Quality espresso in Manchester

“Call in here quite often for their cooked breakfast. Always fresh and always tasty. I haven't tried any of their other food that's on the menu but if their breakfast is anything to go by it should be good.”

“Beautiful building, a real hidden gem! It was lovely and quiet around 9:30am on a Saturday. The queue was starting to build by 10am when I left. The brownie had a nice homemade taste, but it was a little dry. I find this is usually the case in cafes, but this was certainly one of the better ones. You can also choose to have it warmed and served with cream when you order. The mocha frappe was also good, but a frappe is different to an iced mocha, so expect it to be sweet!”

“Very nice cafe. Grabbed a standard English with a decaf cappuccino Good location and tasty quality food with special mixes of Egyptian salt and sauce, handmade. Didn't try the sauce but was recommended to put the salt and spices in with the beans which was very nice Staff friendly and helpful”

“Fantastic food fantastic service and warm and friendly staff would highly recommend”

“Went to hillside cafe for breakfast today, we ordered toasted BLT and chips x2, cooked perfectly. The Latte’s are the best around. staff are friendly, and cafe is kept very clean, keep it up x”

“Coffee was excellent. Service was quick and friendly. Great little place for working in the quiet or meeting with friends. Thoroughly recommend it. It’s INDEPENDENT so let’s support it!!!”

“I pre ordered a takeaway afternoon tea for 4 and it was perfect. Fresh food, homemade scones, we loved it. It made my mum's birthday really special (about a quarter of the food is in the picture. There was LOADS)”

“Absolutely brilliant, love getting my coffee before the train. The team are always so smiley no matter what the time in the morning! They always make sure my coffee comes before the train even if I leave it late they are so speedy and happy! Top service!”

“Really nice vibe, staff are pleasant and the coffee is delicious! Popped in for an espresso and the barista really knows how to make a good coffee! Thanks for a good morning”

“I popped in the other day on my work break and had the loveliest service from two members of staff. I believe he was called Kieran and a girl with really long red hair (sorry I've forgotten her name!) I'm vegan and the girl was really patient at explaining the milk alternatives, as well as recommending me a low caffeine blend. The coffee was delicious and the service brightened my day. I've often avoided chain cafes because they often lack a bit of soul/character, but this was definitely an exception - I'm looking forward to visiting again.”

“A wonderful place for anyone who appreciates great drinks and a cozy atmosphere! Black Sheep Coffee always feels warm and inviting — the aroma of freshly brewed coffee instantly lifts your mood, and the stylish interior creates a perfect little escape in the middle of the city. The service here truly stands out — the staff treats every guest with genuine care and attention. A special thank you to Rishi. He’s incredibly friendly, polite, and a true professional! He helped me choose the right drink and explained all the options — thanks to him, I’m now enjoying a delicious hot chocolate. And with the Christmas atmosphere outside the window, it feels absolutely magical. Thank you, Rishi, for the amazing service and wonderful experience!”

“The service is very good. The coffee is very fragrant. I especially like his croissant. It’s delicious. Whether it’s pistachios or raspberries, the ingredients are solid.”

“Nothing but positive experiences with Bean Machines over the last few years. I manage two coffee shops on opposite ends of London and bean machines have always been fast, efficient and well priced. We had one of our coffee machines recently serviced by Luke, who was great, providing a thorough service along with a replacement pump which id been meaning to do for a while. Very friendly with great customer service! Highly recommend.”

“The best hot chocolate, and recently appreciated his icey cold frapachinos in this heat wave, thank you Nigel”

“Small but packs a punch. Only a small cafe but the welcoming was lovely, service was very attentive. We went for breakfast, the menu had a great choice of healthy and the usuals. We had a bit of both. Freshest ingredients used and looks like locally sourced, where that could be achieved. The food was hot, tasty, and well priced. The atmosphere seems busy with all the plants but I get that the view outside isn't the greatest. Could look smart with different table surfaces/covers. Don't let the location put you off as this is a little gem for food and service.”

“I visited Costa Gatley Sunday afternoon — a clean, well-maintained store with a cosy atmosphere and a good selection of food options. However, what stood out during my visit was an interaction at the till that left me quite surprised, and not in a good way. When I ordered a medium hot drink, the young girl serving me actively discouraged the choice. She suggested I go for a smaller size, saying: “There’s not much difference in size — go for the small and save some pennies.” As someone who has run a business for over a decade, I found this quite concerning. In most places, staff are trained to upsell — encouraging customers to consider larger sizes or additional items, which is standard practice in retail and hospitality. Her approach, while possibly well-intentioned, directly goes against basic principles of sales and revenue generation. Encouraging customers to spend less, especially unprompted, may seem kind, but it’s ultimately damaging to the business. In my view, this isn’t just unprofessional — it’s a risk to the long-term health of the store. Costa may want to consider reviewing training procedures to ensure staff understand the balance between customer service and commercial awareness. 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.”

“It was my first experience at Costa Coffee in England. I ordered Chae Latte and was great. They have multiple options and I saw they make everything in professional way. A nice place to sit and relax after you get done with your shopping in or around town square of Oldham.”

“Can't beat a costa hot chocolate now the weather's cooling down n winters on its way..”

“The usual.. great coffee and friendly emplyees. I am a fan to both Costa and Nero. The coffee is not bitter as starbucks. This tome I was lost in Manchester when leaving Trafford Center. Found this branch of costa in Eccles, had cakes and coffee, with our 4 pows friend (dog)”

“We had the best brunch on our visit to Manchester! Amy was really lovely and Yee made the most beautiful latte! They also serve some very tasty ice cream - would definitely recommend.”

“Great place to catch up over a coffee and cake staff very friendly and accommodating tables cleared constantly and area always kept wiped down. The toilets were also equally as clean and tidy.”

“I visit here every Sunday with my mum, we especially enjoy the cheese toastie and hot chocolate, the staff are all amazing, so helpful and kind, I love the rewards I get from the app too.”

“Popped in several times on my way to Ashton. Food always been to great standard. great little place to sit in when having car valeted outside. My little man loves the slushi drinks too. staff always been friendly”

“Had breakfast from here on Wednesday food was amazing. Staff are great very clean cafe. It cost for 2 breakfast and a cappuccino £14.80”

“Cosy little place to eat and catch a coffee. Small but warm and welcoming. :) The coffee was bitter and plentiful. Not great for taste but great for caffeine (probably?) 1/5 for the coffee. The panini was okay. A slight crisp to it, which was nice but quite scarce on the tuna. 3/5 for the panini!”

“One of the best coffees i had in costa. Divi made me an excellent flat white. Thanks”

“Very approachable and great service , staff so friendly especially Wendy keep up the work Wendy”

“Go nearly every Saturday morning with my 2 boys never had a bad brekky yet the ladies who work there are amazing and always take time to have a chat to my sons. The food is always spot on”

“Costa Coffee is one of my favorite cafes. Their coffee is delicious and perfectly made. The cakes are balanced in taste, and I also love their sandwiches. The Stratford branch is quiet, the staff are amazing, and the place is spacious. I enjoy meeting my friends there, and I love everything about it.”