Just one month after opening, Trattoria Maria in Sheffield city centre has made it onto the coveted Good Food Guide.
When it was announced last year that the masterminds behind Bench and The Pearl, two award-winning Sheffield venues, were setting their sights on opening an Italian trattoria in the city centre we couldn't believe our luck.
Maria, located on Wellington Street in the new heart of the city development, is a homage to owner Ronnie's grandmother and a nod to his southern Italian heritage.
It's a space unlike anything in the city, a small but perfectly-formed space complete with counter dining where you can watch the magic happen.
Images: The Sheff
And magic really is happening, because the food is nothing short of brilliant.
But it's not just us who think so, as Maria has got the attention of The Good Food Guide - an established guide to the very best pubs, cafes and restaurants across the UK.
Getting a spot on the guide just four weeks after opening is truly an impressive feat, here's what the guide had to say about Maria: "The quaint name (and Nonna namesake) contrasts the very urban setting of this new arrival from the team behind beloved Bench.
Images: The Sheff
"On a particularly uncharacterful street in Sheffield's 'Heart of the City' development, the exterior is all flat walls and fogged windows, while inside it's one big room which gets buzzy and loud of a weekend evening.
"There are real gems to be found among the antipasti - stracciatella and caponata with very soft focaccia for dunking or superb saffron and cuttlefish ragu arancini - while the southern Italian sunshine dominates the pastas and secondi."
Announcing the news to Instagram, Maria said: "we are delighted to announce, after just four weeks, we have been listed in the good food guide.
"we are super proud of the whole team for this achievement after such short period of time. congratulations to you all."
We couldn't have said it better ourselves, congratulations Maria and the team - an accolade very much deserved.
A restaurant where you can dive into unlimited pizza is opening in Sheffield very soon.
Like pizza? Then you're going to love this.
Introducing Slice Club, a brand-new restaurant concept that's opening in Sharrow Vale this month.
The idea has been 14 years in the making, and it's unlike anything you'll find in the city.
For £17.50 per person, guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat pizza, with fresh pizzas circulating around the room and served straight to the table.
There’s no menu or individual ordering, you simply take what you fancy, and a light on the table lets the team know when you’d like to pause or have more.
Image: Slice Club
And it doesn't stop there as there’s no fixed sitting time, either. You simply eat until you're full and then the team will let the next group of hungry punters in, so you don't have to feel rushed.
Dips, drinks and desserts are extra and can be ordered separately.
As for the pizzas, there's plenty of vegan and vegetarian options available so nobody has to miss out on the slice action.
Teasing the opening on Instagram, The Slice Club said: "No choosing a pizza and regretting it when someone else’s turns up. We make them. We bring them round. You take what you fancy. Drinks and desserts work normally."
"You’ve watched the window go up. You’ve watched us get the place ready. Now, you can finally book a table. We’re bringing bottomless pizza to Sharrow Vale, with slices coming to you until you decide to hit pause."
Sounds like a pretty good concept if you ask us, and we don't have long to wait as The Slice Club will be opening on Sharrow Vale Road on Friday 30 October.
Bookings are now open, and you can book your table via their website here.
Traitors star and comedian Joe Lycett is putting cash behind the bar at a pub in Sheffield
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Joe Lycett is putting money behind the bar at a pub in Sheffield this week, as he continues to encourage people to get out and support their local boozers.
The TV favourite – who is also currently one of the stars on The Traitors – announced the news as he bid farewell to his fictional TV pub The Lycett Arms.
On the show, he said: “There are 45,000 pubs in the UK – go and give them some love.”
Joe Lycett then proceeded to list 30 brilliant pubs up and down the country, including one in Sheffield, and announced that the drinks are on him this week.
He told audiences: “[This] Friday I’ll be putting a little bit of money behind the bar in all the pubs you’ve just seen. I hope you can have a drink on me.”
The chosen pub in Sheffield is The Hallamshire House, a lovely old boozer serving real ale in Crookesmoor.
Announcing the news to social media, Channel 4 and Joe Lycett wrote: "Take this as your excuse to drop what you’re doing, call a mate, and head to your local pub. Even if you see this during the middle of a working day. Go. Be free."
Well, you certainly don't have to tell us twice.
Some pubs have even agreed to match the offer, commenting on the post: “Thank you so much for the shout out. Next time you find yourself nearby, pop in for a pint!”
So this Friday, get your friends together and have a free pint on Joe Lycett himself - you know you want to.
Clementine Hall -
18th May 2026 
