A special thing happened today. Today I fell in love. With Teacup. Coffee houses and tea rooms are amongst my favourite places to be in the world, and I think that maybe...just maybe I have found a new favourite. But saying that makes me feel a bit guilty, like a teacher who has a preferred student but knows they shouldn't. It feels wrong, as though I am somehow neglecting my also beloved Christie's (http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/christies-bistro-manchester) and Sugar Junction (http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/sugar-junction-manchester). But Teacup might just justify this extraordinary claim. Matt J and I seated ourselves at a dainty little wooden table outside in the sunshine to peruse the menu, which was mightily impressive. In the mood for something stronger, Matt J opted for a pot of Assam whilst I was unable to resist the bold claims of 'the best chai in the UK'. There are also offerings of coffee and soft drinks, and a scrumptious cake menu, and also plentiful selections of nosh to boot. When our drinks arrive, excitement is to be had, on my part at least. Our waitress informs us that both of our loose leaf teas are intended to brew for four minutes, and hands over a sand-timer. The next few minutes are spent eagerly awaiting the last grain of sand to drop, at which point we both seize our teapots and begin to pour! I tell thee - it brings a whole new level of fun to drinking tea. I've only ever had chai tea at one other place, so I can't testify whether it really is the best chai in the UK, but it was pretty damn good. One pot of tea is the equivalent of about three cups, and once this is finished...you get a FREE refill. That's right, free. There's nothing that makes me happier than getting stuff for free, and this is by no means an exception. I was also a fan of the waiter service. You are seated on arrival, and a waiter will come and take your order, instead of having to queue at the counter, I like this a lot. I do also have it on good authority that the milkshakes are pretty bangin'. I was a very delighted lady this afternoon, very delighted indeed. I think Teacup have made a loyal customer out of me. read more

Not a place your likely to find being a stranger to manchester. Even after being taken once i would not have easily been able to find my way back. But to the residents of manchester (and any lover of good food and drink) the location of teacup is no doubt emblazoned on their hearts. The tea and coffee list is gigantic, perhaps as you'd expect from a place called teacup. The list of cakes is impressive too, i've had five of them now and have yet to be disappointed. The size of the slices matches the quality too which is somewhat rare for what looks all the world like a boutique tea house. The food though, that is the real surprise. Feeling like a busy cafe (and it will always be busy, justifiably) you'd not expect proper food. Buy a pie. I don't care if your only stopping by for a cup of tea, get one, now! They are each amazing. I thought the chicken one was the best thing ever, had the choritzo and now i'm torn. But the fact that i keep going back to try and find out which it is says to me this place has it all. A firm favourite of mine in manchester for sure. Teacup only misses out on the hallowed 5 stars for the shear amount of money two diners can spend on a pie, a cup of tea and a slice of cake. I've no regrets and will go again but i am sure there are cheaper delights to be had. Not wanting to end on a sour note though i shall mention Teacups association with Mr Scruff. You will see events marked on posters on the walls. As a fan i would say this makes yet another reason to love the Teacup, it has good taste. read more

The Teacup is perhaps the loveliest coffee shop in Manchester, which I stumbled upon when my mum came to visit and we wanted to get some lunch. This place is owned by uber-friendly DJ Mr Scruff and his niceness is everywhere, from the cool décor to the smiling and attentive staff. We both had some delicious home-made pumpkin soup. I ordered a sandwich to dip into my soup and the whole thing was spicy, warm and perfect for a cold winter day. If you're popping into the Teacup for a quick drink, then there is an excellent range of tea, coffee, smoothies and juices. The "Aretha Franklin" was a refreshingly sweet mix of banana and strawberry. The Teacup has loads of organic, home-made cakes to choose from too. The apple cake with lashings of cinnamon was especially brilliant. We were thoroughly satisfied with the whole experience, and on our way out the manager asked us if everything had been ok. He explained that all the cakes were individually made on the premises. I went back to the Teacup a few days later with my girlfriend and to prove his point, a totally different selection of cakes was available, yet they all looked equally as tasty! The Teacup is the perfect place to spend a relaxing hour or two with your other half, friends or even your mum. The food, drinks and service are all absolutely great, and it won't break the bank either. read more

Teacup is one of those cute little cafes tucked in the Northern Quarter. Despite passing by it on numerous occasions I never went in. However, last night presented me with the opportunity to check this place out. They have ample seating, a wide selection of teas, coffees and food. The cake selection is up there with some of the best in Manchester. I wanted a falafel sandwich but they ran out of falafels. Disappointed though I was, this appeared to be a good sign. I settled for a sheep's cheese and onion chutney sandwich. We also had 3 portions of sweet potato fries, a green tea, an earl grey, a builder's, 2 hot chocolates, a rainbow cake and a scone. All of these were delicious. We also asked if we could sample some of their pistaccio cake. It tasted fantastic. I must admit that the cakes felt a little harder than they should, but I suppose that's because they're exposed once you take out the first slice. On the sandwich, they were either quite generous on the cheese or not quite so generous on the apply chutney as it felt a little too dry. Again, just a minor niggle, which I am sure can be rectified by reproportioning the fillings. They have a nice ritual with the teas. You get your tea in a red pot and you are given a timer, which is set to a certain number of minutes depending on your tea. Then once, the time is up, you pour the tea into another pot, before pouring it into your cup and savouring it. They also go through the trouble of explaining the ritual to you, which is a nice touch. Overall we left with happy tummies and smiley faces, which is what matters. This is also largely due to the people who work there, who were friendly, polite and offered useful suggestions. I would definitely go back as I still need to try their falafel sandwich. As with everywhere else, I sincerely hope they continue to maintain their levels of quality and service. read more

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Staff are really friendly at Tea Cup on Thomas Street. Had a lovely smoothie called "iggy pop" (orange, strawberry, mango and red pepper) although they had run out of red pepper on this occasion, but the drink was still nice. Wouldn't eat the cakes as there not covered with anything... And ants crawling over them which had to be pointed out to the staff. Cost of smoothie: £4.50 read more

Oh how I do adore a good egg. And on a dull, drab and dreary Wednesday morning I was in desperate need of a fine egg. Teacup did not disappoint, providing the biggest selection of eggs I have ever seen on a menu! Boiled, fried, scrambled, poached and with all the posh accompaniments! It was eggs Florentine that rang my bell and trust me it was gone in sixty seconds. Their coffee was strong and presented in a beautiful mug. My colleague and I were rather cheeky and set up camp on our stylish wooden table for two from 9 till 5; our aim was to drain the free WiFi dry!! We did not succeed but we did drain our laptop batteries dry and the helpful plug sockets which are dotted around the room helped to solve this dilemma. The set up is so spaced out and relaxed, with the plain wood and splashes of red colour here and there. And the cakes looked so tempting I had to face my back to them in order not to indulge!! There was only one small complaint...I am able to drink vast amounts of water, so the teeny tiny glass they brought my seemed more like a shot than a drink. But with the service being so helpful and friendly they did not mind to keep giving me a refill!! Do - get some eggs down ya. Don't - be surprised when a man walks in the toilet (there unisex.) read more

To be perfectly honest, Teacup has been a disappointment. I had heard so many good things about this cafe in the Northern Quarter, told it was the best one to pop into on numerous occasions. But I have clearly missed what everyone is raving about... I visited in store a couple months ago now, on a Sunday afternoon. Quite busy, but certainly not busy enough to justify the 45 minute (!) wait we endured before we could solicit a random waiter and inform them that we were still waiting for our cake and smoothie (you're literally just cutting a slice and pouring a drink! How can it take that long?!) I picked out the red pepper drink (that mistake was clearly my own - who in their right mind orders juice with red peppers...?); my friend ordered the rainbow cake. Now, for a cafe well known for its cakes, and particularly their rainbow cake, I was expecting to be blown away. The. Cake. Was. Dry. What's even worse is that this was not a one-off occassion. I tried the Rose Pistachio cake at their pop-up in Manchester Museum - same issue. Dry, dry, dry. The cardinal sin in cake bakeries. Overpriced and disappointing. Don't waste your time here... read more

The Northern Quarter is full of little trendy hidey hole places but Teacup stands out proudly on view with a full glass view of its inners. Proud seller of Mr.Scruff's tea and merchandise will scream out as you enter to see a wall full of the stuff on your left. But wait until you see the delicious cakes right infront of you! Look past these up to see a varied menu, full of choice for vegetarians, vegans and if asked, they will try within their means to fulfil a dietry requirement. Lovely staff to deal with in the place, who present your food and take your order. However, this service is only for customers. Whilst working, i was required to visit venues to enquire about hiring them for an event. When I asked for the manager to enquire about hiring the venue, the waitress couldn't have acted more annoyed and low behold when the manager arrived, he was rude enough to laugh at me and said it wouldn't be worth losing the money. Even though they might serve good quality food, this service put me off for life. For a small business, the manager is clearly more obsessed with making money than to be polite to an enquirer. read more

Came here on a leaving do as an alternative to some of the other tea rooms we frequent - oh my goodness this place really puts the tea back into the tea room! I'm no stranger to an extensive tea menu but this place goes one step further - egg timers delivered with your brew and a second pot so you can pour your tea out to stop that overbrewing while you work towards your second cup! And what a selection too - on our table we had second flush Assam, red lychee, Indian chai (all pronounced to be delicious) and I had the Beijing breakfast which lived up to the oaty taste described on the menu, gorgeous! We also partook of the cakes which were equally fabulous. I had the flourless chocolate cake which I would highly recommend, although, and I can't believe I'm saying this, if I had it again I'd share it (gasp) - it's just too much rich chocolately goodness to get through. Lastly it's worth pointing out that they've also a full menu of breakfasts and lunches, service was fast and friendly. Overall I'll be visiting again soon. read more

They take tea seriously, and I love it. I only got a pot of tea, and have never had the food, but I can only imagine that their food/cakes are as good as the tea was. The staff was very friendly, and being by myself I was seated right away. I was pushed to leave as soon as possible, though. The place was so busy (constant line), and I've heard it's always this way. This was the only thing that made me sad about Teacup. I would have loved to enjoy my tea at a more leisurly pace, but alas the place is very popular... If there's a less busy time to visit, or if you only want something to go, I would highly reccommend this place! Definitely good quality, definitely worth checking out. read more

Very busy tea room and staff were very friendly. Order some victor sponge and order some tea. Very clean tea room and a nice experience read more

Teacup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Manchester, XGM

My friend brought me to Teacup after a day's shopping at Arndale when I wanted somewhere to just sit back and relax. At first glance, its packed with people (Obviously it was tea-time), and I tend to have higher expectation for a place that attracts a lot of crowd. Was greeted by one of the employees and my friend explain that we were first timers there. Since the place full at the moment, the staff entertain us by giving us some samples of their famous and best selling tea. (Quite a good service especially when they are busy. I normally get shove to the waiting lounge and that was it). Had a Lemon Zinggie and a carrot cake which I absolutely like. The price were reasonable and the atmosphere was definitely worth paying for. Definitely a place I would recommend for Tea! read more

This place has been very popular back in 2012. All the media were talking about it and I had visited the shop on Thomas street in Northern Quarter twice and couldn't get in due to the long queue on Saturdays. In my head at that time, the two things made this place so popular maybe due to its rainbow cake and it's big won on the Manchester food &drink festival award 2012 (the best casual dining) So we rescheduled and arranged a visit on a raining weekend to avoid the crowds. We got in after a few minutes waiting. The shop was in red theme inside and outside and created a very relaxing and friendly atmosphere. We ordered their classic teas - Rose Grey and Red Lychee, rainbow cake and a magnificent Madeleines. The tea came with two pots, and you could filter into before serving. The Rose Grey was served in a transparent tea pot, which allowed you to see the whole rose bud blossoming in the gorgeous earl grey as it brought the floral touch into the tea. The red Lychee is a special treat, and it is a quality black tea scented with Lychee fruit. The tea is not cheap in Teacup but it has the supreme teas and it does provide an exceptional tasting experience. The broad tea selection here is credible and fashionable. There are teas for everyone no matter how much you love the tea and what kind of tea you are into. They have smoothies and milkshakes as well. We tried the smoothies and they are exceptionally tasty. The rainbow cake looks beautiful, and most people here for the pictures due to the blossom of the social media. The colour on each layer is perfect and the each layer is combined brilliantly. The cake itself is fresh and tasty with right amount of moist. The Magnificent Madelienes are bake to order, which need 10mintures to bake freshly from the oven to your table. It comes with chantilly cream or chocolate. We had the white chocolate and the warm and freshly baked madelienes dipping into the hot white chocolate sauce just taste spectacular. I am not a big fan of sugars so this madelines are just perfect for me without the chocolate or the cream. That's also the reason I like the Pear drop cake on the menu. This cake has a poached pear inside an almond sponge cake, which balances the sweetness and uplifts the freshness of the cake. The red velvet and Victoria Sponge are authentic and classic. The flourless chocolate cake is very heavy for me and it's a real treat for people who love chocolate. The dark chocolates are baked in a truffle texture and its gluten free. The pistachio cake is also very sweet. They could be a good option when you enjoy a cup of espresso. Carrot &Coconut cake and Lemon-licious cake are lighter and full of flavours from the rich fruits and the nuts in the ingredients. They also have extensive breakfast and lunch menu. The egg options are served all days with eggs or duck eggs. There are classic egg dishes like Florentine, Royale and Benedict and also special healthy option with pan-fried exotic mushroom & avocado. The pies can be selected from smoked salmon, beef, chicken and cheese. Each comes with mash and seasoning vegetables. The beef pie is superb and the delicious horn beef wrapped inside the savoury and crispy crust. I have been to this place many times with friends for different occasions. For me, this place is a safe option, which would not disappoint you since they provide quality food and drinks and the space is stylish and comfortable. read more

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There are not many places in Manchester you can get a sublime cake after 7pm, indeed there are not many places you can get a desert worthy of review in Manchester, so Teacup got my taste buds salivating with anticipation way before I entered through the doors of DJ and producer Mr Scruff's embodiment and tribute to all things tea. Teacup is what many would call cute and fortunately for my tastes buds, the cakes match the welcoming interior. Whilst the daytime is predominately about tea and cakes, there is enough choice within the paper menus to fulfil the most energetic of appetites. In particular my choice of beef balls with mushroom and rocket infused gravy were a delight. Equally the portion size appeased my ever so particular and exacting northern requirements. There are few self-respecting Northerners raised on cautionary stories of post-war rationing in the mythical Isle of Sandwich that could resist the aroma of freshly baked bread. The choice was limited to two, but in a city dominated like the rest of supermarket Britain by the uniformity plastic wrapped Chorleywood loaf that dominates the premium shelf space, it was a very welcome surprise. In my finest dulcet accent, I opted for the not-so-northern-sounding Pain Catalan. Thankfully, neither was I presented with a tribute to the Spanish Inquisition or what sounds like a culinary interpretation of Nicholas Cage's Italian accent in Captain Corelli's Mandolin, but rather a delight to the taste buds. Combining the flavours of tomato and red onion with complementing gravy, both Mancunian and anosmics alike would be hooked. It was a rather chilly afternoon, so I didn't indulge in any side salads, but looking over my right shoulder, the lady in the canary yellow 99% cashmere, 1% elastane pullover seemed very content and pleased with her choice of freshly tossed leaves and homemade dressing, which equally appeared in good supply as it seemed tasty. The gastronomic finale was equally rewarding and came in the shape of a rather unanticipated and unexpected desert. Shrugging off traditional comfort and cautionary bias towards homemade cheesecake, I went for one of my grans old favourites, truffles. Again I was not disappointed. I rounded off my visit to Teacup with the truffle delights, and Italian caffè macchiato of milk-foamed, chocolate topped liquid heaven. Teacup isn't the cheapest around, but then good and 'proper' produce often isn't. And when food is as pleasurable and as pain free as this, why would you ever want to go back to the processed lottery that gave us Findus 100% equine lasagne and the modern food economy. The only reason I didn't give it 5* stars is because I didn't spy custard on the menu. Some old habits just won't die. This review contains no horsemeat. read more

Very cool place, quirky and fun. Can get a little too squashy at times as there seem to be a very large number of tables for the small space, but I cant knock that when demand is there. Much like many other tea shops in manchester I cant rate it 5* regardless of anything else due to the unbalanced prices, especially the tea which is uber expensive. read more

NB: This visit solely includes the meatball menu and loose leaf tea. Not the rest of the food menu, nor the other drinks. The Northern Quarter has an enviable reputation as an area full of trendy, friendly and quirky businesses which will ensure you leave with a smile and some memories. This is in no small part thanks to places like Teacup. It's an odd, frankly almost bizarre place which focuses on tea, odd almost rituals around the meals and very fresh food. Let's deal with the rituals first. The meatball menu is filled in like a kid's party menu, ticking the box you want with for the meatball, the sauce and the carb (as well as any possible sides and starters). The loose leaf tea is served in just as awesome a way as has been described with a triple egg timer, two teapots and a strainer (as well as glass teapots from some!). The food makes this more than a fun distraction. The portions aren't half bad but everything is wonderful to eat. Due to the Northern Quarter atmosphere it feels more like really good home cooking than a restaurant, but don't let that fool you. You can see the dish of freshly made pesto on the counter, and it tastes as good as it looks. The bruschetta is simply outstanding as are all the sauces and meatballs. The selection of truffles with the desserts is damn good as well, especially the rosewater ones. There are also a number of nice touches; some dishes come with a small indent into the serving dish with some salt flakes in, and the presentation of everything is simple but very well done, with just enough panache behind it. Be under no illusions, the food lives up to the expectations this place brings you. So what was my impression of Teacup? Well first of all I most definitely will remember it for a while. I'll remember that everything tasted lovely, that it was a delightful experience and that I didn't get to try anywhere near all the things I wanted to. So will I go again? Yes. read more

Shizzle my nizzle this the coffee & tea related bizzle! Cheap, owned by Mr Scruff himself, massive, friendly and chilled this place is cool in the coldest sense! Plus it does the best pie and mash of all time. The space also acts as something of an interactive gallery and novelty shop as you most of the artwork uber fashionable chintz around you is actually for sale. Although, they missed a trick by not overpricing everything and calling it Mugs! read more

For the longest time this was my fav place to eat in the Northern Quarter. The eggs were fab and the service was always with a smile. But then came along a few other new contestants to try such as Home Sweet Home and Sugar Junction, so we did. I feel I may have neglected Teacup over the last 12 months but in the million times I went there previously I gave them all of my friends as customers. I'm not sure exactly when Teacup became massive (both in size and fan base) but I remember the days where they sold Higgidy pies in a bowl with mash and gravy for £5 and there were very few tables and chairs (but just enough to be cosy) and there was a record shop at the back. Don't get me wrong I still like the place but I no longer love it. I think the prices are a little on the dear side and I don't usually complain about price when the food is worth it. This weekend we went in for the first time in a while and we weren't greeted in the best manner when the chap seating people just blatantly said "i haven't got a table for you" even though we saw people getting ready to leave. We sat down anyway - there was no-one else waiting! Looking through the menu we could clearly see a price hike since our last visit. A Juice is now £4 - too much for me that sorry I'll stick to a cappuccino but the extra shot was 80p - a bit dear too! The food was good Adam.Y had the poached eggs and I tried the Tonka (a bit like granola) and both had coffees. We then decided on passionfruit meringue pie and a slice of the rainbow cake. They both looked so tempting and amazing there is obviously a lot of effort gone into making these cakes look as good as they do. But for me the taste was a disappointment :( I really really wanted to love them because I know they make everything themselves these days. But when I tried to get into my meringue pie the pastry was rock solid, then the filling was too wet and filled the plate like soup, and to top it all off the meringue was more like marshmallow :( Looks 10/10 taste 2/10 The ambience of this place is great - very cool and quirky so this boosts my score but on this occasion the service wasn't at its best and the puddings.... well. The selection of tea on the menu is very good. read more

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I popped my 'Teacup' virginity a few weeks ago and was delighted. I was visiting Manchester and wanted to have tea and cake, preferably in an independent shop, as these are the ones to look out and this was the place we stopped off at. Although it was pouring it down with rain, Teacup was still a lively place and just about packed. This is normally a key indicator of a popular place. So shortly after arriving, and sampling the singing talents of the 'pot washer' we were seated down towards the back. The menu has variety, with food and afternoon tea. Next time I will try the food as everything looked yummy. I ordered the Assam Second flush and red velvet cake. I'd already noticed that the portions were quite sizeable when I was looking around. My tea came first, and the lovely waitress popped it down with a little timer, as this indicated the perfect brewing time. My cake came shortly afterwards, I wasn't expecting my cake slice to be that big - it was a 4 layer cake. The Assam second flush was very lovely, and I was used to drinking 'black' tea, although the colour is not as dark as others can be. I got about 2 and half cups from my pot, but wasn't quite enough to help me with the cake. For tea-lovers, cafe lovers, cake lovers etc... this is the perfect place if you don't want to go to Starbucks, Costa and the rest of the high street cafes. It has an extensive range of cakes and teas, food options and lovely staff. If you're in Manchester, you've got to check this place out!! read more

I like the atmosphere in Teacup! Lots of people, who all look like Arty New York types in an environment that looks like an Arty New York coffee house. You have to wait to be seated, but the staff are friendly and efficient, taking you to your table when it's ready, and informing you about any specials, and the soup of the day, as well as anything not available on the menu. (For me it was who we shall call SERVER 1 who did this). The tea menu is superb, with a vast array of varieties, all of which, when brought to your table, are brought with an egg timer denoting how long you should allow your tea to rest and steep (depending on the blend you choose) before you pour cute teapot 1 through a tea strainer into cute teapot 2, and then into your cute china cup. Wonderful. As well as their delicious regular menu, they also have a daily list of more hearty meals available, including a selection of pies served with mash and gravy. I opted for a toasted bagel, which was delicious quality actually, and came with three espresso cups containing jam, marmalade and butter! Delicious! As well as their regular cakes, they have a daily cake menu of what is being freshly created that day, and tempting isn't the word!! I personally went for the vanilla and raspberry cheesecake which is one of the best cheesecakes I've had in a long time, wonderfully formed, and made with incredibly good quality ingredients! The staff are friendly and attentive, but have the occasional failing (who doesn't?), with me, it was a waitress (who we shall call SERVER 2) commenting on the amount of sugar sachets I used with my tea. She only meant it in a light-hearted way, but I felt judged. There was only brown or white sugar on the tables, not any sort of sweetener, and personally I find the sweetener to be sweeter than sugar, so I don't need as much, so if I do have to have sugar, I tend to have a bit more. I asked if they had Splenda or anything, and she said that she thought so... but didn't go and look, as she was taking my used plate away. When she next spoke to me, and said that she could go and look if I want, I was half way down my last cup of tea, so it seemed a bit pointless. I think sweetener should be offered on the tables as well as brown/white sugar, and preferably in some way other than those little paper packets, which I've never been a fan of, and are quite wasteful. The only other blip was that when I asked SERVER 2 for my cheesecake, it took a very long time for it to arrive, so much so that I thought that she may have forgotten, so I asked SERVER 1 for the bill instead, and he was friendly about it, asked how the meal was etc, and brought over the bill. The bill included the cheesecake, but just as I got SERVER 1 over to ask him about it, my cheesecake arrived! He asked if that was correct (as he'd offered me a dessert and I said no), but being happy enough to enjoy the cake sat in front of me, I smiled and said it was fine! ;) From what I could see, SERVER 1 was probably some sort of manager or supervisor, and seemed a lot more professional. SERVER 2 was friendly enough, but seemed more like a simple 'hired waitress' if that makes any sense. Another interesting point is that the toilets in this venue are...well SORT OF unisex... the door you enter says "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN" on it, but as you go in, you enter an antechamber which has doors leading off it, all of which lead to individual toilets with their own washing facilities, which were pleasant and clean, with real hot and cold taps that you can turn (not those push mixer things that spray everywhere), and nice quality hand soap. I thought this 'unisex' antechamber of toilets was a good use of space. My bill for a pot of Assam, a toasted bagel and a cheesecake came to just over £10, so it's not on the cheapside, and I don't think I'd become a regular here for that reason, but as a treat now and then, or somewhere to go with friends on a special occasion, I'd recommend it, as I found it a very enjoyable experience :) read more

I've been a Teacup regular for years, as I discovered it soon after moving to the Northern Quarter 6 years ago. The menu has changed a bit over the years, for the better because the range of savoury food is better now, in my opinion. My favourite breakfast dish is the Dippy Duck Eggs. The fish finger wrap is a worthy mention for lunch. Now, to the best bit: the tea and cakes. I would say 90% of my visits have been for tea and cake or afternoon tea. For all the improvements to the savoury food, the cakes have been consistent over the years and I have tried every single one. The flourless chocolate cake is my favourite. The rainbow cake and victoria sponge are also deserving of a special mention. I found the pear drop cake to be very heavy and have never managed a whole piece, but maybe that's just me. The range of tea is brilliant, consistently good and I have tried many. My favourite is the Jasmine Pearl, but the Jade Tip Green Tea and Vanilla Cacao are also regular choices of mine. The only minor criticism is that there is often a queue - even when I've been on weekday afternoons, there is often a wait, even since the expansion a couple of years ago. But I think it is worth the wait, just don't go when you are in a hurry. read more

This place has become a firm favourite with me & my Mum for breakfast, tea & cakes when she comes to visit Manchester! Despite feeling slightly like you're in a canteen with hard-backed chairs, the staff are always incredibly warm, friendly & helpful, the tea-selection is magnificent & the cakes are delicious! It's always busy here so there's a good atmosphere, & they definitely don't scrimp on cake portions (one of the waiters/waitresses will be happy to get you a take-out box!). Personal tea favourites are the Imperial and Sunshine Earl Grey, & the coffee is pretty damn good too! Head over to Proper Tea at Manchester Cathedral to buy any of their large selection of loose leaf teas :) read more

I was wondering around town looking for somewhere to have lunch when I came across Teacup. The regular places that always gets reviews were very quiet, unlike Teacup which was heaving from the back view. When I got round to the entrance on the front I was seated by the window and could watch people go by. I ordered the iggy pop smoothie and Chicken sandwiches but sat there envious of those around me having tea and cake. The cakes are massive and the loose tea comes with egg timers and an extra pot. The couple next to me were unsure of the process but still had fun experimenting. The venue is actually very big and the staff apologised for the wait in bringing the food and drink to most guests, but to me the service was fine and therefore no need to apologise as it was past the lunch hour madness and most customers seemed in no rush. I will definitely be back for some tea and cake or breakfast! read more

Its a good looking cafe with overated reviews in NQ in my opinion. I visited there with a cake-addicted friend last Sept when we came to Manchester. We waited for 15 mins or more to get a table outside. I ordered Pistachio cake(my favorite flavour) and my friend had red velvet one. Cakes looked lovely and I couldn't wait to have a bite! Then The moment when I had it in my mouth I was disappointed, same as my friend. The sponge was quite dry and the flavour is just nothing special. I'd like to pay a slice of any cake from Patisserie Valerie for £2.95 instead of the £4 one from here. However, the lunch menu looked quite good so maybe cakes are not their signature product? Or maybe its because my expectation was too high due to a lot high recommendations. read more

Teacup - Lovely outside table - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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Decided to pop in here yesterday looking for some lunch and cake after the ordeal of an exam. We were seated downstairs quite close to the door, the occasional breeze did bother me but there we go I'm sure they'd have moved us if I'd have asked. The staff were very friendly and it had a good laid back atmosphere. We both had smoked chicken and red pepper sandwiches with sweet potato fries, the menu has a good variety of options and they also have specials. I had a banana milkshake which was very tasty and my friend had a latte which was apparently pretty good! The food arrived pretty quickly and it was ok. I wasn't a fan of having bits of it warm and bits of it cold, don't see a point warming the chicken only to put it on cold peppers and lettuce, but that's just me. The coleslaw was good but you only got a tiny bit of it, mind you I prefer that to when places give you a massive mound of it that seeps into your sandwich! The sweet potato fries were good though and I'd happily have them again. All in all it was ok, it's a lovely place and I'd come back for cake next time! read more

A nice little restaurant with a great but small menu. Perfect place for brunch or just a cup of tea and some cake. The tea even comes out with a timer so you know when it has infused long enough. The decoration is quirky and invites you to sit and stay drinking tea all afternoon. read more

Always busy but worth the wait This is probably the most charming modern tea-house you'll find, with a lovely brand design and attentive staff to guide you around the extensive menu of teas and food. Sometimes there's a queue to get a table, particularly if you're in a larger group, but it really is worth it. The presentation is very good, with teas served in glass teapots. The rose tea is very rosy and I would suggest that you try two or three during your visit, and ask your server about specials or their recommendations. Cakes are good and the hot food looks great - next time, I'll stay for lunch. read more

As I have expressed on a number of occasions, I'm not really a fan of tea. It's not a crime I feel I should be excommunicated from the Great Imperial Kingdom of Ingerland for but sometimes the way I am looked at when I admit my aversion makes it obvious that there are some out there that do. How dare I stroll around here like some sort of actual Britisher when I won't even partake in a simple mug of hot boiled leaves 'n' milk. How very dare I! Imagine my discomfort then when I was invited to go for a cup of tea at a tea shop called teacup. Sweating? You don't know the half of it. Now imagine my shock (you can stop imagining my sweaty discomfort now, that image is done with) when I went along and found that it was actually pretty flipping good. I was pleasantly surprised to find there are options to suit the non-tea drinkers - smoothies, juices, glass bottles of dandelion and burdock and of course coffee, which isn't the best (it is clear tea is really the passion here) but neither is it the worst - and is a damn sight better than you'll get hold of at Starbucks or Costa. There is also a selection of homemade-looking cakes and such which are delicious and sweet and all those other things that lovely homemade cakes should be - other than being homemade. They were probably made in the kitchen here or another sort of trade kitchen somewhere else which is nobody's home. Unless there is a down-on-his-luck baker kipping on the kitchen floor - a bag of flour for a pillow; eating his dinner from a piping bag; drinking his own tears. I feel bad now. I hope he's alright. read more

I had been meaning to visit Teacup for ages, so when someone suggested it to me for a meeting, the answer was a resounding YES! It was busy on that Wednesday afternoon, but still felt laid back and welcoming. The staff were polite and efficient. They make a good coffee (I had a latte), and their rainbow cake was very impressive - moist, looked great, and someone with a slightly sweeter tooth than me would have adored it. I've heard great things about their savoury food and will be trying that next time I'm meeting someone for a coffee in the city centre. read more

hmmm....it has a good selection of teas and cakes. However, the cakes aren't the best I've had in Manchester. They are BIG portions but they seem to be quite dry most of the time. I'd rather a smaller bit of cake that was beautifully made :) The service is fast and the little menu of food they serve is good. For me it's just too loud and and packed out. I can't really chill out in there as I like a bit more quiet for me and my cake! That's probably the main reason I haven't been back and probably wont go back, but if you like very busy, lively cafes then is your place. read more

Been to Teacup on two occasions now just to verify that my first experience was not a one-off. First time had a lentil soup and it was virtually inedible. Was so disappointed because I had heard such positive things about the restaurant around town. I didn't pop in again for over a year and then decided to give it a shot just for hot beverages reasoning that food might not be their strong suit. Ordered an espresso and it was just so bitter and strong I could barely drink it. There are plenty better spots to grab a coffee, tea or some cake in theu city centre so won't be heading back. read more

I admit being a bit disappointed at first as the 2 teas I had selected were out of stock BUT the lady advices me very we'll according to what I wanted , there are power outlets and coat racks , beautiful wooden tables and a good music selection : the atmosphere is quite relaxing. You'll also find a huge choice of cakes which look absolutely delish. Tea comes with a timer to have the perfect taste. A waiter asked me if I wanted a free refill , which I enjoyed ! read more

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Very good selection of teas and coffees. The atmosphere has got a rustic feel to it (very northern quarter). Very friendly customer service and a great place to chill outside when it is sunny. Haven't tried the cakes but will do soon! read more

My first visit at Teacup, 50% by chance because the Northern Quarter is teeming with this kind of cafes, 50% with a fully conscious mind since I first spotted what looked like the entrance on Edge Street (wrong), and then I actively walked all the way to Thomas Street to find the actual entrance. The idea was spending my hangover/Saturday afternoon in a cafe reading a book, but this was probably not the best place in ordered to do that, since it was rather crowded (I didn't get a table, just a sit on the counter) and significantly noisy. The decor didn't impress me much, I would say that it's somehow impersonal. I ordered a slice of carrot and coconut cake. At the beginning I enjoyed its flavour, especially thanks to the walnuts and the raisins. Unfortunately it was too much sweet for my tastes, so I actually had to struggle in order to finish it, and I did mainly because I found it slightly overpriced, just like all the teas and drinks on the menu. read more

Such a lovely place to eat. Staff are always friendly, the drinks are lovely and the cakes are sublime. I love the milkshakes and smoothies too! Weekends are always busy and there is commonly a queue but it normally moves quite quickly. Even if there is a queue you aren't rushed to finish your food quickly or vacate your seats which is nice. Can't recommend this place enough! read more

Wonderful brunch here this morning! 4 of us went and all ordered differently; I went for eggs florentine and the eggs were perfect - runny but not underdone. Very impressed! It was delicious; other friends had varying egg/breakfast choices too but one went for the oats and it was so nice! Now of course, you have to get cake here so I took a slice to go - the coconut carrot cake. Beautiful! Only complaint was that it was the tiniest bit dry but the frosting made up for it! read more

Teacup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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I liked this place. I came here twice. The food was good and the tea was delicious. But I was expecting a game-changing meal. The game wasn't changed. Again, the tea was great. They bring you a little tea timer, in theory to brew the perfect cup of tea. Great - I love food rigor. But when they refill your pot they don't reset the timer. I asked "how long should the second pot brew?" I got a shrug. Ultimately it felt like the timer was more for show. They use coarse-ground pepper in fine pepper shakers. It clearly won't shake out. Didn't anyone notice? I ordered espresso which they claim comes from the finest beans in Britain. It was bitter like Starbucks. If they don't like coffee, they shouldn't serve it. I had a scone - I'm in Britain, how could I not? It was fine. For all the fanfare and rave reviews, I was hoping for more than fine. Some say the devil is in the details. I say five stars are in the details. And this place was a little too casual in the details for me to echo the chorus of praise. read more

We stumbled upon this delightful place on Sunday morning ramblings in the Northern Quarter - a welcome find. Our waitress was so friendly, and even remembered Fergus's name - he was chuffed! Poached eggs weren't quite runny enough for my liking, while the toast was a wee bit overdone, but these are minor quibbles, because the vibe of the place was so relaxed and the chai was delicious. We were even able to sit outside and enjoy Manchester's brightening Sunday skies. An excellent find. read more

The atmosphere is very warm and friendly, the same goes for the staff. With any popular cafe or restaurant it's bound to have loads of people and tends to be quite loud. If you're looking to meet up with a friend this is a good place to go. Admittedly a bit pricy in comparison to other places but with good reason considering the drinks are huge and the cakes are even bigger. The pistachio cake was quite good but I can't understand (the western world in general, not trying to stereotype) penchant of putting a huge layer of fondant on their cake. Cakes already sweet I don't want to get diabetes so if you're worried about your sugar levels don't order the cake. read more

Yes please!!! (If i'm right, this is ran by the same guys as the one by the cathedral, so yes, you're right to recognise the giant adorable heart shaped scones and the egg timer quirk) We sat by the window, and perused the many teas, but, I spotted gin, it was after lunch, so, I went for it, strawberry and pink peppercorn, which was gorgeous, and my friend going for sunshine breakfast and leaving me to get tipsy on a single drink on my own. Jess plumped for a brownie, not a usual fan, but imagining a warm super gooey one like she fell in love with at leaf in Liverpool, but it wasn't quite to her taste, but they were happy to box up what she didn't eat to take home to her chap, and shared some of my 'tart of the day' which was salted caramel and pecan, heaped with cream and shortcrust pastry that would meet the standard of the most discerning of Nannas. I would definitely come here again, it does get pretty busy though, but despite this, I can imagine it fast becoming a place for business meetings, and as a result, me reviewing gyms on here... read more