Are you a student in Manchester looking for a cup of coffee and a place to study? You're in luck because this city has tons! Rather than head to the library or work from the desk in your student apartment, why not head out and work at one of the many great cafés in the city for a change? It isn’t always straightforward to find the best café to work from, however, it must be close enough to your home, have enough desk space and charging points, and obviously have delicious coffee, cake, and lunch options to suit your student budget. We’ve put together a guide to 7 of the best Manchester cafes to help you find that perfect spot whilst living and studying here – you're welcome!

1. Idle Hands

One of the coolest of all the Manchester cafés, Idle Hands has a tasty brunch menu to fuel you for the day ahead, a fine selection of pies and cakes, and a good range of vegan options throughout the menu. Situated on Dale Street, the large windows at this coffee bar let in natural light when it’s not raining – it does rain a lot here so you need all the light you can get to focus on the task at hand! A speciality coffee shop, Idle Hands is a must-visit if you like a good cup of coffee, but it is also a fine spot to sit with your laptop for an hour or two, working away whilst the world goes by around you. They're open from 8:30am until 5pm during the week so there's certainly plenty of time to fit in a visit.

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Address: 35 Dale St, Manchester M1 2HF

2. Siop Shop

Homemade doughnuts by the bucketful, a bright, colourful, inclusive space where everyone is welcome, right in the heart of Manchester, Siop Shop is a treat on the senses. There are fewer Manchester cafés we’d rather spend a few hours in, sipping on great coffee and taking plenty of sweet treat breaks in between work. We love their Doissant Doughnut, with chocolate hazelnut custard and caramel glaze - mmm. The Welsh-inspired café has come on leaps and bounds since moving out of Common, and the ever-changing menu has expanded to include great savoury offerings and some delicious vegan options too. With almost 30k Instagram followers, this place is certainly popular for both students and locals in Manc - go try it out for yourself!

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Address: 53 Tib Street. M4 1LS

3. TAKK

Both the original TAKK in the Northern Quarter and TAKK University Green provide a great oasis of calm for students looking to take a break from university for lunch or to sit and work for a while. Both venues offer a simple, Nordic-designed and inspired Manchester café that is ultra clean, with loads of space to sit and work, and a really relaxed atmosphere. If you're after a bite to eat to fuel you up to smash out some work, then their Mediterranean sandwiches are just unreal. Plus, the coffee houses are close to the campuses for Manchester University. Manchester Metropolitan University and the Royal Northern College of Music. So, if you are looking for somewhere to study in peace during weekday mornings, TAKK is in the perfect location!

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Address: 6 Tariff Street. M1 2FF / 138 Oxford Road M13 9GP

4. North Tea Power

In the heart of the Northern Quarter, the award-winning North Tea Power has a wide selection of teas and infusions, a wide selection of proper coffee, and a small menu of breakfast options that are available throughout the day. There is a minimalist, no-fuss design, hushed tones and quiet folk music wafting through the café help to create the perfect relaxed ambience to help those looking for a quiet and cosy place to study. You’ll find this place is particularly quiet first thing in the morning. So, if you’ve got a couple of hours before your lectures, head on down, and make use of the unlimited free WiFi and the small back bench with plenty of plug sockets to keep you charged.

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Address: 36 Tib Street. M4 1LA

5. Ditto Coffee

Close to the Palace Theatre, and therefore close to campus, Ditto Coffee has plenty of individual tables to work from, a small, cosy, minimalist coffee shop that helps to get the creative juices flowing. It’s one of the cool Manchester cafés, linked to the record label Ditto Music, so expect the perfect combination of coffee and tunes. Did someone say coffee and cake deal? They sure did! For £4.95 you can enjoy a warm brew and a treat between 11am-2pm. There’s also loads of in-house live events throughout each week. It is a great place to work in the mornings and afternoon, but they do invite customers to put away laptops during the peak lunchtime hours of 12pm and 2pm. So, be sure to bare this in mind if you take a visit here!

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Address: 61 Oxford Street. M1 6 EQ

6. Ancoats Coffee Co.

Ancoats Coffee Co is perfect for hipster coffee lovers and those just looking for a good cup of coffee in a space big enough to quietly get on with your uni work no matter what time of day you go. Located within the courtyard of an old cotton mill, expect exposed brickwork and an industrial décor. If you love coffee, they roast their own on site, and you’ll never have to worry about there being enough space to find a desk to do your work. Even at peak times, the space is so big that you’ll always find a spot for your laptop - woop!

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Address: 9, Royal Mill, 17 Redhill St, Ancoats. M4 5BA

7. Ezra & Gil

There are two Ezra & Gil locations, both in central Manchester, and both with plenty of study spaces and charging plugs. There is a good balance with Ezra & Gil, window seats that are perfect for those with laptops to study and work, and tables in the centre for those without laptops and just after coffee, cake, and brunch. It does get very busy in both locations, as one of the hot spots in Manchester for breakfast, but the staff are always friendly and happy to accommodate you. Weekdays are the best bet as finding a spot to brunch and work if that’s what you are looking for.

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Address: 20 Hilton Street. M1 1FR / 49 Peter Street. M2 3NG As you can see, there are some incredible Manchester cafes for those of you looking for a brunch spot, a place to sit and sip a cup of coffee, and maybe to work well for a few hours as an alternative to your apartment or the library. There’s plenty more to choose from on top of this list, so get your brunch on, find the best study spots, and let us know your own personal favourite Manchester cafés @_homesforstudents. Read next: 10 Things Students Must Do In Manchester.

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7 Best Cafes In Manchester To Grab A Coffee & Study