Corner & Bloom

Sunny spots with seats, scran and a bit of sauce are few and far between, but this popular independent family-run Didsbury Village cafe-cum-bar manages to tick all the boxes and stays open into the evening on Friday and Saturday – and they let your pooch tag along to boot.

Breakfast and brunch are the big draw, with all the smashed avocado and sourdough toast action you might expect. There’s also shakshuka for a bit of an early-morning kick, as well as a pancake stack plus homemade waffles with a choice of toppings: healthy (berries and compote), sweet (Nutella and Biscoff) or even savoury (buttermilk chicken and maple gravy). Steak cooked medium comes with hash brown, crispy fried egg, asparagus and hollandaise for brunch and with fondant potatoes, oven-done tomatoes and chimichurri for tea, and the meaty full English includes bacon rashers, Bury black pudding and Manchester’s own gourmet Grandad’s Sausages. Many of the ingredients are locally sourced and neighbouring businesses are in the supply chain: the cinnamon and vanilla-infused brioche for the French toast comes from artisan boulangerie La Chouquette on one side; the cod goujons in the posh fishfinger butty and fish and double-cooked chips are fried fresh next door at modern chippery Anchors. Other sandwiches include a Reuben club and a croque monsieur; other mains include burgers, with a Moving Mountains plant-based option. The vegan choices include homemade beans, beetroot risotto and roasted sweet potato salad, and vegetarians can have creamy and garlicky wild mushroom pasta or pan-fried halloumi with honey, sesame and rocket, among other things. You can ask for alterations and additions, order lighter options or larger portions, and enquire about the seasonal soup of the day.

There’s also a cheesecake of the day, and other desserts include a triple chocolate brownie and apple crumble, all served with a choice of cream, custard or ice cream.

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