Just a short stroll from West Street, tucked away on Broad Lane, May’s Coffee & Tea offers something a little different from your typical city-centre café. A welcoming spot with a distinctly relaxed vibe, it has quietly built a reputation among coffee lovers and those looking to expand their tastebuds beyond the usual.
Their crayfish bagel has become a firm favourite with regulars. Served warm in a toasted bagel and coated in a house-made spicy mayo, it’s packed with bold Chinese flavours and a touch of mystery. “Crayfish is really popular in mainland China,” explains Pui, who runs the café. “We use Chinese spices instead of Western ones – a kind of powder blend – and people love it. Some say it’s a bit spicy, but we describe it as sriracha-level. If you’ve got a mild spice tolerance, you’re fine.”
At £6.95, it’s a great-value lunch option, and it sits alongside the more familiar avocado bagel (just £5.95), while toastie lovers can grab a weekday meal deal – any toastie with a hot drink for just £7.50. Options cater for both meat and veggie eaters, designed with Sheffield’s students, city-centre workers and passing lunchtime trade in mind.
Then there’s the drinks. Sure, you can get a cracking latte or flat white made with green beans from local roaster Cuppers Choice, but May’s really shines when you stray off the beaten track. Fancy an iced yuzu espresso tonic? They’ve got you. A black sesame latte, nutty and earthy with the option of some syrup additions? It’s right there on the menu. Curious about the iced coconut water matcha? Or the intriguingly named ‘liquid cheese’ flat white, brewed using beans from Chinese roaster Killbean which produce an espresso with delicious cheesecake and toffee flavour notes? May’s is the place to explore a little.
“Our special drinks are like a new experience we offer for customers,” says Pui. “They’re for people who want something different in their day. They’re not your usual café orders – and that’s the point.”
Tea drinkers are equally well catered for, with a carefully selected range of traditional Chinese teas, including pu-erh and fragrant black tea with osmanthus, served simply to let the natural flavours shine – perfect for sharing a pot with a companion.
The space itself, with its laidback atmosphere, natural light and custom-built wooden benches, is ideal for remote working too. As such, May’s has built up a loyal following of regulars who come back for a slice of relaxation and wallet-friendly lunches.
Whether you’re on the hunt for your next favourite coffee, want to spice up your lunch break or simply fancy a quiet corner to hang out, May’s Coffee & Tea is well worth seeking out. It’s the kind of place you stumble across once and like to keep in your back pocket – but that’s not what we’re about here at Exposed, which is exactly why it’s earned a place as this month’s Hidden Gem.
ADDRESS:
May’s Coffee & Tea, 76 Broad Lane, S1 4BT
SOCIALS:
@mays_coffeeandtea
Special Offers
Open weekdays and weekends
Meal deal (toastie + hot drink): Mon–Fri only // Bagels from £5.95 // Iced drinks + outdoor seating available
