Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Hertfordshire

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

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!

Lussmanns - Harpenden

4.8

4.8 (2938)

£25 and under

Modern European

Harpenden

About the restaurant

Lussmanns Harpenden, in an 18th century former coach house overlooking Leyton Green, is the locals’ favourite sustainable restaurant. In the summer, guests can enjoy alfresco dining in the charming, walled garden while the characterful and cosy brick-built brasserie is ideal for winter meals. The regularly changing Modern European menu, available for as little as £20.95 for two courses, showcases the best of British ingredients, including organic and free-range meat, sustainably sourced fish and seasonal fruit and vegetables. Our first-floor private dining room is the ideal event venue for special occasions, family celebrations or business dinners.

Top review

Sandra

Dined 4 days ago

Beautiful pork with an apple and sage sauce. Followed by cheese and fantastic homemade oatcakes

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Experience

Christmas at Lussmanns

Ember

4.7

4.7 (169)

£26 to £40

European

Hertford

About the restaurant

Nestled inside the iconic 42 Fore Street, this dimly lit restaurant provides a unique venue combining the rustic charm of ember-cooked cuisine with the vibrant energy of a vintage listening bar.

Please note:

When booking, "Counter" refers to the counter tops in the window facing the street.
We do not allow dogs inside.
We are 16+ from 1700.

Top review

Antonia

Dined 4 days ago

Third time coming now, always stunning! Perfect for date night

Lussmanns - St. Albans

4.6

4.6 (3975)

£25 and under

Modern European

St Albans

About the restaurant

Lussmanns St Albans, next to the city’s magnificent cathedral, is the locals’ favourite sustainable restaurant. The light, spacious and modern restaurant is a relaxed and elegant place to enjoy our modern European menu showcasing the best of British ingredients, including organic and free-range meat, sustainably sourced fish and seasonal fruit and vegetables. Wednesday nights feature live jazz, while guests can dine from just £20.95 throughout the week and our private dining area is ideal for special events, celebrations and business functions.

Top review

Melanie

Dined on 17 Oct 2026

Locals set menu is such good value! The beef starter was stunning, followed by the Pork, we added mashed potatoes and the chocolate mouse. Absolutely gorgeous, highly recommend

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Experience

Christmas at Lussmanns

Experience

Oktoberfest: beer, but not as you know it

The Bank

4.6

4.6 (210)

£26 to £40

Indian

Rickmansworth

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Bank, where the artistry of Indian cuisine meets the elegance of fine dining. Nestled in the heart of Chorleywood, right next to the Chorleywood Station, The Bank is a gastronomic adventure that celebrates the timeless allure of Indian ingredients, where every meal is a celebration of flavour, culture, and unparalleled hospitality. Whether you’re looking for a quiet modern Indian meal at the restaurant, a hearty Indian brunch, a private dining room for intimate gatherings, a few quiet drinks in our ‘Meeting Room’, an evening to socialise with specially curated cocktails at the ‘Atrium’, or simply experience India through our journey of exquisite flavours, you name it, we will make it happen for you at THE BANK, Chorleywood.

Top review

Gordon

Dined 5 days ago

The food was very good, the service equally so, the environment was very comfortable and it was good value for money. A true restaurant not somewhere just to go to get something to eat. We will return

The Cricketers

4.5

4.5 (1023)

£25 and under

Pub

Hitchin

About the restaurant

Before reading about our fabulous pub please note that our loyalty app provides customers with 5% cashback so be sure to search 'ACI loyalty' in your app store before visiting.
A gem of a village pub serving pizzas, artisan burgers, pub classics with great pints and playgrounds. Set in the North Herts village of Weston. Acres of beer garden, kids play areas, families, muddy boots and dogs very welcome. Our Pavilion restaurant is open all day for reservations Mondays to Sunday.

The pub is multi-award winning - Best Premium Food on 3 occasions in 4 years at the Publican Awards, Good Food Guide, Food Made Good sustainability status. What's not to like. The perfect countryside family pub. Great for exploring local market towns like Baldock, Letchworth, Hitchin and Knebworth. The pub nearest to the Groundswell Agricultural Festival.

Top review

Jane

Dined on 20 Oct 2026

Excellent service from Evie, we were 4 ladies of a certain age who were dithering as to what to order, Evie recommended things and she was right !! Lovely evening.

Craft & Cleaver

4.5

4.5 (1801)

£26 to £40

Barbecue

St Albans

About the restaurant

An independent Restaurant & Bar serving up authentic wood-fired American Barbecue, Southern-inspired dishes, craft beer and cocktails, all in a relaxed, lively atmosphere. Welcome to Craft & Cleaver St Albans!

Whether it's a laid-back lunch, date night, dinner & drinks with friends or a big celebration, there's always a reason to join us. Settle into one of our cosy booths, grab a seat at the bar or soak up the atmosphere over great food, good drinks and even better company.

Right in the heart of St Albans, just a short stroll from the Cathedral, bustling city centre and historic streets, we're perfectly placed for everything from a spontaneous lunchtime bite or a few after-work drinks to an evening worth making plans for.

Proudly independent, open 7 days a week and bringing Barbecue & Good Times to St Albans since 2015.

Top review

Tayla

Dined 4 days ago

It was our first time at Craft & Cleaver and we can’t believe how we haven’t been here sooner! The food was amazing and I highly recommend the Texas Tray to share. The staff were friendly and always around to help. We can’t wait to come back and try other items off the menu.

BHAGEECHA

4.4

4.4 (891)

£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

beverley

Dined on 19 Sept 2026

Serving staff are extremely friendly and helpful and the food is incredible

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Experience

Christmas Day Buffet Extravaganza!

The Ponsbourne Pods

4.0

4 (110)

£26 to £40

Indian

Hertford

About the restaurant

A very warm welcome to Pods. Our pods are the ultimate in exclusive dining. Enjoy the stunning views whilst you indulge in our scrumptious cuisine and heavenly cocktails. The ultimate pod experience gets even better, you will be fully waitered on within the pod and be in the comfort of your own booking group as each pod is exclusive to you. With first class service and all the quintessentials in an informal, relaxed and stylish atmosphere, all of our pods have heating and comfortable seating.

Top review

Caroline

Dined on 17 Oct 2026

Amazing experience! Stunning location, staff were super attentive and the food was divine. A really special birthday celebration.

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3.5

3.5 (75)

£25 and under

American

Bushey

About the restaurant

Legend has it that the idea for Big Moe’s Diner began in the heart of a man with a passion for classic American dining. He loved the taste of home-grilled burgers, hand-cut fries cooked to golden perfection, and thick, cool milkshakes slurped by straw. Equally important was for this to be enjoyed alongside good old fashion customer service, where you’re greeted at the door and served in your seat. But where could he experience this authentically without taking an expensive plane ride across the Atlantic Sea? Then the idea struck him.

Seeing that Britain lacked such a genuine classic US dining experience he set about recreating one of his own, and yup, Big Moe’s Diner was born. Night after night, with often nothing but the flicker of candlelight to guide him, he worked tirelessly to bring his plan together, sparing not even the tiniest of detail in recapturing the spirit and tradition of an authentic American Diner, straight out of the 1950’s.

Top review

Matthew

Dined on 6 Sept 2026

Perfect for a pre concert dinner, good food and sets you up well.

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