Manchester

Sugar Junction was created out of a love for all things vintage, baking, and wholesome food. The company was started by a mother-daughter team that strives to provide high-quality food with great service in a comfortable environment. They serve home-baked cakes and about 25 different types of tea.

Iceland-inspired Takk is an artisan coffee house and great hipster hangout. They have a passion for good food and coffee, using specialist dairy, meat and vegetable producers and preparing some of the best coffee in town.

Located just off St Ann's Square on Old Bank Street, Annies is tucked away from the hustle and bustle, and the interior reflects just that with its cosy feel, wooden panelling, and comfy armchairs designed to make you feel right at home. Head chef Richard Moore has reflected this cosy British feel in his menu. To start, diners can choose from the likes of Bury Black Pudding Spring Rolls, Potted Ham Hock, and Scallops. For mains, there's Fish, Chips & Mushy Peas, Braised Lamb Shank, and Annies Sausage & Mash. There's also a delicious pie menu including 3 Cheese & Onion Pie, Fish Pie and Steak & Ale Pie. Annies also serves Afternoon Tea, Champagne Tea, Traditional Cream Tea and a daily lunch menu, as well as morning coffee and pastries.

To keep the original features in place, the tradesmen entrance was made the front door, a glorious lift shaft became a cosy booth, the loading bay is a private drinking space, and the hydraulic fabric press takes pride of place in the entrance way. The spacious ground floor bar serves high-quality drinks of all descriptions. A carefully curated list of cocktails takes nine classics and creates three versions of each — one classic and two more individual twists on the original, invented by the bar team.

Be sure to make a beeline for Hey Little Cupcake!, which is tucked away along the leafy walkway connecting Hardman Street to Atkinson Street in Manchester’s super-chic Spinningfields. Scrumptious signature flavours such as the red velvet, hazelnut cookie, and Victoria sandwich cupcakes neatly line the counter. Try the seasonal specials, ooey-gooey brownies, mouth-watering slabs of rainbow cake, cute cake pops, and delicious illy coffee. Teapigs is also served here, the perfect complement to your treat of choice. For those in search of something a little larger, the talented team of bakers can whip up layer cakes and giant cupcakes to order, which can be personalised to suit any occasion and taste and are a fantastic alternative to regular cupcakes.