Pot Kettle Black

It’s difficult to know where to begin with Pot Kettle Black, other than to say that if you only read this one line please take it from us it’s one of Manchester’s finest breakfast, brunch, lunch and coffee spots. In a city which at times seems to fuel itself on these ceremonies and little else, that’s saying something. A second key point would be to say that the original outlet is located in one of the city centre’s real hidden gems — a stunning Grade-II listed Victorian-era shopping arcade complete with stunning balconies, original tiled flooring and a small selection of exclusive boutique shops. 

As for Pot Kettle Black, or PKB, the business was founded in 2013 by Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan. Best pals, and, as it happens, pro-rugby league players, time spent Down Under, living and scrumming in Australia, laid the foundations for this enterprise. The idea being to bring Sydney’s world-famous coffee culture to the Northern Powerhouse. Finding this Barton Arcade unit up for grabs, and convincing the landlord to take a punt on two lads from St Helens — 50 minutes west into Merseyside — the rest is history. Including when they met and hired legendary barista and top chap Goncalo Cid, who’d only recently arrived in our city from Portugal. 

Skip forward to today and most locals will be ready to wax lyrical about the wonders of PKB. In terms of breakfast, brunch and lunch, think classics like eggs benedict, the brekkie bun (sausage, bacon, egg, cheddar and sweet red pepper sauce), or veggie and vegan equivalents. But then also Turkish eggs (whipped yogurt, hazelnut dukka, chilli oil and burnt butter with pea shoots), Huevos Rancheros (Pico de gallo, black beans, pickled onions, avocado, feta, fried egg), parmesan and truffle scrambled eggs and so much more. The salads are just as exceptional, and on weekends you can also get a Monte Cristo and other sandwiches. This menu runs all day, because in Manchester we like it laidback, and all coffees are brewed with high quality Hasbean produce. Oh, and there’s a booze license, including Bloody Mary. Because, again, this is Manchester.