The picturesque market town of Berkhamsted, nestled in the Chiltern Hills, boasts a surprisingly diverse and accomplished food scene for a place of its size. From Turkish small plates to pub classics cooked to exacting standards, the town and its surroundings offer a range of dining options broad enough to satisfy even the most discerning food enthusiast.
Berkhamsted’s excellent restaurants bolster the area’s appeal as a popular commuter town. With its historic high street and canal-side setting, combined with excellent train links to London Euston, it’s easy to see why ‘Berko’ (as it’s known by locals) is described as a ‘commuter’s dream’. But what truly gives Berkhamsted its character is the thriving food scene, one which has locals and visitors alike spoiled for choice. To help you with find a truly great meal here, here’s our pick of the best restaurants in Berkhamsted.
Tabure
Ideal for Turkish small plates and a reliably lively atmosphere…
If we had a pound for every Berkhamsted local who’s told us “you have to try Tabure,” we’d have enough cash to order their entire menu. And, perhaps enough to buy a house in the area, too.
Indeed, the first recommendation any Berkhamstedians will offer is invariably Tabure, beloved the town’s culinary cognoscenti for its Turkish sharing plates and reliably lively vibe.
Founded by husband and wife team Hulya and Mark, Tabure embodies the couple’s passion for great food. The menu reflects Hulya’s childhood in Turkey, drawing inspiration from various regional cuisines. Sourcing is impeccable—all meat is organic or free-range from Welsh farms, while only the freshest sustainable fish is delivered daily.
Kick off your meal with a medley of house dips served with freshly grilled pitta for dipping. The babaganus comes with a cave-depth of smokiness while the creamy labneh with aromatic confit garlic and a liberal amount of za’atar is just gorgeous. From the larger plates, don’t miss the Sultan’s Risotto made with bulgur wheat, or the merguez spiced lamb sausages. Keenly spiced and just the right side of fatty, they’ve got to be one of the tastiest sausages in town.
The drinks menu features lesser-known Turkish wines—the indigenous Kalecik Karasi grape, sharing the lightness of a Pinot Noir, is particularly worth trying. Be sure to pay attention to the cocktails on offer too, which feature classics with a Tabure twist— Sumac Margarita, anyone?
On weekends, Tabure serves their take on a Sunday roast but really, we’re here for the small plates, not something more hulking. Don’t be put off by the ‘small’ part here; these are substantial and satisfying enough not to have you stopping for chips on the way home. With its open kitchen and consistent quality, it’s easy to see why Tabure remains a local favourite.
Website: tabure.co.uk
Address: 157-159 High St, Berkhamsted HP4 3HB
The Olive Tree
Ideal for a a genuine φέτα of Greek hospitality…
There are two types of Greek restaurants: the innovative ones trying to ‘elevate’ traditional dishes into something they’re now, and the ones that know those dishes are already perfect. The Olive Tree falls firmly in the second camp, and we just love it.
Now entering its second decade of operating on Berkhamsted High Street, this independently owned Greek taverna has become part of the town’s fabric – known by everyone and the scene of many a birthday, anniversary and just about any other excuse for a celebration.
The food here isn’t revelatory or innovative, it’s much better than that, focusing on executing classic dishes with authenticity. The recipes come from Yiayia (Panagiota), the family matriarch who provides the culinary inspiration.
The meze-style dining encourages guests to share multiple dishes in a relaxed atmosphere. Order the filo feta wrap—blocks of creamy feta wrapped in crispy phyllo and finished with a drizzle of raw honey and a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds. Char-grilled skewers of Chicken Souvlakia come exceedingly tender and succulent.
The striking cobalt blue exterior instantly transports you to a seaside taverna in Santorini, complete with traditional white trim and those cascading bougainvillea flowers that seem to thrive despite the English climate. The attention to authentic Greek architectural details extends inside, where whitewashed walls, blue accents, and Mediterranean touches create an immersive experience that feels wonderfully out of place on a British high street. Indeed, the bright, airy space is so convincingly Mediterranean that people may genuinely mistake photos of your visit here as holiday pics. When the sun hits just right, you could close your eyes and believe you were in Greece.
Always buzzy, particularly on weekends, and staffed by genuinely friendly people, this beloved Greek taverna delivers consistently good food in a warm, lively setting that keeps locals coming back.
Website: olivetreeberko.co.uk
Address: 270 High St, Berkhamsted HP4 1AQ
The Trooper Pub
Ideal for a sophisticated gastropub that focuses heavily on food, but where you can still get a pint…
Just outside Berkhamsted, in chocolate-box cute Aldbury, you’ll find The Trooper Pub. Set in the Ashridge estate and recently renovated, this boozer is now a country-style gastro pub that combines its heritage charm with contemporary flair. Actually, we’re not totally confident we can call this one ‘pub grub’ as the menu strays from your usual country pub playbook.
At the stoves is head Chef Jermaine Harriott, whose impressive CV includes stints at London’s prestigious Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social. Harriott’s cooking focuses on locally sourced seasonal produce, paying tribute to traditional British cooking with just the right amount of modern affectation. Scotch eggs come with smoked haddock and curry mayo, venison loin is served with the much revered crapaudine variety of beetroot, as well as pickled Shimeji mushroom, and butterflied mackerel, blistered and burnished on the grill, is topped with a pretty arrangement of micro-herbs and pink pickled shallot.
Sunday roasts have earned particular acclaim and a long line of traffic leaving Berkhamsted on the Sabbath Day, with the highlight a Scotsgrove farm dry-aged beef sirloin with braised ox cheek. For something more laid back, the venue is actually split between the formal dining pub and ‘The Trooper Barn’, where you can get breakfast and lunch options, or simply coffee and cake.They have a gorgeous beer garden too – ideal for pints and a plate of chips in the summer.
Website: thetrooper.co.uk
Address: Trooper Rd, Aldbury, Tring HP23 5RW
Read: 11 of London’s very best gastropubs.
The Bakehouse
Ideal for a baked goodies in the stunning setting of Ashridge House…
Sitting pretty in the courtyard of the magnificent courtyard of Ashridge House, The Bakehouse opened in 2020 and has quickly established itself as a beloved community hub. This artisanal café boasts a picturesque setting, with the majestic architecture of Ashridge House providing a breathtaking backdrop.
They’ve got that farm-to-table thing going on, celebrating seasonal ingredients with herbs and veg grown in their own garden. Breakfast features all the classics but done properly and executed with flair, while lunch expands to include dishes such as the croque monsieur or buttermilk chicken burger with house spice mix. The in-house pastry team supplies warm scones and fresh cakes daily.
The Bakehouse has become a magnet for various groups—walkers emerging from the scenic Ashridge Estate, cyclists in need of refreshment, families enjoying a day out, or friends gathering for a leisurely weekend brunch. The café’s dog-friendly policy ensures that four-legged companions are welcome too.
Website: ashridgehouse.org.uk
Address: Ashridge House, Ashridge, Berkhamsted HP4 1NS
Crockers, Tring
Ideal for a theatrical fine dining experience where you can watch chefs craft your meal before your eyes…
A quick drive from Berkhamsted in neighbouring Tring, Crockers has established itself as one of the area’s most prestigious culinary destinations since 2018. Awarded 3 AA rosettes and featured in the Michelin Guide, this stylish establishment offers contemporary fine dining in a refreshingly unpretentious atmosphere.
Set across three floors of a historic townhouse, Crockers provides multiple dining experiences – there’s the main dining room, the cellar bar and The Chef’s Table. The latter is undoubtedly the crown jewel – a theatrical culinary performance where 16 guests sit at a U-shaped counter surrounding an open kitchen. Here, Head Chef Scott Barnard (a finalist on MasterChef) and his team prepare each exquisite plate before your eyes.
The copper-walled dining space creates a striking backdrop for the seasonally-driven tasting menus, which change daily to showcase the freshest available ingredients. What sets Crockers apart is its commitment to delivering fine dining without pomposity, as the Michelin inspectors note—food that is “beautifully cooked and presented, but also free of the pomp that’s often associated with fine dining.”
Website: tring.crockersuk.com
Address: 74 High St, Tring HP23 4AF
The Alford Arms, Frithsden
Ideal for a hyper-seasonal dining experience in a secluded countryside pub with impeccable sourcing credentials...
Hidden in a secluded wooded valley on the edge of the Ashridge Estate, The Alford Arms is the definition of a destination pub worth seeking out. This Victorian gem in the tiny hamlet of Frithsden has been under the stewardship of David and Becky Salisbury since 1999, who have earned it the title of Hertfordshire Dining Pub of the Year many, many times.
Head Chef Jamie Celnik crafts fortnightly-changing menus showcasing the very best of seasonal, local produce—and here, ‘local’ really does mean local. Their impressive sourcing credentials list suppliers within precise distances: cheese from 28.17 miles away, lamb and beef from 7.07 miles, honey from 3.15 miles, and even wild garlic foraged from the surrounding woodlands.
The menu bridges classic British pub fare with internationally-inspired dishes. Signature starters include bubble and squeak with oak-smoked bacon, a dish that’s been on the menu since day one. Despite its rural location, seafood makes an impressive showing, carefully sourced from the West Country.
When it comes to drinks, they’ve got at least three cask beers at any time, often from nearby Chiltern or Tring Breweries, and a wine list that’s exclusively European (chosen to reduce food miles).
Dog owners will be pleased to know that four-legged companions are welcome in the bar and on the heated terrace, making it perfect after a ramble through the Ashridge Estatealfred
Website: alfordarms.co.uk
Address: Frithsden, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3DD
Nena
Ideal for indulging in world-class pastries and award-winning sourdough…
If you’re the kind of person who gets emotional about laminated dough, Nena is your happy place. A Sunday morning visit to Nena bakery has become something of a ritual for many Berkhamsted residents. The difficult decision lies not in whether to visit, but in which of their pastries to select—all are exceptional and when paired with one of their quality coffees, it’s the perfect weekend indulgence.
You won’t find a single baked good at Nena which isn’t technically brilliant. Their rotating menu features constant innovations and seasonal specials, but if you see the croissant-cookie hybrid, grab it immediately—it’s like a buttery, flaky and a triumph. Oh, and their brioche-maritozzi hybrid, filled with passion fruit cream, is dangerously decadent and downright delicious.
While you’re there, grab one of their Great Taste award winning sourdough loaves to take home for your weekday sandwiches. Not content with just that award, their Baked Basque Cheesecake has also been recognised by Guild of Fine Food, so maybe get one of those too.
This sort of community touchpoint (and an excuse for a seriously indulgent, sugar-fuelled morning) often features in the area guides produced by visiting vloggers, local Berkhamsted estate agencies and the local Hemel Today newspaper, too.
Address: 214 High St, Berkhamsted HP4 1AG
Jester
Ideal for brunching on hyper-healthy, energising options that are as Instagram-worthy as they are nutritious…
Located on Lower Kings Road, Jester is a good-natured spot offering a refreshing alternative to traditional breakfast fare. It’s healthy brunch incarnate and where Berkhamsted residents go when they want to convince themselves that a smoothie bowl is as satisfying as a Full English, and it’s easy to see why they’ve been convinced…
The smoothie bowls form the cornerstone of their offering and are vibrant creations that look like edible modern art. The Açai Bowl delivers a tropical sensation and comes with enough superfoods to make you feel immortal while the Protein Bowl has enough nutritious ingredients to satisfy people who say things like ‘leg day’ unironically. Guilty!
Beyond smoothie bowls that probably extend your lifespan, Jester serves satisfying plates of open toast topped with healthy toppings. Think beetroot hummus toast and feta cheese with a sprinkle of chia seeds. Even their avocado toast gets dressed up with pumpkin seeds, chilli flakes, and cherry tomatoes, plus a drizzle of olive oil. They are the kind of plates that ask to be photographed and then eaten. Or, perhaps, hung on the wall. There are also yoghurt bowls, wholesome porridge options and fruit salads available, too.
The space is calm and contemporary—all clean lines and natural light—making it ideal for weekend brunching when you want to be smug about your healthy choices while secretly planning which pastry you’ll get from Nena after.
Instagram: @jestersandmore
Address: 24 Lower Kings Rd, Berkhamsted HP4 2AB
Bisto Twelve Twenty, Amersham
Ideal for a journey-worthy dining adventure with exceptional wine pairings…
Approximately twenty minutes’ drive from Berkhamsted, in Amersham, Bisto Twelve Twenty offers a dining experience that draws the crowds. This intimate restaurant has carved out a niche with its distinctive approach to fusion cuisine, and we’re very much here for it.
Founded by Chef Mark Durman and Sous Chef Iz, this intimate spot does sharing plates that actually work as sharing plates—not too big, not too small, just right for fighting over who gets the last bite. The menu changes constantly, showcasing whatever seasonal ingredients they’ve managed to get excited about that week. You might find tagliatelle beef ragù with wild mushrooms one day, and smoked beef brisket with Jersey Royal potato salad and kimchi the next.
What truly sets Bistro Twelve Twenty apart is its exceptional wine programme, curated by Sommelier Kiera. The list eschews predictability, featuring bottles from renowned and lesser-known regions alike. The staff will be happy to steer you in the right direction, according to your preference rather than the restaurant’s bottom line.
Here. the ethos is “to give fine dining quality in an intimate and relaxed environment” – sophisticated cuisine and exceptional wines served without pretension. We think it’s mission complete.
Website: bistrotwelvetwenty.com
Address: Bistro Twelve Twenty, 34 The Broadway, Amersham HP7 0HJ
The Artichoke, Amersham
Ideal for a special occasion Michelin-starred experience in a historic setting…
Housed in a charming 16th-century converted cottage on Old Amersham’s beautiful high street, The Artichoke finally received its well-deserved Michelin star in 2019, after 17 years of operation. This bijou restaurant, owned and led by Chef Patron Laurie Gear and his wife Jacqueline, offers a truly refined dining experience.
The interior strikes a perfect balance between the building’s Grade II listed heritage and contemporary style. Recent refurbishments have introduced a sophisticated colour scheme inspired by the restaurant’s namesake, while an etched-resin screen can be drawn to reveal the kitchen and the culinary magic going on behind.
Chef Laurie Gear, drawing on experience from stages at The Fat Duck and Noma (hey, who hasn’t?), creates accomplished modern British dishes with an unwavering commitment to seasonality and local sourcing. His menus change regularly to reflect the freshest available ingredients, with lamb reared locally, venison from the Woburn Estate, and seafood delivered daily from Brixham.
The wine program is predictably excellent, heavy on French and Italian bottles plus selections from Rothschild vineyards. They’ve got bottles from everywhere from Uruguay to Croatia, with wine pairings that actually enhance the food rather than just giving you something to wash it down with.
Having overcome significant challenges, including an 18-month closure following a fire in 2008, The Artichoke has emerged stronger than ever. Now celebrating over 22 years in business, they’ve collected enough accolades to need a separate trophy room—a Michelin star, three AA rosettes, and AA Restaurant of the Year for England. Bravo!
Website: artichokerestaurant.co.uk
Address: 9 Market Square, Amersham HP7 0DF
