9 Best Coffee Shops in Manchester for Dodging Rain

With an average of 152 days of rain per year and ranking as the UK's 15th wettest city, it's no wonder that Manchester has emerged as a hotspot for its caffeine scene. In fact, this buzzing northwestern city's coffee cup runsneth over, with enough cafés peppered throughout to visit a different one every day of the year. More than just a cup of joe, these cafés dish up a plethora of sweet and savory options, with many offering vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other specialty treats. Ranging from traditional to artisanal to eclectic, step into one of Manchester's myriad coffee shops guaranteed to perk you up and help your day run full steam ahead.

Only five minutes' walk from the creative ibis Styles Manchester Portland Hotel and among the bohemian boutiques, trendy bars and vibrant street art of the Northern Quarter, you'll find this snug independent coffee bar dedicated to specialty beverages. The drinks menu at this tiny gem packs a big punch, with options such as flat whites, macchiatos, aeropress, cold brew, and turmeric and beetroot lattes. There's also a curated selection of wine and beer. Grab a seat at the reclaimed wood counter beneath the picture window to watch the world pass you by.

• Fig + Sparrow, 20 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JA
• Open: 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat-Sun

This lively, colorful café in the bustling Northern Quarter has something for everyone. Coffee enthusiasts will appreciate espresso drinks featuring beans from local roasteries, plus a selection of handmade syrups. There's also a large smoothie and shake menu, along with a handful of adult beverages that include CBD, kombucha and nootropics.

You may have come for the coffee, but be sure to stay for the food. The café features breakfast bagels, salads, soups and sandwiches (including vegan and gluten-free options), plus a spread of picture-perfect cakes waiting to be eaten alongside a pot of tea. The vibrant atmosphere and the quirky art are just a bonus.

• Nibble, 36 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JN
• Open: 8:30am-5pm daily

A short walk from Ancoats, a gentrified neighbourhood near Piccadilly train station, Ancoats Coffee was created as a place for the roastery to showcase its artisanal coffee. The industrial-style establishment with red-brick walls and exposed piping is tucked within Royal Mills, an important 20th-century textile mill, and specialises in niche blends hailing from equatorial nations such as Uganda, Colombia, Myanmar and Ethiopia. Since its opening, the spot has become a hub for enthusiasts and is known for regular coffee tastings and exceptional barista skills. These attributes, along with the laid-back atmosphere, make it the perfect choice for a steamy mug away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

• Ancoats Coffee, Unit 9, Royal Mill, 17 Redhill St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5BA
• Open: 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat, 10am-5pm Sun

The tiny, independent spot boasts coffee that’s second to none in Manchester. An ever-changing lineup of roasteries means that whether your drink is a flat white, mocha or latte, every cup is a work of art, so you can’t go wrong no matter what you’re in the mood for. The queue is often out the door and you might struggle to get a seat in this petite local favourite on a rainy day, but the popularity proves it’s worth a try. There’s also a location in the city centre.

• Just Between Friends Coffee, Beehive Mill, Jersey St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6JG
• Just Between Friends Coffee, 56 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LG
• Open: 8am-4pm Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4pm Sat-Sun

Located on Dale Street, only a six-minute walk from Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Idle Hands is one of the city's best coffee shops to work in. The airy, welcoming space features high ceilings, large windows and long tables perfect for a morning laptop session accompanied by a steaming pour-over cup. The expertly curated bean selection features espresso and brewed coffee from a rotating lineup of local and global roasters.

Some would say the real draw at Idle Hands Coffee is the incredible selection of snacks, sweet pies and cakes. While the selection rotates daily, flavours such as chocolate cream pie, salted caramel apple pie and vegan cherry pie grace the shelves, all topped with cloudlike swirls of whipped cream. The quaint café also offers delicious brunch food with vegan and gluten-free options, natural wine and craft beer.

• Idle Hands Coffee, 35 Dale St, Manchester M1 2HF
• Open: 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri (kitchen 9am-3pm), 10am-5pm Sat (kitchen 10am-3:30pm), 10am-4pm Sun (kitchen 10am-3:30pm)

Near ibis Manchester Centre Princess Street, this fully vegan coffee shop and café across from Manchester Metropolitan University on Oxford Road has been a local staple since 1970. Set in cafeteria-style surrounds beneath a vegan grocery store focused on local and ethical products, the simple coffee house provides artisanal espresso-based drinks sourced solely from roasters that use ethical and fair-trade practices.

In addition to the specialty drinks like turmeric or spiced apple lattes, the café is famous for whipping up sweet and savoury vegan treats in its on-site kitchen. Try the wholesome dal, carrot and walnut cake, sticky toffee pudding, or homemade soup served with artisanal sourdough bread — all popular dishes that are known to sell out quickly.

• On the Eighth Day, 111 Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7DU
• Open: 11am-3pm Mon-Sat

What this compact, minimalist coffee house in Deansgate lacks in space it makes up for with flavour. The café uses hand-roasted beans from Buxton Coffee Roasters. This artisanal roastery focuses on fair and direct trade with farmers worldwide who utilise sustainable and ethical practices. The bold beans hail from Thailand, Brazil and Ethiopia, making each cappuccino, latte, and flat white a decadent journey.

The café is also a sought-after brunch spot boasting a locally sourced menu inspired by Mediterranean cuisine — think grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. While the menu features a mostly plant-based repertoire, there are flexitarian options that feature meat, dairy and eggs. Popular items include delectable bowls, vegan pancakes and poached eggs on organic sourdough, and the café is always well-stocked with a selection of cakes to indulge in a spot of afternoon tea. There's also a location in the city centre.

• Hampton & Voúis, 31 Princess Street, Town Hall, M2 4EW

• Open: 8am-4pm Mon-Fri (kitchen closes at 3pm), 9am-4pm Sat-Sun (kitchen closes at 3pm)

• Hampton & Voúis, 78-88 High Street, Northern Quarter, M4 1ES

• Open: 9am-4pm daily (kitchen closes at 3pm)

In Hebrew, “Ezra” means helper and “Gil” means happiness, and that’s exactly what this cosy, warehouse-chic neighbourhood hangout offers. With two locations, in Deansgate and in the Northern Quarter, Ezra & Gil is one of the best independent coffee shops in Manchester dishing up coffee, desserts and brunch since it opened in 2014.

The drinks menu boasts a wide array of hot espresso drinks topped with gorgeous foam art, plus teas, iced beverages, smoothies and juices. While the coffees are a show-stopper in themselves, Ezra & Gil's true draw may be the delectable brunch menu. With a huge lineup of sandwiches, egg dishes, pancakes, salads and bowls, there's no doubt this Deansgate hotspot will help with your happiness. There's also a location in the city center.

• Ezra & Gil, 49 Peter St, Manchester M2 3NG
• Ezra & Gil, 20 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1FR
• Open: 7:30am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-7pm Sat-Sun.

Possibly the cutest coffee shop in Manchester, Cast No Shadow is set on a moored canal boat in the scenic Bridgewater Canal in Castlefield near Deansgate. This charming café serves espresso made from locally roasted beans, plus to-die-for vegan cakes and pastries from The Vakery, all from a little hatch in the side of the canal boat. While there's no indoor space or seating, the cute café makes a perfect pit stop during a brisk walk along the canals and among the area's many attractions.

• Cast No Shadow, 17 Slate Wharf, Manchester M15 4SX (subject to change)

You may not be in Manchester long enough to sample the city's hundreds of cafés and coffee houses, but chances are after tasting a few you'll want to start planning your next trip. With a plethora of hotels, activities, and of course, coffee shops to experience, Manchester is a win-win whether rain or shine.