8 Brilliant Bakeries You’ll Only Find Round Here

There’s something about a proper northern bakery. The smell of fresh bread, the rows of meat and potato pies, the sweet trays of iced buns and Manchester tarts. Whether you’re popping in for a brew and a butty, or queuing for your weekend treat, our bakeries are a big part of what makes Greater Manchester feel like home. Some have been here for generations, others are newer but no less loved. Here are 8 bakeries that keep us coming back for more.

1. Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery

A Bolton institution. Greenhalgh’s has been around since 1957, and it’s still family-run. You’ll find them all over Greater Manchester now, but they’ve kept that same feel. From steak pies to pasties, Manchester tarts to jam doughnuts — it’s proper comfort food, done well. Their meat and potato pie is a classic, and there’s nothing like grabbing a fresh loaf and a vanilla slice on a rainy day. It’s the kind of bakery that feels like part of the everyday rhythm of northern life.

2. Barbakan Deli, Chorlton

A bit of Europe in the heart of Chorlton. Barbakan’s been serving up sourdoughs, rye breads, and pastries for over 50 years. The queues say it all — people come here for the quality, the variety, and that little bit of continental charm. Their olive bread is a local legend, and the smell alone is enough to pull you in from the street. There’s something about standing in that busy shop, bread baskets full, that makes you feel like you’re somewhere special.

3. Robinsons Bakery, Failsworth

If you know, you know. Robinsons has been part of Failsworth life for decades, famous for their oven-bottom muffins, pies, and traditional cakes. It’s the kind of place where they still know your order, and everything’s made with care. Their custard tarts and jam sponges are the stuff of childhood memories, and the shop still has that no-nonsense northern charm. It’s not fancy, but it’s ours.

4. Sticky Fingers, Stockport

A rising star of Stockport’s food scene, Sticky Fingers is a Polish bakery bringing something fresh to the Market Hall. Known for their traditional bakes, sweet treats, and friendly welcome, they’ve quickly built a loyal following. From their stall inside the market, they’re now expanding into their own brick-and-mortar shop on Underbank, a sign of just how loved they’ve become. Whether you’re picking up pastries or popping in for something new, it’s a bakery adding to Stockport’s growing reputation as a food destination.

5. Slattery, Whitefield

A bakery, patisserie, and chocolate wonderland all rolled into one. Slattery is a destination in itself — famous for wedding cakes, afternoon teas, and their famous chocolate challenge. But their bread and pastries are just as good. Walking through the doors feels like stepping into a dream, with shelves full of handmade chocolates, marzipan fruits, and intricate gateaux. Their fresh cream scones and crusty bloomers are worth every visit.

6. Lovingly Artisan, Altrincham Market

Based in Altrincham Market, Lovingly Artisan is known for baking bread with heritage grains and time-honoured techniques. Their sourdoughs are slow-fermented for flavour and texture, with unique blends like red wheat and rye. It’s a bakery for those who care about where their food comes from, and every loaf is a little piece of craft. It’s modern, mindful, and deeply rooted in traditional baking.

7. Long Bois Bakehouse, Levenshulme

A small, fiercely independent bakery known for its sourdough and inventive pastries. Everything’s baked with a community-first ethos, and they use organic, locally-sourced ingredients wherever they can. Their cinnamon buns and focaccia are the stuff of local legend.

8. Pollen Bakery, Ancoats

For those who like their bread with a modern twist. Pollen started under a railway arch and quickly became a go-to for sourdough lovers. Their cruffins, croissants, and loaves are baked with precision, but there’s still a warmth to what they do. It’s artisan, but it’s ours. Their canal-side spot is now a weekend staple for many, with queues forming early for a taste of their famous cinnamon buns and flaky, buttery pastries.

Bakeries like these aren’t just about food — they’re about feeling. The smell when you walk in, the smile from behind the counter, the treat you’ve been thinking about all week. Greater Manchester knows how to bake with heart. These are just a few of the places keeping that spirit alive.