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.
Traitors star and comedian Joe Lycett is putting cash behind the bar at two Manchester pubs
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Joe Lycett is putting money behind the bar at two Manchester pubs this week, as he continues to encourage people to get out and support their local boozers.
The TV favourite – who is also currently one of the stars on The Traitors – announced the news as he bid farewell to his fictional TV pub The Lycett Arms.
On the show, he said: “There are 45,000 pubs in the UK – go and give them some love.”
Joe Lycett then proceeded to list 30 brilliant pubs up and down the country, including two in Manchester, and announced that the drinks are on him this week.
He told audiences: “[This] Friday I’ll be putting a little bit of money behind the bar in all the pubs you’ve just seen. I hope you can have a drink on me.”
The pubs he picked out in Manchester are the iconic old boozer The Peveril of the Peak, and the excellent pub and comedy venue The Old Monkey.
The Peveril of the Peak on Great Bridgewater Street is a real icon in the city centre, with its green tiled exterior and its cosy interiors.
Until recently, it was run by legendary local landlady Nancy Swanick, who died in July at the age of 96.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterInside The Pev
Commenting on Joe Lycett’s post about his pub offer, they wrote: “You are all more than welcome at The Pev. Give me a shout and I will sort you out with a pie, Joe.”
The Old Monkey, meanwhile, is famed for its comedy nights run by Trapdoor Comedy Club, and for its open mic sessions, as well as award-winning beers.
The Portland Street pub has also very kindly agreed to match Joe Lycett’s donation, which means double the budget for pints for Mancs.
The Manchester restaurants and bars shortlisted for the MFDF Awards 2026
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards – better known as the MFDF Awards – have revealed the shortlist of local restaurants, bars, cafes, chefs, and more that are up for the city’s ultimate accolade.
Dozens of outstanding local businesses are nominated across 17 categories, covering everything from food trucks to Michelin Star chefs.
The winners will be revealed at the MFDF Awards ceremony on Monday 25 January, which this year will be held at Medlock Square’s City Hall for the first time.
Sponsored once again by Therme Manchester, the MFDF Awards celebrate the outstanding talent in Manchester’s hospitality scene.
Categories have been chosen to showcase new openings, talented chefs and producers, neighbourhood favourites, top restaurants, great pubs, and plenty more.
The shortlist has been selected from a list of submissions by the MFDF Awards judging panel, made up of leading food and drink critics, writers and industry experts.
As well as the public vote, judges will mystery shop venues in a number of categories and will score venues based on their experiences. The mystery shopping and public voting period will end at midnight on 11 January 2027 when the polls will be counted and combined with the judges’ scores and the winner of each category will be chosen.
The awards are now open to public vote on the MFDF website HERE.
Alexa Stratton-Powell, Awards Director of the MFDF Awards, said: “We’re proud to reveal this year’s MFDF Awards shortlists and shine a spotlight on the very best of Greater Manchester’s food and drink scene.
“The awards celebrate the incredible talent, creativity and diversity that make our region a world-class food and drink destination. We’re encouraging everyone to get behind the nominees by voting for your favourites, visiting the shortlisted venues and showing your support for our brilliant hospitality industry.
“We’re also looking forward to bringing the industry together on 25 January 2027 for a fantastic night of celebration and to crown this year’s winners.”
The Community Food and Drink Project of the Year, sponsored by Therme Manchester, is being decided through a separate judging process. The award celebrates initiatives making a positive difference to communities across Greater Manchester, from tackling food poverty and promoting sustainability to improving access to healthy food and bringing communities together.
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement will also be presented on the night to recognise an outstanding contribution to Greater Manchester’s food and drink industry, with no public shortlist for the category.
The Manchester restaurants and bars on the MFDF 2026 shortlist
1. Affordable Eats Venue of the Year (Sponsored by Therme Manchester)
Sips n Dips in LevenshulmeNoodle Alley in ChinatownCredit: The Manc Group
Al Madina – 76 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M14 5AL
Noodle Alley – 56A Faulkner Street, Manchester M1 4FH
Sips & Dips – 994 Stockport Rd, Manchester M19 3WN
Que Huong Viet – 76–78 Oldham Rd, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5EB
Kabana – 52 Back Turner Street, Manchester M4 1FR
Bahn Mi 782 – 782 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2DR
Zaytoni’s – 12 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JQ
Cafe San Juan – 27 St Petersgate, Stockport, Manchester SK1 1EB
Previous winner – Double Zero
2. Takeaway of the Year
Kool Runnings – 118 Chorlton Road, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M15 4AN
Rita’s Reign – Piccadilly, Manchester M1 1LY
Chicken Run – 6 Yarburgh St, Whalley Range, Manchester M16 7FJ
Viet Deli – 22 Blackfriars Street, Manchester M3 5BQ
Levenshulme Bakery – 842 Stockport Rd, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 3AW
The Post Box Shawarma – 543 Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9PP
Emily Sergeant -
27th November 2020 
