Barnsley Restaurant Guide

2023 Review: “A popular local staple for many years”, this posh and hugely successful pub has been run by the Truelove family since 1968 and – much extended over the years – is known for its “consistently good food and service, with a great atmosphere”. Supporters reckon it is currently “back on form and, though expensive, a great meal is guaranteed (potted shrimps and shellfish superb!)”. A contrary view is that “the dining room decor is in a time warp, with no hint of frivolity to brighten the dullness”, while the “surprisingly long menu could do with being edited”, and the dishes arrive in “generous portions, but lack finesse”.

“This shouldn’t be in the cheap ’n’ cheerful section as it is too good to sit there… but it is cheap and cheerful… so why not!” – this spin-off from Joro creates Scandi/Japanese fusion fare over a robata grill: “not your usual street food and delicious”. Hitherto it’s been at indie food hall, The Cutlery Works, but when Joro moves to a new site “the high-end fare here will get even better when they move premises” to occupy the Krynkl location vacated by Joro.

2022 Review: No feedback as yet on this brave September 2020 opening – a tiny, 8-seat chef's table restaurant (all seats are at the counter) with an ever-changing and affordable tasting menu (7 courses for £30 on opening) from chef Luke Reynolds. Reports please!

“Initially housed in a converted shipping container, but shortly (in 2024) to move to a leafier suburb” – Luke & Stacey Sherwood have won fame since they opened in 2016 in the city’s ‘Krinkyl’ development and in September 2024 their success has enabled them to up sticks to the Oughtibridge Paper Mill development on the edge of the Peak District, now complete with two bars, an all-day dining terrace, an outdoor kitchen, bedrooms, and a deli shop on site. Reports hitherto auger well for the move: “What can you say? this restaurant is better than most Michelin-starred restaurants you will visit”. “Exquisite combinations from locally foraged and international sources are wonderful to look at and eat” and the “always interesting and well-researched drinks pairings” are a form of “magical alchemy”. (Another visitor in March 2024 was The Times’s Giles Coren, who humble-bragged about now being the first reviewer to visit, but left Sheffield delirious with the thrill of such good food for so little money and very excited about coming back to try the new place). We’ve maintained the current ratings during the move. Three final thoughts: -1- Will the absence of the recherché shipping container and higher overheads of the new set-up dispel some of the mystique that’s so far distinguished the place? -2- One reporter notes that “the chef has been to Japan and some dishes can be a bit unbalanced with umami flavours dominating”… hopefully a passing phase. And -3- if you don’t want to travel to the new location then Konjö (see also) will be moving into the Krynkl shipping container they’ve left behind.

A smart Georgian townhouse on a cobbled street near the city centre hosts “very good” cooking from Naples-born Ester accompanied by an “excellent Italian wine list” (possibly the best in South Yorkshire) assembled by her partner Saverio, at the well-established family venture they founded together (at a different address) almost 20 years ago.

2023 Review: Richard & Abi Golland’s street-food operation wins high ratings for its tacos and other lively Latino dishes, available at its city-centre Burrito Bar or the fully licensed Mexican Canteen in Sharrow Vale Road.

2022 Review: “The best freshly ground and tasty coffee in the whole of South Yorkshire, can’t beat it” – insist fans of this Kiwi-style spot in the Cultural Industries Quarter – now in its 12th year, so a veteran in the fast-moving world of artisan coffee. It has an all-day menu of brunch-ish eats, and serves cocktails as early as 11am. The industrial-style interior is replicated at its second site, at Sellers Wheel.

2021 Review: Maurizio Mori’s long-established Italian (est. 1996) has earned its local popularity with “good food that’s consistently authentic” and “staff and an atmosphere that help improve your day”.

This “long-established and well-loved Sheffield classic, in a perhaps surprisingly suburban location” (of Nether Green) serves “imaginative three- and four-course menus and tasting menus” – with “great food” and “superb service”, it “always feels like a special experience”. A “small venue (26 seats) with over-table lights, creating a more intimate space in the evening”, it is approached up “steep stairs, which may be an issue for some”. Co-owner chef Tom Lawson left after 10 years in summer 2024, so it is now wholly owned by co-founder sommelier Alistair Myers, with Dan Conlon as head chef. Top Tip – the midweek tasting menu is £65 per person (much cheaper than at the weekend when there’s only a £110 per person option, or the ‘Kitchen Bench’ at £135 per person).

2023 Review: This “quirky market stall” in the fishmarket is the place to go in Doncaster if you’re looking for fresh seafood, raw or cooked to order, and accompanied by a glass of champagne. There’s a chalked-up menu but, beyond the “excellent” food and drink, not much in the way of creature comforts. Top Tip – “try the fish curry”.

2023 Review: This “excellent seafood restaurant” was opened in 2021 by “top Sheffield fishmonger J H Mann” – an institution that opened a century earlier in Hillsborough. “Being run by a fishmonger means they have varieties way more exciting that the usual offerings, including lobster, oysters and scallops” – which means it’s “a wonderful place for fish lovers”. The retail part of the business is now based in Sharrow Vale, with a second shop in Bakewell.

2022 Review: “The food is authentic and quite different from average North Indian establishments (dishes from Kerala are featured)” at this “very consistent” spot proclaimed in particular for its “fine dosas”.

Flo Hiller and Joe Shrewsbury’s “great, informal” small-plates restaurant, in what is a happening dining ‘hood, has wowed the likes of Marina O’Loughlin since opening in 2019; you “can see the influence of Moro”, the famously creative Clerkenwell icon, on its “exciting menu”, and bonus points for its soft drink pairings, “many homemade”. In 2023, they opened a bakery/café/essentials shop, 100m away on Sharrow Vale Road, with plans to create a laid- back extension to the main restaurant.

2023 Review: “Nice, if somewhat out-of-the-way, neighbourhood-style spot serving small plates and good wine”, outside Sheffield – a bar / kitchen and shop that started life with sell-out pop-up dinners. Its cuisine was given a strong plug by The FT in early 2022.