vegan / vegan-friendly cafes in Manchester UK

[Hiking Fox]

Ok, I'm going to start a new thread about this in the 'Campaigns and Events' section, so that any other local folk will see it.

[Rochellita]

Just wanted to plug the Veggie Cafe on Manchester University Campus, it's got a bit of flak in this thread, but this week the cafe chef and VF member Purpuss has had free reign over the menu (and will have for the next couple of weeks) and has been offering a lovely vegan main course every day.

It's hard to say which dish was nicer- the creamy Broadbean fillo tart or the Baked Spanish broccoli and rice torte. There's more to come! So if you find yourself in the area over the next couple of weeks, pop by and you'll be surprised! At £4 for a generous main course and large grain and leafy salad it's good value as well as tasty.

[Hiking Fox]

Went into 'Cafe Pop' the other day for the first time in ages and was impressed - much more vegan friendly than it used to be, and cheap, too!

[Hiking Fox]

A recent update:

There's now a 'Tampopo' in the 'Triangle' shopping centre by Victoria station. It has exactly the same menu as the other one, and the early evening menu (£6.95 for a starter and main course if you eat before 7pm) has one starter and two main options that are vegan. It's good value, and the staff are approachable. A good place to take kids, as they have high chairs, colouring sets etc. Its a pity they don't do fruit juice, as I often fancy a change from green tea.

'Ning' is a Malaysian restaurant at the top of Oldham St that has a sign in the window saying 'Vegan and vegetarian friendly'. I've had takeaway green curry from there a few times and it is gorgeous. Haven't got round to having a sit down-meal there yet.

I went in '8th Day' cafe for the first time in nearly a year, and was disappointed. The woman serving was very slow, and it took ages for her to acknowledge that I was there. They have also taken those wonderful pizzas off the menu it remains a very ethical place, though.

'Earth Cafe' has now dropped their organic stance and focuses on locally sourced produce. They have lowered their prices and improved the range of options.

'Cafe Pop' is a really good place to get vegan sosages. They do bangers and mash for £3.95 with loads of gravy and big fat sosages. They also do cheap sosage toasties. An atmospheric, friendly place. Unfortunately they charge extra for soya milk, and still don't have any vegan cakes.

'Herbivore' still doesn't do vegan main course options, though I'm told the soups are usually a safe bet.

[spike]

You've been doing your research!

Cheers for the update.

I was in 8th day cafe today (just to use their loo) and noticed they have a couple of sofas now (under the stairs). The walls have also been painted which is an improvement IMHO, it looks l
ess sort of clinical....

[Hiking Fox]

Craved pizza recently, so decided to try Croma, the Italian restaurant on Clarence St, nr Spring Gardens and Deansgate.

The first thing I'll say about the place is that it is very trendy. We looked the only people who weren't trying to have hairstyles like either Amy Winehouse or Russel Brand, and the average age of punters was about 25.

Anyway, a friend had recommended to 'dough balls', so we ordered them for a starter, plus a bowl of olives. We also ordered two 'roast vegetable pizzas.

We said we wanted to dough balls without the butter topping, so they came with a ramekin of butter instead. Not a promising start. They were also pretty bland.

However, the olives were great, the wine was very nice (I chose the one discribed as 'unfiltered', which had a reassuring sediment at the bottom) and a glass of tap water was brought over as soon as I asked.

We liked the service. It was prompt without making us feel rushed, and when we said we wanted our pizzas without cheese, they offered us extra aubergine and bazil for no extra charge.

The pizzas were lovely, we ate every last bit.

The bill came to less than £20 for two of us, so for a city centre it was very reasonable. I'd go again.

[Hiking Fox]

...the a coupla days ago we wanted a film and another pizza, so we went to the Cornerhouse cinema on the corner of Oxford Rd and Whitworth St West. They have had a pizza called 'Verdura vegan' (or summat similar) on the menu for as long as I can remember.

The place doesn't quite have enough tables for the number of people it attracts, so we had to ask someone else if we could share.

The pizzas were good, but a bit dry. You get plenty of spinach leaves for your money, but not that much of the tomato topping, or the oil that was drizzled on top. I'd prefer to have paid a pound more for a proper helping of tomato, and some more oil, or for them to have provided an oil drizzler jug on the table, like Croma do.

Two pizzas and three beers cost around £20. Ok, but I'd only eat there if I was seeing a film.

[Hiking Fox]

Here's an update:

In recent months, Ning (the Malaysian place on Oldham St) has become so popular that you now need to book most nights. They still do the £10 for starter, main course and rice deal, and they still have loads of vegan options.

Earth Cafe now has even more (all vegan) cakes on the menu, and they've put some armchairs in to make a lounging area.

Mod Pop Cafe (formerly called Cafe Pop) now has wonderful old school viennese whirls with soya cream, and coconut crumble jam things. Like school dinners, but vegan and better!

The bad news is that The Knott bar on Deansgate (Castlefield end) no longer lists vegan options on its menu. They have a new chef, I think. The menu does state that they'll do vegan food on request, but this is a big step backwards for the only vegan-friendly mixed-menu place in that part of town. (You can still get vegan tapas options at Dimitris in the Spanish institute, and The White Lion pub down the road still has vegan options on their Chinese menu, but the Knott was a great place to take a group with mixed tastes and enjoy a vegan organic pint or two.)

[lucy bevan]

I really like Bagel Nash. I've eaten at one in Leeds and they absolutely delicious for lunch. They have a few vegan options anmd so many different fillings you can make your own up. There is supposed to be one in the Arndale centre in Manchester.

[Hiking Fox]

I was in 8th day cafe today (just to use their loo) and noticed they have a couple of sofas now (under the stairs). The walls have also been painted which is an improvement IMHO, it looks l
ess sort of clinical....

Tried to go to 8th Day Cafe on Sat while in the shop and it was closed. Anyone know if this is a long-term thing? Guess I could just ask the shop staff, but didn't think of it that day...

Re. Bagel Nash - never been there. Will take a look.

[JP]

has Odder on Oxford street been mentioned yet?

They offer all day vegan breakfast which is ok.

Thanks for the tips Hiking Fox, great stuff, will defo check out Ning at some point.

also lucy for that Bagel Nash tip, that sounds nice

[andyO]

Ooh I never knew about Odder, thanks for the tip JP.

Ning, really is pretty tasty and the staff are all cheerful and friendly too which is nice.

[spike]

Tried to go to 8th Day Cafe on Sat while in the shop and it was closed. Anyone know if this is a long-term thing? Guess I could just ask the shop staff, but didn't think of it that day...
.

8th Day Cafe is shut until 20th August while they carry out some essential work downstairs (i thinkit's to do with the water supply)
In the shop the other day they had questionnaires next to the tills asking for feedback about the cafe. I think they give you a free tea or coffee when you return it, though not sure if that is tea or coffee from upstairs or from the cafe once it reopens.

[spike]

Was in Mod Pop Cafe last week, no vienese whirls but they had the coconut jam slice things - very very sweet, but gooood . There was another vegan cake option but it didn't look as apetising, I forget what it was now.

I agree with HF, bangers and mash were great. coffee was good too, decent size, right strength and not curdled.

I'll try to plan my next visit when I'm really hungry and get on eof the all-day breakfasts - mmmmm, I used to love them!

It's quite a contrast to earth cafe, good vegan junk food

[Hiking Fox]

Mod Pop Cafe now have all their main courses either vegan or with vegan options.

I had their lasagne last week and it was quality!

They're having a World Vegan Day party on 1st Nov. I might be working there for the night.