Chapter One in Manchester

Chaotic and laptop not allowed in the library. Security guard watching you like a hawk but he was just doing his job. There are people who just come in to hang out without buying anything. The library is a draw to this place. Might be worth it to rethink your social media and customer experience strategies.

I came here almost every week for a year. Always love it but today I had the worst experience. I was doing work and a guy ( looks like a security guard) came ask me have I ordered- I have to order to sit there. Fair enough. Then I made an order, a few minutes later, my order hasn’t arrived, he came asked me again: did you order? It was like I was being watched all the time and I had to show him my order. He did not even apologise or show any respect, he just walked away. I felt so uncomfortable- imagine going to a coffee house to chill, and have someone constantly checking whether you have ordered anything and prepared to be asked to leave any time. I’m not saying not ordering is right, but please respect customer and at least say sorry if you are wrongly accusing someone who already ordered. Such a terrible experience.

Great environment, lots of cool spaces, terrible coffee.

I used to love coming to Chapter One to read my book, have a few coffees/teas and do a bit of life admin. Today I had to listen to 3 consecutive Michael Jackson songs at full volume and was told I can’t use my laptop (people around me were eating chicken tenders and drinking beer in a library???). The atmosphere has been absolutely killed to try and force people in-and-out, I can’t read my book if the lamp in the middle of the table is rattling from the bass.

Used to be my favourite place to relax and get some uni work done. Now it’s physically impossible to focus or even have a conversation. The music is so insanely loud and in the quieter library section you are not allowed to use a laptop. Feels like they are actively trying to get you to leave so you aren’t taking up a table that they could make money off. Such a shame 😔

Once one of my favourite places to come for a (expensive) drink, with the benefit of a relaxing atmosphere that actively invited you to stay and read, work or sit with friends. The environment now is deeply hostile, loud and uninviting. There are restricted work zones and jarring music playing constantly. Very disappointing to see such a pleasant cafe turned into an antisocial cash cow.

Let's be honest about what's happening here, the place became popular because of the nice atmosphere, and they have now tried to capitalise on this popularity in the process making it an unwelcoming, hotspot for people to burn money on underwhelming coffee. Nowhere else in town can you pay £4 for a bad cortado and hear 3 Michael Jackson songs in a row on full blast before queueing straight into smells like teen spirit. The title "chapter one books" really used to make sense, however the thought of reading here is like trying to play chess whilst overdosing on stimulants. When I had been before it was welcoming to people who maybe don't have space at their home to work, and so need to find somewhere open later that is work friendly. The music has always been minimal and non-intrusive, the unspoken agreement to me always seemed to be "yes the drinks are overpriced and underwhelming, no you get any positive human interaction in the ordering process, any accomodations aren't going to be made for your stay but if you pay for an overpriced drink you're free to work in peace". However, now the cafes greed and out-of-touch approach has meant that there is legitimately no reason to come here. The only "quiet" space is a gorgeous library in the back, however you can still hear all of the music coming from the main room, during my stay they were playing the weeknd's 'the hills' on full blast, not exactly a quiet space. They also make it extremely clear that you cannot use your laptop in the quiet space, that would be absolutely fine if the music in the main room wasn't so loud, randomly chosen and over the top that you feel like you're at a strangers afters at 4am. If you want drink lavender tea at a Freshers party then you do you, but honestly this place is a mess at this point.

I want to start this off by saying I work in hospitality myself, so I understand how high pressure and stressful work can be. However, there was a clear lack of care from the workers. When me and my date finally found a seat to sit down in (it was packed, noisy, messy and boiling) we found some seats adjacent from the 3 toilets. I decided to go to the toilet, only to realise ALL THREE stalls were clogged and filled to the rim with toilet water. One of them was a disgusting brown yellow colour which makes me sick to think back on. Then to top it all off, the most disgusting one of all began to leak and started flooding out into the seating area. Sorry but how does it go that long without any staff checking the toilets are okay? How is that hygienic at all that as I’m sat down literal excrement is trailing towards me? I immediately got up to leave and told a staff member about it, just for her to give me a glare and say ‘I know?’ in a really sarcastic manner. I would be fed up if I was told that too, but as a waitress myself all you need to do is apologise and show recognition towards the problem. I have never in my life written a bad review like this but the experience overall was just unhygienic and careless, I had high expectations and I’m honestly sad to say I won’t be back because the standards of how a cafe should be ran is extremely low here.

The first time I visited Chapter One was in September 2019. I loved it because it was a charming place with no music—a chill space to enjoy coffee. It was a spot for students and friends, very different from the rest of the places in Manchester. However, that place doesn’t exist anymore. I’m pretty sure they’ve been acquired by another company or new owners, likely the same ones who own Mala (the restaurant next to Chapter One). I’m not saying it’s a bad place now, just that it’s a completely different coffee shop, even though they’ve kept the same name—they should probably change it. They’ve even hired a bouncer… a bouncer in a coffee shop! Since they’re rebranding Chapter One, I wouldn’t be surprised if they bring in a DJ soon, so make sure to bring your ID with you. P.S. The coffee and cakes are poorer than they used to be. Also, they’ve kept the same prices but with smaller portions.

harassment Nice place but noisy I couldn't sit down and read my book I thought because there was a library it would be quiet :( but the songs were loud But it's safe to visit. They have Gulf seating and Arabic tea and coffee, I think

Life-saver coffee shop, always open till late and nice vibes. Tables are a little small though!

Make you order through the QR code which makes you pay a service charge, tip etc it's a pricey coffee for the quality

A mixed experience. Despite the name it doesn't appear to actually include a book store. The cafe is surprisingly big and very popular with students as a place to work. It feels like they've crammed as many tables as possible into the main area, and it's a bit awkward to walk through. It has a few other rooms each with different decor, but overall it feels a little tired and shabby which I suppose is part of the charm. I sat in the library room which was nice and peaceful. I agree with others that it seems odd that you aren't allowed to use laptops there as there are large tables with plugs, ideal for working. But on the other hand I imagine this rule means the room is often very quiet, so a good spot to escape to if you want to get away from people for a while. You can order with a QR code. There is an interesting tea selection, and I had a vegan cinnamon bun which was fine. The staff are not particularly friendly.

Was told by staff that they don’t accept cash for payment of a hot drink. Since when has cash been banned? More and more cafes in Manchester refuse to accept cash.

I gave them 5 stars before, now 4 because of the beauty of the place and the quietness, and the problem I have is that in some places they prevent the use of iPads or laptops and so on.. The reason I come is because of work by my Ipad and many people are like that, so why is it forbidden in some of their places?

It's a great place with different rooms for whatever you need. My only issue is you can use a laptop in the library to study, the main area is to loud and the outside always has live music so you can never focus.

Chapter One Books is a charming and relaxing café with a serene atmosphere and a beautifully curated aesthetic, making it a perfect spot for students and anyone seeking a peaceful retreat. The design is thoughtfully executed, exuding elegance and warmth. While the food can be a bit pricey, it feels justified given the quality and experience. One standout feature is the enchanting water fountain, which adds a soothing touch to the ambiance. Personally, I think incorporating more water features—like additional fountains or subtle water elements—could elevate the space even further, enhancing its tranquil and refreshing vibe.

I’m not one to leave reviews but honestly this time I have to. The wait times recently in chapter one have become out of order. I waited 30 minutes for a chai latte, 30 minutes for 1 drink is not an acceptable wait time. Especially when it was £5 and eventually arrives cold and in an especially tiny mug. Don’t get me wrong I understand the everyday stresses of hospitality and can totally empathise with a busy shift ESPECIALLY in the run up to christmas. I’ve worked enough christmas market periods in my time to know it’s not a pleasant experience. But regardless, when the people sitting around you that arrived after you are getting their hot drinks (also after a considerable wait) and you still don’t it can be a little frustrating. To be honest I am more than happy to wait 15 minutes for a hot drink, maybe even 20, but half an hour? that’s pushing it a little. Either way it happens right? But i’m afraid when my partner tried to ask about the drink or its whereabouts they were met with sarcasm and defensiveness by 2 separate members of staff, with one saying, and i quote, “well it’s made now so i don’t know what the problem is” My partner is about the most mild mannered person i know so can’t imagine they said anything to constitute this reaction.Therefore I dont feel comfortable going and talking to a member of staff about, also I dont want to be “that person” especially when I can see it’s busy, but perhaps posting this will bring to light to the members of staff what can go a long way- an apology and a little bit of empathy. For a place that is locally renowned for being queer and ND friendly, the vibe from some of the staff is remarkably conceited and judgemental. On a more positive note the food is genuinely delicious and I would recommend for lunch if you’re not super hungry and don’t mind waiting.

This used to be my favourite place to sit and work in Manchester. However today when working in the library (I work remotely) I was asked to move out as it is now a 'work free zone'. I have used the library many times in the past as it is a quiet place to focus and often there are no other free seats in the cafe (including today). It's also one of the few places that has enough plugs to charge devices. This rule has apparently been put in place so that people can come in and take photos? Bit bizarre if you ask me? To add to this, there seems to be no WiFi anymore? I usually visit twice a week and there's alwayssss been free WiFi. And now there is an added fee for plant-based milks? Chapter One used to be vegan friendly (and lactose intolerance friendly!!) but I guess not anymore... Not to mention that they have adopted the compulsory service fee that has been added now it has joined forces with MALA. This would be fine if the service was outstanding but many of the staff here are very cold. Really disappointed as no other cafes/libraries are open as late and I don't know where to go and work ://

Used to be a real gem, now it's a money farm.

You used to be able to sit in library with laptops ( understandbly) but they removed a big table and dont allow you to sit in there with laptops anymore? you can only sit outside in cafe where theres alot of commotion and no plugs to charge anything. Also works going on inside which is disruptive. Dont recommend

Very disappointed they use only plastic cups for iced drinks and paper cups for hot drinks. I don’t know why they started doing that. On the top of that some members of the staff don’t smile or greet at all. Bring back the old chapter one!!!!

Rude staff. Changed rules… never coming again

Food is definitely amazing, and the drink specials are fabulous as well, however the place seems to have gone too far in the ‘edginess’ and is instead messy and gross - wherever you look the place seems unclean and if you look up, you’ll discover, near the windows, a ceiling filled with black mold that clients and staff must be breathing on a day to day basis, which is so so so bad as black mold causes many health problems.

The café has been a staple workplace for many students/young professionals in the community, but the shop has recently changed its policy to not allow laptops in the library area, and force long-time customers to get more drinks or leave. Essentially weeding out the repeat long-term customers to make room for new people. Doesn't help that a cuppa is £4 and a coffee is £5, and no drinks of your own are allowed. But if that is okay for you, the place is cosy and has a fabulous vintage interior.

Been coming here for a while now, I absolutely love the atmosphere and food. However they have recently made the library a no work zone and I think that is really inconvenient so I had to take a point off. Some feedback, let us work in the library!! The cafe itself is good for socialising however I always enjoyed working quietly in the library, is there a specific reason as to why this is not allowed anymore?? Please allow laptops and work again, thank you.

It's such a shame what this place has become now. It's got a very cozy atmosphere but they can be hostile and stingy towards customers, particularly students. The library space (which i used to love) can no longer be used as a place to work so as to create a space for others who want to sit there. Ironically, there was no one in there when we went to work. Plus, you get asked to buy another drink or leave after about an hour... not cheap either, £5 for a small coffee??

Nice place to relax and read, quite a lot of seating but it’s usually very busy. Coffee is really bad unfortunately (£4 and tastes very much like instant coffee) but they have different flavours of tea which are quite nice. Bit expensive but you’re paying for the atmosphere.

Can be difficult to find a place but it’s one of the most comfy, classy and surprising coffee shops on the planet

Looks so interesting when you walk in, was busy busy ( 12 ish). Eventually found 2 seats, not very comfy squished up against a wall. As queuing at the counter we decided to try QR code on table. Order took 20 mins to arrive, that was ok as not in a rush. On plus side , quirky surroundings, definitely worth a visit to experience something different, would have liked to have a good look round if it hadn't been so busy, so be mindful of peak times. Cappuccino was mediocre and I felt expensive. Not sure if will return. 😏

Very peculiar visit. Just turned up at 20:15 for a brew whilst waiting for my lift home. The server said they had already stopped serving. So I said is it okay to sit in? She said no but the kind server behind her said yes. Odd. This one of my fave spots in Manc 🤷🏼‍♀️

Feels very dirty, miserable staff don’t smile very unfriendly. Drinks are expensive for small mediocre drinks. Avoid this place nothing like shown on social media! Disgusting

One of the most beautiful cafes I have visited. Exceeded my expectations with how big the place is ( soo much seating !). I ordered a flat white which was tasty (certainly much tastier than the one I had from cafe nero that morning).

Waited 20 minutes for my coffee, came too sweet with too much syrup and too small mug for this price, won’t be coming back

You still only provide vegan options as cake no other food. You overcharge for hummus and bread and your meals are not a filling portion. Plus as you have now changed your mugs to a smaller size, I'm paying £4 for 3 mouthfuls of a matcha latte. And if I order a latte / cappuccino it doesn't matter because you add the same shot size and milk amount in those small cups so either way it is too strong and doesn't taste nice at all. It is disappointing to see you care little for the customer and more about your own profit. If you are going to decrease the size, then decrease the price too. And if you are going to ban outside food, make your menu more inclusive.

This is NOT a bookshop (thus four stars). However, it is an exceptional cafe and study space! The atmosphere is perfectly cosy and charming, with some intriguing nooks (and an indoor fountain). Staff are very friendly, and there are a couple of nice vegan cakes available. An excellent hideaway in the city centre. (A few books and it would be perfect!)

A fantastic place to study, meet and have a drink. Late open times at the weekend is a huge win! Great vibe.

Lovely atmosphere for relaxing and reading as well as studying 📑 I love the library 📚 and the warmth of seating areas. I highly recommend 👌🏻 try the karak and chapati 🫓 and set inside the library or the Gulf section. Definitely coming again 😍

Their coffee and ambience is average but the best thing about Chapter One is it’s open until late when I compare to other coffee shops in the town. That’s why I’d prefer to go there. P.S: Whenever I eat something there, I regret after eating them. I’m afraid the food is tasteless in general. Hope they’ll improve this.

It was an absolute dream visiting this place for a cute midweek study sesh. I got the lavender matcha latte hot and it was absolutely divine, though perhaps not the hefty £5.40 price tag that came along with it.

Good place nice atmosphere but coffee is cheaply made and overpriced

This is a genuinely brilliant hybrid cafe and bookstore, easily the best execution of the concept I’ve seen in the UK. The space is vast, with a mix of light and airy window seats and cosy nooks at the rear. Service was pleasant via QR codes once I’d settled into a nice sofa seat, and I was blown away by how nice the omelette and cheese/garlic flatbread were. The Arabic coffee was also a nice novelty (if not enough to wean me off espressos going forward). The space is so well used by locals - a mixture of diners, laptop users and book readers, and the decor is supremely charming and rustic.

The food is fine, the coffee is good and so is the karak. Great ambience. But that masala 'chai' is disappointing as hell, it tastes like someone threw in flavoured tea bag in hot water then added some milk. And the fact that it's charged the same as karak at the same time ridiculous. That was terrible, ruined my experience this time.

Not a bookshop. Tiny table selling about ten second hand books but that's it. Don't make my mistake.

Nice place but waiting half an hour for a slice of cake that you can see when you walk in is a bit much. Nice cake though

30 min wait for 2 slices of cake. ridiculous. £4.50 per slice as well. avoid unless desperate

Llamé por primera vez. El lugar es peculiar y atractivo. Sin embargo, sería de ayuda si su sitio web proporcionara precios para las cosas que venden. Tomé una taza de café con leche (muy) pequeña. Suficientemente agradable, pero no suficiente para justificar un precio de £ 4.

Don’t miss coffee at the First Chapter. It’s so wonderful to visit and the coffee is delicious

Omg terrible place recommend this place by co worker had a cake pecan so dry unedible! And a flat white only luke warm ! Almost £9! Scandalous!! People studying and noisy ! Not a great place

IN LOVE WITH THIS PLACE! Myself and my partner first visited on wednesday, and couldn't stop ourselves from coming right back on friday! Table service is speedy, staff are very friendly and hardworking, considering this place is often very busy. The atmosphere is amazing, with lovely decorated walls and sofas, and the library in the back presents a warm, comfortable vibe, perfect for reading and studying. They often host small events/talks too, which are a pleasure to listen in on. The fountain in the main area tops off the atmosphere in the best way possible. If you're out in manchester, looking for somewhere to chill, I urge you to visit this lovely café!

Best cafe in Manchester - the vibes are relaxed, coffee is good and decor is comfy and cosy! They always playing really groovy music as well, but quietly enough that it still feels calm. The garlic bread is amazing to snack on, so so tasty! I’ve also attended a meditation class here too, highly recommend. I only wish the food menus were a little larger and more varied ! :)

Was expecting a café/bookshop, so was disappointed when there were only a handful of books on a table at the back. This is a café, not a bookshop. The vibe seemed good though, as cafes go.

Always busy, coffee isn’t good and the staff aren’t helpful

Not great ordered mattcha green tea and some eggs with a pitta stone cold 14.00 it cost me avoid I don't know how anyone can say its the best cafe they have been in I thought it was a book store as well bunch of used books on a table foundation coffee on lever street at least you get your drink in a cup food better

They have chapati and karak tea, great brunch menue

Great place to relax, study, work. Only complaint is the closing time which is currently at 9pm; used to be at 11pm.

Very nice place with great atmosphere! The prices are not on the cheap side and considering that it’s sad to see that they charge extra for plant-based milk. Seems slightly backwards.

Best Cappuccino in town! Love the place. Definitely my fav cafe 👌🏻 Normally, the wait for the drink is quite long but that’s because the place is always full, so I guess that’s a good thing :) you just have to be prepared for that.

After the waitress dropped my spoon and failed to replace it, all customers were kicked out of the seating section as it “reserved”!!

It's a great place, with amazing authentic tea and food but waiting over an hour for food on a sunday? Way too long, maybe don't open full capacity or just hire more staff.

Karak is delicious. The place is wonderful and very psychologically relaxing. The service is wonderful. The food is delicious. I loved the place and will return to it 😍😍😍😘

What a lovely atmosphere! Gorgeous coffees. Trouble is, nobody wants to leave...

Friendly place with atypical decor. The pastries are delicious 😋. Café to visit when you are in the neighborhood

I come here often. The ambience is very relaxing, and the library at the back is great for studying. I recommend the lattes and if you want something to eat the garlic cheese pide in the karak section is divine.

Overall is good, but the staff have a weird attitude, very unwelcoming and makes you feel you should leave soon! Very rude

We ordered at 12pm. Waited half an hour for our food, then told it would be ready in another 15 minutes. We had somewhere to be at 1pm. Was about to ask for a refund as we had to head off before the food arrived, one of the staff came out with our food in to go boxes and a cup of chai we ordered. In a hurry, we grabbed our food and left, realised after that my husband hadn't received his £6 arabic coffee and my chai was not chai (more like turmeric tea, I'm Pakistani, I know what chai is) - also £4 for a chai and £6 for coffee is criminal. Food wasn't great, way over priced. The staff and decor were lovely, my husband came from south Wales and I was really excited to show him this place. £28 for sub par food (it really wasn't great) and chai we had to eat speed walking and a coffee that never turned up, I wish I'd had a refund instead.

El personal era encantador cuando aparecí, me mostraron dónde estaban las zonas más tranquilas y cómo hay códigos Qr I cada zona. Pedí y pagué mi bebida que me trajeron directamente. Pedí la niebla de Manchester con leche de soja que era tan agradable que pedí otra. Es un poco caro, pero todo el ambiente y el ambiente es justificable en un 110 % en mi opinión. Había un montón de enchufes para portátiles y cargadores, y estar aquí para leer es totalmente normal, lo que se siente novedoso en estos días. Realmente me encantó el ambiente DIY en la parte delantera y el ambiente pasado de moda, chill en la parte trasera. Definitivamente volveré

First time visiting today but definitely won't be the last,Such a chilled out place,it's a must to visit if you're in Manchester.

Great café where you can order at the table via QR code. It has many hidden corners, even small extra rooms where you can work undisturbed if you want. And the cake or ash latte was super delicious! Thumbs up!

We stumbled upon this place by mistake and were so happy we did! They accommodated 10 of us with no problems whatsoever and very fast service from the lovely staff. Beautiful atmosphere! There's a comfy seating area, quiet study area and full library for people to study in. The best bit by FAR though was the food! (The coffee was also strong and delicious). I have never had such such fantastic french toast in my life! Best I've ever had by far and away!! The other people on my table all had different things too which they said were also excellent :) All in all a fantastic experience, thank you!

La tostada francesa más increíble - todo el grupo de amigos quedaron impresionados por la calidad de la comida, bebidas y ambiente. Excepcionalmente lindo y pintoresco, recomiendo encarecidamente visitar!

I ordered an oat flat white and was served one with cows milk. I asked the barista and brought the drink to him, and he told me 'yes it's with oat milk, I made it' in a dismissive and rude tone. I sat back down and took his word for it. I am lactose intolerant and can safely say after drinking half that it was not made with oat milk. Quite disappointing as they weren't apologetic nor offered to remake it - I wouldn't have had a problem if that was so.

Good service, nice staff and great food. Cured my hangover for sure. 💪

The vibes are immaculate but the service is appalling. I've been here all day since 11 and it's now 5:45. I'm writing this as I'm waiting for my cake slice to come from half an hour ago. Nothing took less than 15 minutes to arrive. Even the cold drinks. I waited 40 minutes for my omelette to come. I wouldn't come here again unless I'd eaten already. Don't mind the price but it's hardly amazing food - but that's just my personal preference. It's not one to go to if you want to do some studying all day. For the amount of staff they have, it's not a business issue. Other cafes have less staff and way better service.

i think about the soft cheese and egg chapati most days i wish i was joking

I would recommend this place for the experience. If you need a place to sit and do your work or reading, this is the place for you. Do not expect too much from the menu as it's speciality is the ambience

Absolutely fell in love with this spot in Manchester

A really lovely and welcoming cafe/bookshop. I came into the cosy atmosphere just before I was to attend a separate and unrelated event somewhere else. I was very anxious and nervous for that event that day but walking into this cosy cafe beforehand really relaxed me and I was able to leave the cafe and attend the event in a much calmer mood. I tried the cheese and honey and the karak tea for the first time which was wonderful and very delicious. The staff had a very relaxed vibe about them too and the decor and ambience was really cute. I will definitely come back one day to just relax again, have some tea and read here soon.

A great place if you're traveling and need a cozy spot to hunker down for a bit, grab a snack, charge your phone, and be around other people. Very bohemian!

I visited this cafe on my way back to the bus stop (to get back to Birmingham as I was on a day trip) and I fell in love with the atmosphere the second I stepped through the door. The cafe has such a homely feel and the lightning is so natural that you feel at peace. I ordered a charcoal latte and the gluten-free avocado and courgette cake (both were delicious and I highly recommend them!). There is plenty of seating and each area of the cafe has its own character (which is fitting given that it also a bookshop!). Definitely worth checking out! <3

This is the bust coffee shop ever been

It’s very weird , I’ve been here many times and I’ve never had to buy drink or food. it's not fair that me and my friend were told to buy something or we would be kicked out! This rule was never a thing they said it was which is nonsense. Very weird they only told us no one else ,when people were bringing there own drinks and not to mention we are two broke students who are just trying to study for a levels this year. The comment the host made was very rude saying they weren’t tryna be mean which is a lie they were both mean and rude tryna to say we should buy something !!!! Unacceptable behaviour, do better… I truly hope no one experiences this truly horrible environment

I ben there bat servers when you order In and Bring cold coffee and many insects have inside 🤮

One of the most quirkiest cafes I’ve ever been to. And the tea is great too 10/10

Such an amazing place to relax , study drink coffee & has amazing food the menu looked amazing next time I will eat ha ha ! Staff are cool ! It has its own library a safe place for intellects . Different rooms & levels hopefully my son will come here a lot more !

Wow. This has to be one of the best cafes I’ve ever been to! It’s located in the Northern Quarter (Manchester) and it’s situated in an urban area. When you walk inside, you are greeted with a calming fountain and a beautiful atmosphere, just as calming as the fountain. You talk to the staff, who are very nice and kind (10/10) and order your drink (if you want). There is also a wide array of affordable food, you can get cakes, chapatis and quesadillas as well. I ordered Karma Cola (sugar-free) which doesn’t taste like any other cola, it tastes better. The cola isn’t too sweet as well, compared to other colas. You explore around the cafe, curiously, and find the Library. Now, this library is the calmest library I’ve ever been to. Shelves are filled with books and the room is painted in an ambient brown, making it feel even more calming. You look around the library, head to toe in a sense of tranquil. No music is played here. It’s very quiet. You leave the cafe satisfied and calm. Overall, you need to try this cafe, it’s great. The staff are nice, it is affordable, drinks are high quality and if you are looking for a cafe where you can study or just relax, this is the right place for you.

1 of my (and my writing friends) fav writing place in manchester, check out the back room to the right, follow it round, there is a piano at the back of this library like room. Lots of clubs on here such as a a writers meet, movie night wednesdays and art clubs etc. There is a plug socket at almost every table and there is also a room you can sit on majilis (floor sofa) lots of vege and vegan food options too.

A few changes to this place since my last visit but still has the quirky atmosphere as before. Not as many books on one part as I recall. Will return.

Staff are so friendly and helpful, service is quick and easy and the food is amazing. I would highly recommend!

Great place to study or work, suitable for group and solo visitors. Coffee and pastries are a bit pricey, but good enough for the price as well. The design of the place is great, as well. Can get crowded at times so it may be hard to find a seat, or can also get a bit loud because of all the groups visiting the place. Overall a good place if you want to kill some time or if you want to get superficial tasks done.

Manager is so rude. Walks around the place with a face on and speaks to people badly. Witnessed him do it. Awful, absolutely awful.

This was my first time visiting and the staff member was rude and has put me off coming back.

lovely spot to work (if a little crowded at times) but the food, tea and coffee are so ridiculously overpriced and not worth it at all. The cheapest thing on the menu is a cold, dry croissant for £3.50. But the most disappointing thing by far is that there isn’t even the option to buy a normal cup of tea… what kind of cafe doesn’t have normal tea?? There’s only fancy varieties for £4+. So bizarre. How hard would it be to stock a few cheap teabags? No doubt they’d get away with charging a fiver for a pot anyway.

Absolutely marvelous experience at Chapter 1 Books today! I eagerly asked for the Wi-Fi password, only to be treated to a delightful twist in my plot—there was "no Wi-Fi," according to a charming staff member. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the password was not only available but displayed proudly on the wall for all to see. What an intriguing way to encourage customers to really explore their surroundings! Highly recommend for those who appreciate a good mystery.

(Visited Apr 24) It’s NEVER easy to get a table in here, but luckily I asked two people if they would split a four-seater they just got. Since it was a Friday, I ordered a special- the Lavender Matcha Latte. A boujie treat! (Visited Jan 23) I’m back for another vegan hot chocolate! The choice of plant-based milk is fab. I also treated myself to a slice of chocolate orange jaffa cake- succulent and delicious. Unfortunately, it’s often difficult to get a table since the place is so popular (and is in a very central location). - I got a comforting vegan hot chocolate (with oat milk) and a cheeky slice of cake. A great selection!

It’s NEVER easy to get a table in here, but luckily I asked two people if they would split a four-seater they just got. Since it was a Friday, I ordered a special- the Lavender Matcha Latte. A boujie treat!

Vibes are great but coffee quality and cake quality ( apart from the karak tea) is appalling and not value for money. Its a coffee shop with bad coffee :( so wouldn’t come here for the taste. I come here all the time and honestly the vibe is perfect. Especially the new library room they got going on. But …. Since I’m here all the time it’s a shame I can’t eat the food . I’ve tried and every time I feel like I’m wasting my money. I really just want them to get an actual baker in or a basic trained chef that can make basic homemade nibbles so I can enjoy and actually eat something when I’m here . Or why not partner with a Manchester local bakery like ‘ Piccadilly bakes ‘ and get some gorgeous independent community and renowned business in? It doesn’t have to be fancy or a really niche flavour of cake like they usually do. They’d be better doing classic cakes but to a good standard than such a wide variety of very low quality ones. Honestly greggs and Macdonalds coffee tastes better! It is such a shame !!!! I want to write this review as hopefully, not too harsh but constructive criticism for the owner in hope I can actually enjoy their food and coffee one day!! Then it would be the no1 place in Manchester hands down. They are an asset to Manchester culture nevertheless but js js js the food and coffee is , politely , awful and they just need some new suppliers ! Please !! From a regular xx

Best chai latte in Manchester! I love the decor and it has a selection of games to play if that’s your thing. My favourite city centre cafe to read in but it can get very noisy.

I had a very delicious coffee here but the staff spoke to me incredibly rudely and ruined the experience. I'm not sure that I will come back here as there are many cafes in Manchester.

Likeable atmosphere + easy table service with QR code + ok wait, coffee is decent, okay price but i think their shakshuka (egg wrap) gave me food poisoning : ( would like to go again but probably will stay away from their food for now