The Black Penny

After going to The Black Penny for an event with work and seeing all the delicious food being served, I had to go back and try it for myself.

My friend Alice and I meet up regularly to catch up and go for brunch so this time The Black Penny was the place of choice.

Located only 5 minutes walk from Holborn station, the coffee shop is perfectly placed in Central London so accessible wherever you are in London.

We arrived at around 11:30 and got ourselves a latte and a mocha before taking advantage of the breakfast options both getting Bubble and Squeak to avoid either of us suffering from the dreaded food envy. It was served with BBQ sauce which was unusual but a really nice added flavour to the dish.

After a building up an appetite chatting for so long we also opted for some cake both choosing white chocolate and raspberry loaf. The icing was really yummy.

The coffee shop is decorated with wooden panelling, exposed brickwork and light fixtures. Although the seating area is hidden away in the back of the shop there is plenty of light creating a nice ambience about the place.

I don’t think The Black Penny has been open long but it really is a delectable choice for brunch in Central London.

Bloomsbury Coffee House

A few weeks ago on the way to the post office whilst on my lunch break, I spotted this adorable underground coffee house and noted it down as one for the to do list.

With work being really busy at the moment, I felt I deserved a full lunch break and ventured out to the Bloomsbury Coffee House.

When I last passed the coffee shop it was jam packed with not many options for seating, however this time I was pleasantly surprised to see the place quiet. I was able to choose where to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet away from the  hustle and bustle in Euston.

With the date of my travels fast approaching, I was pleased to see I could follow my ‘healthy eating’ with the lunch choices including four salads and a variety of quiches and frittatas.

I chose a slice of Quiche Lorraine with two of the salad choices. One with butternut squash and feta, the other with beetroot and Cous Cous. When I was served my food, I was delighted at how colourful my plate was. It looked and tasted delicious. It was also a lovely change from the food trends in coffee shops these days which seems to be mainly fixated around brunch (although I do love brunch).

I also got myself a latte and on the girls in the shops’s recommendation a slice of German  apple and pear cake – not so healthy after all.

It was a really delightful visit. For the Sheffield readers, it reminded me a bit of The Grind with the healthy options available.

Bloomsbury’s a hidden little gem that I’d really recommend in the Euston area. With lots of offices around the coffee shop I’m sure it’s a regular lunch stop for many London workers.

Wild and Wood Coffee

After an event with work in Moorgate, I met Lisa for a coffee and a catch up at Wild and Wood. With lack of signage it was rather difficult to find, however I spotted the chalk board outside after walking past it a few times.

Upon arrival at around 11 o’clock the coffee shop was pretty crowded with the few seats in the coffee shop filled. The coffee shop has a sharing table policy so we sat next to some business people and got our coffees.

We got a cappuccino and a latte in good sized cups which can sometimes be rare to find in independent coffee shops.

I got myself a toasted cheddar and tomato roll and Lisa got a cinnamon roll which were rather enjoyable. I also got a salted caramel bun which turned out to be a cronut (croissant/donut) which was delicious.

The place is decorated with wooden panelling and pictures of old stars framed on the walls. Particularly actors and actresses from the Carry On films which was unusual to see. Maybe the owner is a big fan? 

We sat and chatted for some time and noticed the place clear out to be rather quiet when we left. Maybe when we arrived we were in the midst of the morning meetings that filled the place. It only showed the popularity of the place and that it was a good choice of coffee shop but by the end was also nice to have some peace to chat after the rush.

I would definitely recommend this little coffee shop in Moorgate as prices were reasonable and the unusual cronut was delicious!

 

Top 3 Sheffield Coffee Shops

The time has come for me to say goodbye to Sheffield as I finish university and head back to my hometown in Hertfordshire. One thing I’ve loved about the city is the sense of community amongst the businesses. There’s a friendly vibe, with everyone willing to help eachother which I feel is missed slightly in London due to the sheer size of the city.

I’ve loved every minute of exploring the Sheffield coffee shops and experiencing their individual specialities and quirks they have adopted. Although I’m undoubtedly returning to the city to visit my friends, the blog will be moving with me down to the south to explore the London coffee shops. Therefore to commemorate my favourite coffee shops, I’ve put together a top three that I have definitely recommended refusely to my friends since visiting.

1. Marmadukes Cafe Deli

In probably one of the best locations to catch every Sheffield goer whether they’re shopping on Fargate, heading into town from the station, taking a break from university or visiting the theatres. Marmadukes caters to all it’s passersbys. With a cosy, natural feel in terms of decor and delicious food options, it’s somewhere you could spend hours over a coffee. They’ve got a great coffee selection for every kind of coffee connoisseur whether you’re into the different flavour filter coffees or like to think you’re a coffee expert with your cappuccino (that’s probably me!).

I’ve recommended these guys to so many people in Sheffield as the perfect place in between lectures or somewhere to take your mum when she’s up visiting. It’s a real coffee lover haven and always my number one choice when grabbing a coffee in town.

2. Made by Jonty

Nestled on Sharrow Vale Road is this fantastic little cafe that is definitely worth taking that difficult step away from Ecclesall Road for. For the student population, Sheffield sometimes revolves around Eccy Road, but you’re missing out majorly when this wonderful cafe is just around the corner.
When I visited earlier in the year, I was suffering with a cold and this definitely brightened my day up. Waffles have never tasted as good as the ones from here. I even tried to recreate the beauty in the form of pancakes on Pancake Day but of course it was nowhere near as good.

My only regret is, I haven’t had the chance to revisit! When I’m visiting I’ll have to sneak a trip in!

3. Forge Bakehouse

Another gem that I think the student population are definitely missing out on is Forge Bakehouse on Abbeydale Road. With both a bakery and a cafe to visit, you can get your weekly loaf while you’re stopping for lunch. The cafe is in perfectly decorated with bright decor and hanging plants making it feel really spring like which is perfect when Sheffield can be so notoriously grey sometimes!
The food is great and as you can imagine from a bakery the bread is absolutely divine. We fell in love with this little place. It’s definitely a highlight of a trip down Abbeydale Road.

For pizza nights or brunch options this is a great spot and a definite recommendation when wanting somewhere for a special occasion or just a bit of a trip out of the city it’s perfect for a stop off.

So that’s my top three Sheffield coffee shops! There’s so many that I love that I’ll miss visiting but I know I’ll be back in Sheffield for certain and I’m sure there will be many coffee shops popping up across the city to add to when I visit.

It’s been an absolute pleasure but the adventure will continue in London where I will continue to pretend I can resist the temptation of coffee and cake.

Watch this space!

Jameson’s Cafe and Tearoom

After heading to another cafe and realising it was a shut on a Monday we decided to give the coffee a miss for a change and go to Jameson’s Cafe and Tea Room.

Unlike most places we visit, you can make reservations here for what looked like a spectacular afternoon tea. When browsing the menu there was a range of options varying in price and offering which looked wonderful. However we decided to go for options from the lunch menu and give the afternoon tea a miss – I’d definitely return to give it a go though! It’d be perfect for an occasion or to take your family when they’re visiting Sheffield.

We were served by Jameson’s immaculate staff, all presented very smartly which fit with the style of the tea room. There was even a pianist to add to the atmosphere making it feel that bit fancier.

Although I’m not much of a tea drinker, Ben and I shared a pot of Earl Grey which was very nice (once we’d figured we had to let it brew first). I had a Brie and Ham toastie whereas Ben had Spanish rarebit which was fantastic. It has chorizo on it so I was sold!

We were sat next to the enormous selection of cakes so could not resist the temptation. A number of people came up to choose their cake meaning the waiter had to go through the cake choices. I’ve never seen such a magnificent selection of cakes from the traditional lemon drizzle, fruit loaf, flapjacks and brownies to a more unusual vodka and lemon, toffee and apple, malteaser cake and mint and lime. They really are fabulous. People were coming in especially to get slices of the cakes to take away so I’m sure the word is out about the cake.

I chose a slice of Toffee and Apple and Ben had Strawberry with buttercream. The slices were enormous and definitely ruined my planned diet for that day. Absolutely worth it though.

Just across the road from the tea room is Jameson shop which stocks lovely cards, gifts, condiments and much more. It’s definitely worth a visit if you loved the tea room.

You’ll find Jameson’s down Abbeydale Road as part of the Antique Quarter so if you’re in the area be sure to head down for that perfect cup of tea and slice of cake.

Somewhere Else Coffee

Symbollised by two adorable little cartoon guys with glasses and moustaches. Somewhere Else Coffee is a quirky little coffee shop at the top of Ecclesall Road.

If you’re from Eccy Road however, it’s past the roundabout up quite a hill so be prepared for a steep walk if you fancy going.

Based in what looks like an old house, the shop’s branding is black and white with black fronting and our little cartoon friends above the door.

The shop is a good size with seating up and downstairs. We decided to sit by the window the make the most of the warm sunshine coming through the windows.

There is a large menu of breakfast and lunch options as well as a special boards. The coffee selection is also plentiful. I was offered a white, milk or dark chocolate mocha – absolutely spoilt for choice! I went for the white chocolate which was different but very nice.

They also had milkshakes which Hannah chose. There was chocolate and peanut butter milkshake on the menu which I found hard to resist but Hannah said her chocolate milkshake was yum! She also had a brownie which looked delicious. The choice of cakes were also very hard to resist.

Ben and I both had wraps for lunch, I had sweet chilli chicken and Ben went for feta, guacamole and peppers. Both were served with crisps and a salad which was very refreshing.

With local magazines and posters dotted around, we found the cafe a really nice place to sit and chat. There’s a really relaxed atmosphere which was nice to sit and chill in.

There was a lady with her daughter and the most adorable dog in the shop, being the typical dog lover I am, I just couldn’t help but say hello to the dog, it was absolutely adorable.

Somewhere Else is a really lovely place and would definitely recommend it for a chilled lunch, there’s something for everyone.

The Rude Shipyard

I’m not too sure what a rude shipyard it but it’s a memorable name for a coffee shop and has been profusely recommended.

As you enter Sheffield’s Antique Quarter on Abbeydale Road, it’s the first cafe you meet on the corner.

We went along on a quiet Tuesday morning and got ourselves a latte and an americano an some breakfast each. I was tempted by the pancakes on the menu but my diet was saved as they were out of stock so I had Eggs Royale instead. As a big fan of Goats Cheese, Ben went for the omelette with Goats Cheese and Bacon.

There’s a selection of breakfast and lunch choices so something for if you’re visiting all times of the day.

The cafe is small but has a selection of seating upstairs and downstairs so there’s plenty of room. It’s decorated with a bookshelf featuring books from local writers. There’s a selection of local produce for sale including pretty pictures decorating the walls.

They put on events regularly including music and comedy nights. These are bound to be a must see in such an intimate venue.

After our visit we went for a wander down Abbeydale Road to pop into the independent shops so it’s a definitely stop off when shopping the Antique Quarter.

HowSt

Previously known and loved as Roast, the café has recently rebranded on Howard Street opposite Sheffield Hallam University entrance as HowSt.

We arrived in the morning on a very rainy day so was pleased to get into the dry in the café. We were only intending on getting a coffee but upon looking at the menu we decided to indulge in some breakfast. There was pancakes on the menu so I couldn’t resist.

We got ourselves a cappuccino and a flat white accompanied by pancakes and a bacon sandwich. The pancakes were humungous and definitely worth the indulgence. Served with warm strawberries and blueberries they make you feel less guilty.

The place has been redecorated with white and green tiles on the wall to have a smart clean look to match the new design of décor. There’s an array of high and low tables and chairs with mismatch chairs and stools that are commonly found in the current ‘trendy’ cafes.

The staff that were always lovely in Roast are still around and just as friendly and welcoming as they were in the previous café so don’t be afraid that the café has changed completely. The same familiar faces are still there!

So don’t be afraid, students and people of Sheffield, the name may have changed but the food is still great!

Cafe #9 at Nether Edge Market

I’ve previously heard about the markets in Sheffield but had been yet to be lucky enough to go along. Working weekends and not having a car in Sheffield always hinders this so by having both a car and a Sunday off work it was the perfect opportunity to head to Nether Edge Market. With the sun shining there was no excuse not to!

Claudia and I headed off to the market without realising that both Cafe #9 and Homemade by Thelma’s were on Netheredge Road. As both are on my coffee shop to do list, it was a given that we stopped for a coffee at one of these, this day we chose Cafe #9. Luckily for me, I seem to have friends that also love Coffee so of course Clauds was happy to accompany me.

With the busyness of the market influencing how busy Cafe #9 was, we probably didn’t see the usual atmosphere at this coffee shop but nonetheless it was still a good experience.

  
As the cafe is quite small and packed from the large footfall, we decided to get takeaway coffees just in case we couldn’t grab a seat. Luckily though we managed to grab a seat just as our coffees were served (so excuse the not so artistic obligatory coffee photo).

  
Although we had to wait a while for our coffee, we didn’t mind as it is obvious that a lot of care is put into each cup and the coffee was a reflection of this as it was really lovely.

  
There was a selection of cakes on offer which looked pretty good. If it was a normal day I probably would have indulged however with the market possessing stalls with a huge selection of sweet treats we decided to grab something on the market instead.

  
It is clear that the cafe has been around a while with old fashioned furnishings and decor about the place. There is a piano in the corner for music evenings, old fashioned toys and board games dotted around and a selection of interesting decorations.

  
Although there was a large amount of people in the cafe from the market, it also seemed like a perfect location for the locals to come for their coffee. Placed in a housing area, it seemed like a strange location to us but be well known amongst the community. There were lots of advertisements for local clubs and groups around the coffee bar which really emphasises this community spirit held by the cafe.

As it was a lovely day lots of people chose to sit outside the cafe and enjoy the nice weather which would be lovely in the summer. I could definitely imagine myself enjoying the sunshine with my cup of coffee and a book outside the Cafe #9.

  

The Holt

This brand new cafe on Arundel Street really is a hidden gem! It has only been open a few weeks but can be found in an old warehouse just down from Street Food Chef. We took a break from the library to visit The Holt and I’m so pleased we did as I fell in love with the place.

The café is really spacious in the warehouse decorated with plenty of places to sit. We were lucky enough that the corner with sofas was free so we were able to get pretty cosy with the cushions and blankets.

Hanging plants are dotted around the place which made the place feel really natural and bright. The mixture of colours accompanied by the natural light from the ceiling makes it feel very fresh – and also makes great lighting for photos!

There’s an extensive Coffee and Tea menu so something for every taste. Ben, Hannah and I chose to have a Mocha, Flat White and an Americano. Made with a double shot of the local Smith St Coffee Roasters Espresso, the coffee was pretty strong but oh so good.

For lunch, Ben had a New York Deli Sandwich and I had the Soup of the Day which was Carrot, Coconut and Coriander. I was unsure about the Coconut in the soup so the lady let me try it beforehand which sealed the deal – it was really good!

I also tried the banana bread for a treat to keep me going in the library and it was also delicious. Everything feels really fresh in The Holt, the lady serving knows everything about their offering so it’s great to know everything has been made fresh in house.

This place really is lovely, the staff are really nice, the coffee’s good and it’s just a stone throw away from university so it’s perfect for library breaks. I really recommend this place. I loved it! And although I want to tell the world how lovely it is so they get lots of business, I also wish I could keep it as a little secret. I’ve chosen to tell the world instead!

So venture down Arundel Street to The Holt, you can’t miss it with the Orange design on the garage door – it’s definitely worth putting your assignment on hold for!