Pret A Manger

Pret A Manger is one of Britain's best-known fresh-food brands, having grown from its mid-1980s London origins into a fixture of the country's high streets, and this branch sits in the heart of Manchester's civic and legal quarter. It's a short walk from St Peter's Square, Albert Square and the town hall, making it a natural daytime stop for the solicitors, council staff, office workers and visitors who fill this part of the city centre on weekdays. The shop follows the same made-on-site approach the chain built its reputation on.

The team prepares sandwiches, baguettes and wraps fresh through the day, alongside seasonal salads, hot soups and a strong plant-based range spanning meat, fish and veggie options. Sweet options run from croissants and pastries to cookies and cakes, while the coffee bar pours Pret's organic espresso drinks and teas. Geared to a busy breakfast-and-lunch trade, it's set up for quick service whether you eat in or take away, and is well placed for the legal, civic and cultural institutions of central Manchester.