Maria

Maria brings the spirit of the Italian trattoria to Sheffield City Centre, a warm homage to Ronnie’s heritage and the grandmother whose name it bears. Open and easy-going, it is a restaurant for everyone and any occasion, channelling southern European cooking with the kind of generosity and conviviality that makes time slow down.

Flavours speak of patience and comfort: tear into focaccia with honest olive oil, then tuck into pork and beef polpette in Sunday gravy with parmesan. Pasta takes pride of place, from cavatelli in a slow-cooked tomato sauce to mutton and artichoke pappardelle brightened with mint and ricotta salata. On the bigger side, there is half grilled chicken with asparagus, broad beans and pancetta, while an aged highland T-bone, glossed with bone marrow sauce, is made for sharing. Sweet endings range from tiramisu to blood orange jelly with zabaglione and pistachio.

The bar leans into aperitivo hour with Bellini, spritz and shakerato, negronis that run from Classico to Vegetale, plus Peroni on draught and Peroni Red. Sundays bring a set menu built for lingering, with focaccia and honest olive oil and a comforting pork and beef lasagna. Gather your favourites, raise a glass, and make an occasion of it — Maria will do the rest.