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. 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.
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, 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.
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 dining and drinking scene.
Italian Kitchen
![restaurant dining room and bowls of pasta]()
What: This independent Italian eatery is an all-day affair where the vibes are chill and the portions generous. Take note of the customised calzone menu, where diners can choose up to four fillings to stuff inside their very own folded pizza. You can choose from gluten free alternatives and a range of interesting vegetarian options (spinach and ricotta ravioloni, or perhaps the cipolla pizza with caramelised balsamic onions), so all your friends with different dietary needs will be well catered for.
Menu highlight: Customised calzone
Where: 349 Ecclesall Road, S11 8PF
Book now: Italian Kitchen
Nonnas
![Interiors and dish]()
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 balsamic tomatoes, followed by seafood spaghetti, and there's also a specialty Tuscan tasting menu for special occasions.
Menu highlight: Pork and beef ragu lasagne
Where: 535-541 Ecclesall Road, S11 8PR
Book now: Nonnas
Maranello’s Italian Restaurant
![outside of an italian restaurant and pasta with aubergine and mozzerella]()
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 pan-fried in butter.
Menu highlight: Rigatoni con burrata
Where: 438 Ecclesall Road, S11 8PX
Book now: Maranello's
La Luna
![fish with red beans and garden pizza bread with balsamic]()
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.
Menu highlight: Aubergine parmigiana
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
![rigatoni with basil and giant cous cous with prawns]()
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 fillet steak with gorgonzola and the strascinati pasta typical of owner Vito Ciaraolo's Puglian hometown.
Menu highlight: Spaghetti carbonara
Where: 284 South Road, S6 3TE
Book now: Vito's
Piccolino
![counter dining at a restaurant bar and italian dishes including pizza and pasta]()
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.
Menu highlight: Linguine vongole
Where: 4 Millennium Square, S1 2JJ
Book now: Piccolino
True Loves
![interiors of restaurant and pizza with cocktail]()
What: True Loves is all about pizza with a creative twist, from the 'Where's Meat?' pizza with seasonal mushrooms and Kalamata olives, to the 'Been Foragin' pizza with wilted spinach and truffle oil. The bar uses produce sourced locally from Sheffield and Yorkshire, including sustainable meats, cheeses, wines and ales. The bar is cool yet casual - perfect for date nights and catch-ups with close friends.
Menu highlight: 'Yorkshire does Italy' pizza with Yorkshire air-dried ham and pesto
Where: Arches 18 & 19, Victoria Quays, S2 5SY
Book now: True Loves
Grazie
![pasta with pesto and glass of white wine]()
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 the traditional flavours of Puglia, brought straight to the heart of Sheffield. 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.
Menu highlight: Cardoncelli (Taleggio cheese with risotto cake and king oyster mushrooms)
Where: 1-3 Leopold Street, S1 2GY
Book now: Grazie
Napoli Centro
![pizza slice in brown paper and margherita pizza]()
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. A magherita comes in at a tenner and there's also a wider 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.
Menu highlight: Napoli 13 (anchovies, capers and Kalamata olives)
Where: 343 Glossop Road, S10 2HP
Book now: Napoli Centro
San Lorenzo
![beef in gravy and fish with tomatoes]()
What: San Lorenzo in the Crookes suburb of Sheffield is a bright 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.
Menu highlight: Mushroom risotto
Where: 190-192 Northfield Road, S10 1QU
Book now: San Lorenzo
Domo
![smoked salmon with creme fraiche and margherita pizza]()
What: Discover Sardinian restaurant, bar and deli Domo in the neighbourhood of Kelham Island, just north of the city centre. 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.
Menu highlight: Red beetroot tortelloni
Where: 34-36 Cotton Mill Walk, S3 8DH
Book now: Domo
Zizzi Meadowhall
![zizzi dining room and pizza to share]()
What: Italian chain Zizzi is a well-known favourite and family-friendly place for a comforting meal full of pizza, pasta and tiramisu. Their Rustica pizzas have become somewhat of a signature - made for sharing and with a satisfyingly crispy base. Zizzi's menu offers something for everyone, including dietary restrictions and kids meals, so you can bring the whole family!
Menu highlight: The Rustica Pepperoni Campagna
Where: 58-59 Oasis Food Court Upper Mall, S9 1EP
Book now: Zizzi Meadowhall
Ponti's Italian Kitchen
![outside of a restaurant and crostini with parma ham]()
What: Located within the Fox Valley shopping centre, Ponti's is a cosy, family-run Italian restaurant, specialising in authentic flavours from the Emilia-Romagna region. On the menu, you'll find classic dishes like tiger king prawns, bruschetta bresaola, truffle arancini, as well as bigger plates like fresh pasta, seafood risotto and sourdough pizza. With a kids menu, vegan dishes, and gluten-free alternatives, this is a great spot for catering to a big group.
Menu highlight: Ponti's Italian Burger
Where: 16 Harry Brearley House, S36 2AE
Book now: Ponti's Italian Kitchen
From the best vegan restaurants in Sheffield to where to enjoy Sheffield's best brunches, this city is filled with terrific eats! Jot down your favourites from our guides and get planning your next foodie day out in Sheffield!