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
What to expect from Sticks’n’Sushi, the giant new restaurant that will have Manchester talking
Daisy Jackson
One of the largest restaurant sites in Spinningfields is finally getting the tenant it deserves – Sticks’n’Sushi is heading to Manchester.
In recent months, we’ve seen giant fish being plastered into the windows of the massive two-storey building, which has been largely vacant since Iberica closed way back in 2020 (apart for those weird moments it became a Christmas bar, and then the Oasis merch store).
Work is moving at pace to breathe some life and love back into this building, ready for the official launch of Sticks’n’Sushi at the end of this month.
And the giant fish in the windows give you a good hint of what’s to come, with fresh, quality seafood at the heart of the menus, alongside grilled skewers of meat.
Sticks’n’Sushi is, contrary to what the menu might suggest, a Danish brand – and one of Denmark’s most successful restaurant names, with a dozen locations across its native country plus restaurants in London, Berlin, Oxford and Cambridge.
As well as Manchester, Sticks’n’Sushi has revealed plans to open in Leeds, too. It’s a really impressive operation.
The restaurant started life back in 1994, founded by brothers Kim and Jens Rahbek, and Thor Anderson. The brothers called on their half-Japanese, half-Danish roots to combine culinary traditions from both backgrounds to create their menus.
Beef tataki at Sticks’n’SushiShake tatakiEbi bitesMaki, and nagiri Sticks’n’Sushi also makes excellent cocktailsSashimi Deluxe
It’s still a family affair too, with their nephew working in their rooftop Copenhagen restaurant that overlooks the famous Tivoli Gardens.
When Sticks’n’Sushi lands in Manchester, they want to bring that sleek Scandinavian atmosphere to Spinningfields, along with the precise craftsmanship of Japanese cooking.
They’re perhaps best-known for their sharing menus, which show off a mix of both sticks and indeed sushi.
Highlights will include slithers of beef tataki, topped with artichoke chips and miso aioli (the trick to eating this one is to try and fold the beef around the chips).
The miso-marinated black cod skewers are another popular choice, along with melt-in-the-mouth Wagyu yaki sticks and Shoyu Tebasaki chicken wings.
House roll highlights include shrimp, gochujang and avocado maki, soft shell crab rolls, and lobster abokado.
Sticks’n’Sushi Manchester will transform the two-storey corner unit in Spinningfields with glass and timber, with Berlin architects Diener and Diener working on the project.
It’ll also have a sizeable outdoor pergola terrace and bar.
Bookings are open now HERE ahead of its 30 March launch.
The lost but still much-loved Greater Manchester food and drink spots that Mancs miss the most
Danny Jones
Unfortunately, these days, it feels as if we read about another place closing across the Manchester boroughs almost every week at this point – in fact, many of you might find out about those very closures right here on The Manc.
But, like anyone, we often just sit thinking back on some of our favourite bars, restaurants, takeaways and more that have sadly closed over the years.
10 of the most missed restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs in and around Manchester
1. Danish Food Centre
Starting off with the one we saw the most in the comments is the Danish Food Centre on the shopfront of the Royal Exchange on Cross Street, before sadly closing during the mid-1980s.
Exactly what it sounds like, this old Scandinavian spot first opened back in 1965 and was even known for a traditional sarnie known as ‘The Danwich’, as well as an interior lounge dubbed ‘Copenhagen Corner’.
That being said, many people used to nip here on their dinner break, to meet friends for lunch and a brew, or even to buy things to take home. It was eventually shut down by the Danish government, and we still envy those who got to experience it; still, without the original, we’d never have the likes of KRO Bar.
2. Horts/Ronnie’s Cafe Bar
Another one that popped up plenty in the long list of replies was Horts that used to sit on St. Ann’s Square and the attached Ronnie’s.
The former was more of a wine bar and the latter your standard cafe, but together, they were an ideal city centre favourite that served locals day and night.
By the late 80s, both had sadly disappeared, but people still reminisce about “the grand piano sat under a gorgeous glass dome” and how much they “loved the comfy leather Chesterfield sofas.”
Also up there in the trio of most-mentioned places below the post was the legendary Dutch Pancake House – no, not the one that rears its head at the Manchester Christmas, but at least you can still look forward to your annual fix.
The one we’re talking about was the busy corner of Elisabeth House (now 1 St Peter’s Square), which served a giant menu of sweet and savoury pancakes.
We lost it in the 2000s after developers bought the building, and lots of people are still angry about it.
Number four is Blinkers French and Bistro, which held that border between Salford and Manchester, and was owned by Cheshire-based millionaire, Selwyn Demmy.
The Wilmslow-born businessman may have been known for his famous ‘Hunter’s Moon’ in Wilmslow, but he was also the man behind the bar, restaurant and club which used to be on King Street West.
Before that, it was called the Le Phonographe, and it’s also not to be confused with the modern-day Blinker Bar now serving up top-notch cocktails over on Spring Gardens. By all accounts, it was a real ‘if you know, you know’ kind of gaff…
Next up is the old Grinch bar and grill, which used to be on Chapel Walks just off Cross St, and sadly closed back in 2016 after more than two decades.
More than a few Mancs said they “loved” either visiting and/or working here back in the day, and another cited that “their fried chicken was amazing”.
There’s plenty still open around there these days – including the likes of 10 Tib Lane, New Wave Ramen and the ever-reliable Town Hall Tavern – but evidently, there’s still plenty that really miss it. These days, it’s a pretty good Korean place called Annyeong.
6. Dry Bar/’Dry201′
This next one is a location that does still exist and is technically still a very busy bar most evenings, weekends and sunny afternoons if you can get a seat in the window.
However, many will argue that nothing quite compares to the old Dry Bar, a.k.a. Dry201/’FAC 201′, over in the Northern Quarter.
Nowadays, it’s home to the new and improved Freemount, which moved from its previous venue on Oldham Street; nevertheless, countless people still recall the watering hole in “the original format” as one of the best bars in town.
Their social presence still exists. (Credit: Dry Bar via Facebook)
7. UCP
One we’ve heard tales of now and again over the years, but still slightly wince whenever we hear the full name. In case you’re unaware, UCP is an abbreviation of United Cattle Products, which was the name of a company that had a big presence here in Greater Manchester.
To be fair, it was a pretty familiar brand across the region and the North as a whole, but their flagship four-storey shop over at Market Street/Pall Mall was the go-to place for lots of meat products.
We’ll say it, one of the main things people would go there to seek out was that word that still makes lots of people squirm: tripe – but remember, for generations this was a very common ingredient in various meals and for some, still is.
8. Croma
Ok, this one is more of a recent one that we’re sure lots of you still remember like it was yesterday, because in relative terms to most of this list, it kind of was.
Croma in Manchester city centre shut in 2022 after the pandemic, their Didsbury restaurant closed by March 2023, and the Chorlton site followed suit just last year.
However, we still maintain we’ve had some of our best pizza nights in these places.
For our/your penultimate pick, a fair few people noted Henry’s, which also lay claim to being Manchester’s ‘first’ cafe bar back in the day – that, of course, is still up for debate.
The group behind this brand opened up a venue in our city centre back in 1986, near Parsonage Gardens, but only made it to 2007 despite remaining fairly popular for a long time.
It went on to be replaced by another chain in Revolution; however, they are also closing locations all across the UK. Gutting.
It was arguably better known in London, such as in Mayfair. (Credit: Ewan Munro via Flickr)
10. Cornerhouse
Last but not least, the legacy of the Cornerhouse cinema needs no explanation, really, but there’s a lot to be said for the lasting love lots of people had for their memories made in there and the joint bar next door, quite literally spitting distance away.
Still sitting like a bittersweet reminder on the (you guessed it) corner leading up to Oxford Road Station and Whitworth Street, the theatre itself is home to little more than gig posters and an ever-changing rotation of murals these days.
However, you will be glad to know that the bar and visual arts centre across the road is still Manchester Metropolitan’s Arts, Culture and Media Hub, so it’s still alive in some fashion.
We (well, I*) couldn’t wrap up this round-up without paying tribute to one of the best places this city has ever seen, let alone just NQ.
It might not be right at the top of your dream revival list, but we’re sure plenty of you will agree that, for a period of time, CBR+B was the place to be.
Emily Sergeant -
18th March 2021 
