Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Riding Gate

"Apart from their regular diner menu (which is filled with all things deliciously fried, greasy diner style), the desserts and milkshakes are the winners that’ll make you feel right at home!. And just when you think it’s just another American diner, they’ll hit you with three-tier cakes that have icing and chocolate cookies piled on top, they hit you with sugar-dusted mountain high stacks of bacon and waffles drenched in maple syrup!. But the thing that sets HSH apart from other dessert places?"

"This Northern Quarter restaurant’s pancakes have long held a place in our hearts, with delicious combos such as banana, nutella and salted caramel and blueberry compote with frosting on the menu. The homely diner has an array of incredible desserts if pancakes aren’t your style – with an incredible homemade cake counter that’s not for the faint-hearted. Pancake stacks include three, fluffy American-style pancakes, served with cinnamon crunch, maple syrup and whipped cream."

"Designed to make you feel right at home, Home Sweet Home is open until 11pm, making it a nice late-night option for coffee lovers. Their trademark dish is the Cheeseburger Toastie, a combination of two of the nation’s favourite dishes. Edge Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 1HE@HomeSweetHomeNQ / homesweethomenq.com"

"If you’re on the look out for fresh artisan coffee in minimalist, Nordic-inspired surroundings, then stark, hipster hangout Takk is probably the place for you. Undoubtedly a NQ favourite, the coffee at Takk is just as good as the atmosphere, serving ‘North Projekt’ – a Bristol-roasted Nordic Style espresso that forms the basis of all their drinks. It’s definitely a brew to keep the mind sharp, but I heard they feature regular guest espresso too!"

"Pop into Takk on a weekday, and it looks like an Apple store that’s let itself go. It’s the preferred working space for media types in the Northern Quarter, a testament to its top notch offering of brews and bites. Coffee fans should also head to Takk's latest launch on Oxford Road's own indie shopping site Hatch, where where they serve brews shoulder-to-shoulder with a stellar line up of local food traders."

"Nordic inspired Takk on Tariff Street is one of the longer standing coffee shops on this list. Takk is a firm favourite of ours for grabbing a coffee before or after a trip to Piccadilly station. It’s also a great spot to while away an afternoon over good coffee and even better cake."

"The name is somewhat deceptive; although these guys know how to make a good brew, they are also highly trained baristas, and know how to serve up an awesome coffee. The pastries, and baked goods on offer are delicious, as are the sandwiches, which you can enjoy warm, or cold. With 2 seater tables, a large centre wooden table, high top bar, and an outdoor area, find your favourite spot, and relax."

"North Tea Power opened back in 2010, making it one of the OG craft coffee houses in Manchester. Their uber-cool site is often lined with freelancers on laptops, but it’s a brilliant shout for a coffee break if you’re in the city centre. A huge selection of loose leaf will keep tea fans happy, while espresso-based cups – from the punchy piccolo to the silky long black – are always exquisite."

"If you're in need of some comfort food, North Tea Power should be high on your list. The Northern Quarter coffee shop is fronting cheap eats in the form of all day breakfast and smart sarnies. When you're done, check out their tasty herbal tea selection."

"Ezra & Gil have planted themselves firmly on the booming NQ independent coffee shop roster. Translating into ‘helper’ (Ezra) and ‘happiness’ (Gil), they have an immense, light-hearted place that profits from so much space that they’ve even been able to plonk a small shop inside – ideal for picking up a few provisions. Their urban coffee is one to rival any nearby coffee shop, and their popularity is proven by the sheer amount of folk in the café at any one time."

"A true contender for the best brunch spot in Manchester, Ezra & Gil offers a lively vibe with coffee, large brunch plates and small snacks for those visiting to socialise. Naturally, it attracts freelancers and remote workers by the bucket load, but on a weekend, it becomes a bustling neighbourhood hotspot for those seeking a hangover cure. The place is super urban (and prides itself on being so!), and offers a wide range of hot drinks to relax with."

"As a Northern Quarter classic, Ezra & Gil have earned their position as a neighbourhood hangout spot. But many flock to this quaint eatery for a weekend morning for a plate of simple but delicious food. At Ezra & Gil, you can also enjoy freshly brewed coffee, tea, and smoothies."

"The Northern Quarter’s vegan-friendly kitchen and bar Alvarium has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins only until 17th May, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here."

"About: Patisserie Valerie in Deansgate is a haven of self-indulgence. This luxurious, continental-style patisserie and café is famed for delicious handmade cakes and pastries. Under the counter you'll discover a mouth-watering array of sugary treats such as tarts, macaroons and gateauxs."

"I wouldn’t normally have chosen this flavour, but on a hot day they only had three to choose from. Had a changing flavour – hints of coffee, cream and caramel with little bits of caramel which gave a nice texture change."

"The perfect location for a post-shopping pick-me-up, San Carlo Gran Cafe is located in the Exchange Square Selfridges and serves up a range of light bites, brunches and authentic Italian cakes. The crown jewel here is their homemade tiramisu, which fronts dreamy layers of coffee, sponge and mascarpone cream and pairs perfectly with a strong espresso or a cold glass of fizz. San Carlo's tiramisu is proving that some recipes just don't need updating."

"Another one that you'll have to exercise patience for is the RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music), which is - understandably - prioritising the return of students and tutors. You can see the latest updates at www.rncm.ac.uk."

"The Royal Northern College of Music is an internationally acclaimed conservatoire, as well as an eclectic performance venue delivering a diverse programme of music and opera performances."

"Since opening their doors in November 2015, Hope Mill Theatre has become one of the most successful independent venues in England. Located in Ancoats, they produce full scale musicals from their Grade II listed former mill. The theatre will be reopening this summer, as well as hosting Hope Fest, an outdoor arts and culture festival."

"This wonderful independent venue, located out in New Islington, was one of the few theatres that managed to reopen last year after lockdown. It'll be back again with a reduced capacity and socially distanced seating for a Meet Me At Dawn, from HER Productions. You can get tickets at hopemilltheatre.co.uk."

"Another of Manchester’s most popular spots to watch the football, Impossible MCR screens the football on their sun-soaked terrace, with plenty of places to sit. Enjoy cocktails, beers, tons of gins, wine and more while enjoying the atmosphere, with a fantastic gin den inside once you’re done. Impossible, 36 Peter St, M2 5QR."

"A post shared by Impossible Manchester (@impossible_mcr) on Feb 17, 2020 at 10:40am PST. This Shrove Tuesday, Impossible is doing 90 minutes of bottomless American-style pancakes and prosecco for just £15. Or, if you think that’s a bit too much, have a plate and a glass for £12."

"Impossible has two bottomless offers, and both are as great as each other!. The first is a bottomless brunch offer, which runs Thursday to Sunday and costs £30pp. For that price, you get to pick a trio, a side, and bottomless drinks."

"The Manchester Doughnut Company was started by local chef Ed Beech seeking to fill a gap in the market for more eclectic donut flavours. Handmade in small batches, Ed creates flavour combinations such as white chocolate and pumpkin donuts, butterscotch and bourbon donuts and donuts topped with Crunchy Nut Cereals!. The secret to these donuts is the slow proving process used to make the dough (although covering them in butterscotch once they’ve been fried can’t hurt either eh?) You can find these beauties at The King’s Arms, and at The Makers Market in Spinningfields and Didsbury every month."

"This Welsh doughnut shop in the Northern Quarter offers melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts made on-site by Blawd bakery including inventive flavours such as apple crumble, maple pecan glaze, cherry bakewell and strawberries and cream. For National Doughnut Week there are rhubarb, vanilla and raspberry fills all week long, or try their mango lassi edition –  a special collaboration with indian street food specialists Bundobust. This unique cardamom doughnut sandwich with an Alphonso mango cream is glazed and topped with candied fennel seeds, and all proceeds go to The Children’s Trust."