Food & Drink
The Best Brunch in Manchester: 5 Spots Ranked for 2026
Manchester's brunch scene has grown from a Northern Quarter side-hustle into one of the strongest in the country, spanning Antipodean coffee houses, Melbourne-style all-day cafes and buzzy cafe-bars. One thing to know before you go: the best coffee-led spots here are walk-in only, so the biggest practical difference between our picks is whether you can book a table or have to queue. To find the best brunch in Manchester, we compared the city's most-loved spots on food, coffee, atmosphere, value and how easy they actually are to get into. Here are the five brunches we rate most highly for 2026, ranked, with who each one suits and where it falls short.
Our top picks
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 14 September 2026
- Updated
- 14 September 2026
- Last verified
- 14 September 2026
- Sources
- 8 sources
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
Written by
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not influence our rankings or WATTB Scores. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we rank.
How we picked · Our ranking draws on each venue's official menus and location details, aggregated public reviews across Tripadvisor, Google and Square Meal, and Manchester food-press coverage from outlets such as I Love Manchester and Manchester's Finest, combined with our editorial assessment of food, coffee, atmosphere, value and accessibility. Read our full method →- Rank 1Federal Cafe & BarWATTB Pick— Best overallWATTB90/100~£15 pp (indicative, food only)
- Rank 2Evelyn's Cafe Bar— Best for a leisurely weekend brunchWATTB88/100~£20 pp (indicative, with a drink)
- Rank 3Another Heart to Feed— Best for creative, adventurous platesWATTB88/100~£16 pp (indicative)
- Rank 4Pot Kettle Black— Best for specialty coffeeWATTB85/100~£14 pp (indicative)
- Rank 5Ezra & Gil— Best casual walk-in for valueWATTB83/100~£12 pp (indicative)
The WATTB Score is our own research-based editorial assessment out of 100 — not a customer-review average.
Choose by occasion
The things that decide where to go — match them to your evening, not just the rating.
- Quick pit-stop or leisurely sit-down?Matters most
- A coffee-led counter you turn around quickly and a proper cafe-bar built for lingering suit very different mornings — decide the pace before the venue.
- Booking & queueingMatters most
- Most of these spots run walk-in only for brunch, so weekend waits are common; only a couple take (or recommend) reservations, which matters most for groups.
- Traditional or creative plates?Matters most
- The list splits between dependable brunch staples and more adventurous, globally-influenced cooking — the style, not the ranking, tends to decide who enjoys where.
- How much does the coffee matter?Worth weighing
- Several picks are specialty-coffee-first, so the espresso is as much the draw as the food; if the coffee is the point, that narrows the field quickly.
- BudgetMinor
- Indicative spend here runs from around £12 to £20 per head; the more leisurely, cocktail-friendly rooms tend to sit at the top of that band.
Compare at a glance
- Price
- ££
- Style
- Antipodean brunch & specialty coffee
- Best for
- Best overall
- Price
- ££
- Style
- Global brunch & small plates (Inka charcoal oven)
- Best for
- Best for a leisurely weekend brunch
- Price
- ££
- Style
- Melbourne-inspired brunch
- Best for
- Best for creative, adventurous plates
- Price
- ££
- Style
- Specialty coffee & brunch
- Best for
- Best for specialty coffee
- Price
- ££
- Style
- All-day cafe brunch
- Best for
- Best casual walk-in for value
The picks in depth
Federal Cafe & Bar
Why it won
The most consistent all-rounder in the city: Antipodean brunch and top-tier coffee, if you're happy to queue.
Consistently well-regarded coffee and brunch across several branches
Reliable, tightly-executed menu praised across aggregated reviews
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options clearly flagged
Trade-off: Walk-in only, so weekend queues are common and groups can't book
Why it ranks here
It takes the top spot because, on the aggregated evidence, it tends to do the fundamentals more consistently than its rivals: reliable specialty coffee paired with a tight, well-executed Antipodean brunch menu, spread across several city-centre branches.
Go here if
- You want the most consistent all-round coffee-and-brunch combination
- You are happy to queue at peak weekend times
Skip it if
- You need to book a table or guarantee a spot for a group
- You want a boozy or bottomless brunch destination
Where it's the better choice
- Consistency and coffee quality across multiple branches
- Choice of central locations, from the Northern Quarter to Circle Square
Where another pick wins
- Walk-in only, so weekend queues are common and groups can't book
- Coffee-led and quick rather than a leisurely, cocktail-friendly sit-down
Closest alternative: Evelyn's Cafe Bar — Choose Evelyn's if you want a leisurely sit-down cafe-bar with cocktails, rather than a quick coffee-led plate.
- Best for
- A reliable, coffee-led weekend brunch if you don't mind queuing
- Typical spend
- ~£15 per person for food, more with coffee and extras(as of Sep 2026)
- What to order
- French toast, Halloumi and poached eggs on sourdough, Cheddar-corn fritters
- Atmosphere
- A busy, coffee-led Antipodean cafe across several city-centre branches
- Booking
- Walk-in only across all branches; expect weekend queues and no reservations.
Evelyn's Cafe Bar
Why we recommend it
The pick for a leisurely sit-down brunch in a buzzy cafe-bar, with cocktails on hand.
A proper sit-down cafe-bar for a leisurely brunch, not a grab-and-go counter
Bold, globally-influenced menu cooked over an Inka charcoal oven
Buzzy atmosphere and well-reviewed service; cocktails available
Trade-off: Pricier and slower-paced than a grab-and-go cafe
Why it ranks here
It ranks second as the pick for a morning-long, sit-down brunch: a stylish Northern Quarter cafe-bar whose leafy room reviewers consistently praise, with globally-influenced cooking over an Inka charcoal oven and cocktails alongside the coffee.
Go here if
- You want a proper sit-down cafe-bar to linger in
- You like bolder, globally-influenced plates and a cocktail option
Skip it if
- You want a fast turnaround or the cheapest plate
- You need to book ahead for weekend-morning brunch
Where it's the better choice
- A buzzy, atmospheric room built for a leisurely brunch
- Adventurous cooking over an Inka charcoal oven, with cocktails available
Where another pick wins
- Pricier and slower-paced than a grab-and-go cafe
- A single site and walk-in only for brunch, so weekends can still mean a wait
Closest alternative: Federal Cafe & Bar — Choose Federal for a more consistent, coffee-led plate and a choice of central branches.
- Best for
- A leisurely, cocktail-friendly weekend brunch
- Typical spend
- ~£20 per person with a drink (indicative)(as of Sep 2026)
- What to order
- Brunch staples like poached eggs, avocado and mushrooms, Something cooked over the Inka charcoal oven
- Atmosphere
- A buzzy, stylish cafe-bar with a leafy interior reviewers consistently praise
- Booking
- Walk-in for brunch; dinner (from 5pm) and all-day Sunday are bookable. Single Tib Street site.
Another Heart to Feed
Why we recommend it
The most creative plates here: Melbourne-style brunch for people bored of standard smashed avo.
Genuinely creative, well-presented menu that stands out from typical brunch
Natural wine and strong specialty coffee alongside the food
Strong vegetarian and vegan choices
Trade-off: Compact rooms mean weekend waits for walk-ins; only groups of 7+ can book
Why it ranks here
It lands third as the most creative kitchen here, with a Melbourne-inspired menu that goes beyond the usual; it sits below the top pair mainly because the rooms are compact and weekend walk-in waits are common.
Go here if
- You want the most inventive, well-presented brunch plates
- You like natural wine and strong coffee alongside the food
Skip it if
- You prefer a traditional fry-up
- You want space and a quick table at peak weekend times
Where it's the better choice
- Genuinely creative cooking that stands out from standard brunch
- Natural wine and specialty coffee for a special-feeling, informal meal
Where another pick wins
- Compact rooms mean common weekend waits; only groups of 7+ can book
- Adventurous plates tend not to suit fans of a plain fry-up
Closest alternative: Evelyn's Cafe Bar — Choose Evelyn's for similarly adventurous cooking with a roomier, more atmospheric cafe-bar to linger in.
- Best for
- A creative, special-feeling weekend brunch, going for the cooking
- Typical spend
- ~£16 per person (indicative)(as of Sep 2026)
- What to order
- Eton mess French toast, Its elevated take on smashed avocado and poached eggs
- Atmosphere
- Compact, characterful rooms across two sites, with a cult following
- Booking
- Largely walk-in; bookings only for parties of seven or more. Northern Quarter and West Didsbury sites.
Pot Kettle Black
Why we recommend it
A specialty-coffee-first brunch with two smart city-centre sites and solid dietary range.
Specialty coffee is the headline strength, backed by careful sourcing
Two smart city-centre sites with good dietary range (vegan, veggie, GF)
Slightly better value than the higher-ranked picks
Trade-off: Menu is more conventional than the creative brunch specialists
Why it ranks here
It comes fourth as the specialty-coffee-first choice that still does a dependable plate: it built its name on careful espresso, and claws value back with two smart city-centre sites, wide dietary range and weekend reservations rather than a pure walk-in scramble.
Go here if
- You are a coffee obsessive who still wants a proper plate
- You want to be able to reserve at weekends and value dietary range
Skip it if
- You want the boldest, most creative menu in town
- You need a consistent menu across both branches
Where it's the better choice
- Careful, well-sourced specialty coffee as the headline strength
- Two smart central sites and weekend bookings, so less of a walk-in scramble
Where another pick wins
- A more conventional menu than the creative brunch specialists
- Details and menus vary between the two branches
Closest alternative: Another Heart to Feed — Choose Another Heart to Feed if you want more adventurous cooking and don't mind a likely walk-in wait.
- Best for
- A coffee-led brunch you can book at the weekend
- Typical spend
- ~£14 per person (indicative)(as of Sep 2026)
- What to order
- Eggs benedict topped with house-cured espresso and maple bacon, French toast with lemon mascarpone
- Atmosphere
- Two smart city-centre rooms, including the Grade II*-listed Barton Arcade
- Booking
- Reservations recommended at weekends. Barton Arcade (Deansgate) and Angel Gardens (Rochdale Road) sites.
Ezra & Gil
Why we recommend it
The dependable, all-day walk-in for casual brunch without a reservation or a big bill.
Good value and long all-day hours from early morning
Relaxed, dog- and laptop-friendly with no booking needed
Central Northern Quarter and Peter Street locations
Trade-off: Simpler, less distinctive cooking than the higher-ranked spots
Why it ranks here
It rounds out the list as the low-fuss value and flexibility pick: an all-day cafe with long hours and a no-booking, walk-in model, ranked fifth because the cooking is simpler and less distinctive than the specialists above.
Go here if
- You want good value and long, all-day hours from early morning
- You want a relaxed, dog- and laptop-friendly cafe with no booking needed
Skip it if
- You want a standout, distinctive meal
- You want a quiet room at peak weekend times
Where it's the better choice
- Long all-day hours from early morning, beyond the tight weekend window
- Lower indicative spend and a relaxed, no-booking walk-in model
Where another pick wins
- Simpler, less distinctive cooking than the higher-ranked spots
- Gets busy and noisy at peak weekend times
Closest alternative: Federal Cafe & Bar — Step up to Federal for more consistent coffee and a tighter, better-executed brunch menu.
- Best for
- A casual, low-fuss brunch outside the tight weekend window
- Typical spend
- ~£12 per person (indicative)(as of Sep 2026)
- What to order
- Eggs benedict, Pancakes, A full fry-up, plus bakes and coffee
- Atmosphere
- A relaxed, dog- and laptop-friendly all-day cafe that gets busy and buzzy at peak times
- Booking
- Walk-in, no booking required; opens early (from 7.30am weekdays). Northern Quarter and Peter Street sites.
How to choose
Quick coffee stop, or a morning-long sit-down?
For a fast, coffee-led plate, Federal and Pot Kettle Black tend to lead. For a leisurely cafe-bar you can settle into, Evelyn's is the pick, with Another Heart to Feed a strong option if food creativity matters more than elbow room.
Traditional plates or something more adventurous?
For dependable brunch staples and value, Ezra & Gil and Pot Kettle Black fit the bill. For more creative, globally-influenced cooking, Another Heart to Feed and Evelyn's lean bolder — so a plain fry-up is better served by the former pair.
Map of Manchester
How we ranked this list
Our ranking draws on each venue's official menus and location details, aggregated public reviews across Tripadvisor, Google and Square Meal, and Manchester food-press coverage from outlets such as I Love Manchester and Manchester's Finest, combined with our editorial assessment of food, coffee, atmosphere, value and accessibility. We have not visited or eaten at these venues; prices are indicative, vary by branch and change over time, so check current menus before you go.
Prices and availability last checked September 2026; these change, so confirm current details with the provider before buying.
Read our full ranking methodWhy you can trust WATTB
Independent & unbiased
We rank on merit. Commercial links never change which picks make a guide or where they rank.
In-depth research
Official information, specifications and aggregated expert and user reviews — compared, not guessed.
Clear pros & cons
Every pick gets its real advantages and at least one honest trade-off, so you can weigh it.
Transparent sourcing
We show how we rank and the sources behind each guide, and re-check them as things change.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best brunch in Manchester?
For an all-rounder we rate Federal Cafe & Bar highest, thanks to consistently strong specialty coffee and a well-executed Antipodean brunch menu across several city-centre branches. If you'd rather linger over a sit-down brunch with cocktails, Evelyn's Cafe Bar in the Northern Quarter is our pick for a leisurely weekend brunch, while Another Heart to Feed is the one for the most creative, Melbourne-inspired plates.
How much does brunch cost in Manchester?
All prices are indicative and change, but expect roughly £12-£16 per person for food at most of the spots here, with Ezra & Gil around the lower end (~£12) and Federal, Another Heart to Feed and Pot Kettle Black around £14-£16. A more leisurely brunch with a drink, such as at Evelyn's, is closer to £20 per person. Add coffee, sides and cocktails and totals rise accordingly.
Do you need to book for brunch in Manchester?
It varies, so it's worth checking before you set off. Federal runs a walk-in-only model across its branches, and Ezra & Gil is also no-booking, so both can mean weekend queues. Another Heart to Feed is largely walk-in too, taking reservations only for groups of seven or more. Evelyn's runs brunch on a walk-in basis and takes bookings only for dinner and all-day Sunday, while Pot Kettle Black accepts both walk-ins and bookings and recommends booking ahead for busy weekend slots.
Which Manchester brunch spot is best for a group?
For a bookable group table, Pot Kettle Black is a strong choice: its two city-centre sites take weekend bookings alongside walk-ins. Another Heart to Feed accepts bookings for parties of seven or more, though its rooms are compact. Evelyn's is roomier and suits a leisurely weekend sit-down, but note its brunch is walk-in (it takes bookings only for dinner and Sunday roast). Federal and Ezra & Gil are walk-in only, so larger groups risk a wait at peak times.
Which Manchester brunch spots are best for vegans and dietary requirements?
All five here flag options for different diets, but Pot Kettle Black and Another Heart to Feed stand out for range: PKB lists vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes plus plant-based specials, and Another Heart to Feed's Melbourne-inspired menu is strong on vegetarian and vegan plates. Federal also clearly marks vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices. As always, confirm specific allergen needs with the venue directly.
What the evidence shows
Rankings draw on official venue information, aggregated reviews, current indicative pricing and our editorial assessment of consistency, value and convenience. We have not dined at these venues in person.
Limitations
- Prices are indicative and change — check the venue before you go.
- Booking policies, branch locations and opening hours vary and change; confirm the specific site before travelling.
Sources & further reading
8The information and claims in this guide draw on the references below. We check these when a guide is published or updated.
- Product informationPrimary source
Federal Cafe & Bar - Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch Menu (opens in a new tab) — Federal Cafe & Bar
Supports: Federal's brunch menu, dishes and dietary options
- Product informationPrimary source
Federal Locations - Coffee & Brunch Across Manchester (opens in a new tab) — Federal Cafe & Bar
Supports: Federal's branches (Northern Quarter, Deansgate, Circle Square, Altrincham) and walk-in-only policy
- Product informationPrimary source
Evelyn's Cafe Bar - Menu & Bookings (opens in a new tab) — Evelyn's Cafe Bar
Supports: Evelyn's address, Inka charcoal-oven cooking, globally-influenced menu and booking policy
- Product informationPrimary source
Another Heart to Feed - Bookings & Menu (opens in a new tab) — Another Heart to Feed
Supports: Another Heart to Feed's branches (Northern Quarter & West Didsbury), Melbourne-inspired menu, natural wine and walk-in/group-booking (7+) policy
- Product informationPrimary source
Brunch Manchester - Pot Kettle Black (opens in a new tab) — Pot Kettle Black
Supports: Pot Kettle Black's locations, brunch dishes and dietary range
- Product informationPrimary source
Best Brunch in Manchester | Ezra & Gil (opens in a new tab) — Ezra & Gil
Supports: Ezra & Gil's brunch offering, opening hours and walk-in model
- Customer & expert reviews
Evelyn's Cafe Bar: Review (opens in a new tab) — Manchester's Finest
Supports: Evelyn's globally-influenced menu style and atmosphere
- Related analysis
The best breakfast and brunch spots in Manchester for 2026 (opens in a new tab) — I Love Manchester
Supports: Editorial context on Manchester's leading brunch venues
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