Exposed Awards 2026: VOTING OPEN!

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BEST NEW CAFE

This category is for all the new brunch and coffee spots that have opened in the past 12 months. As with the other Best New categories, there’s a (by no means exhaustive) list of recently opened venues to give you an idea. You can also check our socials and website for inspiration.

Need a hand? Take a look at a few suggestions.

THE SHEFFIELD ARTS AND CULTURE AWARD (Sponsored by Pride of Yorkshire)

This award recognises spaces that support, showcase and champion Sheffield’s artistic and cultural landscape. Think theatres, studios and galleries where you experience the best of the city’s art and culture.

THE SHEFFIELD WELLBEING AWARD

This award celebrates Sheffield places focused on health and wellbeing, whether that’s an urban spa or a community-run farm. Which spaces help you feel your best?

BEST INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Sheffield is a city built on independent spirit, and this award celebrates the shops that make it special. From record stores to bookshops and everything in between, which independent retailer gets your vote?

THE HENDERSON'S RELSIH MADE IN SHEFFIELD AWARD (NB: You can't vote for Hendo's!)

As a city with a proud tradition of making things, this award asks you to pick your favourite modern-day makers. It’s sponsored by Hendo’s, one of Sheffield’s most famous exports – which also means you can’t vote for them. So which other products made right here in the Steel City get your vote?

BEST VEGAN OR VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT

The vegan and veggie food scene in Sheffield is so strong that this category deserves its own award. Plenty to go at then, but which is the best?

BEST CAFE (Sponsored by Pago Premium Fruit Juice)

We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to great cafés across Sheffield’s neighbourhoods, so this year we’ve split the category into Best Café and Best New Café. This one’s for your go-to spot for a flat white and a slice of cake that’s been open longer than 12 months.

BEST INDEPENDENT FASHION RETAILER

This category is for all the independent clothing shops in the city. Think vintage stores and independents stocking your fave new brands. Where are you getting your fit?

BEST NEW RESTAURANT (Sponsored by Birra Moretti)

You prolly get the idea now – which new kids on the block have impressed you with their culinary treats over the past 12 months? If you’re not sure when a place opened, check out our socials, website or this (by no means exhaustive) list of suggestions.

Need a hand? Take a look at a few suggestions.

BEST NEW BAR (Sponsored by Beavertown)

This one should be straightforward. Tell us your favourite bar that’s been open longer than 12 months. Your go-to hangout for potting with pals, your fave spot for after-hours dancing. Which bar is non-negotiable on a night out?

Need a hand? Take a look at a few suggestions.

BEST TAKEAWAY

We reckon you’ve got this one and this category probably needs no introduction. Quite simply, where’s your favourite place to get a takeaway in the city? Where’s your go-to when you’re not feeling like cooking and don’t fancy leaving your gaff?

BEST CLUB (Sponsored by Napoleons)

Pretty simple this one: Where’s your favourite place in the city to rave until the early hours?

TRAMLINES AWARD FOR BEST LOCAL EVENT (NB: You can't pick Tramlines!)

Given that Tramlines is a behemoth on the Sheffield events scene, they kindly sponsor our Best Local Event category. That also means you can’t vote for them. Instead, think about your other favourite music festivals, city-wide events and one-off spectaculars.

THE SUSTAINABLE SHEFFIELD AWARD (Sponsored by TravelMaster)

This award celebrates Sheffield businesses that go the extra mile, with sustainability woven into the fabric of everything they do. Think zero-waste shops, restaurants or bars actively reducing their environmental footprint, or brands with a planet-forward approach to their products and services.

BEST UNSIGNED BAND OR MUSICIAN

Sheffield punches well above its weight when it comes to musical output, so which of the city’s current crop of local musicians deserves your vote? They have to be unsigned, so don’t vote for the Arctic Monkeys – they simply aren’t invited.

BEST TRADITIONAL PUB (Sponsored by Cruzcampo)

We all love a proper boozer – but which of the many Sheffield has to offer is the best? Think cosy snugs, quality cask and keg beers, wood panelling, hearty snap and a quirky cast of regulars.

BEST LOCAL BREWERY

Sheffield is often described as the real ale capital of the world, boasting one of the highest concentrations of breweries per head of population in the UK. So which of the city’s beery producers brews your favourite tipple?

BEST MICRO PUB

A relatively new drinking phenomenon. Over the last few years, we’ve seen a fine selection of small but perfectly formed bars open in Sheffield. Just tell us which one you think is best.

BEST LIVE VENUE (Sponsored by Wildfire)

Having lost one of the big players on Sheffield’s live music venue scene last year, this award is wide open. Where’s your favourite grassroots venue to dive about in a sweaty mosh pit, or soak up some soothing acoustic vibes?

THE SOCIAL HUB AWARD

This award recognises spaces that bring people together under one roof. Whether that’s a food hall or food court, or a beautifully bespoke events space, this one’s for the places that host, encourage and elevate Sheffield’s social life.

BEST RESTAURANT

As with the Best Bar category, this one is fairly simple: what’s your fave restaurant that’s been open longer than 12 months? Where do you go on date nights? Where do you recommend to pals? Where has the dishes that keep you coming back?

BEST BAR (Sponsored by Caffrey's Black Stout)

This one should be straightforward. Tell us your favourite bar that’s been open longer than 12 months. Your go-to hangout for potting with pals, your fave spot for after-hours dancing. Which bar is non-negotiable on a night out?