Last Updated on 12 October 2023 by Colette
Breakfast, or brunch is fast becoming my favourite meal to go out for – let’s face it, we all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! I love a relaxed morning and brunch out with friends. Going out for breakfast means there is less pressure to get dressed up, and you can just enjoy a really lovely relaxed atmosphere and great food. It’s also a really great way for Dave and I to spend quality time together without having to worry about a babysitter!
I wanted to share with you a few of my favourite brunch destinations and breakfast restaurants in Manchester city centre – this is currently quite a short list as I’m a creature of habit and once I’ve found somewhere I like I do tend to keep going back there!
Ezra & Gil, 20 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1FR
We stumbled across Ezra & Gil on Hilton Street in the Northern Quarter, Manchester a few years ago now and it was a cracking find – In fact I would go so far as to say it is my favourite place for brunch in Manchester and I have to push myself to make sure I try breakfast in other places occasionally!
The menu at Ezra & Gil changes with the season but offers a great range of vegetarian options as well as vegan and gluten-free options both for eating in and taking away. My absolute favourite breakfast dish at Ezra and Gil is the smashed pumpkin on toast – so tasty.
If you’re looking for somewhere for a delicious brunch (or in fact a coffee and cake, or a light meal at any time of the day) then I wholeheartedly recommend you try Ezra & Gil!
Read more about Ezra & Gil here: Ezra & Gil, Manchester
Evelyn’s Cafe Bar, 44 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LA
Evelyn’s Cafe Bar is tucked away on Tib Street in the Northern Quarter. With large windows, high ceilings and industrial vibes, Evelyn’s is a very cool place to enjoy your brunch before heading off into town for a wander. (I loved the big wall of hanging plants and would have quite liked to recreate that vibe at home!) The staff are all really chilled and friendly which obviously helps with the relaxed mood I’m looking for when it comes to choosing somewhere to have brunch in Manchester.
Dave had the ECB breakfast (Evelyn’s take on a classic full English breakfast) and I had the Shakshuka (pictured below). I was a big fan of the Lavender Lemonade and definitely recommend you try that – don’t worry, it’s not really floral, just a lovely fresh bright lemon flavour! I have it on good authority that the brownies at Evelyn’s are amazing – but they didn’t have any when we went.
If you’re planning a visit to Evelyn’s, I highly recommend you book a table – we were very surprised to turn up shortly after 10am on a bog standard Thursday morning to be asked if we’d booked and then told they could probably squeeze us in for an hour! I must admit I almost turned and left as I’m not a fan of having a deadline on my relaxed brunch thanks very much!
19 Cafe Bar, 19 Lever St, Manchester M1 1BY
19 Cafe Bar had been on my hit list for quite some time after seeing stacks of delicious looking pancakes and indulgent french toast on their instagram. The first time we tried to visit was actually for lunch but it was super busy and we didn’t want to wait around. The second attempt came on Father’s Day when we decided to head into town for brunch. I knew we might be in for a bit of a wait as brunch venues in the Northern Quarter on a Sunday morning are generally pretty busy.
You can’t book tables at 19 Cafe Bar, this is very much a case of turn up and try your luck. There was a bit of a queue when we arrived but we had expected this and were in no rush. There were a few free tables outside but we decided we didn’t want to chance our arm when there was a forecast of rain. I think we waited about 20 minutes / half an hour – the queue seemed to be moving quite quickly and was well managed by the friendly staff so it didn’t feel like a really long wait.
The 19 Cafe Bar menu is basically an all day brunch menu offering up american pancakes, French toast, bagels, full English breakfasts and even a section of the menu dedicated to Eggs Benedict – hell yes. Dave and I both said we could have ordered one of each as they all sounded amazing but we both plumped for the Chorizo Benedict: “Chorizo & sweet potato hash, roasted red peppers, topped with poached eggs & a sriracha hollandaise served on a toasted muffin” with a couple of cheeky hash browns on the side . . . Believe me, it was delicious! Chloe chose Oreo pancakes which to be honest she was totally over faced by and I think she managed one of the three pancakes plus all the toppings.
The menu at 19 Cafe Bar is fixed with no changes or swaps available on dishes in order to keep things simple and not affect the speed or quality of service which I think is totally fair!
Federal Cafe & Bar, 9 Nicholas Croft, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1EY
Federal Cafe & Bar on the very edge of the Northern Quarter, opposite the back side of the Arndale Centre, is one of those places that always has a queue – which probably tells you everything you need to know! This popular cafe is known for it’s great coffee and spectacular all day brunch option, cakes and sandwiches.
This super cosy café operates on a walk-in only basis at all times so be prepared for a bit of a wait – I must admit that the queue is the main reason I’ve only had breakfast at Federal Café & Bar once!
Trof, 8 Thomas St, Greater, Manchester M4 1EU
Trof can be found on Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter. It is a cosy little space, with limited seating so booking is advisable.
The chorizo hash with halloumi on the side is super tasty and something I’ve eaten time and time again!
Alabamas All American Eatery – CLOSED
As far as I can see, Alabamas never reopened after the first lockdown but if you know otherwise please let me know!
Situated on Tariff Street, Alabamas All American Eatery has been a favourite of ours after it was recommended to us a few years ago. It’s a pretty small place and they don’t take bookings so it’s pot luck if you’ll get a table. There can often be a bit of a wait for a table at peak times but they will take your number and give you a call when your table is ready as there’s no space to wait.
The tables are fairly tightly packed so it’s cosy but the service is usually really good and the food is amazing – offering up amazing American style breakfasts and even some breakfast cocktails. We were a bit disappointed on our most recent trip to find that staff no longer take orders at your table and you have to go to the counter to put your order in – which is not my favourite but I totally get why they’ve done it.
Where else is great for breakfast in Manchester?
For somewhere a little further afield, we love Alty Market (or you can try their sister venue Mackie Mayor which is in the Northern Quarter). We’re also a big fan of Diggle Lock and Grandpa Greene’s up in Saddleworth – both do lovely brunch options!
Have you got any recommendations for the best breakfast places in Manchester that I need to try?
The best independent coffee shops in Manchester
Where to get the best hot chocolate in Manchester
Where to go for bottomless brunch in Manchester
Dog friendly cafes and pubs in Manchester
The coolest places to eat in the Northern Quarter
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