With an unmatchable view of the city’s skyline and a range of quality dishes made from scratch, South Street Kitchen has been giving people a solid reason to head up to Park Hill since 2018. We take a closer look at the venue putting seasonal veg, local suppliers and thoughtful cooking right at the heart of things.
There are worse rewards for a walk up to Park Hill than a warm welcome and a stunning Sheffield panoramic. Throw in speciality coffee, a thoughtfully compiled menu or two and the possibility of coming back for dinner and cocktails later, and the case for getting yourself up to South Street Kitchen starts looking even more convincing.
Founded by Tim Jenkins and Rachel Cornish in 2018, the café and restaurant was an early arrival in Park Hill’s regeneration, establishing itself before the development had much of a hospitality scene to speak of. Eight years on, it’s standing strong – still proudly independent, not-for-profit and firmly attached to its vantage spot overlooking the city.
It’s also picked up the Best Vegetarian or Vegan Restaurant gong at the Exposed Awards twice along the way, which just goes to show how highly the place is regarded by local foodies.
Open seven days a week, South Street offers breakfast, lunch and the sort of coffee stop-off that can easily see you sticking around once you’ve clocked the food being brought out. There’s a Middle Eastern influence running through the cooking, with seasonal menus giving the kitchen room to work with whatever’s good at the time.
The emphasis is on making things properly, from raw ingredients. That extends well beyond the main dishes to the pickles, chutneys and kombucha, all produced in-house. The salad bar is a particular point of pride, showcasing the variety and flavour at the heart of the kitchen’s approach to vegetarian food.
During the growing season, produce comes from Sheffield Organic Growers, while the team’s own organically tended garden often contributes to dishes too. Wholefood supplier Lembas is another regular port of call for ingredients. These relationships connect what’s on the plate to the wider network of independent businesses keeping Sheffield fed while committing to sustainability.
A similar approach carries through to the drinks. Dairy milk comes from Our Cow Molly, while anyone opting for oat or another non-dairy alternative won’t find an extra charge added to their coffee. It’s a small gesture, perhaps, but a welcome one when you’re ordering your daily flat white.
The coffee itself deserves more than a passing mention. A collaboration with Sheffield roaster Cuppers Choice has produced South Street Kitchen’s own house blend, with Park Hill-inspired packaging also in the works. Alongside that are guest coffees and options for those who prefer to take their time over a V60 or AeroPress.
Come Friday and Saturday evening, the daytime café becomes a restaurant. November brings a seasonal evening menu, including a stunning homemade Yorkshire parkin – a particularly fitting prospect as the nights draw in and thoughts turn towards warm, hearty dishes.
There’s a full wine list, craft beer and cocktails to go with it. Local breweries including Bradfield and Triple Point feature among the beer suppliers, while the signature cocktail selection takes some cues from the kitchen’s Middle Eastern flavours. The non-alcoholic cocktails are popular in their own right, selling alongside their boozy counterparts and finding takers during the daytime as well. Handy if you fancy something interesting with lunch, have an early start looming or simply aren’t drinking.
The evening programme gives the chefs opportunities to explore different cuisines. Previous events have included Italian menus and popular dumpling nights led by the kitchen’s Czech chef, complete with imported Czech beer. It’s always worth checking what’s coming up before settling on your next dinner reservation.
One date for November’s diary is Saturday 7 November, when a Palestinian-inspired menu will raise money for Medical Aid for Palestinians. South Street Kitchen will donate £5 for every person booked onto the menu, with diners able to make an additional contribution. It’s part of an ongoing fundraising effort at the venue.
With festive plans beginning to fill the calendar, there are Christmas lunch, private dining and buffet menus available too. The space can accommodate events of up to 75 people, with bespoke food packages covering everything from an informal gathering to a sit-down celebration.
That flexibility extends beyond Christmas parties. Weddings, birthdays, cultural events and baby showers are all welcome, while the back area can be hired for daytime meetings and smaller get-togethers. For anyone tasked with finding somewhere a little different for the office get-together, it’s an option to put on the list.
As we all know, November’s shorter, nippier days call for somewhere worth settling into. With thoughtful seasonal food, carefully chosen drinks and a commitment to championing independents – all served with a view – South Street more than earns its place as this month’s Indie Pick.
Web: southstreetkitchen.org
Socials: @southstreetkitchen
Address: 19-20 South Street, S2 5QX
