Cha And Nasta in St Albans

The place is very nice. Their Desi chai is very nice I definitely recommend it. Their Kathi kema roll and their biryani roll is very delicious also recommend trying. Staff are friendly too

Love the food, the vibe and the loving energy of the owner. I struggle to remember her name (sorry), but she’s absolutely lovely. And the chai is delicious. Highly recommend.

Cha and Nasta is more than just a café; it’s a vibrant celebration of Bangladeshi culinary traditions. From the moment you walk in, Bushrah and her team greet you with genuine smiles that make you feel right at home. Their warmth is matched only by the incredible food they serve. I discovered this gem during my maternity leave 18 months ago, and I’ve been a regular ever since, aiming to visit weekly. The menu is a delightful blend of classic flavors and modern twists, ensuring there’s something for everyone. My friends and family have since visited at my recommendation, and it’s always my top choice for family meals or a mid-week snack. The consistent quality and welcoming atmosphere make every visit a pleasure. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty meal or a light treat, Cha and Nasta never disappoints. Highly recommended!

Want to get lost in Bangladesh? This is the place to come. Heart warming food made with love and true authentic flavour! Beautiful find in the heart of St. Albans. You must try this place.

Walked in and they wanted me to try loads of stuff, just so i could enjoy some new foods. Unbeleivable quality and the best comfort food.

Great food and friendly service .

I visited Cha & Nasta last Friday while visiting a friend in St Albans and it was a great experience! The cozy vibe and friendly service. We tried a few street food classics like the bhel puri and samosas. The masala chai was the perfect way to round off the meal. Everything was delicious and the prices were reasonable. If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a stop. 👍

A real hidden gem in St Albans. Bushra greets all customers as a treasured friend. She's amazing, the food is fresh and just so tasty, plus it's very good value too. The range of food means you can sit in for brunch or have a full lunch or dinner and it has such an interesting menu. This time, I went with my one year old, three year old and my mum. High chairs for kids too. Bushra sorted out a great meal for them too, especially given the three year old is a little fussy from time to time! Can't recommend it enough - so good.

I went to the Cha and Nasta for the first time today with my son and grandchildren. There's a side entrance next to the take away shop front, which leads to a peaceful dining area at the back. Bushra was very hospitable snd gave us guidance on the menu. The cha was delicious, the food tasty and we all loved the mango lassi. I look forward to going there again.

I've been a customer here for years. The staff are kind and always have time for everyone. The Bangladeshi food is second to none, real home made food with love poured into it! Delicious flavours. My favourite is the paneer. The shop is gorgeous with a fantastic outdoor area and the cha is the best I've ever had - especially the date! Outstanding 👏

My favourite cafe in St Albans! Great food, great tea (try the “desi cha”), very friendly owners. Great for kids, too. Lovely patio out back with plenty of space for buggies

Easily one of the best places to eat in St Albans, food is authentic and delicious. Very well cooked and always fresh, whilst being incredible value for what you get. Don’t hesitate to ask for suggestions if you’re not sure about the menu, but you can’t go wrong really!

Too much expensive..nothing special

I love this place. Food is great and lovely people.

I had a fantastic experience at this place! The food was delicious, and the masala tea was spot-on. The customer service was top-notch, making the visit even more enjoyable. The atmosphere is incredibly relaxing, perfect for unwinding. I highly recommend checking this spot out—I'll definitely be returning!

Best Bengali food in South East!

Run with passion and it shows in the quality of the food. Absolutely delicious and will come back again.

One of the only places in the UK where the quality of food is matched by the quality of service - Lovely!! Came in for a Cha/tea and the place smelled so good, my partner and myself ended up staying for a couple of curries. We had both the chickpea and fish curry, which were both delicious! As well as the food, the thing that we loved about this place is the ladies who run it genuinely want you to enjoy yourself and enjoy the food that they're making. Which is a breath of fresh air considering that most restaurants that are in cities these days are chains and so are all about turning over tables. Will definitely be back!

Tucked away like a hidden gem. Food is gorgeous. I love their Kathi rolls, desi cha is my normal go to but today I had the pink cha and that was also great. Reasonable price and a chance to get out of the hustle and bustle. Service from this family run, authentic owners is wonderful.

The owner was so kind, helpful and had a real passion for what she was doing. The food was enjoyable and I felt comforted by its warming nature. The chai was flavoursome and the food in general was well priced.

Only ever had take away from here, but lunch or dinner it has always been a refreshing change from some of the more bland offerings in St Albans. Staff are lovely, food is great, price is very reasonable.

Top quality interesting and very tasty Bengali nosh here. Full marks for trying to be a bit different that standard Bangladeshi indian cuisine catering to western palates. Also nice to see a woman fronting this with female chef with a great personality. We are outside in courtyard which given weather could maybe do with a little more heating. Ignore bogus reviews this is worth a visit

food is bland almost tasteless in the biryani the yogurt has more flavor.baby samose came with 6 one centimetre wide samoases for 5 pounds rip of dont order

Delightful experience of Bangladeshi cuisine. We have been many times and always choose it if we want to treat friends from out of town to a special dining experience which is different and authentic. Bushra always greets us with the same friendly welcome. She is justifiably proud of the dishes she serves and the family tradition behind them. Each dish is full of character and flavour - with a wide variety to choose from. For quality, value, authenticity and friendly surroundings, there is nowhere in St Albans to match it.

Warm hospitality and delicious food! The back garden is lovely to sit in and quiet even on Saturday for lunch. No wait to sit down and the owner recommended many dishes for us to try. She also gave us samples of Cha. Everything was delicious and well presented. The hot pink cha was particularly pretty! We hope to come back soon!

Wonderful service from the ladies and great quality food !

Highly recommend this place. The food and service were top-notch and fast; the decor and ambiance were cozy and family-friendly. The price was reasonable as well. We ordered the breakfast thali along with biryani and a starter and also a takeaway for some friends. The ladies working there, especially the owner, put genuine effort into making the food and made my partner feel at home with their friendliness. We would be back again (:

This is the best south asian street food place I know. Simple, quick, and uniquely fresh tasting. The staff are wonderful, the food is impeccable. I wish these were all over London and everywhere tbh!

You guys are utterly amazing, thank you so much. See you soon

I have a suggestion. Please do not charge separately for chutney. It is very strange to do that. Make it a single package deal samosa + chutney.

Genuine deshi food great service along with the 3 sisters who make. This work really well, unique style keep up the fantastic work sisters

Quite friendly and swift service

Pani puri was amazing so was pop corn Samasa can’t wait to try the samosa chaat

I highly recommend Cha & Nasta. It's my go to place for lunch, I normally just have my usual but always open to trying something new. The owners are so lovely and welcoming. Thank you Bushrah always for such delicious dishes :)

Cha & Nasta restaurant was a delight from start to finish. Delicious food, impeccable service, and charming ambience made for a memorable experience. My experience at the restaurant was nothing short of exceptional, loved the chicken Kurma which was cooked the traditional Bangladeshi way! The lamb was one of the best I have tasted in a very long time.

The excellent reviews I've read here are spot on. Lovely authentic food that's freshly prepared .. combined with really nice owners it's no surprise I've started to return here for snacks and meals. St Albans is lucky to have this place.

Great food and good customer service! Everyone super nice along with delicious food, I shall be returning!

Absolutely fabulous place. The food is always so tasty and flavourful! The people here are super friendly! The garden out back is super cute and a great place to enjoy the dishes!

I love this family run business. Great staff, very friendly and professional. They were great and attentive. Food was lovely we tried various options and the kids had the Kurma which went down well with them. Spiced perfectly and the food came out hot. I’d highly recommend these guys, it’s a little gem in St Albans, with a lovely seating area outside. I’ll be returning again soon.

Called in for lunch whilst in St Albans visiting friends. What a great friendly atmosphere, very accommodating staff due to a food intolerance in the family. Food was delicious and so glad we called in. Everyone enjoyed their food. Service was great and will definitely call back when next in town after recommendation from friends we were visiting. Will definitely have the satni sandwich, Masala Murugh and my son said the Murugh was delicious defo worth the 5 stars.

Following reading a review from another unsatisfied customer (Dan Dudley) i would like to bring to light my family’s horrendous ordeal with this outfit. Staff at Cha & Nasta were initially very welcoming and confident in clarifying the items on their menu. They seemed to know what they were talking about. We are originally from India so are familiar with what to expect from the popular dishes that were available from there. Firstly the Kurma (which we know is the traditional name for Korma) was exactly how Mr. Dudley’s photo image looked. It was not creamy, it was some very blandly cooked chicken in a watery sauce with no consistency. The lamb dish that we ordered was just bits of gristly fat swimming in brown water with absolutely no flavour. When we approached the staff regarding this, the young lady was very abrupt and asked if they can make it again for us. I dont see how this could have helped and to be perfectly honest our faith in the kitchen staff had gone. None of this food looked like it was Indian food. We have never returned to Cha & Nasta since and do not intend too. The level of service and the attitude of the staff as well as the quality and presentation of the dishes have been enough to put us off for life. We hope that they can improve their level of hospitality and professionalism as well as hire competent and experienced chefs to ensure a pleasant dining experience for future customers

Came to cha & nasta yesterday to try this little place out. Met the owner and his wife who seemed very nice people and was shown around the place. We ordered the chicken kurma (basically a fancy way to change korma) with rice and keema paratha and my partner ordered Dahl with puri and samosa .. we tried the samosa on the drive home to w.g.c. When we arrived home and opened the rest of the food we were very surprised that the kurma was so watery and had no flavour at all even though the lady said she would make it specially spiced and Indian style for us.. the rice was not nice and had a burnt sweet onion taste to it and had a boiled egg in the tray with the food.. the kurma had a whole chicken leg in it which I have never experienced in a curry .. the food was not authentic.. me and my partner have Asian family’s and eat Asian food out at least 2/3 times a month.. this food is terrible tbh and we called the shop today after work and informed them and that we would like a half refund and only ate prob 25% of the food. The lady was very pleasant on the phone as was my partner. She agreed to look at the receipt and partially refund us, we still had the uneaten food and said we can return it just so they can see we are being genuine. We drove from Wgc in traffic as they close at 5.30, I took the food in as agreed on the phone to be told that refund was not part of their policy by her daughter. I asked why did you let us come back over here, all I wanted was a refund for the food I would consider not edible. They discussed between themselves in their own language ( although they were speaking up until now perfectly good English) which I found very rude in that situation. Bottom line, £40 down the drain at Cha & Nasta and two trips !

Step into this charming Bangladeshi cafe and you'll instantly feel like part of the family. Run with passion and warmth, every visit is a great experience. The menu boasts delicious, home-cooked dishes crafted with care, each bite brimming with authentic flavors and love. Don't forget to explore their seasonal specials – not to be missed. With its inviting ambiance and unbeatable hospitality, this cafe is a true treasure waiting to be discovered.

Some of the best tasting food in St. Albans. Friendly service. Great vibes. Would give 10 stars if I could. Will definitely be coming back!

Absolutely delicious! All of the dishes are so tasty, I love coming here. All of the staff are so friendly and kind as well. Completely recommend.

Absolutely delicious! Love the food and the people. Thank you, we will be back :)

Delicious food, highly recommend the Paneer Roll (which tastes just as good as having chicken and this is coming from a meat eater!) as well as the Masala Chips. Pani Puri is great too!

Found this place at the top end of Hatfield road. Always like to try new food . The food was amazing and cooked from the heart . Just a few things needed for a lovely meal . Atmosphere, good ingredients, passion and a good place to eat . The garden room at the back is a lovely hideaway away from the hustle and bustle of the main street ( St Peters ) would go back . My wife loved the breakfast thali.

We had a lovely lunch in the courtyard seating area. The owner (forgotten her name) was absolutely lovely and offered a real personal touch to our dining experience. Recipe's are from the owners family home cooking and are lovely.

Great food to go along with great service and warm atmosphere. My favourite is the minced lamb along with chapati. They also offer a nice set menu for Iftar during Ramadan which is well proportioned, reasonably priced, and tasty! So be sure to stop by and check this gem out.

Great food to go along with great service and warm atmosphere. My favourite is the minced lamb along with chapati. They also offer a nice set menu for Iftar during Ramadan which is well proportioned, reasonably priced, and tasty! So be sure to stop by and check this gem out.

Very friendly welcome and service offering daytime food. I will definitely visit again.

The owner is so fantastically welcoming and remembers your name, always has time for a chat. The food is amazing. I had the keema curry with parata today, not too spicy but builds pleasantly in the mouth. Delicious tomato salsa type thing on the side (tip to owner... so good, add a little more, is lovely and refreshing) followed by a Ferrero milkshake. My friends come here a lot and have tried lots of the menu. Unfortunately I can't join very often or I'd be there every time. I think the owner works very hard to make this place welcoming and the food is so authentically made with love and knowledge. This is more a daytime than evening place and I would thoroughly recommend people to try it.

Best bengali food i had . Staff was really nice . BEST FOOD QUALITY. Sylheti Aloo Sandwich, had no problem and i do recommend this

I love this place, their food is so amazing and everything is reasonably priced! Must try their chicken wrap( murgh masala wrap) it's not too heavy and perfect as a snack or lunch! My colleague and I go there often for lunch pretty much every week! Must try their channa murgh curry, it's delicious! You won't regret!

Portion is too small. There are better options than this for the same price.

lovely cha and friendly service!

It's crazy I hadn't left my review already as I deeply love Cha&Nasta, is my favourite spot in St Albans for a quick and delicious lunch and for their delicious Chas to take away. Food and drinks are super tasty, healthy and home-made with natural ingredients only, no artificial flavours or ingtedients. Staff are lovely as well: great women work here, always cheery and ready to welcome you with big smiles stamped on their faces.

Really yummy food and the friendliest owners. Nice vibe as well.

The omelette was burnt and could not be eaten. Daal was extremely watery and tasteless. Even the kathi rolls paratha was completely burnt from the inside. Never ordering from this place ever again. Horrible food!

Friendly service and delicious food

We got the masala chips and it was really good. We were given some masala tea as well and it was delicious. The owner was really sweet and all the food is homemade. Highly recommended. Definitely going back with my friends again.

Amazing service, the staff are always so lovely and the food is absolutely delicious at such a good price. 10/10 all round highly recommend.

Amazing service and food! Really authentic. Would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for great food at a great price. Staff are very accommodating to everyone!

Tasty , lightly spiced, freshly prepared, Bangladeshi food. We had 2 Kathi Rolls and the Chana Chat and an egg Pokota with a tangy green chutney. All washed down with a spiced Cha. Would highly recommend.

Another gorgeous lunch. All good is homemade and delicious. The fish was amazing as were the Masala Fries ! Service with a smile such a nice place for lunch .

Casually popped in for a quick bite. Chef was great and hostess was welcoming. We sat in the back area - Plenty of space and outdoor space too with the rickshaw to take some quirky pictures

Food was awesome and service was too good. Very friendly staff.

Excellent food! Had Deshi Cha, fish curry and Sev Puri. Highly recommend!

Great menu with lots of smaller snacks.. The food had lots of flavour / was well spiced and the owner was very friendly and made us feel welcome!

Absolute gem. Fantastic food, the owner is super lovely, nice courtyard/seating area around the back

The food was overall good I'd say. The portions were rather small which then made me think that for what you get, it's a tad expensive. Lovely place to sit in and have lunch.

Superb food and the variety is great 💙

Really friendly and welcoming. Best masala cha I have tasted. Delicious biryani supper. Yummy Aloo chat katchi and highly recommend the Samosa chaat. Looking forward to tasting my way through the rest of the menu!

Small family run place with absolutely incredible authentic food Services is wonderful Gem!

Hidden gem of a restaurant tucked behind the take away storefront. All food is freshly prepared and worth waiting for! Wonderful service and even better food. A must-stop visit for anyone looking for hole in the wall restaurants.

Such a lovely place with delicious food. The owner is friendly and very hospitable. I would highly recommend the paneer kathi roll and the pani puri.

Really nice place! The food was delicious especially the samosa chaat and onion bhaji! Hot and cold deshi Cha was also lovely. Service was great and very friendly. I Would certainly recommend Cha & Nasta!

Come here any time of day and you won’t be disappointed with what’s on offer. The food speaks for itself and the staff are very welcoming and will gladly help you choose the right dish for you

Fantastic food and excellent service. A great place to eat. Highly recommend!

Thursday lunchtime Summer's day and it was quiet. Staff were very friendly and lovely. Genuinely wonderful atmosphere. Apologised for delay. Prices not bad. £16 for 3 items and a bottle of water Sat outside....lovely rear courtyard

Sensational street food, the wraps are incredible and the puri... amazing. Run by the most welcoming people. Highly recommend

A fantastic little cafe serving Bangladeshi food perfect for lunch. I also had a deshi cha which lovely and they have a great place to sit and enjoy the food out the back. I love that they serve a number of small dishes so you can pick a number if you are hungry.

Great customer service and reasonable priced

Great little place and very welcoming owner. I would highly recommend this place, some very tasty dishes and worth visiting. If you don't know what to order they will give you recommendations

Hands down the best dining experience I’ve had in ages. The service is wonderful. Friendly and attentive. Happy to explain things on the menu and make recommendations. Remembered me when I walked in which is always a nice touch. The food is incredible. So much flavour and really nice sized portions. Delicious tea. I had the chickpea curry and it was amazing. Really can’t wait to return with friends and family.

The owner was so lovely and so pleasant, giving us recommendations. Everything we tried was excellent and freshly prepared. Great prices as well. Lovely atmosphere and prompt service. Will be going back for sure

Great food, friendly owner and delicious drinks too.

Fabulous food for a recent party. All our guests thought it was amazing. Thank you so much for being accommodating and for providing perfect Bangladeshi cuisine!

Authentic, friendly, and delicious! We come here every time we are in St. Albans. If you've been to India or Bangladesh, ask them to make it a little more spicy for you.

Amazing place for a great Bangladeshi breakfast/brunch. Amazing flavours and such a great decor for the seating area at the back. They had a lot of variety of different snacks and great tasting smoothies. You cannot leave untill you have tried the Deshi Chaa and Bangladeshi breakfast. We had an amazing chat with the owner and she was so warm and welcoming. Hidden gem in St Albans.

If you would like to taste love and care they deliver it with incredible food 😊😊😊😊 The food came from heaven to my plate!!! Thank you so much for the experience!!!

Absolutely delicious. Authentic, freshly cooked. Taste heaven.

They are so friendly, the lady we spoke to explained the cuisine with such enthusiasm and love for the food she makes, I had the chicken samosa, cinnamon and sugar Mitta Sitta, freshly squeezed orange juice and a Mango Lassi, every single item was a 10/10 they have gained a customer for life out of me On top of that they are dog friendly!

Came from London for a day out, this was our first stop as we’d heard how good it was. It exceeded the expectations, the food was truly amazing, we were made to feel so welcome. The menu recommendations excellent. Definitely coming back :)

Love this place. Desh Cha is superb and the food is awesome. Customer service is excellent....and there is seating in the orangery in the back garxwn

Love this place, the food is always so tasty. The kathi rolls and dhaal puri are amazing

Great Menu with food to match and very good Portions - Good Value - Will Definitely be ordering again

My first time back since September and this lovely place is still fantastic. I had jhaal muri it was very fresh and nice and spicy . Also tried the Chana Aloo Kathi which was very good . All wash down with a very warming cup of deshi cha

Absolutely delicious food, and extremely friendly staff. I was blown away with my meal, which was packed with a variety of flavours. I was astounded to find out that none of the food contained sugar, cream or milk (these are often added to a lot of curries in the UK to give it a more Western taste), meaning the flavours were all natural and authentic (which was even more impressive, as my paneer dish did have a sweet taste to it). I was very full up by the end of the meal, and was very impressed with the cleanliness and friendly nature of the outhouse restaurant. As there were no nasties added to the food, I was able to share my meal with my 10-month-old daughter (who was a big fan!) Will definitely be returning in the near future with my family.