Weekend in Manchester
Apart from tasting cuisines foreign to my palate and losing myself in the folds of a good book, I enjoy wandering streets of new cities: discovering what makes them tick, taking notes of the architecture, soaking up everyday scenes, returning a strangers smile, and almost always capturing the beauty of a moment through my phone lens.
For me, it's in these unplanned wanderings that a city begins to reveal its story. I recently visited Manchester for the second time and fell in love with the city all over again. I was easily reminded of how energetic and laid-back it is. From the slow, steady pace of riding the tram, which was surprisingly not crowded for a weekend, to the welcoming energy of the people, you'd be surprised that the streets were even less crowded on a weekday. And like most summer weekends, many people dress down while staying authentic to their style to hang out and enjoy the sun.
Mackie Mayor
Upon our arrival, our first stop was Mackie Mayor, which was a few minutes walk from our hotel. It's a restored food court with roughly nine independent kitchens and bars located in Smithfield within the Northern Quarter. The aroma of freshly cooked food, the warm buzz of conversation, along with occasional laughter, filled the space, instantly making me feel good and hungry. I spotted Chilli B, and ordered their Thai fried rice with prawns (extra spicy of course 😉), and paired it with a refreshing strawberry cider from Jack in the Box. I mean, it was delish! And the perfect welcome meal 😁
Exploring Afflecks
I then popped into Afflecks, the iconic indoor market that spans four floors on Church Street. It houses over twenty small, independent shops, ranging from vintage clothing and accessories to tattoo artists, handmade soaps, quirky art, and everything in between.
I even spotted a few photo booths and some one-of-a-kind vintage sunglasses. A quick heads-up if you visit — some stores are cash-only, so it's good to come prepared when you decide to visit.
Coffee shop hopping
Another highlight of my trip was exploring coffee shops. I stopped by:
- Pot Kettle Black for their iced matcha latte, which had a mild matcha taste.
- Ancoats Coffee Co for a classic cup of warm matcha that tasted light and creamy.
- Matcha Kyoto for their mango matcha latte (without the cream toppings), which was incredibly delicious, and had a smooth finish.
Each café had its unique vibe, but they all share one thing in common: great drinks and a relaxed energy, perfect for slow mornings or mid-afternoon breaks. I must say that the Matcha Kyoto I visited was the pop-up at the July City Tower.
From the industrial architecture to the independent shops and the friendly faces that make up the city, Manchester reminded me that big cities don't always need to feel rushed.
