Platform 7 - Ipinda

Crikey what a spot this is! Spent a good chunk of my morning here without even planning to. Set in the the old Royal Mill, so easily missable unless you've planned to head there in advance. Luckily for me I have this really handy app that I use everyday to plot my next adventure, said app directed me to a coffee shop in Ancoats that I had never visited before and one that was rated 5 stars by some fellow users of said app. Basically, I needed a coffee, pulled out Yelp, found Ancoats Coffee Co, mapped out directions and headed there. The interior is fantastic and it has a really nice layout. It wasn't too busy when I got there which gave me full range of seating, comfortable enough to sit for a while and work but not over cosy so that I'd get sleepy (happens a lot to me). The barista on top was absolutely top drawer and for both my drinks I went on his recommendations. First off was the AeroPress coffee so so smooth and easy to drink, but boy was it strong! Next up he recommended flipping the script and opting for an espresso and piccolo (my favourite) but with the same coffee bean as the AeroPress one to taste the different end of the spectrum as you can tell this guy was bloody good at what he does! All in all a simply brilliant morning spent in my new favourite coffee spot!

One for the coffee connoisseur! these guys really care about the beans they are serving so much so that you might have to be patient for your coffee to arrive! Set inside an old mill and office building, the decor is as you 'd expect for that style. I thought it was quite dark, we came here to work but I think this is more a coffee shop to go to if you want to sit back and relax with a good book. The reason I say this is there 's a severe lack of plugs. My laptop ran out of juice and I hunted round for a power point to no avail. The seating wasn 't the most comfortable either. I suppose this place is trying and succeeding to be really great at coffee, so the seating arrangements and working environment are secondary. Sure, you can 't win 'em all. The smell of roasting coffee beans is incredible I like the rustic vibe of the place. Behind where we were sitting they were busy pouring beans from sacks it felt like we were at the heart of it. In summary If you 're a coffee fan make sure you pay this place a visit. If you want a practical place to sit down for a few hours and work then head somewhere else!

Really pleased I made the 5 minute effort to walk slightly further out of the NQ and hit this place, just right next door to the old central retail park which is earmarked (with good reason) to be knocked down soon. Set in a lovely old mill, they refine and pack their own coffee here (supplying loads of places around town) whilst also having a quality coffee shop onsite with loads of room to sit. The coffee is super powered I had a few yesterday in between meetings and was flying for the rest of the day, they also do sweet treats and although I didn't try the lunch menu, it looked pretty impressive and nice and snacky. This place may just become a regular haunt very cool.

This has gotta be the best new coffee shop in town! I don 't know where to start! Located in Ancoats, tucked away on the ground floor of Royal Mills, well worth the little walk to get there. Inside is clean, minimalist yet funky. I consider myself a coffee lover, but these guys live, breath and eat coffee, hence roast their own beans on site on a daily basis, which are shipped out wholesale across Manchester. For coffee with passion and superior taste, you have arrived!!! Ask what the items mean on the menu and you will understand what I mean. I asked what a split was? And although I received an explanation my face must have looked puzzled, so Manny (the amazing owner) asked me a few questions about my tastes and then said, 'OK we got it, leave it with me '... and indeed I did... Mmmmm Upon finishing the coffee and delicious cake, I asked Manny what the coffee was in the caraf type receptacle. He gave some interesting description of a filter type process for the coffee, served in a wine glass because people instinctively then swirl the liquid, smell, and sip, just this happens to be coffee and not wine... continuing his explanation he stated the different tones you get over the front and back of your tongue... Hmmmm this seems a great place for a yelp event with so much culture, understanding passion and love for his coffee... it is Valentines day after all...

When they are roasting coffee on site, the smell hits you like a tidal wave of MMMmmmm ! With a whole range of single origin beans this really is a coffee lovers heaven. If you can 't decide, or you 're in a rush just go for the house blend, which I 'm lead to believe changes slightly from week to week. There 's all the normal drinks, like flat whites, but a few new ones on me that I 'll have to go back and try. This morning we were tempted by the cakes (As always) but I eventually opted for a flat white with sourdough toast and marmalade. The coffee was the best I 've had in a long time, with a smooth rich velvety taste, with not a hint of bitterness. The trick must be roasting their own beans on site! The furniture is very clever it looks old and eclectic, but I think is actually all new, and cleverly distressed. There 's also a covered courtyard, which makes you feel like your sitting outside even though your actually not. The glass roof over the courtyard is also an incredible piece of architecture undulating like a roller coaster of glass. I 'd actually like to see it in the rain! The Coffee Co. is tucked away, but go seek it out its only a couple of minutes walk from the Northern Quarter, so stretch your legs, walk up by the side of the canal and find coffee lovers heaven!