Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Hertfordshire

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining 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!

Fox & Hounds Barley

4.8

4.8 (713)

£26 to £40

British

Barley

About the restaurant

Ranked 36th in the Good Food Guide’s Top 100 Pubs 2025, The Fox & Hounds Barley combines a 350-year heritage with a contemporary, ingredient-driven menu showcasing the best British suppliers. Expect thoughtful cooking, a welcoming atmosphere and a true destination dining experience in the heart of the Hertfordshire countryside.

Top review

Adam

Dined 7 days ago

We had a fantastic evening at The Fox and Hounds in Barley for their steak night, priced at just £35 per person, including a bottle of house wine. What incredible value for such a wonderful dining experience! The food was absolutely impeccable 👌, the ambience was lovely, and the waitresses delivered truly first-class service throughout the evening. Every detail made us feel welcome and well looked after. In all honesty, the quality of the service here surpassed my recent experience at The Original Ivy in the West End, which says a lot! A huge compliment to the team at The Fox and Hounds for getting everything so right. Great food, a beautiful atmosphere, and outstanding hospitality. I had to walk over to the kitchen opening and compliment the chef We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and will definitely be back! ❤️ Highly recommended! 🌟

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Experience

Game & Wine Dinner with Cambridge Wine Royston

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

The Sword Inn Hand

4.8

4.8 (1370)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Buntingford

About the restaurant

The Sword Inn Hand is a 14th Century Free House with guest rooms nestled in the beautiful rural Hertfordshire village of Westmill, a mile south of the market town of Buntingford. With bar, dining room, mature landscaped gardens and charming country inspired guest rooms, it is the perfect countryside retreat for drinking, dining and relaxing. Seasonal produce is delivered to us daily by our fantastic local suppliers, and we pride ourselves on serving delicious fine food and traditional ales. Our friendly yet professional customer service and warm, relaxing atmosphere inspires our lovely customers to return week after week, and welcomes new visitors from far and wide. Owner, Jeremy Lee and his fantastic team look forward to making your visit a special one to remember.

Top review

Malcolm

Dined 2 days ago

Food was excellent. Good portion size and freshly prepared. Good range of dishes and GF catered for

George IV

4.6

4.6 (1257)

£25 and under

Modern European

Hertford

About the restaurant

Nestled away in the picturesque Hertfordshire village of Great Amwell near Ware, The George IV's new Spring menu offers exceptional restaurant cuisine within a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Oliver and his Team serve a menu consisting of seasonal & fresh dishes for all to enjoy.

Top review

Tina

Dined 6 days ago

Service at George IV was excellent, from being greeted to wait staff. Food was very good indeed, innovative, beautifully presented & well cooked. We went for lunch. Chin beef with mash (best mash I’ve had in a long time), curly kale (unusual & interesting dressing) & carrot which was lovely & buttery, companion had Hake cassoulet which was also excellent. The interiors were well kept although perhaps a little spartan. I’d definitely recommend.

The Farmhouse at Redcoats

4.6

4.6 (2063)

£26 to £40

British

Hitchin

About the restaurant

Before reading about our fabulous restaurant please note that our loyalty app provides customers with 5% cashback so be sure to search 'ACI loyalty' in your app store before visiting.

The Farmhouse at Redcoats is a beautiful 15th century farmhouse nestled in the north Hertfordshire countryside. Sherwin Jacobs heads the kitchen and delivers quality, fresh, local produce, much of which is grown in the no-dig garden and onsite polytunnel. Feast over fire events, pop-up BBQs and supper club events litter the calendar. The food is award-winning - Best Premium Food, Good Food Guide, Food Made Good Award, 2 star rosette kitchen etc.

Private dining is available across several charismatic rooms in the main house - The Old Kitchen, The Victorian Room and The Oak Room. There are 24 rooms available and the Barns venue across the courtyard is regarded as one of the best wedding venues in the country, regularly winning awards. Afternoon teas are available at 24 hour notice.

Top review

Joanne

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent food and service. The waitress looking after us was very attentive

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Experience

Afternoon Tea

Experience

Group Dog Walk at the Farmhouse at Redcoats

Experience

Farmhouse Three-Course Festive Menu

The Red Cow

4.6

4.6 (156)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Royston

About the restaurant

If you’re looking for a warm welcome and a cosy atmosphere, look no further than The Red Cow – a delightful thatched country pub located in the charming village of Chrishall.

The Red Cow pub is now run by a Top 50 gastro food an award-winning chef, who brings a wealth of culinary expertise to the kitchen, having spent five years as Head Chef at the award winning pub The Hole In The Wall in Little Wilbraham, Cambridge before moving on to become Head Chef at The Elm Tree Inn, Elm, Cambridgeshire .

Niels reputation for creating immaculately presented and flavourful dishes helped both pubs to gain the most popular gastropubs in and around Cambridge.

Now, at The Red Cow, Niel and his team is committed to providing guests with exceptional food and warm hospitality in a beautiful setting. As an advocate of fresh produce, Neil is proud of his role at the Red Cow’s as a convivial host and endeavours to make our guests feel as welcome as possibly.

Top review

Gillian

Dined on 18 Oct 2026

Enjoyed our Sunday lunch. My nut roast was absolutely delicious and all the vegetables were perfectly cooked. The pub and restaurant were very busy and the ambience was great and staff were very good and worked hard.

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.

Côte Brasserie - St Albans

4.3

4.3 (148)

£25 and under

French

St Albans

About the restaurant

Nestled in St Albans' bustling town centre, Côte St Albans is perfectly located for those looking to unwind after a day of shopping or sightseeing. St Albans is known for its rich history and vibrant atmosphere, and Côte St Albans provides the perfect place to enjoy a delicious French meal while soaking in the character of this beautiful city. For those looking to enjoy the sunshine we also have a delightful outdoor terrace perfect for al fresco dining. For those with a taste for culture, Côte St Albans is ideally positioned for pre-theatre dining. Whether you're heading to a local performance or exploring the city's historic landmarks, such as the stunning St Albans Cathedral, our restaurant is a convenient and inviting stop along the way.

Top review

Gill

Dined on 17 Oct 2026

Great food . Excellent service . French onion soup . The best

Harleys Lounge

4.1

4.1 (132)

£26 to £40

Bistro

Hertford

About the restaurant

Enjoy the charming atmosphere, whether you're catching up with friends or simply relaxing. With a focus on friendly service and high-quality food, Harleys Lounge provides a cozy and enjoyable escape in the heart of Hertford.
Known for a menu that blends bistro classics with contemporary flair, Harleys Lounge is the perfect spot for everything from a hearty all-day breakfast to an satisfying dinner. Indulge in grilled specialities like Chicken Skew and Lamb Chops, or explore a great selection of gourmet burgers and fresh salads. Whether you're craving a classic 6oz Prime Beef Burger or a Grilled Salmon Salad, there is something to suit every taste.

Top review

Sharon

Dined 4 days ago

Had a lovely afternoon spent with a friend. Arrived at 4:30 and it was quite empty but there was some lovely background music which made it feel warm and inviting. We left just after 9pm after a couple of bottles of wine, some lovely food (we chose a mixture of small plates rather than a large meal each). The restaurant was full and there was a lovely atmosphere. The food was incredible, the staff were attentive and friendly and the ambience was lovely. A great addition to Hertford.

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