Manchester's own roastery, housed in the neighbourhood it named itself after. The Royal Mills cafe is where you taste what they're roasting.

Ancoats Coffee Co. are Manchester's own specialty roaster, and this is their room in the city. Single origins rotate, retail beans travel home with you.

The menu runs from pour-overs to the Magic, Melbourne's ristretto format done properly, and the staff will walk you through the difference before you order. The espresso stands up on its own.

Assembly Coffee from London, pulled with the precision the sourcing decision deserves. Beehive Mill is an unhurried room; worth the walk into Ancoats.

Australian baristas who've built a loyal Ancoats following on the strength of their iced coffee. Worth the walk.

Order the cortado, stay for the Greek pastries, repeat as necessary.

Ancoats regulars have been naming this place for years, which in a neighbourhood this competitive means something. Dog-friendly and relaxed, with coffee that earns genuine enthusiasm rather than polite praise.

Bookstore, bar, and café in Ancoats with a coherent identity and waffles worth ordering. The coffee holds up.

The croissants brought you in. Ask for Navid and stay for the coffee.

The deli counter is the draw; sandwiches, cannoli, charcuterie; but the coffee is good enough to be a reason in its own right. Order both.

The coffee counter inside Ancoats General Store holds its own in a neighbourhood that sets the bar. The croissants are the draw for most people; the oat cappuccino is reason enough to make it a habit.