Sheffield's Sustainable Coffee Shops You Should Visit!

By Maddie Patrick

I feel as though I should be more ashamed than I am to admit that the majority of my student loan over the past two and a half years has been spread liberally around Sheffield’s coffee shop network. Some might label the massive hole this has burned in my pocket as a waste of money, but I’ve decided to see it as a key part of my student experience and to use the knowledge I’ve acquired to write a (hopefully!) helpful blog post. Coming from a small town with a distinct lack of cafes on offer - as in, one small, dingy Costa on the High Street as the best option - I’ve really appreciated the diversity of the Sheffield coffee shop culture and the amount of sustainable options available. In no particular order, here is a subjective list of my top four favourite cafes in Sheffield that specialise in vegan and vegetarian options so you can eat out, support local businesses and save the environment!

1. Blue Moon Cafe (2 St James' St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2EW)

Located in Sheffield’s City Centre, Blue Moon Cafe is a spacious independent cafe that serves exclusively vegetarian and vegan food. The food is reasonably priced so it is affordable if you are on a budget and the environment is very calming. If you enjoy working in a cafe like I do (writing essays in my bedroom has started to remind me of lockdown number one) then Blue Moon Cafe has great WiFi connection and big tables. Go treat yourself to a veggie burrito!

Image from @bluemoonsheffield on Instagram.

Vegan Burrito served in the Blue Moon cafe! Image from @bluemoonsheffield on Instagram.

2. Dana Cafe (214 Crookes, Sheffield S10 1TG)

I only recently decided to make a visit to Dana Cafe and I have no regrets! A big favourite among Crookes-dwellers, Dana sells a variety of savoury and sweet vegetarian dishes. And, to make things even better, they’re open for takeaway! I must admit that I’ve only tried their excellent coffee and cake so far, but I’ve heard that their veggie breakfasts are supposed to be out of this world. Who doesn’t love a good breakfast?

Image from @danacafesheffield on Instagram

3. Cawa Coffee - Outdoor Cafe (23 Division St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 4GE)

Broomhill favourite Cawa have recently opened a takeout-only outdoor stand on Division Street and I am living for it! It sells all of their classic favourites (the cinnamon buns are really on another level) and a variety of veggie sandwiches (the mushroom and cheese focaccia is a God-Tier lunch). Division Street is a convenient location for most and I love how they have created something pleasant and unique that still fits into the current covid climate. A coffee from Cawa after a day of studying really brightens my day!

Image from @cawacoffee on Instagram.

4. Baked and Caked (55 Chesterfield Rd, Meersbrook, Sheffield S8 0RL)

I’m cheating with this one slightly by slipping a bakery into a list of cafes. However, vegan cake is vegan cake, and Baked and Cake sell a lot of it! Aside from the iconic Scoffingtons, they also stock plenty of vegan pastries and savoury snacks. It’s slightly further out than the other cafes listed above, but it’s definitely worth the journey for some delicious vegan goodies!

Image from @bakedandcakeduk on Instagram!

That concludes my list, but there are plenty more cafes in Sheffield that cater to all things veggie and vegan. Supporting independent businesses has never been as important as it is right now, so why not head outside and treat yourself to some delicious sustainable snacks?

Written by Maddie Patrick