Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Hertfordshire

OpenTable

Updated 05 November 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Hertfordshire? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Humo

4.7

4.7 (269)

£26 to £40

Tapas / Small Plates

Watford

About the restaurant

Humo [oo-moh], is a modern firehouse situated in the heart of Watford, serving Spanish inspired meat, seafood, fish, and seasonal vegetables cooked in a charcoal and wood oven.

The furnace reaches temperatures of over 300 degrees Celsius so the produce is seared and smoked in seconds, making sure the flavour sings on your palate, and not on the plate.

The restaurant boasts a beautiful, seated island bar, a peephole into the working kitchen and covers for over 100 guests. The a la carte menu is purposely focused on dishes that dance in the fire, and the specials menu celebrates the produce only available seasonally.

The wine list is carefully designed to pair with the menu and comprises of a sophisticated range of wines from around the world. The bar also features a range of spirits, beers, classic and inventive cocktails for your pleasure.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 28 Oct 2024

The wife and I went for a mid-week date night and had a lovely time at Humo. The staff were welcoming and friendly, the decor and overall aesthetic was very cool and most importantly the food was delicious. It’s a great asset to Watford high street.

The White Horse

4.6

4.6 (412)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Harpenden

About the restaurant

The White Horse is a delightful old pub in Hatching Green. Five minutes from the bustling centre of Harpenden on the one hand and Junction 9 of the M1 on the other, the pub has a lovely country setting, surrounded by a large leafy garden and terrace.

The bar is warm and cosy, with old parquet and low beams hung with antique copper jugs, while the dining room is light & fresh, its French windows opening onto a sunny terrace. In our charming private dining room, up a winding stair in the oldest part of the pub, we can comfortably host a dinner party for twelve.

Top review

Howard

Dined on 22 Nov 2024

I only discovered this restaurant the night before we visited on Friday 22 November. The weather was very cold but the online images and reviews were very warm! Our overall experience was well worth the 35 mile round trip! From start to finish everything was exceptional! Even the background music was to our taste and at a perfect level. We will definitely be returning and thoroughly recommend this local gem.

Lussmanns - Hitchin

4.6

4.6 (2245)

£25 and under

Modern European

Hitchin

About the restaurant

Centrally located in a partially grade II listed building off Market Place in this bustling, historic town, Lussmanns Hitchin is unique in having a stylish diners’ bar. Pull up a stool and enjoy a selection of bar tapas or have an apéritif before your meal. During the summer months, take a pavement seat to watch the world go by.

Top review

Sue

Dined 1 day ago

Again - never fails. Extremely good today! Excellent lunchtime meal enjoyed by us both. Thank you.

Veyso's

4.6

4.6 (54)

£26 to £40

Turkish

Cheshunt

About the restaurant

Award winning Veyso's offers a contemporary Mediterranean dining experience, seamlessly transitioning from leisurely lunches to intimate evening dinners. The expansive dining area sets the stage for both celebratory occasions and private business lunches. Elevate your weekends at Veyso's cocktail bar, where entertainment awaits on selected dates throughout the month, ensuring a memorable and vibrant experience

Top review

Myrice

Dined on 26 Sept 2024

Elegant Restaurant with Impeccable Service I recently arranged a surprise event for a friend with a party of 14 on a weeknight. I called the restaurant a few times in the lead up to the meal to arrange pre-orders and venue setup to maximize the likelihood of surprise. It was very easy to reach the restaurant by phone and email, and the staff were very polite. On the night of the event, the restaurant managed to hide my party really well despite being directly in front of the entrance using an elegant wooden panel partition. The restaurant itself had a very stylish and elegant ambience but this was such a thoughtful touch. My friend was very pleasantly surprised. The food was nothing short of phenomenal — each dish was bursting with flavor, beautifully presented and served in generous portions. There were a variety of orders including lamb chops, sea bass and the shish options, but they were all served simultaneously and in a timely fashion. I had the lamb chops which were perfectly cooked and accompanied by the tastiest salads. Looking around the table, everyone really enjoyed their meals and everyone's plates were emptied. The desserts equally impressed as they were as delicious as they were stunning. Our main server, Ilhan, added a special touch of sparklers to our friend's dessert that we sang happy birthday along to for fun, even though it wasn't his birthday! Having been to the restaurant before, I knew the service would be of high standard and they didn't fail to uphold this even for a much bigger group. All the staff were very friendly and they went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. A huge thank you to Ilhan, our main server, who ensured everything went smoothly for a memorable and fun-filled evening. If you're looking for a place that combines exquisite dishes with exceptional service in Hertford, I 100% recommend Veysos. I will definitely be returning in the future.

Hermitage Rd Bar & Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (2591)

£26 to £40

British

Hitchin

About the restaurant

Set in the impressive former 1930s Hitchin ballroom, on the first floor, Hermitage Rd restaurant & Bar boasts a seasonal, award winning and sustainable premium food offer, from the awarding winning ACI team and a bar renowned for it's bespoke cocktails, quality wine and beer range. Recently refurbished.

We have expanded and very excited to bring to Hitchin a new Oyster and Champagne Bar, featuring the best of British produce, English sparkling of course, collaborating with award winning Nyetimber. In addition to oysters we serve a variety of small plates, perfect for a pre dinner glass/snack. Private hire also available. Located on the ground floor by the entrance to the restaurant, open Friday & Saturdays from 5pm available for walk-ins only.

Our coffee shop has also expanded and offers an amazing space to socialise and/or work, open 7 days a week, offering dine-in or take-away bagels and Hot Numbers Coffee, plus various size meeting rooms for hire.

Top review

Rebecca

Dined 4 days ago

Lovely dining experience, friendly staff & great food!

Craft & Cleaver - St Albans

4.5

4.5 (1622)

£26 to £40

Barbecue

St. Albans

About the restaurant

Craft & Cleaver is an Industrial, Brooklyn-Inspired Barbecue Joint & Bar – bringing authentic wood-fired Barbecue, expertly-sourced Craft Beer & awesome Cocktails to St. Albans.

A great venue for date night, weekend Brunch or any celebration - we've got you covered with booths, restaurant & garden seating.

Proudly independent, open 7 days a week!

Top review

Terence

Dined 6 days ago

Met some friends for drinks and nibbles, so only had the chicken strips and fries which were top-quality. Cocktails were delicious, and the staff were really friendly and helpful - that perfect balance where you're looked after but not too frequently. The venue was less than half full (as we were there 4pm) but atmosphere was perfect : it wasn't too quiet, but conversely the music wasn't too loud that you felt you had to shout to be heard.

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch

BHAGEECHA

4.4

4.4 (710)

£26 to £40

Indian

Radlett

About the restaurant

SHARED PASSION
For owners Mishal and Sundeep, food has always been a way to bring families, friends and communities together, a way to celebrate life and share stories.
Mishal vividly remembers fragrant aromas and laughter filling the air at garden parties as her father cooked in huge pots over a coal stove. It was here that her passion for food began, inspired by her father’s experimental and creative dishes.
For Sundeep, it’s the childhood trips back to India and memories of eating fresh dhal and fluffy rotis at roadside cafes in Punjab that he savours most. The atmosphere, the aromas and the flavours all evoke a delightful sense of coming home.
And it is his innate understanding of the link between food and celebration that helped Sundeep build a successful banqueting business in the heart of North West London.
It’s this passion, this emotional connection and joy for eating that the couple now bring to Bhageecha.
Friday and Saturday after 7pm, kids under the age of 10 aren't allowed

Top review

Bella

Dined 1 day ago

Really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food, service was excellent

Côte Brasserie - St Albans

4.3

4.3 (70)

£25 and under

French

St. Albans

About the restaurant

Cote is inspired by the brasseries of Paris, serving authentic French dishes all day in our classically designed restaurants. We are committed to producing authentic French classics, freshly cooked to order, from the highest quality sourced ingredients.

Top review

Anne

Dined 4 days ago

We could have done with more bread to have with our starter , but couldn’t find a waiter to ask .

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Experience

New Year's Eve Set Menu

Experience

Festive three-course Set Menu

Craft & Cleaver - Hitchin

4.3

4.3 (241)

£26 to £40

Barbecue

Hitchin

About the restaurant

Craft & Cleaver is a Brooklyn-Inspired Barbecue Restaurant & Bar – bringing authentic wood-fired Barbecue, expertly-sourced Craft Beer & awesome Cocktails to Hitchin.

Proudly independent, open 7 days a week!

Top review

Steve

Dined on 18 Nov 2024

food was very tasty. all 5 diners enjoyed what they ordered. Staff helpful and attentive. Nice atmosphere

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch

The Terrace at Sópers

4.2

4.2 (61)

£25 and under

British

Potters Bar

About the restaurant

Situated in the heart of Cuffley, The Terrace brasserie & Bar offers a blend of familiar luxury and understated sophistication. Our all-day British dining restaurant boasts a modern, light, and spacious interior. Whether you prefer the inviting ambiance of our main dining area or the refreshing outdoor atmosphere of our terrace, we provide a welcoming space for you to indulge in seasonal favourites.

Our menu is a celebration of gourmet British flavours, meticulously crafted with attention to detail. Join us on Sundays for our renowned roast dinners, where we also offer delectable sharing boards for a communal dining experience.

We are open to everyone of all ages. However, we ask that no under 18s are in The Terrace after 7:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. We take card payments only.

Please note ID is required to enter the restaurant on Friday evenings. We offer live music on Fridays from 7pm - We hope you enjoy!

Top review

Gavin

Dined 6 days ago

My daughter has allergies. They went above and beyond to meet hers and our needs. Food portions were great and the ambience made it a great experience and would highly recommend.

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Experience

Sunday Roast Lunch

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