Boxx2Boxx Coffee: We visited Manchester’s most-talked about cafe and tried Jill Scott’s signature drink

The cosy cafe is located in Wythenshawe, south Manchester with great coffee, tasty paninis and a relaxed vibe.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Jill Scott was crowned the latest winner of I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here on Sunday, but before being queen of the jungle, the former Manchester City and England midfielder was coffee shop royalty with her cafe Boxx2Boxx in Wythenshawe.

The 35-year-old and her partner Shelly opened the coffee shop in April 2021, with its name inspired by Scott’s role during her playing days - a box-to-box midfielder. She had much success during her career, winning the Women’s Super League with City in 2016 and most recently helped the Lionesses lift the European Championships this summer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite her illustrious career on the pitch, can she and her team at Boxx2Boxx carry that success off it with their cosy coffee shop in the south of Manchester? We headed there to check out the menu and here’s our verdict.

The cafe has a relaxed theme with matte black walls and wooden furniture. The cafe has a relaxed theme with matte black walls and wooden furniture.
The cafe has a relaxed theme with matte black walls and wooden furniture.

Cosy vibe

Boxx2Boxx isn’t the biggest coffee shop, but it has a cosy vibe that makes for a better experience. Whether you’re with company or alone, the cafe is laid out with raised seating to the back and front of the eatery, several four and two-seater tables and a couple of couches for two people as well. The walls are painted in matte black, but there are plenty of lights to make the place bright and welcoming upon your arrival. The tables, bar and merchandise stand are all wood, while there are little touches of Scott’s career well-placed around the venue, such as a 150th anniversary map of the Football Association.

Boxx2Boxx offers an array of breakfast and lunch options on its menu. Boxx2Boxx offers an array of breakfast and lunch options on its menu.
Boxx2Boxx offers an array of breakfast and lunch options on its menu.

Simple but tasty menu

The coffee shop offers a simple menu with its main focus on breakfast and lunch options, most notably their paninis. They also have toast, bagels, crumpets, croissants, a bacon barm and porridge on offer. If, like me, you have a gluten intolerance, then you’re in luck! Boxx2Boxx manager Lois went above and beyond for me, cleaning down all facilities, before making me a tuna panini.

As for their drinks, coffee is the staple of the cafe, but they also have tea, chai latte and hot chocolate to choose from, while shots of flavoured syrups are available and milkshakes too. If you’re lactose intolerant, then don’t worry, they have an array of alternative milks on offer as well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There is a decent selection of cakes available, including a lotus biscoff flavoured blondie. They also offer gluten free macaroons and several other cakes and treats.

Cost and quality

If you’re looking for affordable food and drink then you should definitely consider Boxx2Boxx. The price of their hot beverages is similar to that of most coffee shops, but the quality and attention to detail trumps many. I had a flat white (Scott’s go-to drink) that was smooth and rich, but not too intense, while the panini was toasted well and the filling remained intact. You can tell they source quality ingredients for their menu.

My flat white, tuna mayo panini and two macaroons (they came as a pair) altogether cost £10.15. The price I paid was expected for the food and drink I received.

Boxx2Boxx are able to cater for those who are coeliac or have a gluten intolerance. Boxx2Boxx are able to cater for those who are coeliac or have a gluten intolerance.
Boxx2Boxx are able to cater for those who are coeliac or have a gluten intolerance.

Chance of meeting a Lioness?

Though an avid member of the Boxx2Boxx team, Scott or Shelly weren’t there when I went (on Friday 2 December). However, this was expected due to her only landing back in England from Australia on Thursday and she is regular, welcoming face in the cafe week to week.

Jill Scott and Shelly Unitt (Photo: BOXX2BOXX)Jill Scott and Shelly Unitt (Photo: BOXX2BOXX)
Jill Scott and Shelly Unitt (Photo: BOXX2BOXX)

Verdict

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If you’re looking for a relaxed place to have a drink and some light breakfast or lunch, then Boxx2Boxx is a must go, especially if you’re a coffee lover and have dietary requirements. This, alongside the possibility of meeting a football legend is also a huge incentive.