The Best Restaurants in How Wood, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (2025)

Review of Visit: 09/02 at 12:15 Party Size: 4 people Total Cost: £195 Given the high demand for Sunday bookings, I would recommend reserving a table at least a month in advance unless you are flexible with dates. The overall service was satisfactory, and the restaurant had an elegant décor. However, I found the lighting to be somewhat dim for my preference. Duck Spring Roll Starter - Generously filled with meat, though slightly over-seasoned and salty. Monkfish Starter - Not quite what I expected, as the flavor resembled salmon more than monkfish, but it was still enjoyable and refreshing. Olives – Unfortunately, they were overly salty and inedible. For our mains, we ordered two pork belly roasts, one lamb, and one chicken. The cauliflower cheese was delicious, the vegetables were well-cooked, and the roast potatoes were excellent. One of our party members has a milk allergy, so the cauliflower cheese was substituted with plain boiled cauliflower. However, there was no alternative provided for the Yorkshire pudding. This was a shame as the Yorkshire pudding itself was excellent. The portion sizes for the cauliflower and potatoes were on the smaller side, but everything was flavorful. Finding parking in St Albans was challenging, as most street parking was reserved for permit holders, and at least one nearby car park was full. The quality of the food was good, but the lunch was quite expensive for what it was.

Had the most wonderful afternoon celebrating my birthday here. Despite the fact that our table grew in size (almost double!) the team couldn’t have been more accommodating in moving us from the restaurant to the bar area. The food arrived bang on time, and was plentiful. Everything was perfectly cooked, seasoned, piping hot and absolutely delicious! All of my guests commented that it was truly exceptional food with service & ambience to match. Huge thanks to all of the team for a wonderful afternoon & evening. Keep doing what you do - you do it brilliantly!

Okay I have to admit I was going for the Scotch eggs at first when I saw they had them on the menu. I was blown away at the Hand Dived Orkney Scallop in Garlic butter as well as the Grilled Sourdough and Burnt Onion Butter along with the Scotch egg. All 3 were delicious. We decided to order the special of the the Lamb chops with a delicious crispy potatoes and a mint chimichiuiri sauce that was made in house. What a meal to remember paired nicely with a glass of a White Wine with the starters then Red Wine with the mains. We finished with the Dairy Cow Sticky Toffee Pudding and Salted Caramel Ice Cream we liked that it wasn't sweet like the desserts in the US. 10/10 meal!

This was our second visit to Dylans after a 3 month wait for a Sunday reservation. No surprise as to why it's so popular, both the pork belly and the beef were delicious. Portions are generous with plenty of veg, roast potatoes and cauliflower cheese included. Looking forward to going back!

The food we had was exceptional and so was the wine. Works of art with excellent attention to detail. Ingredients top quality. Great attentive service but not rushed. So glad we have this gem of a place on our doorstep. Highly recommend.

Just had an outstanding meal at Thompson, every course was a taste sensation and beautifully presented, staff were friendly and knowledgeable, we will definitely be going back

This was our first time visiting this amazing restaurant in St Alburns! We were served by Nick and he gave us the best service ever, even put my jacket around my shoulders for me! Personal touch and massive attention to detail! The food was exquisite!! Huge commitment to the chefs the gnocchi I had - was the BEST I have ever had - and I used to be a chef myself. We can’t wait to come back here and experience the tasting menu! We had cheese board as pudding and it was off the dial. We LOVED everything about our first visit here ! Well done all.

Firstly the not so good points, I took a friend for a birthday meal, we sat at the bar and we still had to pick from the menu even for the 9 course tasting menu. We were presented with a menu each which had prices for the meals, a little embarrassing. The lighting in the main room was bright and harsh, the waitress did try to dim them and for a bit it was a better atmosphere but they started to flicker so back to bright. And the pasta on the tortellini was thick an a bit gloopy but the taste was fantastic. Now for the positives. Every other course of the 11 courses we had, the 9 courses plus the chefs choice and cheese were just delightful, my favourites being the mushrooms and the birds liver pate. The staff...attentive, polite, knowledgeable on what they were serving and just absolutely lovely. The wine we chose was out of stock, however the alternative suggestion was very drinkable. Crockery beautiful. We just had a wonderful time and my guest felt very special. Thanks guys.

First time visiting for lunch with my family, who had just arrived after a 14-hour flight. We arrived 15 minutes early and were seated quickly. Staff were very attentive, especially helping us order due to my toddler’s cow’s milk allergy, which is tricky with Italian food. The food was delicious — pasta was cooked perfectly, and the risotto was outstanding. Some dishes were a bit spicy for my family, who aren’t used to spicy food. Desserts were lovely too; the tiramisu had a lighter coffee flavour than we’re used to, but still very enjoyable. Only downside: the wait for the main courses was quite long (about 45–50 minutes), and with a 1.5-hour dining limit, it felt rushed. Would be better if desserts could be ordered together with the mains. Overall, a great meal with friendly service

The most delicious carbonara I've ever had! The lemon tart was also absolutely wonderful. Highly recommend this place — we're definitely coming back for the pizza! 😃

What a great place to have lunch. The team here are attentive, friendly and welcoming. We were so happy with the way they could accommodate us with our 1 year son, bringing the food promptly. Our meals were hot, fresh and delicious.

Had lunch with my sister. Usually go to the one in Berkhamsted. The decor is just as beautiful and food same excellent quality. Service was amazing. Staff very polite and helpful. My favourite main is the Lobster Ravioli - would recommend this dish for everyone to try. We both had the same! For starters we had the Funghi Trifolati (it is a beautiful mushroom starter sautéd with garlic and then finished off with cream and cheese served on sourdough toasted bread) and Garlic Pizza Bread with Mozzarella. Lovely atmosphere! Will be heading back there soon. Thank you!

I have always l loved Tabure, it used to be our favourite St Albans spot. But the last few trips the portions have been getting smaller and the prices going up. Would love for them to have a look at this and get back to their best!

We had a marvellous dining experience. High quality produce that is expertly spiced and cooked, all served with a genuine smile and care. Will go back to try other dishes. Only thing to note is that the 'large dishes' are not large enough to share, so would probably need order once each.

Easily the best Turkish food I’ve had! Everything was so tasty and unique to try. Staff are very friendly (shout out to Abraham who has been great every time we’ve been), and while the price is high for St Albans restaurants, the quality of the food and drink fit the bill. If I had to critique, I’d say the view from the window is bad. A brick wall, commercial bins, and white flood lights aren’t particularly the vibe. Perhaps the restaurant will put up a curtain in the future (or may have done since I last went). Highly recommend!

First visit. Stopped in for a late lunch on a bank holiday Monday. A nice table in the window with comfy chairs to watch the world go by. Interesting menu. Quick service. Very good

Usual Bill’s offer in a large relaxed setting with polite, well trained staff on hand. We had brunch dishes, Steak and Eggs and an Eggs Benedict, both well cooked and presented. My only gripe would be the amount of salt thrown on the plate prior to service, see photos; I’ve used less than this to make a meal for four and it’s a positive hazard to health on one plate.

Such a comfortable place to go for dinner. We didn’t feel at all rushed by the staff, who were welcoming and friendly. The food was tasty and there are a nice selection of vegan options.

Came in for dinner and really enjoyed it. The food was good, the staff were friendly and there was a nice, relaxed atmosphere. It wasn’t trying too hard, a nice place to sit, eat, and enjoy. We liked it enough to come back the next morning for breakfast, which was just as good. Would definitely pop in again if we're in the area.

We had our wedding reception at the Hub on Verulam in November 2024 and it was a day to remember. Emily and the events team were so accommodating to every weird and wonderful request we had, all of which came to life perfectly on the big day. All communication was clear and very responsive so there were no surprises at all. Many of our guests have commented on the quality of food and cocktails, the venue and most importantly - how much fun they had. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Hub and Emily to others, and can't wait to come back to what is now a very special place for us. Thank you!! Jack & Amanda

We had our wedding lunch and reception at the Hub between Christmas and New Year 2024. We couldn't have been happier with the whole experience from start to finish. We used the Alpine Yard for our small lunch which was perfect in terms of food and ambience. Emily and her amazing team catered for everything we asked for including decorations and the whole thing was perfect. We then booked the whole venue for the evening celebration which worked so well. We could accommodate a DJ and a band as well as a cocktail station and grazing board. The whole process was perfect, detail-driven and professional as well as warm and kind- so important when you're planning such a big day! We would reccommend the Hub as a wedding venue to anyone. Thank you, Emily! X

My daughter and son in-law just held their wedding reception here. Everything was perfect. The food was amazing, all the staff hosted so professionally, they were never intrusive and it was as if they knew us all individually. They were great to talk to and nothing was too much trouble for them. I really can't praise them enough. This is an amazing venue with the perfect hosts. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Thank you for making our celebration perfect.

Dined here as part of our stay package at Sopwell House. Would highly recommend even if you’re not a resident at the hotel as the food was delicious! We tried a bunch of starters such as Fried Chicken, Crispy Tofu, Truffle Spring Rolls, Asparagus Sushi. The portions for all, except the Spring Rolls, were quite generous for a starter. In mains we only tried the Pan Fried Ramen w/ veggies which was also good. For dessert we ordered the Chocolate Fondant that was just exceptional! We could’ve eaten so many of these had we not been completely full from our dinner. Cocktails and beer selection is a bit limited so could be worked on. Staff is courteous and helpful. The interiors are also done well, much like the rest of the hotel.

Delicious food, great service and I would recommend. I believe it’s rare to have a sharing menu that everyone is content with and the Edamame beans were incredible Try the duck salad and the pork belly Thank you for a lovely night we all felt appreciated being well looked after 🩷

We had dinner here two nights in a row while staying at Sopwell House and had amazing food both times, our waiter Lun was very attentive and friendly, helping to check on any questions we had and explaining the ingredients. There were extensive clearly marked vegan options, and some of our favourites were the crispy mushroom starter, and the aubergine main, they were absolutely delicious, served smartly and quickly and I just couldn't fault the experience. It's worth coming here just for the restaurant, but if you're staying in the hotel, this is the one to pick (though admittedly the Brasserie is very nice as well!).

Lovely place. Food was lovely very quick getting things out nice and attentive staff. Only thing I would have liked was to have a few cocktails on the drinks menu our group found the drinks a bit limited.

What a lovely hidden gem!! Loved the grand decor and ambience. The service is excellent. We had a cosy room to ourselves Every table is set so beautifully. There is large outdoor seating area so we will definitely be back when it is warmer. Good food but we would be lying if we didn't mention our disappointment with the pan seared fish. We ordered 4 and all found it dry and overcooked. Hopefully it was a one off. We will be back!!!

Absolutely one of the best pubs I've been in my life. I'm vegetarian so unfortunately food wise not loads of options and maby most frozen but my friends had the non veg stuff and liked it. Drinks are 10/10 with very rare and really good beers like Erdinger and Lowenbrau. Insanely big and well looked after garden, huge parking (although can be a bit full in peak times) and very calm and friendly asmophere.

Went sunday 25.05.25. Sat on the benches and enjoyed the sunshine. The outside kitchen was open serving burgers and rotisserie chicken. We ordered both. Burger was dense an not that much flavour. Fries and potato salad were good. The rotisserie chicken was bland and anemic. No colour on the skin. Would not order either items again.. Desert was okay..

We had a delightful dinner. The food was cooked to perfection, and the staff, especially Austria, were friendly, attentive, and helpful. Although the food had been delayed, Austeja tried her best to fix it. We will definitely go again!

Fabulous! This spot is modern Mediterranean style with a genuine take on the cuisine. Great spot for groups, happy hour, and overall social vibes. Isabella took great care of us! Would love to come again. Also dog friendly

My daughter and I had a really great experience at the restaurant! Each member of staff we interacted with brought something special to the day. Loretta, the manager, runs the floor with calm confidence. She clearly knows what she’s doing. Everything ran smoothly and she was present and attentive. It’s rare to see someone balance professionalism and genuine warmth so naturally. You can tell she takes pride in the place and leads by example. Isabella, who looked after us most of the time, was friendly, helpful, and really on the ball. She had great knowledge of the menu, made thoughtful recommendations, and was quick to respond to anything we needed. She’s the kind of person who makes you feel relaxed and looked after with a little bit of sparkle. Lucie had such a fun, energetic presence. She instantly brought a great vibe to the table. She was bubbly, full of personality, and had a great sense of humour that made the experience even more enjoyable. At the same time, she was super attentive and made sure we had everything we needed without missing a beat! It’s clear this is a well-run team. We felt genuinely looked after, and that’s a big part of why we’d come back again!

Came here for a birthday meal and the service was amazing. Food came so fast and was divine 😍 I ordered the plant basked lamb kebab and it was 10/10!! I asked in my booking to bring a bday dessert out and they didn’t forget, I didn’t even have to leave the table, they brought it over at the end of the meal which is so appreciated as it really added to the surprise element, and they took it off the bill ❤️ the lights and hanging decor is so beautiful. Shoutout to our lovely server Andrea who made my bestie feel special on her birthday and had a big smile the whole time, thank you Andrea!