Kelly Laybourne
Finally made it!
I've been looking to visit here for such a long time and glad it was worth the wait!
The grilled cheese was done to perfection, and would recommend a bowl of frickles!
My friend had the mozzarella sticks which are insanely huge, and real good value for money - but also incredibly tasty.
The only issue is there's nothing like this in my neck of the woods so I'm going to need to visit again to try the other items, unless I can get a deliveroo to the North East!
Would 1000% recommend.
George Pollard
I was *bitterly* disappointed when I heard that there was no Mac 'n' cheese left as I had set my heart in some before arriving, but opted for a grilled sandwich instead.
Now, it really was just a toasted cheese sandwich, I was kinda expecting more... but it was tasty, and the cheese was great. That's not what you're paying for though, it's the location, it's the vibe, it's the service, all of which are excellent. So although I didn't get what I wanted, I still left happy.
Nathan
Brilliant place, easy to find and great food.
I enjoyed it so much I had to buy the t-shirt while I was there.
Although it's a shame they don't do 2XL as I think my chest increased by a full cup size after that Mac and cheese sandwich! š
10/10
Marjolaine Lebrasseur
By far the best place for the thickest, most tasty milkshakes Iāve ever had! Itās definitely my favourite place to go for the best mac n cheese and any grilled cheese sandwiches. They are so good, as are the mozzarella sticks and the seasoned fries! Not to mention, the staff is so friendly and lovely, they always do their best to accommodate and make you feel welcome. Highly recommended!
Martyna Paprotna
Everything was good! Food is amazing, prices were affordable, good location even for those who are in Manc for the first time in their life - highly recommended. And staff is very caring and helpful
Kristy Rix
This place - š„
The food, the location, the people and the decor are just amazing. The toasties, omg. We all had a huge mix and we all loved them, the wings are also something you MUST try. Also the orange and lemonade, a must.
Really quick service, lots of seating, quirky decor and attentive staff! Highly recommend!
Petr MinaÅĆk
What the hell? That was delicious! Well, it's unhealthy as you can imagine but tastes great! Definitely worth a visit.
Reasonable prices, staff is attending but as there is a lot of people, it takes a lot of time to get your food, so be patient (also I think food delivery companies are preferred).
Emma Small
I love finding little off the beaten track places to eat and this place did not disappoint. I had a Grilled Cheese sandwich whilst my mum had the mac and cheese, large chips between us and 2 drinks and was only Ā£23, which for sit down food in the centre of Manchester I thought was brilliant. Food was great and service was fab, very friendly. Can't wait to visit again on my next shopping trip!
Ahmed Raoof
Lovely staff and food , music was a few notches too high and they didn't accept cash , which should always be choice. But it's somewhere nice to go over all with decent prices
Chris Wardak
I donāt really know where to start this reviewā¦
Simply the best grilled sandwich Iāve tasted in a long time. Sides were fantastic too, everything from frickles to chips was top noch. Place itself is cute and staff is great. Canāt wait to be back ā„ļø
daisy
The food was IMMACULATE. The service is top notch, canāt fault them at all, especially with the fact that Elise and Katie seemed run off their feet. Still provided amazing service.
The food is well priced for the portions you get. The milkshakes are massive but so so good!! 100% recommend the mozzarella bites
Stinger 007
The place has a great relaxed vibe, staff are really friendly and the guy who took our order remembered everything from memory without writing it down which me and the Mrs thought was a great trick. The food was absolutely amazing with fantastic portion sizes. However the star of the show for me has to be the honey chicken wings they were the largest, crispiest and most flavoursome wings Iāve ever had and would highly recommend them. Toasties are also the best your going to get anywhere.
Lydia Farrington
Was a great place to get some lunch with my boyfriend, the food was delicious we received great service from a lovely girl called Larni. Appreciate the good atmosphere. Was a lovely date totally recommend.
Madalin Chirila
I've been here tens of times for takeaway grilled cheese sandwiches, but I have never tried the wings. Honestly, the honey and sesame chicken wings are the best wings I ever had! From how they looked and of course they tasted, it was an extremely pleasant experience and I would recommend them to anyone!
Of course, the atmosphere and the service was top-notch as always!
Ben Clarke
A lovely restaurant with some of the friendliest staff and the best toastie I have had in ages.
The only downside was the single use / non recyclable packaging (including the plastic drinking cups and cardboard containers our starters came is).
Chris Baxter
Called in last night before a gig for a quick grilled cheese. I had the New Yorker sandwich. Always a pleasure to visit with great service and tasty grilled sandwiches.
Faye W
Iām not really a fan of cheese toasties but came here as my partner wanted to and it has changed my mind! It was so tasty! We had the the Philly cheesesteak, the chicken one, and some chicken wings. The wings were huge! Some of the best wings weāve had. Both cheese toasties were lovely as well. Really good sized portions, I ended up taking half of mine home. The staff were super friendly, it was really busy when we went, we luckily got a table but there were people queuing outside throughout. Worth the hype!
The only recommendation I have is to be able to order the extras, e.g. fried chicken, as a side. I didnāt want it in my toastie but it looked so good, just a shame it couldnāt be added on the side.
TFT
I was so excited to come here on a homemade food tour, and it did not disappoint.
Sticking to a classic, a friend and I shared The Soul, with no fillings (though you can have up to 3 for free). The cheeseā¦phwoar. Just beautiful.
There are all sorts of snacks and sides to get involved with also, but itās just got to be The Soul.
You can either sit in, or thereās another door for food to take away.
Jo Turney
Such good grilled cheese and good portion size. Loved the food, service, environment, price.
Fabulous art in the loo too
10/10
Usman A.
From the plywood interior to the drum barrel outside tables adorned with spray painted logos, Northern soul grilled cheese embodies the Manchester vibe. There is definitely a focus on the food and taking a relatively simple dish and elevating it to the next level, through great quality ingredients and adding some unique twists.
The focus is on grilled cheese sandwiches, all based around 'The Soul' with its secret 3 cheese blend but Mac 'n' Cheese and Nachos are another option. Service is quick and an ideal place to grab something quick for lunch.
Aris L.
I went here for lunch and i ordered the Pig On A Lead. The sandwich taste good. Staff were friendly
CONCLUSION = RECOMMENDED!
Lloyd M.
I ordered the original plus blue cheese and bacon and it was incredible. If you like blue cheese, definitely recommended, but regardless you have to go to Northern Soul. Great grilled cheese (toasties) sandwiches.
Daniella P.
I didn't think I would be rating a grilled cheese I. Manchester .. but here we are. Wow. I simply had the classic, but everything on the menu sounded amazing. Every time I pass by here there is a crowd so it's no surprise it's a fave for many locals. But amazing grilled cheese, hope to try their Mac n cheese, and quick service!
William G.
I love sandwiches and a grilled cheese is the king of the sandwich world. This place rotates their menu which is the best thing a place can do for me personally, they give you more than enough food and it's amazing quality as are their shakes!
Seriously if you love a grilled cheese make a purposeful stop here as you won't get better anywhere else I've been (other than my house ;) )
Hannah M.
You know, I'd probably say that this place just beats soho's melt room (and I do love that place), and it wants to, with higher price cues than London, not what I was expecting, but things are a bit more substantial here with a proper plate rather than a rush lunch.
The actual cheese itself isn't to die for (spent too many visits to Lincoln eating cheese, clearly) but what they put it with is what makes it tasty. There's such a range, and I'm a real Mac and cheese fiend, and as much as I prefer having a choice, I think my picks here have been minorly trumped by home sweet home's cheeseburger toastie. if we were to make all of the grilled cheeses have a rumble, I think that hsh would have more strength, but that that sheer number of toastie options here would take them down.
I think if I hadn't done grilled cheese places before, that I would have been more impressed.
They deliveroo too.
Veronica J.
While overall the experience is good, I was a bit disappointed as the place was advertised as gourmet grilled cheese joint in Manchester evening news. The toasties are tasty indeed, with generous amount of filling, but the cheese (key ingredient) is nothing special really. Well, I guess sometimes over advertising causes a little bit of disappointment.
Paula C.
Fab grilled cheese , finally got to go here and we certainly were not disappointed. The mac n cheese with bacon grilled sandwich is perfect and soooooo tasty . Definitely be returning and trying the rest of the menu .
* fab place and location if your wanting a bite to eat while drinking in the northern quarter *
Abel R.
Very flavorful grilled cheese sandwiches! The bread was toasted to perfection and the food came out timely and perfect. This place has a cool vibe and seems to be a local business. I'm all about supporting the local businesses. Must visit when in Manchester!
Tiffany H.
I'm calling the labour department on this place because I do believe there are fairies making the food. Sprinkling fairy dust making the food spectacular HAS to be against English laws.
Matt F.
A update is due but the 5 stars are definitely not going anywhere!
Northern soul continues to develop into something of a Manchester lunch institution and long may it thrive! Perfect for the fast paced week days where you have a limited time for lunch - pop in, get your cheese fix and then get back on your way!
What I like about this place is how you can customize something so simply (grilled cheese sandwich) and turn it into a work of art (for me that's adding Mac and cheese, ham and frankfurters) - indulgent heaven!
They do change the menu round pretty often so check the Yelp pics for most recent ones!
Christina A.
great food, great service, great coffee. I got the New Yorker, and I wasn't disappointed.
Andrew Y.
Went here the other week after hearing good things about it. And I do really like a good grilled cheese sandwich.
I went for The Soul which was a blend of 3 different cheeses and it overall tasted good. It was a bit of a long wait for it - but to be fair its still pretty new and with a small place, it looks like they can only do one at a time per person.
The service was friendly and when I asked to have mine without pickles, it was no problem at all. Unfortunately, one of the grilled cheese sandwiches was a bit burnt.
As I have said, overall it tasted good but room for improvement. I hoped the cheese would be a bit more "gooey".
Using the Yelp rating, I think it just about gets a 4/5 - I would say "I'm a fan".
Natalie W.
Quick update - Northern Soul has doubled in size since it opened and now has good seating space. You can sit at the bar which is ideal for you to eat solo and watch the cheese grill. The bleu eyed boy (srichacha, blue cheese, smoked bacon and their 3 cheese blend) I had was the best I've tried yet, and they keep rotating the menu so there is always something new. Very nice staff and good music make this a great and reasonably priced treat.
Wendy C.
Bloody beautiful! Yum, yum, yum. Great food, great prices & great service! Can't wait to go again.
Jon C.
Had a bit of everything. Standouts were Mac pot special, and Piggy Nachos. Pig on a lead could use a bit more flavor but all cheese in everything was on delicious. Fun, cheap, enjoyable and friendly atmosphere. Great for families and quick bite.
Jessica C.
No words can describe this amazing "Crimbo Dinner" (Ā£7.00) in a grilled cheese sarnie that I tried last week @northernsoulmcr - it is basically Christmas overload. It is even better to add in mac and cheese too (Ā£1.50). This is cooked to perfection with a delicious pink lady stuffing and cranberry sauce. It is truly a great meal to have, if you are feeling peckish after your night out. If you wanted to save all the trimmings for the actual christmas day, then why not try the "Pig on a lead" (Ā£6.50)? It is basically mac 'n cheese in a grilled cheese sarnie with bbq pulled pork. And yes, Adam Richman for King of Man vs Food also had this when he was in Manchester! (Need I say more?) If you like my pics, you can follow my IG: Mcrfoodie
Thomas B.
Since my first review I've been here many more times and have never been disappointed. It may not be fancy, or even have walls, but this is my favourite place to eat in Manchester.
There is an ever changing, but always delicious menu, amazing milkshakes, great coffee, and cheerful friendly staff.
Considering I'm on my second loyalty card, It's time to up my rating to the full five stars.
Adam C.
Northern Soul is the UK's first gourmet grilled cheese restaurant, and sits in a shack of small shops near the Arndale, in the trendy Northern Quarter of Manchester City Centre.
The place genuinely makes you smile as soon as you approach and hear the music playing, and people inside chatting, laughing, and the staff themselves smiling and laughing too. They've embraced the casual rough-and-ready style, with chunky wooden furniture and exposed roofing, and bar seating giving full view into the kitchen, giving the place the feeling of a classic American diner, but with a modern twist.
The clever way this place is set up means that as well as bar seating and "booth" or table seating, there's also seating allowing you to sit outside and face inside, or inside and face out, to watch the world go by, and on a summer's day like today, the open feel of the place gives it a pleasant and happy vibe.
We took a seat at the bar, and were asked if we'd visited before, which we haven't. We were told to check out the main menu chalkboard, and when ready, simply order at the main till, give our name, and wait for our food to come out. The menu is hugely appealing, with simple "cheese toastie" style offerings such as "The Soul", to full meal sounding offerings such as Tandoori Chicken, as well as sides and soups, and nothing costing more than Ā£6.50, which is very pleasant indeed. There was also a separate drinks prep area with a blackboard offering teas, coffees, and hand made loaded milkshakes.
We decided that we both fancied the Ham & Swiss, and ordered at the till, where it was nice to see that despite the place looking simple and rustic, we were able to pay by card. Drinks-wise I went for a pomegranate San Pellegrino, and my partner went for a Cookies and Cream milkshake, which at Ā£5 seems a little pricey compared to the rest of the menu, but was very good quality, and thoroughly enjoyed.
It was satisfying to be able to sit at the bar and watch the kitchen team in their black and yellow aprons preparing our sandwiches, and using heavy presses to keep them pressed down onto the cooking surface to cook to perfection. This made me feel like watching an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on Food Network, and I really liked that; it made the place feel genuine and unique. I could imagine Guy Fiyeri watching the sandwiches being made, and tasting them with satisfaction.
Our name was called out, and our grilled cheeses arrived in front of us, presented on gingham paper wrap with a pickle spear and a side of freshly made coleslaw. Just from looks alone this was no simple toastie, this was a big grilled cheese sandwich that meant business, oozing the secret three-cheese blend, and packed with delicious ham. The toast itself was perfectly smooth and crunchy from the sandwich-press method on the cooking surface, and gave a hugely satisfying crunch to bite through, followed by the warm and gooey delicious filling.
We both thoroughly enjoyed the sandwiches, and agreed the quality was superb. Even whilst munching our way through, we looked up at the menu, deciding what we fancied next time. I definitely fancy The Classic, with caramelised red onion chutney!
Looks can also be deceptive. Sure this was a toasted sandwich, but by the time I was half-way through my second half, I was getting full! This was a FILLING sandwich... when has that ever happened for under seven quid?
Northern Soul isn't fine dining, but it's simple and good hearty comfort food which makes for the perfect freshly made lunch that won't break the bank, which for Manchester's Northern Quarter is pretty rare, and as they also have a loyalty card, it's very tempting to make it a regular thing instead of just bobbing into the local Tesco Metro for an overpriced plastic packaged sandwich, or a lukewarm sausage roll from Greggs.
Love you, Northern Soul. Back soon!
Michael B.
Why had I left it this long to have tried NSGC out?! It's beyond me. I certainly won't wait to return now that I lunched here this week.
It's not merely comfort food, it's well-being food - it will make you happy and content in ways you couldn't anticipate.
The outward appearance of their eatery may look a tad slapdash and temporary in nature, given their preference for use of particle board, oil drums and graffiti, but these guys aren't going anywhere soon (unless, that is, Manchester falls out of love with cheese or their popularity means they need to look for a larger space elsewhere).
Warmly greeted on a chilly December lunchtime, it didn't take me long to decide which of their ever-changing range of grilled cheese sandwiches to go for - the festive Christmas Dinner (Ā£7).
Complete with turkey, glazed ham, oodles of cheese, cranberry sauce and gravy. It came topped with a stuffing ball and a pig-in-blanket and a side of coleslaw. Feeling ravenous I also added a side of pork belly mac & cheese (Ā£2).
It was one of the most satisfying dishes I've had all year. And I've eaten a lot of dishes. Go and eat there. Immediately.
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