To give it its full title, On The Eighth Day is a stalwart of the Manchester vegetarian scene, having been around since the 1970s. It began life as a counter-culture outlet although in recent times has mellowed significantly into a wholefood/vegetarian establishment.
There are two halves to the Eighth Day's business - upstairs in the Oxford Road premises is a shop, while downstairs in the basement is the cafe. The cafe is accessible via a lift, and there are no steps into the building, making Eighth Day cafe ideal for those with limited mobility.
In terms of hot food the cafe usually serves a choice of mains + vegetables, along with soup choices. Popular with many is the self-serve salad bar, which provides an inexpensive meal costing just a few pounds if the smaller-sized bowls are selected (water is free). Hot and cold deserts are usually available, including cakes and the likes of brownies.
Although Eighth Day cafe is a vegetarian establishment, on recent visits MVVG members have found that around half to two thirds of the food choices have been vegan. Menu options for vegans are clearly marked, as are those for people with wheat intolerances. Vegetarian options usually involve cheese.
Hot drinks can be made with soya milk as well as dairy, and various fresh fruit juices are available.
Eighth Day is located in the heart of Manchester's university area, and this can cause problems during peak term times. It can get very busy during lunchtime. Both the shop and cafe also have a habit of closing when students aren't around, so it's always wise to check the opening hours during term breaks such as Easter or Christmas (there's usually a two week shutdown across the Christmas period, for example).
Although Eighth Day is just a few miles from the city centre, and therefore within walking distance for some, for most it's better reached as a taxi ride or bus journey (look for buses that travel down Oxford Road, and ask the driver to tell you when you reach the Metropolitan University/Johnny Roadhouse).
The Eighth Day cafe is also primarily a lunch/daytime eatery, and closes relatively early in the evening. Check the website for opening hours.