Shame if they've gone. Often used them for a reasonably priced cuppa.
Get a Waitrose card. Free hot drink daily, been going for 4 years this month.
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https://www.networkrail.co.uk/manchester-piccadilly-station/shops/
This details the food offerings on the station currently, save for Thorntons and Boost Juice Bar which are former tenants.
Thornton's is now Hotel Chocolat. Sainsbury's is twice the size of before with very spacious aisles now.
As I mentioned before, sign up to myWaitrose online, a care will come in the post (takes up to a month) and you get a free tea, coffee, cappuccino or latte daily with real milk, put your own in. You can even do it on self-scan and usually a staff member comes running with a cup for you. Very efficient in there. Even a small "breakfast bar" to sit in the window with about 4 high stool seats.
Other option, all company-owned Starbucks in Britain (most in high streets, and Picc Station) do tall filter for £1 with free refill. Pret filter has always been 99p in all branches for same size, there is a Pret in Piccadilly too.
Join Gregg's Rewards app/online and you get a free coffee for joining, including mocha and flat white.