Flour Water Salt in Cheshire East

Lovely little cafe , with really nice staff. Great food and really nice coffee. Will 100% be back. It’s a shame I had to share it

Great coffee, fantastic bread. Top quality. They serve the best coffee in the area and all the bread are totally amazing. Hats off to the bakers.

I visited this café this morning for a coffee and flapjack. I’ve been several times over the last few months and feel that there are a couple of things lacking… I would have liked a saucer for my cup, and also for the tables to be cleared and wiped down more promptly. Delicious coffee, lovely pastries …. just a few things that need fixing to make the experience better. Because there were so few tables available I considered sitting in the back room, but this seems now to be half of a storeroom, which didn’t give a good impression.

Nice atmosphere. £3 for a massive latte that was almost overflowing. good hangout spot to just chat and read. Staff were helpful with recommending me a local walk to go on as a visitor to Macclesfield.

We came in to Macclesfield for the morning and stumbled across the best breakfast I’ve had in years! Pastries were perfect, sausage on sourdough was insane and we even got lunch to take away with us. We had our two year old with us who started to become impatient 😵‍💫, the staff were so accommodating and the service was superb! Would highly recommend for breakfast with the family or lunch with friends, the sandwiches were stunning!

If you like bread you will LOVE Flour Water Salt. I can throughly recommend their Wholemeal Sourdough with Seeds. I have enjoyed excellent bread from artisan bakeries before but this was AMAZING. Best bread ever.

I am a supporter of FWS their Cisco sourdough is amazing as are their pastries. The picturedrome and market place are both great places to sit and eat prior to covid. So I thought we would give the pizza a try. Unfortunately the pizza was such a let down.My pizza was soggy and came with a hole in it that had been covered with basil leaves, it was so think that it was wet underneath. I don’t think it has long enough in the oven as the other pizzas we ordered were the same.The garlic bread had a fantastic taste, if only everything had been left in a little longer.As you don’t see the pizza until you get home it was such a shame. After a 25 minute wait at the store I contacted FWS using their online contact form.Please do try their bread and pastries as they are fabulous, but pizza might need a little longer to be at the same standard.

Long walk today and more than ready for some sustenance. I know FWS do good pastry and so I headed here first.No greeting, no smile and I manged to order and pay with hardly any words being exchanged.The black pudding roll was delicious, wish it had been heated but it wasn't offered and I didn't like to ask. Coffee was served without offer of sugar or a stirrer and all that was available was a thin stick that bent as you stirred.Dropped in at the West Park café for coffee and cake later; warm and friendly service with a smile. Napkins, sugar, stirrers all readily available.

Long walk today and more than ready for some sustenance. I know FWS do good pastry and so I headed here first.I'm sorry Paul but it felt like I was an inconvenience. Your member of staff was miserable. No greeting, no smile and I manged to order and pay with hardly any words being exchanged.The black pudding roll was delicious, wish it had been heated but it wasn't offered and I didn't like to ask. Coffee was served without offer of sugar or a stirrer and all that was available was a thin stick that bent as you stirred.As regards my criticism of the Picturedrome last time out; it really isn't government guidance to download an app and order from your seat. There are washable and disposable menus in most places with table service. Dropped in at the West Park café for coffee and cake later; warm and friendly service with a smile. Napkins, sugar, stirrers all readily available.

Everything I have tasted from Flour Water Salt has been amazing - but the tea cakes are something else!!Love this shop and the owner is always really helpful.Well done to them for keeping us supplied with lovely fresh goodies during Covid. I know it’s not easy for any small independent business.I certainly don’t mind waiting in a queue - if it’s for quality like this. Life is different at the moment and I’ll gladly support them. Can’t wait for my next tea cake, where’s the back of the queue!!

We have been customers of FWS now for over a year, we have visited their premises and eaten several times. We use their amazing Cisco Sourdough bread every week to create some of our loved dishes at our own venue. Everyone already knows their bread is amazing (so it the Rosemary & Salt Focaccia!) but so is their customer service and their commitment to try to keep going whilst Covid is hitting everyone so hard.We felt compelled to write and defend FWS after seeing some of the recent reviews. What saddens many struggling businesses is the keyboard warriors that cannot stand in a queue for more than 5 mins without coming on here to whinge and hit a company when it is trying to get back on its feet. They don't have any idea what is going on behind the scenes to even try and open the door! Cut them some slack please! These guys are helping us to keep our business going, as well as working very hard to produce what they are with limited resources. We are all in this together lets show some support and be patient while we work out our new normal!!Thank you FWS for your amazing produce!

They have a great system at the Picturedrome to keep us safe. Everything well organised and staff to help with ordering if needed. Lovely coffee and cake as always at FWS

Looking for coffee and cake as always and first tried The Picturedrome. The young lady at the front was delightful but I honestly didn't have the time or the inclination to register for the app, be shown to a seat and then order from my seat. IMHO it's overkill, some might disagree.Tried a few others in town, quite busy, Cherry Blossom Bakery closed.FWS was open but, can't yet sit inside. Ordered a latte and a white chocolate brownie - ate it in the churchyard, delicious.....Lord knows how many calories.Minor issues; the staff never smile and the coffee is the most expensive in Macc. Had to ask for sugar then another sachet.

The only bakery in the world that doesn’t open in a morning! I know it says it does on the website and on the front door but twice iv been now and Nope! the biggest problem with independents is the lack of common sense details & simple things they just don’t do right. We all want you to do well the very least you can do is have some clarity of your opening times. Anyway iv found out the Answer to everyone’s questions on opening times for this place now it is: 10ish but not on a Monday / Tuesday or Wednesday they are not open at all so states the bit of cardboard I noticed on the door today. Ps. Great pain au chocolate though when it’s open.

No one can knock the produce at Flour Water Salt, it's absolutely fantastic; and quarantine has obviously been very difficult for small businesses to even stay afloat, forcing them to be creative in how they can offer collection/take out food. However you cannot expect people to wait for well over an hour to collect bread that they have pre ordered two days in advance.When I sauntered down to Macc this morning at 10:30 to collect my fresh bread, to my utter amazement the queue for FWS stretched back as far as 'Fat Face'! I waitied in this line with the rest of the helpless mugs, in a bemused state for about 15 minutes before over hearing someone walking the other way exclaiming that they had waitied for nearly an hour and a half, which none of the other lemmings seemed that bothered by, instead choosing to focus on the sweet smell of fresh Sourdough pumping out from up the street, just a mere 65 minutes away! I laughed out loud and nearly choked before deciding to go home amazed that anyone else would waste their Saturday in this way. To be fair the woman in front of me was engrossed in a Crossword book - this was obviously not her first rodeo.I don't understand why it took so long, they already had the pre paid orders. Either get more staff, don't sell as much bread on your online shop or have a more efficient method of literally handing people bread in a bag to pick up. I would have given up and had a crusty old bit of Warburtons at home if it wasn't for the fact that I had to pick up my order between 10-1 , so I didn't reallly have a choice unless I wanted to lose my money.I love FWS but come on guys, today was a farce! If this is the new normal, count me out.

Great breakfast, fantastic bread, dribble inducing pastries😱 An absolute gem with a great atmosphere and ethos.

We have only recently discovered this amazing place & have always been greeted warmly & had very friendly service. All the dishes look amazing & you never have to wait long for yr food. Fabulous bread!!!

delicious food and service with a smile! Freshly baked bread and fantastic sausage rolls. Highly recommended!

Hairdresser running late so good opportunity to pop in here again for coffee and a cake.Interior has changed so the stools are at the back of the café where it is a little congested. There aren't that many seats anyway and there was a 'surfer' taking up one of the tables. The floor isn't level so despite being 6'3'' I was stretching upwards to drink my coffee.Didn't follow my own advice about asking for extra hot coffee so it was soon warm and they only do one size, large. Danish was tasty but over £6 for a coffee and a cake is only good value at Arighi where it's more a dessert and the price last time included a jug of cream. Lady who served me at the till wasn't that engaging I thought but the lady who served me did so with a big smile.4 circles for the quality of the produce.

We called in here for bread etc for lunch to take away though it has tables etc too. They do a delicious sourdough bread. We were a little disappointed they didn't have other things to buy to go with the bread.

Bought 3 mixed loaves to take away far too good to share ! Big choice of different breads and different sizes . The spelt loaf went well with my homemade soup .....cannot wait to try the rest ....im sure i wont be disappointment.

They serve best coffee in the area - they know what coffee should taste like! I often take out a large latte with extra shot!The place is trendy and current, also dog friendly and meets all the tick boxes of rustic trend of styles (which are not shown off as they are not supposed to!)Food/bread all expensive but you can experience some clear difference from other ordinary/standard cafes. Quality is just so special.

If I'm around, I always browse the market, it's only once a month after all. Flour Water Salt have a little van by the church where they sell their produce from the premises further up towards the library.I just fancied something sweet to go with a coffee later and I joined the queue. I'd spied a doughnut on show and it was only when I reached the window that the man told me there was another batch; Apple with a toffee topping. I have a sweet tooth.I can honestly say that it turned out to be the best doughnut I've ever had, bar none.What a treat.

Had breakfast here two days, fab granola with plum compote, and Cumberland sausage, all delicious, great range of pastries. So happy they allow dogs.

Came in for Bread, Came back for more bread and came back for more. The variety of different, properly backed breads is breathtaking. Guess what I will be back for more bread !

Wonderful bread baked on site. Light lunches and snacks available all day. sometimes difficult to get in because tables hogged by surfers.

I love the bread at flour water salt, they have the best bread. The Cisco sour dough is my favourite! They also do some really different fillings in their sandwiches and bake great brownies too! Definitely worth a visit.

Was going to go to another highly regarded eatery nearby but was closed for summer holidays so came across this one. Brilliant! Great quality food and drink and service. Not the cheapest but so worth it! The croissants were especially awesome!

I was in Macclesfield yesterday to catch up with an old friend, I had some time to kill before meeting them so thought I’d get a quick bite to eat, I wondered around the centre and Flower Water Salt looked busy so I though it must be good.

Came from blackpool to try your bread! Lunch was lovely, but the young girl who served us was a delight! Well done all.x Sorry photo not great, forgot to rake it in my excitement to eat!

Absolutely love it here. The coffee, cakes and snacks are delicious.

We've visited a few times now and have never been left disappointed. The coffee is lovely and the food is even better. They sell a wide selection of artisan bread and cakes to die for! The menu gets changed frequently so you never get bored. Can't wait to go back again.

Our family of 10, 6 adults and 4 young children had various breakfasts plus great coffee combinations. Lovely breads superb eggs great friendly efficient service.

Croissants, danish pastries etc to die for, all made on site (that's made, not just baked like those in the coffee chains). The only trouble is choosing which one (because you probably won't be able to manage more than one).

Popped in pre Treacle Market and realising it would be busy, were there on time, we thought. On the website it says closed Sunday, elsewhere you can find it opens at 10, except it doesn't on market days.

Hi, I’ve just had a flat white coffee made with oat milk and a vegan sandwich.

This place is ace... amazing selection of different bread, cakes and pastries.

I have been buying bread and pastries here ever since I discovered them a few years ago, which was quite by accident and before they opened their shop/cafe in the centre of Town. The bread, cake and pastries are made using the best methods and ingredients that they know of - and they are the best - no mass produced cotton wool here - it's expensive but you pay for what you get - taste in a word. We are fortunate to have real bread in our Town and that's down to them (my favourite - their Croissants are superb and I think Paul, the owner, said it takes 24 hours for the dough for these to be prepared - I suspect the Supermarket stuff takes 24 minutes (or less) - enough said !)

This is an invaluable local haunt where I am always made welcome with or without small dog in tow. Coffee, exceptionally good, and always spoilt for choice with really truly delicious pastries. I invariably leave with a very good loaf under my arm too. (The trouble is it's hard just to have just one slice when you get home...). This place is about people as well as exceptional bakes and coffee. Always someone you know to have a quick chat with, and it has a lovely convivial, bustling vibe. The crowd funding campaign, achieving its target in just four days says it all- much loved and getting slightly bigger (to provide more tables) in its own very stylish way.

Having recently arrived from Australia, where I am happy to admit we are all coffee snobs, I couldn’t find a decent coffee anywhere. After trailing cafe after cafe, suburb after suburb, I came across Flour Water Salt. It looks like a bakery, but don’t be deceived as it’s a cafe as well. I ordered a flat white, which arrived as if it had been made in a top cafe in Sydney. This was by far the best coffee I have had since our arrival, so much so I ordered another. Impressed with the coffee I ordered the granola, which I would say was the best I have ever tasted. I must confess I did then order some chocolate croissants, hot cross buns (with chocolate) and a chocolate brownie to go (I need to keep in the good books with my kids and hubby). These were absolutely delicious - roll on tomorrow so I can go back for more coffee. Happy days!!!

Love it here! Being new to the area it’s great to have a local bakery with beautiful fresh bread, and some great light lunches. I took my parents here and they fell in love with it! My dad loves sausage rolls and declared theirs to be the best sausage rolls he has ever tasted!!!

We love going here, the coffee is the best I have ever tasted. The cakes and pastries are scrumptious. The sandwiches and soups a completely new taste experience. The staff are hard working and always helpful and pleasant.

Dropped in here for coffee and cake whilst awaiting a lift. The person who served me obviously did not give a fig, could not be bothered to be pleasant, make eye contact or pretend she worked in a service industry. Was quite taken aback actually. I ordered decaff tea and a slice of the salted caramel brownie. Was told she would bring them over. I went to sit in the window and nearly went flying as there was some substance on the floor making it very, very slippy. When she arrived with the tea and brownie, i mentioned that the floor was very slippy and I had nearly fallen. She replied that it was because of the flour o the floor and walked away. So, the floor remained slippy! Stunning! The tea had absolutely no taste at all so am not sure if the leaves were old or they had just not put enough in. The brownie was dry and not terribly flavourful. Whilst I was there, people were coming in and asking for items and the indifferent response was: this is all we have. Someone came in to drop off a CV to work there and they staff had a good chat about her when she had gone which was nice for the customers in the cafe to hear. I try and frequent independent coffee shops rather than the costa/nero/starbucks but seriously, this one was dreadful and had no redeeming features. Shop elsewhere

Nice and warm place in Macclesfield Town, just opposite the town hall and Barclay's Bank. Delicious cookies and several types of pastries. Lovely hot green tea with milk.

A great new stop off for an hour of downtime. Visited Saturday after 0900 although it was busy, found a table and service was prompt & courteous. Enjoyed Eggs Benedict, Granola & two coffees, our food was fresh and arrived promptly from our very efficient waitress, thank you as your service was very attentive.

Popped in here about 4pm on a Saturday afternoon...didn't realise they had closed and stood waiting at the counter waiting to be served whilst the staff talked amongst themselves....no eye contact and ignored us till we saw the sign saying they had closed...would have been nice if they could have stopped their conversation for one moment to let us know!!

Popped in for a coffee and cake mid morning last week and took a seat on a stool looking out of the café.

This is hands down my favourite bakery. Everything is phenomenal. The pastries are melt in the mouth. The bread is top notch. Puts some of the overpriced 'artisan' garbage you get in London to shame. I saw there were actually negative reviews on here. Well good riddance and don't come back! Leave more space for the rest of us. Maccelsfield - least cultured town in the UK no more!

As a regular visitor to Flour Water Salt, I can't fault it. The food is always excellent, with friendly service. I'd highly recommend to all.

My family and I have been regulars from the start. Originating from Germany, we used to miss real sourdough and rye bread and resorted to mediocre supermarket fare, which was just not the same. When the bakery started out from the owners private residence - with six loaves baked at a time - we were queueing in the street along with other locals, and have never looked back. In no time they started winning awards for their bread and pastries. The bakery grew over time and added the café in Macclesfield recently, still operating as a family business. The Sunday Brunch is the latest addition and a wonderful opportunity to relax on a Sunday, with fresh food prepared on the premises. It is a joy to see the bakery thriving and from countless visits I can tell how hard working owners and staff are. To those leaving a dismal review I would say try and appreciate what this business is doing for each and every customer, but also for the community as a whole. If you have a complaint, discuss it there and then. Let the business know directly and give them a chance to deal with it.

Flour Water Salt is a lifeline for bread lovers: their sourdough breads are exceptional, their baguettes something you would otherwise only find in France and their pastry chefs are creative and inventive beyond belief. This is how REAL bread is made!

Good bakery and breakfasts and light meals. Really good to have it in central Macclesfield.

Overpriced average food with staff with an attitude. Very very underwhelmed. Brought the wrong coffe but asked if i would have it anyway my insistence on having the drink I had ordered was met with disapproval.. 2 poached eggs on one slice if over grilled sour dough £5.50 !

First visit today - we were looking forward to a coffee and cake....coffee way too strong and only just luke warm, just about dissolved the sugar cubes we had to add to make it palatable, cakes overpriced and snooty staff won’t be back.

Very nice man served us, I like a smiley friendly person.....thank you.

I work and live in macclesfield and use this place on a weekly, if not twice weekly basis. I meet people for a brew or just come to have break & hot food. I love the bread, it’s made from honest ingredients and doesn’t make me feel ill like commercial bread. The menu is select and refreshed regularly. There’s always a veggie option, unlike other places, and the food is delicious. The staff are always friendly and efficient. I love coming here, it’s my regular piece of joy.

We visit here every 3/4 weeks for a bit of a treat . The store is always busy and the staff very professional. Pastries and bread are excellent

As others have said I first started visiting FWS at the Treacle Market and have been hooked for years!

Love this gem of Macclesfield, have been a customer for years and now look forward to visiting each weekend and occasionally through the week if lucky!

very disappointing, thought this was going to be something special but was sadly disappointed, very over rated in my opinion

A fabulous cup of coffee and the best minced pie that I have eaten for years! It was a wet Sunday we had to wait for a seat but the wait was well worth it!

We have been getting our bread from here for the last months. Lovey bread and equalliy amazing pain au chocolate and croissants. However, pastries are now 50p more expensive and breads £1, out of a sudden. They are good, but £2.4 for a pastry is too expensive for me, sorry.

Great independent bakery with some of the best baked goods I have ever eaten. The old place just off Chestergate was quaint which would have got 5* the only reason and only complaint is their coffee is really bitter, and I do love a strong coffee.

V busy spot - good coffee @ cakes - range of sandwiches all with freshly baked bread -constant stream of customers buying bread and wanting a table can make it a bit hectic - also not chesp

Like others who have reviewed this marvellous bakery and cafe, we first experienced the terrific products of FWS buying sourdough loaves (still their signature creation) at Treacle Market. When they opened a bakery at the Depot off Chestergate a few years later, we were able to enjoy their products on a weekly basis. Over the 3 years or so that FWS was at the Depot it began its evolution into the type of cafe that opened at Market Place earlier this year. Pastries, including their award-winning Copenhagens, were added. They installed a commercial espresso machine and installed a couple of long tables for their devoted clientele to enjoy a coffee and pastry when they stopped by to buy a loaf. Then they started making fresh sandwiches using their sourdough bread, ciabattas or baguettes, which put sandwiches available from other bakers or supermarkets to shame. With the opening of the light and airy Market Place cafe, they've gone to the next level, with more to follow I'm sure. Weekly emails keep the aficionados up to date with the latest creations, weekly specials, news about staff and awards. You can place a bread order for collection by phone to ensure they've not run out of your favourite loaf when you turn up. While there is a 'standard' range of sourdough and yeasted loaves, each week sees a revolving series of 'special' loaves, often in keeping with the flavours of the season. Pastries are constantly changing and it's a rare week when there isn't something appearing for the first time. In addition to the aforementioned sandwiches, they offer breakfast choices including FWS Granola, and for lunch the choices include toasties and soups. The coffees are excellent, even if you have to wait 10 minutes during busy times. On our most recent visit, we had cappucinos and shared a sticky ginger bun as well as filling our shopping bag with loaves and pastries. The visit before that, I enjoyed a delicious toasty made with Milano salami, olive tapenade and 3 cheeses on fresh sourdough. FWS does get busy and it may be hard for groups of 3-4 to find a place to sit at times, but it's much easier for solo visitors or couples to find a spot. But it's well worth the wait if you can't find a place straight away. The staff are friendly and efficient and share the vision of Owner/Head Baker Paul for making FWS what it has become, an innovative, welcoming and peerless bakery and cafe. Long may it thrive.

Great coffee, cake and bread. Come and chill - but you won't be on your own. Very popular and deservedly so. Saying that, I've always been able to get a seat despite there not being a lot of them. The move to This new location has been a real success - and uniquely Macclesfield! Even better.

Had a very nice Sausage Roll and brownie, super tasty. Busy place but got served quickly and with a smile. Looking forward to another visit soon!

I’ve been buying bread from FWS at events like Treacle Market for some time, but am only an occasional visitor to Macclesfield and hadn’t had the chance to visit the cafe until today.

We walked in to a bustling compact cafe/bakery!

Had a very nice Sausage Roll and although a tad pricey, was delightful so I can’t complain.

Great little bakery and cafe.. Well thought out simple delicious food. Looks like they have a following for their bread also. Choice of vegan and vegetarian which is super smart. Good cappuccino although would of like chocolate on the top or at least be asked - kinda old school and like that little bit of bitterness... but hey delicious granola, pastry and service. Thanks

Really love this place. Great addition to Macclesfield and a welcome change from all the chain coffee shops.I had a sausage roll which was amazing and the iced coffee is excellent. Highly recommend!

A good quality bread shop plus cafe. Not cheap, but very high quality goods. If I have a niggle, it is that it is very much slanted towards cakes and sweet products, rather than savoury. I had a sausage roll, which was excellent, but so it should be given that it was over £3.

So fantastic to have a truly local bakery that excels at bread, pastries and savouries. Best sausage rolls I’ve ever eaten and today I treated myself to most amazing Chelsea bun. I’m a big fan of the white semi-sour tin loaf but there are lots of other sour and yeasted loaves as well.

Wow, true baking at it's best, absolutely yum :P Get there early if you want the best choice, very popular place.

Driven through Macclesfield many times. Stopped this time to have a good look round the town. Came across Flour Water Salt by chance. Wide selection of breads and cakes made on the premises. Had a coffee and pastry, very good. Queue of customers buying the bread and cakes. Buzzing!

We popped in for a cuppa and a light bite. Everything was satisfactory but not exceptional. Also I thought it was a bit pricey compared to other places we visit.

Recently moved from a small space within their bakery in Macclesfield, we tried the café for the first time this weekend. We arrived at opening and bagged the only table that seats 5. We ordered straight away and took 2 cakes to the table then waited for the coffees and the Pork and Black Pudding 'sausage rolls' to be heated. After a short while the coffees and food arrived in 3/4 visits. The coffee wasn't hot and one of our party, a big coffee drinker, thought it too strong.

Fabulous Macc place. Macc is just getting better and better. Thank you to all the passionate people who are making this such a great town to love in

Exceptional lunch spot - serving freshly prepared dishes with a rotating menu of specials. The coffee was of artisan quality too! The best thing to happen to Macclesfield - period.

Well I may only have had a sausage roll here but my goodness it was delicious. The filling was more of a shredded meat and was spiced and couldn't have been more different to a pappy normal sausage roll funlling. The cafe is clean and modern looking with lots of young smiley servers. I'll be back.

I've been buying bread from FWS for several years and it's quite frankly the best bread I've ever had. I've also attended one of Paul's bread making courses and his attention to detail and passion are the main reasons for FWS continually going from strength to strength. The relocation to the Market Place premises has really enhanced an already excellent offering and the friendly and knowledgeable staff make FWS a pleasure to visit.

I love this place! Having only recently moved from a depot near by this attractive looking cafe is a wonderful addition to Macc. As with anything new I think there were a few teething problems, but not surprisingly with how busy it's been! Every time I've been it's been busy & on some occasions the queue was so big I've given it a miss. The pastries here are absolutely delicious! It makes you realise how naff supermarket pastries are! I urge everyone to to give this place a try & I can't wait to try some more goodies! :)

Small cafe area situated in bakery just off the market square.

I've had two soups at Flour Water Salt since they opened their new premises and both bowls were fantastic, vegetarian, fresh and well flavoured with freshly baked bread accompaniments. The first was puy lentil and butternut with coconut milk and chili, the second a Moroccan spiced extravaganza with chickpeas. The coffee is great, the service friendly and although it's always busy, there is usually a seat in the window if not at a table. If you just want pastries, there are plenty of those on offer too to go with your drink. They do breakfasts. The feel is rustic but modern and the small eating area is bright and airy.