Social Refuge is an LGBTQ+ coffee house, bar, bookshop and event space at 27 Great Ancoats Street in Manchester. Built around queer culture, community and connection, it combines a welcoming daytime cafe with evening drinks and a programme that can include quizzes, book launches and open mic events.
The all day food offering moves beyond pastries and snacks into complete breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes. A full breakfast combines pork belly, sausage, egg, mushrooms, tomato, beans and sourdough, while a plant based version replaces the meats with tempeh, vegan bacon and avocado.
Other current choices show a creative cafe approach, including garlic oyster mushrooms on toast, Belgian style waffles with sausage and egg, sweetcorn fritters, gnocchi with sage and miso, and a charred asparagus and beetroot salad. Vegan dishes are prominent rather than treated as an afterthought.
Locally roasted coffee, matcha, hot chocolate, wine, beer and a substantial cocktail list support visits throughout the day. Outdoor seating provides another place to relax, and guests with allergies or dietary requirements should speak with the team about ingredients and preparation before ordering.
Address: 27 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester M4 5AJ, England
Social Refuge Menu
Breakfast & Brunch
Monday – Thursday 9am till 4pm, Friday – Sunday 9am till 5pm
The Granola
Crunchy house granola with creamy peach yoghurt, blueberry compote and a crown of fresh seasonal berries. V GF
Strawberry & Almond French Toast
Thick-cut French toast with strawberry compote, toasted almond flakes and plant-based vanilla ice cream. VG
Triple Banana Pancakes
Fluffy banana pancakes topped with maple caramelised bananas, crunchy banana chips and served with a plant-based vanilla ice cream. VG
Belgian Style Chocolate Orange Waffles
Crisp waffles topped with a plant-based vanilla ice cream, citrus segments, dark chocolate shavings and orange syrup. Gluten free option available. VG
Belgian Style Waffles with Sausage & Egg
Crispy Belgian style waffles piled with Cumberland sausage, two fried eggs, pomegranate seeds, and maple syrup. Gluten free option available.
Brie & Sweet Chilli Sourdough Toasted Sandwich
A golden sourdough toastie layered with creamy brie and sweet chilli chutney, served with a side of house pickles. V
Eggs Your Way on Sourdough
Your choice of poached, fried, or scrambled eggs on, finished with harissa-infused garlic oil and crisp apple-cider & a side of house pickles. V
Garlic Oyster Mushrooms on Toast
Creamy garlic oyster mushrooms and sautéed kale topped with a poached egg, served on a toasted brioche slice. V
Custom Creation Avo Smash
A piled-high avocado smash on toasted sourdough with house pickles. Customise and add for just £2.50 each: VG
Tahini Yoghurt Turkish Eggs
Soft eggs served over creamy tahini yoghurt, topped with harissa chilli oil and capers, with toasted rosemary focaccia. V
Crispy Sweetcorn Fritters
Crispy sweetcorn fritters topped with grilled halloumi, pomegranate, tahini yoghurt, and a harissa chilli oil drizzle. V
Chorizo, Kale & Baby Potato Hash
Baby new potato hash with chorizo and kale, topped with a fried egg, crispy onions and sweet chilli chutney.
Creamy Sage & Miso Gnocchi
Soft gnocchi coated in a velvety sage-miso sauce with oyster mushrooms and chestnuts. VG
Pearl Barley Risotto with Asparagus & Green Peas
Creamy pearl barley risotto with tender asparagus and sweet green peas, finished with fresh parsley gremolata.
Charred Asparagus & Beet Salad
Charred asparagus and beetroot with citrus segments and pickled fennel, finished with a miso-maple dressing. With grilled halloumi or go vegan with grilled tempeh. V GF
Pulled BBQ Chicken Bun
Slow-cooked pulled BBQ chicken with fresh homemade summer slaw in a soft brioche bun.
The Full Refuge
A full, indulgent plate of slow-roasted pork belly, Cumberland sausage, fried egg, grilled oyster mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, smoked chipotle beans, and toasted sourdough.
The Full Vegan Refuge
A fully plant-based big breakfast with grilled tempeh, vegan bacon, avo smash, grilled oyster mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, smoked chipotle beans, and toasted sourdough. VG
All The Extras
Cumberland sausage
Slow roasted pork belly
Grilled chorizo
Poached, fried or scrambled egg
Grilled halloumi
Smashed avocado
Vegan bacon
House pickles
Regular toast or GF sourdough
Grilled tempeh
Tea & Coffee
Espresso
Macchiato
Flat White
Cappuccino
Matcha
Matcha Latte
Lavender Matcha
Rhubarb Match
Blueberry Matcha
Iced Drinks
Caramel Latte
Chai Latte
Chocolate
Chocolate Chai
Frappes
Blueberry Matcha
Chocolate & Pistachio
Salted Caramel
Biscoff
Draft
Guinness
1664 Blanc
Estrella Damm
Sapporo
Bottled
Corona
Desperados
Peroni Gluten Free
Old Mout Cider
Apple & Strawberry, Pineapple & Raspberry, Kiwi & Lime, Berries and Cherries
Soft Drinks
Draft Coca-Cola
Lemonade
Flavoured Lemonades
Blood Orange, Cloudy Lemon, Elderflower, Kiwi, Lavender, Peach
Cocktails
£12 – 2 for 1, 11am till 7pm everyday, 2 of the same cocktail
Cherry Negroni
Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, stirred, over ice with a hint of cherry.
Spicy Margarita
Tequila, triple sec, lime juice, hot honey & salted rim.
Maple Fashioned
Whiskey, maple sugar, bitters, orange slice, over ice.