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

I've been going to tepsi since it opened and never had a bad experience. The staff are amazing and so is the food. They really care about the quality of the ingredients and it shows!

We really enjoyed having brunch/lunch here, a fab addition to St Albans Rd. All food is freshly prepared and incredibly tasty. There's a real attention to detail when it comes to produce, the dough used for the bases of the pide was made in napoli and the honey served with the nuts was delicious. There were lots of dips to try which were homemade. The owner is friendly without being overbearing and he's passionate about what he does, you can tell lots of love goes into creating the dishes. The coffee is also really nice and good quality. My children approved of the pastries and they got gifted some fresh fruit kebabs which they really enjoyed. The prices are also really reasonable and portion sizes are very generous. We'll definitely be back soon and would recommend to anyone passing by

Great place, absolute suggestion! Superfriendly, nice atmosphere and great turkish food! We were here for breakfast but have to come back here for lunch!

I was thrilled to see this new independent cafe open in north Watford. The decor is great - quirky and inviting. The coffee and pastries both delicious and the owner of friendly and so enthusiastic about sharing his Turkish cuisine. (But he is absolutely not intrusive) It’s a great place for a catch up with friends, is open long hours which is so handy and we should always support independent businesses! I can highly recommend the baklava and Turkish apple pastries (made on the premises) Also the toilet is very clean !

Great place! your local, authentic and reliable little shop. Great atmosphere and service. Generous portions, variety and quality 100% recommended.

Just had a fantastic full English breakfast at this lovely, family run café. The food was excellent, freshly prepared, and of decent quality; the staff were super friendly, too. Highly recommend it for a top-notch breakfast!

We have never really come out for breakfast before, but I’m so glad we did today! Full English breakfast, was one of the best ones we ever had! Everything tastes so fresh and the service is just amazing. If you ever in need of good food, you have to come here! Amazing :))

Highly impressed with the food and freshly squeezed orange juice! They have a poster as you come in saying “The best breakfast in Watford” - I think I believe them!

What an amazing little gem quietly tucked away in Watford! We went for a family birthday celebration and the staff were incredibly accomdating, welcoming and friendly -- particularly Georgina (our waitress) and Caroline (reception). They catered to our preferences with the team gathering around to sing for us and providing a small complimentary birthday cupcake. It was a lovely surprise -- thank you for making our day so special! The food itself was also excellent -- I particularly recommend the roast lamb shank and the calve's liver. Both meat dishes were tender, unbelievably soft and juicy. The chef even came outside to talk to us, and we had a great time chatting to him about his secrets pan frying the liver. Food prices were also a highlight -- in this economy, it's refreshing to dine at such a fine establishment without it costing a fortune. Everything was priced very, very reasonably. Lastly, the atmosphere and vibe of the restaurant was tranquil, clean and aesthetic -- it felt like a breath of fresh air even on a hot summer's day. All in all, as much as we'd like to keep this hidden gem a secret, the staff were genuinely so friendly; the atmosphere was peaceful and the food was both affordable and delicious. My family were making plans to return even before we had left -- honestly, that should say it all.

This is my second time to eat in this beautiful, clean, new and comfortable restaurant. But I forgot to take photos last time. They provided nice food with reasonable price. Prefect service and very nice waiters and waitresses. They are nice and helpful. However, I had a bad experience in the restaurant today. I helped my friend to take care her 8 years old dog for two weeks during the summer holiday. Last time we saw someone brought their dog in the restaurant therefore we bring my friend’s dog to the restaurant today. Unfortunately, it is a rainy day, we haven’t take a walk with the dog before having our lunch. She was unable to bear her pee, and pee on the floor. We felt so sorry about that. I have took out all the prepared cleaning products to clean the floor immediately. Suddenly a lady come and complain to the waiter when I was cleaning. And shouted that we didn’t train our dog before bring it out. I hope she can maintain her healthy body to control her pee when she getting older. The waiter didn’t reply her, he also didn’t blame us, he tried to give us more tissue for cleaning the mess but we had enough. And he said see you next time. I am really sorry about bringing him trouble today. I must go and eat again next time. I am going to try the breakfast before 13:00 next time.

Truly deserves 5 stars in all aspects. Delivers what it says on the tin. Great ambience, bright, airy and modern in beautiful setting. Great cafe style food and wonderful service. Rocky our waiter was wonderful - very attentive and friendly. A hidden gem I would say.

Visited last week to work remotely from there, really lovely space, great free (fast) wifi and delicious food! I had the special of lamb biryani as recommend by the chef and it was exceptional.

This was such an amazing experience I highly recommend this, the food was very nicely presented and tasted so yummy. The waiter Alex was kind and polite. Overall loved this place definitely will come again.❤️

Amazing Experience at Heavenly Desserts Watford! We visited the restaurant as a large group (more than 16 people), and Leo was the only one serving us. Honestly, he was outstanding in every way! He was very understanding, especially with the children, and made sure to accommodate all our requests with great attention and care. The service was flawless, and all our orders arrived on time without any delays. Leo is a fantastic example of professionalism and attentiveness, and we truly hope he serves as a reference for anyone visiting the place. An unforgettable experience, and we will definitely be coming back! Thank you, Leo, and the entire team!

Beautiful dessert shop. Very aesthetic and with really delicious desserts and brunch options. Had Nicole serving today and she was very attentive.

I visited Heavenly Desserts today and had a fantastic experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely amazing, and the customer service was just as impressive. A special shoutout to Leo, the young lad who served us – what an exceptional team member! He was incredibly helpful, friendly, and patient, especially when guiding me through the milkshake options. Thanks to him, I ended up with the perfect choice. Leo was a solid 10/10 – truly a credit to the team!

Another gem in Watford. The ice latte has a nutty flavor. The toastie was flatter than expected but pressed tightly together and made a perfect quick light lunch. Hope I can stop by tomorrow afternoon. (Now I really want a record player…)

A coffee shop is a just a coffee shop surely? No. I lived near here for years and wish I came more often. It has character, friendly staff and most importantly great coffee. A nice relaxed atmosphere where you can switch off and unwind. Good service. Great prices.

such a vibe!! lovely cafe with an amazing selection of coffee & sandwiches and of course records- from old to new. i made the most of the deal on old records (8 for £5!!). really friendly staff and a great place to spend time 🥰

Coffee and records - what could be more in harmony than that? This cozy spot has an abundance of new and old music from which to browse while you sip high quality coffee. With regular in-store events, it’s a great place to check out often. Also - why not buy your music from friendly independent shops? The staff were very welcoming, and they even allowed dogs inside. The entire café has such a lovely atmosphere, and is a great one to go for java and jives.

We came here on a Monday afternoon, the staff were friendly. We ordered a Turmeric Latte and Chai Latte. For food we ordered tomato and cheese/cheese toasties. Unfortunately my toastie spent too long in the grill…so I didn’t enjoy it as I would have liked too. The Lattes were superb…warm and cozy drinks and very flavourful. Carrot cake was good too. The atmosphere was relaxed with people chilling with friend or family. Or people typing away on Laptops or scrolling on phones. I like the sound of Black Sheep Coffee drinks menu…and will attend again in the future.

I recently visited Black Sheep Coffee at Atria Watford, and I have to say, it was a fantastic experience from start to finish! The atmosphere is modern, cozy, and vibrant — perfect for a quick coffee break or a relaxed catch-up with friends. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, making me feel right at home. I ordered a flat white and a waffle, and both were absolutely delicious. The coffee was rich, smooth, and perfectly brewed, while the waffle was fresh, warm, and topped to perfection. What I loved most was the attention to detail. You can tell that quality and customer experience are a top priority here. I’ll definitely be returning and recommending it to friends and family. If you’re in Atria Watford, do yourself a favor and check it out! 10/10 experience — can’t wait to go back!

I felt like grabbing an iced coffee from a coffee shop that wasn't Starbucks or Costa or any other of the popular chains! So I came across black sheep! I thoroughly enjoy the vibe!! I've been to the one in Waterloo London and their coffees are a die for!! And the artwork that is produced is great too!! 😎

very nice good food and service for cheap prices, 10/10 would come again

Junction cafe is a 10 out of 10. Highly recommend and is the best cafe in Watford by a mile. I go here quite often. The food is fantastic, always done fresh. The staff are all very polite, welcoming and cheerful. The interior of the restaurant is very nice and is always very clean.

I recently stopped by with my family of 5 for a quick lunch before we set out for the Warner Brothers Studio tour. Junction Cafe was a pleasant surprise. It's a short walk from the rail station. We were immediately greeted and provided a table. The food was excellent. The service was fast and friendly. If I was a local, I'd eat at Junction Cafe all the time!

So cosy, caring and kind personal. Good food and close to the station. Good coffe.

Coffee reviewers will know by now I tend to seek out the independent shops rather than the large multinational corporations. Ocean Bells was all rather wonderful. I got my caffeine fix and enjoyed sampling their fabulous carrot cake. Divine.

Overview: Café on Watford high street serving quality coffee, smoothies and freshly made brunch dishes. Pros✅: One of my favourite independent brunch places and coffee shop in Watford. The coffee they serve is of high quality and a large selection of breakfast/brunch items that is made to order and are reasonable priced. Highly recommend their chicken, bacon and avocado sandwich on sourdough. Servers there are also lovely and friendly ! Cons❌: The side salad served on the side of dishes can be a little dry and could do with a bit more dressing and still have to pay 40p for oat milk but other than that I can’t think of anything ! Recommended dishes: 🥪C.B.A. (Chicken, bacon, avocado) sandwich ☕️Flat white

Ocean Bells has become my go-to spot every weekend, and for good reason! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff always greet me with a smile. The menu offers a fantastic variety of dishes, all of which are consistently fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. I love how they balance classic favorites with unique, creative options. It’s clear they care about quality and their customers’ experience.Highly recommend it to anyone looking for great food and a welcoming vibe! My favourite branch is the smoked salmon and figs on toast with brie and chutney

I love coming to this cafe, the staff is so friendly, we always have a little chat. The food is amazing - we have now tried both sweet and savoury items and we loved them all! The pastel da nata is so fresh! Was happy to see some of my favourite Brazilian foods there too, really enjoyed the coxinha. Thank you :-)

Pastel de nata was great. Brownie was tasty. Coffee was good. Service was warm and friendly. Great tip about adding cheese and ham and then lightly toasting my bread roll (Papo seco, I think) at home. Delicioso. Will definitely be back next time I’m in Watford. Obrigado.

What an amazing little place, beautiful savoury and sweet eats and drinks. We had brilliant raspberry and blueberry pastel del natas, a lush peach juice and really tasty mango and passion fruit iced tea.

Lovely coffee, delicious pastry (nata) and wonderful friendly service--I'll have to be sure to return! It made a lovely spot to spend some time before an appointment I had nearby.

A great cafe for gathering or want to have a quick meal. Their food was not bad. The coffee was also good. The only thing I would say is how they handle the food. They did not place it properly when a couple of dishes presented to us. Also, their staff was not careful so my friend’s dishes became a mass.

A lovely place! The decor is actually gorgeous and the service was also lovely. Ruby is so sweet and helpful! Highly recommend for a sweet treat like a birthday! Also halal food and vegetarian options available.

I came to Haute Dolci with my family and we fell in love with the amazing desserts we had. The service was out of this world, super friendly and attentive. My 4 year old son was treated very nicely by the waiting staff and he even surprised my son with a lovely liquid nitrogen in a cup effect, which he loved. Our crepes and waffles were tasty and you could tell they were made with high quality ingredients. I recommended 100%