A Guide to Dining Out in St Albans

St Albans, is renowned for its impressive Cathedral, Verulamium Park, the lake, and great selection of eateries.

I grew up in restaurants because my Dad was a Chef, he opened every Café Rouge in the county so have always been passionate about good food, it runs in the family!

Below are a few of my favourite places to eat out.

At the top of my list is The White Hart Tap on Keyfield Terrace a traditional British pub which I have been going to forever and a day! Their roasts are like something your Mum would cook, hearty, delicious, very reasonable, plus cauliflower cheese is included without any extra charge. I'm not a veggie but their nut roast is most certainly worth a try! So much flavour! I'm almost sad to be writing this because I know if you try it you'll be back every Sunday and I'll struggle to get a table, ha ha! My husband also loves the variety of different beers on tap.

Everyone enjoys a good curry and I have tried a vast number of Indian restaurants in St Albans but you cannot beat Infuse on Waddington Road just behind Boots. The flavours are amazing and so fresh, you won't find any dishes here swimming in oil. I really recommend their Chicken Tikka Masala. Go on give it a try you won't be disappointed.

For takeaway my go to is Lebanese Kitchen on Stanhope Road right near the train station. My first job was a waitress in a Lebanese restaurant in Watford so I was lucky enough to be introduced to the flavours 25 years ago. All of their meats are cooked on charcoal so you get that lovely barbeque taste. I'd recommend their Chicken Shish Taouk.

Another one of my go to takeaway is pizza – of course who doesn't like a good pizza! Saturday I was lucky enough to try the new PizzAyo's on Victoria Street right by the train station and I wasn't disappointed. I went with my 5 year old who can be fussy at times but she woofed down the pizza. It was thin and crispy with loads of toppings. They have seating for about 15 but they also do takeaway. We will certainly be back there again soon!

Now if I'm meeting friends in town for a light lunch or coffee we tend to go to Silver Palate. There's a huge amount of different sandwiches, salads, wraps, as well as the huge variety of choices from the deli counter. Sometimes we will get a takeaway and go and sit in the Vintry garden.

Another great place is Al-Farid on Holywell Hill which is a tasty Moroccan. My husband and I tend to get a few mezze dishes and share them. The service is excellent and it feels like you could be in Marrakech.

One thing I really do wish was St Albans had a Bar Azita (lovely tapas bar/restaurant in Harpenden). The food is delicious and they do a great Sangria too. At least Harpenden isn't far away!

Anyway I could go on forever but I will come back to this another day.

Written by Gemma O'Sullivan