I first came to what was "The Atheneum" in the 1970's as a school boy and it has remained one of my favourite art galleries. In those days the link to the other gallery was via a subterranean gallery mostly on ceramics (which I never personally got much from). Really enjoyed seeing the Pre-Raphaelite art again, I'd bought many prints of these over the years. Great to also see a superb exhibition of Adolphe Valette, previously I'd not seen so many together and well exhibited with Lowry. The Swynnerton and Pankhurst exhibitions were unexpected highlights this time. Awell spent afternoon.
Fabulous and inspiring exhibition - Speech Acts - do try to catch it.. and Sonia Boyce's film on the top floor For You, Only You is extraordinary - plus I found my Millais favourite - Autumn Leaves in the permanent Collection
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If you are in Manchester, I would strongly recommend you to explore Manchester Art Gallery and surroundings. The Piccadilly tram station in couple of minutes walk and the China town about 7 minutes away.
The gallery itself is not grand, but they do host few contemporary exhibitions at a time. We were famished by the time we finished viewing the exhibition and we decided to grab a bite from the cafe located on the ground floor of the gallery.
We decided to go for the salad plates. We could choose from four different salads and fill up our plates for 4.50 pounds. There was also a soup of the day, lamb, salmon and veggies, which one could add to the meal. Also, some delicious desserts.
I loved the Tomato and Herb Orzo Salad. I was tasting orzo for the first time and I loved the texture of this pasta. The mini pasta looks like a grain of rice and has a toothsome bite and pasta taste. Actually it tricks people into thinking they are quite eating a pasta.
There was also a Caesar Salad, a salad of marinated buffalo mozzarella, sun blushed tomatoes tapenade, olive oil and spring onion and fusilli pasta and a Moroccan spiced apple and chickpea couscous with fresh lemon and coriander dressing and toasted hazelnuts.
Great ambiance, friendly staff and gorgeous food!
After I enjoyed the art gallery I came here for taking a break. Very pretty cafe. The staff was very friendly and my flat white was amazing!
I would love to come back for some cakes and scones they looked so good in the showcase.
Exceptional cooking! Had no expectation in a simple cafe at a gallery but the food here was so yummy! We had a mushroom pie and a parmesan risotto. Both were great! Portion is small thou. They also have free water with the choice of still and sparking. As to the setting, it’s a simple cafe, could be a bit noisy. Probably we had visited on a busy day. (Note should grab a menu to check all available food choice. The board just listed with the special for the day)
Very good scones!! The soup of the day, pumpkin and sage, was very good as well. Quite a big selection of food for a museum cafe, you can have breakfast and lunch there with a few menu options. Very big cake selection with some quite unusual cakes, like a matcha blondi. There are many vegetarian and vegan options to choose from. It also has organic lemonades. The staff was friendly. It was quite busy and loud though.
Perfect jacket potato, lovely and fast service at lunch time and a nice relaxed cafe
While wandering in for a presentation at the art gallery, I thought a coffee and cake would be a swell idea. I purchase a slice of vegan prune cake, with coffee served with soya milk. The prices where very reasonable, service prompt and polite. The cake was delicious. The room itself is bright and airy. It’s a lovely place to take lunch or just take a few moment out with a quality cup of coffee.
A very busy spot but good to be able to enjoy refreshments inside the gallery.
Great selection of food and drinks, we only dropped in for a light snack.
There was a substantial choice of soft drinks, we had a ginger lemonaid, lime lemonaid, dandelion and burdock and a delicious Cappuccino. We also enjoyed tasty fresh scones with jam and cream and blackberry frangipane tart.
Great place to visit with many splendid galleries and regular special exhibitions. Also an interesting shop with gifts you don't see in other places and good food with many veggie options.
Best cake ever!!! And great coffee. Staff lovely and friendly. Would come back every time I come to Manchester.
Great place to visit with many splendid galleries and regular special exhibitions. Also an interesting shop with gifts you don't see in other places and good food with many veggie options.
Only visited for a drink. Plenty of space (e.g. good for prams). Service friendly. Decor/atmosphere a bit too clinical or minimalist for my taste, but practical for a café.
We got a a too good to go bag from the Cafe and we’re served very swiftly. The three cakes we got were all really delicious.
Great place for coffee, cake and lunch! Lovely relaxing surroundings with a great choice of food with friendly service.
Lovely place with some very nice cakes
Lovely place in the amazing Manchester gallery.
Great service and drinks.
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