The Gallery Cafe

Not just somewhere to take the weight off after peering at all the Lowrys and Valettes, The Gallery Cafe at Manchester Art Gallery is a go-to in itself, not least for the homemade sweet treats and the pleasant space outdoors as well as in.

The Gallery Cafe takes the phrase “bringing the outside in” literally – the Victorian-style kitchen garden out front (originally created in collaboration with Lucy Marshall of Lumen Landscapes) partly supplies the kitchen; the rest is sourced from local producers, with milk, eggs and butter coming from nearby farms in Cheshire and Lancashire, and flour from Yorkshire. Everything on the menu and chalkboards is made every day, from scratch – as the cafe webpage says: “It’s a fresh approach from the gallery, and good food for you.” Given a menu refresh a couple of years back by acclaimed chef Mary-Ellen McTague of The Creameries in Chorlton and, previously, Aumbry in Prestwich, for dishes, think updated classics.

Mostly a daytime dining destination open until 5pm (9pm on the first Wednesday of each month), you can expect light bites, sandwiches and salads, new takes on traditional hot favourites like pies and tarts, and those famous cakes and pastries.  There’s an ample wine list to help you whet your whistle, plus a well-curated choice of soft drink options, fresh coffee and pots of tea.

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