Federal Manchester NQ

Keeping the Northern Quarter fed and watered since 2014, the first Federal is a daytime destination a stone’s throw from the Shudehill transport hub. Dishing up brunch stalwarts the likes of smashed avo and smoked salmon bagels, alongside bigger plates such as steak and eggs, it’ll set you up alright.

Fans of the laidback atmosphere but best possible customer service of the coffeshops they came across while travelling in Australia and New Zealand, owners Claudio and Emily wanted to create “a little slice of Antipodean happiness” here in the heart of Manchester, so “come rain or shine, we offer the city’s sunniest welcome”. They’ve since branched out, with another Federal taking root on Deansgate and the Coffee Cart now a fixture at Altrincham Market.

The coffee at Federal is a big deal, also influenced by Claudio and Emily’s time down under. If you like strong coffee, this is the place to come, with robust beans courtesy OZONE, one of New Zealand’s largest provincial coffee roasteries. There’s also a selection of tea, plus local and Oz brews of the beery variety. A couple of natural wines, fizz and two-for-a-tenner cocktails such as Mimosas and Bellinis also compliment the food, of which everything is made fresh on the premises using the best ingredients sourced from sustainable indies. Fed (we just got it) and watered, indeed.

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