Delicious Pancakes in Manchester: Your Ultimate Guide to Fluffiness

Where there's a craving for pancakes, there ought to be a way to satisfy it. And in Manchester, there most definitely is. Whatever you fancy, one of the many pancake places in the city will have just the thing for you. Fluffy American-style pancakes with maple syrup flowing like the River Irwell; stacks topped with chocolate spread, fresh berries or ice cream; protein-packed pancakes with peanut butter or yoghurt. They're all out there, waiting for you to devour them.
 

That's because brunch in Manchester has seriously taken off in the last few years. It’s not just about grabbing a quick bite before tackling a to-do list anymore – it’s a weekend ritual that offers a chance to kick back with friends, try something new or enjoy comfort food like pancakes. With new spots popping up all the time, you can find everything from wholesome vegan pancakes to indulgent, cream-topped stacks and everything in between. Here's where you'll find the best pancakes in Manchester.

Your train is about to pull in at Manchester Victoria when pancake cravings hit. Luckily, Café North is only a five-minute walk away, and a 15-minute stroll from your hotel in the centre of town. Café North is an indie spot that serves fresh, home-cooked food, which has made it the go-to breakfast place for many locals. As a visitor, you shouldn't miss out on any of the treats either, especially the pancakes. For under £11 (€13) you get three homemade pancakes with your choice of toppings, from a relatively healthy summer fruits with mascarpone and honey to a wholly decadent caramelised banana, caramel and ice cream. If you fancy a combo of sweet and savoury, there's blueberry, streaky bacon and maple syrup. Take your pick, grab your fork and dig in.

• 66 Shudehill, Manchester, M4 4AA
• Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-4pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-4pm

Like Café North, this halal-friendly restaurant and bar is in Manchester's Northern Quarter, and while they may not have quite the same variation of pancakes, the stacks they serve are just as delicious. Take their Pistachio Dream Pancakes, for example, which come with pistachio crumbs, white chocolate sauce, raspberries, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. Want something simpler? Try their bananaberry pancakes, which are infused with raspberries and topped with bananas and maple syrup.

• 62 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE
• Open daily 9 am-5 pm

Meet the Mancunian institution that has been treating its guests to some of the best brekkies in town since 1978. There are only two types of pancakes – classic and plant-based – but they both hit the spot. The classic all-American comes with a sausage patty, bacon, hash brown, fried egg and lashings of maple syrup, while the plant-based version is topped with a cheesy bacon and tofu scramble, plus a veggie patty and potato rosti. Incidentally, the Koffee Pot turns into a taco bar by night, so you may end up stopping by twice the same day.

• 84-86 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE
• Open daily, 9am-3pm

If you fancy a taste of North America – authentic pancakes in particular – swing by one of Moose Coffee's three bars in Manchester. They've got homemade American buttermilk pancakes, which you can pair with a single topping like maple syrup or blueberries. Or you could go all out and opt for a Moose Stack, where the choice of toppings ranges from cinnamon swirl and spiced apples, to banana, chocolate hazelnut spread and maple pecans. Moose Coffee's mission is to provide the best North American dining experience in the U.K. Mission accomplished.

• 20 York St, Manchester M2 2BB
• Open daily 8am-5pm

The portions are generous and the vibe is relaxed at 19 Café Bar. Plus, they serve up some of the fluffiest pancake stacks in all of Manchester. To crown your three giant American pancakes, choose from mouthwatering flavours like Belgian chocolate chunk with vanilla ice cream, kinder with the namesake chocolate and vanilla ice cream, or a classic smoked crispy bacon with maple syrup. You can even add extra chocolate or caramel sauce, or maple syrup, for £2.50. Settle down at one of the rustic wooden tables at this exposed-brick venue, and pair your pancakes with a barista-made coffee or even a cocktail.

• 19 Lever Street, Manchester, M1 1BY
• Open Mon-Fri and Sun 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-6pm

The name of this place may make you wonder if you're about to enter a fancy boutique, but don't let it fool you. It's an independent brunch and coffee house with two venues in the centre of Manchester. The focus here is on a healthy flexitarian diet, and the pancakes are made from vegan ingredients. This makes their texture a bit denser than buttermilk ones, but just as delicious. They're topped with chocolate sauce, biscoff crumble and vanilla ice cream, with berries or banana as optional extras for £1 each.

• 31 Princess St, Manchester M2 4EW
• Open Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm

"Fuwa Fuwa" is Japanese for "fluffy", and this chain is North America's largest Japanese-style soufflé pancake brand. What started in the greater Toronto area in 2018 has since spread across the Atlantic. Using a process during which egg whites are whipped to soft peaks, they create masterpieces with a light and airy texture that has the added bonus of not being too sweet. There are over a dozen flavours to choose from, including blueberry cheese, tiramisu and creme brulée. Gluten-free options are also available.

• Carding Building, Whitworth St, Manchester M1 3NR
• Open Mon-Fri 12pm-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-9pm

Let's face it, when you suggest going out for brunch, what you're really saying is, "Let's have some pancakes". When you're in Manchester, a city that's famous for its brunch culture, you have lots of opportunities to quench your hankering for pancakes. The best thing about having pancakes in Manchester is that you don't just fill your tummy but also lift your mood for the rest of the afternoon. And the next day, maybe during a weekend getaway, you can have some more.