Best French Bakery in Bridgewater Canal

"Home Sweet Home has grown from humble beginnings to many locals’ favourite eatery that now boasts two locations in the city. Whether you opt to eat in the original Northern Quarter branch or the newer venue in Great Northern, expect a huge focus on dessert alongside the equally impressive savoury menu. The ice-cream shakes hark back to the 1950s in the best possible way, American style pancakes are the ultimate breakfast treat and their deep dish cookie pie is to die for – and that’s not even mentioning the incredible array of colourful sugar-covered pimped out cakes that sit tantalisingly in their dessert bar."

"This Northern Quarter restaurant’s pancakes have long held a place in our hearts, with delicious combos such as banana, nutella and salted caramel and blueberry compote with frosting on the menu. The homely diner has an array of incredible desserts if pancakes aren’t your style – with an incredible homemade cake counter that’s not for the faint-hearted. Pancake stacks include three, fluffy American-style pancakes, served with cinnamon crunch, maple syrup and whipped cream."

"Home Sweet Home is doing half-price pancakes today, to celebrate what is 'basically their Christmas'. Their stacked pancakes - three piled on top of each other - are served with cinnamon crunch, maple syrup and whipped cream as standard. You can then add banana, Nutella and salted caramel; or fresh berries, compote and frosting."

"Nordic inspired, TAKK is the result of the founders travels throughout Scandinavia and Iceland. The slick interior and minimalist design scream quality while also an enticing level of comfort. Their house espresso is a single origin coffee from Finca Miravalle in El Salvador, while regularly featuring guest espresso from some of the best roasters in Europe and further afield."

"Want to be taken away to Iceland or Scandinavia with just a sip of coffee?. Located in Manchester’s Northern Corner you’ll find the Takk Coffee House, a creative space with a friendly environment that welcomes anyone and everyone, whether you want to meet, talk or get your head down to work."

"TAKK, 6 Tariff Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 2FF - Visit now. An Icelandic coffee bar on the edge of the Northern Quarter"

"A boutique-styled café tucked in the Barton arcade has earned the position of one of the best Manchester City Centre coffee shops. It is situated in a beautiful Victorian building in the famous Barton Arcade, and something you may not know, the popular Manchester coffee shop is owned by Rugby League’s Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan. You can get all types of coffee here from standard espresso, Piccolo, Flat While, Latte and Cappuccino."

"PKB, which has two location’s across Manchester are a passionate bunch of coffee professionals. Armed with one of the best coffee machines alongside quality baristas they focus on producing some of the best espressos in town. Their Internationally inspired breakfast and lunch menu is vibrant, colourful, fresh, and healthy yet a little naughty if you like."

"Pot Kettle Black has created a special menu especially for Pancake Day. Simply pop by their hatch on Tuesday to grab breakfast, brunch or lunch pancakes from 10am to 3pm. There’ll be pancakes topped with streaky bacon, fried egg and maple syrup; raspberry coulis and white chocolate mascarpone; and honeycomb, milk chocolate and butterscotch sauce."

"Having won an abundance of awards since it opened, North Tea Power has become a popular spot for the coffee enthusiasts of Manchester. As well as perfectly decorated coffee to keep you motivated, North Tea Power sells an impressive selection of loose-leaf tea, and a bread-heavy menu full of cheese melts and warming soups. Due to its popularity as a brunch spot at the weekends, it’s best to use this as a study spot during the week, when the crowds are substantially fewer."

"The name is somewhat deceptive; although these guys know how to make a good brew, they are also highly trained baristas, and know how to serve up an awesome coffee. The pastries, and baked goods on offer are delicious, as are the sandwiches, which you can enjoy warm, or cold. With 2 seater tables, a large centre wooden table, high top bar, and an outdoor area, find your favourite spot, and relax."

"One of the OG’s of the Northern Quarter craft coffee scene, North Tea Power have been tucked away on Tib Street since 2010. Home to proper coffee, proper brunch, great cakes and cosy coffee shop vibes. Their retail shelves are a coffee lover’s dream, stocked up with all the gadgets and accessories you need to make a decent brew at home."

"Ok, so this coffee shop isn’t technically in Ancoats, but it’s less than a 5 minute walk away, in the Northern Quarter so I couldn’t not include this. This hipster spot is perfect for all day brunch, coffee and somewhere to sit and work. I’ve currently been here for 4 hours and counting; demolished this avocado and chilli poke bowl, iced mocha with oat milk and even made a couple of friends!"

"Beloved neighbourhood hangout Ezra & Gil has provided Manchester with an evolutionary concept in urban coffee and cafe culture since opening doors 2015, and is still serving freshly-brewed cups to go in the heart of the Northern Quarter this weekend. 20 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 1FR. You can find more information via the Ezra & Gil website here."

"Ezra & Gil, 20 Hilton St, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1FR - Visit now. One of our favourite spots for caffeine in Manchester. A spacious, stripped back location serving up great coffee and a delicious menu of fresh cooked food."

"Toasties are the ultimate convenience food, all you need is bread, cheese and fire and you’ve got yourself a tasty sandwich. Frankie’s Toasties, the UK’s first toastie restaurant, has opened in Manchester, offering ‘straight up’ toasties with a selection of outrageously good fillings, including Nutella, Supernoodles, alphabet spaghetti and loads more. 98a Portland St, M1 4GX."

"Situated at over 1,500 feet above sea level, Flash is characterised by its weather-worn cottages by the side of the A53 Leek to Buxton road. This exposed high altitude offers far reaching views of the surrounding moors and crags, and the sound of a wide variety of birdlife fills the air. Located four miles south-west of Buxton on the side of Oliver Hill, Flash lies close to Axe Edge which is an area of gritstone moorland, as well as the source of no less than five rivers, being the Dane, Goyt, Wye, Dove and Manifold."

"Down past the universities just off Oxford Rd lies Anchor Coffee. It’s fittingly named, as they aim to ‘anchor’ the community by investing in the ‘pay it forward’ concept which allows the customer to buy a free coffee for someone else in the community who really needs it. Given that they also stock, arguably, the best coffee around – Monmouth coffee – it’s a retreat for the student community and anyone who fancies a wander out of the city centre."

"A pioneering Manchester Cafe in the heart of the cities student district, The Anchor is a part-volunteer run speciality coffee shop. They proudly serve some of the most highly regarded coffee roasters in the country, previously Monmouth and now Dark woods. Their passionate team have a wealth of knowledge about coffee and provide a homely experience."

"Nu Spa Manchester in the heart of the city centre welcomes you to a haven of peace and tranquillity, a sensory retreat in which to unwind and begin the journey towards total wellbeing. Enjoy full use of the fitness suite, heated pool, sauna and steam room. Prices start from £95 to £179"

"The spa town of Buxton can really offer something for everyone; enjoy a stroll around the pretty Pavilion gardens. The kids can enjoy the playground areas or you might chose to go for a swim at the recent refurbished swimming pool. The more adventurous may want to try out ‘Go Ape’ the treetop adventure course, for those without a head for heights a visit to Poole’s Cavern is fascinating, and it’s a great activity especially for kids when the weather does not cooperate for outdoor activities."

"Source: Photo by Flickr user GoldenerBerg used under CC BY-ND 2.0. Photo is only for illustrative purposes. When the sightseeing is over and your adventures have ended, reward yourself with a relaxing spa experience at Devonshire Spa."

"Although Northern Quarter regulars may have already sampled the delights of Smithfield Social with its roadside terrace, not many have seen the interior yet. Smithfield Social, a joint venture from Jobe Ferguson and Anthony Fielden of TNQ, and Liam Fray of The Courteeners, has taken over the old Teacup Kitchen site on Thomas Street. It's been transformed into a smart all-day dining destination, inspired by Liam's favourite hangouts in the Lower East Side of Manhattan."

"Bolinhos de Chuva, a dessert popular in Brazil and Portugal, are delicious deep-fried doughnuts. Head to the Corn Exchange for Cabana’s version, a portion of cute little fried doughballs stuffed with oozing Nutella. The name apparently refers to the raindrop shape the batter makes when it hits the oil, and to the idea that a rainy day is the perfect time to make the dish."