The Buzz for Sheffield's Food Scene

"Is Sheffield the UK’s most exciting food city?" That’s the question national press have been asking...

looking down on a delicious selection of dishes at Tonco

Hot on the heels of TimeOut listing Sheffield at No.2 in their 18 Best City Breaks in Europe for 2023 earlier this year, The Observer Food Monthly made a point of highlighting "Sheffield’s bar and restaurant scene" as a top pick in their 30 things we love in the world of food right now piece and even called us "the UK's Foodie Hotspot" on their front cover.  

The strong showing of Sheffield businesses shortlisted in the 2022 Observer Food Monthly Awards, clearly hadn’t gone unnoticed and follows a particularly fruitful year, where increasing numbers of the city’s restaurants and bars have been steadily turning heads, by delighting food critics and popping up in national listings.

Consumer body Which? is the latest to celebrate the city, listing Sheffield No.2 in their Top UK Cities for Food & Drink, highlighting areas such as Kelham Island, Sharrow Vale and Abbeydale Road as key districts.  

BBC Good Food has also been getting in on the action, publishing their ultimate Guide to the Best Restaurants in Sheffield which name-checked a mere 48 establishments in the city. No mean feat, but it didn't stop locals pointing out a tonne of other great places they felt should have been included.

What can we say? We're a city passionate about food and it's this local enthusiasm which is helping to support a thriving independent scene here. 

So which Sheffield restaurants and bars are creating this buzz? Read on to see those leading the way, but for more comprehensive listings of fantastic places to eat and drink in Sheffield, head here

Friendly neighbourhood bistros

It's in Sheffield's vibrant neighbourhoods where several establishments have not only won over local's hearts (and stomachs), but those of national food critics too...  

Highly Rated

Best Food Hall in the UK

Since bursting onto the UK Food Hall scene in 2018, Cutlery Works has been one of the major players that has helped revitalise Sheffield's Kelham Island district. 

Transforming a decrepit former cutlery factory into the the largest food hall in the North of England, spread out over two floors with a whole mixture of incredible food vendors, it's no wonder they were voted Best Food Hall at the 2022 British Street Food Awards and then listed in National Geographic's 7 Best UK Food Courts.

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Top Cocktails

It's not just delicious dishes that have had critics talking. Aside to Sheffield's already prolific reputation as a beer destination, the city is now being noted for mixology too, with two particular bars at the forefront...

Public & Bench

A tiny haven squirrelled away in a former gents’ toilet below Sheffield Town Hall, Public is no stranger to acclaim. Having been named The Best Place to Drink in the country back in 2018, they continue pop up in national listings and were once again shortlisted in the most recent Observer Food Monthly Awards, except this time they weren't alone. Already featured above for their food, Bench was also a runner up in the OFM Awards, with Sheffield claiming 2/3 of the places shortlisted for 'The North' category.

More recently, Public and Bench did the double again as both were featured in the Top 50 Cocktail Bars in the country, while Public's Head Bartender has also been shortlisted in the Top 50 of World Class GB 2023. 

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