I’ve been to Caravan in London a few times and since I always had an enjoyable experience, was excited to try out this new branch in Manchester for breakfast.
The breakfast menu is consistent with Caravan’s style i.e. full of interesting and eclectic ingredients with 'twists' that build on solid and much loved recipes. Moreover the interiors of this Manchester location are extremely elegant with a contemporary and sophisticated chic vibe. The background music played inside is excellent and they have a huge album collection on display to prove it!
For breakfast, my wife ordered the baked eggs with spiced tomato and flatbread and I ordered the smashed avocado on toast with spiced crispy chickpeas and an extra poached egg.
Unfortunately we were both disappointed with the execution of our dishes; the baked eggs dish was under seasoned - easily corrected with a sprinkling of salt and pepper - however the flat bread that came with the dish was not freshly baked; it was cold and a bit chewy which isn’t fun.
Furthermore my avocado dish was quite underwhelming (expected more flavour) plus the avocado itself had just come out of the fridge and served very cold, which isn’t great on the palette.
The coffees were alright; my cappuccino was a little too milky for me but my wife enjoyed her americano.
Our 2 dishes plus 2 coffees came out to £41, which isn't great value for money compared to the excellent breakfast / brunches you can now get in Manchester.
I’m not sure if the owners / chef of Caravan recognize the incredibly high quality of breakfast / brunches available in Manchester today. I strongly recommend they do a market survey and try these great Manchester breakfast spots: Pollen Kampus, Pro-Caffeinated in Salford, Sugar Junction in Northern Quarter. The quality & freshness of ingredients used as well as the high level of execution in these locations should be experienced first hand for comparison especially if Caravan wish to make an impact in Manchester while charging more than these locations for breakfast / brunch.
Bringing Caravan over from London to Manchester is very exciting for those of us living in Manchester, so I hope they can embrace this feedback and strive to improve their breakfasts to reach the level of excellence they’re known for.
I aim to go back again to check out their lunch/dinner menu and will then update...
Read moreCaravan Manchester is a fantastic spot, nestled in the vibrant St John’s area, right next to Aviva Studios. It’s easy to find and offers a great location for anyone exploring the cultural hub of the city. The restaurant’s interior is inviting and stylish, with a welcoming atmosphere. In addition to their exceptional all-day dining, they also roast their own coffee on-site, making it a perfect spot for coffee lovers who appreciate fresh, high-quality brews.
The menu is exciting and diverse, offering flavours from all over the world. For example, the starters include options like edamame, while the mains often feature a unique twist, such as garam masala, bringing an Indian influence into the dishes. I had a special request to replace coconut yogurt with Greek yogurt in my main, and the staff made the adjustment smoothly without any issue. Their attention to detail and friendly service really stood out.
The whole experience was delightful, and I’d highly recommend Caravan, whether you’re dining alone or with a group. The area is perfect for a stroll afterwards, making it an ideal destination for exploring flavours in a wonderful...
Read moreCame for the Valentines Day service - The good, service was top notch and most of the food was delicious, inventive and filling for the price and I'd say the cocktails despite being a chain restauraunt are some of the best in Manchester - seriously good!
The bad... my main complaint is where we were seated. There is a table of 2 directly next to where the servers place orders onto the system - literally table pushed up to the serving till and being with how busy on valentines day didn't feel comfortable to ask to move. Total lack of privacy here with our conversation being stopped every few minutes by feeling uncomfortable with the server placing an order next to us. After walking by a week later this doesn't seem unique to being valentines day either as the same setting of table was there.
The large plates ordered were a little disappointing however (Schnitzel and lamb chop), dry and not very tasty which for how much you pay for them isn't great.
Definitely would go again for the small plates and have heard good things about breakfast... I imagine in summer it is going to be fantastic with the...
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