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The 5 Best Bakeries in Manchester
If you’re anything like me, you know that Manchester is a city bursting with flavor, and the smell of freshly baked goods is never too far away.
Walking its streets daily, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring the various bakeries, each with its own unique charm and scrumptious treats.
So, let me take you on a journey-–one that involves mouthwatering croissants, buttery pies, and the warmest cinnamon rolls you’ve ever tasted.
Read on to see my top picks for the best bakeries in Manchester, so you can satisfy your cravings for heavenly pastries and artisanal bread. Let’s dive in!
1. Pollen Bakery

Services: Dine in, Take out, Delivery
Website: http://pollenbakery.com/
Address: Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union St, Manchester M4 6FQ, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Google Reviews Score | 4.6/5 |
Total Reviews | 5/5 |
Score Consistency | 4/5 |
Accessibility | 5/5 |
Location | 5/5 |
Operating Hours | 5/5 |
Variety of Products | 5/5 |
Prices | 5/5 |
Customer Service | 4/5 |
Pros
- Has an accessible location
- Offers a wide range of baked goods and drinks
- Has an affordable selection
Cons
- Slow serving time during peak hours
Pollen Bakery is located conveniently near a residential area. For us, this makes them a go-to stop for locals on their way to work or school
When it comes to their operating hours, we’re pleased that they are open early in the morning. However, we feel iffy that they also close early in the afternoon.
Furthermore, they’re also not operational on Mondays and Tuesdays — giving customers little time to buy baked goods from them.
On a positive note, we like how Pollen Bakery excels in product variety. Their focus on sourdough bread and Viennoiserie baked goods is commendable!
Additionally, we appreciate their thoughtful addition of a coffee selection as it complements their other offerings well.
Their prices are also reasonable. We’re happy to share that their best-selling cookies are available for only £4.50.
Unfortunately, we received inconsistent feedback when it comes to customer service. While some patrons commend their helpful staff, not everyone is happy.
According to our surveys, several customers have expressed disappointment with the bakery’s sluggish service. They added that this happened often during the bustling early hours when the place was packed.
Nevertheless, we think that Pollen Bakery is still worth the try because of the wide selection and affordability.
2. Companio Bakery

Services: Takeout
Website: https://companiobakery.co.uk/
Address: 35 Radium St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AD, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 7765 914603
Operating Hours: Sunday: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Tuesday to Thursday: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Friday to Saturday: 8:00 AM–2:00 PM
Google Reviews Score | 4.8/5 |
Facebook Reviews Score | 4.8/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.3/5 |
Score Consistency | 4/5 |
Accessibility | 4.5/5 |
Location | 5/5 |
Operating Hours | 4/5 |
Variety of Products | 5/5 |
Prices | 5/5 |
Customer Service | 5/5 |
Pros
- Offers an affordable selection
- Has friendly staff members
- Offers dairy-free baked goods
Cons
- Has confusing operating hours
We’re immediately drawn to the heartwarming story of the owner of Companio Bakery. According to our research, Baneta Yelda has a rich family heritage in baking through her Grandmother’s legacy as a community baker in Iraq.
We think it’s noteworthy that she arrived in the UK from Iraq as a refugee in 2014, and we believe that this personal touch adds a unique charm to the bakery.
As for the bakery itself, they earn plus points in our books for their specialisation in sourdough bread, pastries, and daily offerings of Viennoiserie.
We also appreciate their consideration of dietary preferences by providing options for those seeking dairy-free delights.
When it comes to affordability, Companio Bakery also hits the mark. According to the regulars we spoke with, this place is an ideal choice for budget-conscious bread lovers.
Another standout feature we noted is their friendly and welcoming staff. Many customers mentioned that they like starting their day here because the employees are consistently pleasant.
Sadly, they are located a bit far from the city centre. However, we believe their strategic partnerships with local spots like Butchers Quarter and Chorlton Cheesemongers increase accessibility.
Just keep in mind that the varying operating hours on different days might pose a challenge for some customers. We believe that this may lead to potential confusion, so it’s best to double-check before heading to the bakery.
3. Alex’s Bakery

Services: Dine in, Take out
Website: https://alexsbakery.co.uk/
Address: 225 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 800 975 0280
Operating Hours: Sunday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Google Reviews Score | 4.6/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.3/5 |
Score Consistency | 4/5 |
Accessibility | 5/5 |
Location | 5/5 |
Operating Hours | 5/5 |
Variety of Products | 5/5 |
Prices | 4/5 |
Customer Service | 5/5 |
Pros
- Has a wide selection of sweet and savoury offerings
- Has an accessible location
- Has a warm and friendly customer service
Cons
- Expensive compared to other bakeries in the area
According to our research, Alex’s Bakery is most loved for their delicious and visually pleasing cupcakes.
Aside from that, they have other sweet baked goods such as brownies and cakes and savoury dishes like sandwiches and pasta—a diverse selection that we appreciate!
We’re just a bit iffy about their prices. We think it’s quite expensive here, with cupcakes starting at £11.
However, we believe the price tag is justifiable given their meticulous designs that not only make for delightful treats but also serve as charming decorations for special occasions.
Plus, we surveyed their regular clientele and received a lot of positive feedback! We’re glad to find that their friendly and efficient team consistently earns praise from patrons.
Additionally, many highlighted the consistently warm and attentive service. They all raved about how every order here is served with a smile — which is sweet if you ask us.
We also encountered no issues when it comes to accessibility. The bakery is strategically located in the heart of the city centre where professionals and students can seek a quick escape during their hectic day.
Another positive thing about this team is their opening hours that start early every day (except Sunday), which can accommodate diverse schedules.
4. Holy Grain Sourdough Bakery

Services: Dine in, Take out
Website: https://www.thegreatnorthern.com/unit/holy-grain/
Address: 253 Deansgate Great Northern Mews, Manchester M3 4EN, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 7399 473162
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
Google Reviews Score | 5/5 |
Facebook Reviews Score | 5/5 |
Total Reviews | 4/5 |
Score Consistency | 4/5 |
Accessibility | 4.5/5 |
Location | 5/5 |
Operating Hours | 4/5 |
Variety of Products | 5/5 |
Prices | 5/5 |
Customer Service | 5/5 |
Pros
- Specialises in wholesaling
- Offers an affordable selection of bread
- Has a reliable customer service
Cons
- Closed on Sundays and Mondays
Holy Grain Sourdough Bakery stood out to us because they are a small but popular independent bakery that specialises in wholesaling.
We highly appreciate their affordability, especially when buying in bulk. We think their pricing strategy makes them an attractive choice for those looking to stock up on bread.
Furthermore, they’re conveniently situated near the city centre—plus points from us for their accessibility.
However, it’s worth noting that their limited operating days might inconvenience some customers. Since they are closed on Sundays and Mondays, they have a narrower window for bread shopping compared to other bakeries.
Despite this, we still think that they are worth trying. Just make sure to make plans so you can shop on days when they are operational.
From our research, we found they’re also widely recognized for their accommodating staff members. We like how we consistently noted positive feedback from regulars who praised the bakery’s quick and reliable service.
Finally, diversity is also a strong suit here. We appreciate that they offer a wide selection of bread that includes everything from delectable buns to sumptuous brioches.
5. Wong Wong Bakery

Services: Dine in, Take out, Delivery
Website: http://www.wongwongbakery.com/
Address: 32 Princess St, Manchester M1 4LB, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 7400 222888
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Google Reviews Score | 4.3/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.5/5 |
Score Consistency | 4/5 |
Accessibility | 4.5/5 |
Location | 5/5 |
Operating Hours | 4/5 |
Variety of Products | 5/5 |
Prices | 5/5 |
Customer Service | 4/5 |
Pros
- Offers authentic Chinese baked good
- Has a wide range of selection
- Has an accessible location in Chinatown
Cons
- Closed on weekends
- Has instances of inconsistent customer service
Wong Wong Bakery is a unique place that focuses on authentic Chinese recipes. For us, their dedication to preserving traditional flavours makes them a must-try destination for those seeking genuine Chinese baked delights.
They also impressed us with their diverse array of offerings that range from classic Chinese buns to delectable cakes and pastries!
We’re also glad to find that their products are affordable, making it accessible for anyone eager to explore Chinese delicacies without burning a hole in their pockets.
Speaking of accessibility, Wong Wong Bakery is strategically located near the city centre, within the vibrant Chinatown. With this, we believe that they offer both accessibility and cultural immersion.
However, we think it’s unfortunate that they are closed on weekends. This could pose a challenge for weekend visitors and limit the bakery’s availability for some customers.
On the downside, we were disappointed to find reports where customers found the staff to be less than courteous. However, most patrons we spoke with mentioned they’re content with the services, especially for the reliable and accommodating staff.
Overall, we believe that Wong Wong Bakery is still worth visiting for those who can make time during the weekdays since it’s rare to find a Chinese bakery in the city.