Manchester is absolutely bursting at the seams with brilliant brunch spots, and don’t even get just started on trying to pick from all 10 boroughs as a whole, it’s impossible.
However, over the past year or so, we suddenly realised that somewhat of a city centre trio of brunch spots serving unreal breakfasts, midday delights and early afternoon scran has emerged.
While some have been there longer than others, all three of these places within aren’t just within spitting distance of each other but are enjoying a real wave of success at the moment – and it’s no surprise why: they’re all utterly incredible.
Three brilliant city centre brunch spots for you to try
1. Bruncho
First up on the list is the aptly named Bruncho, which opened just last summer, and despite announcing itself to the Manchester hospitality scene rather quietly at the time, it’s starting to pick up some serious pace now.
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Specialising in unreal breakfasts and Mediterranean exports like menemen, Turkish eggs, their own spins of spicy favourite shakshuka, as well as plenty of dessert-forward plates with colour palettes as full as the plates themselves.
It goes without saying that you can obviously get a proper good ‘Bruncho Full English‘, but we’d encourage you to branch out and, who knows, maybe have a brekkie that features ice cream? In fact, it’s sentences like that which make it our Thomas’ favourite way to start the day – albeit ideally a lie-in.
Now, another very strong candidate which has been around on the Manc brunch scene much longer than the other two on this list is local success story, Alex’s Bakery, though we’ll admit we’d mainly visited this place for the unreal brownies, cupcakes and other assorted sweet treats until recently.
However, in addition to the popularity of their lunch deal (a panini, cupcake and drink), they’ve really stepped up their wider brunch offerings of late, going from what was once just a Manchester Artisan Market back in 2014 to branching out into everything good you can put on toast and tonnes more.
It may not garner the often ridiculously long queues of other places, but that’s because this place has a steady flow of regulars all week long who’ve steadily fallen in love with it over many years. They’re tres leches cakes alone are well worth the visit.
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3. Acai And The Tribe
Last but not least, the acai craze is undoubtedly one of the biggest foodie trends around right now, as proven by the lines that gather outside this Great Northern venue at least once virtually every weekend – but Acai And The Tribe has actually been on the hype for ages.
That being said, after moving from Arndale Market to Deansgate Mews back in 2022 and now along the main strip in recent months, their popularity has skyrocketed. If you’re looking for a health brunch open packed with vibrance, vitamins and plenty of other very nice toppings, this is the one for you.
We’ll warn you, finding the right window to visit is essentially if you don’t want to wait around for ages these days, but both Clem and Daphne still greatly approve, so it’s it gets the seal of approval from us.
So, while we could recommend you a whole load of fantastic places in around Manchester city centre, we’ve been particularly charmed by this mini Manc brunch triangle around Deansgate.
Best of all, it’s just always great to see local businesses thriving, isn’t it? Especially when it comes to people lining the streets and sending it viral just for a chance to taste their offerings.
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Modern breakfast and brunch are things that can be either perfect in their simplicity or surprising in their creativity; either way, we’re glad there are plenty of examples of that here in Manchester.
‘This is huge’ – Modest Salford Greek restaurant celebrates being added to Michelin Guide
Daisy Jackson
Kallos, a Greek restaurant in Salford, has shared a heartfelt thank you after being added to the Michelin Guide less than a year after opening.
The brilliant Greater Manchester newcomer is the latest local restaurant to receive recognition from the prestigious guide, which celebrates the best places to eat and drink across the globe.
In a glowing review, The Michelin Guide has praised Kallos for its ‘caring service and sumptuous flavours of the Mediterranean’.
Kallos opened at Cortland at Colliers Yard in spring this year, launched by couple Ioanna and Ivan who are doing a damn good job of bringing a taste of Santorini to their stripped-back, concrete-filled, light-flooded new space.
In the mornings, you’ll find brunches like handmade flatbreads loaded with toppings including Merguez sausage, Spanakopita, or Glazed smoked bacon and scrambled eggs; plus yoghurt bowls and pastries.
And then as the day wears on, the menu switches to meze plates, premium tinned fish from coastal Spain and Portugal, and more of those show-stopping flatbreads.
Speaking of the honour of being added to the Michelin Guide, Kallos thanked every member of its team by name, and said ‘it happened because of our team’s dedication’.
Kallos in Salford has been added to the Michelin GuideKallos in Cortland at Colliers Yard, Salford
They wrote: “Today is the day all the hard work of our team was truly recognised.
“Kallos was created with the intention and belief that hospitality begins with our people and through them, it reaches our guests.
“We’re incredibly proud to have a team that lives these values every day, lifting each other up with care, kindness, and genuine hospitality.
“This morning, we woke up to the news that we’ve been added to the Michelin Guide @michelinguide. For a small business like ours, in our very first year of operations, this is huge.
“It happened because of our team’s dedication to every plate that leaves the kitchen, every welcoming smile, and every story we share with each wine we serve.
“Jade, Josh, Sam, Megan, Nina, Giorgos, Ali, Riley – thank you for being the team that makes Kallos what it is.
“And to all the guests who have supported us, believed in us, and shared in what we’re building – thank you. We can’t wait to welcome you again. With gratitude, Ioanna & Ivan.”
The Michelin Guide says: “With its all-day dining, caring service and sumptuous flavours of the Mediterranean, this is the kind of neighbourhood operation you could quickly find yourself visiting week after week.
“Part of the city’s Greengate development, its offering starts with brunch, before morphing from a café vibe into a wine bar and restaurant.
“The evening meze menu is a treat for all fans of Greek cuisine, with the likes of topped flatbreads (the lamb shoulder option is terrific), a supremely comforting chickpea stew and a selection of high-end tinned fish.”
A huge congratulations to Ioanna, Ivan, and the full Kallos team.
Rudy’s toy-swap – You can swap toys for pizza in Manchester this Christmas
Daisy Jackson
You’ll be able to claim a free pizza in exchange for donating a toy to charity this Christmas, with the return of Rudy’s toy-swap initiative.
The popular pizzeria is teaming up again with Cash for Kids, for a community-led toy-swap initiative.
Mancs who take an unwrapped, new toy (worth £10) into any Rudy’s pizzeria will be able to claim a pizza on the house as a thank you.
One toy = one free Neapolitan pizza.
The toys collected in the charity drive will be donated to the Cash for Kids charity, spreading a little festive cheer to children in need.
When Rudy’s held a similar toy-swap scheme last year, they gathered 6,500 toy donations.
The donations and free pizza will be available from Monday 1 December to Thursday 4 December between 12pm and 5pm.
Commenting on the toy-swap initiative, Managing Director of Rudy’s Pizza Neal Bates, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing back our festive toy swap this Christmas in partnership with Cash for Kids.
“The campaign is a simple way for our guests to give back and help bring a little joy to children who might otherwise go without.
“Community has always been at the heart of Rudy’s, and this initiative is a small way for us to say thank you and spread kindness throughout our community, all with delicious pizza in hand.”
The Rudy’s toy-swap initiative is back in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
There’ll be new festive pizzas to try in every Rudy’s too, including the Porchetta (with Emilia-Romagna porchetta, sage-roasted potatoes and cranberry sauce); the Pesto Rosso (homemade sundried tomato red pesto base with capers and tomatoes); and the Pizza Sorbillo, inspired by Naples’ legendary Sorbillo Pizzeria.
There’ll also be seasonal cocktails including the spiced red berry spritz, the white Christmas margherita, and a winter spiced negroni.
Rudy’s toy swap initiative will run from 1 – 4 December across all of Rudy’s pizzerias in the UK – Manchester pizzerias include Ancoats, Peter Street, and Portland Street, plus branches in suburbs across Greater Manchester.