In recent years, Sheffield has established itself as a hotspot for restaurants serving food from across the globe. The city is the ultimate foodie’s dream, with a vast array of choices for everyone’s tastes, so much so you’re spoilt for choice in Sheffield where to eat. Here we pick out five of our favourite restaurants from across the Steel City.
Old industrial areas in Sheffield, from old warehouses to run down buildings are getting a makeover and places like Kelham Island are becoming great places to visit for a unique culinary experience.
1. Silversmiths
Silversmith’s, which is one of the best restaurants in Sheffield to eat, recent backstory is quite an incredible tale. In 2009, under the name ‘Runaway Girl’, the restaurant appeared on Gordan Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. Then owner Justin Rowntree felt the full force of Ramsay’s venomous tongue as the world-renowned chef tried to change the fortunes of the failing establishment.
During Ramsay’s makeover, the name ‘Silversmiths’ was born and the restaurant hasn’t looked back since. Since its TV appearance, it has won numerous accolades including ‘Top Modern British Restaurant’ at the Eat Sheffield awards and has had multiple appearances in the prestigious Good Food Guide.
It is in the heart of Sheffield City Centre on Arundel Street, with the famous Crucible Theatre and the beautiful Peace Gardens within walking distance. The building itself is steep in history. It was owned by George Ellis, a prominent Sheffield silversmith, and his name is still proudly displayed across the shop front. The new restaurant name, created by Ramsay, is a tribute to Ellis.
Now let’s move on to the food, which is carefully curated by head chef Ashley Bagshaw. The young chef despite only being in his 20s has an impressive resumé. He worked as a head chef at the renowned Froggart’s Chequers in the Peak District and West 10 at Ranmoor. For all you Yorkshire lovers, this is the restaurant for you. Ashley takes great pride in producing high-quality food sourced from farms and suppliers from within the county.
The menu is a mouth-watering mix of classic dishes such as Fish & Chips and Beef Stirlon, all served to an exceptional standard, to Asian influenced dishes such as Peking style Hoggart and Sweet & Sour Celeriac. The desserts menu also offers an eclectic mix of classic and international influences from Sticky Toffee Pudding to Manjari Chocolate.
Every Saturday, it hosts a bottomless brunch between 12 pm and 3 pm, which serves dishes such as burgers, shakshuka and smoked salmon with scrambled eggs. These are all washed down with unlimited Prosecco, beer or soft drinks.
If you want to experience fine dining with a strong Yorkshire influence, then head down to Silversmiths for an unforgettable culinary experience.
2. Ashoka
‘Inspired by India – Made in Sheffield’ is the slogan for one of the city’s finest Indian restaurants, Ashoka. Since 1967, they have been serving the finest cuisine, making it the city’s oldest running Indian restaurant.
Like Silversmith’s, its backstory is quite a tale, it is one of new beginnings, hard work and attention to detail. The restaurant was founded by Kamel Ahmed, who arrived in the UK from Bangladesh aged 18. With little money to his name, he began working in Indian restaurants across London, learning and developing his trade.
The story goes that he used to sit in The Savoy for hours watching the waiters, observing how they laid the tables and their dress codes. This idea of fine dining is exactly what he wanted for his restaurant in Sheffield, something that would set it apart from the other curry houses in the city.
Kamel would eventually sell the restaurant to its current owner Rahul Amin, who continued its tradition of fine food and the highest standards of customer experience. He has produced a menu of tasty and inventive curries with favourites such as ‘Taxi Driver Curry’ and ‘Karmelised Kashmiri’. They even have their own bespoke beers, ‘#Reytbev’ and ‘Elenita’, which are exclusive to the restaurant.
Through its reputation, the restaurant has built itself a cult following and a strong social media following. Among its huge fanbase, are Sheffield heroes Arctic Monkeys, who regularly dine at Ashoka whenever they are back in town.
Visit Ashoka for a unique Indian dining experience that is steeped in Steel City’s culture and history.
3. Cubana
Feisty, fun and Latino, Cubana is the ultimate destination for an authentic tapas experience. Starting as a business over 20 years ago in its first Sheffield location on Trippett Street, offering a ‘burst of joyous Havana sunshine’. In 2014, Cubana started a new chapter in its successful journey, moving to the beautiful and lively Leopold Square.
The menu is vast with a mixture of delicious hot and cold tapas with over 30 dishes to choose from. There are meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan options available. They even provide a ‘hunger guide’ which provides advice on the number of dishes you should choose based on your level of hunger, from ‘a little’ to ‘famished’. If you’ve any room left and got a bit of a sweet tooth, there are a selection of cakes, cheesecakes and churros.
Like the food menu, there is an immense selection of both alcoholic and soft drinks. To fit in with your surroundings, try one of the ‘Sabores Latinos’ which are a selection of cocktails with Latin flavours such as rum, tequila and cachaca. After you’ve had your fill of food and drinks, you have the option of relaxing Cuban style, as they have a cigar menu with different flavours and sizes on offer.
Cubana is not just about the food and drink, they offer classes where you can learn passionate dances such as Salsa, Tango and Kizomba. There’s plenty of live music with a range of highly talented artists playing blues, jazz, soul and classical.
Get in touch with your inner Latino spirit and visit Cubana for a lively, passionate and memorable experience.
4. Make No Bones – The Old Workshop
In 2013, Make No Bones set out on a mission to create tasty vegan alternatives which could be enjoyed by everyone. They started in their original home on Chesterfield Road and soon gained popularity. Due to their growing acclaim, they moved into fellow Sheffield vegan restaurant Church: Temple of Fun for their opening in 2018. Their food undoubtedly helped Church become the rousing success it is today.
Once the world opened again after the first lockdown in 2020, Make No Bones took the next step in their incredible journey. They moved into The Old Workshop on Hick’s Street in the city’s hip Kelham Island district. There Sheffield spot is where to eat in Kelham island, you can’t beat it.
Their menu is pure comfort food and be rest assured, it is a completely delicious indulgence. Burgers, BBQ ribs, Philly cheesesteak, doner kebabs and shrimps are just some of the highlights and of course, they are all 100% vegan.
To sit alongside the food, all the drinks at The Old Workshop are also now suitable for vegans. They serve a mixture of keg beers with standouts such as ‘Cherry Cola’, ‘Space Trucker’ and ‘Fernando’. If you’re not a beer drinker, don’t panic, the cocktail menu will take your fancy. Make sure you try a ‘Tiki Rum Whatever’ and a ‘Chai White Russian’.
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or a meat-eater, we are positive you’ll love the Make Your Bones kitchen at The Old Workshop. Make sure you pay them a visit; you won’t regret it.
5. Napoli Centro
If you think pizza is a gift from the gods, like us, Napoli Centro is the place for you. Based on Glossop Road in Broomhall, it offers authentic wood-fired Neapolitan style pizza and street food. It’s our go to in Sheffield when wondering where to eat.
Owner Riccardo Castagno has built this establishment through his wealth of experience in the pizza trade. He started out at 16 years old helping run a family-owned Italian restaurant. He then moved on to work for pizza giants Franco Manca and Pizza Pilgrims. In 2020, he decided he wanted a business of his own, and Napoli Centro was born. It has been giving Sheffield its own slice of Italian cuisine ever since.
The menu offers food that you would find straight out of a pizzeria in Southern Italy. The pizzas are freshly made and cooked in 90 seconds at 500 degrees. There are the classics such as Margherita, Funghi and Salami alongside specials such as ‘Salsiccia e Friarielli’ and ‘Sophia Loren’
Away from the pizza, there are also plenty of Fritti options to choose from such as mozzarella balls, croquettes and French fries with parmesan. Wash the food down with a fine selection of ice-cold beers with the ‘Baladin Rock ‘n’ Roll’ and ‘Ichnusa Non-Filtra’, particular favourites.
If delicious, fresh and authentic pizza cooked the true Italian way is your thing, then pay a visit to Napoli Centro for an incredible Neapolitan experience.
Read More: These Are The Best Pizza Places To Try Out In Sheffield – Where To Eat
