England Guide
The Northwest
Cafes and café-bars
1 Affleck's Palace 52 Church St, Northern Quarter www.afflecks-palace.co.uk Five floors of offbeat, alternative and indie boutiques, with the pick of the cafés on the top floor, where you can grab a coffee and a grilled sandwich. Opening time: Mon– Fri 10.30am–6pm, Sat 10am–6pm
2 Atlas 376 Deansgate In an old red-brick building that pokes its nose out from beneath a railway arch, Atlas is kitted out in slick, modern style, complete with large patio. Justly known for its quality focaccia sandwiches, it's also the place for Sun brunch, a bottle of beer or a decent glass of wine. Price: Light meals and lunches from £4
3 Dry Bar 28–30 Oldham St www.drybar.co.uk The earliest of the designer café-bars on the scene, started by Factory records and the catalyst for much of what has happened since in the Northern Quarter. Still as cool (sometimes tough) as they come.
4 
Earth 16–20 Turner St www.earthcafe.co.uk Gourmet vegan and organic food in a stylish Northern Quarter pit-stop with Buddhist leanings – stuffed pancakes, pies, bakes, juices and deli delights. Opening time: Tues– Fri 10am–7pm & Sat 10am–5pm
5 Eighth Day 107–111 Oxford Rd www.eighth-day.co.uk Manchester's oldest organic-vegetarian café has got spanking new premises on its old Oxford Rd site – shop, takeaway and juice bar upstairs, café/restaurant downstairs. Opening time: Mon– Fri 8.30am–7pm, Sat 9.30am–7pm
6 Kro2 Oxford House, Oxford Rd www.kro.co.uk Half the students in Manchester crowd into this good-natured café-bar, sited in glassy modern premises opposite the university. Offers imaginative value-for-money food and on a sunny day you'll struggle to find table space outside.
7 Loaf Deansgate Locks, Whitworth St West www.loaf-manchester.co.uk Large queues at the weekend for this designer-industrial café-bar, not nearly so crowded during the day when you can grab an outdoor table underneath the arches and soak up the weak Manchester sun.
8 Night & Day 26 Oldham St 
www.nightnday.org Unpretentious café-bar with a late licence and live music most nights from local musicians; club nights too.