You no longer have to miss out on fudgey, flavourful brownies if you’re vegan – Ditto Bakes is creating a selection of to-die-for desserts.
Baked by Emma, a vegan lifestyle influence based in Manchester, these sweet treats are posted to all UK postcodes, so you don’t need to miss out even if you have strayed far from the city.
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From party rings, jammy dodgers and lotus biscuits amongst many more, you’ll have a difficult time choosing just one of the delicious flavours!
If you’re looking for a summer’s day treat or a perfect barbecue dessert, The Cheesefake Company’s vibrant cheesecakes are the way forward.
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These light and creamy desserts are 100% plant-based and baked in Prestwich, offering authentic-tasting ‘cheesefakes’ that don’t compromise on flavour or texture.
Whether you opt for the healthier fruit toppings or go all-out with their rich and indulgent alternatives, there’s no denying that these cheesecakes are a must-try.
The inventive vegan flavours include Chorlton Crack (salted caramel and peanut butter), Campari & Coconut, and Lemon Treacle Tart – you certainly won’t find ice creams like this elsewhere!
Whatever you fancy, the variety of vegan flavours mean you don’t have to miss out on a delicious and refreshing ice cream during the current heatwave.
Ice Shack
Ice Shack
Ice Shack is the north’s first fully vegan dessert parlour based in Withington, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint!
There’s not just one or two vegan options here – the venue offers every flavour under the sun in the form of ice creams, milkshakes, cakes, truffles and pastries.
This is an essential stop during the summer months, although beware: After one visit you won’t be able to resist returning a handful of times to try every flavour!
Some people assume that a vegan diet is mostly leafy greens but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Indeed, Leafy Creams is proving it: Adding a sprinkle of sweetness with their gourmet artisanal cakes.
This independent bakery is serving delicious plant-based bakes across the Manchester region, focusing on high-quality taste and jaw-dropping designs.
The cakes are astounding and deserve to be a pride of place during a birthday or anniversary celebration, although we won’t judge you if they’re also your sweet-tooth fill on a casual weekday evening.
Food & Drink
A huge festival dedicated to tequila and mezcal is coming to Manchester this month
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s first-ever Mezcal and Tequila Festival is taking place this month, filling Manchester Cathedral with tastings, masterclasses, cocktails and street food.
The massive event will see the Grade I-listed building transformed into an agave spirits tasting floor, featuring more than 100 varieties of premium tequilas and mezcals from some of Mexico’s best producers including El Jimador, Ojo de Tigre, El Sueno, Los Arcos, Del Maguey, Cazcabel, Komos, Nixta, Tapatio, El Tequileno, Tiempo and many more.
Festival-goers will be able to gain exclusive insights into the craftsmanship behind these spirits, sampling (responsibly, of course) from dozens of stands.
All samples, plus a limited-edition clay tasting copita, will be included in the ticket price – there’s no token system here and no extra charges for samples.
The new Mexican-inspired drinks festival only debuted in Glasgow back in Spring 2023 but it unsurprisingly went down an absolute storm – after all, what’s not to like a big festival full of booze?
Bartenders will stir up cocktails at the bespoke cocktail bar while the crowds are kept fed by delicious street food, including Mexican-inspired Taco Or Don’t, previously featured at the British Streetfood Awards.
And it’d be remiss of you to leave the festival empty-handed when you can take a taste of Mexico home from the exclusive bottle shop provided by Drinkmonger on site (with discount tokens included in the ticket price).
A tequila and mezcal festival is heading on Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Colin Campbell, one of Copita’s co-founders said: “We’re really excited to be bringing Copita to Manchester. It’s gone down brilliantly in Glasgow the last two years so we felt now was the right time to take it on the road and we couldn’t think of a better place than Manchester to head to next!
“It’s a really easy-going event with a great atmosphere, lots of local street food, shopping and music, so whether you’re an aficionado or a casual sipper we’re confident you’ll have a great time.”
The Copita Mezcal and Tequila Festival will be at Manchester Cathedral on Saturday 14 September.
Lina Stores – Italian deli restaurant serving homemade pasta and more is heading to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Lina Stores is set to open its very first restaurant in Manchester early next year, taking its beloved mix of handmade pasta and deli food outside of London for the first time.
80 years after opening for the first time in Soho, Lina Stores is heading north to open a 150-cover restaurant.
Blending coffee shop, delicatessen, restaurant, and bar, the new space will be styled in traditional Lina Stores shades of pastel green hues, warm timber woods, and terrazzo and timber flooring.
You’ll find bespoke marble tables, original vintage Bentwood chairs, dark green booth seating and opaline globe lighting inspired by the original Brewer Street delicatessen.
Diners will be spoilt with an Italian-inspired breakfast menu, featuring dishes like truffle scrambled eggs with toasted sourdough, Greek yoghurt with Italian Macedonia fruit salad, and a selection of breakfast panini.
At lunchtimes and dinner there’ll be antipasti such as ricotta and herb gnudi fritti with Calabrian chilli marmellata, and tuna crudo with capers, pink peppercorn and salsa verde.
Lina Stores Manchester will have the brand’s beloved pasta dishes, such as the 30-egg yolk taglioni with black truffle, and lamb sausage ragu pappardelle, plus new options like lemon sole and potato raviolo.
For secondi (because this is Italy darling, you can have two mains!) there are dishes like chicken Milanese and Luganega fennel sausage.
And for dessert, it’s set to be a feast of Sicilian cannolo (filled with ricotta, pistachio and chocolate) and tiramisu.
Lina Stores – Italian deli restaurant serving homemade pasta and more is heading to Manchester. Credit: Rebecca Hope
In the open-plan delicatessen, you’ll be able to grab filling salads, freshly-made panini, and delicate cakes and pastries.
Shelves will be stocked with Lina Stores Collection pantry essentials, from olive oil to traditional biscotti.
And just next to that will be Bar Lina, serving classic and modern Italian cocktails for aperitivo hour until late at night.
Expect favourites like the bloody martini, Rinomata americano, and the basilico with gin, vermouth, basil and lemon.
The bar will have a versatile wine list from all corners of Italy, including the brand’s own signature collection.
Lina Stores Manchester will be located on Quay Street in the recently-refurbished Quoin building, right opposite the Opera House theatre.
Masha Rener, Head Chef of Lina Stores, said: “We’re extremely excited to be opening in Manchester this spring.
“The city feels like a natural home for us considering the area’s rich history, vibrant culinary scene and lively nightlife, and look forward to sharing our passion of great Italian food and produce with the Manchester community.
“Quay Street is the perfect location for us to do so, sitting right in the trifecta of Spinningfields, St John Street and St Peter’s Square.”
Daisy Bradbury -
18th June 2021 
