Northern Soul Grilled Cheese is a cheese shop in Northern Quarter, Manchester. Rated 4.7 stars from 1172 Google reviews. Known for sandwiches that justify the queue and sides that don't feel like afterthoughts. Best for lunch and solo dining. Price range: £.
Rankings updated April 2026
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Quick Verdict
Locals return repeatedly because the sandwiches are genuinely good, prices feel fair at £10–20, and the staff make you want to come back. This isn't a tourist trap masquerading as discovery—it's a small operation that's earned its 4.7 stars.
Go if you want a proper grilled cheese with serious fillings and a beer, don't mind queuing on weekends, and appreciate places that do one thing well.
About Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Northern Soul is a grilled cheese shop tucked into Church Street Market in the Northern Quarter where the menu's small but everything's executed with care. You'll find skilfully made toasties—the Birria grilled cheese, Bang Bang Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich, Mac Attack with fried chicken, N'Duja Love It—paired with a decent beer selection and creamy mac and cheese sides. The space is cosy and casual, full by lunchtime on weekdays, rammed on weekends. Staff are consistently praised as cheerful and attentive. One regular's been coming for years and says it's still as tasty as ever. Portions fill you up. Vegetarian options exist and work well. Coffee's excellent. Dogs are welcome. It's the kind of place where you feel the planning and care in everything they do.
What Stands Out
Sandwiches that justify the queue
Reviewers describe toasties as 'next level' and 'very very tasty.' The Birria grilled cheese was 'so good we had to come back two days in a row.' The Bang Bang Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich earned praise as 'the best I have ever had in Manchester.' Fried chicken is 'not dry' and 'the coating not too thick.'
Sides that don't feel like afterthoughts
Mac and cheese is 'very creamy and flavourful.' The creamed corn soup prompted one customer to say 'that was some good creamed corn soup' and pair it with a classic grilled cheese for a complete lunch. Portions are generous—'fills you up.'
Staff and atmosphere that feel intentional
Multiple reviews praise 'lovely staff,' 'cheerful staff,' and 'very nice and friendly' service. One customer noted 'you can feel the planning, care, consideration and love put into everything.' The space is described as 'cosy' and 'warm,' with great music and ambience. A first-time visitor said 'a warm welcome and very tasty food' on a wet Manchester day.
Practical Information
Contact
Frequently Asked Questions about Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
The Birria grilled cheese and Bang Bang Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich are the ones customers come back for. The Mac Attack with fried chicken and N'Duja Love It are also strong. Pair any sandwich with the creamed corn soup or mac and cheese side. Coffee's excellent if you're going for breakfast.
Expect a queue on Saturdays and Sundays. Arrive early or go on a weekday when you'll find a table even during lunch. One regular notes it's 'easier to find a table on weekdays even during lunch time.'
Yes, dogs are allowed.
They accept reservations, but this is primarily a walk-in spot in a market setting. Call ahead if you're coming with a group.
£10–20 per person. Reviewers consistently mention prices feel fair for what you get—good portions, quality fillings, skilled execution.
Also in Northern Quarter
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