9 July 2009

Lisa higginson

1. Folk

Nestled in the trendy tree-lined strip of Burton Road, this cool café is the perfect place to sip coffee in suburbia. Like its West Didsbury neighbours, Folk is an independent gem brimming with quirky character.

Sit inside the 60s style booths or spill out onto the sun-drenched terrace and enjoy great coffee alongside a menu of delicious deli classics, including sandwiches, salads, platters and sweet treats. As night falls, the vibe changes from daytime café to laid back bar and customers can swap their coffee for something a little stronger and enjoy a calendar of live music and DJs.

Folk, 169-171 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester
T: 0161 445 2912
W: www.folkcafebar.co.uk

2. The Titchy Coffee Company

Despite its city centre location, this modest café is a real hidden gem. Situated on the lower floor of the Triangle Shopping Centre, Titchy prides itself on serving up expertly made, entirely fairtraded coffee as well as teas, biscuits, cakes and a selection of good quality sandwiches. While it’s not exactly cosy (tables sprawl out onto the main floor of the shopping centre), the service, food and drink are spot on.

Its slogan ‘Coffee with a Conscience’ speaks volumes for the café’s ethos and is a breath of fresh air for the city centre café-goers who seek refuge from the heavyweight chains that have cropped up on many a street corner over the years.

The Titchy Coffee Co. Triangle Shopping Centre, Exchange Square, Manchester, M4 3TR
T: 0161 835 1540

3. Cup

With all the indie charm of a Northern Quarter hangout, Cup has fast made a name for itself as one of the coolest coffee spots in town. Not least because it has the endorsement of the king of cool himself Mr Scruff, whose plan to funk up the ‘tea and cake’ concept has gone down rather well with the NQ crowd. Pretty china cups and saucers are displayed around the café and quirky nick knacks liven up the décor.

While Cup does pride itself on the art of a good cuppa (there is a range of Mr Scruff teas), it also does a great range of world coffee and boasts a good juice and smoothie menu as well as an array of amazing homemade cakes. The sandwiches, salads and homemade soups are also great and there is a choice of Pie Minster pies.

Cup, 53-55 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1NA
T: 0161 832 3233
W: www.myspace.com/welovecups

4. Carluccio’s

There is no denying that the Italian’s know their coffee, so it would be a tragedy if you couldn’t find a good cup at Antonio Carluccio’s café. Situated among the shiny new buildings of Spinningfields, this bright and airy branch of the chain is a great place for breakfast or a bowl of hearty pasta and is a hit with city workers, ladies that lunch and families who seek a taste of Italy.

Carluccio’s serves up excellent blends of Italian coffee and for a real flavour of the country try the Bicerin – a traditional drink from Torino that combines espresso, Florentine drinking chocolate and cream, which is served in small jugs for you to mix yourself. Belissimo!

Carluccio’s, Spinningfields, 3 Hardmans Square, Manchester, M3 3EB
T: 0161 839 0623
W: www.carluccios.com

5. Café at the Rylands

Housed in the grand John Rylands University Library, this popular café has gained a reputation as one of the best in Manchester. On the menu is honest food freshly prepared using locally-sourced ingredients; open sandwiches are made with locally-baked bread, cakes, pies, pastries and tarts showcase quality ingredients and where possible the produce is ethically traded.

You can enjoy a coffee here safe in the knowledge that it is not only fair-trade, but Rain Forest Alliance certified and organic. Afternoon teas are also available and children are well catered for with a special menu.

Café at the Rylands, The John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH
T: 0161 275 3764
W: www.library.manchester.ac.uk