From serving up mouth-watering homemade pasta to hosting gatherings for the city’s art scene, this tucked-away spot in the heart of Kelham punches well above its weight in both a culinary and cultural sense.
Run by Steve Miccoli and his team, family-owned restaurant and bar Isabellas has been quietly serving up proper Italian hospitality for the past four years. Upstairs is a welcoming restaurant where everything – from the sauces to the pasta fillings – is made fresh, while downstairs you’ll find a relaxed cocktail lounge with table service.
“We’re probably one of the only places in Kelham where you can come in for drinks and be served at your table,” Steve says. “People often think we’re just a restaurant, but the bar downstairs is perfect for cocktails after work, a chilled drink or a weekend night out. People really like the table service aspect – they feel looked after.”
And speaking of drinks, the menu has recently had a seasonal refresh thanks to their in-house mixologists. Expect top-quality spirits, Italian spritzes and fresh flavours that change with the time of year.
Food-wise, the kitchen is led by Sicilian head chef Salvatore, and the latest menu is a mix of old favourites and fresh ideas. Dishes like the mushroom gorgonzola tagliatelle and king prawn linguine have stood the test of time, while new additions such as the ragu cannelloni are already proving popular.
Midweek visitors are well looked after too. From 5 to 7pm there’s a Happy Hour featuring 2-for-£14 cocktails, plus a little Mediterranean touch in the form of aperitivo – order any alcoholic drink and you’ll get a free slice of freshly made pizza. It’s the kind of laid-back vibe that makes you want to stay for tea.
At the weekend, Isabellas steps things up with a bottomless brunch that might just be one of the best value offerings in Sheffield. For £40, you get a full homemade meal – pizza, pasta or risotto – and 90 minutes of unlimited drinks. Not just the usual options either: think premium wines and spirits, beers on draught, limoncello spritzes and gin and vodka mixers.
There’s also a private events space upstairs, perfect for everything from birthdays and baby showers to corporate dos and networking lunches. With room for 38 guests, the team can put together either a full sit-down meal or a homemade buffet with fresh pizzas, salads and bruschettas.
More recently, the venue has served as a hub for the city’s creative scene. Their PAC nights bring together three of life’s greatest pleasures – pizza, art and cocktails – celebrating the work of local artists with diners. Book in and you’ll get a pizza, a print of your choice, a specially customised pizza box and a bespoke cocktail for £30 (£20 without the drink). They run on the last Thursday of every month.
Isabellas might not make the most noise in an increasingly vibrant neighbourhood, but that’s part of the charm. It’s relaxed, friendly and genuinely passionate about what it does – and once you’ve been, there’s a good chance you’ll be back. As Steve says, “We always get return custom… once people find us, they usually stick around.”
17 Alma St, S3 8RY
@isabellaskelham
isabellaskelham.com
