Coffee lovers nationwide can rejoice in the knowledge that UK high streets are experiencing a boom of new coffee.
In Manchester, where we opened our eighth barbershop, things are no different: there are plenty of excellent independent coffee shops, all easily reachable from our central Cross Street store.
We’ve rounded up a list of some of the city’s best independent coffee shops where you can get find that all-important caffeine hit, with a touch of finesse or a delicious snack to go with it.
1.
Black Sheep Coffee
As the name suggests, Manchester’s Black Sheep Coffee, which has locations at Piccadilly Place and Spring Gardens, likes to do things a little differently. With a heavy focus on bean quality, great service and, of course, excellent coffee, Black Sheep Coffee has become a hit among Manchester’s coffee-loving urbanites.
Co-founders Gabriel and Eirik put the journey of bean-to-cup at the heart of their mission to “rid the world of boring, average-tasting coffee”. Every year, the duo travel far and wide to see the growing, picking and drying process of the beans, and to ensure that local farmers get their fair share. It’s an admirable mission that has led to one of Manchester’s best independent coffee shops.
Additionally, Black Sheep Coffee offers a range of craft beers and specialist cocktails to boot.
See their events here.
2.
Fig + Sparrow
Born from “a passion for design, creativity, culture and a sense of community” following a period spent in Berlin, Fig + Sparrow duo, Jan and Emily, have created an intimate, well-designed coffee hub in the heart of Manchester that would satisfy the most critical of coffee lovers.
Fig + Sparrow also offer a range of cakes, light healthy dishes, loose leaf teas and iced coffees — ideal for the hot summer days, should we be lucky enough to have any.
Visit their website here
3.
The Vienna Coffee House
Sometimes a quality coffee needs a partner-in-crime of the sweet variety, which is exactly what The Vienna Coffee House, situated on Mosley Street, offers and for a reasonable price.
Here you can book a table for afternoon tea, kick back and consume a range of indulgent foodstuffs, from homemade cakes to fresh sandwiches, served with a wide range of teas or coffee, including, need it be said, Viennese coffee.
If you’re going to rest on your laurels, make it an afternoon tea at The Vienna Coffee House.
Book a table here
4.
Grindsmith
Grindsmith is a speciality bean-to-cup coffee shop with three locations across Manchester, which have become a popular hubs for those in search of a fine coffee, and more. What is great about the Grindsmith team, is that they evidently love concocting interesting drinks and creating quality food.
From refreshing iced turmeric lattes (perfect again, for the hotter days) to a plate of French toast and bacon — everything here has a mark of quality and consistency.
Additionally, Grindsmith offers more than food and drinks; you can book your place on one of their immersive classes in how to brew the perfect coffee at home.
Book here
5.
The Foundation Coffee House
With a motto like “coffee is everything”, you know they mean business. Situated in two Manchester locations, Whitworth Street and the Northern Quarter, which they refer to as “portfolio spaces”, The Foundation Coffee House has become popular to host casual business meetings and serves as a useful functional space of the Laptop Class (aka freelancers).
The interiors here have been meticulously designed which acts as a superb backdrop in a space where you can be productive, enjoy a high-quality coffee and a list of tasty snacks to go with it.
You can also hire the space out for events, see here