Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in River Medlock

"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"

"With three shops across Manchester, this Icelandic-inspired independent coffee shop is definitely popular with the locals (including me!). The artisan coffee shop is another perfect spot to sit down with your laptop and get some work done while sipping away on some of the tastiest coffees in Manchester: TAKK knows their coffees. Their house roast is a single-origin coffee from Finca Miravalle in El Salvador and they feature some of the best guest-roasts from all across Europe."

"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!"

"Everyone knows that everything Scandinavian is cool, from their lights to their murder mystery TV to, well, their weather. The Scandinavian theming of this Manchester cafe isn’t entirely clearly drawn – not sure a prosciutto and mozzarella sandwich is traditionally Scandinavian – but the laidback interior is very Scandi, as is the giant map of Iceland on the wall. Wear a heavily patterned jumper if you want to hammer home the theme."

"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."

"The coffee house is ready to provide you with the apt vibe in the causal chic environment. It is located in the northern quarter, and since 2010, it is providing a raucous attitude to the drinks and carbohydrate accompaniments. The café is offering an intimidating array of loose-leaf teas, a bunch of best coffees in Manchester, and regulars like espresso."

"Unlike their name would suggest, it is their coffee they are best known for (although they do have some seriously good loose leaf teas). Small brunch and breakfast style items, great gluten free cakes and a perfect place to work or read for a couple of hours make this a Manchester coffee shop that ticks pretty much every single box."

"Another Northern Quarter brunch and coffee destination, Ezra & Gill is a smart neighbourhood hangout with a simple yet excellent food menu. Its brunch is served all day and you can pick from posh beans on toast topped with parmesan, a classic sausage sandwich, or sweeter things like organic oats porridge or brioche French toast. No matter what your taste, Ezra & Gil has something for everyone."

"Let’s start this list with one of my all-time favourite places in the Northern Quarter: Ezra & Gil. The number of hours I’ve spent here with my laptop sipping away at a second or third americano… Crazy!. Their website says Ezra & Gil is a “true neighbourhood hang-out” and I couldn’t agree more."

"Frurt specialise in Frozen Yogurt (Froyo), with dairy and non-dairy options available. The dessert spot has several locations scattered around Manchester, with more than 50 toppings (many of which are vegetarian, with some vegan) up for grabs. You create your masterpiece by picking and choosing from fresh fruit, dry fruit, sweets, Chocolate and premium sauces such as pistachio, ruby and Bueno including warm sauces like biscoff and Nutella."

"These are parks are quite simply beautiful, and you can get married in them too!. They’re filled with interest like a a natural amphitheatre and Sebastopol cannon."

"This eclectic little bakery was established in 2013 and offers 100 percent vegan custom cakes, donuts, tortes, other desserts, and even light breakfast and lunch fare. Whether you want a colorful, whimsical cake or a more subdued, classically beautiful cake, it can be tailored to your special occasion. They have standard and more unique cake flavors such as their Gin and Tonic with Lime and Raspberry and Pistachio, and the same goes for their donuts with the Peanut Butter and Cherry Black Forest and the Chocolate Orange Cream."

"Found just off Hulme Park, this vegan cafe and ice cream parlour provide soya-based delights for those hankering ice cream without the cream, along with a great selection of vegetarian breakfast and lunch options. They’re known for frequenting festivals and will be at Chorlton Vegan Fair and Parklife this summer. St Wilfrid’s Enterprise Centre, Royce Rd, Hulme, M15 5BJ"

"We love ice cream that’s good for the animals just as much as it’s good for us. TeaTime Collective dedicate their whole ice cream range to dairy-free loveliness. It’s a bakery/cafe on Oldham Street and it’s home to dairy-free treats."

"Prestwich Forest Park consists of four smaller parks which make up 200 acres of woodlands: Philips Park, Drinkwater Park, Waterdale, and Prestwich. These parks can be heavily wooded (particularly Drinkwater), so it’s a beautiful place to spend a day away from the noise of town. Exploring the woods can be an enlightening experience, so long as you take care while wandering amongst the broad-leaved trees."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Tucked away from Warrington’s main town centre, where you will find all your standard high street shops and some small independent boutiques too, you will find Woolston Park. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning or sunny weekday after work, Woolston Park is a much-loved spot by local people."