Federal Cafe Bar

A lovely spot for brunch. I went in with high hopes having heard its one of the best cafes in the world, and honestly I can believe it. Went with mum (who is a Kiwi) and we both loved it. Felt like we were back in New Zealand again. The coffee was high quality, and I had the avocado/eggs/salmon on toast. Fantastic. I couldn't believe they did L&P as well... haven't seen these outside NZ!! Cosy environment which can make waiting for tables a hassle on busy days, especially weekends, but once you're sat down its a nice atmosphere. Will definitely be back. Cheers to the service as well which was friendly and efficient.

A.maz.ing! So much so be prepared to wait ... it's sooooo worth it! My poached eggs, on my eggs Benedict (with added bacon as an extra) were done to perfection! Portion sizes are just right so you'll have room for a Nata (an egg custard in filo pastry that just melts in your mouth!). I had a one-shot decaff latte on oat milk. Smooth, delicate flavour without the overpowering undertones of a strong coffee. A bijou environment that is busy with chatter of friends catching up on their day, I highly, highly recommend this eatery. Within sight of Manchester's Arndale centre, you'll not have far to walk for a refuelling pitstop. Well behaved dogs are also welcome. There are two steps up into the cafe and a small outdoor seating area for alfresco rendezvous in warmer weather. Gluten and vegan/vegetarian diets are catered for. Enjoy!

Lovely food and even more lovely staff. We got the sweetest card that's now a nice keepsake ❤️‍🔥 We felt a little rushed to give up our table but it didn't spoil the experience and it's understandable in such a busy place, though you might want to take that into consideration if you like sipping your coffee and chatting away like we do!

I really wished I had come to this place before because this is fantastic, especially the halloumi and mushroom! Loved the atmosphere and Siobhan was an absolute legend. The only thing is.... Where's the hash browns??????? Will definitely be coming back when I'm in Manchester again! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An outstanding breakfast experience from start to finish. The eggs Benedict were perfectly done — silky hollandaise, beautifully cooked eggs, and great-quality ingredients that really stood out. The French toast was just as impressive: fluffy on the inside, lightly with fresh berries and Carmel and indulgent without being overly sweet. The atmosphere was relaxed yet buzzing, and the service was friendly and efficient, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a laid-back breakfast or brunch. If you’re in Manchester and looking for a consistently excellent breakfast, Federal Cafe absolutely delivers. Wouldn’t hesitate to return! ☕🍳

We went to the Federal in the Northern Quarter as a party of 8 people. As it was a busy Saturday morning we didn’t expect to all to be seated together but Josh, Thalia, Liv & Kirstie tried their best to accommodate us in super quick time. The staff were very informative and friendly and nothing was too much for them. The food and coffee as always was wonderful. Would highly recommend.

Wonderful place for breakfast especially if staying at the Crown Plaza, as we have several times. Not only is the food great, the ambience and decor is charming with its plants and each table having an old fashioned glass milk bottle with cute stainless steel cups for drinking water! It’s a popular place so today we arrived as they opened in order to get a seat. It soon filled up. This place does a lot of takeaway breakfasts also. We were served by the lovely and friendly Josh and ordered the amazing French toast along with the Turkish eggs with chorizo. Coffees were great as well. Service is polite and efficient and we’ll be back tomorrow!

Meat is soft and properly cooked Bread is a soft and flavourful ciabatta Aioli is subtle and enhances rather than taking over along with the egg, the spinach and the browned onions. The sandwich goes well together in a harmony of flavours and is well executed. 8/10

Great food and wonderful staff. I was there for 10 year anniversary and it was awesome event. Very fun environment to be in.

I had a fantastic brunch! The food, service, coffee, and cocktails were all outstanding! There was a line out the door. I was alone, but was still told there would be a 20 minute wait time. It was literally 5 minutes. They opened at 8am on a Sunday! I got there around 10. If you don't want to wait, you'd better be standing there when they unlock the doors!

Staff provides great service and food was very tasty. I don't usually give review but it was so good that I want to give a 5 star. Thanks.

This review is solely based on the take out menu as thats all I did. However, I really wanted to go here for a while and last time it was queued for ages. Luckily this time I was able to get in and get an order. This placed looked amazing ... when I feel more confident to eat out, I would deffo go here and eat in ... Antipodean coffee is great. I just ordered a basic latte and even though COVID things have eased a little bit, I was glad they still took it seriously. So I ordered a basic latte, which was really easy, the menu easily available and readable, ordered without any wait and then waited outside and they brought it out to me. The staff were all very nice and the food looked great and they even had some Aussie chocolate which was a nice touch. The coffee was great too ... very well made, had their own recyclable cups and it was super tasty ... a great way to start any day.

Excellent brunch here! All the staff were friendly and despite being quoted a 20 min wait, it was about 10 min. We got window counter seats and ordered at the till. The Tumeric Latte was absolutely delicious, the Stuffed French toast was super decadent and delicious, as was the Halloumi and Shrooms was perfect! The poached eggs were done just right and the sauce was flavorful. The Pineapple porridge reminded us of Hawaii. Portions were generous and the atmosphere was lively at this cozy restaurant. All of it was wonderful! Can't wait to go back!

Federal Cafe & Bar is one of Manchester's most popular restaurants on Yelp, mainly a brunch spot they have two branches around the city centre with this being one of their main stores as it was the first one which opened back in 2014. It is currently serving food on a collection basis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is also on Deliveroo during this time. The menu is currently a much-reduced menu and some of the items don't seem to travel very well, including the freshly squeezed orange juice which might have been tasty and good quality, but the fact it didn't come with a straw made it hard to drink, especially considering I was eating outside myself. For my food, I ordered the gluten-free eggs on toast which comes with a spicy tomato sauce, however it was more sweet and sticky than spicy. The eggs, however, were pretty good and seasoned well. For £5 this wasn't bad. I also got some extras including bacon and chorizo at £2 each, the bacon was a little fatty and the chorizo was slightly chewy but the latter did have nice flavours. The gluten-free toast was pretty bad, it was barely toasted and it was inedible, even the fact it was soggy due to being drenched in the sauce didn't make it edible. I threw some to nearby pigeons, and even they turned their backs on it. A good place for brunch, do bear in mind this place doesn't have disabled access but it really isn't a good place for take-out from a lack of straws to the food being too messy and just not suitable for take-out or delivery. 3*

Very very nice food this was. Nic e ppl look small. Don't all good things come in small packages? Brilliant atmosphere and service. Staff down to earth and life as such . Nice brekki.

Nice coffee place with food and hasn't atmosphere. Prices are reasonable. Coffee variety is good and the blends are taste nice and coffee aroma lover heaven

What an oasis! Super friendly staff and appealing menu make this a great place for a little treat (I wouldn't come here for a standard weekday lunch as it's fairly expensive, although generous portions and certainly not unreasonable for the quality). I like how you pay at the till so you don't have to stress about waiting to pay at the end. I tried the famed smashed avocado on sourdough and it made a very satisfying meal when paired with perfectly cooked poached eggs and a pile of smoked salmon. The coke was a disappointing 200ml (but I do need to cut down) and they brought water without asking, always a good sign. The nata tart was very nice but not a patch on what I had in Lisbon, I should probably stop ordering it and expecting a different result! It must be a good sign that I recommended two sets of friends to come here before I ever tried it, just on the basis of consistently excellent online reviews, and they all raved about it. On a shockingly summer October day it was delightful to sit on the pavement and watch the trams go by...the closest Shudehill will ever come to beautiful!

First time visiting Manchester I came to this spot close by to my stay. We waited for about 40 mins to an hour for our table which was understandable for the busy time. We had received all of our food but one açaí bowl and somehow he had the excuse saying it got lost in the order and waited about 20-40 mins to get my food while everyone else got theirs. The staff was very nice and welcoming.

Quite good food . Tasty orange juice Maybe try it Maybe try it Maybe try it Maybe try it

I found this place via Yelp! By searching for good coffee places in the center of Manchester. I took my uncle there, we both had coffee and food. Ambience is nice, location is good, food was great; I had the eggs Benedict, while my uncle had the three egg omelette. Both were tasty and served rather quickly. The coffee was really nice, and reminded me of another New Zealand coffee place I really like in SoCal, called Two Guns. My only gripe is its size, which must be a nightmare when it gets busier. There's not many tables and chairs and the walking channels are narrow. Other than that, I really like the place.

I've walked by this place a lot and decided to try it out as there's always a crowd outside and it looks pretty trendy. I ordered a matcha latte which tasted awesome, one of the best I've tried and not expensive either. I like the way they offer non dairy options for milk as I prefer soya milk which was great. The staff were friendly and although it was crowded, I didn't need to wait long for my drink. Overall a chic cafe on Deansgate.

We have been before and I had Scrambled eggs on GF toast with chorizo and bacon taste really good with great portion. The server was so nice and brought me some options so I knew what I had had. I didn't want too much so they are willing to accommodate. Nice place and you feel like you are a guest at someone's grandma's house. Love it.

I've walked by this place a lot and decided to try it out as there's always a crowd outside and it looks pretty trendy. I ordered a matcha latte which tasted awesome, one of the best I've tried and not expensive either.

I love grabbing breakfast at federal, it has such a great atmosphere and a real urban modern feel. The cafe is a little small but I think that's what builds the character of the place. Because of the size waiting time can be a little while but it is definatley worth the wait. I had the haloumi with shrooms which was an amazing meal with sourdough bread, pouched eggs, with sauce haloumi and yes mushrooms. This meal was absolutely delicious would highly recommend if your feeling hungry! If your a coffee lover like me you will not be disappointed in federal cafe and bar as the coffee is delicious and they have so much choice. I have a new favourite which is the piccolo.

I'm a young urban northeastern American female, so naturally, I am very into brunch. Federal satisfies perfectly. The menu isn't extensive, but includes all of the hearty, healthy staples your heart might desire. I had the halloumi and mushroom toast with smashed avocado, and was expecting a slice of toast on a small plate - what I got was a huge platter of food that kept me satisfied all day. My friend ordered a bagel, which was likewise delicious and was probably the best bagel I've tasted outside New York State. The high point of my meal was the mimosa, which was pulpy and fresh. Star deducted because ordering is confusing (it's set up like a full service restaurant but you order at the counter) and there's a long wait for food when it's busy. If you have the time to spare and love breakfast food, Federal is a great way to start a day out in Manchester.

If I had to eat one meal for every day for the rest of my life I would choose Federal's French toast. It was the nicest thing that's crossed my lips in my entire life. The French toast was served with cherries, mascarpone and caramel sauce - it was absolutely delicious. The service was good but I cannot comment on the inside of the restaurant because it was full and we were seated outside. I'd get a flight back to Manchester just to come here.

I had the Smashed Avocado; poached eggs, bacon and avocado sitting on sourdough. It was delicious! Great combo served on superbly baked sourdough, and it goes down well with a morning latte. The cafe is situated on the corner of Nicholas Croft/High Street running along the tram line from Shudehill to Market St in the Northern Quarter. Inside, it has hard darkwood furnishings that resonates the Australian/NZ vibe, and the size gives you are nice cosy setting. I hope to return soon to sample more from the menu, both food and coffees.

As it stands, my favourite breakfast/brunch place in the city. I only say as it stands because I haven't visited every single breakfast/brunch establishment (2016 goal right there). Back to the review, Federal is awesome! They have a great menu with a different twist that your regular breakie menus and some healthy options at that! A popular choice is the smashed avocado but I went for poached eggs on sourdough toast with bacon on the side - amazing - and the bacon was some of the best I've ever tasted. Oh and the juices, especially the Superman juice, are fantastic. The Superman is blended fresh in the cafe and contains like 100 of your 5 day; Kale, Avocado, Lime juice, chia seeds and a dozen other really super uber healthy ingredients. I read the ingredients before I had it and expected a horrible taste - nope - delicious! Pretty obvious that I like this place, I'll be back!

Great breakfast place and coffee shop. Interested breakfast brunch menu, I had the Turkish eggs with chorizo and a side of streak bacon. The eggs were poached perfectly, with bread that was a great way to eat the yogurt and remaining eggs. Chorizo was fantastic, as was the bacon (thick and flavorful). Good vibe, feels like a local place rather than a chain coffee shop.

This place is amazing Staff friendliness 5/5 Food quality 5/5 Atmosphere 5/5 for a cafe I tried the Haroun and Shrooms. It was delicious. Honestly you can't go wrong with this place everything was good.

Another day, another breakfast, but another great breakfast. I really liked Federal, the portions were large and the coffee was strong. Coffee wise it really feels like these guys know what they are doing - as soon as you walk in the door you are hit with the waft of roasting beans. It was really hard to choose what to eat from the menu, in no way is this a criticism, what I mean is that nearly every option sounded mouth watering. I eventually opted for the tried and tested Eggs Benedict although I knew that in the next 30 minutes I was going to experience some pangs of food envy. That prophecy came true when Jonny Q's french toast came out piled on his plate and topped with clotted cream. Mine by comparison looked truly boring. Have you ever hear the phrase 'empty cans make the most noise'? Well in this case I think my eggs benedict spoke for itself. The bacon was incredibly morish, to the point that as I ate my last rasher I started ripping tiny bits off so it would last longer. The vibe is most definitely hipster but don't let that put you off - they're a cheery bunch in here! Easy 5 stars - one of my many Manc highlights.

This has certainly become my recent go to place for brunch when in Manchester. I have been here on several occasions and haven't really understood what all the fuss was about in previous visits... But this was my own fault due to bad menu selections. They are certainly following trends and offer both crispy bacon and sour dough toast in pretty much all the dishes. I really hate both of these, hence my lack of enthusiasm before.... However swap the sour dough for a bagel and the crunchy bacon for smoked salmon and Federal suddenly becomes my favourite brunch spot. The eggs are cooked to perfection, and my hollandaise sauce was thick and flavoursome. Amazing. The coffees are also very good here, and although it can get busy, service is always efficient and served with a smile. A must visit if you're after a great breakfast but you can't get up before noon. Brunch all day is the best way!

This is a great cafe. Excellent service . Kid friendly , close to the mall. Inexpensive. Close to Manchester arena

Federal is a great little spot just next to the Shudehill Interchange Bus Station. If you're taking the bus to Manchester this is an excellent coffee or food spot in between travel. The choice of food is good, more on the pricey side but portions are big so come hungry. What did we eat: Smashed Avocado with poached eggs, sourdough toast, and extra bacon Halloumi and Shrooms - sourdough toast, poached eggs, halloumi, garlic and thyme mushrooms, tomato, rocket Pressed Juice Special of the Day PROS Good portion sizes / good value for money Popular dishes like smashed avo, cream cheese bagels Good service Excellent presentation Easy to find Tasty Food CONS The special pressed juice didn't taste great and didn't look great Peak times such as Sunday afternoon for brunch invites queues into the entrance so can get cramped London prices The tomato in the Halloumi and Shrroms didn't complement the dish and was quite sweet Great place to visit but Manchester has some other hidden brunch gems too. Due to its popularity, it may need to expand as it was quite cramped with people queuing inside the small room. Beautiful presentation and tasty food bit I think they would benefit from some more original dishes too :) Sophie

Last time I visited here, it was a decided 4, but upon visiting again I really have to give them an upgrade. Yes, ordering at the counter is still something I'm not a fan of but everything else was epic, so its deserved. This time I had a milo with almond milk (served warm) which was just perfect - these folk understand the delight that is milo and how to serve it. Followed up with a massive smoked salmon bagel which was generous and delicious. This place is super cool and located just on the corner of the NQ and is well worth a visit.

Although Iv only been here a couple of times, and only once to eat, I'm giving it 5 stars purely for its purpose. The fact Manchester has an Aussie themed cafe is amazing! About time! A place that does smashed avo with eggs and smoked salmon, sourdough toast, matcha lattes... And banana bread! It's clearly a close topic for me about Australian inspired food and drink. When I moved back from aus, I was shocked to see how behind Manchester was with healthy eating and just breakfast/brunch options in general. The food I had didn't disappoint, and there were so many other options on the menu I can't wait to go back and try. I'm just overly happy Iv found a place that sorts out my sourdough toast, avocado and banana bread addiction. A great place for breakfast/ brunch / lunch!

Federal Cafe has a bit of that stripped back appeal that the NQ abounds in but they haven't gone overboard, bare wood floors, a neutral wall colour and great white tiling behind the counter and kitchen, stylish and modern. If you love your coffee you won't be disappointed. The Baristas here are exceptional. Great British made coffee from Ozone coffee based in London (hopefully in time these guys will introduce some of the exceptional local roasters too such as Passion Fruit or ManCoCo). The breakfasts are simple and unpretentious but supremely tasty.

Finishing yet another 12 hour night shift..we needed a drink and a hearty breakfast.. I had been here before for coffee but always found it too busy to order food.. walking in we were met with a large queue of business men , waiting to grab their coffee and sarnies . A lady behind the counter shouted for us to grab a seat. The tables are very small and it makes you feel like your sat down to breakfast with everybody..anyway the menu consists of eggs done any way, bacon, granola yogurts, sarnies omelettes. After pondering a short while I settled on the smashed avocado, smoked salmon, poached eggs on sour dough bread for a tenner. My partner in crime opted for the bacon with poached eggs... Unfortunately, despite there was a new waitress you still had to order food at the counter..which causes a little chaos from those who have to battle the flustered business men. Finally I got to the counter and sheepishly requested a blood orange screwdriver at 8.30am.I explained we had finished a night shift. This was granted . When the food arrived it did taste as good as it looked with perfect poached eggs and creamy avocado. I tried a little of my friends bacon which was very crispy but too salty for me. To finish we had a coffee each after our vodka oranges which also tasted great. Overall I think they need to divide the commuters queue from the diners by taking orders at the table. Also I found mine a tad expensive for what it was. Service was friendly..I may try again.

I finally made my first visit to Federal, and now I know why it's always so busy! Despite waiting awkwardly for a table to free up, I was made to feel welcome by the friendly and enthusiastic staff from the moment I stepped through the door. By reputation the dish to order is the salted caramel French toast, and it didn't disappoint. I wondered whether french toast would be enough to fill me up, but I needn't have worried as the portions are very generous! The plate piled high with toast, berries, mascarpone and salted caramel sauce made such an impression that the table next to me asked what I'd ordered. I'll definitely be going back as I didn't notice until after ordering a Long Black that they also do single origin pour over coffee.

Solid Sunday Brunch spot - this was my first time here and I already know I'll be coming back soon. On the edge of the NQ and in a very nice rustic bar-like establishment. Gets very busy during weekend 'brunch' hours so be ready to wait 20-25 mins for a spot for 2 during peak times. Helps if you're waiting with someone who has top chat to pass the time by ;) But the food was definitely worth it. Some advice: sharing plates are definitely recommended esp. if you're with your significant other. My friend got the Smashed Avocado on Toast the bacon and I ordered the French Toast. Both came with generous portions of toppings so it may be a bit hard to wolf down on your own. Instead we just shared both and that meant double the goodness. Price range is reasonable - was around £8 for each of our dishes. Huge plus, the bacon here is crispy salty and loaded with flavour. I think after a bite of this I knew this place had a special spot in my heart.

If you believe what people say then breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Yesterday my friend Beth and I visited Federal in Manchester's northern quarter to get our morning food and beverages. We walked in and were told we can order at the bar when we are ready, personally I am a fan of these relaxed cafe's and restaurants...especially at breakfast time. I cant stand being fussed over too much before I have had at least one caffeinated beverage. We both ordered the eggs Benedict which was fantastic both in presentation and taste. It was brought over to our table quickly and was eaten in exactly the same way.....fast! This is a really great place, relaxed vibe, fantastic food and someone working who has great taste in music. Bravo Federal.

Another day, another brunch, am I right? I was told that Federal was a must-try while in Manchester, and I'm so happy I made it to this Australian-inspired eatery. I ordered the bircher muesli and a latte. I'm not sure what I was expecting the muesli to look like when plated, but it was really quite exceptional - the muesli was surrounded by fresh fruit and a honey drizzle, and topped with a garnish. The portion looked small, but it kept me full all day. The latte was standard, and a much-needed caffeine buzz. Both were super aesthetically pleasing, which is all I ask of my brunches, if we're being honest. Everything was served quickly (once I figured out how to order - which, PSA, involves going up to the till after you've been seated - don't make the same mistake I did and sit waiting for service for twenty minutes). The staff were friendly, and they didn't seem to be too judgmental of my solo-brunch status. All in all another great brunch experience.

Stopped by after a flight from London. Everything on the menu sounded amazing. The restaurant was well run and they did a fantastic job moving people along. The food itself was great. Not mind blowing, but solid in flavor and solid in execution. The staff was fabulous and the atmosphere was abuzz. All in all, we recommend this place for breakfast in Manchester.

Fabulous place!! I can eat everyday here if I was a resident in Manchester~ In fact I had my brunch and lunch with this cozy little place in my 1 day trip. Everything me and my husband tried was worth recommending, French toast, halloumi, egg benedict with bacon, pulled lamp (today's special). Besides regular Italian coffee (cappuccino must try!), they even have pour over and cold brew! Not that much to see in Europe, really ease my crave for single origin coffee!

Nothing says millennial like avocado and toast and poached eggs but damn, the avocado and toast and poached eggs are fire here. The sourdough bread is delicious, the poached eggs' yolks just ooze into the little crevices in the bread, and the avocado is smashed, as advertised. Order with the perfectly warm bacon and there is no need for regret. They also serve Portguese egg tarts/pastel de natas here and they can only be described as juicy (and they come out warm!). I think they might heat it up in the same oven they use to heat up bacon, so my first time I tried them they were sort of unpleasantly bacon-y. The second time, it was pretty damn good. The custard is sort of firm and oozes out the pastry that holds it. And I know that sounded dirty but yeah, it's a pretty naughty nata. ;)

Having taken a Friday off work I decided to get up bright and early to head for a spot of breakfast before taking to the shops to finish some of my Christmas buys. Wanting to start in the Arndale Federal was the perfect location to meet given the weather was a bit hit and miss. This place is tiny inside with only a handful of tables I'm glad I gave it a go mid-week to ensure I snagged a table! I was stuck between the eggs benedict and hallomi and shrooms on toast. After much deliberation I opted for the benedict to pitch it against other cafes in the NQ and I wasn't disappointed. Served with smoked salmon, buttered spinach and lashing of hollandaise sauce - just what I needed to set me up for the day. I then saw a number of hallomi dishes being served and I will now NEED to return to taste test something a little different for breakfast.

The best breakfast in Manchester by far. I've had the halloumi and shrooms (phenomenal) and the French toast (also phenomenal) but I truly think everything on their menu is top notch. Their poached eggs have ruined me for everywhere else I've been since! They offer a mix of big plates (you'll be full all day ;)) as well as coffees, teas and little cakes, brownies, etc. Unfortunately the place is quite small, so you'll have to be strategic (think weekdays) or be willing to wait - I promise it's worth it.

Breakfast time was here again and although I could have easily gone for the Teacup staple I love and know so well it seemed only right, being my first week at Yelp, that I open my trusty app to check out the new breakfast spots in the area and give one a whirl. So off Dan and I went to Federal Cafe and Bar, a New Zealand and Australian inspired Cafe. And what can I say, Yelp, you've done it again! Federal is a real find. Located on the edge of the Northern Quarter, this little gem is a standout breakfast bar with fantastic food, fantastic staff and a brilliant overall theme that JUST WORKS. It's the attention to detail that really sold this place for me: water served in empty milk bottles, condiments provided to you in a tin food tray, pretty flowers in unique empty beer bottles - everything screamed simple yet effective! And the food, oh the food! I opted for my old faithful - eggs benedict with bacon. The eggs were poached beautifully, the spinach was a nice added bonus, the bacon was slightly crisper than I'd like it usually but I still gobbled it all up, the sourdough bread was crunchy on the outside and perfectly light and bouncy on the inside and the hollandaise, well, it was the thick and creamy and the perfect amount to bring everything together! As you can probably tell I was in breakfast heaven and I just did not want it to end! TO NOTE: They also serve cakes and as its a bar, so alcohol is readily available. If you weren't aware of this they remind you via their wifi password: wesellbooze - just brilliant!

Best Brunch Ever. ESPECIALLY after having tasted FRESS yesterday. So the question is who ranked FRESS the number one? I can't believe it!

I'd heard loads of other Yelpers talk about Federal Cafe but had no idea where it actually was in the NQ...turns out it's on the edge of the Northern Quarter, near Shudehill and the Printworks. Came here for brunch and a catch up with Chris T. It's a good spot for a meet-up over a cup of coffee. I actually had a chamomile tea since I have a caffeine intolerance and also ordered the poached eggs with avocado, bacon and sourdough. Couldn't fault it- very good. They have a range of coffees, teas, hot chocolate and soft drinks, along with a food menu- it's quite basic and small, with mainly egg-type dishes, French toast, muesli and sandwiches. As far as I'm aware it doesn't change at lunchtime, so it's breakfast/brunch stuff throughout the day. Would be nice if it were a little more extensive with salads etc. The interior has a sort of New York cafe style, quite urban and industrial looking with wooden floors etc. It filled up quite quickly while we were there and seems pretty popular. Definitely a decent spot for brunch.

It's hard to review this place based on atmosphere as I popped in at 430pm last Thursday and I was the only person in here - saying that, it did give me a good opportunity to really check out the place and have a good natter with the barista. It's a great new addition to the NQ as the likes of NTP and Takk do seem to get super busy now and there really does need to be somewhere new to take the numbers and offer something a little bit different (and space) - the layout is all cool booths and the windows are perfect for people watching. The barista was friendly (I remember him from Caffeine and Co Spinningfields) and it was great to see them stocking OZone coffee from London (I do miss that wonderful place on Old Street...) - the coffee was damn good! I'll definitely be making this place a regular stop on my list of places to hit while I'm in town, I just hope that they get the word out about it a bit more as NTP was crazy busy when I went after here and that is just around the corner. Wifi is: federalcafebar

If you're selling a) poached eggs b) streaky bacon c) avocado d) all of the aforementioned, then I'm going to be your customer. Having seen other Yelpers' reviews and their comments on the food, I decided to give them a try when I decided to brave the city for some shopping. Located on a corner plot on the opposite side of the road from Oklahoma and across from the NCP car park, the outlook from their windows may be bleak, but not so their interior and definitely not their menu. After a friendly hello from the staff behind the counter, I sat down and glanced the options, having already decided to order their 'smashed avocado, streaky bacon and poached eggs on sourdough toast with rocket' (£7.50). With a pot of Earl Grey, brunch would come to a reasonable tenner. Having missed the large lettering on the menu saying 'Order at the till' I waited for a few minutes before coming to my senses and heading up to the counter. There were only a couple of other customers in when I arrived but they quickly filled up post 11am. My tea was brought out first and was followed not long afterwards by my meal. One word: delectable. It all worked - the saltiness of the bacon with the freshness of the avocado and tang of the rocket. Eggs poached to perfection and hearty toast. Scrummy. I wanted to order another plate of it and berated myself for eating it too quickly. As others have mentioned, their location, though ideal for commuters near Shudehill to pop in, or Arndale shoppers wanting a quiet escape from the food market, for Northern Quarter wanderers you'll have to walk past a few competitors before you reach them. If you are in the area though, do try them out, they rustle up a seriously good brunch.

When it comes to breakfast at the moment, Federal is basically the only place I suggest. After trying the goodies at our exclusive Yelp event and then returning for lunch, I had one more thing I just had to go back for - and that's the french toast. We arrived at about 10.15 to a completely full cafe, instantly filling me with the dread that we would be end up roaming the Northern Quarter looking for somewhere else to get the most important meal of the day! Being a party of four meant we couldn't exactly squeeze on to most of the tables, however, there was a large group finishing up their coffees and the lovely waitress came over to assure us that we were on her radar and the next party to be seated. By the time we were at the table, we'd all devoured the menu and were ready to head up to the till to order (remember to do this rather than sitting and waiting for someone to come and take your order...) I couldn't really see past the french toast; massive slabs of bread, creme fraiche, berries and a small pot of salted caramel sauce. The whole thing was just as delicious as I remembered - a big tick for consistency! Others in the party went for eggs benedict with ham, scrambled eggs with sourdough toast and the tomato salsa, and fried eggs with bacon and the aforementioned toast. Everything was polished off around the table, with additional drinks ordered at the till throughout. It's all well priced and worth it, if only it was bigger and we could while away the hours... With ma and pa visiting from 'down South', I wanted to show them the best of Manchester, and Federal helped me do just that!

Good food, good service. Omelette and cafe latte were tasty. Also my friends lamb sandwich was top. Go in and visit!

Excellent breakfast!! Come early if you want a table. Definitely would come back next time we're in MCR!

All the food were delicious. Juice also was 100% natural. Coffee was perfect. I also like the atmosphere . I think it's the best coffee shop in Manchester!

Egg Benedict with bacon, the bacon here is really salty, can't get used to that. Except this, it is okay.