Sheffield's city centre

Home
Visit
Areas to Explore
City centre

An independent transformation

The huge Heart of the City regeneration project (which is halfway through) will see a total transformation right in the centre of Sheffield, and the Future High Streets funding is going to make Fargate a future community hub.

But none of that means there isn't a load of really great places to explore right now - it's just that you'll see all the cranes and historic facades while you're at it. In Sheffield we are proud of our independent scene, and so whilst we have some incredible brands and fantastic large retail offer in Meadowhall, our city centre needs to be about liveability and community - which is brought by great people creating businesses out of what they love.

Look Up!

Just launched in February 2023, you could be one of the lucky ones to see this world-first experience that is turning rooftops of city centre buildings into a free, augmented reality art gallery.

A pretty unique and memorable way of sharing where you've been with friends and family on social media...

I want to Look Up!

A digital image of three Look Up arrows, on a black background, pointing up.

Attractions in the city centre

The Winter Garden and Peace Gardens

Few cities can boast a public space like Sheffield’s Winter Garden and its outdoor companion the Peace Gardens.

Crucible Theatre

Originally opened in 1971, the Crucible is a world-famous theatre and iconic Sheffield landmark, with a distinctive stage.

Lyceum Theatre

With over a hundred years of history, this magnificent theatre provides an ornate backdrop to the very best of the West End, with a diverse programme of touring productions including musical theatre, opera, ballet, contemporary dance, family shows and comedy.

Millennium Gallery

The Millennium Gallery is Sheffield’s premier destination for art, craft and design. Here you can see some of Sheffield’s unique heritage, including the metalwork which made the city world famous, alongside contemporary art and design exhibitions.

Sheffield Cathedral - St Peter & St Paul

Whether you have come to pray, to search or to ponder; whether you are a lover of art, architecture or music; whether you need help or have come to look round, you are most welcome here. Come to one of Sheffield’s oldest buildings, the ancient heart of this great city.

Bloc Projects

Bloc is a contemporary art-space and studio complex located in the centre of Sheffield.

The Moor Market

One of the UK's best indoor markets and home to over 90 independent traders, Sheffield's Moor Market has a range of stalls offering fantastic quality and great value. It offers customers a unique retail experience, full of characters, wonderful flavours, sights and sounds.

The Light Cinema

The Light is based on The Moor in the centre of Sheffield. With cinema, dining, and events all under the one roof, it's a place a venue that takes you from morning to night - and with some incredibly comfy reclining seats in the cinemas it's even better.

Showroom Cinema

The home of independent cinema in Sheffield, The Showroom are committed to providing a diverse range of films and related activity for Sheffield and the surrounding region. They host high profile film festivals throughout the year, including the world famous DocFest and Sheffield's very own Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF).

Curzon Sheffield

Curzon Sheffield occupies a Grade II listed building which previously was the Sheffield Banking Company. Set over two floors, the cinema has three screens and a comfortable lobby where you can work for the afternoon or enjoy some refreshments. In the summer, the rooftop terrace is open and adds another area to enjoy this lovely city.

The National Videogame Museum

The UK's national cultural centre for videogames, The National Videogame Museum is on a mission to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret videogames for everyone. With over 100 playable exhibits, it's also a lot of fun!

Site Gallery

Site Gallery is Sheffield’s leading international contemporary art space, supporting artists specialising in moving image, new media and performance.

Shop local

We have a whole host of shops that will give you something great to take home, as a gift, or just something for yourself.

Go indie shopping

A few ideas for eating and drinking

Public

Public is quite simply stunning. Occupying the former gent’s toilet below the grade-1 listed Victorian town hall, Public is a tiny haven of fine drinks and delicious food - or as it was once described: ‘A Wes Anderson train carriage crowbarred in to an old bog’.

Container park Sheffield

In the city centre, at the top of Fargate (which is being totally re-imagined as part of a Future High Streets Fund project) sits the brand new Sheffield container park, brought to you by Sheffield City Council. It features independent local businesses, giving you a great selection of food, drink and shopping with a distinctly Sheffield feel.

Lucky Fox

Lucky Fox is a small but very cosy cafe and eatery, serving up a great selection of home cooked American style diner food, including their infamous fried chicken and selection of beers. They've also been known to do incredible shakes, if you can fit anything else in.

Marmadukes

They have three locations - the original one is just by the Crucible on Norfolk Row, the second below the HSBC building in the Heart of the City development, and the most recent one on Ecclesall Road South in the old sorting office. All three have a charm and identity of their own whilst still totally feeling like one of Sheffield's favourite independent cafe's.

The Head of Steam

Cask and craft ale, live music and food aplenty, The Head of Steam sits proudly in the centre of Sheffield right on Tudor Square where you'll find the theatres, Winter Garden and Millennium Gallery.

Forum Kitchen + Bar

The Forum Kitchen + Bar serve a wide range of food and drinks including breakfasts to kick start your, brunch if you are running a little later and from 12 noon onwards they have a great range of sandwiches, pizzas, burgers and powerbowls.

The Common Room

The Common Room: food, pool, beer and sports. Showing all the sports all day, every day.

Bloo88

Bloo88 is a bar on West Street that serves cocktails and stone baked pizzas.

The Wick at Both Ends

By day, The Wick is a safe haven, an entity of calm in the middle of a lively and fast-paced city - and at night it's a great place to meet the locals, soak up the vibes, and even have a boogie.

Aagrah

Aagrah's passion for food has led to both national & international recognition over the years. Boasting two international UK chef's of the year Aagrah has recently been awarded "Best Restaurant Group in the UK" at the British Curry Awards.

Bamboo Door

Sheffield’s First Tiki Bar was born in April 2014, but it's constantly evolving as they find (and get given by customers!) more and more tiki artefacts from around the world. The cocktail menu is always being revised, but if you fancy something different just ask the tiki monkeys and they will guide you to your perfect drink!

Terrace Goods

Cracking street food on a beautiful terrace overlooking Orchard Square with award winning street art at the side of you.

Sheffield Plate

Sheffield Plate is a foodhall specialising in hosting street food vendors with cuisine from around the world. It's slap bang in the middle of Orchard Square, in the centre of the city, and has a lively atmosphere across the 2 bars and 6 vendor spaces.

DINA

DINA is an independent, inclusive and innovative art organisation for Sheffield and beyond. They host all types of events, and are also a hub for the LGBTQ+ community, hosting weekly meet-ups, drag shows & other events.

Hygge

A scandi style cafe with a really cool interior and always a great atmosphere. Frequented by students, staff, visitors and travellers alike, it's a great place to work, hang out, catch a bit to eat or just re-caffeinate. And yes, it's in a building nicknamed the sugar cube... you'll see why when you get there.