Evelyn’s Cafe Bar
Sarah Catherine Jones
Northern Quarter institution Evelyn’s has been a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike since opening in 2016. Taking inspiration from Middle Eastern and Pan-Asian classics, the dishes here are humble but far from ordinary.
Drinks-wise, go all in. The organic matcha lattes pack a punch and come in classic and mango forms. We’d also recommend the rose, honey and cardamom latte, which offers a pleasingly complex array of floral notes. Other highlights include the lavender lemonade and the hibiscus lemonade—sweet and refreshing in equal measure.
As for food, we opt for the fried chicken sando, a monster of a dish for all the right reasons. It’s a top-tier combo of Evelyn’s fried chicken, chopped cos lettuce and a St. Ewe free-range fried egg, served in a lightly toasted brioche bun with lashings of smoked chilli mayo. It’s a solid option for those looking to perk up after a heavy night.
One plate down, we made eyes at our second dish of the day: shakshuka. The jewel in Evelyn’s crown, this crowd-pleaser consists of a spicy tomato and red pepper sauce, feta, crispy chickpeas, poached eggs, toasted sourdough and a sprinkling of coriander. It’s warm, fragrant and seriously addictive. Push the boat out and order some additions: homemade lamb merguez sausages and pan-fried halloumi slices.
Sweet tooth? Make the buttermilk pancakes a top priority. Sure, pancakes are something of a staple at Manchester’s brunch spots, but Evelyn’s ups the ante. Made souffle style, these little beauties are the lightest, fluffiest creations imaginable, so you can finish the lot without too much strain. Teamed with the perfect ratios of berry compote, sweet butterscotch and honeycomb, this is a sublime dish.
Evelyn’s isn’t your average, run-of-the-mill brunch. Everything here is meticulously considered; the food, the drinks, and those Instagram-worthy interiors. Manchester has long treated brunch as something of an Olympic sport. And nobody does it quite like Evelyn’s.
