From fresh pasta and homemade gelato to focaccia sandwiches and Sardinian wine, the team behind one of Sheffield’s most popular restaurants is preparing to launch an exciting new addition to Kelham Island.
Mercato, the latest venture from DOMO founders Sarah and Raffaele, is set to open towards the end of September, bringing a new production kitchen, deli and neighbourhood café to the area.
Located just a stone’s throw from DOMO, the daytime venue will operate from 8am until 6pm and will specialise in freshly made Sardinian produce, much of which will be created on site before being supplied to the group’s restaurants in both Sheffield and Leeds.
The couple say the idea for Mercato emerged following DOMO’s recent expansion into West Yorkshire, creating a need for a dedicated production space capable of supporting both locations.
“With the expansion of DOMO from Sheffield into Leeds, we wanted a space specifically used for the production of all our homemade products,” they explain.
“Mercato will allow us to reach the next level of self-sufficiency that we’ve been striving for by becoming the main producer of our Sardinian products and supplying both of our restaurant sites in Sheffield and Leeds.
“But we didn’t want to stop there. We saw an opportunity for Mercato to become a neighbourhood space with its own rhythm and purpose, bringing together food, retail and community, so we decided to open Mercato to the public.”
Visitors can expect a menu built around many of the dishes and ingredients that have helped establish DOMO’s reputation, including fresh pasta, artisan breads, Sardinian desserts, homemade gelato and carefully selected deli items. Coffee, drinks and generously filled focaccia sandwiches will also be available throughout the day.
Mercato will not simply be a place to grab something on the go, however. Alongside the retail offering, the team is creating a small seating area both inside and outside, giving customers the chance to settle in with a coffee while watching daily life unfold in Kelham Island.
The interior is being designed in collaboration with 93ft and Made By Hands, the teams responsible for helping shape DOMO’s distinctive identity. Inspired by traditional Sardinian bakeries, the space will feature a stripped-back, rustic aesthetic, with a dedicated pasta-making theatre offering customers a glimpse behind the scenes.
Fully stocked deli shelves and fridges will showcase a carefully curated selection of Sardinian products, while freshly prepared food will be made throughout the day.
The founders hope Mercato will become a welcoming space that serves many different purposes within the community.
Whether people are picking up a morning coffee, stopping in for lunch, browsing the deli counters, collecting fresh pasta for dinner or treating themselves to homemade gelato, the ambition is to create a lively neighbourhood hub rooted in Sardinian hospitality.
“MERCATO has been created as a space where everyone is welcome,” the team say. “We want it to be a warm, bustling place full of life.”
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