
Hertfordshire is a county of two halves. To the south and the west are the leafy Chiltern beech woods, full of food-conscious country pubs and other little gems that are well worth discovering. To the north and east it nuzzles up to the flatlands bordering East Anglia, where new towns give the area a cosmopolitan feel, which is reflected in its eating places. London is within striking distance, and many of the capital's restaurant groups set up outlets in the county if they are seeking to branch out.
Savoro RestaurantSavoro occupies an historic building that once functioned as a bakery just off Barnet High Street. The ground-floor dining room has been extensively refurbished, big windows allow natural light to flood in, and the interior boasts fashionable earthy colours.
206 High Street, Barnet, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Alford ArmsSet in the unruffled Hertfordshire hamlet of Frithsden (a short drive from Berkhamsted), the Alford Arms is the original of a group of five enterprising Home Counties' gastro pubs, and it's a hostelry full of surprises.
Frithsden, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Eat FishThe latest restaurant to occupy one of Berkhamsted's prime High Street locations, Eat Fish is proving to be a resounding local success story.
163-165 High Street, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Seafood
St JamesThis neatly designed modern venue boasts wooden floors, exposed brickwork, red pillars and a big picture window looking out onto the nearby church of St James (who else?).
30 High Street, Bushey, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Thai SunsetThai Sunset in Hertfordshire brings a true splash of Eastern flair to the vibrant and prosperous town of Bushey. With a clean and elegant decor of black and white, owner David Krite and his Thai wife, Anotai, have created a modern restaurant that is both sophisticated and friendly.
39 High Street, Bushey, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Thai
Coltsfoot Country RetreatOnce a working farm, set in 40 acres of Hertfordshire countryside between Welwyn Garden City and Knebworth, Coltsfoot Country Retreat now promises 'the last word in modern luxury'.
Coltsfoot Lane, Datchworth, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: European
The TilburyBilled as a 'village pub and dining room', the Tilbury is the latest offering from Paul Bloxham – a well known figure on the Hertfordshire restaurant scene who puts his faith in local and regional produce.
Watton Road, Datchworth, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The East ElstreeThe East is a contemporary pan-Asian restaurant set within an attractive traditional public house in the sleepy Hertfordshire village of Elstree.
High Street, Elstree, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Chinese
Bricklayers ArmsOriginally a pair of eighteenth-century brick-and-flint cottages down a country lane and later a drinker's den, the Bricklayers Arms is now a fully-fledged pub/restaurant that attracts crowds from far and wide.
Hogpits Bottom, Flaunden, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
West Lodge Park, Mary Beale RestaurantOwned and run by three generations of the Beale family, West Lodge Park has an auspicious history dating back to the time of Elizabeth I.
Cockfosters Road, Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
The Bean TreeNamed after the Indian bean tree that flourishes in its walled courtyard, this stylish restaurant is head and shoulders above the local competition in Harpenden.
20a Leyton Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Modern French
The FoxOn the road between Harpenden and Luton Airport, the Fox is one of a small group of revamped and revitalised Home Counties' pubs with a contemporary attitude towards food and drink.
469 Luton Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The White HorseWe are pleased to introduce this restaurant under new ownership as a new addition to The Guide for 2010. A full review will be published shortly.
Hatching Green, Harpenden, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Restaurant 65Situated in Hemel Hempstead's historic Old Town, almost opposite the Theatre and St Mary's Church, Restaurant 65 occupies a charming seventeenth-century building that has been transformed into a smart, informal and relaxed neighbourhood eating place.
65 Old High Street, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Cochin CuisineA refreshing antidote to the plethora of formulaic, 'three pot' curry houses that are scattered around Hemel Hempstead, Cochin Cuisine offers a fascinating taste of Keralan food (it takes its name from the main city in the exotic seaside province on India's south-west coast).
61 High Street, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Indian
LussmannsTwin brother of Lussmanns in St Albans, this modern eating house is set on two floors in the centre of Hertford, with an open kitchen and private dining facilities in the basement.
42 Fore Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Redcoats Farmhouse HotelRedcoats Farmhouse Hotel provides guests with the sort of traditional homely English welcome that is rarely found nowadays. Set in a fifteenth century farmhouse, the restaurant has a rustic 'old-world' feel, and exudes an ambience of warmth and homeliness.
Redcoats Green, Hitchin, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: International
Fox and HoundsThe Fox and Hounds has established itself as one of Hertfordshire's leading gastropubs, thanks largely to the efforts of chef/proprietor James Rix and his wife Bianca.
2 High Street, Hunsdon, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Bedford Arms HotelMuch favoured for civil weddings, christenings and conferences, the Bedford Arms still has the all the charm of a traditional English inn combined with top-notch hotel facilities.
Chenies, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Anglo French
The GateOld and new sit happily together at the Gate, which has been sympathetically updated with a contemporary extension plus grassy expanses for al fresco meals.
Rickmansworth Road, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Goose Fat & GarlicThe richly appetising name 'Goose Fat & Garlic' might conjure up juicy thoughts of provincial France, but this popular restaurant/wine bar inhabits another world - in this case the pretty Hertfordshire village of Sawbridgeworth.
52 Bell Street, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Straw Hat OrientalInnovative Asian cuisine in a 500-year-old thatched cottage some 30 miles from London is the unusual deal at this Hertfordshire newcomer.
London Road, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Asian
LussmannsSince opening in 2004, Lussmanns has taken St Albans by storm, with its chic décor, trendy outlook and exciting modern food.
Waxhouse Gate (off High Street), St Albans, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Sopwell HouseOnce the Georgian country seat of Lord Mountbatten, Sopwell House is now an auspicious hotel, business venue and spa set in 12 acres of delightful gardens not far from St Albans.
Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
AsiaOnce the old post office, now a self-styled 'Pan Asian Dining Room', Asia brings a touch of ethnic chic to St Albans.
The Old Post Office, St Albans, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Asian
Mumtaj Tandoori RestaurantOne of the longest serving and most consistent Indian restaurants in a town with more than its fair share of creditable curry houses, the Mumtaj is a short walk from St Albans' main drag opposite the Old Cinema Hall.
115 London Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Indian
SukiyakiAn immensely likeable Japanese restaurant tucked away just off St Albans' market place, Sukiyaki might almost be mistaken for a casual teahouse, with its carefully arranged plants, calligraphy on the walls and soothing koto music in the background.
6 Spencer Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Japanese
The Black Lion Inn, Savanna RestaurantIn the historic St Michael's quarter of St Albans, not far from the park, lakes and the world-famous Abbey, the eighteenth-century, brick-built Black Lion Inn now operates as a traditional hostelry-with-rooms.
198 Fishpool Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Jacoby'sTimber-framed Churchgate House lays claim to being the second oldest building in Ware and – since the sixteenth century – it has served as a pub, bakery, maltings and - more recently - a motorcycle repair shop.
Churchgate House, Ware, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Marriott Hanbury Manor, Zodiac RestaurantSet in 220 acres of Hertfordshire parkland only 25 miles north of London, Hanbury Manor once served as a convent school, although it's now a fully fledged, luxurious hotel complete with a PGA championship golf course, spa and country club.
Thundridge, Ware, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Modern European
George and DragonOn the main road through the pretty village of Watton at Stone, the distinctive pink-washed George and Dragon has been doing business as a hostelry for some four centuries and exudes an appealing air of countrified elegance.
High Street, Watton at Stone, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Auberge du LacSet in the lavish 543-acre estate that surrounds Brocket Hall – former eighteenth-century country retreat turned swish upper crust hotel/conference centre/golf complex – the Auberge du Lac restaurant is certainly not intimidated by its auspicious surroundings.
Brocket Hall, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Modern French
The East StanboroughThe East is a contemporary pan-Asian restaurant set within an attractive old public house in the Hertfordshire village of Stanborough (just outside Welwyn Garden City).
Great North Road, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Chinese
The FoxA serious contemporary makeover has revitalised this one-time local 'boozer' opposite Willian's village pond. Inside it's been given a fresh, almost continental look with clean lines, bare floors, light wood furnishings and modern art on the walls.
Willian, Willian, Hertfordshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub