Whether you’re already well-versed in the joys of plant-based eating, or you’re fresh out of a festive period full of turkey and Crimbo cheese, January is always a great time to look at what vegan options are on offer in Sheffield, not least because Veganuary, a month-long celebration of all things vegan, is already in full swing. To help you pick out what and where to eat, we’ve put together a round-up of some of the city’s best vegan dishes from our amazing independents to help you out across the month, and beyond…
GONE FISHING
Where? Pina
What is it? To create their much-loved vegan fish tacos, the Pina chefs brine firm tofu overnight with additional salinity from capers and onions before cutting to size and wrapping in nori seaweed. It’s then deep fried in a Mexican batter and served atop a freshly made 100% corn tortilla, Salsa Mexicana, vegan mayo and a squeeze of lime. Grab a margarita from the bar and you’re good to go.
SUNDAY SERVICE
Where? Church – Temple of Fun
What is it? Launching January 9th (bookings now open online), Church – Temple of Fun has served up a vegan Sunday dinner extravaganza featuring a homemade Beyond Meat wellington served with a Yorkshire pudding, veggies and their signature Hendo’s gravy. PS: January will also see the venue extend their non-alcoholic offerings further, with new mocktails alongside a range of non-alcoholic beer.
GAARD OF HONOUR
Where? Gaard
What it is? Proving it’s not all about savoury (although their sandwiches and bhaji wraps are hard to beat), all-vegan café Gaard is an incredibly popular plant-powered hotspot in Kelham, and their epic Vegan Carrot Cake is a firm favourite with regulars.
NO MEZZE-ING ABOUT
Where? South Street Kitchen
What is it? This is the South Street Mezze: spiced root vegetable fritters with saffron and lemon yogurt, roasted mixed mushrooms, sunblush tomatoes, roast onion baba ganoush, spicy harissa kale ‘slaw, olives and toasted pitta. A super warming and filling dish that is perfect to banish the winter blues away!
THE BEST AND THE WURST
Where? Get Wurst (in the kitchen at Two Thirds Beer Co. and various street markets)
What is it? There’s plenty of solid selections from Get Wurst, including bangin’ vegan currywurst and a tofu schnitzel burger, but we’re going to suggest their OG: the seitan bratwurst served in a soft roll with sauerkraut pickles, crispy onions, ketchup and mustard.
TO GRILL A MOCKINGBIRD
Where? Common Room
What is it? True North’s mouth-watering homemade southern fried chicken alternative, The Naked Mockin’ Bird, is made from a closely guarded seitan recipe and served with fries. Also available with a katsu or chipotle BBQ sauce.
BRINGING THE HEAT
Where? Saucy
What is it? From the team behind Make No Bones, Saucy is Sheffield’s first all-vegan fast-food takeaway and delivery service. Out of their considerable smorgasbord of delights, we’ve plumped for The Heat – a beef-style patty with vegan Jalapeño cheese, ground chilli beef seitan, chipotle slaw and sriracha mustard.
AN OLDIE BUT A GOODIE
Where? Old House
What is it? A variety of indulgent vegan sandwiches available at The Old House, all served on homemade focaccia. Our personal favourite is the bhaji, mango chutney, raita, served with poppadoms.
TRUE CLOVE
Where? Doner Summer
What is it? A recent addition to the city’s vegan scene, Doner Summer’s best-seller of 2021 was this garlicky combo: brioche bun, patty drizzled in garlic butter, lettuce, pickles, cheddar cheese, crispy fried garlic onions and burn garlic mayo. Pack the mints beforehand.
KEEP CALM AND CURRY ON
Where? Dishidrop bring stainless steel containers filled with restaurant quality, plant-based meals directly to your door. You can sign up online for meals arriving every 2 or 4 weeks.
What is it? Wintertime provides the perfect backdrop to tucking into a comforting pumpkin Massaman curry, a dish famous for its idiosyncratic spicing, rich coconut finish and twist of tamarind.
HASHTAG TASTY
Where? The Grind Café
What is it? Sweet potato hash browns with avocado charred corn salsa and vegan lime mayonnaise. A popular addition to the venue’s recently revamped food offering, which now includes an evening menu served alongside beer, wine and cocktails.
‘PORK’LIFE
Where? Make No Bones can be found nestled inside the Old Workshop bar at 3 Hicks Street.
What is it? Sheffield’s longest-running all-vegan business are continuing to bring a wide range of indulgent options to the table, with a nod or two to the city’s foodie heritage in the process. Take this hot ‘roast pork’ sarnie for example – an absolute Sheffield classic perfect for a substantial lunchtime snack.
NUTS ABOUT IT
Where? Icarus & Apollo
What is it? The West African Peanut Curry is Icarus & Apollo’s current best-seller and 100% vegan – a nourishing curry full of collard greens, rich peanut flavour, mushrooms, red onions, ginger, tomato, garlic and a bit of spice.
BON APPECHEESE
Where? Fat Hippo at Kommune
What is it? Specialising in the good side of gluttony, Fat Hippo are known for their delicious, high-stacked burgers. Their vegan sides game is also on point, and these deep fried, beer-battered, gooey vegan cheese balls are drizzled in sriracha mayo – perfect as a sharer!
SEOUL FOOD
Where? V|OR|V
What it is? Kelham Island veggie and vegan restaurant V|OR|V has no end of delicious meat-free dishes to choose from, but their popular Korean fried celeriac, cucumber kimchi, and secret seaweed spice gets our vote. Their plant-based take on the famous Korean Fried Chicken is combined with a sauce made from cucumber kimchi and a secret seaweed spice mix for an added punch of umami to make even the most hardened meat eaters come back for more.
GRAB A DISH
Get banging vegan dishes delivered to your front door from local delivery app City Grab. Here are their top 5 recommendations in Sheffield:
North Town Deli
Icarus & Apollo
Make No Bones
Saucy
Pom Kitchen
Order here or download the app.
