The best coffee shops in Manchester

Coffee has been fuelling the Manchester office since we set up here in 2011 and we thought it was about time we revisited and reviewed a few of our favourite spots. 

Fourth Day’s Manchester office is situated in the heart of the Northern Quarter – or NQ to locals! So, we’ve no shortage of great independent places to grab an oat-milk flat white (or whatever takes your fancy) on our doorstep. 

Ducie Street Warehouse – An old favourite of Fourth Day with excellent coffee and meeting spaces for all occasions. The wow factor here is the terrace on a sunny day, which is a wonderful way to show off Manchester at its best. We also like the accessibility at this venue, which has a ramp up to the terrace.

Foundation Coffee House – This place is HUGE, without looking like a chain. The black and white tiling décor inside gives the interior an edge – and if you have a few people joining you, there are oodles of group tables and booths up for grabs.

Idle Hands – Located just a couple of streets away from our office, Idle Hands offers a bright interior with smart wooden furniture. The coffees are tasty and diverse – featuring two to three types of espresso from constantly rotating roasters, as well as filter coffees from around the world.

Chapter One Books – Popular with the tea lovers in the office, this mini library-come-café has a relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff. Centre stage, there’s a water feature to help you ponder – while the seating areas within the nooks and crannies provide the accommodation for good chat. 

Ezra and Gil – This is a big hit for Fourth Day meetings. There’s a variety of different table sizes and spaces, always a good atmosphere and they also offer great breakfast and lunch options if you’re hungry. 

The Green Lab – Based in the same row of buildings as Fourth Day on Dale Street, The Green Lab has food sustainability at its core and, in addition to coffee, you can also experience locally brewed kombucha. Floor to ceiling windows allow you to people-watch as you sample the nutritious menu, while booths offer privacy if you’re plotting something suitably creative.