Warehouse Café

The Warehouse Café sits right at the entrance to the Science and Industry Museum on Liverpool Road, so it's the natural first or last stop on a museum visit. The space is done out in an industrial style with high ceilings, large open windows, cosy sofas, high chairs, and a sheltered semi-outdoor area that catches the sun without leaving you at the mercy of Manchester's weather.

The menu covers hot and cold drinks, pastries, sandwiches, cakes and snacks, with plenty of options for both grown-ups and little ones. There are some genuinely good deals to know about: a pastry for £2 with any hot drink before 11.30, a Meal Deal (sandwich, crisps and a drink) for £8.50, and a Family Deal of two kids' boxes and two Meal Deals for £27.95. If you're in early on a weekday with a timed ticket before 10.30, you can get 20% off in the café between 9.00 and 10.00.

The café is open Monday to Friday from 9.00 and from 9.30 at weekends, closing at 17.00 every day. It meets the Kids in Museums Family Café Standard, which is a decent sign that families have been properly thought about. There's also a Bistro on Level 1 open at weekends and daily during school holidays if you need a second option.

Wheelchair access is good throughout, with an accessible entrance, toilets and seating. It can get noisy when it's busy, as you'd expect with hard surfaces and a lively museum crowd, but the staff have been known to bring food to the table when they can see you've got your hands full with young children, which goes a long way.