Trattoria Maria is fast making a name for itself as Sheffield's coolest Italian, serving fresh pasta and classic Italian dishes from a site right in the heart of the city centre. Owned by head chef Ronnie, the name was inspired by his grandmother, Maria.
The menu specialises in hand-rolled pasta, seasonal plates, and fire-cooked cuts, alongside a cocktail list inspired by aperitivo hour. If you’re looking for specifics, a quick shimmy over to their website reveals a delicious-sounding sample menu starting with nibbles such as Nocellara olives, panelle, fried sage, and fresh focaccia.
Smaller plates might feature sea bream crudo with blood orange and rosemary, or perhaps saffron and cuttlefish ragu arancini. Larger dishes - all of which are perfect for sharing - could include half a grilled chicken with asparagus, broad beans, and pancetta, alongside baked aubergine parmigiana, or whole grilled lemon sole with mussels, roast garlic, and agretti.
Across the sides, expect fried potatoes with wild garlic butter and dressed radicchio. If you have a sweet tooth, make sure you save room for pudding. The unusually long dessert menu includes Tiramisu, blood orange jelly with zabaglione and pistachio, and a Yorkshire rhubarb upside-down cake. If cocktails are your thing, the selection here is split into pre-dinner drinks like a Dirty Martini and Garibaldi, and an aperitivo section featuring Americano and spritz options across rhubarb, Campari, and Aperol. There is also a special focus on Negronis, too.
As for the space itself, its intimate size gives it a true independent feel. Design decisions lean into a retro air, boasting wooden panelled booths, red upholstery, and stained-glass lighting. A statement, yellow-toned bar with atmospheric low lighting completes the vibe, giving you somewhere seriously chic to sit while sipping that first Dirty Martini.