Parched Tea Bar

When we Brits are desperate for a good cuppa, be it if our poison is your classic English Breakfast with a dash of milk, an Earl Grey with a slice of lemon, a leafy green tea, a soothing camomile or a zingy peppermint (the last three being particular favourites of mine), we often complain that we’re ‘parched’. Hence why this place has such a clever name. What better moniker to give to a tea bar?
Coffee shops have almost taken over the city, so I think it’s only fair that our beloved tea gets its fifteen minutes of fame. It might be tucked away in the Arndale Market but its popularity speaks volumes. Here, a ‘builder’s brew’ will only set you back a mere quid, and the loose leaf specialities are just 60p more. There are more unusual varieties too, such as sage, saffron black, dandelion, fennel, nettle and every fruit you can think of, still less than £2. They even have one of my most sought after teas ever, a vanilla black tea blend that I used to have with milk when Tetley did a variety of them. And what about a Ceylon and white choc chip blend… parched yet? Heck, that one just makes me hungry. And thirsty. Well done, Parched.
As well as teas from all corners of the globe you can get a nice toastie (which we did — pick your own ingredients. We opted for a cheesy one with spinach and tomato, and the bread was ridiculously fresh and light), a bagel or an indulgent cream tea (scones with clotted cream and jam alongside your favourite cuppa). I also experienced their excellent peppermint filter tea and the coffee my mum had was top notch. And all for just over a fiver! If you love tea as much as me, it’s almost criminal not to visit Parched.
Plus… a People Love Us On Unilocal sticker. On a lovely little Arndale Market stall. It says a lot!

Keeping it short and sweet, Parched is a superb tea bar, with one of the most extensive selections of teas I have ever seen! The only thing I think I would add is more of a food menu, or perhaps some cakes, but as the unit itself is very small, it’s understandable that this may not be feasible.
The lady who owns it, although lovely enough, does sometimes seem like she’s a bit run off her feet, or a bit busy/​rushed, which can make ordering a little uncomfortable, but as I say, she’s friendly enough.
Parched is good enough quality to deserve to have its own unit/​shop. If it did, I think it’d do very well indeed.

For fans of herbal teas such as myself, Parched Tea Bar offers a refreshingly wide choice of brews — best have a look for yourself at the flippable drinks menu on their front counter. As well as premium herbal teabags, Parched also do loose ’tisanes’ which are mixed in front of you and served in a cafetière with a cute little glass cup. So far, I’ve enjoyed both a ‘superberry’ and an ‘inspiration’ tea — the latter being a 100% organically grown mix of lemongrass, orange and peppermint. So far, so good: and I’m happy to work my way through the rest of the Parched herbal range, variety being the spice of life.
It’s a nice, friendly place, the Arndale Food Court, and Parched is one of the classier highlights. The décor is all mirrors and what must be well over a hundred glass jars holding the various teas. And there is something for everyone — herbal fans like myself, tea connoisseurs looking for the new Lapsang Souchong, but also a lot of folk homing in on an everyday brew for £1. I noticed quite a few venerable ladies carrying trays of six mugs at a time to their posse of friends who’d sensibly bagged a table, and other parties of four generations with our kid in a pram sitting opposite grandma in a wheelchair. And the owner is a hospitable young woman, so there is a real feeling that ‘the kettle is always on’ for you.
For me, a nice cup of herbal is just the thing to wash down a Rice & 3 Veg curry from Ethnic Bites or whatever takes my fancy next time, such as a vegetarian burrito from Pancho’s, ratatouille from the Mediterranean stall or… you get the idea.

Yeah, pretty much. Like everyone says on here, Parched is totally great. Do you like tea? Yes, of course you do. Parched knows that too and its convenient location in the Arndale food hall makes it an ideal place to come and quench your thirst during a busy Saturday shopping trip.
With summer just around the corner (yeah, the slightest bit of sun makes me think that it’s summer!) Parched are selling specially made iced tea for £1.60. I love iced tea!
If you are a real tea fan then Teacup isn’t far away though. Mr Scruff is Manchester’s favourite tea-​lover and this excellent tea shop is only a couple of streets away. But if that seems like it’s a bit far, check out Parched, it’s super.

This is one of the smallest tea cafes around and definitely the best! Head to the Arndale market in Manchester. Parched has the art of hospitality and friendliness, well… down to a tea! you really feel at home here! Marcy, the owner has an unbelievably thorough knowledge of tea, and you will always see her with a smile on her face. I love the choice of tea as there are over 60 kinds but even if you like to keep it simple with tea, Parched undoubtedly has the most divine ‘everyday’ black tea there is… its fair trade and a huge mug is only one pound. just try it!

If you’re a fan of tea, then there’s no better place in Manchester to get the perfect brew. There’s over 60 different varieties on offer here from Russia, China, Africa, Sri Lanka, Indian, Japan… the list is endless. There’s a tea for every mood, and every palette and the owner Marcy is only too happy to advise you on your choice. But if tea isn’t your thing, then fear not, because coffees, hot chocolates, smoothies, juices and milkshakes are also on offer.
It isn’t just the drinks that are first-​class here though. There’s delicious toasties, bagels and their inimitable cream tea with a scone, clotted cream and jam (for just £3.25!) on offer too. Take a seat at the diner-​style bar or at one of the tables and experience how good a café can be.