Coffee is a way of life, and we’re very lucky to have some of the best coffee shops in the country right here in Manchester. Proving us right is the prestigious ‘Best Coffee Shops UK 2026‘ list, which has named our very own Just Between Friends in its revered standings – the only North West coffee shop to appear.
The mission of ‘The Best Coffee Shops’ organisation is to celebrate excellence in the UK’s speciality coffee scene by spotlighting outstanding coffee shops and sharing their dedication, quality and craft based on the following evaluation criteria:
- Quality of Coffee
- Barista expertise
- Customer Service
- Consistency
- Innovation
- Quality of Food & Pastry
- Ambiance & Atmosphere
- Sustainable practices
The top coffee shops in the UK will now be put forward for the European awards, taking place at World of Coffee in Brussels, this June.
In an Instagram post announcing the list, The Best Coffee Shops said: “Massive congrats to all the coffee shops that made it into THE BEST COFFEE SHOPS UK 2026 List. These coffee shops are now running for a spot in THE EUROPE’S 100 BEST COFFEE SHOPS in World of Coffee Brussels 2026!
“This list is NOT a ranking and given in an alphabetical order, all of them are in the same level to participate for a spot in The Europe’s 100 Best Coffee Shops.
“Stay tuned to support the UK Coffee Shops for The Europe’s 100 Best Coffee Shops!”
Just Between Friends Manchester is the only UK coffee shop named
Just Between Friends occupies two thimble-sized locations in Manchester; one on Tib Street in the Northern Quarter, and one within Beehive Mill in Ancoats – plus a larger shop in Wilmslow. The neighbourhood style and small-batch vibe of the beloved cafes is what keeps locals coming back, and draws visitors in – plus the need to find somewhere tucked away.
With high quality coffee, an unreal partnership with local bakery Half Dozen Other, and super friendly staff, Just Between Friends is no doubt one of our favourites and we’ll be cheering them on when the European competition kicks off.
