A friend of mine’s daughter starts at Sheffield Hallam University this term and she asked me for some tips of places to eat etc. I wrote her such a long text that I decided to turn it into a blog post! So here are some tips for prospective newbies to Sheffield, students and their parents and anyone else who’s just moved to the area.

Best food in the city centre

Cambridge Street Collective – a fantastic food hall with food from all around the world and a great bar. Ideal for when you’re in a big group and everyone wants something different. Only downside is the lack of table service – you get a buzzer and have to collect your food yourself. I recommend the sushi tacos from Kai.

Caffe Tucci – this place doesn’t look very much but it is a very authentic Italian café that does superb home made focaccia sandwiches, proper paninis and a really good pistachio latte. I always feel like I’m in Italy when I eat there. Perfect for a lazy lunch.

Forbici – this is a new arrival from Manchester. Excellent Neapolitan pizza at a reasonable price, always served with forbici (scissors!) for cutting it up.

Soulyaki – these guys do a great meal deal for £13 that includes, main, drink and dessert. They serve up these amazing sushi ‘burgers’. A fun café that also does other Japanese food.

Dashu – this is the best Korean spot in Sheffield and has been there a while. First place I ever tried Korean Fried Chicken and therefore, to me at least, it’s the best! More of a café than restaurant though.

Best student food

For great student food try the noodle places on West Street. If you don’t mind sitting on a stool with strip lighting, Langzhou Noodles is superb (the food is the vibe!) – note, it’s cash only. If you want a slightly more comfortable experience, try Noodle Plus. These are hand-pulled noodles that come in a delicious broth with toppings like beef brisket. The best noodles you’ll ever taste! Also go down London Road – there is food from almost everywhere to try. My favourite is Kurdistan Charcoal Grill which does the best sharwarma in Sheffield – a wrap is just £4.50 and they are huge (basically a naan full of meat and salad and their amazing home made sauces).

Best Coffee in Sheffield

Mow’s Coffee is the best in Sheffield (trust me, I’ve tried them all). Get their affogato with delicious locally made ice cream. Also a superb flat white.

Kilnfolk – these guys do the best latte art and they are also up there among the best coffee places in town. Coffee is served in beautiful locally made ceramics which you can buy in the shop (or at least make heavy hints for birthday or Christmas!)

2323 Coffee – this place has the best coffee menu in town.

Drop Bear – if you want to feel 100 (I’m talking to the parents here, not the students!) try this new Australian-style coffee shop at Sheffield Hallam. A much more interesting take on a Starbucks-style joint with some classic Melbourne coffees and interesting lunch selection.

Things to do

Graves Art Gallery – this is a total hidden gem located in the library near the Winter Gardens. It’s free and small but perfectly formed. Some fab pieces in their permanent collection and they always have interesting temporary exhibitions. Perfect to wander around for an hour – especially on a rainy day.

Millennium Gallery – there are a few exhibition spaces which always have interesting exhibits and there’s a really good gift shop. Also free entry. Next to it are the Winter Gardens, a nice place to sit and read if you’re waiting to meet someone.

Botanical Gardens – also free entry, a lovely park.

Sheffield General Cemetery – walk around this old closed cemetery – particularly fun if you’re a goth and like all things spooky. The Samuel Worth Chapel hosts folk nights and other events. The park is run by volunteers. Pro tip – a fun day out is to walk around the cemetery and then go to Sharrow Vale Road where you’ll find a wealth of cool independent shops and cafes.

When it’s the season, go and watch Sheffield Steelers Ice Hockey team play at Sheffield Arena. You get big discounts if there are more than 10 of you, so ring up the box office to bulk book your tickets, it’s a great trip out!

Shopping

Division Street in the city centre has a wealth of vintage stores and cool independent clothes shops.

Sharrow Vale Road and Ecclesall Road have lots of cool shops, some chains and independents and restaurants and cafes.

Great cafes and small shops on Abbeydale Road – I highly recommend Best Boy Bagels – best bagel you’ll ever taste (and I’ve had one in New York!)

Bookshops

La Biblioteka – independent bookshop in the effortlessly cool Leah’s Yard in the city centre. Also sells interesting magazines and stationery.

Juno Books – specialises in feminist and LGBTQIA literature, I always find something interesting in there.

Rhyme and Reason – on Ecclesall Road, lovely independent bookshop with a great children’s selection.

Proof – this used to be called Novel, I haven’t been yet, but Novel was great! Also sells good coffee.

Waterstones – in Orchard Square in the city centre is good. Just opposite is the best bar in Sheffield imo, The Old Shoe, I often buy a book and then read it with a pint in the Old Shoe!

Here is a google map of all the above mentioned places:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/NhacgxdSAAHPkPMk9

Follow me on Instagram @vahva where I share all the food and drink I try in Sheffield, the above list isn’t exhaustive!