Chapter One Books

Vibes are great but coffee quality and cake quality ( apart from the karak tea) is appalling and not value for money. Its a coffee shop with bad coffee :( so wouldn’t come here for the taste. I come here all the time and honestly the vibe is perfect. Especially the new library room they got going on. But …. Since I’m here all the time it’s a shame I can’t eat the food . I’ve tried and every time I feel like I’m wasting my money. I really just want them to get an actual baker in or a basic trained chef that can make basic homemade nibbles so I can enjoy and actually eat something when I’m here . Or why not partner with a Manchester local bakery like ‘ Piccadilly bakes ‘ and get some gorgeous independent community and renowned business in? It doesn’t have to be fancy or a really niche flavour of cake like they usually do. They’d be better doing classic cakes but to a good standard than such a wide variety of very low quality ones. Honestly greggs and Macdonalds coffee tastes better! It is such a shame !!!! I want to write this review as hopefully, not too harsh but constructive criticism for the owner in hope I can actually enjoy their food and coffee one day!! Then it would be the no1 place in Manchester hands down. They are an asset to Manchester culture nevertheless but js js js the food and coffee is , politely , awful and they just need some new suppliers ! Please !! From a regular xx

Likeable atmosphere + easy table service with QR code + ok wait, coffee is decent, okay price but i think their shakshuka (egg wrap) gave me food poisoning : ( would like to go again but probably will stay away from their food for now

I would recommend this place for the experience. If you need a place to sit and do your work or reading, this is the place for you. Do not expect too much from the menu as it's speciality is the ambience

I had a very delicious coffee here but the staff spoke to me incredibly rudely and ruined the experience. I'm not sure that I will come back here as there are many cafes in Manchester.

Best chai latte in Manchester! I love the decor and it has a selection of games to play if that’s your thing. My favourite city centre cafe to read in but it can get very noisy.

Where to start.. the coffee shop had such a calming presence and is very different from most coffee shops, however i was appalled by the attitude of the waitress. After arriving with my work colleagues on our lunch break we decided to try a new spot, we sat in the Moroccan themed cushion space and ordered our drinks, around 20 minutes later our coffee arrived when we needed to be heading out. My colleague asked if she could get the drink in a takeaway cup politely, just for the waitress to stare blankly at her, sigh and walk away without saying anything. The one thing she did mention was our shoes being on, which i wouldn't of minded if the other people didn't have shoes on or at bare minimum a sign to say 'no shoes'. Realistically, i couldn't tell if she just wanted to start a little bit of a drama or if they were truly the rules as there was absolutely nothing to indicate a no shoe rule. We all decided to follow the server to grab our drinks as we were done waiting. When she realized we were behind and asked for out stuff, she rolled her eyes and gave us a scowl. Bare in mind not one of us had a rude tone or any slight face on us. As someone who worked as a barista, i understand it can be overwhelming, but never an excuse to be rude to someone just because you're having a bad day or that is 'just you'. I didn't want to leave a review but after seeing everyone else's experience, i think this should be a wake up call for the owner to rehire. Especially if you're paying £5 for a coffee that frankly could be better made, service should be top notch. In summery, if you enjoy long waits, rude staff and mid drinks, chapter one is the spot for you!

Worst coffee I’ve ever had & where were the pancakes & banoffee pie???

Great place.....but is often full of people on laptops not drinking coffee, which sucks if you want to sit down and drink coffee.

Cute idea but wow I have never felt so uncomfortable in what is meant to be a comfortable cafe. I walked in asking where they have a list of books to be greeted with a snicker and the waitress saying ‘the books are around the shop look there’. Bear in mind these books are next to people’s tables so was a bit awkward leaning across. Stuffy atmosphere to be honest and felt like it was trying very hard. Shame. 2/5 (2 starts come from 1 - the location and 2 - the concept). Really had high hopes so quite disappointed, couldn’t bare it for more than 5 mins.