Oak Street Café

Located within Manchester’s Craft and Design Centre (a hub where creatives sell handmade products), this café’s existence is only hinted at by an unassuming board sitting outside, but the mystery it beholds is sufficient to knock you off your feet. Aside from the staples of soups, toasties, quiches, frittatas, salads and stews, chef Liz Kine’s specials change daily depending on what local produce she sources that day, supporting local businesses such as Unicorn (a co-operative grocery), Barbakan Deli and Marble Beers. As such, Kine is more than able to rustle up something bespoke for customers with various food allergies and other requirements, such as vegan and coeliac folk. Of course, if you just fancy something off-menu, flash a smile and Kine will work her magic through the large hatch behind the till.

If you’re going for a staple, opt for the falafel served on flatbread. It’s intensely flavoursome, and once a forkful has touched your lips you’ll make a note to recreate your own at home. The colossal cakes are quite a sight (most are coeliac and vegan-friendly too), but it’s the vegan Spanish wines that prove most noteworthy, supplied by a family-owned cooperative.