Friendly café in Manchester

“Robina and John are the most wonderful neighbours to have over the road from Hive Stores. They both work very hard to bring a lot more joy and creativity to the neighbourhood and are always willing to help where they can. The waiting room cafe has the best value full English around and the engine room is set to become a great creative hub. Whilst enjoying breakfast on our day off we conversed with familiar faces from the local neighbourhood who were enjoying crafts and socialising in a relaxed atmosphere. Thank you Robina and John for always helping, making us laugh and generally being authentic people. You've created a great space!”

“Excellent friendly service with a brilliant display of different types of mowers plus great advise. I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else for a mower or service. The repair done to mine after I chopped through the cable was perfect”

“Where should I start , ameera and Daryl lovely people doin amazing work for the community x caring and compassionate. Took my girls and their friends in for a little treat and they certainly didn’t disappoint x they had the topped donuts (£1) and they cleared the trays absolutely delicious x can’t wait to visit again x it’s nice to know the kids have a safe supportive haven to visit after school x keep doing what your doin my lovely cos your deffo making a difference ❤️ this is a non profit cafe and they are supporting the local community. With a pay it forward option , even a couple of quid in the jar would help these guys massively x”

“Made fresh, super tasty and a good size portion. And staff are very friendly and helpful of any specific dietary requirements. Best place in town.”

“Very good experience overall. Got the Jerk Chicken fries, was tasty and fresh. Service was excellent and friendly, had a nice conversation with the cook. 100% would recommend.”

“Came in for a coffee and bag of coffee beans. Aidan is really friendly and his shop has a really cool vibe. The coffee is good and I can see myself hanging out here more often post-lockdown, or attending one of the events that Aidan is planning once things start to open back up. If you’re a local, go and grab a coffee and show some support!”

“Love this place, best BLT around. They do a big breakfast to die for, and the pasta dishes are amazing. The owner and her staff are always pleasant, and the service is second to none. Try it you won't be disappointed. Big car park opposite so it's easy to access.”

“Just been in for a bacon and egg barm. Lovely stuff. Staff were really nice. Definitely go back there when am in the area. Thanks”

“Excellant cafe lovely staff and food cooked fresh and hot and great price 10 of 10”

“Zena Bees Cafe is amazing food here is delicious. I had the big breakfast muffin omg it was tasty and filling. Well worth the money and visit here. The cafe is clean and service is outstanding.”

“I visit here quite a lot with my partner as the food is always great and he just loves the hot chocolate from there. The staff are always polite and great to talk to while you wait, if they are not busy of course serving other customers. It's a warm friendly environment with places to sit both in and out the establishment. If you're on the move they do indeed do take out. The food and drink are always piping hot so you it's going to be good. Just don't do a me where I've been to impatient and drank/ate it before it cooled down.”

“Lovely oasis of calm (no pun intended) in the midst of Heaton Park tucked away from the busier and noisier playground and lake areas. Good food, reasonably priced served by friendly staff. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome outdoors (not inside). And you can pick up some lovely plants from the garden centre on the way out!”

“Krave Coffee is a lovely cafe in Whitefield with plenty of free parking outside. The staff are all cheery and polite and the food is well cooked and neatly presented on your plate. Theres no step at the door and a ramp inside so easy walking for older customers and easy access for wheel & push chairs. We both had the small english and I swapped out those nasty mushrooms and tomatoes (my own taste I just dont like them) for another Grandads Sausage. The Americano was spot on and I would go back here just for another cuppa probably have some cake as well. Lunch menus when I asked are only served on weekdays. The seating inside is very comfortable, and theres also tables and chairs outside. A disabled toiket is also located at the back.”

“Recommended by a friend. Had a Biscoff Latte and Nutella Latte (oat milk) and a Pistachio, cream scone. Blimey! This was EPIC. Considering we are from Devon and frequent many cafes and tried loads of scones with Devon Cream this was the best EVER! Highly recommend. Good value too!”

“Wow. This has to be one of the best cafes I’ve ever been to! It’s located in the Northern Quarter (Manchester) and it’s situated in an urban area. When you walk inside, you are greeted with a calming fountain and a beautiful atmosphere, just as calming as the fountain. You talk to the staff, who are very nice and kind (10/10) and order your drink (if you want). There is also a wide array of affordable food, you can get cakes, chapatis and quesadillas as well. I ordered Karma Cola (sugar-free) which doesn’t taste like any other cola, it tastes better. The cola isn’t too sweet as well, compared to other colas. You explore around the cafe, curiously, and find the Library. Now, this library is the calmest library I’ve ever been to. Shelves are filled with books and the room is painted in an ambient brown, making it feel even more calming. You look around the library, head to toe in a sense of tranquil. No music is played here. It’s very quiet. You leave the cafe satisfied and calm. Overall, you need to try this cafe, it’s great. The staff are nice, it is affordable, drinks are high quality and if you are looking for a cafe where you can study or just relax, this is the right place for you.”

“I had an excellent experience at Chaiwala with Hazera. She was outstanding at everything very polite, calm, and kind throughout. The service was welcoming and professional, making it a truly great experience. Highly recommended! Thank you”

“I recently visited this café, and while the atmosphere and menu were impressive on their own, what truly elevated the experience was the service provided by David, one of the baristas behind the bar. His presence alone seems to set the tone for the entire front-of-house operation. From the moment I walked in, David greeted me with a level of warmth and attentiveness that felt genuinely welcoming rather than rehearsed. He has that rare balance of professionalism and approachability—quick to offer guidance on the menu but never in a way that feels pushy. When I mentioned I was looking for something new to try, he asked a few thoughtful questions about flavor preferences and then recommended a single-origin pour-over he felt would suit my taste. He explained the origin, tasting notes, and brewing process with an enthusiasm that felt authentic, not pretentious. The coffee itself was outstanding—clean, balanced, and clearly prepared with precision. What stood out even more was the care David took while preparing it: checking the grind, timing the extraction, and serving it with a brief explanation of what to expect. It’s the kind of attention to detail that shows he takes pride in his craft. Beyond the coffee, David’s presence contributes to the overall atmosphere of the café. He moves with efficiency during busy stretches without ever making customers feel rushed. I noticed him quietly anticipating needs—refreshing water glasses, wiping down the bar between orders, and checking in with guests at the perfect moments. He also seems to have built rapport with many regulars, greeting them by name and remembering their usual orders, which says a lot about both his consistency and the community feel he helps foster. In an industry where service can often feel transactional, David’s approach stands out. He brings expertise, personality, and an obvious passion for coffee, turning a simple visit into something memorable. If you stop by this café, I’d highly recommend ordering at the bar—you’ll likely learn something new and leave with a drink that’s crafted with exceptional care.”

“I took my dog today for the first time and we both loved it, we were there for around 2 hours and could easily have spent longer. It is pretty much all flat and there are lots of main paths to follow but we took the smaller paths through the wooded areas and through the middle of the fields instead so my dog could be off her lead exploring more. There were enough people around to not feel isolated but not too many that it felt crowded. I've never been before today and I already can't wait to go back and find new routes!”

“Lovely place. Very clean especially for a public park. 2 nice fishing lakes which are gin clear. The cafe is very reasonable for a coffee (£1.60) for a proper coffee) bacon butties cooked fresh and lovely, helpful staff and regulars. I'm actually a bit reticent about giving it a good review as it's so good I want to keep it to myself. Current fishing prices: Day ticket £5 for 2 rods £8 for three available from the cafe or the bailiff. Membership is also an option at a very reasonable rate. Enquire at the cafe for details.”

“Take a step back in time with this wonderful building. I was pleasantly surprised by the choice of food on offer and even more so by how delicious it was and the portion sizes! Highly recommend a visit to this hidden gem. Luxury afternoon tea available but requires pre booking”

“Love this place, it truly is a hidden gem in Wilmslow. My sanctuary to go and work in peace, staff are amazing from Becky leading the way with her big smile it really feels like home. Food as you can see is always yummy and allows me to be at peace whilst working or even if friends want to pop in to have lunch it's the best treat for loved ones!”

“Called intoday for a sticky toffee latte,Rachel served me. She was very helpful couteous,and friendly. She made good conversation,and brightened up my day. An ambassodor for your company.”

“I went with my mum a few weeks ago and it was our first time going since it changed from Kitty's. While I noticed some things were different the important stuff was the same. The food was great, the service was lovely, and in typical fashion we were so full we needed to take the rest home! The cakes are, as always, incredible and you can tell a lot of effort went into them!”

“Sigiriya in Manchester is hands down the best Sri Lankan restaurant we’ve experienced in the UK so far! Just a 20-minute drive from Liverpool, it’s worth every minute of the journey. The restaurant is impeccably clean, and the atmosphere is rich and authentic, truly transporting you to Sri Lanka. The food here is phenomenal—every dish is bursting with flavor and feels incredibly authentic. Chef Dahanaka’s expertise is evident in every bite. A special shoutout to Anil and Lahiru for their outstanding hospitality; they made our dining experience even more enjoyable with their friendly and professional service. If you’re looking for a must-try restaurant, Sigiriya is the place. We can’t wait to return and explore more of their amazing menu. Highly recommend!”

“I visited here on Tuesday morning , the staff was very friendly and the food was nice I would recommend this little coffee shop for a quick bite to eat”

“I love it at Mellors, I go near enough everyday! Mellors toast it ICONIC! I love coming into Mellors, it really is a community feel, always welcoming and nothing is ever too much trouble! I love it so much all my students have now started to go before classes! Perfect place for meetings, dinner or even a catch up.”

“We arrived at Bean & Bun just as they were closing, but the staff were very welcoming and accommodating; we didn’t feel rushed. We had a nice meal that was made fresh, and to our tastes. Food and drinks were good value for money. The friendly staff made us feel relaxed and made our visit very enjoyable, thank you.”

“I came here today with my dog & it was like stepping back in time to my grandmas kitchen on a Saturday morning in the nicest way . The staff was so welcoming and warm especially with me having the dog . The atmosphere was just so wholesome it really felt like I was just in my grans kitchen . The decor is very very clean & the food was absolutely the best breakfast I’ve had . But hers sausage and bacon perfect orange yoky eggs with load of yoke , thick cut toast . Everything about it was beautiful so it looks like il be driving 40 mins for a breakfast every week . I also went alone with the dog which I’ve never ate alone before and not once did I felt uncomfortable.”

“I popped down to Moda for breakfast on Wednesday morning (their opening day) I had the steak and eggs with the healthy breakfast bowl and it was stunning both dishes were full of flavour and well cooked. Inside the decor is beautiful and calming with a great vibe. The staff are friendly, attentive and nothing is too much trouble. I looked over the drinks menu and so much choice for everyone's taste. I can’t wait to go again.”