A view of the Peace Gardens on a sunny day. People are walking about while others are sitting on the grass. In the background is Sheffield Town Hall. A view of the Peace Gardens on a sunny day. People are walking about while others are sitting on the grass. In the background is Sheffield Town Hall.

In Sheffield, we are particularly proud of our independent scene and as high streets change across the country, we are now seeing more of the city's homegrown cafes, shops, restaurants, bars, pubs and food halls nestling in alongside the galleries and theatres, creating a unique vibrancy all of its own.

An independent transformation

Sheffield's City Centre is currently undergoing significant change. As it nears completion, the huge Heart of the City development is totally transforming things at the moment. 

So, while you may see a few cranes towering above and scaffolding hiding historic facades, this shouldn't detract from all the amazing places that are still there.

If you'd like to know about the redevelopment work taking place in the city centre, we now have a dedicated webpage with the full rundown.

More info on the changes happening
Four people are sat outside on the terrace at the restaurant The Furnace enjoying a meal.
Lots of people are walking about in Orchard Square on a sunny day.

Attractions in the City Centre

The Winter Garden and Peace Gardens

Few cities can boast a public space like Sheffield’s Winter Garden and its outdoor companion the Peace Gardens.

Crucible Theatre

Originally opened in 1971, the Crucible is a world-famous theatre and iconic Sheffield landmark, with a distinctive stage.

Lyceum Theatre

With over a hundred years of history, this magnificent theatre provides an ornate backdrop to the very best of the West End, with a diverse programme of touring productions including musical theatre, opera, ballet, contemporary dance, family shows and comedy.

Millennium Gallery

The Millennium Gallery is Sheffield’s premier destination for art, craft and design. Here you can see some of Sheffield’s unique heritage, including the metalwork which made the city world famous, alongside contemporary art and design exhibitions.

National Videogame Museum

The UK's national cultural centre for videogames, The National Videogame Museum is on a mission to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret videogames for everyone. With over 100 playable exhibits, it's also a lot of fun!

Sheffield Cathedral - St Peter & St Paul

Whether you have come to pray, to search or to ponder; whether you are a lover of art, architecture or music; whether you need help or have come to look round, you are most welcome here. Come to one of Sheffield’s oldest buildings, the ancient heart of this great city.

The Moor Market

One of the UK's best indoor markets and home to over 90 independent traders, Sheffield's Moor Market has a range of stalls offering fantastic quality and great value. It offers customers a unique retail experience, full of characters, wonderful flavours, sights and sounds.

Site Gallery

Site Gallery is Sheffield’s leading international contemporary art space, supporting artists specialising in moving image, new media and performance. 

Showroom Cinema

The home of independent cinema in Sheffield, The Showroom are committed to providing a diverse range of films and related activity for Sheffield and the surrounding region. They host high profile film festivals throughout the year, including the world famous DocFest and Sheffield's very own Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF).

Orchard Square

Located in the heart of Sheffield City Centre, Orchard Square is an open-air shopping court and vibrant leisure destination, home to well-known retail brands and an array of Sheffield independents.

Leopold Square

Set against the stunning architecture of several magnificent Grade II listed buildings, Leopold Square has been stylishly rejuvenated into a vibrant city centre leisure spot, offering top quality bars and restaurants.

Sheffield Plate

Sheffield Plate is a foodhall specialising in hosting street food vendors with cuisine from around the world. It's slap bang in the middle of Orchard Square, in the centre of the city, and has a lively atmosphere across the 2 bars and 6 vendor spaces.

The Light Cinema

The Light is based on The Moor in the centre of Sheffield. With cinema, dining, and events all under the one roof, it's a place a venue that takes you from morning to night - and with some incredibly comfy reclining seats in the cinemas it's even better.

Kommune

Bringing together some of the most exciting independent kitchens and traders from across the country, Kommune is a social all-day dining experience foodhall, situated in a unique Grade II listed building at the very heart of Sheffield and on the edge of the trendy Castlegate district.

Curzon Sheffield

Curzon Sheffield occupies a Grade II listed building which previously was the Sheffield Banking Company. Set over two floors, the cinema has three screens and a comfortable lobby where you can work for the afternoon or enjoy some refreshments. In the summer, the rooftop terrace is open and adds another area to enjoy this lovely city.

Graves Gallery

The home of Sheffield's visual art collection since 1934, the Graves Gallery is located on the third floor of Sheffield Central Library.

Roxy Ball Room

Roxy Ball Room Charter Square is spread across two floors with a whole host of competitive gaming, including duck pin bowling, two karaoke rooms, batting cages, shuffleboard, beer pong, ice-free curling and their unique Crazy Pool, plus much more.

Lane 7

Forget everything you thought you knew about bowling alleys, because Lane 7 Sheffield is different! Centrally located, expect ten-pin bowling, ping-pong, darts, arcade games and American pool, in an unrivalled atmosphere, while Fat Hippo serve up some of the tastiest burgers around.

A close up of the  Look Up Portal Sticker that has been placed on paving slabs.

Look Up!

Look Up is turning the rooftops of some of Sheffield's most iconic buildings into a FREE, augmented reality art gallery.

Fans of Pokemon Go will love this! Simply download the app (available for IOS and Android) and head out to one of four locations in the city centre where you'll find a Look Up portal, Scan the QR code and then wait for the magic to happen.

What will you see? We don't want to ruin the surprise... 

 

More info

Game on with Sheffield's activity bars

If you're looking for a fun night out with friends, Sheffield has a great variety of activity bars to keep you thoroughly entertained, with many of them located in and around the city centre. 

From seriously crazy indoor golf, to shuffle board, bowling and board games- you will definitely not be bored! 

See more

City Centre eating & drinking

Public

Public is quite simply stunning. Occupying the former gent’s toilet below the grade-1 listed Victorian town hall, Public is a tiny haven of fine drinks and delicious food - or as it was once described: ‘A Wes Anderson train carriage crowbarred in to an old bog’.

Lucky Fox

Lucky Fox is a small but very cosy cafe and eatery, serving up a great selection of home cooked American style diner food, including their infamous fried chicken and selection of beers. They've also been known to do incredible shakes, if you can fit anything else in.

Marmadukes

They have three locations - the original one is just by the Crucible on Norfolk Row, the second below the HSBC building in the Heart of the City development, and the most recent one on Ecclesall Road South in the old sorting office. All three have a charm and identity of their own whilst still totally feeling like one of Sheffield's favourite independent cafe's.

The Head of Steam

Cask and craft ale, live music and food aplenty, The Head of Steam sits proudly in the centre of Sheffield right on Tudor Square where you'll find the theatres, Winter Garden and Millennium Gallery.

Forum Kitchen + Bar

Situated right in the heart of Sheffield city centre next to Devonshire Green, Forum Kitchen + Bar is the perfect spot for catching up with friends, with an all day menu and open 7 days a week. Great for a night out, but they also have a fantastic sun terrace complete with comfy deckchairs for sunny days in Sheffield too. 

The Rutland Arms

Specialising in fine beers, boozes and tasty, freshly prepared food, The Rutland Arms welcomes everyone and anyone equally to enjoy themselves in good company so long as you adhere to the forbidden music board above the jukebox.

Terrace Goods

Cracking street food on a beautiful terrace overlooking Orchard Square with award winning street art at the side of you.

Hygge

A scandi style cafe with a really cool interior and always a great atmosphere. Frequented by students, staff, visitors and travellers alike, it's a great place to work, hang out, catch a bit to eat or just re-caffeinate. And yes, it's in a building nicknamed the sugar cube... you'll see why when you get there.

Kollective Kitchen - Site Gallery

Kollective Kitchen is connected to Sheffield's Site Gallery, serving dishes that are locally sourced, but globally inspired, with a focus on colour, excitement and sustainability.

Honey & Fig

Honey & Fig, serving up good vibes, your favourite coffees, sandwiches, corndogs and pastries.

Industry Tap

Tap bar and bottle shop, Industry Tap pride themselves on providing a wide variety of excellent craft beers, with 21 lines showcasing rotating guest brews from Sheffield and beyond.

Sidney & Matilda

Where Brooklyn meets Berlin in Sheffield's creative quarter. Sidney and Matilda is a warehouse, basement, and courtyard orientated music and event venue, that has shined new neon red light on an abandoned industrial district.

Birdhouse Tea Bar & Kitchen

Built in a converted former cutlery-machine factory, Birdhouse have drawn on their expert tea knowledge to create a modern dining and drinking experience, with tea at the heart of it all.

Silversmiths

Silversmiths is situated in the heart of Sheffield City Centre close to Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield Train Station. Their aim is to produce the finest modern British cuisine with a strong Yorkshire influence and a hint of fine dining in a relaxed environment for all to enjoy.

Tsuki

Humble in acknowledgment of ancient Japanese culture, custom, techniques and food, Tsuki balance love of authentic ways with a seamless interactive tech experience over two restaurant levels.

The Common Room

Located on popular Division Street, The Common Room has been one of Sheffield's favourite sports bars for many years. With 11 full size American pool tables, ping pong, beer pong, PlayStation, and over 50 giant TV screens showing the latest sporting events, it's a great place for groups.

Ego Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar

Enjoy freshly cooked Mediterranean food, cocktails and local cask ale, served with a smile at exceptional value at Ego Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar in Sheffield.

The Chakra Lounge

The Chakra Lounge is a delightful vegan cafe fusing Indo-Western cuisine in Fitzalan Square in the city centre. With lush interiors and great culinary creations (and some tasty drinks to boot), you'll find it a wonderful spot for breakfast, brunch or lunch.

Steam Yard

Located along one of Sheffield’s liveliest indie districts, Steam Yard has a cool atmosphere and great outdoor seating area.

Tamper Coffee

Sample a bit of relaxed kiwi café culture at Tamper-Sellers Wheel, a white-washed 19th century former silversmiths in the heart of Sheffield’s Cultural Industries Quarter.

Piccolino

Located in Millennium Square, Piccolino brings a true taste of Italy to the heart of the city. Their dishes are rustic, simple and delicious and are created using the best, freshest ingredients. 

Le Blé

Not just another bakery. Le Blé is a journey to the Mediterranean tastes and the art of coffee. An experience full of freshly-baked goods, made with the authentic Mediterranean recipes.

How St

Straight up the hill from the train station, opposite Hallam University central campus, sits How St. They make everything fresh from local produce, and have a lovely outdoor terrace where you can spend plenty of time supping on a coffee while you watch folks wander past.

Grazie

Inspired by traditional flavours, Grazie offer a fresh, creative and original interpretation of Puglian cuisine, in the heart of Sheffield.

The Furnace Bar & Restaurant

From laid back lunches, to late night drinks and the best live music, The Furnace is a melting pot, forged from the elements that make Sheffield unique- where industrial heritage, meets modern design, where local ingredients are cast into new, imaginative menus.

Caffè Tucci

If you’re after some tasty Neapolitan-inspired fare, this friendly, family-run café brings a true taste of Naples to the city centre, serving sumptuous pastries, panini, bruschetta, cake and coffee.

Guyshi BBQ & Bar

The first Japanese charcoal BBQ and bar in Sheffield.

Brewski Sheffield

Fresh, delicious North American comfort food.

VeroGusto

Family run, this authentic and award winning restaurant is full of passion for great food, wine and hospitality. The truly elegant surroundings offer a true taste of Italy, delivered with love by Ester and Saverio.

La Bottega

La Bottega serve handcrafted breakfasts and lunches alongside carefully selected wines and coffee.

Inside the shop Moonko, on Division Street, a woman is browsing and looking at the displays.

Shop local

We have a whole host of shops that will give you something great to take home, as a gift, or just something for yourself.

Go indie shopping
A close-up of the metalwork that clads the outside of Q-Park on Arundel Gate.
A red neon sign in a window that reads 'Sheffield'.

Want to know more about the Heart of the City regeneration?

It's a huge amount of work, with lots of exciting developments on the way.

Read more
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