I rarely venture north of the River Irwell in Manchester. In fact, other than my occasional pilgrimages to the Grindsmith Pod, I think the last time was when I attended the original Cup North in 2014. So I am indebted to the Best Coffee App for drawing me to Chapel Street and the gem that is Another Heart To Feed, a Melbourne-inspired coffee shop and kitchen which opened in March this year, serving food from an all-day brunch menu and some excellent coffee from London’s Union.

There’s the usual espresso-based menu, with Union’s Bright Note as the house-blend, plus a single-origin on pour-over through the V60 and another available as bulk-brew filter. The options change every week or two for the bulk-brew and every two/three weeks for the V60. There’s also loose-leaf Bohea Teas, Kokoa Collection hot chocolate and cakes from local bakers, The Brownie Owl.

Drawing on its Melbourne heritage (the owners spent four years there), Another Heart To Feed offers full table service, a carafe of water and menu magically appearing on your table as you are invited to take a seat. Unusually, Another Heart To Feed closes at three during the week and at four at weekends.

January 2018: Another Heart to Feed has moved south of the river, all the way to West Didsbury. I’ve not had a chance to visit the new location, but local food blogger, The Manchester Tart, can give you the lowdown.

You can read more of my thoughts after the gallery.

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Another Heart To Feed occupies two adjacent ground-floor spaces on the south side of Chapel Street just north of the River Irwell in Salford. If that sounds like it’s a long way from central Manchester, it’s just a five-minute walk to both the Grindsmith Pod and Pot Kettle Black. Each of the two parts of Another Heart To Feed has two large, square windows on the left and a bright, red door on the right, although the one on the right-hand side is a 45 degrees since it’s on the corner with Booth Street. There’s a limited amount of outside seating (three two-person tables) and you can use either door to get into Another Heart To Feed, the two spaces being joined by a square opening knocked through the party wall. If you’re only calling in for takeaway, then you’re better off using the right-hand door, since that’s where the counter is, while the bulk of the seating is on the left.

There is, however, a limited amount of seating on the right, with a seven-person communal table in the window to the left of the door and a two-person table straight ahead by the right-hand wall. Other than that, there’s a long bench opposite the counter, which takes up most of the space at the back. A beautiful affair, made of reclaimed wood, it runs parallel with the party wall, with the cakes at the front, followed by the coffee, before accommodating an open-plan kitchen at the back. However, given that Another Heart to Feed offers a full table service, there’s no reason to visit the counter, save to pay on your way out. Or to admire the cakes.

The left-hand side has a bar along the full length of the window to the left of the door, which extends a little along the left-hand wall. There’s another communal table, this time a six-seater, in the centre of the front half of the room. Beyond that, there are three two-person tables along the left-hand wall, while on the right, there’s a storeroom at the back, leaving space for two two-person tables along the right-hand wall, next to the storeroom.

The décor and atmosphere are warm and welcoming, particularly on the chilly November day I was there. Another Heart To Feed has what looks to be the original floorboards throughout, with whitewashed walls, except for the right-hand wall opposite the counter, which is exposed brick, and the counter itself, which is covered in white tiles. It’s the sort of place I felt immediately at home in.

I was there for brunch, selecting the smashed avocado and feta on sourdough, with beetroot hummus and dukkah, plus a poached egg on the side. It made for a lovely, filling start to the day and was just what I needed after a weekend spent at the Manchester Coffee Festival while simultaneously recovering from jet-lag!

I’d normally pair this with a flat white, but just for a change, I went for a V60 of the El Topacio, a single-origin from El Salvador. This was a lovely, subtle brew, served, as it should be, in a jug with the cup on the side. It retained its flavour as it cooled and was as good cold as it was hot, the perfect accompaniment to my brunch.

Liked this? Then don’t forget to check out the Coffee Spot Guide to Manchester & Salford for more great Coffee Spots.

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