tributes pour in for chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, Tommy Muir
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring in following the death of Tommy Muir, the long-standing chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, at the age of 71.
News of Muir’s death broke on Thursday, 21 November, with countless Man City fans learning of his tragic passing online and proceeding to pay their respects.
The Cheadle Branch boss, lifelong supporter and well-known club figure is said to have died following a period of illness, with a member of the popular Bluemoon Forum claiming he suffered from the progressive disease pulmonary fibrosis for some time.
Numerous messages of sadness, love and support have been shared on social media already.
Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends. https://t.co/8rLcL10N2Ipic.twitter.com/dkEmCSU1vl
Just heard a top blue Tommy Muir has passed away. Met Tommy years ago, he helped me out with tickets down the years, we shared a few laughs and pints. He gave me this plaque after he rescued it from Maine Road and is something I'll always treasure. RIP Tommy #trueblue 💙⚽ pic.twitter.com/jfbFLfZCKS
By all accounts, Muir will be remembered as a much-loved leader of City’s Cheadle Branch, as well as a generous character with a great sense of humour.
There are countless messages from people who know him from the local area or through helping sort spare tickets for matchdays and as the familiar face around Maine Road back in the day and on the bus to the Etihad Stadium for many years.
Tommy was also one of the official supporters group members who were treated to a visit by Man City themselves, naming him honorary Life Vice President of the Official Supporters Club and bringing the Treble trophies to his doorstep back in July 2023.
Muir, an ex-Royal Mail worker, also served as the landlord of The Kenilworth pub back in Cheadle, Stockport, where fans would regularly meet pre-match before heading to watch the game.
Local author and historian of Manchester sport, Gary James, wrote on Facebook: “I’ve just seen this news… Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Speaking to The Manc, General Secretary of City’s Official Supporters Club, Kevin Parker told us: Tommy was a blue through and through and 100% committed to The Supporters Club at Cheadle and its members.
“I have known Tommy for over 30 years and no one deserved the recent success the club has had more than him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and fondly remembered. He will still be watching our wonderful club from the Blue Stands in the Sky telling anyone who disrespects his Club to ‘do one'”
Known to so many throughout the fan base, even supporters who never met him personally have been sharing their condolences on various platforms. Those who knew him well have nothing but heartwarming memories to share.
Fan forums like Bluemoon have been awash with people mourning Muir’s passing. One person told the story of meeting him at the age of 17 and following him when moved to The George and Dragon pub – another popular City haunt before games.
Another wrote: “I got to know Tommy when I joined the Cheadle Supporters branch. Tommy loved being branch secretary. He was absolutely dedicated to his position as branch secretary […] The branch meetings were serious affairs, getting through what had to be discussed, but in between was humour and laughter brought about by Tommy.
“Tommy had a huge sense of humour, and his one-liners were famous amongst the branch members, which would have everyone laughing throughout the meetings. The coach trips to the away games were never dull. They were always full of cheer, drinking, laughter, and City songs.”
“Keep on watching your beloved City from above. Rest in peace, Tommy.”
Losses like this within a fan base are always tough to take. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, the Cheadle Branch and all the Blues whose lives he touched. RIP Tommy Muir.
Georgina Pellant -
14th August 2021 
