It's fantastic news for our city's food scene, as Restaurant JÖRO has been awarded a Michelin star.
Not only is it a huge triumph for JÖRO, but it is also a massive win for Sheffield as the award breaks a decade-long drought.
Often hailed as the city's best restaurant, JÖRO is run by husband-and-wife team Luke French and Stacey Sherwood.
Born in December 2016 in Sheffield's ultra trendy Kelham Island area, JÖRO (which is Old Norse for 'earth') quickly became the city’s first Michelin Bib Gourmand before then collecting three AA Rosettes and an entry in the 2025 Michelin Guide.
It is loved by critics all over the country, so it's safe to say this Michelin star is absolutely well and truly deserved.
The space has just 11 tables, and their food is focused on top ingredients, purity and locality.
The space is light and airy, no dress code necessary with an inviting open kitchen that entices you to sneak a peek.
But, don't just take our word for it. Here's what the guide has to say: "JÖRO’s relocation to this 300-year-old former mill on the edge of Sheffield has certainly been a labour of love. The building has been smartly converted, with bedrooms available upstairs and an open kitchen in the dining room.
"The cooking is pure and occasionally playful, with the quality ingredients treated with respect and understanding. Just take the Vale of Mowbray hogget, for example, enhanced by a mint-tinged lamb jus, a bright tomato and chipotle cream, and a vibrant caponata.
"The excellent service is a real team effort, with every person brimming with enthusiasm."
A whole flood of love for JÖRO has been posted online, including that from the team themselves. Announcing the news to Instagram, they said: "Wow! We are absolutely thrilled to announce that JÖRO has been awarded One MICHELIN Star at last night's Michelin Guide ceremony.
"We are incredibly proud of this recognition and as we enter our 10th year, we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our team’s success. Hard work makes the dream work."
A huge congratulations to Luke, Stacey and the team - we couldn't think of anywhere more deserving. Cheers to you!
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.
Sheffield has officially been crowned one of the UK’s leading cities for independent bakeries
Clementine Hall
A new study has named Sheffield as one of the best cities for independent bakeries.
If there's one thing we're good at in Sheffield, it's baking (and eating).
You really can't walk far in the city without stumbling upon a fantastic bakery, selling everything from fresh sourdough loaves and chewy cookies to plump donuts and flakey croissants.
Tonco Bakery on Sharrow Vale, Bakers Yard in Kelham, Forge Bakehouse on Abbeydale Road - we really are spoilt for choice, and that's only scratching the surface.
Images: The Sheff
And it's not just us who think so, as a new analysis from specialist insurer Hiscox discovered the leading cities in the UK for independent bakeries with Sheffield coming up trumps.
To identify the findings, Hiscox analysed OpenStreetMap bakery data and calculated the number of independent bakeries per 100,000 residents in each city.
The Steel City was found to have 12 independent bakeries per 100,000 residents, putting it level with Manchester and behind only Brighton, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
The leading cities in the UK for independent bakeries are:
Brighton (22)
Newcastle (16)
Edinburgh (16)
Sheffield (12)
Manchester (12)
Bristol (9)
Glasgow (9)
Cardiff (8)
Bradford (8)
Belfast (7)
Nick Thornhill, Direct and Partnerships Director at Hiscox UK, says: "It's great to see independent bakeries flourishing across so many UK cities. Whether it’s a fresh sourdough loaf on the way home or making a regular stop at a local bakery that’s become part of the community, consumers are increasingly seeking out high-quality, locally made products.
"However, strong demand is only part of the picture. As bakeries grow, owners also need to consider factors such as staffing, equipment, supply chains and cashflow management to ensure that growth is sustainable over the long term."
Clementine Hall -
9th February 2026 
