Manchester’s Happy Helper
When you think of the North, what is one of the first cities to come to mind? Manchester, of course! This titan of Northern England is an amazing metropolis with a touch of grit that gives it the sense of comfort. It can only get better when coffee is involved too. Just a hop, step and a train ride away from my humble abode in Leeds, Manchester is so close and yet and hardly ever visit. So when the opportunity arose, I grabbed it as hard as I could.
As you can imagine, a great city trip also results in great city coffee and there were so many to choose from. One icon that is always on the lips of the locals is Ezra & Gil. So, without further ado, let’s get into my first Manchester conquest!
[Ezra] • Hebrew
Meaning: ‘Helper’
The coffee
As I sad above, Ezra and Gil is such an icon that we had to wait in a queue outside for half an hour. No reservations here, folks. I couldn’t wait to get a coffee in my cold hands and into my just as cold body. What did I order you may ask? Take a guess…
Ding ding ding, you guessed right! An oat flat white! This quintessential cuppa of mine really showcased that medium-dark roast that had hints of chocolate. I feel like it’s a perfectly autumnal blend of coffee. If you do want further chocolatey notes, grab yourself a mocha and you won’t regret it. I think one thing that I would definitely recommend is that you check the seasonal specials, whether that be on the site before you visit or on the specials board. I was highly tempted by November’s Honey Gaeilge (hot Irish coffee served with Jack Daniels Honey & vanilla pouring cream ☘️). That would be sure to put some hair on your chest!
The food
What was that? You’re looking to put some hairs on your chest, eh? Well, look no further than the menu here at Ezra & Gil. There’s such a variety of dishes to choose from, but my plate of choice was the Nduja Scrambled Eggs topped with crumbled feta and fresh chillies and stacked on toast. This perfectly punchy dish was a raving recommendation and I’m glad it’s one I went with. I also actually really loved how the toast chosen was your typical farmhouse loaf and not the usual sourdough. I didn’t have the fear of breaking my teeth whilst crunching through the crust with this, which is a relief.
My friend decided to go for the French Toast which was so light and sweet. There was even a little scattering of fruit if you wanted to convince yourself you were trying to be healthy. Honestly, let’s talk about how this was two complete ends of the spectrum in terms of food, but it really does show how versatile the menu is and how Ezra and Gil are masters of many foods.
The vibe
As well as being masters of food, Ezra & Gil are sure to be masters of the aesthetic. With a room chock full of seating, this quirky coffee shop boats convivial yet industrial vibes. This effectively displays their vision of creating a neighbourhood hangout in the hustle and bustle of the city. This really is popular among locals and tourists alike as it has had crowds queuing around the corner since they opened their flagship location (this one) in 2014. We were queueing up ourselves for a good half an hour before getting a seat, but trust me here, it was all worth it.
[Gil] • Hebrew
Meaning: ‘Happiness’
The verdict
In a nutshell, the city of Manchester is a Mecca for the .. As a coffee spot that it open every day and until 8pm on weekdays, this northern icon of the Northern Quarter will always be around to quench the need for caffeination. If I were you, I would get yourself in that queue pronto!
Looking for other conquests in northern England? Why not check out Leeds!
