Coffee has understandably been a crutch for many people over the past few months.
Latte, cappuccino, americano, flat white, espresso, mocha, iced, seasonal specials and more – however you take it, those freshly brewed beans are always there to provide a pick-me-up when we need it most, and as we head into our final weekend of England’s national lockdown, there’s plenty of independent cafes and coffee houses in Manchester city centre that are #StillServingMCR.
Our trusty favourites are always here to keep us caffeinated and refreshed at the toughest of times.
So if you find yourself in the city centre looking for that quick caffeine fix this weekend and are stuck for where to go, we’ve rounded up some of the best places that are still open for walk-ins to head on down to and grab yourself a takeaway coffee.
There’s never been a more crucial time to support local.
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Feel Good Club
Northern Quarter
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Mental health and wellbeing cafe Feel Good Club – Manchester’s new kid on the block in the Northern Quarter – has remained open throughout the second national lockdown for takeaway services to provide much-needed support for those who need it most.
And on top of that, the coffee is just pretty damn good.
26 – 28 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EH
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Friday – Saturday: 9am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 4pm
You can find more information via the Feel Good Club website here.
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Federal
Northern Quarter & Deansgate
Serving up quality Antipodean-style coffee from two locations in the heart of Manchester city centre, the ever-popular and much-loved Federal Cafe & Bar is still open for walk-ins to grab yourself a wide range of takeaway beverages this weekend.
You can find more information via the Federal Cafe & Bar website here.
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Hampton & Vouis
Princess Street
Taking great pride its award-winning speciality coffee, Hampton & Vouis is still open this weekend in the heart of the city centre to grab yourself a freshly-brewed cup to go.
31 Princess Street, Manchester, M2 4EW
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Saturday: 10am – 3pm
Sunday: 10am – 3pm
You can find more information via the Hampton & Vouis website here.
Rather aptly admitting that “coffee is everything” and preparing each cup to perfection, Foundation Coffee House still has the doors to its Northern Quarter premises open this weekend, so you can pop in and grab yourself a takeout brew while you’re passing.
Sevendale House, Lever Street, Manchester M1 1JB
Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Sunday: 9am – 5pm
You can find more information via the Foundation Coffee House website here.
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Fress
Northern Quarter
There’s no doubt Fress is best-known for its mouth-watering comfort food, bottomless brunches, and indulgent sweet treats, but did you know you can also pop in to grab a takeaway coffee of your choice this weekend too?
Don’t count it out.
62 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LE
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Saturday: 11am – 6pm
Sunday: 11am – 4pm
You can find more information via the Fress website here.
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Just Between Friends
Northern Quarter & Ancoats
Freshly-brewing each cup of coffee with love, Just Between Friends is now open for takeout at both its Tib Street site in the heart of the Northern Quarter and its Ancoats site too, so you can grab a cup of your choice to-go this weekend.
You can find more information via the Just Between Friends website here.
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Siop Shop
Northern Quarter
By far one of the Northern Quarter’s most unique hangouts in all its brightly-coloured glory, you can pop by Siop Shop this weekend to get yourself that quick caffeine fix, and perhaps a sweet doughnut treat too if that takes your fancy.
53 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1LS
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Saturday: 10am – 3pm
Sunday: 10am – 3pm
You can find more information via the Siop Shop website here.
Proudly championing Antipodean coffee culture with a Northern accent, Pot Kettle Black is serving up some of the finest freshly-brewed cups of caffeine from its Barton Arcade takeout hatch in the heart of the city centre, so it couldn’t be easier to grab as you go.
Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BW
Saturday: 9:30am – 3pm
Sunday: 9:30am – 3pm
You can find more information via the PKB website here.
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Takk
Northern Quarter
Serving a range of single origin coffees that change on a weekly basis and dedicated to sourcing some of the best coffees available in Europe, Takk is freshly-brewing cups to go from its Tarrif Street site in the heart of the Northern Quarter only at weekends, so make sure to swing by if you’re passing.
6 Tariff Street, Manchester, M1 2FF
Saturday: 10am – 3pm
Sunday: 10am – 3pm
You can find more information via the Takk website here.
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Ezra & Gil
Northern Quarter
Beloved neighbourhood hangout Ezra & Gil has provided Manchester with an evolutionary concept in urban coffee and cafe culture since opening doors 2015, and is still serving freshly-brewed cups to go in the heart of the Northern Quarter this weekend.
20 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 1FR
Saturday: 8:30am – 7pm
Sunday: 8:30am – 7pm
You can find more information via the Ezra & Gil website here.
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The Manc Group has partnered with Deliveroo to help local restaurants deliver during lockdown as part of our #StillServingMCR campaign.
Working alongside Deliveroo, The Manc will ensure all restaurants on the service will get the amplification they need across our social platforms. We’ll update our one million-strong audience on your latest updates and deals and we’ll create conversations with the masses about our favourite scran from your menus.
Basically, we will champion you, and we will go above and beyond to do it.
First look at Albert Square as Manchester Christmas Markets return to their spiritual home
Thomas Melia
Manchester Christmas Markets are back and all our Christmas wishes have come true, as its spiritual home Albert Square joins in on the festivities for the first time in six years.
Grab a mulled wine, toast yourself a marshmallow and take a seat, because we’re going to take you on a quick tour of this brand-new offering.
You’ll be able to tick off your Christmas Markets wish list in one place, as Manchester has got all your usual favourites and so much more taking place right here outside of its iconic Town Hall.
As soon as you walk in you’re greeted by a huge sign spelling out the city’s iconic abbreviation ‘MCR’, just in case you forgot where you were, that also doubles as a nice photo opportunity.
Albert Square in Manchester city centre is getting into the Christmas spirit for the first time in six years / Credit: The Manc Group
As you walk into Albert Square there’s a mix of nostalgic wooden huts and brightly coloured modern street food vendor stations waiting to tempt you with all their tasty treats.
There’s no messing around at this Christmas hotspot because not even 10 feet after you enter, you can warm up with a glühwein and bratwurst, yes please.
Think you’re done sampling some festive feasts? Think again as there’s a marshmallow toasting station, a roasted chestnut cart and lots of huts are offering their own hot chocolate creations.
Local street food vendor Rita’s Reign has made her mark in Albert Square too, serving up her foodie feasts with a seasonal spin such as the ‘Festive Feast’ and ‘Christmas Crunch’ combo boxes.
Rita’s Reign is just one of many food vendors at Manchester Christmas Markets / Credit: The Manc Group
As you keep making your way round there’s some lovely gifts and trinkets to browse including tree decorations, ornaments and some vibrant pieces of art.
There’s plenty of ways to keep the kids (and big kids) entertained with some carnival-themed games and stalls as well as a vintage carousel, if that doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit what else will?
Of course, there’s even more food to mention like mini dutch pancakes, toasted sandwiches, French toast, the list is endless (Much like many of our Christmas lists).
And we couldn’t finish our visit without acknowledging the elephant in the room, also known as The Manchester Big Wheel, which is the perfect people-watching spot, but maybe hop on this ride before you try all the tasty treats mentioned above.
The tiny Lake District village that’s home to FOUR Michelin Stars – one of which is surprisingly affordable
Daisy Jackson
Cartmel has long made a place for itself on the map with its food scene, which spans everything from its world-famous Sticky Toffee Pudding shop, all the way up to its three-Michelin star restaurant L’Enclume, widely considered to be the best restaurant in the UK.
For such a tiny dot on the map, just on the edges of the Lake District, they cram in an awful lot of gastronomy, and boast four Michelin Stars on a single street.
This is the home of some of the best produce – whether that’s a mallard or a marrow – on the planet, and a lot of that reputation is thanks to chef Simon Rogan’s enterprise.
The Cartmel Valley is the home of Our Farm, where produce for his group of restaurants is carefully grown and harvested before being prepared and served to diners. The level of care that is taken at every single step of the process is outstanding.
And while L’Enclume is many people’s first thought when they hear ‘Michelin’, especially here up north, there’s a more modest and accessible little sister restaurant just next door, which acts as an incubator for all those shiny accolades.
Rogan & Co has a Michelin star of its own making, and chefs who have passed through its doors include Tom Barnes, who is now chef patron of Skof, his very own Michelin star restaurant in Manchester city centre.
The village of Cartmel. Credit: The Manc Group
One of the best things about Rogan & Co is that it acts as a gateway introduction for the magic of L’Enclume (which is a big treat for most people at £265 per person for the tasting menu).
You’re still eating the same great produce, and experiencing the same level of service, just in a more laid-back, neighbourhood restaurant setting.
And you don’t have to go the whole hog – there’s a set lunch menu where you can get three courses for just £49.
The restaurants that fall within Simon Rogan’s group are always proudly local, and never shy of shouting out their suppliers.
But this hits its stride in a really special way twice a year, when Rogan & Co celebrates Local Heroes week and crafts special menus to show off local artisans, craftspeople, growers and suppliers.
Inside Rogan & CoThe Local Heroes menuThe cheddar scone snacksCredit: The Manc Group
Dining here during Local Heroes Week means that your menu will highlight where everything is sourced, and I don’t just mean the veggies on your plate. I also mean the plate.
Each menu lists the people who have been integral in its creation – Northern Wine filling your glass, Lake District Farmers supplying the beef, Winter Tarn on the butter.
Rogan & Co also shouts out its chefs and floor staff, even crediting Beth and Kayleigh for ‘the tunes’ (and the music is local – they were playing a playlist inspired by Kendal Calling headliners through the years).
So onto that menu – it begins with a dinky cheddar scone made with cheese from Torpenhow Cheese Company just down the road, sliced in half then sandwiched back together with a pickled allium cream.
It’s like no scone I’ve ever tasted before, and yet the ritual of eating it (pulling apart the two halves, spreading the cream evenly, admiring the little shower of crumbs that falls down) feels so familiar and comforting.
Then comes a tangle of brassicas offset by some tangy preserves made by ‘The Pickle Prince’ (that’s Liam, the head chef at Our Farm).
BrassicasCartmel Valley Game mallardParkerhouse rolls
I always find bread to be one of the highlights of any tasting menu – will it be a tiny sourdough loaf, or a fluffy brioche roll?
Here, it’s a neat row of glossy buns inspired by a Parkerhouse roll, made fresh in the village bakery and glazed in Our Farm honey. They’re springy and sticky to the touch and are quickly demolished via a few pats of butter.
I expected a reduced set lunch menu to be on the simpler side, but the main course still consists of an impressive number of elements.
Romney’s mint cakeDamsons and caramelised rice pudding
There’s the leg of a Cartmel Valley Game mallard, its skin audibly crispy, a tiny copper saucepan of shepherd’s pie on the side, along with a snarl of leeks and a wedge of soft celeriac. I’m absolutely delighted with all of it.
And for pudding, damsons sourced from nearby Witherslack are cooked all the way down to a tangy jam, layered into a caramelised rice pudding and then topped with ice cream and homemade toffee popcorn.
To cap things off, there’s a Romney’s mint cake – imagine if an After Eight and a fudge took a tumble in the sheets and produced a top-class after-dinner treat. That.
Pound for pound, Rogan & Co has to be one of the best-value Michelin experiences in the country. So get in the car immediately and head up to Cartmel.
This year’s Local Heroes Week is taking place between 4 and 8 November, but it’ll be back again twice next year.
Emily Sergeant -
27th November 2020 
