Tinderbox

I was in Paperchase browsing Christmas cards, wrapping paper, and decorations on the second to last day of my week-​and-​a-​bit off work when I smelt the coffee. Literally. Not sure how long this café has been there but I think I may have been walking around with my eyes (and nose) shut in my various visits to Paperchase.
So I thought it would be rude not to have a pit stop. I had green tea and some amaretti biscuits. I thought that seemed like a healthy option though the range of cakes were pretty tempting.
The green tea wasn’t the best I’ve ever had but it was really nice. And in a decent sized pot. The biscuits were gorgeous and just sweet/​almondy enough.
I like that the furniture is recycled, reclaimed and reused, such as the old bus seats. Great to see and think more places should do this since we have to look after our planet and reduce wastage.
Price wise, pretty standard for this sort of place.
They have free wifi and pretty sure I noticed plug sockets.
Definitely worth a stop out when at the shops.

While I was in Manchester City Centre on Tuesday, I decided to try a different coffee shop other than my usual Costa. After a wander, I settled on Tinderbox Espresso Bar in Paperchase and I’m glad I did.
I had a regular skinny cappuccino with a salted caramel brownie, both of which were very nice and cost me around £4.95 which is around average price in my opinion. They also have a gluten-​free brownie, just thought you’d like to know. The servers there were polite and even smiled at me (I don’t get that in some Costa shops!). Another thing I noticed was that they sell the same pastries that are sold in some of the stalls at the Manchester Christmas Market which I rather liked as well. Some of the tables and seating were a little odd but I didn’t mind one bit because It reminded me of the art classrooms back in college, which is fitting considering it’s in a Arts and Craft store.
I will be coming here again, I rather enjoyed my stay.

What a lovely quirky little coffee shop! I was perusing for a diary downstairs in Paperchase before heading up to the café for a meeting which was great as we could also use the wifi facilities.
I honestly believe that a smile can make the world of difference… as soon as I walked in the staff seemed so happy and friendly! I went for my usual coffee order, a skinny vanilla latte, and asked for their recommendation on a slice of cake so I ended up with a slice of the St Clements! Both were brought over to me after I chose where to sit from the array of different seating encased within or around what looked to be a little house (hence the quirky vibe).
The coffee was pretty good but the vanilla syrup was quite subtle to taste so it wasn’t as sweet as usual. Probably a good thing however as the cake was absolutely delicious and it could easily have been sugar overload… definitely a good recommendation!

A nice little addition to the Manchester coffee scene — situated upstairs on the top floor of the Paperchase store off Deansgate. Not only is the coffee pretty tasty but it’s also a really good spot for people watching from a’high!
I’d say there’s seating for about 50 people and there’s a nice balance between high up bench seating and ‘slump in the corner’ seating. Even though this is part of the Paperchase chain and there seems to be a few of them over the UK it does pull off an independent feeling quite well — nice work Tinderbox.
I went for a vanilla cannoli which was ok but not breathtaking — in fact the whole sweet selections counter looks a little insipid but that’s just my opinion — I’d be interested to hear what others think of the other snacks available.
Wifi network is bt Hub– 9S8X — password is: tinderboxMCR

Very good coffee, pastries a bit iffy
The coffee is strong with this one so a flat white is good and zingy but an espresso is supercharged — I take mine con panna which tempers it a little but still sparkles.
The pastry selection is probably one of the best in a chain, with authentic handmade pastes with a whole selection of flavours. I’ve had them here a few times and have been impressed by the taste and skill but perhaps they’ve been under hot lights for too long…
Coffee is what brings me here, though, and the vintage/​retro vibe, as seen in other Tinderbox locations — an example of what I call corporate quirkiness — makes this a place that’s a god choice for meeting friends and impressing visitors. Not an independent coffee place by any means, it’s a leisurely part of a chain, this time in Paperchase, so you can surround yourself and fill yourself with lovely pretty things.