A fairly typical Caffe Nero location and chain coffee-shop nonetheless, it is located just outside Manchester Arndale, opposite Exchange Square and is located over two floors, the counter and limited seating downstairs, and then more seating (with a view) if you go upstairs to the higher-floor, with toilets on both floors.
The baristas here are generally friendly, but as they always seem to take your order, make your drink, and then move on, service can be pretty slow as the same person to take your order ends up making the drinks, so expect a wait at peak times.
The store looks fairly nice inside and it has become an iconic feature of entering the Manchester Arndale from the Exchange Square entrance.
On my most recent visit here, I ordered a large latte, the only good thing I have to say about it as the amount of time it remained hot, probably down to the fact it was served in a paper cup (They were serving all drinks in paper cups, regardless of whether patrons wished to sit inside or take their beverage to-go), the coffee quality was a little weak and tasted almost watered down.
Lots of rivals nearby, including a Starbucks across the way in both Exchange Square, and the Arndale Centre, where there is also a Pret A Manger next to the latter, the one USP of this joint is the view if you're so so about the view, then maybe you might want to go to another outlet nearby.
3* - Probably wouldn't return if I did not get a voucher from my ISP as part of my package to get a weekly free coffee but big pros in the view and location make it not all so bad. read more