When it comes to pancakes, we already know that Manchester has some great options – but according to a new study, we apparently have two of the best pancake spots in the whole country.
In honour of Pancake Day, aka Shrove Tuesday, Betway has commissioned a new survey to list the best spots where you can treat yourself to your favourite fluffy, sugary treats up and down the UK – and two of our favourite Manchester eateries have just made the top ten.
Measuring popularity by a unique index score (generated by the number of hashtags each location has racked up on Instagram, as well as Google and Tripadvisor reviews), the survey includes American-style pancake houses as well as restaurants selling French crêpes to cover all bases.
The lower the overall index score, the higher the ranking and, with the results now in, it has been revealed that two Manchester spots feature alongside sites in Birmingham, Liverpool and Cardiff.
These are longstanding Northern Quarter cafe Evelyn’s (coming in at #8) and the ever-popular North American ‘comfort diner’ Moose Coffee (ranking at #4 and #10), which has multiple northwest sites and two in Manchester city centre – one on New York Street and a second on Piccadilly Approach.
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Image: Evelyn’s
Image: Evelyn’s
First opened in Manchester in 2013, Moose frequently attracts queues around the block and is known for its fluffy North American pancakes and Canadian-style breakfasts.
The menu here is heavily inspired by the founders’ travels in America and Canada, and owners cite iconic New York breakfast spots like Pershing Deli at the south end of Grand Central Station and Comfort Diner on 45th Street as key influences.
As a result, there’s a long list of Moose pancake stacks and benedicts served alongside classics like savoury, smooth and buttery comfort food Grits and fried potato hash – all available to eat in or, alternatively, to order to enjoy from the comfort of your couch (courtesy of Deliveroo).
As for trendy Northern Quarter cafe Evelyn’s, another longstanding fixture in Manchester city centre, you’ll find indulgent buttermilk souffle pancakes loaded with honeycomb butter and a spiced berry compote.
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There are specials for pancake day 2023 too, like Nutella and strawberry, date caramel and banana, and a spiced apple compote.
Alongside Manchester eateries, those in the neighbouring city of Liverpool also did very well with its native Bold Street Coffee (which has recently opened two new sites in Manchester) ranking at a prestigious #2.
As for the number one spot, that was scooped up by Ju Ju’s Cafe in Birmingham – an independent family run restaurant offering a selection of pancake options, from banana and salted caramel, berry, and crispy bacon and syrup.
Top 10 most popular pancake spots in the UK (index score created using figures from Tripadvisor, Google and Instagram):
Ju Ju’s Cafe, Birmingham
Bold Street Coffee, Liverpool
Barkers Tea House, Cardiff
Moose Coffee – Dale Street, Liverpool
Brasco Lounge, Liverpool
MUMS Great Comfort Food, Edinburgh
Bill’s Cardiff Central, Cardiff and Brew & Bake, Belfast
Evelyn’s, Manchester
Mesa, Glasgow
Moose Coffee – York Street, Manchester
Feature image – The Manc Group
News
Manchester Airport to launch 12 more new routes across the world this summer
Emily Sergeant
Mancs will soon get the chance to travel to even more of the most beautiful and underrated places on Earth for the first time.
You may remember that back at the start of the year, Manchester Airport announced seven new ‘exciting’ flight routes to destinations across the world, and now with summer right around the corner and the decade-long £1.3 billion transformation of Terminal 2 pretty much complete, a dozen extra locations have been added to the list.
Already described as being ‘the UK’s global gateway in the North’, Manchester Airport offers a route network that’s unparalleled outside London, with more than 200 destinations served by 50 airlines – but that network is set to widen once again.
A coastal resort in Italy, an architectural gem in Greece, and the largest city in the north of Pakistan are among the cities that will gain new direct flights this summer.
Manchester Airport is launching 12 more new routes across the world this summer / Credit: Reisetopia, Malik-Tayyab & Makis-Hristaras (via Unsplash)
Two major global cities will be added to the airport’s long-haul route network this summer, with Algiers and Lahore set to gain direct flights.
The service to Algeria’s capital will be operated by national airline Air Algerie from 14 June, with prices from £263.43pp return, while Pakistan International Airlines will build upon the successful launch of its Islamabad service by adding Lahore as its second destination from Manchester from 3 July, with fares from £881.23pp return.
Other destinations on the list include easyJet’s new service to Bari in southern Italy, launching on 3 July, Preveza, an airport in mainland Greece that serves as the access point for the picturesque island of Lefkada, starting on 24 June, and Ryanair’s new services to Castellon in eastern Spain and Rimini, a city on Italy’s Adriatic coast, both starting on 1 and 3 June, respectively.
A coastal resort in Italy and an architectural gem in Greece are some of the new destinations / Credit: Alain Rouiller & Jonny Africa (via Unsplash)
A handful of Jet2 services to new locations for the airline have already taken flight over the past couple of months, including La Palma, Palermo, and Pula in Croatia.
“We know people are just as keen as ever to enjoy a holiday abroad this summer, and while places like Mallorca, Alicante and Faro are always in demand, we know many travellers want to explore somewhere new, even if they’re travelling to a country that they’ve visited many times before,” commented Stephen Turner, who is the Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport.
“That’s why we’re so excited to see a dozen new routes coming on board this summer, several of which will connect Manchester to destinations unserved by any other northern airport.
“We’re sure these destinations will prove popular with passengers, and we’re grateful to our airlines for their ongoing commitment to offer passengers flying from Manchester unrivalled choice.”
Featured Image – Ivan Shimko (via Unsplash)
News
Manchester United and Lionesses star Ella Toone is now officially an MBE
Danny Jones
Man United Women and Lionesses star Ella Toone is now officially an MBE after collecting the award this week.
The Greater Mancunian has grown to become one of the most influential female players of the modern era, and now her impact has been immortalised by the monarchy.
Being recognised for services to the discipline on Tuesday, 19 May, the local athlete finally collected her accolade at Windsor Castle.
Presented to her by Prince William, the Tyldesley-born attacker said in a statement: “It’s been amazing. It’s a bit of a pinch-me moment to be here and be honoured with an MBE.
“I never thought when I started out playing football I’d now be called Ella Toone MBE, so it’s a bit crazy.”
Having suffered a tough time out with injury, the 26-year-old also insists she is now back feeling “better and stronger than ever.”
With Sarina Wiegman’s official squad selection for the qualifiers ahead of FIFA’s 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, she’s also looking forward to reuniting with her England teammates.
Here she is talking to Sky ahead of the games, not long after receiving the award:
"I've missed it so much, can't wait to be back with the girls" 🏴
Ella Toone is looking forward to meeting up with her England teammates next month for World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/K02nJbSkE0
Speaking back in December, she confessed that it’s all been “a bit mad” for her ever since she learned of the news, but her worthiness speaks for itself.
Winning not only back-to-back Euros titles with the national side, along with the first-ever UEFA Women’s Finalissima trophy in 2023, but also inspiring young kids dreaming of becoming footballers across the country and beyond.
Congratulations once again, ‘Tooney’ – beyond well-deserved.
Across the city, it’s great to see yet more groundbreaking investment in the women’s game being made for generations to come.
Georgina Pellant -
21st February 2023 
