Oak Street Café

I always enjoy my time at Oak Street Café. It has the right balance between being tucked away but known ‘by the right people’ — it’s rarely empty and has bags of character, but you’re likely to find a table either as soon as you walk in or after a wander around the Craft & Design Centre.
It’s been a while since I’ve eaten here (any previous reviews of mine are in the Craft & Design Centre listing) but, looking for somewhere light and healthy prior to a recent evening event, we thought it the perfect time for a return visit. It was chilly by the door so we tucked ourselves away in a corner — obviously with a quick look at the counter beforehand so we could see what was on offer! There’s a rotating menu of salads, soups, frittatas and cakes and made fresh on the day.
Eschewing my usual dependence on meat and carbs, I ordered the salad plate, with the 3 salads of the day and a small hunk of brown bread; carbs are too good to pass up altogether. The salads were red cabbage with grapefruit, which was an unusual combination in my head but tasted delicious and gave the cabbage a tartness; sesame green beans, with a perfect bite; and butternut squash wedges. I felt surprisingly full afterwards and am glad I resisted the lure of the cake for dessert!
The other half’s cauliflower, coconut and chilli soup was really delicious and perfect for the true winter weather we were experiencing. It was a much lighter consistency than I expected and had a great hit of chilli that wasn’t too overpowering. Needless to say, I had plenty of food envy, though my colourful plate was more attractive to the eye.
Service was quick and friendly, and as unique as ever. The Craft & Design Centre has a great thing going with this café and I hope it continues to attract people to this gem of a building.

A hidden gem and off the beaten track
Hidden in the Craft Centre, a place less popular than it has any right to be, is the Oak Street Café. A cake-lover’s haven, they serve a grand selection of teas and espresso-​based drinks, all in the delightful Victorian surroundings of the Craft Centre. Pop in for a quick bite, a long chat or just a general gawp at the treasures and treats of Manchester’s finest makers.

A very nice café tucked inside Manchester Craft & Design Centre!
I consider myself a bit of a quick expert on this place as I’ve been camped out since early morning and have thus enjoyed 2 coffees, 2 teas, a piece of date cake and some water. Oh, and wifi of course!
The French girl who works here is truly delightful and very friendly. The wifi connection is good. The teas, cakes and coffees are really good. There is outside seating for when it is actually nice (not today) and it is very child friendly with a high chair available for the little people. There is plenty of seating scattered about.
Even though its technically indoors — in colder weather it is a bit chilly, so be forewarned. Maybe bring a jumper!
*accepts cards.
*good toastie and salads menu for lunch.
*closes at 5pm.

I’m trying to remember the name of the café that was here before, I’m sure I’ve reviewed it, I’m sure it was very nice, but the fabness of Oak Street Café has pretty much obliterated any memory I had. Talk about delightful.
Nestled cosily in the beautiful Craft and Design Centre in the Northern Quarter, it’s the sort of place you could lunch with a friend, come for a quick pitstop coffee while you’re present-​shopping, grab a cheeky slice of cake or even bring your mum. Which I did! We had a great lunch here whilst listening to one of the Craft and Design Centre coordinators fetch some stories from elderly gents who used to work at the building back when it was a fish market. It was fascinating. They had a special code they used to speak in too. It’s easy to forget the history of this place, so try not to!
Check de photographs — our lunch was tasty. Baked falafel, salad, frittata and some really nice coffees, plus the cakes looked pretty amazing too. It was all at a reasonable price with superb flavours and a really unique atmosphere. Who can complain?
Just a star lost for the Craft and Design Centre having wifi but the Oak Street Café not giving away the password. I gots to work when I eat!