Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
Western
British
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Reopened here Jul 2018, this is a coffee shop with vegan choices marked on the menu, and a few vegan cakes and pies which change daily. Open Mon-Thu 07:30-18:00, Fri 07:30-23:00, Sat 09:00-23:00, Sun 10:00-17:00.
19 Reviews
First Review by CapybaRus
keep_it_tdy
Points +13699
Living the Pie Life - Edit
If, like me, you have an almost insatiable sweet-tooth then I recommend that you go here…NOW! Phenomenal does not do justice to not only the quality of the goods that I had, but also the range of items on offer. Picking a favourite would be nigh on impossible as they were all exceptional in their own way. From this fleeting visit, it is abundantly clear why this place is held in such higher regard by the locals, and it’s more than worth braving the hoards of punters to dine here.
Read moreGuest
Jcj3ssi3
Points +1406
Great brunch - Edit
I really liked it and it had good vibes. The food was good and the price wasn’t too bad either
Read moreGuest
LesleyDargie-walker
Points +352
Could do with more vegan options - Edit
Only really went here because a friend suggested, breakfast was okay. Far too much going on on the plate for me. Home made hashbrowns just tasted like fried Crisps. Need more vegan options, staff seemed a little dry and not bothered
Read moreGuest
fruityjuicyluce
Points +204
Refreshing fry up - Edit
The fry up we had left me feeling satisfied and not bloated/gross. It was super refreshing.
Read moreFelt like I actually had something healthy but tasty and filling. They didn't skimp on the avocado either.
Would love to go back and try their pies
Pros: Affordable , Tasty, Healthy
Cons: A few options
Guest
VRebecca
Points +1574
Not many vegan options - Edit
However, what I ordered (vegan fry up) was really good!
Read moreGuest
ximenesuk
Points +29
Brilliant vegan breakfast/brunch! - Edit
The last time we visited Idle Hands it was a wee cafe on the station approach. The vegan breakfast was fabulous and we vowed to return. The cafe is now in much bigger premises. But thankfully they still serve a couple of great vegan breakfasts. They don’t use meat-substitutes so their “fry-up” is a tower of veg, cowboy bean, proper hash browns, avocado mash and other delicious things. My wife had the avocado mash on sourdough toast - be warned the two slice version is huge! The mash was a mix of avocado and greens, it was topped with fresh pickles. Both breakfasts were delicious and filling. The vegan pies looked good but I was a bit full to justify a slice!
Read moreGuest
HolBates
Points +756
Great vegan brunch - Edit
Lovely iced coffee and great beans for the vegan brunch options. Staff helped out with what cakes were vegan that day.
Read moreGuest
Keelan1985
Points +132
Cracking coffee! - Edit
I made time before attending a conference to pop to Idle Hands. I’m so glad I did, it was well worth walking passed what felt like hundreds of coffee chains.
Read moreThe coffee was delicious and the vegan chocolate covered hob [censored] was tasty (and massive!).
Pros: Plenty of vegan options, Friendly staff, Welcoming atmosphere
Guest
BryanWoltjen
Points +330
Arty, light and spacious - Edit
Vegan fry up was a great and healthy mix of delights but it would be great to have more options, there's really only two listed (a fry up and the ubiquitous avocado on toast). Where are the vegan pancakes? Where are all the bagels? WHERE IS THE JOLLY TOFU SCRAMBLE FOR THE LOVE OF CHEEZES.
Read moreCoffee is very credible, and otherwise a nice place in an area notoriously devoid of vegan breakfasts.
Pros: Hash brown fry up greens, Neat space
Guest
RuthBerry
Points +50
A must for coffee and pie - Edit
Lovely shop & staff and the pie was amazing
Read moreGuest
aheeley01
Points +470
Hearty brunch! - Edit
I ordered the vegan hash brown stack and it really didn’t disappoint! Tasty food and great coffee and a good spot for people watching!
Read morePros: Tasty food, Good atmosphere
Cons: Only a couple of vegan options
Guest
ValentinDonev
Points +380
Lovely cozy place - Edit
Delicious vegan cookies and lovely latte
Read morePros: Amazing service
Guest
davem
Points +44
N¼’s best coffee - Edit
Great coffee, with a range of vegan options if you want a ‘mylky’ one.
Read morePros: Great espresso, No, really great espresso
Cons: Toilet artwork better in their original venue
Guest
KellyB-H
Points +370
Funky and flexi - Edit
Good if you are with a group of friends who include carnists. Limited range of meals and cakes but I have always enjoyed what I have had.
Read morePros: Good for everyone , Nice vibe, Good quality
Cons: Limited range, Can be hard to get a table
Guest
LittleAliceFell
Points +2117
One of my fave NQ spots! - Edit
I’m surprised by some of the previous reviews as I am a big fan of Idle Hands and a very regular frequenter! I work remotely from here often - Idle Hands has a lovely relaxed vibe, with friendly and helpful staff, who are amazing when dealing with allergens/dietary requirements (I’m VE & GF).
Read moreVegan options are clearly labelled on the menu, and there are ALWAYS vegan cake/pies available (unless they’ve sold out)! Plant milk is always available - they recently ran an Oatly promotion where all drinks ordered with oat milk were free! They also constantly rotate their coffee blends, which is great for fellow coffee lovers.
Super inclusive and the bar seating area by the windows is an excellent people-watching spot 😅 Would recommend this cafe to anyone, vegan or not!
Pros: Good amount of tasty vegan options, ALWAYS have vegan sweet treats!, Great vibe & helpful staff
Guest
blinki
Points +950
All about the pie - Edit
I love the brunch here. It’s a bit expensive so more a treat than every day but it’s really good. There’s usually vegan soup and sandwich options for lunch. But there thing is more coffee and pie than food. The pies are great and include vegan options as is the coffee. It tends not to be too busy and it’s a nice place to sit. Staff are friendly and service is pretty quick.
Read moreGuest
spigoglys
Points +44
Great coffee, chilled vibe - Edit
Relaxed, trendy coffee shop in Northern Quarter, good vegan options for breakfast or brunch, vegan pies and cakes, and they clearly know their coffee.
Read morePros: Nice atmosphere
Guest
Veganolive1
Points +4688
Vegan Options But Better Places To Go - Edit
Idle Hands is a coffee shop, who on their website enthuse about their passion for coffee and food and I have been meaning to visit for ages, as they have vegan options on the menu.
Read moreWe ordered two vegan fry ups, with an extra potato hash brown for me instead of beans and two coffees. I was disappointed with my coffee served in a small cup, the flavour was good, but it arrived quite awhile after my husbands, so it was lukewarm. I find so many places serve coffee way ahead of the food, so I had drunk it all before my breakfast arrived, a much bigger cup or a mug would be much better.
The food was tasty enough and very healthy with all the greenery like spring greens, broccoli and red cabbage, all unusual ingredients on a vegan breakfast, would be nice to have the option of sausage or black pudding, but saying that it was quickly demolished as we were starving.
I noticed a couple of sweet treats on the counter when I was paying, so you can pop in for coffee and cake too.
I am not sure I would rush back though, as with so many places offering vegan breakfast, competition is high and I think there are much better breakfast options in the city.
Pros: Vegan options, Vegan cake
Cons: Coffee is far too small especially for the price
Guest
CapybaRus
Points +308
wouldn't go back - Edit
No vegan cake (2 options both sold out), some simple items on the menu are vegan but overpriced I feel (£7 for mushrooms on toast?), the only nondairy milk was almond... We just got a coffee and it was not a nice blend. I have given 2 stars for effort. With so many places in town, I won't be trying here again
Read moreGuest
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