Northern Quarter institution Koffee Pot has just launched a brand new breakfast plate, and it’s not for the faint of heart.
The Oldham Street greasy spoon, which has been serving some of the best breakfasts in Manchester since all the way back in 1976, is proudly presenting ‘The Flopper’.
This monstrous new £28 brekkie features all the usual bits of a Full English, but multiplied. There are no less than six different forms of pork on your plate.
It’s so big, it spills over a normal place setting and is on a plate I’m pretty sure is actually a sharing platter they’ve nabbed out of their Aunty Shirley’s Christmas crockery collection.
Koffee Pot has never been one to disappoint with portion sizes – you only need to have ordered a full English or ‘Manc Muffin’ before to know that — but this thing is an absolute beast.
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Thankfully, they called in the demolition crew, a.k.a. The Manc office, to give it a proper go. Good job we’ve developed massive stomachs in this job.
We’ve come across plenty of ridiculously large items on Manchester menus over the years but we’ll admit, this one was quite something.
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Koffee Pot’s huge new breakfast, ‘The Flopper’Koffee Pot’s huge new breakfast, ‘The Flopper’To anybody already cockily saying ‘I could smash that’: good — we dare you.
A lot of the NQ might be more for brunching than good old-fashioned brekkies these days but this absolute unit of a plate is a reminder that there are still plenty of gaffs in the city centre doing the no-nonsense early-morning eats.
Here’s what you have to contend with: four rashers of bacon, two sausages, one haggis, white pudding and black pudding; one Lorne sausage, a big slice of spam; eggs, beans, tomato, mushrooms, fried bread, one tattie scone, two hash brown and four rounds of toast.
They also cut them in half so it somehow looks like more — don’t ask us how, it just does and we’re convinced it’s more mind games on their part but we refuse to be wobbled.
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But we’re embarrassed to say we were well and truly defeated by The Flopper. It took two of us in the end, with Dean getting things started before tapping out and having to call in this wrecking ball (me) to finish things off. Between us, we got it done.
It’s also worth noting that it was utterly delicious and no matter how hard it got, we enjoyed every bite; it was also our first try of Lorne sausage (square Scottish slices of minced meat, rusk and spices) and Koffee Pot might be one of the select few places you’ll find serving white pudding in town.
Now, this isn’t technically a challenge and the only real prize is making yourself incredibly full, but having been among the very lucky few to have tried it first, it feels like you’re going into battle when you sit down to eat this. The question is, are you up to the £28 task?
Last but most importantly, the staff here are real grafters and always so sound no matter how busy they get morning, noon and night, so we sincerely hope some of you give it a go and even if not, you won’t be disappointed with your food, drinks or service.
We recently tried their new Birria Brothers specials and just like us on our bellies after just about managing to polish off The Flopper, they absolutely slapped.
First look inside Social Osteria, Stockport’s buzzy new Italian restaurant
Lydia Mastrolonardo
That’s right Stopfordians – we’re gaining yet another brand new addition to our town’s blooming food and drink scene, as Social Osteria opens its doors at Weir Mill.
It’s safe to say we’re in good hands, with the geniuses behind The Social Trattoria, named best Trattoria at the Italian Awards UK 2025, being the ones to bring this new taste of Italy to South Manchester.
Just because we are no longer experiencing the weather to match an Italian summer, doesn’t mean we can’t continue eating like we’re there.
Social Osteria can now be found overlooking the River Mersey, as a beautiful 2,000 sq ft space within the buzzing new canalside development, fully equipped with the classic exposed red brickwork, vaulted ceilings and even the restored original kiln.
As you approach the restaurant, you are greeted by a sunken courtyard and riverside seating, making for the perfect alfresco dining spot, when the warmer weather finally rolls back around.
With the meaning of Osteria being an Italian tavern, for locals to gather and enjoy each other’s company, good wine and honest, flavourful food – the team have stayed true to the name. You can expect dim, ambient lighting, an open kitchen, fresh small plates, flavourful 48-hour pizzas, and traditional pasta.
Vibrant dishes at Social Osteria in Stockport. Credit: The Manc Group
This glamorous new restaurant is promising a spectacular menu, from cacio e pepe butter beans to guanciale topped pizzas and their very own slow-cooked beef shin and pork shoulder paccheri ragu, you know we’re in the right place.
With Italian food running in the family, the team’s cooking practices are rooted in traditional methods, passed down through the generations and then presented to us, with the freshest of ingredients.
It suits Capital&Centric, who’ve taken the same approach to Weir Mill itself – embracing the character of the historic mill whilst transforming it into a vibrant community, for generations to come.
Inside Social Osteria at Weir Mill. Credit: The Manc Group
Set below Stockport’s iconic viaduct, the £60m neighbourhood is now home to 253 apartments alongside bustling cafés, wine bars and stunning restaurants akin to Social Osteria, accompanied by plenty of outdoor seating, green spaces, and riverside viewpoints.
Where Osteria Social now calls home is part of Stockport’s £1 billion Town Centre West masterplan, adding to the town’s growing reputation as one of the best locations to live in the UK.
Social Osteria will officially open Thursday 22 October, at Weir Mill. Be sure to book your tables early as we fear this one might get a little booked up.
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.
Danny Jones -
16th February 2024 
