This study explores the role of different types of Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) and their contribution to sustainability through participants’ (consumers, retailers and producers) views and perceptions. Twelve European cases from six countries: France, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland and the UK are examined. A mixed method approach including in-depth interviews and customer surveys are applied. The results show a strong agreement among the participants on the contribution of SFSCs to social sustainability. Participants express a strong support for local producers, a strengthened local identity and that SFSCs contribute to transparency and trust. However, participants’ views considerably differ regarding the economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability. While producers agree that SFSCs opens to premium prices and larger margins, consumers may in many cases find the prices too high. These differences relate to the way SFSCs are organised and to regional differences attributed to the significance of SFSC in different parts of Europe.