Yes, yes, yes. Just my kind of place. Somewhere I can drink coffee, relax and be surrounded by modern art. It is hard to find places like this near home. The art here is different, unusual and probably most people will find it strange and meaningless. Yes, there is a big rat head (costume) and a giant teddy bear hanging around. Constantly something is happening - life drawing, film nights and street artist exhibiting their creations. I'm always too distracted doing something or even just sitting on a comfy sofa drinking good coffee. So I've never tried the food here. Drinks are good. It is an interesting place to visit and take a break from your regular cafes. Why don't we have places like this in London ? read more

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The quirky and cool social atmosphere. Plenty of seating that ranges from extra comfy to just plain weird. The coffee is great for the price and the tea is the same, the food is decent enough, if a tiny bit pricey. I'd say the staff are mostly awesome and friendly, although there is 1 guy who works though with a really crappy attitude that really puts me off staying whenever he is on the counter. Other than that, its a cool place. read more

Nexus Art Cafe - A healthy glass of green - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Manchester, XGM

My last flat mate introduced me to Nexus Art café. She said that she got most of her work done here and she said that she could sit for hours working with just one coffee and no one bothering her to leave or order more. But if you are a sucker for board games and having Sunday afternoon hangover coffee then Nexus Art Cafe is the best place for that. It is a great place to get catch up with your pending reading. You can laze around in their comfy couches enjoy the free wifi along with cheap but tasty coffee! Definitely try out their wide selection of organic and fruity tea (absolutely love them). read more

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The second you walk in here your met by the quiet, relaxing atmosphere! Chilled out, peaceful room is decorated with some amazing posters and obscure things! Straight away you look round and see folk sat quietly chatting away, taking a rest from their busy day of either working, shopping or meandering about! I've yet to eat in here but the menu looks simple yet great! So if your looking for a brew and a lite bite then I'd wholeheartedly recommend stopping by. Starting 5th Sept they are having an event on weekly where it will be open from 7-11pm where you go and enjoy everything a local pub and club has to offer but without the alcohol and noisy drug filled atmosphere. I'll be heading back soon!! read more

Nexus Art Cafe - The Cafe! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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I met the Nexus Art Cafe by happy coincidence. An Oh Bijou gig at the Night and Day Cafe got moved here- my sister went and brought back their adorable little magazine. So I went along to this basement cafe's late night Saturday with a residence from Beatnik TV's short film and animation night (check them out on myspace)... I've got to admit that after a pitstop on Deansgate and helping another friend finish off some wine, my animation loving friend and I only just got to Nexus in time for the 1.30 am kick off. There was no more alcohol here though (thankfully) as they don't serve it. Instead I took an orange juice and we shared a brownie whilst she sketched an eye and her meaning of life in their Cafe Sketchbook. It was pretty quiet but their volunteers were friendly and as the first film started a few more groups came in; some student types and one noticeably older crowd.. Fastforward to half three and we were the only non-staff in there again apart from four guys slouched on sofas but eating beans and cheese on toast done to perfection we were pretty damn happy. The films weren't all to our taste but black on white projected onto their back wall does look pretty New York stylish even if you're not paying that much attention. There was no animation this time but the Beatnik TV organiser promised some next month. They very helpfully called a taxi for us and the girl even radioed up to the bouncer to check we were OK outside - how many places do that? However, the taxi to my house (usually £12-£15 in a black cab) was quite a bit more so maybe just call your own... The only downside to a cool night - well that and the fact that I still had a headache at 10am Sunday morning... Come here for gigs, their art shows and performances, a bite to eat during the day or a wind down after a night clubbing. read more

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Art? And, food? Woohoo! Two of my favourite things in some kind of wondrous unison! Nexus announces itself quietly but purposefully, with a large plate glass window onto the street, which shows a purpose-built installation space. Recent exhibition Undercover, which featured a waterfall of cascading white fabric in the window, was really something to behold. Nexus supports new and young artists, giving them a chance for their talent to be seen. That just makes me feel all warm inside. So, to, do their tasty pies from Pieminister. What pies! My thirst for gravy is quenched with their delicious Aragon pie, mash and chips. The Aragon has a filling of chicken, bacon and vermouth: totally mouth wateringly lush. The range is small but perfectly formed, with two vege pies that even I like the sound of, and I basically can't live without meat. If you don't want a pie (and I can't imagine why) they also do a great range of baked potatoes, sandwiches and soup. They also occasionally have specials such as lasagne, so it's always worth checking that out. The prices are excellent, as are the awesome cakes. The chocolate fudge especially is worth visiting for. The coffee is always perfect and they stock Teapigs tea (apparently a big deal, but I can't tell my Tips from my Twinings). The decor is lovely too; a whole bunch of cute squishy chairs and little tables, which are usually adorned with a little flower in a vase. It's a great place to sit and relax while the staff listen to Belle and Sebastian. For those of you who may have, ahem, partied a bit too hard, NexusNightCafe, every Saturday night/Sunday morning 2-6am, could be the perfect place for you. Pop in for mellowed-out music from their DJs, a bit of Beatnik TV, and some Coco Pops! There's a free taxi calling service, and it has the full menu on, which definitely beats another trip to Kebab King, right? Keep an eye out for the programme of events here. Not only are there cool gigs and art shows and the like, you could also pop in every third Tuesday 7-9pm for Needlework@Nexus, or People's Voice Media which meetsevery other Monday 7-9pm, and is a non profit community development group. I love Nexus. It's a non-profit place run in conjunction with the local Methodist Church (though there's no religious influence at all) and it's lovely, just lovely. read more

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Sometimes we just need a cosy armchair to sink in, or a well-worn sofa to swallow us up. Sometimes, a table and hard-backed chair just ain't good enough, no matter how good the coffee is. Today I wanted to curl up in a relaxed atmosphere with my book and read lazily whilst taking occasional sips of a heart-warming coffee, this just isn't possible at a table and chair! Therefore I came into considerable difficulty when constructing my short list of suitable coffee houses and tea rooms. Nexus was the one place that kept coming back to me, and there I went, and it was very much a decision well made. Lazy-self-indulgent-me-time afternoon: check! I'm now of the opinion that Nexus Art is worthy of four stars. I think the experience my previous review was based upon, was an unfortunate one off, and in subsequent visits I have been subject to neither burnt food nor leaky cold drafts. And...I keep coming back. They've earned that extra star for sure. read more

Nexus Art Cafe - "well isn't this tea at Nexus jolly spiffing?!" - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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A pleasant little sanctuary in the middle of the city. You wouldn't know you were in the city once you're in there, as it feels very bohemian and arty and friendly, and above all, relaxing and cosy. Lots of mismatched sofas and chairs and cushions, but the place feels like a little nest. You can cosy down with a hot drink and maybe a lunch of something from their delicious seasonal menu, and completely unwind. Lovely quirky venue, friendly staff, great food and drink, and they often have live music, special events, groups etc. Definitely worth a try. read more

A lesser known cafe in the Northern Quarter, boasting a more laid back studenty vibe. The cafe has a variety of seating to suit all tastes and even a little garden area outside for the summer months. Shelves of books & games will keep you entertained on rainy days & inspire your creative juices! The cafe also runs life drawing classes on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month at £5 for 2 hours, it's great value for money. Bring your own paper and drawing equipment & let loose! read more

I think last time I reviewed Nexus, I wasn't the coffee fiend that I am now. I also think I'd never tried the salads, sandwiches, or some of the sexiest cakes this side of Ancoats. So let's get started. The coffee here whacks me into gear. I don't even have to ask for it to be strong to become the rocket fuel that it is, but hey, sometimes I do just for kicks. Incredible coffee. Makes any demotivated feelings slip away. And I may have mentioned already that they have every flavour of Teapigs under the sun. Like, if you want popcorn tea, caramel tea, any kind of random tea, Nexus is your go-to. Also, Nexus is soooooo MCR. Between their ever-changing decor (I'm always wary of these changes, considering I love it so much as it is, but every single time I'm impressed. Menus on various shaped chalkboards in arty gold frames, MUCH?) and their seasonal art exhibits (I sat under one last time I was there which was a '3D cookbook', i.e. a fabric cupcake mobil), it's a hub of creativity. The music's ace. How apt was it that on the cold grey day I last ventured there, I was greeted with what sounded like a Smiths Best Of on loop? We heart our musical heritage. And various food items! Nexus sarnies are generous and creative, and veggies are amply catered for alongside the carnivores. The salads are ridiculous and make you feel at least 70% more healthy. Try a Mose - mackerel pate with falafel and roasted veg atop a bed of leaves. It works. Who would have guessed? And as for the cakes I mentioned, ohhhh. Nexus are famous for their brownies, and rightly so. Perfect brownie. And I say that being a well-respected brownie baker. Their fudge cake is exceptional. All their cakes are exceptional, even fruity oaty ones I might not usually go for. But if you do one thing and one thing only, GET AN ALMOND SLICE. I cannot stress this enough. It is one of the most incredible cakes I've ever tasted in my life, and even though it comes in large imposing slabs, I could probably eat three of them, so light and fluffy it is (and yet somehow gloriously rich at the same time). Cake, coffee, community, an amazing ambience and wicked scran. I simply can't fault this place. read more

Nexus Art Cafe - Nexus's Passport offer: buy a cake, get a hot drink free (squidgy brownie and almond slice) - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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Their art is always a little out there, but it is a great place to wonder along to, the food is not fantastic but it is homely and sometimes that is what you want. I love their smoothies and cakes. They host a mixture of community events including comedy (Bright Club) which I have been to, I find what they do is good and they work well. They have a good selection of board games, and don't mind if you turn up with your own to play against your mates, the staff are lovely and really care about people which is why they deserve five stars. Their soups are stunning and exactly what I like on the miserable cold rainy days when I find myself in here. I really like turning up here on a Sunday afternoon when it is really chilled out. read more

Having to wait an hour for a train on a downright miserable Sunday afternoon is not my idea of fun; especially when everywhere is closed because most people are cosy in their homes tucking into juicy chicken and roast potatoes. However, Nexus turned this ordeal into an absolute pleasure. At first I was unsure about the feel of the place; it seemed a bit of a mongrel-mix between a youth centre and Mystic Meg's boudoir. Yet my unease was totally settled when I saw 'Hot Vimto' on the menu... what astonishing genius. I also helped myself to a slice of banana and ginger cake which was not only a generous size but may make my top five cakes ever list. The chairs are so comfortable I could have quite easily drifted off to sleep and the relaxed music and peaceful atmosphere only added to this. There is a lovely menu made up of homemade sandwiches and broths and I definitely intend to return to this little haven to sample some of these goods. If the cake was anything to go by, the other food will be out of this world. read more

Nexus Art Café is a one of a kind coffee shop in Manchester. Nestled snugly in the heart of the ever-fashionable Northern Quarter, Nexus is a small goldmine for coffee lovers. If you are a coffee-shop crawler, as I am, then you may often find yourself ending up at Nexus for a 'quick drink' (in my case, these normally last between 2 and 3 hours). Nexus is quiet, peaceful, but at the same time, quirky, restless, and intensely artistic. No two tables are the same - the seating on offer ranges from enormous, winged armchairs, to long sofas - the eclectic interior design of the venue undoubtedly reflects the mixed clientele that they receive. From tired OAP's to young, trendy art students, Nexus truly caters for everybody. They stage music, drama and other events here, making good use of the two staging areas in the venue, as well as the full lighting rig and two video projectors which they have at their disposal. It is a chameleon of a venue, and therefore is hugely accessible to Manchester's community. Before I continue, I must say - I LOVE NEXUS SANDWICHES. They are huge. Stuffed full of delicious things, and very cheap too. You must try them. Nexus not only operates during the day. From time to time, the venue opens at 2am-6am and offers itself as a cool-down place after a night out. They have live, chilled music, and offer tea, coffee and cake through the small hours. My idea of heaven! read more

Cute, relaxed little café in a convenient Northern Quarter location. I went for a green tea and a F.O.S.H sandwich (falafel, olive, spinach and hummus). This was a bit dry due to there not being a huge amount of hummus and also a bit pricey at around £4 for a sandwich with no accompaniment. However it was still filing and tasty, and it's nice that they have a few unusual sandwich options. Given its proximity to both Piccadilly and Victoria stations, and cosy seating options, Nexus seems like a solid option for anyone who has a few hours to kill before catching a train. read more

What a funky little place! It's very 'bohemian' with art on the walls and cool 'stuff' all around. The cafe space itself is downstairs and is a huge space with a cool jukebox filled with cds from local unsigned bands. As for the food, sandwiches are made to order (win) and there are very tasty looking home baked sweet treats on offer. All very fabulous with lots of great potential, however I feel it was let down a bit in the execution. I had a bacon and brie sandwich which was a good size, but the bacon was disappointing, a bit tasteless, and the brie wasn't ripe enough. For the price I paid I would have expected a bit of something on the side too, even if it was just a bit of salad or a few crisps. Which brings me on to my second criticism - it's far pricier than the fab quality sandwich places I'm used to over here in Leeds (see my reviews for San Co Co and The Greedy Pig!) and there is a 50p surcharge to pay by card if your bill is between £5 and £10. Would I go again if I was in Manchester? Maybe, for the pure funky factor if nothing else. But I'd be more inclined to have a Yelp-powered explore and see if I can find somewhere better. read more

I like Nexus. There ya go, my review. No, lets be serious. I do like Nexus. I feel comfortable there, I don't feel as though I'm in an important or pretencions cafe in the cool and cultural Northern Quarter. I feel as though I'm in a warm and cosy cafe, in which I can wear a hoody and jeans and slouch all over the extra soft seating without being judged. With free WiFi and plug sockets to be found in every orifice this is the perfect place to get down and dirty with your overflowing email inbox; being downstairs and with limited natural light it gives a hideaway from the outside world. I was very impressed with the food selection; catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and obvs the good old carnivore, they provide a great lunch menu filled with all kinds of buttys, salads and comfort foods. On my visit I chose the Felafel, Hummus and Spinach sarnie; the bread was fresh, thick and delicous but the sandwich overall was very savoury. A really yummy sandwich for anyone who enjoys savoury grub but on this occasion I seriously underestimated my sweet tooth and maybe something else on the menu would have been better for me. A fine selection of tea is always essential and is also well catered for; as is the strong coffee which Emma-Louise mentions below. If I'm being honest the staff might benefit from a cup of their own coffee; they are very hospitable but the few times I have been in all the staff just looked a bit P'd off to be there. Maybe that's what I look like when I go to work but a smile wouldn't go a miss, sometimes I felt as though I was getting in the way of their day by being there. So other than the needed smile, I like this cafe a lot and recommend it to all you work-alcoholics in need of a city based work haven. read more

2 positive forces drew me into going to Nexus this week - a place I'd been meaning to venture back to for a while! One was reading Yelper Colin O's great review this week and the other was having a meeting where I was given the choice of Nexus or two other great NQ coffee shops. The adventurist in me chose somewhere new and I'm pleased that this choice came good! A giant cavernous space in the heart of the NQ, Nexus is a place full of people enjoying coffee with friends, working on their laptops, catching a lunch from their exciting menu (sandwiches, healthy plates, homemade soups, bacon/sausage baps - all at reasonable prices) or just hanging out with other people who want some sanctuary in some fairly arty surroundings. There's a lovely outside "secret garden" that is strictly no smoking (wish more places had this policy) and I can't wait to get out here as soon as the sun is shining again! There's loads of things going on in the evenings and weekends - like art demo's, film screenings, art classes etc and it's definitely a place to chill out while also having somewhere for the creative juices to flow! Very cool, very much a NQ treasure. read more

I stumbled across the Nexus Art Cafe on my way back to Piccadilly and I am glad that I did. It is rare to find somewhere that actually has a soul these days and at Nexus it appears that they are not all about just making money. The decor is eclectic, there's a lot of stuff going on here covering a wide spectrum of people and they will even let you have some of their compost and plant food to give you a head start on your garden at home. What I was most impressed with is that they've adopted the idea of the Suspended coffee where you can pay for a few extra and they are ready to be picked up by people who could really use a hot drink. That's definitely to be commended. Food wise I had a chicken, mozzarella and pesto sandwich which came on what could well have been the thickest slices of bread I've ever seen! Because of that it was slightly dry but luckily I had some vegetable soup as well to dip into! Overall the food I had was probably just OK but you could definitely do a lot worse read more

Art really is the central theme of this charity funded cafe. You will see it from the window display on the road all the way downstairs to the cafe, on the walls, on the notice's and even in the toilets! They have a wall full of board games, a piano, quirky sets on the stage every now and then and lovely staff who care. The choice of food and drink is painted in swirls on the noticeboards near the til which leave you indecisive over what to choose. There are also daily specials which are always different every time I visit - which is great! My favourite drink is definitely the hot chocolate which comes with marshmallows and, of course, whipped cream! Their veggie chilli with nachos is mouthwateringly good and their soups have a flavoursome combination. It's a great place to visit on a Sunday afternoon with it's relaxed atmosphere. I've also used their space for hire (their small room to the side) for a clothes swap and they were very helpful. read more

This place gets five stars because of its premise. An all night cafe, supporting local art and music, board games to play, really good food. They sell Pom Bears, I once got to wear a giant rat head in here. The chairs are cosey. Curl up with a book, eat, drink. Lovely. Gorgeous no smoking beer garden. read more

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Quirky little find and quite a big space. You have to get over the entrance which is letters printed on A4. The chalk notice stand managed to intrigue us and we made our way downstairs past the large paper mache rat. As you walk in the is a small room to the left where guys are doing role play stuff, to the right there is a large bookcase full of games. The place has lots of different tables and chairs, some of which is raised and even a courtyard. The kitchen is simple, lots of drinks and sandwichess. Things you would expect from a cafe. The sandwiches are named after girls and are extremely tasty. The atmosphere is definitely relaxed. There were various customers such as a family who were knitting, friends on laptops, friends catching up and people on their own reading or on their laptop. There is lots to do here. You can play games, buy craft, make craft or just chill in their large chairs. We went on a Sunday and it was relatively busy which meant a long wait for food and drink with only one person serving and the other cooking. After a long wait our food was served to us first and we didn't realise we were supposed to collect our drinks. The waitress found us to tell us our smoothies were ready when she could've brought them over with her. The food was great although a little pricey and didn't see the milkshakes as they were on a separate blackboard. A great little cool place. read more

What a great place this is to relax and play chess on a rainy Sunday morning. If only it was with a mug of coffee, whole milk is not my milk of choice so I opted for a cup o tea and a toasty. My Filly - feta, caramelised onions, rocket and walnuts toasty was pretty good but Adam tried the breakfasty one and said it was a bit dry. Anyway, the atmosphere of this underground cafe is awesome. Lauren.W hits the nail on the head when it comes to the music, and they have a big selection of comfy chairs to choose from and games to play - chess, scrabble, connect 4 etc. I think this place is a great place for all people of all ages in all group sizes! read more

Great environment. Good for having a chat with a friend, sitting alone with your thoughts, or diving into some school work. The jukebox plays good music (less-know artists, that I enjoy) and it's not too loud to bother you if you are trying to concentrate. The prices are very good, and the selection is wonderful as well. The staff has always been very helpful and kind. I also enjoy the very comfortable couches, and interesting decorations. I feel at home in this cafe, and it's one of my new favorite spots in Manchester! read more

What a cute little spot! Found this place mentioned in a lost of Top Cafes in Manchester, and decided to give it a whirl. It's hidden underground, and it's super quirky with a bathtub and a giant paper mache rat in the hallway, and a piano in the loos...! They do matcha lattes, so that was top of the list, and they had a vegan peanut butter cake which we split - so fluffy, would have had no idea it was vegan! The place itself is a community centre style, and a bit rough around the edges but it's nice and big and there's lots of places to sit and have a chat or get some work done. All in all, sure I'll pop by again soon. read more

Nexus Art Cafe - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Manchester, XGM

A nice chilled place to have a coffee with friends.. If the urge takes you they have lots of board games including Trivial Pursuit and Manchester Monopoly! Reasonably priced for food and drink. read more

Nexus Art Cafe - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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This is a cute café in the Northern Quarter of Manchester, run by some very artsy people and decorated in a very cool way. We were attracted by the good reviews, and it provided some welcome respite from the rainy day outside. The selection of hot drinks and cakes is the same as in most similar places. I had a coffee and rocky road, Mary had a tea and fudge cake. Everything went down well, and there was some nice, quiet music playing in the background as well. There are plenty of seats in the Nexus Art Café, ranging from tables and chairs, to some comfortable sofas as well. There are books and board games available, and also a small outdoor area, though we obviously didn't explore that because of the rain. We saw some advertisements for events at the café, such as movie screenings and discussions. It seems like a very interesting place, with a variety of cool events. Recommended. read more

I do like going to Nexus, and have been there a few times. The food is good, the cakes are lovely, the bohemian atmosphere is well expressed in old toys, bean bags, and it is a good place to go to if you were shopping in Northern Quarter, say, MAGMA book shop. My personal experience was just that: I went to MAGMA, bought a book by Paul Arden, and swallowed it in one go at Nexus, while drinking their delicious latte. Now and again Nexus promotes local artists, thus turning a cafe into an exhibition space. And I keep meaning to sit in the bookcase room and to browse through the books, but it never seems to be empty, so popular it is! My only concern is that Nexus sometimes takes its bohemian vibe a tad bit too far, and serves food on chipped plates. This is still a cafe, so the standard of hygiene is a must. But I'm sure they'll do something about it. read more

I really like the feel of Nexus: it's relaxed, simple and does what is says on the tin. I've only ever been here for coffee or a milkshake but it's a really calm space to meet a friend or work whilst on your laptop. I love the interior decorated with the umbrellas and fairy lights, there's even an outdoor patio. I love that they do activities such as morning yoga. If you're looking somewhere chilled and not too noisy then this is the place for you. read more

Nexus Art Cafe - Colourful umbrellas lining the ceiling - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Manchester, XGM

I like this café, especially because it was the first place to introduce me to Tea Pigs tea! It's got a nice, relaxed atmosphere with lots of comfy places to sit, board games to play and a changing programme of art exhibitions. Apparently, they've started putting bands on too, although I haven't seen any there yet. The café is linked to the Methodist Church. However, they really don't make a big deal about it, so it's not a problem if, like me, you're not religious. read more

A hidden gem in the cool northen quater. Really cheap good quality fair trade food &drinks. Chilled out, unpretentious and realxing cafe. Eclectic furniture and decor with good music. I often end a busy day in the city relaxing with a cup of tea &sketchbook. It also has free wifi. A great place to escape hustle and bustle of the city but cool enough to still feel part of it. One of my favourite places in Manchester!! read more

Slice of art (and cake) in the City Centre. This is such a lovely place and it's one of my favourite places to hide from the busy shops on a Saturday. Everything has a DIY feel to it - lovingly crafted, invested in... they host gigs, art exhibitions (quite a nifty installation window/space next to the entrance), drawing and zine making workshops... but if all you're after is a good cup of tea and a yummy piece of cake, this is the place for you too! There is a little cornered off section filled with board games and books and a noticeboard (skills exchanges, craft fairs, etc), and the main space is open and airy but still manages to feel homely. The prices are ace - they do hearty fare like jacket potatoes and pies, or sandwiches and lighter bites. You can get cordial, juices, tea(s), fizzy pop galore... sweet tooths are well catered for with cakes, biscuits, scones. Mmm scones. Anyway. Everything is pretty cheap and good value for money, and you can just as easily while away an afternoon with a book/game of scrabble or hold a high energy meeting to plan your next world dominating artistic endeavour. On a weekend this place is open as a night cafe until 4am - with an amazing bunch of volunteers who ensure that late night manchester is provided with a safe haven where you can warm up, grab a brew, listen to some music and wait for a cab. Marvellous. read more

Pies! That's what keeps me coming back. They sell pies from Pie Minister - £4 a pie, 50p for gravy and £1 with mash. They are the best pies in the whole of Manchester. Quirky and hip sums up the rest of the cafe. Polite staff, a mish mash of furniture gives it character and there is a great selection of food - if you can read what it says on the menu. Overall a great experience and I'm going to be taking my friends there. read more

Comfy and cosy with tasty tea, nice carrot cake, good tunes (if a little muffled last time I was there!) and lovely friendly atmosphere. Great for a chat with friends but there's also free wifi and quite a few sockets around so good spot to settle into some uni work for a while, c* read more

Charity funded cafe doing great things. Had a jasmine green tea (tea pigs- can't go wrong!) and sat in some comfy chairs overlooking the secret garden. For £1.50 you get a full pot of tea and a refill. Absolute bargain. Lots of unusual art to look at and a lovely place if you fancy going somewhere a bit different. read more

Nexus is a very nice little hideaway that's quirky and a pretty pleasant place to be. Their prices are very high and their food not too great to be honest, but on atmosphere alone I like it. read more

A gorgeous restful space in the centre of Manchester, lots of options to choose from. Home made cakes to warm the heart and a really pleasant space in which to rest a while. I generally drop in when I'm in the area. read more

I really want to give this place 5 stars as when I went yesterday it was fantastic! Some other yelpers have said that their food experience was a bit rubbish but mine was great- I'll have to go again to double check (and if it keeps this up a triple and maybe quadruple check might be in order). I was delighted to find they had soy milk for my coffee- at no extra cost- and with a latte at only £1.90 who can refuse. The atmosphere was quiet and relaxed and I got a total of no angry glares for taking up the some of the biggest comfy sofas by myself while I waited for my friends. I can quite easily imagine curling up with a good book here and happily staying all day- it's that kinda place. The music is chilled, though they didn't play anything I recognised, the staff are friendly and chatty without being imposing and the eclectic mix of people coming and going was fascinating in itself: students with their parents, young professionals with hats at jaunty angles, a smattering of older adults just looking for somewhere quiet to be- and the children's pictures hung from the ceiling suggests that kids are very much welcome too (though these could have been from the community art projects the place runs). My food was delightful too- summer veg soup with a hint of chili and a thick slice of crusty bread and butter for £3- not bad at all. And the soup was delicious. I do love a good soup. The cakes looked really yummy but the soup was super filling and I felt stuffed after it so will have to save those treats for another time. I genuinely can't fault this place. It had a very "this is what I am- take it or leave it" open, honest feel, and I most definitely took it. read more

Love the idea of art + cafe + food, mixed up all in one place! The decor is great as it showcases local artists and it's very coffee house like in the sense it has comfy chairs and cozy. You can just sit there and talk for ages and ages for coffee or tea. Their selection of teas is huge! I wanted to try everything. My friends and I had sandwiches, which were all great. Everything is priced just right. It did take a while to get our food, but they have limited amount of staff and a bunch of people came in at the same time. read more

I'm an artist so when I saw this was an 'arts cafe' from the street I immediately dragged my mother here for a brew and some lunch! Downstairs looks amazing, with artwork from local artists decorating the walls and a really cool, big open space with lots of chairs and tables. It felt like a really chilled atmosphere which i love. They even had little sketchbooks on tables to doodle in and seemed to have some really cool events going on. I also hear that they have late night openings when your good and drunk and in need of a couch! Sadly, my praises can't be said for the food, drinks and service. Me and mother both ordered BAKED potatoes, mine with tuna and hers with beans. The jackets arrived at our table and was tasteless. Seriously, this was the worst spuds we had ever eaten. They tasted like they had been thrown in the microwave for two mins and thrown on a plate, with cold tuna/beans dumped on top. Would have been lovely if a real oven had been involved, or something done to make them a big more softer in the middle. I also ordered a coffee. Now I'm a real coffee fanatic - I have at least 5 cups of the stuff everyday. But this mug tasted weak, definitely nil points compared to Koffee pot across the road, Worship Cafe outside Pop Boutique (amazing vegetarian food!!) or Craft Centre Cafe. Or anywhere else. The staff also seemed rather miserable, like I was causing a massive hassle to order some hot food and drinks. I work in customer service and I know how draining it is to serve customers but you can't let that come across or it just makes people feel uncomfortable. I had never come across that kind of service around Northern quarter before, everyone else locally seems really chatty and friendly. Seems like I'm not the only one let down by the food (and staff), which is a shame. I would be practically camping there, sketching my heart out if the food and drinks were kicked up a notch! Three stars purely for the space, artwork and sketchbooks. read more

Don't go for the coffee. I dropped in as I was in Manchester for a few hours. The place is very cozy, and I can see how it would be a really lovely hangout. As I was here primarily for coffee, however, that's the main part of my score, which would have been a two if it didn't have a lovely atmosphere. The cakes and things looked lovely, though I didn't have any. read more