Café Hopping - Sheffield

Lifestyle | Travel

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023

Stuck on what to do in Sheffield? Head to a café of course!

As my time at the University of Sheffield comes to an end, I figured that I could write a love letter to the city I spent three years living in, through my favourite type of activity; café hopping.

Somewhat surprisingly, when I moved into a flat in the city centre of Sheffield, I realised that there were very few cafes around, besides chain cafes. The most aesthetic independent cafes resided outside of the city centre, and so I made it my mission to compile all of the best cafes from around the city centre.

- OUTFIT INSPO -

Casual coffee date/Winter coffee run/Brunch with friends

- SHEFFIELD CITY CENTRE'S BEST CAFES -

1. Marmadukes

42 Cambridge Street, mime.harsh.stuck [whatthreewords location code].

Starting off with my absolute favourite café in Sheffield – Marmadukes on Cambridge Street! This is a sister café to the Marmadukes on Norfolk Row, but has a very different atmosphere, whilst keeping the same delicious food and coffee.

The Cambridge Street café is an open and airy space, situated in the newly developed area of the city centre, providing some modern seating spaces and lots of glass-fronted stores. Marmadukes itself is a tall, spacious café, and the whole front wall is glass, giving it an open feel.

My recommendations: pain au chocolat or the deconstructed granola and a cappuccino for a staple yummy breakfast or the mozzarella, sundried tomato, and pesto toasted sandwich with an iced tea for lunch.

[and if you’re a coffee fanatic, their espressos come with a card detailing the different notes in the coffee to try and taste].

2. Marmadukes

22 Norfolk Row, aura.coffee.ever.

Next on our whistle-stop tour of Sheffield cafes, is the second Marmadukes in the city centre. This Marmadukes on Norfolk Row provides a more brunch-like atmosphere, with many more tables than the Cambridge Street café, as well as a much longer menu.

I would recommend booking a table in advance, as on the occasions where I would go more spontaneously, 9 times out of 10 I have been told that there are no seats available inside. Whilst the seating outside is lovely when the weather is bright, it has slightly less charm in the rain.

However, this is a spot that is not to be missed, with everything I have ordered being super yummy. A particular item that has everyone I know returning there, are the eggs. It may seem strange, but the eggs are velvety, and the yolks are such a deep orange, that they almost look red.

Both Marmadukes cafes are on the pricier side, however, they both hold top positions among my favourite of the cafes in Sheffield – and their constant flow of customers only goes to confirm my view.

My recommendation: a hot chocolate and the eggs Florentine.

3. Albie’s Coffee

22 Snig Hill, invite.toxic.healthier.

Albie’s Coffee was a late find for myself and my flatmate, who only visited this gorgeous little store in the last week of our final term, which was a shame as it is one of the nicest cafes around.

A short walk from the Sheffield Cathedral, Albie’s Coffee is a little hideaway just off the beaten path. The café itself is deceivingly large, as this small looking building fits a lot of seating spaces.

This café has a lovely atmosphere and the staff were so friendly. A relaxing place to sit with a book, study, or meet a friend for coffee.

My recommendation: an iced latte and a fresh pastry.

4. Hygge

14 Fitzalan Square, mile.chats.social.

Our next café is another hidden gem, going by the name of HYGGE.

Taking its name from the Danish term for cosiness and comfort, HYGGE provides a gorgeous space to relax. One stand-out feature are the egg chairs placed in between the many various seating areas. There is also a faux garden seating area, as well as comfortable seating pods.

This is the perfect spot for tea-drinkers, as there is a wide range of herbal teas, which all come in clear teapots so you can really see the tea brewing.

My recommendation: cinnamon bun or pain au chocolat and a fresh herbal tea.

5. Honey & Fig

11A Westfield Ter, caring.chase.seated.

Honey & Fig is the closest of the cafés on this list to the University buildings that I had my seminars in, and so became a regular spot for me to visit. This café is also the second on our list to be a deceiving size, appearing as a small café but holding many seating spaces. In fact, it never reached full capacity any time I was there, with many customers opting to get a takeaway over sitting in.

There is a limited selection of food, however, there is a good selection of coffees and teas. Crucially, the location is incredibly convenient and the café itself has a lovely, quaint atmosphere.

My recommendation: flat white, iced latte or herbal tea with a breakfast brioche.

6. Birdhouse Tea Company

Alsop Fields, Sidney Street, rivers.fetch.tinsel.

This brunch spot is hidden away from the heart of the city centre, but it is truly a hidden gem. There is a lovely outdoor seating area, and indoor café seating.

The prices come in at a mid-range, but the giant serving size makes it well worth the price.

My recommendations: for a more savoury meal try the mushrooms, kale and halloumi on toast with a herbal tea or matcha latte. For a sweeter experience try the Lotus Biscoff pancake stack.

7. Copper pot

68 Division Street, tiny.upset.winner.

I had only stopped off at the Copper Pot for a smoothie, but they also offer a brunch menu and coffees and teas, as well as freshly baked cakes. Not only do they have a wide range of options, but they can offer most items in Gluten Free.

The smoothies do not have any of the seeds or fruit pieces that some have, which makes them much easier to drink. We sat outside during our visit and the seating is well spaced and also has umbrella providing shade to many of the seats.

My recommendation: any of the berry smoothies.

8. Steam Yard

Unit 1-2, 97 Division Street, corner.vivid.spell.

This is another café that I have only visited once, however, it had to be included for their decaffeinated coffee.

I visited the Steam Yard with two friends and all three of us had decaf coffees. However, we all tried the coffee and did a second take, because it tasted not only like standard coffee, but like an extremely strong coffee. However, we did not get the usual caffeine buzz, thus reinforcing that this was just the most caffeinated-tasting decaf coffee that any of us had ever tried.

So, if you are a coffee-lover, but would like to try cutting out caffeine, the decaffeinated coffee at the Steam Yard is the way to go.

My recommendation: decaffeinated cappuccino and a ‘cookies and cream’ chocolate chip cookie.

- A COUPLE OF NOTABLE MENTIONS -

200 Degrees Coffee

25 Division Street, zebra.search.visual.

This is the perfect café for studying, with lots of seating and a nice, relaxed atmosphere.

My recommendation: millionaire shortbread and a cappuccino.

Plant

121 Eyre Street, brass.title.target.

This was a must-visit at the beginning of each semester, as it is a place to buy coffee and stock up on some new plants.

Tamper Coffee

149 Arundel Street, awake.sank.chop.

This is the only café on the list that I have not personally visited. It was difficult to book a table, and was generally always full, however I was recommended this café by most people I know and so it had to make the list!

Little Boba Café

142 Devonshire Street, admire.vows.rods.

A lovely little bubble tea store only two minutes from the University buildings. When you go in-store and pick up a bubble tea, they also put a cute, heart stopper in the cup to avoid spills while walking.

My recommendation: passionfruit iced tea with tapioca and mango popping pearls, no ice, 100% sugar.

Le Blé

2 Church Street, filer.behind.stocks.

This is one of the most expensive places on the list, but this patisserie has a beautiful design, with a faux blossom tree in the centre of the spacey café. There is a whole counter dedicated to little sweet treats, with endless options to choose from.

Which of these is your favourite - and did I miss any?