Best Bakery and Cake Shops in Birchwood

"What: With two locations – one in Barton Arcade and one in Spinningfields – this speciality coffee and brunch spot has proven it’s a popular choice for all occasions, whether it’s a quick coffee catch up, business meeting or lazy weekend brunch. Folk tend to come here for an exceptional brew served with a smile, but food oughtn’t be overlooked. Colourful plates of breakfast and brunch classics, from egg and avo on toast to fluffy French toast and corn fritters are just some of the tasty offerings Pot Kettle Black serves alongside a range of vegan and gluten-free options."

"A boutique-styled café tucked in the Barton arcade has earned the position of one of the best Manchester City Centre coffee shops. It is situated in a beautiful Victorian building in the famous Barton Arcade, and something you may not know, the popular Manchester coffee shop is owned by Rugby League’s Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan. You can get all types of coffee here from standard espresso, Piccolo, Flat While, Latte and Cappuccino."

"PKB, which has two location’s across Manchester are a passionate bunch of coffee professionals. Armed with one of the best coffee machines alongside quality baristas they focus on producing some of the best espressos in town. Their Internationally inspired breakfast and lunch menu is vibrant, colourful, fresh, and healthy yet a little naughty if you like."

"Head to Bold Street’s East Avenue Bakehouse for an elegant start to your day. Serving freshly baked bread, deliciously garnished porridge and some of the best eggs Benedict in the city centre, you won’t be disappointed if you pop in. For something a little different from the bog-standard Full English, try their ‘The Ultimate’ – smoked bacon lardons, Bury black pudding, plum tomatoes and sauteed mushrooms served on a home-made hunk of bread with a poached egg and lashings of hollandaise sauce."

"Much to the annoyance of customers trying to enter, you’re likely to block the front door by taking it all in when you first enter. The shop window is covered in a fantastic mural with racks of freshly baked bread and fresh herbs growing behind it with fresh flowers in slim vases on each table. There is also a flying bicycle that hangs from the roof that is in desperate need of an ET teddy attached to it."

"Back on Bold Street and this time in a bakery that specialises in promoting locally sourced produce as well as creating their own bready goodness. On top of a wide menu of great dishes, there are some real gems of baking skill including artisan bread, dainty macarons and fluffy meringue. You could eat your breakfast, lunch and dinner at East Avenue bakehouse although we reckon we’d have to wheel you home."

"For a caffeine boost in a stunning vintage setting, head to Lark Lane’s Freida Mo’s. The quaint little shop serves delicious coffee and tasty homemade cakes, alongside a wonderfully colourful collection of vintage clothing and homeware. A labour of love for owner Sally Ayres, Freida Mo’s is named after her grandmother and is an idyllic little hideaway on the hugely popular Lark Lane."

"Freida Mo’s, 33 Lark Lane, Liverpool, L17 8UW - Visit now. With such an upbeat, friendly atmosphere, Freida Mo’s is the kind of place that’ll make you wish you lived nearby so you could head over every day. This quirky cafe isn’t just one of the best locations on Lark Lane, it’s one of our favourite places in Liverpool, if not beyond."

"Freida Mo’s on Lark Lane has everything you could want from an independent shop. The quaint little store is not only a vintage boutique but a bakery too!. Spend some time looking through their vintage rails and then chill out with some hand made cakes and a cup of coffee."

"The Market Place Cafe offers a good variety of tea, coffee, and breakfast options. They are deeply entrenched in the community, and offer deals to Chester University students on a regular basis. Open 9:00 AM to 16:30 PM, there is a good time for everyone to drop in and get a bite of wedges and cheese or a plate of sausage and mash smothered in homemade gravy."

"If you’ve not seen the recent rise of the Cheste Market, then you’ve definitely been living under a rock. Market Café can be found amongst the eatery treats that you can find in the Market; providing a great selection of drinks both hot and cold, and a simple yet appetising menu. Definitely, the best spot to rest your wearing feet after exploring the market."

"All chairs and tables have been removed from the market café and food will be take-away only until further notice or you can collect or order your favourite dishes via Deliveroo."

"Oasis is a Chorlton ice cream institution which also offers a variety of sorbets, frozen yoghurt and slushes. Open until 11pm, it’s good at attracting a local late night crowd: just the ticket when you have a craving to satisfy without having to settle for a tub of Ben & Jerry’s. Manchester Rd, Chorlton, M21 9GA"

"The treats found inside Waterloo's Little Macaroon Shop are baked by Stephen Maddock, who has even seen his dishes praised on Channel 4's The Sunday Brunch in the past. Based on St John's Road, Little Macaroon Shop is a firm favourite with those who know of it in Liverpool, however given its main store is located outside the city centre many people still may not know about it. Stephen started this journey selling handmade macaroons locally to customers online."

"The Little Macaron Shop was set up by pastry chef and baker Stephen Maddock who started selling handmade macarons to customers online, creating each order by hand. Demand grew and he opened the shop in Waterloo and has seen his signature 'Maclair' featured on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch. As well as macarons, you can also try strawberry and rose buttermilk scones, fruit nut muffins with almond cream cheese frosting and Mars bar cookies."

"I know this list is based around what and where to eat in Liverpool, but I thought I’d mention this just because of how popular it is. Pretty much everywhere you go these days you can find somewhere selling craft beer, and Liverpool’s not really any different. We’ve got lots of places for a good drink, but the Cains Brewery seems to be the favorite of just about everyone in Liverpool at the minute."

"It's one of the most up-and-coming areas in the city and it's easy to see why when you wander around. There is a whole host of new bars, pubs and venues open across the village which was once derelict for many years. On a hot day, all the venues put out seating outside, including the Peaky Blinders bar and the Baltic Market."

"Another must-visit in the Cains Brewery Village, this alehouse is the very definition of a hidden gem. The Brewery Tap was bought by Mikhail Hotel, who wanted ‘in’ on the bright future of the happening brewery village. It’s the perfect place to head for a hoppy pale ale."

"One of five Imperial War Museums in the UK, Manchester’s addition to the repertoire is located in Media City. The striking aluminium-clad building houses a timeline of Britain’s conflicts since the First World War, drawing on different elements of war such as the involvement of women and the impact of science and technology on how wars are fought. Alongside the permanent exhibits are plenty of films and photographs showcasing what life was like during these conflicts.Imperial War Museum | © the yes man / Flickr"

"Imperial War Museum North, one of five branches of the Imperial War Museum, centers on the impact of modern conflicts on people and society. Found in Trafford Park, the museum's location and building is worth the visit alone, with amazing modern architecture right on Salford Quays. The museum's main exhibition, which has free admission, looks the impact of war on our culture via 2,000 objects, photographs, and interactive displays."