There was a time when a quick builder's brew and a bacon sandwich would do, but now there's a whole host of places dedicated to the ritual that is brunch. Whether it's smashed avocado on toast, eggs benedict or fluffy pancakes doused in all manner of sweet toppings - we just can't seem to get enough.
Thankfully, here in Manchester though, there's a balance between no-nonsense caffs serving up the all-the-trimmings full English and slinging out mugs of tea, and trendy restaurants with artisan sourdoughs and breakfast cocktails. The range is really quite impressive and also spans Japanese, Mexican and even Indian breakfast options - Dishoom, for example, serves up a feast and naans, boozy cocktails and chai.
So, without further ado, here’s our pick of the best breakfast and brunch spots in Manchester city centre.
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Moose Coffee
The American and Canadian-influenced breakfast and brunch spot has won its way into Mancunians' hearts with its ridiculously good pancakes and other breakfast staples, which the team have painstakingly crafted, tweaked and poured over for the past 14 years. Its two Manchester sites - at Piccadilly Approach and York Street - offer up an enormous range of breakfast dishes, several takes on eggs benedict and of course, delicious stacks of pancakes and waffles, dusted with icing sugar, all served with Canadian maple syrup and butter. As the name suggests, they're big on coffee too, as well as speciality hot chocolates and shakes.
20 York St, Manchester M2 2BB / 8a Gateway House Station Approach Piccadilly Station, Manchester M1 2GH
Koffee Pot
Curing hangovers since 1978, this much-loved Oldham Street spot serves up hearty, no-nonsense breakfasts and British classics to the people of Manchester seven days a week. This lively Northern Quarter spot is just the ticket if you've had a heavy one the night before, whether you're in need of a proper fry-up - they have several varieties - to feel alive again, or a breakfast sandwich to kickstart your day. If you've got an appetite give the MancMuffin (£11) a try, or one of their house Bennies - served with poached eggs on toasted English muffins with homemade hollandaise sauce (from £11).
84-86 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE
Ezra & Gil
It's often tricky to bag a table at this Northern Quarter stalwart - and for good reason too. The popular breakfast and brunch spot serves a range of classics from perfectly poached eggs and sausage sandwiches to brunch specials like the brioche French toast and chorizo benedict. If you want something a bit lighter, but with a twist, there's also the house-baked granola topped with Greek yogurt, nectarines, kiwi, raspberries, dark chocolate shavings and agave syrup, and the Cherry Bakewell porridge made with almond milk and topped with Amarena cherries, pistachios, almond flakes & Biscoff crumb. If you can't nab a table, it's also worth a short stroll to Peter Street where their second site is located.
20 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1FR
Rowntree's
Right, if you're after a no-nonsense - and affordable - option, Rowntree's is the place for you. The café where you can have fish and chips at 8am and a Full English for your tea is run by Lui, and honestly, no order - however weird and wonderful - is too much trouble. The café has had several homes over the years, but now, with its trademark orange and white branding, and Corrie paintings on the wall, it's found its place inside the Arndale. The Big Breakfast - and it is massive - will only set you back £6.50, while toasted sandwiches start at £3.25 and mini brunch for £6.
Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre, 20 High St, Manchester M4 1QB
Nibble Northern Quarter
Tucked away next to the entrance of Pop Boutique on Oldham Street, Nibble is an independent female-run café and online cake shop that caters to all tastes and dietary requirements. Painted in pastel shades, this small but perfectly formed café boasts an affordable, all-day breakfast menu complete with vegan and vegetarian options, and spans dishes including sweet potato breakfast hash (£7.50), vegan breakfast (£9), and 'not just avocado on toast' with bacon and fried beans (£8). Just make sure to grab one of their handmade cakes on your way out.
36 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JN
Dishoom
Serving up a taste of the old Iranian cafes of Bombay, breakfast staples at Dishoom are given an Eastern twist - and are all the better for it. Its naan rolls are all freshly baked - by hand, and to order - in the tandoor, then graced with a dollop of cream cheese, tomato chilli jam and fresh coriander leaves - ensuring you never have a bog-standard bacon sandwich ever again. There's also plenty of vegan options too, including an all-singing-all-dancing fry-up. Tipples range from fiery Bloody Mary's to The Dhoble - a refreshingly discreet beverage consisting of fresh orange and lemon juice, which conceals vodka, jaggery and a dash or bitters. There's plenty of mocktails and warming cups of chai too.
32 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BT
Trove
There's a lot to love about Trove in Ancoats, whether it's the minimal interiors and wrap-around glass windows, or the counter filled with sweet treats. Fortunately, it's not just about style here, but substance too. You can fill your boots with their seasonal brunch dishes as well as freshly baked sourdough, pastries and cakes, and takeaway jams and chutneys for a little memento. Staples include literally anything on Trove's delicious sourdough, as well as Kimchese - house made kimchi and grilled cheese sandwich (£8.20) - washed back with a mimosa or bloody Mary.
5 Murray St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS
Federal
Brits sure love a queue, and some of the biggest you'll find are outside of all three branches of Federal. Famed for its delicious breakfast delicious dishes and super efficient service, the café concept was launched by owners Claudio and Emily in 2014, who are passionate about great coffee and amazing brunch - people we can get onboard with. Food-wise, it's an all-day brunch affair, so, once you have landed your spot, you can leisurely peruse the menu, which spans dishes like Emily's banana bread, French toast, Turkish eggs, and pecan, maple syrup and banana porridge - plus much more.
9 Nicholas Croft, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1EY
Another Heart to Feed
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The popular brunch spot has recently announced the launch of a underground bar at its Northern Quarter branch, but before you head downstairs to the bar fashioned out from one of the area's Victorian basements, make sure you get some sustenance. Brunch lovers rejoice - because sourdough, rye bread and eggs are all well accounted for here, whether it's with smoked salmon and cream cheese, smashed avocado or mushrooms, crème fraiche and truffle oil. Make sure to check out their speciality drinks including lattes, hot chocolates and proper brews.
10 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1JF
Albert's Schloss
We all know and love Albert Schloss as the place where we can let our hair down and let the good times roll, but come 8am when you're a little worse for wear, and desperately in need of a pick-me-up, Schloss has got you covered. Not so long ago it launched its new Royale breakfast dishes including the crowing dish, a fresh, haus-baked croissant with lashings of sweet slow cooked onions, melted gouda cheese, Burford Brown fried eggs, shallots and chives, plus the Salmon Royale and Spicy Mushroom Royale. New lighter bites include Haus granola, featuring Greek yoghurt, seasonal fruit compote, cinnamon and roasted seeds.
27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
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