We Have Been Named UK's Most Popular Independent Coffee Shop (And We're Chuffed)
Manchester's coffee scene is something special, and we're buzzing to share some brilliant news. Federal – our little slice of Antipodean happiness in the heart of the city – has just been named the UK's most popular independent coffee shop. And honestly? We're over the moon.
From Manchester Streets to Global Recognition
In a recent study by Betway, Federal didn't just top the UK rankings – we landed fourth place worldwide. The research measured social media buzz across over 300 independent coffee shops globally, looking at TikTok views, Instagram hashtags, and Google searches to work out which cafes people can't stop talking about.
The numbers? Nearly 400,000 global searches per year and 1.1 million TikTok views. Not bad for a cafe that started in a tiny Northern Quarter spot back in 2014.
The Manchester Coffee Story That Started It All
Our founder Claudio opened the first Federal in the Northern Quarter with a simple mission: serve Manchester the best coffee and brunch with authentic Antipodean cafe culture.
What started as one location has grown to four spots across Greater Manchester – Northern Quarter, Oxford Road, Deansgate, and Altrincham. Each one brings that same laid-back, welcoming vibe that makes Federal feel like your local, even when there's a queue snaking down the street.
The Perfect Manchester Brunch Experience
What makes Federal special isn't just the food or coffee (though both are brilliant). It's the whole experience. The buzz of a busy weekend morning, the smell of fresh coffee mixing with sizzling bacon, the satisfied sighs when someone takes their first bite of our corn fritters.
Our cocktail offering has become just as popular – that two-for-£12 deal on mimosas and Bellinis makes weekend brunch even better.
Manchester's Coffee Capital Status
Being named alongside London powerhouses like Ozone Coffee Roasters and Feya feels surreal. And seeing our Northern Quarter neighbours Ezra & Gil in the top ten too? That's Manchester's coffee scene showing the world what we're about.
The global ranking puts us in incredible company – behind Onibus Coffee in Tokyo, Panaderia Rosetta in Mexico, and AMA Cafe in India. From a Northern Quarter startup to rubbing shoulders with the world's best coffee shops? That's a journey worth celebrating.
What This Means for Manchester
This recognition proves what we've always known – Manchester's got serious coffee game. We're not just keeping up with London or Melbourne; we're setting our own standard. The queues, the TikTok videos, the buzz of weekend mornings – it all shows that Manchester knows quality when it tastes it.
The Federal Effect
From Portuguese custard tarts that disappear by noon to smoothies and juices that fuel the city's fitness enthusiasts, Federal has become part of Manchester's daily rhythm. We're where first dates happen over flat whites, where business deals get done over weekend brunch, where Sunday morning hangovers meet their match in our Turkish Eggs.
The fact that people are talking about us from Tokyo to Mexico City? That's mental. But it's also a testament to what happens when you stick to your guns – serve great coffee, cook with pride, and treat every customer like they're popping round for brunch at your place.
Come See What the Fuss Is About
Whether you're a Manchester local who's been queuing with us since 2014 or you're curious about what makes Federal worth a global ranking, we'd love to see you. Pop into any of our four locations and taste why Manchester's coffee and brunch scene is taking over the world.