Smack bang in the middle of the Northern Quarter, at an address once dedicated to thirsty felines and their owners, Gooey Cafe is the culmination of hard work, perseverance and baking talent on the part of the team involved. Regular visitors to the wonderful Ducie Street Warehouse across town will likely already know the name thanks to the kiosk it operates in said cavernous industrial-cum-hospitality haven, and the success of that spurred on standalone premises.
Opening in 2022, the High Street location is the largest ever operated by the company, giving them more space than ever to showcase delicacies. If you’re completely new to Gooey then, as the name suggests, the businesses is based on a universal love of sweet treats. So we have a mind-blowing range of pastries, donuts by the box, glaze and filling-load, alongside a wealth of other baked good such as cookies and cakes. Those in charge of the ovens like to keep things pretty seasonal, too, with revolving specials. So think zesty light delights in summer, and creations like pumpkin spiced cheesecake in autumn and winter months.
While this alone would be enough to get us through the door, Gooey Cafe is the first of the firm’s sites to offer a more expensive menu that goes beyond sugar. A largely-savoury brunch menu is also available, which boasts unique takes on established favourites. Whipped avo on toast, bacon butties made with Shokupan bread, hash brown stacks and halloumi with chilli jam. All of which is before we mention the real show stopper here — the incredible Gooey french toast. Food is married to the high standards of Dead Good Coffee, or the more no-frills, to-the-point option of a proper cup of Yorkshire Tea. Other soft drinks are, of course, available, too, just in case you’re not looking for a caffeine fix.
