Cafe Review: Manchester Press

Location: 8 Rankins Lane, Melbourne

Phone: 03 9600 4054

Link: http://www.8oz.com.au/

Cuisine: Coffee, Breakfast/Brunch, Bagels

Overall Impression: 7.5/10

In true Melbourne style, Manchester Press is located in a small alley and hidden in such a way that you could never accidentally stumble upon it. If you’re dining here, it’s because you’re in the know.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people "in the know" as there is always at least a 15 minute wait for a table.

Lovers of bagels will rejoice at the Manchester Press menu which has a clear bagel-focus, featuring a wide variety of both savoury and sweet bagels.

The coffee served is of a good, but not great, standard.

Fruit and nut bagels with mixed berry mascarpone, strawberries and pistachio dust

The sweet bagel was excellent. The flavours were expertly balanced and the toppings generous. The creamy mascarpone had the perfect level of sweetness and complemented the acidity from the berries beautifully.

The fruit and nut bagel itself was lovely – luxuriously dense, crusty on the outside and chewy on the inside with a delectable hint of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Whilst we like most things about Manchester Press, the large rectangular "warehouse like" interior space has not been divided or broken up at all, which doesn't do any favours for the ambience. It simply isn't a cosy place to be. Cafes such as St Ali have managed to create much more pleasant interior spaces in similar venues. Apart from this relatively minor gripe, Manchester Press ticks all the boxes for a fashionable Melbourne cafe.