Craft and Cleaver in St Albans

Visited on Saturday evening having completed the first part of our journey home from watching Burnley at Crystal Palace. There were five of us and we’d booked in advance and we all agreed our menu choices were excellent. However, the long delay before our orders were taken was concerning and the even longer delay awaiting our main courses following the starters was really unacceptable. We did receive an apology eventually but that came far too late and the reasoning that we were behind a large table seemed far fetched. It meant we had one less round of drinks and didn’t order desserts to allow us to get on the road for our long journey home. Food excellent but the service means we will probably not return when in the area.

Met a few friends for a drink and food here on a Thursday night. The food was great. We shared some starter plates and covered meat (pork tacos and burgers) and non-meat (vegan hot dog) mains. All very tasty. Ended-up costing around £50/head with 2 or 3 drinks too. Great atmosphere and the staff were warm and attentive throughout the evening. All in all, a top night.

Had our anniversary Wife was happy with my choice of place 😂 Totally recommend as food was amazing Will return in the near future

Had our anniversary Wife was happy with my choice of place 😂 Totally recommend as food was amazing

Friendly atmosphere, fantastic food and lovely service. Excellent beer selection too. Recommend the burnt ends!

Been there for a pint but found this place is famous for its bbq stuff. You get beautiful atmosphere as soon as u entered. Friendly & attentive staff. Great quick service. Plenty of seating inside and outdoor. Serving best craft beers from different breweries of UK. Right in the middle of city so easy to access if you around for shopping. Hope visit it again soon

Amazing food. Super tasty ribs and burnt ends. Corn ribs so good. Vegan chili dog was very good too. Thank you.

Second visit and did not disappoint. Having a son that smokes, brines, barbecues etc we are well aware of the care and effort C&C go to. Choices and flavours are AMAZING! Choice of homemade pickles and sauces very eclectic and catered for all tastes and the curiosity to try something different. Between four of us we had wings, squid, croquettes, burnt ends, shrimp and mac and cheese. Portions were generous we are good eaters too, meat was tender and not at all dry, spice level was perfect. Apologies but can't remember name but pear vodka C&C gin and raspberry cocktail was unreal!!! Need one of those every Friday to round off the week......we had a few! Bourbon soaked cherries, lush. Staff are so attentive but not intrusive fun and and so obviously proud of their product it was a perfect evening. Thank you.

Went there for breakfast. Definitely up there in the top 3 brunch spots in St Albans. The full pitmaster breakfast is an awesome meal. Won't need to eat again today!

Overall verdict- Pitmaster Tray for 2 is an absolute rip-off with meat not so good. I went on Sunday around 3.00 pm for lunch. The place decent with a large room to sit and the waiters were super nice. We ordered the big sharing platter - Pitmaster Tray for 2 (£64.50) and overall were left disappointed. Burnt ends - these were decent though the meat was still not as tender. Full rack of ribs - this was sooo disappointing. Very very dry (as if it had been sitting for a long time). Given this was the star of the show, it was very disappointing. Left it unfinished. Pulled Pork - again not moist or juicy. And once these get dry, the taste just goes away. 4xFried chicken wings - regular with no sauce in the platter (could be bought at extra cost) 1 sausage Overall for £32 a head, this was a disaster - money aside, the taste of meats was below average, there were no sauces and a small fries. Later we realised that we could have got almost the same food by Build your own combo (x2) for £24.50 per person which would have come with 2 portion each of meat, 2 sides and 2 sauce of choice).

Truly excellent venue. The barbecue food is outstanding; certainly unrivalled in the area. There's always a wide selection of beers on. The atmosphere is great and the staff are friendly and personable. The beer garden is very cool as well. Thoroughly recommended.

Really didn't rate this unfortunately. Went with the truffle burger and tasted no truffle/blue cheese sauce or anything other than the sweet relish. Real shame. Good quality patty but other than that, a disappointment for the money!

Great food, great staff! Thank you so much

2nd time here and it's just good as the first time. The beef ribs in particular is amazingly tender and well flavored.

Delicious food! We had the pitmaster platter which was plenty for 2 people. My only comment is…. Be more generous with the chips please!

Platters are small not well presented well over priced no atmosphere staff could be a bit more upbeat won't be returning

I celebrated my 50th birthday here, couldn't have asked for a better place. Food was pre-prdered so came out quickly, no complaints about any food which is odd for my family😉. Wide range of craft beers, etc. The staff were friendly and attentive from start to finish. Will definitely return soon!

A very good bbq based gastro pub. Funky decor, good service and a good choice of drinks. The combo is worth it if you can’t decide.

Delicious food and cocktails 😋 Service poor but otherwise amazing

Nice restaurant to eat at with good service. Food is nice but a bit expensive for what it is.

Excellent food and service, food was hot and delicious would highly recommend. Busy but was a Saturday night and seating to our table took 45 mins but once seated food order delivered quickly.

Went for dinner and was really tasty! Great service on a busy Saturday night. Highly recommend the Pork Croquettes & pit beans both stole the show for me!

This is my favourite place in St Albans, the food is always good, the beers excellent and the friendly people serving are the best ; a big big thanks to Gemma; friendly attentive and a natural in hospitality! This place deserves the great reviews; I’ve eaten here many many times the good food and the good team always make it a great night ! Thank you

Very disappointing and a raw burger. Instead of making a new burger they just recooked the old one. Don't recommend

Went with my teenage sons (and dog) and we all agreed, best place we'd eaten at for ages! Beer choice was interesting (and great) so we knew we'd come somewhere a little different. I tasted a few before deciding on a lovely American IPA. Then the food...! We had wings, a sharing platter and a burger. Wow, exactly what we'd hoped for and my sons can be a fussy...they know what they like. This hit the spot and the quantity was perfect for us, we we were on the verge of being defeated and left extremely full! They're still talking about it a week later. Service was brilliant too, friendly and helpful.

Absolutely delighted with our visit to Craft & Cleaver! It was an extraordinary evening, transforming our dinner into a memorable 'date night.' The outdoor heating in our designated cubicle added a cozy touch, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The staff's friendliness further enhanced our experience, making us feel genuinely welcomed. Now, let's talk about the food – nothing short of fantastic! Craft & Cleaver takes pride in delivering barbecue perfection. From the smoked ribs to the brisket and other American BBQ staples, each dish showcased imaginative flavors that left our taste buds thoroughly satisfied. The portions were generous, ensuring a hearty and fulfilling dining experience. And the desserts? Simply to die for! Craft & Cleaver didn't just meet our expectations; it exceeded them, leaving us eager to return for another culinary adventure. The commitment to quality and taste was evident in every bite. Beyond the culinary delights, the ambiance of the restaurant added to the overall enjoyment of our evening. The contemporary setting with cozy corners and the option of outdoor heated booths created a vibrant yet intimate atmosphere. Craft & Cleaver has successfully curated a space that caters to a diverse range of preferences. Moreover, we appreciate the pride Craft & Cleaver takes in being an independent barbecue joint, craft beer house, and cocktail bar. This commitment to independence adds a unique charm to the establishment. It's evident that the venue isn't just a place to eat; it's a celebration of culinary creativity and the joy of sharing good food and drinks. We also want to highlight the thoughtful touch of being open seven days a week. This flexibility ensures that patrons can indulge in Craft & Cleaver's offerings at their convenience, making it a go-to spot for any day of the week. In summary, our visit to Craft & Cleaver was nothing short of spectacular. The combination of exceptional food, warm ambiance, and friendly staff has left a lasting impression. We wholeheartedly thank Craft & Cleaver for providing us with a truly great night out, and we're already looking forward to our next visit. Craft & Cleaver is undeniably a gem in St. Albans, proudly independent and consistently delivering a top-notch dining experience. Highly recommended!

Lovely atmosphere, decor and vibe. The waiting staff were very attentive and friendly. The menu is interesting, though more options on the combo for non-pork eaters would have been good. The food was very tasty - the mac & cheese was delicious, perfect texture and flavour, however I would say that in terms of value for the money the portion sizes are a little on the small size. And increase of 25% and I would have been delightedly. Overall a lovely experience. Many thanks for lunch 🙂

Exceptional food. One of the best smoke houses we've been to. The attention to detail in the food, drinks, ambience and generally the whole restaurant is fantastic.

Consistently fantastic food. The price can be steep however you get amazing quality produce. Service can be slower during peak times but to be expected as this restaurant becomes fully booked.

A full American BBQ style restaurant. We loved the food, it was so delicious. We ordered a share plate and 2 side orders was enough for 3 people. And the fact that they accept dogs was an extra plus for us. All staff were really helpful and polite, definitely recommended

Very very nice lunch today, highly recommend the bigger platter for 2 to share.

Always have a great time here. The food is excellent

We shared the BBQ platter and had a few cocktails. The atmosphere was busy and the food was good, meats cooked really well etc, but there was just a little spice and variety missing for us. The cocktails were decent, and the price for everything seemed reasonable (~£100) for two people. Would definitely try again and recommend.

Everything about our dining experience was fantastic. Great service, great atmosphere and the food was all amazing. The men all enjoyed sampling the different craft beers . Our two birthday girls had a great time. Something on the menu for every appetite...Will definitely dine here again.

Lovely food and good selection of drinks.

On really positive reviews from friends I was maybe expecting too much. Not to say it wasn't good but the sharing platter and burger prices were too high to justify themselves . The platter I was slightly disappointed with as value on a plate offer . But good atmosphere and beer selections and really lovely waitress .👍

Really lovely restaurant and the food was excellent.

Good food, friendly staff and plenty of beer 🍺

I went for a meal with a friend, the staff were really quick and efficient as well as being really nice! Our server (I forget her name but had long brunette hair) was amazing!!

Nice place. Staff was really friendly

Probably one of the nicest burger I ve ever had the craft one 😋 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Fantastic beef brisket & brisket burgers, plus points to the restaurant for having sanitary products in the ladies room!

Great vibe in the place, helpful staff, nice beers. Food was a disappointment - good quality meat but so dry and stiff - felt like the burnt ends had been cut for a long time. Too much oil on the salad too. My hubby had the beef rib, I had pork ribs and ends - large portions, but have had a lot better for £30 a head.

Great choice of beers, with amazing food! Staff and friendly and helpful. Great place, definitely recommend!

First time in this pub/restaurant. We were a party of 7 adults and three children (1 to 4ish). It was perfect for me as I really love ribs and barbeque food. The chicken burgers were apparently very good. It was early early on a Sunday evening so the place was not that crowded. They looked after the kids very well and we were all pretty pleased with the service and food. I would go back the ribs were pretty good

Friendly and very accommodating, flexible, great with kids and amazing food and drinks - we had the private room and we were 4 separate families

We had some fantastic ribs and brisket on Friday night. The service was exceptional and the cocktails and desserts were amazing.

Absolutely an amazing experience and wonderful 'date night' venue. We had outdoor heating in our cubicle, with friendly staff and the food was fantastic! Very tasty, very satisfying and good portion. The desserts were to die for too. We will definitely be coming back! Thank you for welcoming us and giving us a great night out.

Really great BBQ food, nice atmosphere with food music and selection of Beers. Friendly staff and very helpful, also Dog friendly 😄

Food is great, wasn’t “too” busy so it felt pleasant to be there, but as good as those things are, the staff MAKE this place. Faultless. So lovely, professional, talkative as appropriate, attentive, friendly, knowledgeable about the food. Well done.

Firm favourite for great food, disappointment this time with the very loud rock music but grateful that upon feedback it was able to be turned off in the area we were seated in out the back. Service a little slow but it does mean the food is amazing on arrival - could do with something to graze on whilst waiting! Will return but probably in the warmer weather when we can sit outside and avoid the loud music.

Amazing BBQ restaurant, wholeheartedly recommended.

I love this place. Staff add the extra dimension to a great bar and great food. Friendly, super helpful and ask them about drinks/ food. They really know their stuff. Passionate about what they do. Fair play!

The best ribs I have had in the UK. The burgers were very good as well according to my son's (high praise). Unfortunately it was raining and everyone was squeezed inside which made it very loud and it seemed to me that we were put in the family area with very young children who happened to be misbehaving.

Good food but staff not the most welcoming.

Had the baby ribs didn't like them as didn't taste like pork ribs lots of small bones wasn't what I expected and very expensive my husband had the chicken burger and that wasn't what he thought so sorry not for us

Very friendly and helpful staff.

Great evening out with work colleagues. Fantastic food with friendly professional service

Cannot even describe how amazing this spot is! Amazing food, perfect service and very friendly environment. They always look after us very well and we love going back! Well done to all the team!

This is an amazing place that never fails to impress. Service is always friendly and accommodating to our various needs. The food is fantastic and we love the fact the menu continues to evolve. Both the draft beers and cocktails are top-notch and it's always worth sampling new additions to the bar. I have been with friends, family, kids and work people, and every time have been both impressed and delighted. Last weekend I hired the bar for my 50th birthday party. The level of service, help, support and positivity throughout the planning was simply top-notch (Jennie was awesome). On the night we had over 100 people from 7.30pm - 1am and the whole event was faultless, fun and fantastic. There is no doubt that the team at the C&C helped make the event such a success (lots of friends have since commented how impressed they were with the service, as well as the food quality). Can't recommend it highly enough.

Good surroundings pleasant atmosphere. Service excellent. Staff excellent. All the food and drinks were excellent. So in all a exceptional visit. Will be back for sure

Had a lovely meal here tonight The girls were lovely that served us Food was yummy would definitely go back :) :) :)

Been here quite a few times and almost always opt for the pitmaster tray. The general interior and vibe is good, plenty of space so you never feel cramped. Service is quick and efficient. The outdoor area is great both in the summer and winter months. They have an excellent selection of craft beers on offer and cocktails if you'd like a treat. Food wise, as I said, I've been having the pitmaster tray almost every time I've been. Had the padron peppers a few times which never disappoint. The pitmaster tray itself has changed over the years in terms of lessening quantity and different meats but generally always good for two. However I have had some instances where the ribs weren't quite up to scratch where the meat had completely fused with the bone making it very difficult to eat. I would expect professionally bbqed ribs to fall off the bone... So as a result I can't give a perfect result but other than that can't complain! If you're a meat eater and want to satisfy those carnivorous craving, then you can't go wrong! Edit as of 20/09/23. Upgraded to 5 star after attending the yearly Crawfish Boil. It was a truly unforgettable culinary experience!

Lovely place, the beef rib was awesome

Treated to a lunch here for first time. Staff were pleasant, great beers and drink choice. Nice, small menu aerved well, all tasty and well cooked. Reasonable prices. Worth a visit

Great selection of beers and really nice cocktails. Food is good, feel like it was better when they first opened however. Still worth a visit however, staff generally welcoming.

I come here alot, couldn't reccomend it enough great selection of drinks and meat and superb staff

Bad service and I was overcharged ~£30 for items I did not order or receive. I was told many times that they will get back in contact wjth me but they never made any effort.

Very rude hostess/bar manager! Left before buying anything. Went elsewhere and really enjoyed our pint! Will not be returning any time soon. Hospitality training may be required!

Amazing food and brilliant service!

OK not great may ribs were not fresh

We selected a platter to share. The ribs and burnt ends were okay. The sausage and pulled pork were both dry. The cocktails were good. This establishment is definitely dog-friendly, and because of the staff's friendliness and the dogs' enthusiastically jumping up and licking their hands. My ranking for this place is poor for the fact that only one employee washed his hands before serving again. A young man who I assume to be the manager sat with the diners in the garden area. Every other employee kept delivering meals without washing their hands. This is a hygiene issue and totally unacceptable! We could be ingesting bacteria that the dog carries and at risk of gastrointestinal issues. Unless this is addressed, inevitably someone will be at risk from eating at this establishment.

I recently hosted a party and had the pleasure of ordering two large beef briskets with trimmings from The Craft & Cleaver in St Albans. The beef was an absolute hit with all the meat enthusiasts at the event! The tenderness and flavor were exceptional, making it a highlight of the evening. While the vegetarians missed out, I couldn't be happier with the quality and taste of the briskets. The Craft & Cleaver's attention to detail and delicious offerings have won me over, and I'll definitely consider them for future events. If you're a meat lover, I wholeheartedly recommend giving them a try – you won't be disappointed!

One of the best places in St Alban's to go. Had some really nice beer last night and the beef plate was incredible, if a little much for two (not that we didn't finish it haha...) Very friendly staff. Can't fault them, they know what they're doing :)

Haven’t been to Craft and Cleaver in a while, but so pleased we returned. Amazing outdoor space, friendly service and fantastic food - what more could you want! Highly recommend the ribs and cherry & banana sundae.

Great for an Authentic USA flavours

Always a great experience. Lovely food and good and great beer.

Amazing food and great choice of craft beers!

Great BBQ place and such friendly and chatty members of staff, they make your evening even better. The chefs produce gorgeous BBQ dishes and it is so good that you overheat and yet you still have leftovers to take home all within a reasonable price. Would recommend!

Love the food here! Every time I have had something at Craft & Cleaver, it has always lived up to expectation. There are some vegetarian options, had a couple before and they are good too. Though, I mostly have come here to eat their meat dishes which are delicious. Nice and refreshing cocktails to enjoy if you get a chance to sit in their garden during a warm afternoon/evening.

Great food ans service! We enjoyed the burnt ends and pulled pork tacos. The kids menu was good too as well as a great selection of craft beers and alternative cocktails.would definitely go again.

If you eat meat then this place is great. Great food and great service.

Great food and really inventive cocktails.

The Food is nice and the service was great but for me it didn't really represent value for money. What you see in the picture is the pitmaster tray for 2, described as follows:- "Our signature platter of Burnt Ends, House-recipe Bacon (there was no bacon), Fennel & Rosemary Sausage (very tasty), Carnitas-style Pulled Pork (about a spoonful and it was a little cold), a Full Rack of Baby Back Ribs (see photo) & Buttermilk Fried Wings (probably 4 drumlets, so two wings worth... Coated with a little too much flour for my liking). Served up alongside a sharing pot of Smokehouse Fries, Summer Beet Slaw & House Pickles" As I say, the food was fine and if you like BBQ food they do a nice enough job, but not good value for £62.95, especially as there was no bacon (literally only just realised this upon re-reading the menu and looking at the photo!). The pickles were a few slices of cucumber and the beet slaw was little more than 3 or 4 mouthfuls... But nice, don't get me wrong. The fries were well seasoned, but remember, this is a main course meal for 2 people to share, at £30+ each. I appreciate that costs of all sorts have gone up but that's for businesses and private individuals alike and if one is to spend money with the other, most especially these days when every penny counts, one wants to feel that one is getting value for money. I had 2 pints of Helles lager at £5.95 each and my wife had chargrilled lemonade at £3.80. Anyway, you decide. I'm not saying don't go here. It was pleasant, the atmosphere was OK for mid-evening on a Friday, the staff were very nice but only 3 stars overall.

Went here for dinner whilst hosting some colleagues from abroad. The food was amazing, with great and attentive service. The only mistake we did was to order too much food - the guys were great though and provided us with some boxes so we could take it home!

The food here was lovely but I would never come back here for bottomless brunch. The service for the drinks was very slowly even though it wasn’t busy. Would have spent less just buying the drinks separately. The staff were friendly, just wish the service was quicker.

On the outskirts of st Alban's , well worth a visit.

When we arrived the place was fairly deserted and they tried to seat us next to the only other couple in there at a tiny table that was incredibly close. I asked to be spaced out and the waitress complained that all the tables could be needed later (which was not the case). The food was okay, we had the pit platter which at over £60 you would expect to not look so stingy. The best part was the burnt ends, but you only got 6 pieces. Everything else was very dry as the ribs had a dry rub rather than sauce based and the pulled pork had barely any flavour at all. Service was not remarkable so the extra 10% service charge snuck on as always put a meal for 2 at well over £80. Disappointed as I remembered it being much better and was looking forward to a special birthday meal but would not bother wasting my money again!

I had a fabulous meal here, the beer was great and the cocktails too. Service was good, i'd definitely go back.

Such a great place. Incredibly clean, fantastic service, amazing craft beers and the food was super tasty. Highly recommended.

went at weekend past and the food was not the best, over priced in my opinion and the places was pretty poor ordered chicken wings and asked for BBQ sauce to have with them which is not a thing apparently and was given what can only be described as a brown liquid was vile tasting the mains took around 40 mins to come after also which is a rather long time also was seated with my partner in a area that looked like was designated for couples but was so close to couple either side could not even stretch arms out without giving them a cuddle and to goto the toilet had to knock there table all in all a rather poor experience and would not recommend

We have been firm supporters of the Craft & Cleaver for years but today was the first time for brunch. Highly recommend 👌 🌟

A great little restaurant at the top of Catherine St, good vibes and lovely food!

Everything we tried was amazing, especially the spicy wings. Great service, we had fun sampling the various hot sauces on offer and had the beef ribs as a main. Thanks for your excellent service, keep up the great work. Looking forward to coming back soon.

This is a fantastic place to eat specially for gluten free celiac disease person like my self who constantly gets Ill from allergies. No joke feel at ease eating here staff was really good at looking after you. Take a trip but you will have to book in advance. 🌝

I'm so annoyed that I waited so long to try this place out. This type of place is right up my street but it's not that appealing to my wife and daughter. My daughter is getting into this type of food and she absolutely loved the place. She is asking for a return visit. Even my wife said she'd happily go back (maybe not at the same cadence as my daughter). The food was brilliant, the service exemplary. Dogs are allowed and I'm pretty sure it's my dogs favourite place ever. If you like crazy beer and this kind of cuisine then cancel your plans and go here. If you're not as crazy about it as me I would still recommend giving it a try. We will return and will make sure there's a Jacobs Ladder available

Exceptional food and drinks. I’ve been going to Craft & Cleaver for years, when it first opened it was a first class experience and somewhere along the way they lost it a bit, with overcooked, tasteless food, dodgy cocktails and odd desserts. After last night visit I can confirm they have got back to their high standards, perhaps even better then when they first open. We had Shrimps to start and the Beef sharing platter, both were full of flavour, tender and good sized portions. Pair this with the craft beer on tap and smartly thought out original cocktails, and this is truest one of the best restaurants in St Albans. Shall definitely be return to try out the other items on the menu and perhaps sit in the lovely maintained garden. @c&c team - keep up the good work!

Food was superb and service was fantastic however portions a little on the small side and comparatively pricey. This would have have been a 4 dot review however had an issue with the receipt for expense claim and this was promptly resolved by the general manager in a timely fashion. It was very clear just how much they care about what they do when by chance the manager recognised me in town the following day and followed up to see that I'd got the corrected receipt he had sent me. Exceptional attitude to how you look after your customers, next time I'm in the area I'll be back.

10/10 zero complaints - Food was amazing, beef & pork ribs, tacos, burger, chicken wings & cocktails 👌 staff are very friendly & very reasonably priced. We will be back for sure!

Good food. American style lots of meat. Not so much vegetables. Plenty of drinks option. Baby baby ribs, beef ribs, burger, chicken wings, baby squid are available. Beef ribs seems a bit dry. We also had burnt ends which was juicy and succulent.