The Most Instagrammable Spots in Manchester, England

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Housed inside the beautifully grand Principle hotel on Oxford Road, the Refuge is one of Manchester’s most stylish hangouts. The clientele ranges from touring rock stars to local fashion bloggers, all sipping on delicious cocktails and relaxing among the beautiful décor. If you want to really nail that Instagram shot, take a seat in the winter garden and ask your companion to photograph you beside one of the fairy-light lit trees.

Have you even visited Manchester if you haven’t shared a photograph of the mosaic sign outside Affleck’s? The iconic sign reading ‘and on the sixth day, God created Manchester’ is surely one of the most popular photos of Manchester city centre on Instagram with many tourists and locals flocking to Short Street to admire the piece of art.

Owned by the team behind the incredibly successful Altrincham market, Mackie Mayor may be a newcomer to the Northern Quarter but it’s already so popular that you’ll struggle to get a seat at weekends. Instead, why not visit in the evening on a weekday or rock up for breakfast before the crowds appear? Whether you choose to sit up on the mezzanine and photograph the view or get up close and personal and document your dinner, this is the place to be seen.

Coffee Shop, Tea , $
Situated on Oldham Street in the heart of the Northern Quarter, Fig + Sparrow’s café has proven so popular that their dining space has recently expanded, taking over the area that used to be populated with gifts. There are still a few small gift ideas and a selection of stylish cards and gift wrap to peruse as you indulge in a delicious cup of coffee out of one of their instantly recognisable red and yellow cups. To secure the perfect photo, take the window seat to shoot your steaming brew against the fogged up glass.

Inside may be snug and cosy with hearty American-diner inspired food, but it’s the mural that graces the outside of the Koffee Pot that is just begging to be photographed. Be respectful, as this beautiful piece of street art is a memorial to the victims of the terrorist attack at the Ariana Grande concert, but it’s also a reminder of Manchester’s sense of community, demonstrated through the worker bee emblem.

You may wonder why we’re recommending a store that is essentially a stationers, but Fred Aldous is one of the most interesting and photogenic shops in Manchester. The beautifully laid out three floors are filled with everything from coloured card to balls of wool, stylish journals and intriguing gift ideas. Oh, and did we mention that there’s an old school photo booth?

Surely one of the most stylish coffee shops in the entire country, Foundation is an Instagrammer’s dream. Even the bathrooms are worthy of a photograph in this impeccably designed café that focuses on a slick black, white and wooden interior. You’ll want to snap everything from the sleek booths to the perfectly designed menu, monochrome floor tiles and steaming cups of coffee that arrive on wooden trays.

This cosy café on Edge Street in the Northern Quarter is known for its snug interior, quirky detailing and incredible-looking cakes. If you’re looking for sweet treats to photograph, you’ll find it hard to select just one cake from their selection, so it’s a good idea to bring a couple of friends with you. And don’t get too stuck into photographing the food that you forget to capture all of the eclectic details, such as their neon pink signs.

Evelyn’s is frequented by Manchester’s most stylish crowd – you might even spot a local blogger taking photos by the iconic window. Thanks in part to its delectable food and great coffee, but mainly down to its industrial chic décor, this is a place to be seen in the Northern Quarter. The bare brick walls, abundance of hanging plants and wooden window seat are all pure Instagram fodder.