The Best Cafes in Hertford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (2025)

Firsrt time trying Nelore last night. Amazing food with so much variety of meat offered all the meat was great quality. The cold and hot buffet was great. Service was also great. Highly recommend and definitely be returning.

The food here is so good ! It just keeps coming A must have for meat lovers The staff are lovely and welcoming It's extremely clean and well decorated The meat is plentiful and so well cooked even the buffet is to die for Id definitely recommend this place and we'll definitely be back ! The little adjustable sign on the table is a brilliant idea ! All they're missing is a FB page so we can check in and share pictures while we're there ❤️

Absolutely fantastic quality food and amazing service! Highly recommend for anyone who loves their meat! I wish I lived closer and I'd be a weekly visitor!!!

Nelore is located in the centre of Hertford just a few doors down from M&S. The restaurant is nicely decorated. The staff are very friendly. We were greeted promptly and shown to our table. As it was our first visit, the waitress took time to explain how it all works. The restaurant is deceptively big. I think there are tables upstairs too but upstairs was not open on the day we visited. The quality of the hot and cold buffet is very good. By the buffet there is a window where you can see how the meat is cooked. As soon as it is ready, the meat waiter would work his way around the tables offering the meat. There was a good selection of meat available, so much so that we lost track of the cut of meat we were eating. They were all very tender and cooked to perfection. Delicious. I personally liked the flank steak most. We had a very enjoyable meal and would definitely return. Highly recommended.

I've been here a few times now .each time staff so happy and welcoming..home made sausage rolls are very popular..home made sponge cakes .and my favourite the iced coffees mmmm.highly recommend

Pop in here once every few weeks for a sandwich, usually a brie and bacon wrap or panini which is around £5. They are always great quality with plenty of both ingredients. Can get busy at lunchtimes and as its a small shop there are never more than 2 people working which can mean a bit of a queue if you dont time it right. Ventilation inside isnt great which means on a warm day its always really hot inside (not sure how the girls working there cope!). I usually wait outside if this is the case.

Very good Hi Lo Jamaican panini. Nice place, friendly people and good music :)

Excellent Paninis and Wraps, good price point and friendly owners. Number 3 on Spinach Wrap with Jalapeños as extra is on point!

My wife and I hired Lee for a nutrition plan as we were getting married, with two months before the wedding I never thought I would loose my weight. Lee made this possible I couldn’t believe my results, I was in the best shape I have ever been! Thank you so much for 24 hour support and making it happen! Also the coffee shop and MM jerky is amazing! Highly recommend this guy. Great at his job.

Love this place, great coffee, and so handy to pop in for a pre or post workout shake. Friendly relaxing atmosphere and Lee’s got you covered from nutritional advice, protein meals, healthy snacks the list goes on.

Coffee house, nutrition hub, high-protein snacks and meals, delicious protein smoothies and brownies, nutrition coach -you name it, Lee has it all. Probably the best protein smoothies in town! Lee is super knowledgeable and always up for a chat about facts of life. One of the best decisions I've made in the past (besides signing up with CrossFit Huntsman), was hiring Lee as a nutrition coach. I've learned so much about how to fuel my body and stay happy in a slight negative energy balance.

I could spend hours in this place, and more often than not, I do! Excellent advice, broad selection of products such as protein bars, shakes and smoothies! The nutritional information I learnt from the owner, Lee, has changed my perspective on dieting, fitness and my overall lifestyle! The atmosphere is friendly and very welcoming, and you can truly lose yourself in conversation whether it be about nutrition, fitness, or anything else that pops up in day to day chatter! I don't know what I would do without this place! 💪🏼

The food was amazing! Highly recommend the Galloway Rib to share—the sauce was unreal. The brown butter hummus was also a great way to start. We came for NYE, and the experience was lovely.

This was an excellent restaurant in Hertford. We went for Mother’s Day and had an excellent time. The food is to share and the quality is second to none. I highly recommended you try this place.

Ember, Hertford – Social Dining at Its Best! Ember nails that perfect balance between seriously good food and a laid-back, buzzy atmosphere. The space is small and intimate, which makes it feel special — plus, you can watch the chefs doing their thing right in front of you while a DJ spins vinyl classics from legends like Bobby Womack and Grover Washington Jr. It’s a vibe. We tried a few things from their social dining menu, and every plate delivered. The Maldon Rock Oysters with goji hot sauce were fresh, briny, and had just the right hit of heat. Then came the Ancienne Sourdough with Hummus & Medjool Dates — and wow, that hummus. Genuinely the best I’ve ever had. Incredibly smooth, rich, and full of flavour, with the sweet dates adding a really nice contrast. We were scraping the bowl clean. The Dry Aged Belted Galloway Sirloin (cooked medium rare) was perfect — tender, juicy, and packed with deep, savoury flavour that melted in the mouth. On the side, we had the Koffmann Fries with Kombu Seasoning (addictive), and the Purple Sprouting Broccoli with Satay, which was charred just right and paired beautifully with the rich, nutty sauce. Ember is the kind of place you’ll want to return to — great food, great music, and a really cool energy. Perfect for date night, catching up with friends, or just treating yourself to something special in Hertford.

We had a great meal last night (we were squeezed in and accommodated at the last minute, which was great!). We are so relieved to finally have somewhere like Ember in Hertford. It’s what we have been missing. Food, ambience and service were top notch. We will be back very soon.

The vegan protein shakes are great. The Almighty comes with 50g protein that’s such a good option for those looking for a protein packed shake. My favourite though is the Cherry Blossom shake, very refreshing and an interesting mix of ingredients. I’ve also tried the coffee, my go-to remains a classic oat latte. Stay in or take away - it’s not gonna disappoint. The owner is very lovely and knowledgeable, always welcoming you with a smile and making sure to accommodate your needs.

Very happy with this addition to Hertford. Impressed with their selection of mushrooms. Compliments my lifestyle and I’m glad they are open on Sundays. The owner is such a lovely person. Cannot recommend enough

Always coming back here for post workout or running fuel! The shakes are incredible (I've worked my way through the menu, cherry blossom is my fave! Taste like a Bakewell!). They make a bloody good coffee too! The recovery tonics are so great too. Dani & Ross really know their stuff!!! They talk me through all of the ingredients and why it's good for my body. Recommended for anyone who wants to put tasty, healthy good ingredients in their body!!!

This coffee shop is an absolute gem! The snacks are beyond delicious, with every bite showcasing incredible freshness and flavor—perfect for pairing with their outstanding drinks. Whether it’s a rich latte or a refreshing fire extinguisher drink, the beverages are expertly crafted and always hit the spot. What truly sets this place apart, though, is the warmth of the owners. Their genuine friendliness and attention to detail create a welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to stay longer. A must-visit spot for great food, drinks, and hospitality!

Great food. Had a lovely family lunch here. Lots of choice on the all vegetarian menu. Nice space and friendly staff. Supporting charity as well. Recommended

As things have changed again so has my review. The situation has not seemed to slowed this growing cafe. Another super meal in the cafe today (see photos) Has two tables outside in a private court yard with Umbrellas then lovely park bench’s street side. Rest of the seating is well spaced inside. Blended oat Frappe is fab! Takeaway still available and never seems to take long. Still very dog and kid friendly! Staff helpful and friendly!

Beautiful café where not only can you enjoy a delicious healthy breakfast or lunch but you're supporting a worthy charity as well. The concept here is wonderful. They support people with disabilities, providing employment and life opportunities. The food is grown on their allotments and cooked on site. Very friendly, welcoming environment.

Food was amazing ! Very soulful and great receipies especially their salad , wow ! Service is great 👍, love their concept for supporting special needs people ❤️ , atmosphere was very friendly and light and filled with positivity and laughter! Can't mention one name ! Everyone is incredible! Definitely coming back . Thanks a lot !

Tried curried goat today, and it might just be my new favourite dish ever. I loved the spices, soul food is the way forward, people! Thanks for travelling out to Pontypool Pride today so that we could enjoy a soul-warming meal!

This guy is doing it right. First of all, impeccable flavours, the curry it tasted like real authentic Jamaican food, as it is. secondly, the service, the food came quickly and piping hot. and finally the price for the price - there's nowhere better. I'm surprised that there wasn't a bigger queue. Will definitely return 💯📈

This food is amazing. I had the fried chicken with rice and peas. Great portion size. Also the guy gave me a taster of the goat curry. ( so tender and full of flavour) This will definitely be my food stop every Friday. Thank you, your doing great 👍

Gorgeous food, amazing people, a shack full of sunshine with absolutely outstanding food, i couldnt choose so had to have all three meats and each one was deliciois! I highly recommend, can't wait to eat there again and see those smiling faces

Had the Pollo Picante bagel and a flat white. The coffee was decent the bagel was 10/10, the pics speak a 1000 yums.

Spoilt for good coffee in London ….so definitely a gem finding good coffee here. 10/10 for my decaf oat latte. I asked for extra hot and indeed it was. The staff were lovely and made an effort to bring out my coffee as I was waiting with a pram outside. Also the coffee was very cheap in comparison to one I grabbed yesterday. Merci :) x

Holy smokes! Probably one of the most delicious bagels i have ever had - The Pollo Picante - can't wait to work my way through the rest and try their coffee too.

After reading the reviews, we visited No 5 today and we were not disappointed. We had a tasty lunch but will definitely go back for the evening. Good quality ingredients, an owner who really cares and one of the prettiest cafe/bistros we've been to. The seating downstairs looked magical and intimate, a perfect location for a get together with friends.

We went to this restaurant as a recommendation from a friend, it was our tenth wedding anniversary so we wanted something special, which is what we got. An utterly charming room, very small, very rustic but beautifully done. A small menu of small but affordable plates, the food was of the highest quality. The Husband and Wife owners lift the experience further, their attention was friendly and entertaining without being smothering, nothing was too much trouble. I almost didn’t write this review because we wanted to keep it a secret but the owners deserve better. Well done Guys, see you very soon 👏👏👏

We all ate well: children and grown ups. Sat in a Booth in the cellar. I had the veggie monsieur which was delicious as was the mozzarella and pesto. Kids had bacon and egg. Lovely bread. I tried a beetroot latte and had a delicious Earl Grey tea. All very good quality and attentive service. The place itself is delightful. We'd like to come back for a bottle of wine!

This is a great spot for an evening out in Hertford. It’s a cosy setting and there is a wonderful, relaxed atmosphere. The wines are clearly carefully curated and chosen by Dave and Theresa and whether you choose a glass or a bottle, you won’t be disappointed. They are all gems and generally old world and very typical of the style of the region they come from. Good selection of spirits too. The food platters and dishes are tapas style but again delicious and very good quality. The nduja scotch eggs were amazing. We always have a relaxed evening here and enjoy chatting to our table neighbours and hosts. They also do themed evenings which we’re also going to try.

Saw the inviting treats in the window and the VG on some of the labels, so went in to confirm if it meant vegan, which I was happy to learn it did. Ordered the cinnamon whirl and blueberry bakewell. The cinnamon whirl was really tasty and filling and my friend really enjoyed the bakewell slice. Will definitely visit again if we return to the area.

Stopped in here for a quick lunch. Good selection of sandwiches and pastries. Particularly enjoyed the pesto and mozzarella focaccia sandwich. Not too busy on a Saturday lunchtime which was great

Great coffee, great food and lovely staff

Great coffee and food excellent. The recent refurbishment has made an even better experience. The staff are always very friendly and efficient. Excellent place to buy coffee for home