Looking for a good place for a bite to eat in Sheffield? Trust me, this city’s got so much more to offer than just Henderson’s Relish (though we do love that too). Let’s take a look at our top restaurants in Sheffield – the steel city.
From cosy little independents tucked away in Kelham Island to very posh restaurants for those special occasions, Sheffield’s food scene has massively upped its game in recent years.
What I love most about eating out here is the brilliant mix of family-run spots alongside some really exciting new places. And the variety! You can literally eat your way around the world without leaving the city limits.
So I’ve put together this list of my absolute favourite Sheffield restaurants – the ones I personally recommend to friends when they visit. Some are perfect for a romantic night out, others are great for a get-together with mates, and I’ve thrown in some budget-friendly gems too. Anyone can have a good meal in Sheffield.
Ready to discover your new favourite restaurant? Take a look at these…
Fine Dining for Special Occasions
Sometimes you just need to splash out a bit, don’t you? These are the places worth parting with cash when you’ve got something to celebrate.
Joro (Kelham Island)
Key Points
- Menu: Modern British tasting menu (around £150 per person).
- Where: Tucked away in Kelham Island’s Krynkl development (those shipping containers – you can’t miss them).
- Venue: Small, intimate space with just 12 tables and an open kitchen.
- Serving times: Dinner Wednesday-Saturday, lunch Friday-Saturday.
- Dietary requirements: They’re brilliant with allergies and dietary needs.
I managed to snag a table for my birthday last month – had to book eight weeks ahead, mind you! The whole experience was just incredible. We went for the full tasting menu, and honestly, I’ve never had food quite like it. Each plate was like a tiny work of art, and the flavour combinations were really quite mind-blowing.
There was this one dish with fermented vegetables that sounds weird but tasted amazing. And the service? Spot on. Every dish gets explained to you without being too pretentious about it.
It’s not cheap – our bill came to about £300 for two with the wine pairing – but for a really special occasion, it’s worth every penny.
Location: 294 Shalesmoor, Sheffield S3 8US Contact: 0114 299 1539
Rafters (Oakbrook Road)
Key Points
- Menu: High-end tasting menus featuring seasonal British ingredients (around £150 per person).
- Where: A bit out of the city centre in Ranmoor, but easy enough to get to.
- Venue: Elegant but not stuffy, with only about 9 tables in total.
- Serving times: Dinner Tuesday-Saturday.
- Dietary requirements: They’ll adapt their menu for any requirements if you tell them in advance.
Had my anniversary dinner here last summer and it was fabulous. The food is very fancy but still feels satisfying – the food was so gorgeous there was no way I was wanting to stop for chips on the way home!
The standout for me was their Lake District lamb dish. And you’ve got to try the wine pairing if you go – the sommelier really knows her stuff and introduced us to some wines I’d never have picked myself.
What makes Rafters special is how they make you feel. The staff are attentive without hovering over you, and they make you feel like a valued guest rather than just another customer.
Location: 220 Oakbrook Road, Sheffield S11 7ED Contact: 0114 230 8536
Vero Gusto (City Centre)
Key Points
- Menu: Authentic Italian with a focus on quality ingredients (about £45 per person)
- Location: Tucked away on Norfolk Row in the city centre
- Venue: Intimate, candlelit, real romantic atmosphere
- Serving times: Dinner Monday-Saturday, lunch Thursday-Saturday
- Dietary requirements: Good veggie options, can cater for gluten-free
Went here on a date night last month and it was perfect. The place is small and intimate – you might be sitting quite close to other diners, but that just adds to the atmosphere.
The pasta is made fresh daily and you can really taste the difference. I had the most amazing wild mushroom ravioli, and my husband’s seafood linguine was packed with prawns, mussels and clams.
And please, whatever you do, save room for the tiramisu. It’s genuinely the best I’ve ever tasted – and I’ve been to Italy quite a few times!
A three-course meal with wine came to about £45 per person, which feels reasonable for the quality.
Location: 12 Norfolk Row, Sheffield S1 2PA Contact: 0114 276 0004
Independent Gems for Foodie Adventures
These smaller, independent places might not look much from the outside, but trust me—they’re serving some of the most exciting food in the city.
Native (Kelham Island)
Key Points
- Menu: Brilliant seafood and seasonal British ingredients
- Location: In the heart of trendy Kelham Island
- Venue: Modern, stylish but relaxed
- Serving times: Dinner Wednesday-Saturday, lunch Friday-Saturday
- Dietary requirements: Obviously seafood-heavy but always have non-fish options
I popped in here on a whim one Friday night and managed to grab the last table. So glad I did! The fish here is delivered fresh daily, and it’s some of the best I’ve had in Sheffield (and beyond, actually!).
The menu changes regularly depending on what’s been caught, which I love. Had the most incredible scallops to start – perfectly seared with a celeriac puree that I could have eaten a bucketful of. My main was a whole sea bream that was so fresh it practically jumped off the plate. Plus the octopus was absolute perfection.
The staff clearly love working here and are happy to recommend wines to go with your meal. Not the cheapest but absolutely not the most expensive either (around £35-40 per person without drinks) but worth it for seafood this good.
Location: 10 Mowbray Street, Sheffield S3 8EN Contact: 0114 272 0100
Domo (Kelham Island)
Key Points
- Menu: Sardinian/Italian cuisine with family recipes
- Location: Castle House, another Kelham Island gem
- Venue: Warm, welcoming, feels like being in someone’s home
- Serving times: Dinner Tuesday-Saturday, lunch Wednesday-Saturday
- Dietary requirements: Lots of veggie options, gluten-free pasta available
Went here with a group of six friends and we had such a lovely evening. It’s run by a Sardinian family, and you can really feel the love they put into the place.
The menu isn’t huge, but everything on it is done really well. We shared a bunch of antipasti to start (the pecorino with honey was amazing!) and then I had this slow-cooked lamb dish that just fell apart on my fork.
One thing I will say – the flavours are quite subtle and homely rather than bold and in-your-face. But that’s authentic Sardinian cooking for you, isn’t it? It’s about letting good ingredients speak for themselves.
Location: Castle House, Sheffield S3 8EN Contact: 0114 553 9236
Orange Bird (Hillsborough)
Key Points
- Menu: South African-inspired, with lots of interesting game meats and spices
- Location: Just off Middlewood Road in Hillsborough
- Venue: Small, cosy, unpretentious
- Serving times: Dinner Wednesday-Saturday
- Dietary requirements: Always at least one veggie option, but meat-focused
This place is such a brilliant find – so good to try something different. Went last weekend and I’m still thinking about the food! It’s a tiny little restaurant run by a couple – he’s South African and does the cooking, she handles front of house.
The menu is unlike anything else in Sheffield, with lots of game and interesting spice combinations. I had the most amazing kudu (a type of antelope) with a chakalaka sauce that had just the right level of heat.
And it’s BYOB with just a small corkage fee. This is great if you have your own favourite drink or want to keep costs down. (I personally love the whole wine and dine experience, but I can see the appeal of bringing your own.) We took a decent bottle of red that worked perfectly with the food.
The only downside? It’s tiny, so you need to book well in advance for weekend tables.
Location: 35 Middlewood Road, Sheffield S6 4GW Contact: 0114 234 9196
Grazie (Leopold Square)
Key Points
- Menu: Upscale Italian with a modern twist
- Location: Leopold Square in the city centre
- Venue: Stylish but relaxed, nice outdoor seating in summer
- Serving times: Lunch and dinner daily
- Dietary requirements: Good range of veggie options, gluten-free pasta available
Had a lovely meal here a few weeks back with my mum. It’s in Leopold Square, so great for people-watching if you sit outside on a sunny day.
The food is reliably good Italian – not as traditional as Vero Gusto, but still authentic. Their pasta dishes are generous portions (I never manage to finish them!) and the pizzas have that proper thin, crispy base.
I usually go for their seafood linguine, which is packed with prawns, mussels and squid in a light tomato sauce. Though this time I went for the King Prawns, and oh my goodness – beautiful. And as mentioned, the tiramisu is absolutely worth saving room for!
It’s not the cheapest Italian in town, but the quality justifies the slightly higher prices. Mains are around £14-18.
Location: 2 Leopold Square, Sheffield S1 2JG Contact: 0114 276 6656
Budget-Friendly Bites That Wow
Who says good food has to cost a fortune? These places prove that you can eat very well in Sheffield without breaking the bank.
Middle Eastern Shawarma (City Centre)
Key Points
- Menu: Authentic shawarma, falafel and mezze
- Location: Just off West Street
- Venue: No-frills takeaway with a few tables
- Serving times: Lunch and dinner daily
- Dietary requirements: Great for veggies if you go for the falafel option
This unassuming little place does the BEST shawarma in Sheffield, hands down. For just £6 you get a massive wrap stuffed with perfectly spiced chicken or lamb, salad, pickles and the most amazing garlic sauce.
I can’t help but grab lunch from here at least once a week when I’m working in town. The guys who run it are super friendly too, and always chuck in a few extra falafel if you’re a regular.
If you’re really hungry, go for the mezze platter to share – hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, falafel and warm flatbread, all for about a tenner.
Location: 30 Rockingham Street, Sheffield S1 4EA Contact: 0114 272 1888
Saigon 68 (London Road)
Key Points
- Menu: Vietnamese classics – pho, bun bowls and more
- Location: On London Road, among all the other great international restaurants
- Venue: Simple but clean, bright lighting
- Serving times: Lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday
- Dietary requirements: Lots of veggie options
Popped in here after the cinema recently and had the most amazing beef pho. The broth was so rich and flavourful – clearly been simmering away for hours – and it was packed with noodles, tender beef slices and fresh herbs.
The portions are HUGE (I couldn’t finish mine), and most main dishes are under a tenner. They also do a great lunch deal where you can get a main and a drink for about £8.
Look out for their Groupon deals too – they often do a surf and turf special for two that’s really good value.
Location: 71 London Road, Sheffield S2 4HR Contact: 0114 258 8968
Lucky Fox (Division Street)
Key Points
- Menu: American-style fried chicken, waffles and sides
- Location: Division Street, right in the heart of the action
- Venue: Casual, diner-style, busy atmosphere
- Serving times: Lunch and dinner daily, great for late night food
- Dietary requirements: Not great for veggies, to be honest!
When I’m craving proper comfort food, this is where I head. Their fried chicken is honestly the best in Sheffield – crispy coating, super juicy meat, and they don’t skimp on the portions.
I usually go for the 3-piece meal which comes with fries, slaw and a dip for about £9. The buffalo sauce is my fave – spicy but not blow-your-head-off hot.
The chicken and waffles is their signature dish, but between you and me, I find the waffles a bit disappointing. Stick to the straight-up chicken and you can’t go wrong.
It gets rammed on weekends, especially in the evenings, so be prepared to queue or try to hit it at off-peak times.
Location: 72 Division Street, Sheffield S1 4GF Contact: 0114 278 0811
Food Halls for Variety and Vibes
Sometimes you want options, right? Sheffield’s food halls are perfect when everyone fancies something different.
Cutlery Works (Kelham Island)
Key Points
- Menu: Huge variety—everything from Thai to Venezuelan to plant-based
- Location: Heart of Kelham Island
- Venue: Massive converted factory space, two floors
- Serving times: Various, but generally lunch and dinner daily
- Dietary requirements: Great for mixed groups with dietary restrictions
Cutlery Works is brilliant for a casual lunch or dinner with friends. I love the industrial vibe of the place, and there’s so much choice!
I’m a bit obsessed with Edo Sushi – their dragon rolls are amazing and pretty good value compared to other sushi places in Sheffield. The Five Rivers Vietnamese coffee is also worth trying if you need a caffeine hit.
One thing to note – it gets VERY busy on weekends and the ventilation isn’t great, so it can get quite warm and noisy. I prefer going midweek when it’s a bit calmer.
Location: 73-101 Neepsend Lane, Sheffield S3 8AT Contact: N/A (check individual vendors)
Cambridge Street Collective (City Centre)
Key Points
- Menu: Awesome collection of some really unique offerings
- Location: Newer food halls and part of the Heart of the City development
- Venue: Modern, bright, well-designed space
- Serving times: Various, but generally lunch and dinner daily
- Dietary requirements: Good variety for all diets
This is the newest food hall in Sheffield and it’s already becoming a favourite. It’s not as big as Cutlery Works, but the quality of the vendors is really high.
The absolute star here is Fretrot’s chef’s table experience. OK, so this isn’t budget food; but for about £60 per person you get to sit right at the counter while the chefs prepare an amazing tasting menu right in front of you. Went for my mate’s birthday and it was such a fun night.
For something more casual, the Rok kitchen does amazing Korean-inspired dishes – their bibimbap bowls are so good and really filling.
Location: Cambridge Street, Sheffield S1 4HP Contact: N/A (check individual vendors)
Your Sheffield Food Adventure Starts Now!
So that’s my personal guide to eating out in Sheffield, no matter what you fancy or what mood you’re in.
What I love about Sheffield’s food scene is that it keeps evolving. New places are opening all the time, and established restaurants keep upping their game to stay competitive.
Just remember that the really popular spots like Joro and Rafters book up weeks in advance, so don’t leave it to the last minute if you’ve got your heart set on somewhere special.
And if you discover a hidden gem I’ve not mentioned, let me know! I’m always up for trying somewhere new – that’s half the fun, right?