Ezra & Gil: A Mancunian Love Story
My love affair with Ezra & Gil, an undisputed hero of Manchester’s coffee scene, started in 2018 when I first relocated to the city.
It didn’t take me long to discover Ezra & Gil: a neighbourhood café that has cemented itself as a thriving hub for Manchester’s community, creatives, remote workers and coffee aficionados.
[Image credit: Manchester Finest]
Each morning on my commute through the Northern Quarter, I’d pass by Ezra & Gil, stealing glances through the slightly ajar door. The smell of freshly ground coffee would pleasantly waft in my direction, tinged with the sweet smell of warm pastries, as I caught a brief glimpse at the industrial decor within: high ceilings, steel beams and onyx-grey walls that exuded a moody yet inviting atmosphere.
But what really captured my attention was the people inside: the freelancers (or who I assumed were freelancers) tapping away on their laptops, deep in concentration, perfectly at home in this cosy social space.
I’d look at them with envy and wonder: Would I ever be afforded that freedom? To work for myself, to set my own schedule, to spend my days in a place like this?
Several years later, when I finally took the plunge and became a freelance copywriter & brand strategist, my first order of business was a no-brainer: grab my laptop and head straight to Ezra & Gil.
[Image credit: Ezra & Gil via Facebook]
About Ezra & Gil: Where It All Began
Ezra (meaning ‘helper’) & Gil (meaning ‘happiness’) was founded back in 2014 with a “vision of creating a neighbourhood hang out, a place with a strong social space”.
Since their opening eleven years ago, it’s safe to say they’ve achieved their vision and then some.
The first Ezra & Gil opened in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, followed by a second Manchester venue on Peter Street in 2021 and a third in Liverpool in 2024.
As well as serving a delicious breakfast & lunch menu, wine & cocktails – including my favourite, the classic mojito – Ezra & Gil also sell store-cupboard essentials like fresh eggs and veggies, as well, of course, as damn good coffee.
[Image credit: Ezra & Gil via Facebook]
Freelancing & Freedom: My ‘I Made It’ Moment
I’d regularly frequented Ezra & Gil to meet friends for coffee or brunch on weekends – their veggie sandwich with avocado, mushrooms, and halloumi remains a firm favourite – but stepping into Ezra’s as a freelancer felt monumental: a real “I’ve made it” moment.
Working from a coffee shop is hardly revolutionary, but it symbolised pure freedom for me – a moment I’d dreamed of as a 9-5 office worker.
The days of rushing past Ezra & Gil on my morning commute, longing to be inside, were finally over.
I walked in, laptop in tow, ready to claim my space.
Of course, I only had eyes for one seat: one of the coveted window spots I had so longingly admired on my old work commute. To my delight, there was a free space. I set down my laptop and took it all in: the gentle hum of conversation, the clinking of coffee cups, the comforting sounds from what was about to become my favourite Third Place.
The coveted window seat!
[Image credit: Ezra & Gil via Facebook]
“All day coffee for the young, senior citizens and general misfits”
One of my favourite things about Ezra & Gil is the diverse patrons it attracts, their outdoor sign proudly welcoming “the young, senior citizens and general misfits”.
Looking around at the industrial decor, with its reclaimed wood floor and vintage stacking chairs, I observed the diverse groups of people enjoying the space: two girlfriends engrossed in what looked like a long overdue catch-up, a young family doting on their newborn baby, an elderly couple reading the newspaper and enjoying a brew, business folks squinting at their laptops.
Seeing people from all walks of life enjoying a space epitomises the sense of community and belonging I love about Manchester.
As an adopted Mancunian, I’ve never felt more welcome or accepted in any city other than here – and places like Ezra & Gil make it this way.
[Image credit: Ezra & Gil via Facebook]
Ezra & Gil > Everywhere Else
Manchester is teeming with independent coffee shops, but some places can feel too cool, too exclusive, like you have to ‘fit in’ to belong there (you know the ones, right?)
Ezra & Gil are the exact opposite. It’s a warm, welcoming, and inclusive space, whether you’re a coffee connoisseur ordering a triple-shot oat milk flat white or someone who just wants a good no-nonsense brew.
Simply put, Ezra & Gil is everything you could want in a coffee shop: a welcoming atmosphere, delicious coffee and cosy vibes. It’s comforting and familiar – the embodiment of a perfect Third Place.
My Go-To Ezra & Gil Order:
I love everything on the Ezra & Gil menu, but if I had to choose my favourites, they are:
To drink: Matcha latte made with coconut milk.
To eat: Veggie sandwich with halloumi, mushroom and avocado.
To snack: The cake selection changes regularly, but if carrot cake or blondies are available, count me in.
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