15 of the best Italian restaurants in Sheffield

Unless you live in the depths of the British countryside miles away from civilisation, you’re probably within accessible distance of a half decent Italian restaurant. Failing that, you’re likely to be a short trip from a restaurant that offers at least one Italian-inspired dish on its menu. Why? Because Italian cuisine if one of the most, if not the most, popular cuisines in the UK. Be honest, can you really think of anyone that has a strong aversion to pizza, pasta, cheese, ice cream or risotto? If the answer is yes, then you might want to question why you’re still friends with them... We’re only joking, of course, but when it comes to Italian food, we can’t think of a subject we take more seriously. 

Take Sheffield, for example: a city in South Yorkshire that’s not especially known for its dining scene, but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll see why it absolutely should be. There’s no shortage of brilliant restaurants in the area – take a look at our list of the best restaurants in Sheffield if you don’t believe us. And now, here's a round up of Sheffield's best Italian restaurants.  

Home to many of said Italian restaurants is Ecclesall Road, known locally as the Golden Mile, a jam-packed stretch of restaurants, bars, pubs, shops, cafes, brunch spots and cocktail joints. So chock-full of places to eat and drink is it, in fact, that we’ve dedicated an entire section of this guide to the best Italian restaurants on Ecclesall Road.  

Elsewhere, discover every type of Italian restaurant you could possibly want and need, from cosy spots inspired by the rustic trattorias of Italy, and contemporary restaurants that offer BYOB, through to places to visit for the best freshly-made pasta in town. If you’re hungry for Italian food in Sheffield, then you’ve come to the right place. Have a scroll and remember: always save room for ice cream (or should we say gelato?).  

Best Italian restaurants on Ecclesall Road

Running from the city centre to Banner Cross, Ecclesall Road is over three miles long and frequented every day by thousands of hungry foodies thanks to its huge eating and drinking scene.

Italian Kitchen 

What: This independent Italian eatery is an all-day affair where the vibes are chill and the portions generous. Take note of its customised calzone menu, where diners can choose up to four fillings of their choice (not including tomato and mozzarella) for lovers of the folded pizza. They also offer gluten free alternatives to most of their pasta dishes and a range of interesting vegetarian options (spinach and ricotta ravioloni, or perhaps the seasonal beetroot gnocchi special), so all your friends with different dietary needs will be well catered for
Where: 349 Ecclesall Road, S11 8PF 
Book now: Italian Kitchen

Nonnas 

What: Nonnas offers a lot more than just a restaurant, hosting live events numerous nights a week as well as its very own shop where you can buy a selection of Italian goodies. Drop in here for a lively atmosphere, some top quality Tuscan cuisine and an excellent wine list, including a selection of high-end bottles. The food menu is filled with trattoria classics, like burrata with a range of seasonings to start followed by seafood linguine, and there's also a specialty Tuscan tasting menu for special occasions.
Where: 535-541 Ecclesall Road, S11 8PR 
Book now: Nonnas 

Maranello’s Italian Restaurant 

What: Exposed red brick walls, wine bottles scattered on various surfaces and wooden furniture are just a few of the features that inject warmth and personality into this traditional restaurant. Don’t expect anything too fancy here, just tasty, home-cooked food that everyone will love. Look out for old favourites like arancini al prosciutto, burrata, or risotto with porcini mushrooms, or push the boat out slightly with calf's liver cooked in sage and butter.
Where: 438 Ecclesall Road, S11 8PX 
Book now: Maranello's

La Luna 

What: This BYO spot is a great choice for anyone looking for a comforting, home-cooked meal without any fuss. Grab a pizza to takeaway or sit in for plenty of traditional dishes served in a friendly atmosphere. It also offers a separate vegan menu with up to 15 plant-based options - think mushroom bruschetta and aubergine parmigiana with vegan mozzarella. Bring your own wine or beer to wash it down, or choose from La Luna's impressive range of spritzes. 
Where: 961 Ecclesall Road, S11 8TN 
Book now: La Luna

Best Italian restaurants in Sheffield

And now for the best of the rest. From super central spots to those located in the suburbs of Sheffield, flick through the best places to feast on all your Italian favourites. 

Vito’s  

What: Located north west of the city centre, Vito’s is the place to head for a truly traditional Italian experience. Decorated in classic trattoria style, this cosy and informal restaurant is Italian-owned and serves dishes from regions all over Italy in an effort to spotlight the diversity of Italian cuisine. Our favourites include the galletto Calabrese (poussin on the bone cooked in a Calabrian style nduja sauce), and the strascinati pasta typical of owner Vito Ciaraolo's Puglian hometown.
Where: 284 South Road, S6 3TE 
Book now: Vito's 

Leo’s Italian Express 

What: A fantastic restaurant to have in your back pocket, Leo’s offers affordable Italian plates against a contemporary backdrop. Diners can also bring their own wine throughout the week for a small corkage fee, while a child-friendly menu makes it a great option for easy family dining. There's no real surprises on the menu of classic pizzas, but the fixed price of £12.99 for a restaurant-quality pizza and bottle of Peroni is certainly not to be sniffed at. 
Where: 391 South Road, S6 3TD 
Book now: Leo's Italian Express

Rossi’s Italian Restaurant 

What: Dine surrounded by opulent Italian interiors at family-run Rossi’s, which features grand marble pillars, hanging chandeliers and old artwork within a vast dining room. The food menu is traditional, comforting, and for the most part influenced by Southern Italian cuisine, and also comes with an affordable price tag. A trendy bar dispenses premium spirits and cocktails, and there’s regular live music too.
Where: 3 Sharrow Lane, S11 8AE 
Book now: Rossi's 

Piccolino 

What: You don’t have to travel far to get to Piccolino which is located on Millennium Square in the middle of Sheffield. It’s a chain restaurant with sites all over the country and has become a popular haunt in the northern city. With an open kitchen, a covered alfresco terrace, cocktail bar and a selection of menus for every occasion (including fresh pasta, Neapolitan pizza, and luxury steak dishes like wagyu sirloin and surf and turf), we can see why people like it.  
Where: 4 Millennium Square, S1 2JJ 
Book now: Piccolino

True Loves 

What: True Loves isn’t strictly an Italian restaurant, but there is certainly a strong Italian influence at this waterside bar, and we’d recommend it for anyone who loves the cuisine from this Mediterranean country. It serves produce sourced locally from Sheffield and Yorkshire, including sustainable meats, cheeses, wines and ales. Alongside Yorkshire pudding pies (which sound pretty epic if you ask us), you can find pizza by the slice, Italian sandwiches, a selection of antipasti, charcuterie boards and gelato.  
Where: Arches 18 & 19, Victoria Quays, S2 5SY 
Book now: True Loves

Grazie 

What: Pasta lovers – listen up! Grazie is an Italian restaurant specialising in homemade fresh pasta that's made on-site every morning. The food is inspired by owner Vito’s hometown in Puglia where his nonna used to make orecchiette and cavatelli every day. It’s a tradition that he’s brought to Sheffield and we’re not mad about it. Discover homemade cavatelli with porcini mushrooms, pistachio sauce, garlic, chilli and pistachio crumble, and homemade orecchiette with swordfish, fried aubergine, smoked burrata, chilli, garlic and lemon zest.  
Where: 1-3 Leopold Street, S1 2GY 
Book now: Grazie

Napoli Centro  

What: Anyone can make pizza – it's little more than bread, tomato and cheese after all - but it requires a fine art to create a truly great one. Napoli Centro have cracked it, though. Their Neapolitan slow-proofed pizzas are cooked in under 90 seconds at 500 degrees, to create a crisp and airy pizza with a slightly charred crust. Most come in at under a tenner and include a range of classic and special topping options. From the latter, think tomato, caramelised red onion, goats' cheese, smoky pancetta and crushed walnuts or Calabrian nduja with fresh ricotta. 
Where: 343 Glossop Road, S10 2HP
Book now: Napoli Centro

San Lorenzo 

What: San Lorenzo in the Crookes suburb of Sheffield is a bright, clean and contemporary spot serving authentic dishes from Southern Italy. It’s fully licensed for guests to bring along a bottle, six days a week, and offers everything from steak to fish, pasta and pizza. Enjoy calamari, baked goat's cheese, or bruschetta to start, followed by indulgent pastas such as ricotta canneloni, 12-inch pizzas, or varied beef, chicken, and fish dishes. 
Where: 190-192 Northfield Road, S10 1QU
Book now: San Lorenzo

Domo 

What: Discover Sardinian restaurant, bar and deli Domo in the neighbourhood of Kelham Island, just north of the city centre. It serves a breakfast menu at the tail end of the week, from Nutella bread to eggs nduja and a Sardinian butty, while the main menu features an extensive range of sharing platters, bruschetta, calzones, risotto and more. There’s a huge alfresco terrace out front for diners to sip on a cocktail in the summer, while inside offers a spacious dining room with burgundy pillars, booth seating and a bar in the centre.  
Where: 34-36 Cotton Mill Walk, S3 8DH 
Book now: Domo

Craft & Dough

What: Another Kelham Island favourite, Craft & Dough specialises in artisanal pizza, and serves up all the classic toppings on hand-stretched 12-inch crusts, with gluten-free and vegan cheese alternatives available on request. Even though pizza is the main event, make sure to leave room for desserts such as affogato and Nutella dough balls, and combine two great indulgent culinary inventions - pizza and prosecco - with Craft & Dough's Italian-infused take on that perennial classic, bottomless brunch.
Where: 1A Kelham Square, S3 8SD
Book now: Craft & Dough

Picture House Social

What: If you're looking for looser interpretations of the phrase 'Italian cuisine', look no further than Picture House Social. The self-described 'Crystal Maze for hipsters', a cocktail bar decked out with a games room and cinema, Picture House Social also has an extensive and adventurous pizza menu. Varieties that would make an Italian food purist blush include the 'Gareth' (ground beef, pepperoni, pickled jalapenos and chilli aioli) and the 'Buffalo 66' (buffalo chicken, pickled red onion, blue cheese ranch sauce and parsley), and you can also choose from a range of sides such as arancini, or fries with kimchi and pickled cabbage.
Where: 383 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FS
Book now: Picture House Social

From the best vegan restaurants in Sheffield to where to enjoy Sheffield's best brunches, this city is filled with terrific eats!