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

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.

A friendly and cool coffee house AND nutrition and fitness hub. What more could you want? Nowhere better in the area for coffees, protein/workout shakes, protein snacks and meals, and the world's best brownies. Also stocks a great range of Monday Muscle and CrossFit Huntsman branded fitness gear. Added to that you get the benefit of Lee's vast knowledge and expertise in all things nutrition and fitness.

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! 💪🏼

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.

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!

Being local residents of Hertford, we notice this cute new Little restaurant had recently popped up and always looked busy, so we decided to try it out, it had excellent reviews despite being very new. I requested an intimate table and was very happy when we arrived and were escorted to the only booth in the restaurant which is situated downstairs. The evening menu is little nibbly plates, we had an array of lovely things, scotch eggs, meatballs, pate, cheese and lovely bread and oil and balsamic vinegar. Run by a lovely Hertford couple, we were in our foodie element enjoying good food, good wine and good service. We can’t wait to go back next Saturday. Extremely reasonable, and lots of ambiance and intimacy. 10/10 from us. Thanks guys, what a great addition to our little town.

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

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.

There is a big choice of paninis and wraps that are made to order. Each one is generously filled and available for takeaway or to eat in. Various coffees, teas and cold drinks are available. Menus are hung on pegs behind boards that spell HUNGRY. Only a few tables inside and a couple outside but the trade is mostly takeaway. Wheelchair accessible.

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

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!

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

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 👍

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!

The Powerhouse is a brilliant addition to Hertford. The protein shakes are spot on, the coffee’s excellent, and the whole place has a really welcoming vibe. The owner and staff are genuinely friendly and make you feel right at home. It’s just a great local spot!

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

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.

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

Gorgeous bagels every time. And unpretentious laid back atmosphere, shabby chique trendy youth vibes, we love that it’s not trying to be something it isn’t. Always service with a smile, and they were willing to do complex food subs for my dietary requirements.

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

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 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.

We had a fantastic meal at Ember. We took a wide selection of the small plates, the oysters and the soft shell crab were a highlight and then we had a med rare ribeye cooked to perfection with fries. What a treat. Great service from the manager, he made us feel welcome and was extremely knowledgeable. Top notch music and ambience too. Thank you!

What an amazing place. We had the Mudlark Apple Cake and Lime & Coconut loaf together with an Earl Grey Tea & Americano. Totally satisfactory and for a good cause too. I can highly recommend Mudlarks as a destination if you’re heading into the country side and visiting Hertford. The service is outstanding!

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 !

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.

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

We went for lunch so arrived at 12pm. Lovely welcome from the staff. The buffet was laid out and all fresh, vegetables still steaming. There were lots of choices, cold and hot. If you go for the premium cuts of meat, they keep bringing over what has been cooked on the skewer. They were all cooked very well for my liking (medium rare for beef) so if you liked them a bit more done you’d have to let the staff know. The only one I didn’t rave about was the ribs, they weren’t so meaty. However there was so much and brilliant value for what you pay. You can keep going up to the buffet and if your dial is turned green on the table they will continue serving you the meat, we were stuffed! Rounded off with a lovely bottle of Malbec. Staff were all very friendly too.

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.

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.

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 ❤️

Nice coffee and sausage bap. Reasonably priced. Has some gifts n trinkets to buy as well. Great parking. Lovely little place👍

I love this little cafe and the way it supports small local craft businesses. Great to browse different styles of art, jewellery and crafts while waiting for your food. We went for breakfast, the bacon bap is a good size and you get 3 rashers... really tasty ... coffee was good as well, they also have really nice cakes 🎂 always a bonus. Really lovely cafe to visit will be back x

Lovely food and staff, the coffee could have been stronger.

What a great restaurant! Felt like i was sitting at the beach. The Yogurtlu lamb shish was amazing. The lamb was so soft it just melted in my mouth. We got bread and hummus when we sat down as well. Great service and vibe. I love that they allow dogs too❤️