Sheffield Restaurant News

The company operating dozens of Las Iguanas restaurants across the UK, including a branch at Meadowhall, could run out of money if a proposed restructuring plan is not approved, the High Court has heard.

Iguanas Holdings Limited, which runs 44 Las Iguanas restaurants nationwide, appeared before the High Court in London during what is known as a convening hearing. The session was held so the company could seek permission to call meetings of its creditors to vote on a financial restructuring proposal.

Lawyers representing Iguanas Holdings told the court that the business has fallen into financial difficulty and would have "no funding to continue trading" without approval of the plan.

The company is a subsidiary of The Big Table Group, which also owns restaurant chains including Frankie & Benny's, Bella Italia, and Banana Tree.

In written submissions to the court, barrister Ryan Perkins said the proposed scheme forms part of a turnaround strategy aimed at stabilising the business. The plan would eliminate approximately £37 million of debt owed to one creditor and include a £3 million cash injection from The Big Table Group.

The restructuring proposal would also involve reductions to some restaurant rents, which would be imposed on landlords, alongside compromises on certain debts owed to them. According to the company's legal team, landlords would be left in a better position than if the company entered administration.

Mr Perkins told the court that the UK casual dining sector has faced substantial problems in recent years, citing high inflation, reduced consumer spending and increased taxes as key pressures.

He said Iguanas Holdings and its parent company had attempted to respond by improving the Las Iguanas menu and customer experience, but trading conditions remained challenging.

The court heard that Iguanas Holdings recorded losses of nearly £10 million during the 2025 financial year. The business has only continued trading due to financial support from The Big Table Group.

Many restaurant sites were described as "significantly over-rented", limiting profitability, while 17 leases were said to be "wholly unviable".

Specific locations were not identified during the hearing. However, Las Iguanas operates a restaurant in Meadowhall's Oasis Dining Quarter, meaning the outcome of the restructuring could affect the venue at the Sheffield shopping centre.

Mr Perkins told the court that, without creditor approval, the company's directors would have "no choice" but to place the business into administration. He also confirmed that Iguanas Holdings itself does not directly employ staff, with employees instead contracted through The Big Table Group.

In his ruling, Mr Justice Hildyard approved the request to convene creditor meetings, stating he was content for the proposal to proceed.

Creditors are scheduled to vote on the restructuring plan on 28th May. If approved, the proposal will return to the High Court for a final sanction hearing on 5th June, when a judge will decide whether to formally approve the scheme.

A large front window has been smashed at 7 Grills Steak House, a recently opened restaurant on Ecclesall Road.

The steak house, located at the corner of Denham Road, opened in mid-2025 following a major renovation of the building. The site had previously been home to the Columbo cocktail bar and had stood empty for more than four years before the new business launched.

Owners who refurbished the premises are now facing additional repair costs after a vandalism incident left a six-foot-wide pane of front-facing sheet glass shattered.

The damage comes shortly after the restaurant reopened, marking the first time the ground-floor unit has been occupied since 2022.

Despite the vandalism, the restaurant's opening hours do not appear to have been affected.

One of Sheffield's best-known restaurants is beginning a new chapter, as Silversmiths unveils a shift towards modern gastro dining focused on flavour, simplicity and satisfying food.

The city centre venue, long associated with fine dining and locally-sourced produce, is moving away from smaller plates and tasting menus. In their place comes a renewed emphasis on generous dishes designed with Yorkshire appetites in mind.

The change marks a clear evolution rather than a reinvention. Silversmiths will continue to prioritise quality ingredients and refined cooking, but with menus that offer greater choice and more substantial portions.

The move reflects a broader trend across the UK restaurant sector, where many establishments are stepping back from tasting-style dining and returning to traditional à la carte formats. Diners are increasingly seeking flexibility and familiar, satisfying meals rather than structured multi-course experiences.

At Silversmiths, that approach now sits at the centre of the restaurant's direction.

Tom Wells-Lomas, Executive Chef at Ascent Leisure Group, described the shift as a natural progression.

"Silversmiths has always been about quality ingredients and strong foundations," he said. "This is about building on that with food that not only looks good, but delivers in terms of satisfaction. We're all about getting that balance right."

The restaurant's updated offering includes a new Sunday lunch menu centred on hearty, traditional dining. Guests can choose from roast beef, roast chicken, honey roast ham or a three-meat roast, all served with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and classic trimmings.

Alongside Sunday dining, Silversmiths has introduced refreshed menus across several areas of the business, including its Supper Club, Pre-Theatre and Bottomless Brunch experiences, as well as a brand-new à la carte menu.

Together, the changes signal a stronger focus on approachable dining while maintaining the restaurant's established standards.

Silversmiths first gained national attention when it was relaunched by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay on Kitchen Nightmares, transforming the former Runaway Girl into a restaurant built around fresh, locally sourced produce.

Wells-Lomas, a Rosette-winning chef formerly head chef at Brocco On The Park, trained under Ramsay earlier in his career, bringing that grounding in classical technique to Silversmiths' evolving identity.

Ascent Leisure Group, which operates a growing portfolio of hospitality venues including Panenka, Grappa, Selena and Lykke, sees the new direction as part of a broader focus on delivering accessible, high-quality dining experiences.

With its latest menus, Silversmiths is placing appetite firmly at the heart of its next phase, combining its established reputation for quality with a more relaxed, generous approach to modern gastro dining.

Mowgli Street Food has introduced a new community initiative in Sheffield aimed at sharing kindness with people who may need a lift. The programme, called Mowgli Magic, invites local residents to nominate individuals who deserve a thoughtful gesture or special experience to brighten their week.

The Sheffield restaurant is encouraging the community to come together by recognising friends, neighbours or colleagues who could benefit from a moment of positivity. Whether someone has recently faced a difficult period or is known for consistently putting others first, the initiative focuses on celebrating everyday acts of resilience and generosity.

Through Mowgli Magic, the Sheffield restaurant will gift experiences or treats to people across the area who are most in need of a boost. Locals are invited to share personal stories explaining why their nominee deserves recognition.

Each week over the next month, one local nominee will be selected to receive a personalised gift designed to bring light and happiness to their week. The initiative arrives at a time when many people across the UK are facing ongoing challenges, with Mowgli aiming to offer moments of encouragement through small but meaningful acts of kindness.

The nationwide initiative is led by Mowgli founder Nisha Katona MBE and centres on celebrating community spirit and recognising the strength of the people around us. By highlighting individual stories, Mowgli Magic seeks to encourage connection and compassion within local neighbourhoods.

Shaun Camper, General Manager at Mowgli Sheffield, said the programme reflects the restaurant's long-standing connection with its community.

"Mowgli has always been about enriching the lives of the communities around us, and Mowgli Magic is born from that," he said. "Times are hard for a lot of people at the moment, and we really care about our customers. My team and I are hoping we can make someone's day a bit brighter by doing something special for someone who needs a bit of kindness."

Sheffield residents can submit nominations through the Mowgli Magic webpage by sharing the story of someone they believe deserves a special gift. Successful nominees will be contacted directly by the restaurant each week throughout the campaign.

Founded in 2014 by barrister-turned-restaurateur Nisha Katona MBE, Mowgli Street Food was created to showcase how Indians eat at home and on their streets. The restaurant is known for its fresh, vibrant dishes served in warm interiors featuring fairy lights and its signature swing seating.

With Mowgli Magic, the brand is extending that sense of warmth beyond the restaurant itself, inviting Sheffield residents to celebrate kindness and support one another through simple acts of generosity.

Isabella's Bar and Restaurant, a popular dining and drinking spot in the Kelham Island area of Sheffield, has announced its permanent closure. Known for its dual role as a cafe by day serving breakfast and lunch and a cocktail bar by night offering small plates and tapas, the venue has been forced to shut down due to financial pressures.

Management announced the decision on Facebook, expressing sadness and heartbreak. They stated that ever-increasing costs, combined with high overheads and running costs, left the business in financial difficulties. In their announcement, the team thanked their customers for their support and praise over the past few years.

This closure follows a trend of several other hospitality businesses in Sheffield shutting down recently. Other notable closures include the Green Room Bar on Division Street, which is set to close in May after 22 years, the Closed Shop on Commonside, which shut in January, and the Three Feathers in Darnall, which was recently approved for demolition.

A new pizzeria planned for Sheffield city centre is facing a delay to its opening plans due to unresolved licensing objections.

Forbici, located on Millennium Square behind the Winter Gardens, has been described as a "new premium pizza restaurant concept from the Individual Restaurants Group".

The group also owns Piccolino, which already operates a restaurant on Millennium Square. The first Forbici restaurant, specialising in Neapolitan pizzas, opened in Manchester city centre last year.

The Sheffield venue aims to introduce a traditional Neapolitan approach to serving pizza. The name Forbici means scissors in Italian, reflecting the way pizzas are cut into quarters with scissors to preserve the soft crust. Diners are expected to eat the slices folded.

According to a report prepared for Sheffield City Council's licensing sub-committee, the restaurant will place a strong emphasis on the craft of pizza making.

"The restaurant will place a strong focus on the 'art' of pizza making, with the cook line and pizza preparation areas visible directly to customers," the report stated.

It added that the venue would also offer takeaway options so customers can enjoy the food at home. In addition, a small selection of merchandise including pizza flour, serving boards and other pizza accessories would be available to purchase.

The business initially applied to stay open until 1am. However, after objections were raised by two residents, the restaurant agreed to close at 12:30am, with alcohol sales ending at midnight. Those objections have since been withdrawn.

Remaining concerns have been raised by the Health Protection Service. These relate to details surrounding the mezzanine floor, which is planned to be used as an overflow seating area.

A licensing sub-committee hearing to consider the application took place at Sheffield Town Hall on 10th March.

A Sheffield restaurant that shifts from a daytime coffee shop to an evening tasting-menu destination has been awarded two AA Rosettes.

Restaurant ELM, located on Glossop Road, has received the recognition for its cooking standards through the AA Rosette scheme, which honours restaurants delivering high-quality food. Two rosettes are awarded to venues that demonstrate notable quality and consistency.

By day, the venue operates as a neighbourhood café serving pastries and specialty coffee in a calm setting. In the evening, the atmosphere changes as the lights dim, candles are lit and vinyl records play while diners settle in for tasting menus.

The interior reflects the owners' background in graphic design. Vinyl records line the walls alongside artwork, while shelves display trinkets and jars of Sheffield honey for sale. The space has a modern feel, but the team aim to keep the atmosphere welcoming and relaxed.

Co-owners Nick Daughtry and Jon Daughtry said the award reflects the shared vision they have developed with head chef Nathan Wall and the rest of the team.

"We're about fine dining, but in a casual, relaxed setting without the pomp or theatre."

Restaurant ELM focuses on locally-sourced British produce, including Derbyshire lamb and fish caught in the surrounding region, while avoiding strict culinary labels.

Although firmly based in Sheffield, the restaurant has attracted visitors from outside the city.

Dinner is served from Wednesday to Saturday, with tasting menus priced at £55 for four courses or £75 for seven. Lunch is offered on Thursdays and Fridays with a three-course set menu priced at £35, while the café continues to run throughout the week.

During the evening service, tables fill with diners choosing between the four-course and seven-course tasting menus. The experience moves through a series of dishes, beginning with house-made bread and progressing through vegetarian courses, seafood and meat, before finishing with a pre-dessert and dessert.

Rather than completely replacing the menu on a regular schedule, the kitchen gradually develops the offering over time.

Head chef Nathan Wall said the team hope to build on the recognition in the future.

"The highest they could award us on the first visit was two rosettes, so the aim is to get three," he said.

For the Restaurant ELM team, the main aim is to ensure diners leave having had a memorable experience.

"Generally we just hope people have an amazing time, and that's definitely the feedback we're getting - both on the food and the hospitality side," Jon said.

A South Yorkshire restaurant is celebrating national recognition after being named one of the top three fish and chip restaurants in the country.

Whitby's in Catcliffe achieved the accolade at the National Fish and Chip Awards, with the announcement arriving during the restaurant's 15th anniversary year.

For operations director Darren and branch manager Debbie, the recognition marked a proud moment for the business.

"We were absolutely over the moon, really proud," Darren said.

"We have been open 15 years this year as well, so to get that recognition on our anniversary made it even more special."

The achievement follows steady progress for the restaurant, which placed in the top five nationally last year before climbing into the top three in 2026.

The news was warmly received by regular customers.

"The customers are so chuffed and proud of us, it's been lovely," Debbie said.

Darren said many diners have been quick to share their encouragement since hearing the news.

"They all say the same thing - 'you'll get it next year,'" he said.

According to the team, their success is built on a simple approach centred on consistency, quality, and attention to detail.

"We like to think our consistency, attention to detail, product quality, our suppliers, chefs and management all set us apart," Darren said.

"But more than anything, we try to make sure people who come through the door - even if they arrive with a frowning face - leave with a smile."

Whitby's offers a full sit-down dining experience rather than the traditional seaside takeaway setting often associated with fish and chips.

"When we first came here it was a new experience," Darren said.

"Fish and chips has always been seen as a takeaway, by the coast with the waves crashing in. But we try to take that and turn it into something much more."

Customers are served at the table in an air-conditioned restaurant, with drinks ranging from soft drinks to bottles of sparkling wine.

The menu combines traditional favourites with larger portions, including a 16-ounce jumbo cod fillet.

"The backbone of it all is fish and chips, cooked in beef dripping. The batter is our own secret recipe as well. There's a lot of pride and love on the plate."

Like many hospitality businesses, the restaurant has faced challenges, including rising costs across the industry. However, the team say their focus remains on maintaining quality and keeping customers satisfied.

"It's been a long road, especially with prices rising but we just want to keep delivering the best quality product we can - at a reasonable price," Darren said.

A new East Asian-inspired street food restaurant has opened at Meadowhall.

East Street is now welcoming customers on the lower level of the Oasis Dining Quarter at the shopping centre.

The restaurant draws on East Asian street food culture and aims to give diners a fast-paced experience. The concept combines neon lighting and bold flavours with quick service designed for shoppers.

Founder David Fox said: "East Street is all about simplicity and pace, giving diners the quick service they crave without sacrificing food quality and ingredients. This is helped by the fact that East Street has the benefit of the Tampopo family, with over 25 years of restaurant experience.

"It represents a new era for Far-Eastern inspired street food, with the futuristic concept offering bright lights, bold flavours and speedy eats. We can't wait to welcome diners to our new Meadowhall restaurant soon!"

Darren Pearce, centre director at Meadowhall, said the new opening would add to the centre's range of food options.

"We're excited to welcome East Street to Meadowhall. Its flavour-packed street food menu is sure to be a hit with anyone looking to refuel after a busy day of shopping or making the most of our leisure activities," he said.

"We're always looking for new ways to enhance our visitor experience and welcoming East Street's brand-new street food concept packed with bold street food flavours does just that."

A new restaurant offering Nepalese and Himalayan flavours is set to open on one of Sheffield's best-known streets.

The Golden Yeti is preparing to open at 833 Ecclesall Road, close to Greystones Road and a Co-op supermarket. A social media post says the venue will offer both dine-in and takeaway options.

The unit has previously been home to several food businesses. Most recently it was occupied by Piri Fino, a piri piri chicken takeaway.

The arrival of The Golden Yeti will add another option for diners interested in Himalayan and Nepalese flavours in the city. Hungry Buddha, based in The Moor Market, also sells Nepali-style cuisine.

No opening date has yet been announced, but the restaurant has indicated it will be "opening soon".