Northern Soul Grilled Cheese is a cheese shop in Northern Quarter, Manchester. Rated 4.7 stars from 1300 Google reviews. Known for expertly crafted grilled cheese and toasties and attentive, personable service. Best for quick lunch and groups 2-4. Price range: £.
Rankings updated August 2026
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
| Rating | 4.7★ |
| Reviews | 1,300 |
| Best for | Quick lunch |
Quick Verdict
Northern Soul delivers exceptional grilled cheese and inventive toasties with genuine craft, warm service, and a loyal following across Manchester and beyond.
You want expertly made grilled cheese and toasties in a cosy Northern Quarter spot with staff who genuinely care.
About Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese has become a Manchester institution for its meticulously crafted toasties and inventive sandwich combinations. With a 4.7-star rating across 1,172 reviews, the venue consistently delivers on its core promise: expertly melted cheese, generous portions, and flavour combinations that span from classic "The Soul" to adventurous offerings like the Birria grilled cheese and N'Duja Love It. Regulars praise the creamy mac and cheese, crispy fried chicken sandwiches, and thoughtful sides like carbonara tater tots and creamed corn soup. The Northern Quarter location has cultivated a warm, cosy atmosphere where attentive staff—frequently called out by name in reviews—balance hospitality without hovering. Coffee and cold drinks arrive with care; the freezing-cold Super Bock and "gigantic Biscoff shake" have earned particular mention. While queues are normal (especially weekends), the kitchen moves with impressive speed, and the menu's focused scope means every item reflects genuine craft rather than sprawl. Vegetarian options and customisable heat levels (jalapeños on request) cater to diverse palates. First-time visitors consistently report surprise at the quality-to-price ratio and find themselves returning within days.
In the last 90 days, Northern Soul Grilled Cheese has drawn 25 substantial written reviews (50+ characters of genuine feedback) — recent momentum that is one of the signals behind its place on the hot list.
What Stands Out
Expertly crafted grilled cheese and toasties
Reviewers consistently describe sandwiches as 'next level', 'superb', and 'tasty as ever', with specific praise for cheese pulls, creamy mac and cheese, and inventive combinations like Birria and N'Duja Love It.
Attentive, personable service
Multiple reviews name individual staff members (Nay, Shannon, Jodie, Sophie, Will) and describe service as 'friendly and enthusiastic', 'attentive but not overbearing', and 'lovely without being in your face'.
Generous portions and fair value
Reviewers highlight 'amazing portions', 'good quantities', 'good value for money', and note that the food 'fills you up'—with prices described as 'fair'.
Practical Information
Contact
20-21, NORTHERN SOUL MANCHESTER, Smithfield Buildings, 44 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LA, United Kingdom
Visit WebsiteView MenuFrequently Asked Questions about Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Yes. Despite occasional queues, the kitchen moves with impressive speed. Reviewers praise fast, flawless service and describe it as ideal for a speedy bite—one visitor called it 'grilled cheese on speed'.
Yes. Multiple reviews highlight good vegetarian options, including the classic grilled cheese, halloumi stack, and kimchi sandwich. Portions are generous and flavours well-balanced.
The Soul (classic grilled cheese) is the flagship, but reviewers rave about the Birria grilled cheese, mac and cheese toastie, and fried chicken sandwiches. Sides like carbonara tater tots and creamed corn soup are equally praised.
Yes. Reviewers consistently say queues are normal but worthwhile. Staff keep you updated, and first-time visitors often return within days, calling it 'worth every mile' and 'the true gem of Manchester'.
The coffee is 'fantastic', and the venue offers a decent beer selection. Sides like buffalo hot wings, beef fries, and creamed corn soup pair perfectly with toasties. Cold drinks arrive in freezing glasses.
Also in Northern Quarter
View all16 venues changed rank in Northern Quarter in the latest ranking → See full zone ranking
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Rankings are recalculated monthly from live Google Business Profile data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity (new text reviews), baseline rating, and Google Business Profile completeness. No editorial picks, no paid placements — just what the data says this month.
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