Itchy City guide to Sheffield. Food, drink, film, music, stage, events, shopping, offers and competitions within Sheffield, Great Britain.

Everyone in the Blue Moon Cafe seems to emit a healthy, happy glow. Perhaps its the zen-factor from having so many green leaves and vegans under one roof. Or maybe eating good food really does make you feel better. The chalkboard menu above the counter oozes with locally-sourced, organic and Fairtrade options. I've got a cold and am feeling sorry for myself so I order a large piece of chocolate cake (£2.15) and a latte (£2.25) at the counter.

The high ceilings and splishy-splashy modern art give the room a light and airy feel. Above a cluttered noticeboard with ads for reiki, salsa dancing and pilates are four clocks showing the time in Rotherham, Doncaster, Barnsley and Sheffield.

There are only three people seated at the wooden tables when I arrive at 11.30am but a lunch time buzz soon takes over. Trays pass by filled with good portions of aubergine and green pepper curry, smoothies and wholesome-looking soup.

Main dishes with a selection of salads cost about £6 with cheaper options including burritos and patties. There's a bespectacled elderly lady in the corner who is devouring a sizeable piece of carrot cake and concentrating intently on a copy of the Guardian. In front of me, a cheery-looking vicar is tapping away on his laptop with a ginger beer by his side.

Looking around, there is a hub of professional-looking women chit-chatting over cups of fruit tea. This was my first ever slice of vegan chocolate cake and I was hugely impressed. The latte was also good without being overpoweringly strong-tasting. I won't claim to have cured the common cold just yet but this coffee-cake combination made me feel a surprising amount better.

If your mum's in town for the weekend, or you're hung over and in need of an injection of homely nutrition, the Blue Moon is a Sheffield favourite. Expect to struggle to find a table at lunch times but generally you'll find it a laid-back cafe with a deserved reputation for quality food.

Jen Foster

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