The Best Restaurants in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (2025)

We had a wonderful dining experience at Osteria! From the moment we arrived, the service was outstanding, Gesi and Simion took amazing care of us and made us feel truly special throughout the afternoon. Their attention to detail and warm, professional approach added so much to our Special day. Our food were perfectly prepared and full of flavour. For our main course, we had spaghetti bolognese, fettuccini al filetto, seafood linguini and focaccia, for dessert we had tiramisu, creme brullet, chocolate fudge cake and coffee, that were absolutely delightful, fresh, rich, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere was inviting and relaxed, making it the perfect spot for a memorable meal. Highly recommend, especially if you're looking for top-notch service and fantastic food. Thank you, Gesi and Simion, for making our visit so enjoyable!

So my family has been talking about osteria for months now, about how great the service was, the portion sizes and the price. I partially took this as they don't get out much I'm sure it's not that good. So off we all went for a meal a couple of weeks ago and I have to say I was really impressed and agree with all my comments above. Service these days is pretty mediocre after COVID however they were on point the whole evening. A highlight was the limonchello shots which were complimentary! You don't see this from restaurants anymore. Keep up with the amazing food and hospitality. I will be back very soon.

An incredible dining experience at Osteria! The food was perfect. Great ambiance, attentive service, and every dish was full of flavor. Highly recommend! Pictures are of the starters we ordered!

This has turned into one of our favourite lunch spots...the restaurant has beautiful decor, a menu with lots of variety, friendly staff who go above and beyond, delicious food and the tastiest home made desserts, not forgetting the most amazing strawberry daiquiris!! Would highly recommend visiting if you haven't already!

Went with friends as we have been wanting to go here for quite a while, having heard great things about the restaurant. Our group have a few dietary restrictions - gluten free, vegetarian, lactose intolerant and there were dishes to cater to all of us and we definitely left stuffed! The staff were friendly and accomodating, service as quick (this was a Saturday night), the restaurant is small so there is a lovely, cosy atmosphere and yet there is still plenty of space to sit - no cramped tables here. The food was delicious, we will definitely return and happily recommend to others.

We had a lovely dinner in a very cosy restaurant. The food was really tasty especially the meat. The staff was super friendly and smiling. The made sure we had every we needed to enjoy a beautiful meal. We finished the dinner with a lovely fresh mint tea and baklava:)

This restaurant is very busy. Had to make a reservation and the only time they could fit 13 of us in was at 6pm and we were told me had to give the table back by 7:30pm. This was fine, as long as all of us knew what we wanted to eat quite quickly and the food was quick enough. We did manage to eat within that time frame. The waiter that served us was quick and efficient. He took our orders and didn’t get anything wrong. Remembered who ordered what drinks and food, even though we were a large table. Didn’t seem impatient with us. Food came quickly. However, portions were smaller than expected. One of us ordered a chicken shish with chips. There was only one skewer of chicken pieces which was quite little for the price, especially if you compare with some of the other dishes like the lamb chops. Lamb chops were nice and tasty. Chips were good. Rice was good. Salad was also tasty. Hummus was a good flavour and good portion, not grainy, and the bread that came with the hummus was warm and good texture, soft on the inside.

What a splendid pub. We lunched there today and enjoyed great Tring ale and tasty food. I had the steak and ale pie which was delicious and generous too. A most memorable visit.

Top tier steak pie, great sized portions and the filling was incredibly tender and flavoursome. Will definitely be back!! Side note, parking this Saturday was not an issue, there weren't many people in the car park.

Great meal with friends. Shared a starter as we knew the portions are big (smoked salmon and prawn salad) Lamb moussaka and 3 x chicken kebabs with sate sauce. Wonderful food. Great beer and wine. Well worth the taxi ride. Friendly staff and good atmosphere. Nice special board. Toilets clean and plenty of hot water. Highly recommended. Will come again 😁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

We are down visiting from York for the weekend and researched local restaurants to eat with our young children. Well let me tell you that not one element of our experience at OPUZ was anything short of 5 stars. In fact if you could give more, I would. Booked in advance, was seated straight away and handed our menus. We were not pestered before being ready to order. The food we ordered was absolutely fantastic and the presentation was great too. The dry ice gimmick when ordering cocktails is also a big plus, not something you see everyday and the kids loved it. If we ever come down again we will be sure to visit again. Well done to all the staff at OPUZ, the front of house, the waiters and waitresses, the kitchen staff and the bar staff should all be aware that they are knocking out a top top quality experience. Thank you

Will definitely be returning! Small delay on seating which was rectified by the amazing food and service. The atmosphere was amazing and drinks served with an experience of dry ice. Food was delicious, especially the shared started platter. We even received shots on the house as a thank you! Brilliant place to go with family and friends.

From start to finish every staff member was absolutely fantastic! So friendly, professional and made you feel important and well respected! Like getting the VIP treatment. Now the food….. superb! Already looking forward to coming back!

Spontaneously popped into Opuz Kitchen as was hungry.. delicious food, excellent quality of service and the drinks were so good.. all in all 10/10 and the best decision on the spot to dine here. Clean, great atmosphere, kind and considerate staff.

We were blown away with the hospitality and great service! Came in without reservations for a quick bite. We were promptly seated and offered both the Christmas as the regular menu. We went for the Cod Cakes and Bangers & Mash and both were absolutely delicious! Our host told us their Sticky Toffee Pudding is a favourite and now we know why. Definitely one of the best Sticky Toffee Puddings we ever had. The pub was a former cottage and they managed to keep that cozy cottage feel. Two wood fire places were on, which made it very Christmassy. We’ll hope to come back some time!

What can I say this is one of the best pubs I’ve been too! We had a group of 25 people and everyone loved it. Service was brilliant , Food was absolutely tasty… Sunday roast was one of the best I’ve had! The dessert was absolutely scrumptious that sticky toffee pudding wow! Will definitely be coming back!

An absolutely fantastic relaxed evening from start to finish. 6 of us went to celebrate mums 90th birthday. Archie and his colleague were really friendly, helpful and efficient. The food was superb. Never had a crispy egg before. Try it! The fish cakes, salmon, steaks, and sausage and mash were just right. Traditional but with a subtle twist. Couldn’t fault anything. A lovely gesture was a complementary Panna Cotta and a rendition from everyone in the pub.

Went for Mother’s Day celebration with 23 others! We were given one long table in the marquee in the beer garden. The food & service were exceptional, considering they were extremely busy on a sunny spring’s Sunday & Mothers Day afternoon.

This place is a true gold find! On a flying visit and walked past and had to try it as it looked like an art deco dream from the high street! So glad I did! We had the before cinema 3 course deal and it was superb! Had the most amazing crisper to perfection sea bass and complementary pink fizz. All in superb style in a booth next to the white gloss grand piano! 5 star all round and Kimberly was very attentive and staff all excellent! Highly recommend ;) x

Wonderful meal here while visiting family. Mehmet looked after us so well and we were treated like royalty! I wish I didn’t live so far away, but I will absolutely be returning here on my next visit. I look forward to it! The sea bass was divine and extra crispy skin (my favourite!) and the bread and butter pudding to finish was one of the best I’ve tried. Loved my lychee mocktail too! Thank you so much!

I visited The Gatsby over the weekend and was thoroughly impressed. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with tasteful decor that creates a relaxed yet refined setting. It was casual comfort and elegance, ideal for both intimate dinners and small gatherings. The service was attentive and professional throughout. Staff were polite and helpful from the moment we arrived until the end of the meal. Overall, I loved it. Definitely going again!

From the moment we walked in, we were captivated by the venue’s breathtaking charm. The building itself is a stunning piece of history, with intricate details that tell a story in every corner. We were warmly greeted by the attentive staff, who promptly guided us to our table. The service was impeccable from start to finish. The starters set the tone for an incredible dining experience—fresh, perfectly cooked, and bursting with flavor. By the time the mains arrived, we were so eager to dive in that we forgot to take a picture—but trust us, they were just as exceptional. The desserts? Simply out of this world. The ambiance is both authentic and elegant, making it an ideal setting for weddings, birthday celebrations, and special occasions. Plus, there’s plenty of nearby parking and easy access via train. A truly unforgettable experience—we can’t wait to return!

Lovely food and lovely service. Very warm and cosy pub. We were served by Etta who welcomed us and made us feel at home on Christmas Eve. We shared a few small plates which were all excellent- especially the bread pudding. Would definitely come back.

Lovely evening tonight, really appreciated the attentive service from staff and the delicious food. Veggie choices were marvellous and it felt genuinely nutritious rather than the typical lasagne option that seems to be the only thing I can eat from some rural pubs! Will be returning very soon hopefully!

We stumbled across this charming country pub after making the trip from Cheshire to collect some precious Delphiniums from Home Farm Plants which is nearby. What a find, the pub is stunning, the staff and service, friendly and warm. But the food was something else. I ordered the corn fed chicken with cabbage, bacon lardons and fondant potato. It was the most delicious and tender chicken I have ever eaten and the cabbage and bacon lardons were the tastiest. The presentation of this dish was like a beautiful picture, just amazing. My husband had the fish in batter with chips and peas ( large portion) and he said he'd never had such perfect batter, lovely and light but crispy. Then we made the decision to order dessert, Apple and Rhubarb crumble with custard. When it came neither we, not the other customers on the next table could believe the size of the portions. We were determined to finish this scrumptious dessert, but we struggled ( but won). So a massive thank you to all the staff, including Chef and kitchen staff for making our visit so memorable. Please if you're near this pub, you must visit. It also has a lovely pub garden to enjoy if the weather improves.

I recently visited the Bricklayer Arms, and I must say, it was an outstanding experience! From the moment I walked in, the warm ambiance set a welcoming tone. The meal I had was absolutely amazing—perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. Each dish was beautifully presented and exceeded my expectations. To top it off, there was live music that added to the vibrant atmosphere. The musician was talented and created the perfect backdrop for a memorable evening. The combination of delicious food and delightful music made for an unforgettable night. I highly recommend the Bricklayer Arms to anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this place is a must-visit!

Really fantastic food. If you like apple juice, order a glass. It’s freshly squeezed and comes with a wonderful apple froth on the top I ended up having to they were so good. I had a Darcy‘s breakfast, which was really nice. Possibly could’ve had a little more scrambled egg.

I don’t even know where to start! The food was delicious. We had 3 courses and both loved everything. My one year old ate more of his dinner than usual too! I had the popcorn chicken & lamb cutlets - well seasoned and tasted fresh as well as being very nicely presented (as pictured). I had apple strudel for dessert and loved that also. The restaurant itself is very pretty and clean, we sat outside and the view was lovely and the outdoor heaters meant we weren’t too cold. Richard was our host and he was amazing - attentive, friendly and welcoming. He brought a blanket out for my little one which I thought was so sweet. I’m really glad I came across this place today, I’d never heard of it before but they have definitely gained a new frequent customer. I will absolutely be trying the brunch next.

Lovely little tapas café/restaurant, staff were lovely and helpful. The starters were very tasty and it's so nice to get pan y alioli too. The paella I had was fantastic very authentic others had the hanging pork, again very nice. Overall Darcy's is a very nice relaxing place to go for any occasion.

Darcy's...Great food great service everything was perfect. Myself and my wife chose to eat off the Tapas menu and it was gorgeous, My desert was lovely and my Strawberry Pina colada was perfect. Would highly recommend this place and will definitely be recommending to friends and family and will be returning. Special thanks to our hosts Della & Kieran.

Excellent service, all the staff were very cheerful and made us really welcome. Keep up the great spirit 5 star service.

What a great find!!! Was looking for a dog friendly pub with outdoor seating for a nice Sunday roast, and we got the jackpot. The food was delicious and the service was top notch. Will definitely be back. Thanks

A really nice Easter Monday lunch. We had a chicken burger and an Easter special roast lemon and thyme chicken served with mash and gravy. Couldn’t find any fault. We even decided to grab an Easter brownie dessert and were gifted one in return for our feedback. All through out our meal we were attentively served by Johnathan who had a great sense of humour and made an ordinary meal something special. Thanks again we will definitely be back! X

We literally drove by and thought it looked nice from the outside. So glad we did! Really spacious and well-kept outdoor area, fantastic staff, and delicious food!

This was my third time visiting the Alford Arms and it never disappoints. Great service, beautiful setting with some lovely walks nearby and absolutely delicious food with locally sourced ingredients. We love that the menu changes monthly with daily specials so you can try something different or stick with the classics!

I really liked that they had space for my baby’s pram and we were comfortable enough to enjoy our lunch. The food was tasty. I want to thank our lovely waiter who was so kind and helpful and he was smiling as well! The serving was brilliant! I also loved the warm fireplace and the cozy atmosphere!

Beautiful country ‘luxury’ pub. Delicious seasonable cocktails plus absolutely mouth-wateringly good food and generous portions. Set in an idyllic little spot with a lovely outside/inside dining area with fluffy sheepskins to sit on at wooden benches (plus inside dining). The lovely fella who greeted us at the bar and took our orders could not have been more welcoming and immediately gave us that, ‘we’re definitely coming back here’ vibe. All the staff were lovely too.

A really nice Saturday lunch with the fam in the cosy Alford Arms . Firstly the staff were attentive and friendly. Our table ordered the beef stew with dumplings, sausages and mash, schnitzel and pasta, the salmon and the special of plaice in a buttery sauce. The fish dishes were exceptional, with the salmon crispy on the skin and the Plaice tender and complimented with capers and herbs. The roast potato and veg allowed for a right mopping of the remnants also. The sausages and mash I was a little indifferent to, as the gravy lacked flavour and the sausages were a little dry. The stew was well received and perfect for a mid autumn belly warmer. The fish justified the price paid, but the sausages and mash brought the average down. We will definitely visit again.