Station South

It’s no secret that independent businesses have had a rough time of things since the pandemic, and this is particularly true of hospitality. Station South, located in a former railway station in the bustling south east Manchester suburb of Levenshulme, is proof it’s still possible to make amazing things work without the backing of a big corporate. Although this operation did take years of work to be realised, with the local community raising funds to take over a derelict transport stop and transform it into one of the neighbourhood’s most popular meeting points. 

First and foremost, Station South is a cycle café. But It’s also a bar, a workshop and an urban garden. “A place to meet, eat, drink and dance. A space to share, grow, fix and ride. A community hangout geared up for good food, good brews and good times,” the team proudly proclaim. It’s also the home of Station South Cycle Club, helping people learn to ride and engage with cycling as a hobby, regularly running days out into nearby countryside and teaching people how to repair and maintain pedal-powered two-wheelers.

To eat, expect seasonal breakfast and brunch — station eggs with pulled pork or veg, big breakfast hash, manc muffin, bacon butty and banana bread give a flavour of what’s served early on each day. Then between 12.30PM and 8.30PM mains options include an amazing selection of burgers, not least the excellent meat free options (pesto shroomy with goats cheese, or parsnip & cashew). Patties and buns aside, the emphasis is on small plates like cauli wings, roasted roots and watercress salad, pearl barley with mushrooms, and roasted carrots with whipped goats cheese. Add to this one of the best roast dinners in the area on Sundays, and an epic sweet menu including ‘liquid deserts’ like espresso martini and something Russian. Suffice to say, it’s hard not to love what’s happening here. And that’s before we come to the bar itself, with has an ace choice of wines, beers, spirits, coffees and teas, among other options.