I'm thinking of opening up a .middle eastern informal cafe and deli.


The point of this post is to gather some opinions from all you diners out there!

I don't really know of any good middle eastern places to eat in sheffield....Am i wrong?

Location wise where do people like eating?

My idea at the moment is to have an informal dining area with a deli section offering some easily prepared food at home.

The food would be simple but of a high standard and reasonably priced.

I have had good Lebanese food at Rowsha in Walkley and some not bad stuff at Sheiks on West Street. I love the food but at both places it is really too pricey for what is quite simple food. I would definitely eat this style of food more often if the price were better and buy takeaways/ingredients if your place was in Crookes.......

I have also had Egyptian food recently, at a friend's house. Melokhia, wara' enab, bamya - I could eat a lot more of this!

Good luck!
Pete

Can't think of any in Sheffield but I went to a great little middle eastern cafe in Leeds once - you got served at a counter which did salads, humus, wraps etc and then took it upstairs to eat sat on these lovely benches, relaxed atmosphere etc. I would definitely like something like that in Sheff. More cafe than restaurant, we have sooo many restaurants.

I love Lebanese and often go to Shiekhs but find it quite a lot of money.

A cafe where you get wraps etc (like above post) would be great.

VEGGIE food on the menu please (and I don't mean fish)!

I can only think of Sheiks and Rowsha that do middle eastern food, but they're both formal sit-down places and it sounds like your idea is a bit different to that anyway. Personally I go for city centre places or Walkley/Crookes to eat out, just for convenience really. I also vote for some vegetarian/vegan food on the menu, but then there are a lot of middle eastern dishes that are vegetarian anyway so that shouldn't be too much of a difficulty. *hungry*

there is also Shiraz on abbdale road. which is sit down. very good by the way.

there is also a persian tea room place on abbdale road a bit closer to town

Theres also the Turkish place on London Road - Zeughmah. Food is fab, its a bit less formal (and a bit cheaper) but quite small and always rammed!

Would definitely welcome something Middle Eastern around the Hillsborough area - but would travel anywhere in the city for Felafel as good as the ones I had in Cairo!

Sheffette - was the place in Leeds the 'Sahara' by any chance - on the Headrow by Argos? I used to go there a lot, it was fab, haven't been for ages but now you have reminded me...

Heres a thing - the Sahara did Shisha - Water pipes with fruit tobacco - would love it if there was a place in Sheffield that did, but I guess it will not be possible under the new smoking ban? Shame!

I am sure there is something similar at burngreave I could be wrong, I think its all organic too.

Heres a thing - the Sahara did Shisha - Water pipes with fruit tobacco - would love it if there was a place in Sheffield that did, but I guess it will not be possible under the new smoking ban? Shame!

Shiraz on Abbeydale Road do that, but I guess you'll have to get there quick to try it!

I'm thinking of opening up a .middle eastern informal cafe and deli.


The point of this post is to gather some opinions from all you diners out there!

I don't really know of any good middle eastern places to eat in sheffield....Am i wrong?

Location wise where do people like eating?

My idea at the moment is to have an informal dining area with a deli section offering some easily prepared food at home.

The food would be simple but of a high standard and reasonably priced.

Well, Ra16, the feedback was pretty positive. Have you had any more thoughts on your Cafe/Deli? I would be happy to see one in Crookes..........
Pete

North side of Sheffield please! Hillsborough, Crookes, Walkley. I love Rowsha but as someone said it's a bit pricey.

Apologies for the seriously delayed response!! i have been away for a month or so then so busy that i completley forgot about this post for a while.

The response has been very positive indeed. ( thanks for them by the way!!) I''m still trying to figure out if this cafe would be financially viable.

If i was a millionare it would be my pet project and i wouldn't care about returns!

I have tried all the places everyone listed and i struggle to class any of them as great food apart from Zeugma. Even then its more of a sit down kebab (all be it a great one) rather than an actual cafe with a selection of meze type foods and middleeastern sandwiches with a specials menu which is what i'd aim for in a informal cafe.


Sheikhs and Rowsha aren't great value for money though the food isn't all that bad.

At the moment i'm looking at somewhere in broomhill.....the only problem is the rents are extortianate. London road or crookes is an alternative, my only worry with Crookes is the footflow compared to somewhere like Broomhill or Sharrow/London road.


A lot of hard work I think before i manage to get this place running...I'll certianly keep forum members updated if i finally get a place open!


Ps any ideas for names would be appreciated.

I'm guessing if Broomhill rates are extortionate, then city centre one's would be even more. Would really love to see a place like this in the city centre ;)

Hi
Have you seen that the take 5 cafe has shut on commonside. It would be an excellent place for what you suggest. Lots of footfall, easy parking and as it has been used for catering should be fitted out and not need a change of use application. Anyway it is an idea.

I did drive past the take 5 cafe the other day and noticed it had closed. I never managed to go in, was the food worth eating? It is a great spot. Again not quite as busy of an evening as some of the other places but people are normally prepared to travel for good food!

I think half the challenge is finding a place that could to a good daytime and evening trade as well. The city centre is an option and rents aren't as high as you'd think because there are so many new units being built. Might be a bit of an ambitious starting point though!

I really like the idea of starting a small place that would gather a loyal customer base and then slowly expand and grow without losing sight of the way it started as so many people do and why people originally parted with their hard earned cash for quality food and service! A little idealistic i know but you have to dream a little:rolleyes:

Lots of people go up the hill to crookes in the evening for food. And SpinRocks and other places up there could use some competition to raise their game!!