The best brunch in Manchester city centre

The best brunch in Manchester city centre

If you're in the middle of Manchester and wondering about the best way to get your day started, why not stop off somewhere for brunch? The city centre is packed with venues serving brunch, from casual coffee shops to refined brasseries. If you're wondering where you can enjoy dishes like pancakes, cooked breakfasts, and bulging breakfast sandwiches, we can help with this guide to the best brunch in Manchester city centre.

In this guide
  1. The best brunches in Manchester's city centre
    1. The Koffee Pot – Brunch in retro surroundings
    2. Another Heart To Feed – Easy-going Aussie brunching
    3. Foundry Project – On-trend warehouse venue
    4. 19 Café Bar – Bright and buzzy
    5. Federal – Masters of brunch
    6. Ezra & Gil – Brunch dishes all day
    7. The Pen and Pencil – Stylish all-day venue
    8. Idle Hands – Bakes and brunches
    9. Trof – Popular NQ restaurant
    10. Moose Coffee – Start the day the American way
    11. Browns – Elegant all-day brasserie
    12. The Ivy – Classic weekend brunch
    13. The Smithfield Social – Original brunch options
    14. Sugar Junction – Somewhere you can get comfy
    15. The Bay Horse Tavern – Modernised Victorian pub
    16. Gorilla – Buzzy multi-faceted venue
    17. Pot Kettle Black – Bright and breezy brunching
    18. Foundation Coffee House – Modern coffee shops
    19. Hampton & Voúis – Med-inspired meals

The best brunches in Manchester's city centre

The Koffee Pot – Brunch in the city centre
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch in the city centre
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch in the city centre
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch in the city centre
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch in the city centre
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch in the city centre
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch in the city centre
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch in the city centre
The Koffee Pot

The Koffee Pot

Brunch in retro surroundings

Specialising in breakfast and brunch dishes, The Koffee Pot has a cool retro design both with its interiors and the bold sign outside. Satisfying dishes are served in this trendy setting, including a big choice of fried breakfasts, filled bagels, pancakes, and waffles. There are plenty of veggie and vegan options too.

Another Heart To Feed

Easy-going Aussie brunching

Visit Another Heart to Feed for an easygoing brunch with an Australian twist. This is a vibrant café by day that becomes a lively drinking spot later on. You'll find lots of brunch favourites on the menu here from eggs cooked your way to breakfast buns, sweet or savoury French toast, or health-conscious granola.

Foundry Project

On-trend warehouse venue

Trendy venue Foundry Project is housed in a converted warehouse and oozes urban style. It's a cool spot for food or drinks, and brunch is served every day. Expect tasty options like hash brown nachos, fried breakfasts, and brunch burgers. Added to that, weekends here mean bottomless brunch with a variety of dishes plus limitless drinks.

19 Café Bar

Bright and buzzy

Taking inspiration from New York, 19 Café Bar has become one of Manchester's most renowned brunch places. A wide array of breakfast and brunch recipes are served here, including pancakes, bagels, sandwiches, Benedicts, and fry-ups. Coffee and alcoholic drinks are available too. The venue is bustling and bright with colourful framed art on the walls.

Federal Oxford Road Federal Deansgate Federal Northern Quarter
Federal Oxford Road
federalcafe.co.uk
Federal Deansgate
federalcafe.co.uk
Federal Northern Quarter
federalcafe.co.uk
Federal Oxford Road Federal Deansgate Federal Northern Quarter

Masters of brunch

You'll find a few branches of Federal around the city centre. These guys reckon they've mastered brunch, with a menu of Antipodean-inspired options ranging from banana bread or smashed avocado to cheddar corn fritters or steak and eggs. Enjoy food and drinks here in a cosy and comfortable setting.

  • Circle Square, Oxford Rd, Manchester City Centre 194 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre/Spinningfields 9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
    Federal Oxford Road
    Circle Square, Oxford Rd, Manchester City Centre
    Federal Deansgate
    194 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre/Spinningfields
    Federal Northern Quarter
    9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
  • Federal Oxford Road
    federalcafe.co.uk
    Federal Deansgate
    federalcafe.co.uk
    Federal Northern Quarter
    federalcafe.co.uk
    Federal Oxford Road
    016-197 466 10
    Federal Deansgate
    016-183 308 90
    Federal Northern Quarter
    016-142 509 74
  • Federal Oxford Road Federal Deansgate Federal Northern Quarter
Ezra & Gil Hilton Street Ezra & Gil Peter Street
Ezra & Gil Hilton Street
ezraandgil.co.uk
Ezra & Gil Peter Street
ezraandgil.co.uk
Ezra & Gil Hilton Street Ezra & Gil Peter Street

Brunch dishes all day

Tasty breakfast and brunch dishes are served throughout the day at Ezra & Gil. Diners can try pancakes with various sweet or savoury toppings, all-day breakfast options like porridge or a bacon sandwich, plus sandwiches, salads, and pasta. Brunch cocktails are on the menu here as well, with everything served in a modern environment.

  • 20 Hilton St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter 49 Peter St, Manchester City Centre
    Ezra & Gil Hilton Street
    20 Hilton St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
    Ezra & Gil Peter Street
    49 Peter St, Manchester City Centre
  • Ezra & Gil Hilton Street
    ezraandgil.co.uk
    Ezra & Gil Peter Street
    ezraandgil.co.uk
  • Ezra & Gil Hilton Street Ezra & Gil Peter Street
The Pen and Pencil – Brunch in the city centre
The Pen and Pencil
The Pen and Pencil – Brunch in the city centre
The Pen and Pencil
The Pen and Pencil – Brunch in the city centre
The Pen and Pencil
The Pen and Pencil – Brunch in the city centre
The Pen and Pencil
The Pen and Pencil – Brunch in the city centre
The Pen and Pencil
The Pen and Pencil – Brunch in the city centre
The Pen and Pencil
The Pen and Pencil – Brunch in the city centre
The Pen and Pencil
The Pen and Pencil – Brunch in the city centre
The Pen and Pencil

The Pen and Pencil

Stylish all-day venue

The Pen and Pencil brings a touch of New York to Manchester. Food is served all day in a trendy venue that blends the old and the new to create a unique setting. Brunch is served every day but there's also a monthly bottomless party. The diverse brunch menu includes shakshuka, breakfast burritos, and fry-ups, including meat-free plates.

Idle Hands

Bakes and brunches

Idle Hands is a compact and welcoming café in the Northern Quarter. This bustling venue is well-known for its tempting fresh bakes but it also does a rotating selection of speciality coffees as well as all-day brunch dishes. There are meaty, veggie, and vegan fry-ups, plus lighter options like toast, breakfast baps, and Turkish eggs.

Trof

Popular NQ restaurant

A well-known restaurant in the Northern Quarter, Trof serves classic British dishes throughout the day, including brunch. Start your day here with a fry-up, brioche French toast, or luxurious confit duck hash. The venue is housed in a historic building and has trendy decor with exposed bricks, vintage touches, and cosy seating.

Moose Coffee Piccadilly Moose Coffee York Street
Moose Coffee Piccadilly
moosecoffee.co
Moose Coffee York Street
moosecoffee.co
Moose Coffee Piccadilly Moose Coffee York Street

Start the day the American way

Family-run Moose Coffee has been serving hearty American-style breakfasts and brunches since 2006. The space is quirky and full of character, packed with moose-themed memorabilia. Authentic and filling dishes are on the menu including a number of takes on eggs Benedict, pancakes, waffles, and a large selection of savoury all-day breakfast options.

  • Piccadilly Station Approach, Manchester City Centre York House, 20 York St, Manchester City Centre
    Moose Coffee Piccadilly
    Piccadilly Station Approach, Manchester City Centre
    Moose Coffee York Street
    York House, 20 York St, Manchester City Centre
  • Moose Coffee Piccadilly
    moosecoffee.co
    Moose Coffee York Street
    moosecoffee.co
    Moose Coffee Piccadilly
    016-151 909 00
    Moose Coffee York Street
    016-122 879 94
  • Moose Coffee Piccadilly Moose Coffee York Street

Browns

Elegant all-day brasserie

Housed in a historic building in the city centre, Browns is a refined brasserie that offers elegant surroundings for a meal. This timeless restaurant serves breakfast and brunch every day but also offers bottomless brunch at weekends. Options range from fry-ups and eggs Benedict to steak and eggs, omelettes, and granola. Brunch cocktails are on offer too.

The Ivy

Classic weekend brunch

The Ivy Spinningfields is a style-conscious spot for any occasion, and offers a number of different menus. This includes a weekend brunch that features classics from the main menu like shepherd's pie or a burger, as well as brunch exclusives. The venue is bright and stylish, offering impressive surroundings.

The Smithfield Social – Brunch in the city centre
The Smithfield Social
The Smithfield Social – Brunch in the city centre
The Smithfield Social
The Smithfield Social – Brunch in the city centre
The Smithfield Social
The Smithfield Social – Brunch in the city centre
The Smithfield Social
The Smithfield Social – Brunch in the city centre
The Smithfield Social
The Smithfield Social – Brunch in the city centre
The Smithfield Social
The Smithfield Social – Brunch in the city centre
The Smithfield Social
The Smithfield Social – Brunch in the city centre
The Smithfield Social

The Smithfield Social

Original brunch options

Northern Quarter venue The Smithfield Social is a trendy place to hang out by day or night. This contemporary spot has indoor and outdoor seats with a stylish and moodily-lit interior. Brunch is available until late afternoon, offering a choice of original dishes with distinctive global influences, ranging from Turkish eggs to cacio e pepe beans on toast.

Sugar Junction

Somewhere you can get comfy

Cute and cosy café Sugar Junction serves brunch until late in the afternoon. It's a charming venue that specialises in baking, wholesome food, and quality tea and coffee. Cocktails are served here too. Brunch dishes range from sweet French toast to poached eggs, steak and eggs, and ciabatta breakfast sandwiches.

The Bay Horse Tavern – Brunch in the city centre
The Bay Horse Tavern
The Bay Horse Tavern – Brunch in the city centre
The Bay Horse Tavern
The Bay Horse Tavern – Brunch in the city centre
The Bay Horse Tavern
The Bay Horse Tavern – Brunch in the city centre
The Bay Horse Tavern
The Bay Horse Tavern – Brunch in the city centre
The Bay Horse Tavern
The Bay Horse Tavern – Brunch in the city centre
The Bay Horse Tavern
The Bay Horse Tavern – Brunch in the city centre
The Bay Horse Tavern
The Bay Horse Tavern – Brunch in the city centre
The Bay Horse Tavern
The Bay Horse Tavern – Brunch in the city centre
The Bay Horse Tavern
The Bay Horse Tavern – Brunch in the city centre
The Bay Horse Tavern

The Bay Horse Tavern

Modernised Victorian pub

Based in the Northern Quarter, The Bay Horse Tavern is a modern pub with plenty of history behind it. It's a cosy and comfortable spot serving a varied choice of drinks and food, as well as putting on some fun events. At weekends you can visit for brunch, available with or without unlimited drinks. Expect classics like a full English, breakfast sandwiches, and mushrooms on toast.

Gorilla

Buzzy multi-faceted venue

If you want delicious food, somewhere to drink, or a great night out, Gorilla has got you covered. This vibrant multi-purpose venue serves brunch every day, with a wide variety of sweet and savoury choices. Visit this buzzy railway arch venue for dishes like waffles, French toast, avocado toast, or a traditional fry-up.

Pot Kettle Black

Bright and breezy brunching

At Pot Kettle Black you get an Antipodean take on brunch. Visit the Barton Arcade location for brunch in Manchester city centre - it does brunch all day and offers plenty of meat-free options. The tempting menu features choices like granola, eggs Benedict, breakfast buns, and vegan options like scrambled tofu.

Foundation Coffee House Whitworth Street Foundation Coffee House Northern Quarter Foundation Coffee House Portland Street
Foundation Coffee House Whitworth Street
fdncoffee.com
Foundation Coffee House Northern Quarter
fdncoffee.com
Foundation Coffee House Portland Street
fdncoffee.com
Foundation Coffee House Whitworth Street Foundation Coffee House Northern Quarter Foundation Coffee House Portland Street

Modern coffee shops

Manchester is home to a few branches of Foundation Coffee House, most of which are in the city centre. These bright and industrial spaces feel modern. Stop by for a coffee and a sweet treat or enjoy more substantial breakfast and brunch options. Dishes on the menu range from granola to fried breakfasts and breakfast sandwiches with your choice of fillings.

  • 48-50 Whitworth St, Manchester City Centre Lever Street, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter 11 Portland Street, Manchester City Centre
    Foundation Coffee House Whitworth Street
    48-50 Whitworth St, Manchester City Centre
    Foundation Coffee House Northern Quarter
    Lever Street, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
    Foundation Coffee House Portland Street
    11 Portland Street, Manchester City Centre
  • Foundation Coffee House Whitworth Street
    fdncoffee.com
    Foundation Coffee House Northern Quarter
    fdncoffee.com
    Foundation Coffee House Portland Street
    fdncoffee.com
    Foundation Coffee House Whitworth Street
    016-123 886 33
    Foundation Coffee House Northern Quarter
    016-123 886 33
  • Foundation Coffee House Whitworth Street Foundation Coffee House Northern Quarter Foundation Coffee House Portland Street
Hampton & Voúis Princess Street Hampton & Voúis High Street
Hampton & Voúis Princess Street
hamptonandvouis.co.uk
Hampton & Voúis High Street
hamptonandvouis.co.uk
Hampton & Voúis Princess Street Hampton & Voúis High Street

Med-inspired meals

Hampton & Voúis takes inspiration from Mediterranean cuisine. It's a bright and contemporary venue in the heart of the city. This place offers a large selection of cakes and fresh bread but is also popular for brunch. A wide range of brunch dishes are offered and there are lots of options catering to dietary needs.

  • 31 Princess St, Manchester City Centre 78-88 High St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
    Hampton & Voúis Princess Street
    31 Princess St, Manchester City Centre
    Hampton & Voúis High Street
    78-88 High St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
  • Hampton & Voúis Princess Street
    hamptonandvouis.co.uk
    Hampton & Voúis High Street
    hamptonandvouis.co.uk
  • Hampton & Voúis Princess Street Hampton & Voúis High Street

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.