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

Nice restaurant with a lovely atmosphere and exemplary service. The food was just good enough, but the selection was a bit lacking for vegetarians.

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!

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.

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!

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:)

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.

What a great place to have delicious food 😋 The food was fresh and very tasty with many flavourings/spices. The service was perfect as they attended to our very need and delayed our table at our request after running late. Also good value for money. Would definitely visit again as portions very generous 🤩

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.

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!

The food is super delicious. Firstly, the car parking is limited, being quite tight for space, and the surface needs redoing. I would recommend parking out on the road. Entered the pub, being greeted with a wonderful welcoming hello. Staff are very friendly and helpful. The service was excellent. The food itself was absolutely delicious. Lots of choice on the menu and a specials menu which mainly had fish on. I went for the sausages and mash - was tasty. The best was the dessert - marmalade Bakewell tart with clotted cream. Absolutely devine! Unfortunately, I was sat next to a couple in a corner, who spent the whole time sniffing. Shame! Overall, really pleased. Food is delicious but comes at a price! Will certainly be back.

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.

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 😁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

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.

A lovely little pub, very clean and tidy, with a great atmosphere, booked for 11 of us, we were sat in our own little section away from the hustle and bustle of the pub area. No complaints about the food, absolutely delicious and the portion sizes were phenomenal. The waiting staff were friendly, polite and professional no request was too much. Highly recommended and will be returning

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.

Beautiful atmosphere, lovely hospitality, beautifully decorated. Ambience so nice. Good vibes. Sophie very friendly and hospitality, gives best advice. Food was so tasty and loved it. Cocktails where amazing all of them. Beautiful time and experience

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.

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!

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

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

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

I’ve been several times and the food can not be beat. The meats are PERFECTLY cooked and seasoned. Our server I think Cristina was very pleasant and accommodating, the gentlemen who brought the food out had a great attitude and served us plenty and quickly.

Had an amazing night with my husband and my in-laws! Nikki our waitress was brilliant 🤩, the young guys serving all the meats were amazing, even me as the only vegetarian had so much choice of amazing dishes to eat! Highly recommended will be back

We were greeted straight away, talked through the menu and given recommendations. Service was great, staff were lively, we were served by Andrea and another female server we didn’t get the name of but they were both wonderful. All the food was great! A really great buffet and the BBQ meats were amazing, really impressed with everything. Desserts were hard to choose so got a few to share, they didn’t disappoint. It does says on the website but if you get the full buffet and bbq meats you can’t take any home. We took the rest of our desserts home but there is a small £1 feet for the takeaway box which was reasonable. Overall everything was great and we can’t wait to come back!

We had a delectable meal. Three of us opted for the two-course set, which comprised of a main and dessert. My sole was delicate and very enjoyable. My husband liked his steak, although his main criticism was that it was a bit small for him. The chocolate mousse was not overly sweet and the nut brittle added a nice crunch, but it did stick to your teeth a bit. MIL seemed to like her sticky date and ginger pudding, which had a strong ginger note to it. Service was friendly. We had a good experience.

We had a nice mother's day late lunch early dinner here. The vegan option (King scallop oyster mushrooms) was delicious and my daughter enjoyed the lamb bombas. I tried the smoked trout which nice and my son had the potted crab. Mains were a bit more hit and miss with my smoked haddock being spoiled because it was very salty and overwhelmed with a cream sauce. He poached egg on top however ever was perfect! Again the vegan flatbread option with fake lamb was nice and the cod cheeks and whole sole were delicious. We nearly passed on dessert but pleased we didn't because the lemon posset, sticky toffee pud, apple crumble and chocolate mousse were delicious too. The waiting staff were attentive. Book in advance at a weekend.

We came for lunch and a cheeky cocktail each. Service was very welcoming, cocktails delicious and the food well prepared. My steak melted in the mouth and Ingrids linguine was very tasty. Well done Lussmanns!

Nine of us dined (a late lunch) in the private dining room on the first floor. The team (gloriously international) were friendly, upbeat, patient and attentive. The food was attractive to look at, beautifully cooked and very tasty. We were not pressurised to leave and enjoyed nearly 4 hours of consummate hospitality.

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.

Just like the last time we came, the food & service were both exceptional. Already excited to come again! P;s make sure you get the brownie, it’s to die for!!

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!

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!

As soon as a saw the facebook photos of their haul from Billingsgate fish market I know I needed to visit and that there was a good reason why the fish menu changed every weekend! Fab fresh seafood and fish. Fab service and venue. But maybe don’t go too much else I’ll struggle to get a table at my new favourite pub! 😉. Had the scallops starter which were cooked wonderfully (though next time I’ll ask if it’s peas or mushy peas which I don’t want). For mains we had the monkfish and chowder. Both outstanding

Absolutely love this place. Such a lovely atmosphere on a cold Saturday afternoon. Lovely fire great staff and great food. We regularly stop on our walk for refreshments with our doggy and she’s given water and biscuits. Food is amazing. Well done

Wow, great food and service. We were here celebrating a 50th birthday with family and everyone enjoyed the food and the service. Nikki was our server, and we were very looked after, so thank you we will be returning to try the Sunday roast which looks amazing.

absolutely amazing, one of the best or even the best pub I've been to, for food, service and atmosphere, steaks are fantastic, forget over priced steak houses Cart and horses knocks them all out the park, blown away by the value and quality of all the food. Had to come back 15/03/2025. once again amazing, food again best I've had in a long time sea food chowder out standing. Big thanks to Nicki who made us feel so welcome fantastic service 10 out of 10