American££northern-quarter
Eighty-cover American room on the corner of Hilton and Tariff Streets, Manchester. Northern Quarter brunch crowd from 10:00; cocktail bar runs late.
Signature: Burgers, Brunch plates
Order: Buttermilk-fried chicken sandwich and the Bloody Mary; brunch eggs on toast.
Tip: Half-price food on Mondays; brunch and lunch for a tenner most weekdays.
Modern European££northern-quarter
All-day Northern Quarter kitchen on Tib Street with a global, vegetable-led menu. Brunch through dinner; weekend tasting flight on the bar list.
Signature: Confit chickpeas on toast, Saffron turmeric chicken
Order: Confit chickpeas on toast with whipped feta; the saffron and turmeric chicken.
Tip: Brunch crowds 10:00 to 13:00; late afternoon is the calm slot for a quiet table.
Neapolitan pizza££ancoats
Started as a 2014 Cotton Street pop-up; now an AVPN-listed pizzeria with branches across the UK. Dough ferments 24 hours, sixty seconds in the oven.
Signature: Margherita, Diavola
Order: Margherita first, then the Diavola with Italian salami if you want heat.
Tip: Walk-in only at Ancoats; arrive by 17:30 weekends or expect a queue across Cutting Room Square.
Modern British££ancoats
Neighbourhood bar and kitchen on Cutting Room Square in Ancoats. Modern British seasonal small plates with a locally-sourced focus, all-day brunch service until 3pm, evening grill menu after 5pm.
Signature: Pulled lamb shoulder, Crispy pork belly
Order: Pulled lamb shoulder flatbread; crispy pork belly.
Tip: Walk in at lunch; book ahead for Friday or Saturday dinner.
Brunch and coffee££northern-quarter
Open since 2014, the Hilton Street original is the brunch room locals queue for. Sourdough loaded with avocado, feta and poached eggs; fruit porridge bowls.
Signature: Avocado on sourdough, French toast
Order: The Ezra benedict with smoked salmon; cinnamon French toast with bacon.
Tip: No bookings; put your name on the list and walk the Northern Quarter blocks until they text.
Antipodean brunch££northern-quarter
Australian-style brunch room in the Northern Quarter, Manchester, packed from 09:00. Banana bread with whipped ricotta is the menu's calling card.
Signature: Banana bread, Turkish eggs
Order: Banana bread with mascarpone; Turkish eggs with chilli butter.
Tip: No reservations; arrive at opening or expect a thirty-minute wait at weekends.