Tonco has been part of Sheffield’s food scene for years now, and its Sharrow Vale home is still going strong.
There’s something very satisfying about finding a place that basically does everything you need. Need a coffee? Fancy some lunch? Have to pick up some bits for dinner? Well... welcome to Tonco Bakery in Sharrow Vale.
On Sharrow Vale Road, Tonco is a bakery, cafe, and greengrocer all under one roof, making it one of those neighbourhood spots you could very easily find yourself popping into every week.
But the Tonco story actually started somewhere else. Before there was a bakery, there was the restaurant.
Tonco first arrived in Sheffield in 2019, opening its first permanent home in Dyson Place, just off Sharrow Vale Road. It quickly built up a loyal following thanks to its seasonal menus, locally sourced ingredients, and ever-changing dishes.
Credit: The Manc GroupCredit: The Manc Group
The restaurant became a bit of a favourite among Sheffield foodies, while also helping bring more attention to the independent businesses around Dyson Place. Then, in 2022, Tonco expanded into the bakery world, taking over the former Seven Hills Bakery site on Sharrow Vale Road.
The original Tonco restaurant sadly closed its doors in 2024, with rising costs and rent making things increasingly difficult for the independent business.
But that wasn’t the end, as instead, the bakery has carried the name forward. Today, you’ll find fresh bread and bakes being made in-house, alongside a seasonal cafe menu and shelves packed with fresh fruit, vegetables, and other ingredients. And obviously, we had to try a few things ourselves.
We tucked into the flatbread lamb kofta, the all-day smorgasbord, and a couple of pastries for good measure, including the tahini pain au chocolate.
Credit: The Manc GroupCredit: The Manc Group
What makes Tonco stand out, though, is that it doesn’t really feel like you need a reason to visit. You can grab a coffee, sit down for breakfast, meet a mate for lunch, pick up some bread for home, or do your weekly shop while you’re there. It’s very much a 'pop in for one thing and somehow leave with five' kind of place.
After years of being part of Sheffield’s independent food scene, it’s good to see Tonco still going strong, just in a slightly different form.
So, if you’re heading through Sharrow Vale and haven’t been yet, consider this your sign. Just remember to leave some room in the shopping bag.
Featured Image - The Manc Group
Sheffield
Crookes in Sheffield has been named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK
A Sheffield neighbourhood has been crowned one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK by Time Out Magazine.
Every year we wait with bated breath to see which UK neighbourhoods make the cut of Time Out's annual list of the world's coolest neighbourhoods.
But, the UK is just so damn cool that they've made us a list of our own.
In their recent guide of '11 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the UK', they set out to decipher the very best places to live in the country that are flourishing with new openings, community spirit and simply oozing 'coolness'.
Images: The Sheff
And a Sheffield neighbourhood made it onto the list - obviously.
Crookes is infact the only Yorkshire neighbourhood to get a shoutout, and to be honest we're hardly surprised.
We love it for its fantastic foodie offering, bustling independent scene and great people - but let's see what Time Out had to say.
Daniel Wray, contributing writer for Time Out said: "Once considered purely a place for students, Crookes has undergone a shift in its development and demographic in recent years, quietly and subtly morphing into a wonderfully self-contained neighbourhood that is now a go-to food and drink hotspot.
"Much like Sheffield, this little suburb is not flashy or fussy – it’s an under-the-radar residential area – but it packs a lot of punch for its size."
Images: The Sheff
He then goes on to describe his perfect day out in Sheffield, highlighting spots like Crumb, Pom, Tanaya Wines and Crookes Social Club.
He finishes by suggesting: "Crookes is excellent year-round, but perhaps try a June visit during Sheffield Wine Week when Bole Hills is home to a buzzy outdoor wine festival."
Daniel, we really couldn't agree more.
You can read the full list of the UK's coolest neighbourhoods here.
Inside Proof – Sheffield’s new bookshop, bar and cafe all rolled into one
Clementine Hall
A beloved Sheffield bookshop is back but this time, there's booze.
You may remember back in January when Novel sadly had to close its doors due to circumstances beyond the team’s control.
Since opening in Crookes in 2024, co-owner Katie and the team had experienced ongoing intimidation and harassment, eventually leading to the decision to close the much-loved bookshop and bar indefinitely.
It was a heartbreaking turn of events for a business that had quickly become a much-loved part of the Crookes community.
Images: The Sheff
At the time, it felt like it might be the end of Novel but thankfully, it wasn't. Because Novel is back - but not quite as you might remember it.
Introducing Proof, your new bookshop/cafe/wine/beer bar.
It's basically everything we love in this world rolled into one, and we're big fans of it along with the rest of Crookes.
Of course the book selection is just as brilliant as it was at Novel, with shelves stacked with some of the hottest books around, all hand-picked by Kate, so you know you’re in safe hands when it comes to the reading recommendations.
Images: The Sheff
Great coffee is on hand courtesy of Cloud so you can settle in for a brew and a browse, but if that won't quite cut it they've also got a selection of natural wines and beer on offer. Genuinely, what more could you want?
Just grab a brew, pick up a book and settle in for a while. Is this one of the coolest new openings to hit Crookes? We reckon so.
They're open Fridays and Saturdays 12 - 10:30pm, so make sure you swing by and welcome Proof back to Crookes.
Declan Kelly -
4th September 2026 
