FIGURE SKATING
Skater's city guide: Sheffield with Olivia Smart
13 Jan 2026
Welcome to Sheffield to the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2026! Olivia Smart is a top Ice Dancer and while she represents Spain, she is originally from Sheffield. Here she was born and raised and here she started to skate. So Olivia knows what to see, to do and where to eat in the city.
“You can take a walk around Sheffield and find some hidden gems,” Olivia said. “It’s been a while since I’ve spent proper time in Sheffield city centre since I moved away for training, so I’m excited to be back and update myself on my hometown and city’s favorite spots!”
Here are Olivia’s inside tips for Sheffield.
Where to have a coffee or tea
What is better to have a nice hot coffee or tea (we are in Great Britain after all) on a chilly January day? Olivia recommends these places:
A café with a twist as the food is New Zealand influenced.
A young and cool place that offers all-day dining. Must try: their handmade sourdough and their specialty coffee.
Here you find fresh pastry from the house bakery and can taste their grilled cheese.
“Every visit tells a story” is the motto of this café that is situated in the Botanical Gardens.
This independent artisan bakery specializes in slow food. Enjoy some creative food creations!
This is a must for tea fans: loose leaf tea, many different types and seasonal creations await you.
Where to eat
Hungry after a long day or having a good meal before heading to the ice rink? Olivia has some ideas where you can go for lunch or dinner:
Serving classic Italian cuisine for 25 years, Piccolinos is a cornerstone of the Sheffield dining scene.
If you fancy local British cuisine, you can head to this place overlooking the Peace Garden.
A chain restaurant with many locations in the U.K. and a variety of food.
To some, this is the best Italian restaurant in Sheffield. Maybe this is a good place to get ready for Milan?
Enjoy Turkish culture and Anatolian cuisine in the middle of Sheffield.
Of course, a steak house has to be on the list.
Another must have in Sheffield is Indian food.
Meet the spirit of nature at this unique restaurant.
If you are looking for the taste and flavors of the southern (U.S.) states, this is the place to go.
Olivia with some friends from school in Sheffield
What to see and to do
Olivia’s favorite places to explore:
Kelham Island (Restaurants, bars, cafes)
This manmade island was at the very forefront of the Industrial Revolution in the 1900s, but as times changed, industrial activity moved away, leaving the remains of numerous cutlery and steel works, factories and workshops.
Ecclesall Road (Restaurants, bars, cafes, shops)
Leah’s Yard (Food, shopping, art gallery)
The Peace Gardens form the central part of a spectacular walk, taking visitors from Sheffield Railway Station through a series of exciting developments each with their own distinctive lighting, public art and water features. If you want to try skating yourself, there even has been set up a little ice rink on the occasion of the ISU European Championships.
Olivia: “Bramall lane is home to the football club Sheffield United, who I support!”
Football and Great Britain are inseparable, so maybe visit to the Bramall Lane football stadium is something to consider. Opened in 1855, it was designed primarily as a cricket and athletics stadium, but has hosted more than 16 different sports within its boundaries during its history. It hosted its first game of football on December 29th 1862 to raise money for a charity campaign.
If there is time for theatre, musicals, comedy or dance – the Lyceum Theatre is the place to. This magnificent theatre looks back at over a hundred years of history.
Divison Street (Shops, cafes, restaurants)
Divison Street is another vibrant hotspot for indie shops in Sheffield.
Leopold Square (Restaurants & bars)
One more lively entertainment area in the city
Olivia with her father and brother at the shopping centre
Where to shop
Olivia’s favorite place for shopping is the huge shopping centre called Meadowhall.
For groceries, her recommendation is Marks & Spencer's.
