The UK is rich with with top-notch nosh. And there’s no better way to explore a city than eating your way through all of its most delicious offerings.
When it comes to crowning the UK's best foodie destination there is, naturally, a lot of tough competition. But that hasn’t stopped hospitality company Accor, which has sieved through tonnes of data to determine which city outside of London really comes out on top. And number one may not be what you expect.
Drum roll please... Sheffield was revealed as the UK’s best foodie hotspot right now. Its standout culinary credentials include the Sheffield Food Festival, which takes place throughout the city every May, and the huge monthly Peddler Market celebrating ‘diverse cuisines, proud heritage, and the best quality produce'. Although there are no Michelin-starred venues in the city, there are nine in and around it that are in the coveted Michelin Guide.
The cities were ranked according to several factors: the number of Michelin guide listings, popular food festivals, popular food market, Instagram and TikTok statistics, Google Reviews, OpenTable, news outlets analysis and social sentiment. Each area was then given a total score out of 99.
Sheffield achieved the maximum score and did especially well in the food festival category. Accor called it a 'paradise for food lovers'. Up next in the foodie ranking was Edinburgh, which has the most Michelin Guide restos outside of capital. Completing the top five were Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham.
Time Out’s take
After we named it one of the best places for a city break in 2023, we can concur that Sheffield is bursting with great grub. We recommend places like Joro for an indulgent blowout meal or V or V for some mouth-watering veggie and vegan stuff. Check out the full list of our favourite Sheff restaurants here.
Did you see that this street has been crowned the UK’s best for independent shops this Christmas?
Plus: you can send someone a free Cadbury chocolate bar this Christmas.
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