We all crave that chocolate taste every now and then.
Those with a sweet tooth will probably know that feeling all too well, but even for those who favour savoury or keep chocolate as a treat for special occasions, it’s hard to ignore cravings when they come.
For many, a hot chocolate is the perfect antidote to those cravings, especially when it’s a little on the chilly side out.
And right here in Greater Manchester, there’s plenty of independents whipping up some of the best hot chocolates you’ve ever seen, so if you find yourself in the city centre or a little further out this weekend and you’re looking to treat yourself, we’ve rounded up some of the best places that are #StillServingMCR and open for walk-ins to head on down to and grab yourself a takeaway hot chocolate.
There’s never been a more important time to support local.
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Pot Kettle Black
Barton Arcade
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While PKB may be known for it’s “Antipodean coffee culture with a Northern accent”, don’t count out the luxurious hot chocolates served from the Barton Arcade takeout hatch in the heart of the city centre – it couldn’t be easier to grab as you go.
Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BW
Thursday – Sunday: 10am – 3pm
You can find more information via the PKB website here.
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Grindsmith
Bridge Street & Media City
Another beloved Manchester independent that’s famed nationwide for its freshly-roasted coffee offering, but when it comes to hot chocolates, Grindsmith certainly know what they’re doing here too.
Both the Bridge Street and Media City sites are currently open for takeout.
62 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BW | Unit 5&6, The Garage, Media City UK, Salford, M50 2EQ
You can find more information via the Grindsmith website here.
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Michael’s Coffee House
Royal Exchange Arcade
Tucked away in the Royal Exchange Arcade, just off Cross Street in the heart of the city centre, Michael’s Coffee House may have coffee in its name, but there’s a selection of luxury, seasonal and customisable hot chocolates to choose from too.
Open daily for takeout, it couldn’t be easier to grab and go.
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Unit 20, Royal Exchange Arcade, Manchester, M2 7EA
Monday – Saturday: 9am – 8pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm
You can find more information via the Michael’s Coffee House website here.
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Alex’s Bakery
Great Northern
One of Great Northern’s many hidden gems, Alex’s Bakery knows a thing or two about sweet treats and when it comes to hot chocolates, you can’t go wrong with a takeout cup topped full of whipped cream, marshmallows and more.
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There’s also plenty of cupcakes, brownies and cookies too, if you really fancy treating yourself.
Great Northern, 225 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Sunday: 11am – 5pm
You can find more information via the Alex’s Bakery website here.
A popular stop-off for Ancoats and Didsbury locals, artisan chocolatiers Cocoa Cabana is currently open for all your takeaway hot chocolate needs, and with over 12 varieties on the menu – everything from classic cocoa, to Kinder Bueno, Biscoff, peanut butter and more – you’ll be spoilt for choice.
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7 Murray Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6HS | 168 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 1LH
Wednesday – Sunday: 10am – 6pm
You can find more information via the Cocoa Cabana website here.
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Slattery
Whitefield
You only have to say the name Slattery to a Mancunian and you’ll hear rave reviews, because if anyone knows a thing or two about chocolate round these parts, it’s this Whitefield favourite, and now, Slattery’s famous Swiss-style hot chocolate – available in either milk or white chocolate, and with a range of chocolate toppings – is ready to takeaway.
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197 Bury New Road, Whitefield, Bury, M45 6GE
Tuesday – Saturday: 9am – 5pm
You can find more information via the Slattery website here.
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The Chocolate Cafe
Ramsbottom
If you’re looking for the best of the best, then you really can’t go wrong with a place that has chocolate in the name, as the award-winning The Chocolate Cafe chocolate café in Ramsbottom has a range of luxury hot chocolates to take away, topped with whipped cream, chocolate curls, marshmallows and chocolate sauce, or customisable with syrups and boozy shots.
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2 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HX
Thursday – Saturday: 10:30am – 4:30pm
You can find more information via The Chocolate Cafe website here.
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GK Tea Room
Salford
The extensive menu at this unique Salford tea room joined to an art gallery means you’ll never have to have the same drink twice, and when it comes to the takeaway hot chocolate offering, there’s the option to keep it simple, or go for the full works loaded with whipped cream and marshmallows.
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There’s even a vegan hot chocolate option available too.
They take the art of hot chocolate so seriously at this ever-popular independent Chorlton chocolatier, that you’re given the option to build your own perfect cup from scratch, by first choosing type of chocolate, all the way through to the speciality syrup shots and luxury toppings.
You can find more information via the Cocoa Tree website here.
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Grandpa Greene’s
Diggle
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How can a canal-side ice cream parlour in a little Oldham village serve up some of the best hot chocolates in the region?
Ice cream may be the speciality, but with a takeaway cups coming topped with whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate extras and even some jaw-dropping limited edition seasonal specialities, don’t knock the hot chocolates at Grandpa Greene’s until you’ve tried them.
Ward Lane, Diggle, Saddleworth, Oldham, OL3 5JT
Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm
You can find more information via the Grandpa Greene’s website here.
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Pure Cocoa Fine Chocolates
Hazel Grove
Before the world as we once knew it was flipped on its head, visitors to this popular Hazel Grove independent could watch the chocolatiers making a range of luxury chocolates on site while relaxing with a hot chocolate in the cafe.
While that may be on hold for now, Pure Cocoa is luckily still whipping up some of the finest hot chocolates to take away.
2A Commercial Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport, SK7 4AA
Tuesday – Saturday: 9am – 4pm
You can find more information via the Pure Cocoa Fine Chocolates website here.
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Frederick’s
Wigan
Another ice cream parlour with a North West cult following, the Wigan branch of Frederick’s – tucked away in the Mesnes Park pavilion in the heart of the town centre – is also known as a pretty big deal when it comes to whipping up deluxe hot chocolates to takeaway too.
It really is the place to properly treat yourself.
The Pavilion on Mesnes Park, Mesnes Park, Wigan, WN1 1TU
Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
You can find more information via the Frederick’s website here.
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Please adhere to COVID-19 guidelines and do not travel out of area.
For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Food & Drink
A massive bowling, games and entertainment bar is coming to Manchester next year
Danny Jones
A popular bowling and table games bar that has already proved a hit in Liverpool is coming to Manchester for the very first time next year.
If you’re from the North West, PINS Social Club may not be a new name to you; nevertheless, this will be its Manc debut, with the location not only their first beyond Merseyside but just their second site to date.
As the name would suggest, PINS is primarily about bowling and socialising, but there is plenty more going on at this social club as you’ll find out soon enough.
Scheduled to open in late spring 2026, Manchester and our nearby neighbours in Liverpool are about to strike up a firm party partnership.
CGIs of PINS Social Club Manchester (Credit: Supplied)
Selecting the shifting face of Sunlight House for the space – already home to the likes of Schofield’s Bar – the 25,000 sq ft unit will span three whole floors, offering a next-generation social and entertainment experience in one of Manchester’s most stunning buildings.
A Grade II-listed, Art Deco structure, Sunlight House is undergoing a major £35 million refurbishment, with ‘grade A’ offices set to take up a significant chunk, but it’s soon set to house the latest PINS venue.
Sitting on Quay Street, just off the main Deansgate strip, the busy Peter St corner, and adjacent to Spinningfields, PINS Manchester is springing up right in the midst of arguably the city’s busiest stretches for nightlife.
Promising not only bowling, darts, and table games like pool, shuffleboard and beer pong, but karaoke, live music and all the biggest sporting events on the box, PINS Social Club really does aim to be a one-stop shop for all your needs on a night out.
For instance, their food offerings will run all the way from breakfast through to the late evening, and PINS Manchester is also set to feature a main stage on the ground floor for “electric half-time shows”, with the gaming mezzanine looming just above.
Not only is this going to be PINS’ biggest venue yet, but it’s well and truly on track to be one of the biggest hospitality openings coming in the next 12 months.
Headed up by MD Daniel Kelly, who has also been helping run the resurrected Almost Famous brand here in Manchester, the team knows all about this city. Speaking on the announcement, Kelly said: “Manchester is a city that thrives on energy, culture, and community – everything that PINS is about.
“This new venue will be our biggest yet, offering a bold and exciting social space that’s purpose-built for entertainment, competition, and ultimately, having a great time. We can’t wait to bring our concept to Manchester’s incredible social scene. Keep an eye out for more details coming soon.”
Julien Buronfosse, Managing Director at Karrev (the estate company who have leased the building to the business) added: “The PINS offering is diverse, dynamic and will provide tenants and the local community with an unparalleled leisure experience.
“We wanted to work with an operator that understood our vision of breathing new life into a historic building, contributing to the new era that Sunlight House is entering. The building has ambitions to be much more than Grade A office space, with a specific emphasis on community building. The addition of PINS to Sunlight House will contribute greatly to that.”
Consider us here at The Manc GroupVERY excited for this one.
As you can see, they’ve got plenty of room to work with. (Credit: Calmafftaylor via Wikimedia Commons)
Featured Images — CGIs (supplied)/Wikimedia Commons
Food & Drink
Didsbury favourite Rustik adjust plans to close after overwhelming support
Danny Jones
Didsbury favourite Rustik recently announced that they would soon be closing, seemingly for good, after more than a decade, but after a fortunate twist of fate, there looks to be a sliver of hope, and like they could be staying open after all.
The beloved neighbourhood cafe and bar has been a staple of the tight-knit foodie neighbourhood since 2015, but the independent Irish eatery confirmed that they were due to shut down permanently by the end of last month.
Confirmed on Wednesday afternoon, 17 September, the casual Manc restaurant and hangout informed their loyal followers of the unfortunate news.
To no surprise whatsoever, their social media has been awash with condolences, collective sadness and support for the local institution, which has also helped lead to a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
Updating their followers via social media on Monday, 13 October, Rustik wrote: “We Need You More Than Ever […] We know it’s been quiet since we closed our doors — and honestly, it’s been a tough time behind the scenes.
“So many of you reached out, checked in, sent kind words, and we’ve felt every bit of that love. Thank you. Truly. When we said goodbye, we weren’t sure what the future looked like. But due to unexpected changes and plans falling through, things have come back around… and now, we’re reopening.
“It’s not easy to say this, but like so many in hospitality right now, it’s tough. We know we’re not alone in this — many small businesses are facing incredibly difficult decisions. But instead of closing the chapter, we’ve decided to give it one more shot. With everything we have.
“So, we’re reopening this Wednesday, 15 October, with a brand new brunch menu and the same Rustik heart you’ve always known. For now, we won’t be open in the evenings — but that might change. What matters most is that our doors will be open again, and we can welcome you back.”
Not only is this obviously brilliant news, but Burton Road favourite is also offering guests a 20% discount off the menu until Halloween (31 Oct) – their way of not only encouraging new customers to come through their doors, but also as a thank you to all their loyal patrons over the years.
Again, the return of late dining and their usual full programme of nighttime events still looks uncertain, but for now, they’ll be “serving coffee and brunch Wednesday to Sunday, 9am–4pm, and hoping to see as many familiar (and new) faces as possible.”
They signed off by adding: “This is a fresh start, but we can’t do it without you. If you’ve ever loved what we do, now is the time we need you most. Your support, your presence, even just sharing this with someone who might pop in – it means everything. With love, gratitude, and a little bit of hope — The Rustik Team.”
This positive turn of events comes just a few weeks after what fans thought was the endgame for the West Dids community cornerstone.
Posting across all of their accounts on 17 September, Rustik wrote: “After an unforgettable 10 years on Burton Road, the time has come to close our doors. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come — never in a million years did we imagine Rustik would grow into what it became.
Expressing their gratitude after the best part of a decade in the south Manchester suburb, they touched upon the post-COVID recovery period, rising business rates, supply chain costs and many of the same challenges that other hospitality venues have cited as reasons for the initial decision.
“From the chaotic, beautiful brunch shifts to late nights dancing on tables to ‘Wagon Wheel’, pushing through the challenges of COVID and helping our community with meals during hard times— we’ve done it all, together.
We sincerely hope the talk of closing proves to be merely a blip and that this next chapter signals the start of an incredible new era for Rustik, and as for you local foodies, we urge you to meet the further call for support and visit them during this crunch period.
Emily Sergeant -
18th March 2021 
