A proper greasy spoon breakfast is fast becoming a lost art in central Manchester, as hollandaise-loaded benedicts move to slowly edge out the classic fry-up cafes.
Sadly, Linda’s Pantry is no more, neither is Fatso’s- yes, we shed some tears writing this. Don’t worry, though, there are still some great little greasy spoon spots to head for a spot-on builder’s brekkie – and we’ve done our best to locate them all for you.
Keep reading to discover where to get the best no-muss, no-fuss, traditional fry up in Manchester this weekend.
If you know of any more, let us know over at @themancuk.
Essy’s can be found on King Street and is just as popular with the solicitors as builders in the morning / Image: Zomato
Essy’s
With its no-frills appearance, Essy’s feels very much pulled from another era – before brunch was a hipster pursuit and everyone was happy enough with a fried egg and sausage butty.
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All-day breakfasts start at £8.50 here, or you can get a breakfast Vienna for £4.95. They also have a special ‘builder’s breakfast’ on the menu for £7.50.
Find it at 31-33 King St W, Manchester M3 2PW.
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Rustica is iconic in the Northern Quarter – just ask anyone / Image: Georgina Pellant
Rustica
Known for its butties and all-around great breakfast menu, if you’re in the Northern Quarter you can’t go wrong with a takeaway breakfast from Rustica.
With dishes starting from just £2, grab yourself some egg on toast or some sort of variation on an egg, bacon and sausage butty for under £3. If you want a full fry up, it’s a fiver with toast, whilst cups of tea and coffee start at just 60p. Not too shabby, like.
Find it at 1 Hilton St, Manchester M4 1LP.
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Gemini Cafe is a student favourite and can be found on Oxford Road / Image: Worldorgs
Gemini Cafe
A classic student haunt (and for good reason), Gemini Cafe is an Oxford Road staple. Close to the unis and various halls of residence, it’s understandably popular with Manchester’s undergrads – but is also frequented by a load of locals for its reliably spot-on cafe breakfasts.
This classic breakfast diner, with its Formica tables and PU seats, isn’t fancy – but then that’s not what we’re here for. It’s all about the scran and the very reasonable prices.
Find it at 328-330 Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9NG.
This cafe in the Manchester Arndale is always busy / Image: Signage Systems
Rowntree’s Cafe
A solid Mancunian favourite, Rowntree’s in Manchester Arndale can always be relied upon for a solid breakfast scran. A city staple for over 25 years, it’s open from 8am most days serving all day breakfast fry ups and other bits and bobs too.
Inside, you’ll find pictures of Coronation Street characters all over the walls – just part of the place’s quirkiness. Be prepared, the portions here are huge – so make sure to come hungry.
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Find it at Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre, 20 High St, Manchester M4 1QB.
The Koffee Pot might have upgraded its aesthetic but it still does a banging breakfast / Image: The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot
Over the years, The Koffee Pot has moved away from its builder’s breakfasts roots – upping sticks from its original Stevenson Square home where you could once count on the biggest mug of tea (or coffee) in the Northern Quarter, over to Oldham street.
Nowadays, you’ll still find a solid choice of fry ups including a Fully English, Irish Fry and a ‘Big Yin’ with MacSween haggis, square sausage and a tatty scone. Fry ups start at £9.50. Alternatively, or opt for a big Manc Muffin with sausage patty, american cheese, bacon, potato rosti and runny egg for the same price.
Find it at 84-86 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE.
Part bakery, party deli, Hansfords has been around for over a century / Image: Hansfords
Hansfords
Part bakery, part deli, Hansfords is one of the Arndale originals and in that time the offering has barely changed. In the bakery business for over a century, its counters are stuffed with pies, cakes, sausage rolls and cheese but it’s the breakfast vienna sandwiches that have really got our attention.
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Popular with the builders in the morning, get in early and opt for a Full English in a Vienna at breakfast for the ultimate morning treat. Alternatively, go for a full tradional breakfast with plenty of black pudding to get your day started.
Find it in the Manchester Arndale at 49 High St, Manchester M4 3AH.
Cafe North’s breakfast is available all day long / Image: Cafe North
Cafe North
Found on the edge of the Northern Quarter, this independent cafe can always be relied on for good grub. On the breakfast menu here you’ll find not one, not two but six different fry-up varieties – ranging from ‘mini’ to ‘big’ to ‘super’ sized, with further options for veggies too.
With prices starting from £7 for the mini, which includes one sausage, one bacon, one egg, beans, tomato, mushrooms, and toast, it’s not necessarily the cheapest builders breakfast in the world but it’s still a damned good shout. No need to book, just turn up.
Find it at 66 Shudehill, Manchester M4 4AA.
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Kim’s Kitchen in Hulme has recently had an oveerhaul – but their breakfast menu is just as brilliant as ever / Image: Kim’s Kitchen
Kim’s Kitchen
If you want service with a smile, go to Kim’s Kitchen for one of their ‘Propatop’ breakfast fry ups or barms.
Served until 4 pm, there’s two vegan options and a veggie alongside the classic meaty full English (£9) – plus barms in fluffy Lancashire oven bottom muffins. We like the look of the halloumi and hash brown one (£5) a lot, actually but there’s absolutely loads to choose from.
Find it at 49 Old Birley St, Hulme, Manchester M15 5RF.
Porky Pig began life as a street food stall but now has it’s own cafe in Manchester / Image: Porky PIg
Porky Pig
If you love a traditional full English but fancy it with a twist, why not try it tucked inside a giant Yorkshire pudding?
What first began as a street food stall at Manchester Christmas markets now has its own permanent home just behind the town hall. Get the full works – – tucked inside a giant Yorkshire, or opt for it without, whatever you like.
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Breakfast Yorkshire puddings include bacon, sausage, egg, tomato, mushroom, beans and hash brown and will set you back £8.25, but there’s some fat breakfast sandwiches and burgers to be found here too as well as cheap options like two slices of toast for £2.15.
Find it at 7 Cooper St, Manchester M2 2FW.
Hatty’s is often thought of as a late-night takeaway, but their breakfast sandwiches are mega / Image: Trip Advisor
Hatty’s
You might’ve frequented this little Deansgate kebab and pizza shop after a night out, but it can also be relied on for a cracking breakfast barm. It’s super cheap too – a fried or scrambled egg barm will cost you just £1.50, rising to £2 if you want bacon or sausage.
They’ll also put in extras like hash browns for you in the breakfast barm, so you can build it just how you like it. Perfect when you’re feeling hungover and fussy. Be warned, though, they don’t start it until 11am.
Find it at 247 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN.
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Bowler’s is an institution in Manchester / Image: TripAdvisor
Bowler’s Sandwich Bar and Cafe
An institution on Albert Square, Bowler’s has got its own little bit of rustic charm.
Sat next to the quaker building, the owner has been here for years serving up reasonably-priced sandwiches, baked potatoes and breakfasts. A fry up here will; set you back £4.50 – leaving you with change from a fiver.
Find them at 2 Mount St, Manchester M2 5WQ.
Moose Coffee is an all-round favourite with some great Canadian breakfast options / Image: Moose Coffee
Moose Coffee
Strictly a Canadian breakfast spot, there are some absolutely belting fry ups to be had here. The menu is massive, with a whopping eighteen different fry ups to choose from on their all day breakfast section.
With prices starting from £8.95, it’s also pretty reasonable too. Be warned, it’s really popular here so you’ll probably have to queue.
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Find it at 20 York St, Manchester M2 2BB.
Bread and Bowl at The Crown and Anchor
A whole loaf of sourdough bread, hollowed out and filled with all the best bits of a fry up? It’s not traditional, but we’re here for it.
Bread and Bowl’s comes with juicy high-grade sausages, thick-cut bacon and hash browns between layers of beans, cheese, mushrooms, and tomatoes and will set you back £11 for a regular or £15 for a large. There’s veggie and vegan options too, and they even deliver if you’re feeling lazy (or happen to be isolating).
Find it at the Crown and Anchor, 41 Hilton St, Manchester M1 2EE.
News
MediaCity launches brand new state-of-the-art creative content space
Danny Jones
Exciting times for Greater Manchester and young talent as a brand-new state-of-the-art content creation space has just launched over in Salford.
Over the past decade, MediaCity has become a highly celebrated creative and cultural hub, home to the likes of the BBC, ITV, Lowry and more.
It’s become more than just an outpost accessible via a short tram ride but a true heavyweight of the media and creative industries here in the UK, always looking to expand and push the boundaries.
Now, following the completion of its latest project, MediaCity looking to provide a space for future generations of content creators and aspiring media makers.
Credit: MediaCity (supplied)
This brand new £600,000 state-of-the-art content creation space marks a huge milestone in MediaCity’s continuing journey as not just a Northern hub for digital and creative innovation, but a go-to national destination for future media.
Designed to cater to the growing climate of cutting-edge content creation and offer a professional workspace at an accessible rate, Content Studio provides a range of versatile creative spaces, including light, dark and podcast studios – perfect for video and stills production, castings, photoshoots and more.
Curated by University of Salford alumni Ashley Salmon the studio has been designed to meet the needs of modern content creators, influencers, social media stars, brands and businesses of all kinds.
Promising to offer both a dynamic and inspiring space where people can produce high-quality and innovative content while fostering a supportive creative community, this place aims to live up to Greater Manchester’s media reputation: industry-leading.
The Content Studio will also be made accessible to students and creatives spending time over at the MediaCity campus, with a good chunk of the core production team including recent graduates from the University, giving them a valuable platform to showcase their skills and kickstart their careers.
Credit: Supplied
For the first time, creators will have access to a range of industry-quality facilities at an affordable rate, with spaces starting from just £10 per hour – a super reasonable price point, especially these days.
To further enhance the creative process, MediaCity has partnered with experienced on-site production companies to ensure every booking is fully equipped with all the facilities for seamless content creation.
Boasting everything from infinity walls and green screens to cameras, audio gear, props and pretty much everything you’d ever need.
To make things even sweeter, hiring the content creation space also comes with the option of one-on-one consultations, so creators can focus on creating rather than coordinating.
Even those who require significantly more space and tech requirements will be able to make use of the neighbouring dock10 studios.
Through a partnership with local creative community group Heads, creators will also have plenty of access to exclusive workshops and upskilling opportunities, ensuring they stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Credit: Supplied
The MediaCity Content Studio isn’t just another content creation/production space – Greater Manchester has tonnes of those – it’s also an exciting new outlet for new talent, collaboration, innovation and inspiration, not to mention an investment in the future.
Anyone working out of the space will have the tools to carve their own path and help shape the future of entertainment and digital media in the North and beyond.
To mark the launch of the new content creation space, MediaCity is even introducing a new podcast, This is MediaCity in partnership with University of Salford and produced by Stephen Chapman, Founder and Creative Director of 39 Pictures.
The podcast is set to spotlight the people and stories that make this particular corner of 0161 the creative powerhouse we know, love and remain immensely proud of.
Director of Marketing and Place at MediaCity, Caroline Aikman, said of the exciting project: “Content Studio represents our commitment to nurturing the next generation of digital creators and innovators.
“By providing the tools, spaces, and inspiration, we’re not just supporting the future of content—we’re empowering it. This marks an exciting chapter in MediaCity’s journey, cementing our reputation as the go-to destination for digital creativity.”
Football Manager 25 has been officially cancelled following delays
Danny Jones
Beloved videogame simulator Football Manager 25 has been officially cancelled following continued delays.
The long-standing game where players take control as virtual managers of football teams has been a mainstay of digital sporting entertainment for more than three decades.
Developed by London-based studio Sports Interactive and published by gaming giants SEGA, the game hasn’t missed a single season since it began life as Championship Manager back in 1992.
However, following two significant delays to this year’s title, Sports Interactive have confirmed that Football Manager 25 has now been cancelled, despite countless pre-orders having already been made.
While the news doesn’t come as a total surprise, with FM25 having first been delayed ahead of its initial November 2024 release date and then moved again to March 2025, many fans would
The statement reads: “Sports Interactive [SI] regret to inform that, following extensive internal discussion and careful consideration with SEGA, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Football Manager 25 and shift our focus to the next release.
“For the large numbers of you who pre-ordered FM25, we thank you enormously for your trust and support – we’re very sorry to have let you down. Please see the FAQs below on obtaining your refund.
“We know this will come as a huge disappointment, especially given that the release date has already moved twice, and you have been eagerly anticipating the first gameplay reveal. We can only apologise for the time it has taken to communicate this decision.
“Due to stakeholder compliance, including legal and financial regulations, today was the earliest date that we could issue this statement.”
Insisting that they pride themselves on “delivering the best value for money games that bring you countless hours of enjoyment”, they simply didn’t feel like they were able to release the latest FM title to a good enough standard in its current state following playtesting.
They go on to add that ahead of working on this, the studio undertook the “biggest technical and visual advancement in the series for a generation, laying the building blocks for a new era”, hence why the significant delays. The news has been met with mixed reactions, to say the least.
Don’t worry only gotta wait till November!!! Only in February FFS
— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) February 7, 2025
You can read the statement in full HERE, in which they also rationalise that it simply no longer made sense or felt fair to expect people to buy FM25 when it was ready only to purchase the next instalment later in the year.
Fortunately, with regular updates as well as community mods and patches to the current Football Manager (FM24 was released back in November 2023), loyal fans have been more understanding about the delays and now the cancellation.
SI signed off by stating: “Through the cancellation, every effort is now focused on ensuring that our next release achieves our goal and hits the quality level we all expect. We will update you on how we are progressing with that as soon as we are able to do so.
“Thank you for reading, your patience and your continued support. Our full focus now returns to creating a new era for Football Manager.”
Lighting a candle for the people who collect a physical copy of every Football Manager, with no FM25 their collections will be ruined forever. pic.twitter.com/M1S5LiLJtQ