Food Review: Hidden gem of a cafe on Sheffield village hill offers affordable family fare in the park

Years ago when my son played football in Stannington Park, I used to think how nice it would be to have a cup of coffee and a bacon sandwich while watching him play.
Food review at Reserved, Stannington Park. Picture: Chris EtchellsFood review at Reserved, Stannington Park. Picture: Chris Etchells
Food review at Reserved, Stannington Park. Picture: Chris Etchells

The park is excellent for children, has plenty of grassed areas for them to run their energy off, plus a great enclosed play area with zip wire which I have spent many an hour in – but a coffee shop would have been a welcome addition for the adults back then. 

The prayers of local parents have now been answered. 

Food review at Reserved, Stannington Park. Feta and chive quiche. Picture: Chris EtchellsFood review at Reserved, Stannington Park. Feta and chive quiche. Picture: Chris Etchells
Food review at Reserved, Stannington Park. Feta and chive quiche. Picture: Chris Etchells

Reserved Cafe Bistro takes centre stage in the green space, with magnificent views across both the park and city. 

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A quirky but quite small place, with comfortable chairs,  whimsical fairy lights and a relaxed feeling sets the scene for a chilled out breakfast.

It’s all housed inside a shipping container, part of a trend which has become popular in Sheffield and other big cities such as Manchester and London, and is quite the hidden gem. 

Thankfully we managed to get a table for five on the day in question, last Saturday, as you can't book in advance.  We’ve been told it is often full to busting, even on a Monday. 

Food review at Reserved, Stannington Park. Homemade granola. Picture: Chris EtchellsFood review at Reserved, Stannington Park. Homemade granola. Picture: Chris Etchells
Food review at Reserved, Stannington Park. Homemade granola. Picture: Chris Etchells

There are a great selection of breakfast choices available, from homemade quiches, healthy shakes and soups, and if you fancy over-indulging there is also a good range of pastries.

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As we browsed the menu, I opted for a simple eggs on toast at £4.

Two poached eggs  came on thick buttered bloomer bread and were cooked well, with nice runny yolks. They came with a very strong cappuccino for the bargain price of £2.70. There’s no need to worry about breaking the bank here.

The table also went for two of the full English breakfasts, an absolute steal at £7. 

Food review at Reserved, Stannington Park. Chunky cheese on toast. Picture: Chris EtchellsFood review at Reserved, Stannington Park. Chunky cheese on toast. Picture: Chris Etchells
Food review at Reserved, Stannington Park. Chunky cheese on toast. Picture: Chris Etchells

It was a decent portion of quality ingredients, from bacon and chunky sausages to the obligatory beans, mushrooms and fried egg. They were nicely presented and came with a tea or coffee, which must make it one of the best value cafe breakfasts around.

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My son had a toasted bagel, which has  stacked high with crispy bacon, sausage and egg, for £5.50, and he had the soft mushrooms as an extra for 50p.

His brother had a bacon sandwich, at £3.50, a reasonable price I thought for bacon on a soft white roll, he had the custom pot of Yorkshire tea as always!

Reserved offer a selection of coffees with syrups, iced teas and shakes, and one of the little testers tried out a raspberry shake. It was delicious , laced with squirty cream and drizzled with raspberry sauce, for £4.

The one shame about the meal was that the dishes did not all come together.

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We had finished ours before the full English breakfasts arrived, and one of the plates was cold.

These little things can make a difference but overall we found it was a great quality breakfast in a lovely setting. Service was friendly and swift, even with the crowds on the day. 

Our bill came to £39.90 for five people.

There is a small menu for children at Reserved and afternoon tea complete with delicious looking cakes is also available by booking in advance.

Now that would be a real decadent treat after hours spent freezing on a football field…

Reserved Cafe, Stannington Park, Uppergate Road