Dylans. The Kings Arms in St Albans

A delicious, good-value 3-course lunch with my sister, made even better by friendly staff & olde worldy surroundings. We both had a gorgeous Jerusalem artichoke soup, then a tasty riff on bubble & squeak, finished with a blood orange sorbet & a heavenly chocolate créme brûle (we shared the puds, which was a master stroke... ;) ) We'll be back!

Lovely atmosphere, friendly staff n service is great. On top of that love the craft beer choices, wine & food all extra cool. Going to become my fav place in St Albans for drinks. Now it’s one of my favourite place to drink in St Albans

It wasn't cheap but you get what you pay for. A faultless meal in lovely surroundings with very good service. The menu is quite small but perhaps that's because chef has decided everything on there has to be done just right. We shared a delicious starter of duck with a poached egg as a starter and shared a pud - perfect gypsy tart with creme fraiche and orange, two mains (melt-in-the-mouth onglet with chimichurri and duck-fat potatoes) and a superlative veggie dish of potato and taleggio that was so much greater than the sum of its parts, a large glass of good white wine and a craft beer. The bill was just into three figures including service (January 2024). So it's not Pizza Express prices (we went for a pre-show meal before heading for the Albans Arena, a 5 minute walk away), but then it wasn't pizza. We enjoyed every mouthful. Atmosphere is very cosy gastro pub. A real treat.

Had very high hopes for Dylan’s considering how highly it came rated from friends and family. Albeit it was very close to Christmas, but the service was very rushed and it felt like we were being ushered to leave promptly. The food was good, but sadly in my opinion not up to the expectations I’d had based on reviews from others. It was the Xmas menu and I had the duck and chicken Scotch egg. Would perhaps try again later in the year

What a gorgeous pub/restaurant, lovely warm welcome and every single course was amazing. We had the Sunday roast and a couple in our group shared the prime rib, everything was delicious. Can’t wait to go back.

What a great place Welcoming staff Warm friendly room Great menu - tried the Specials - the Mushroom Veloute was amazing as was the Cod Fishcake - we both had the Wild Boar and Apple sausages with the most delicious purée potato with a really outstanding gravy Thank you Lexy for your welcome That coffee was the icing on the cake A perfect Autumn lunch ;))

Great beer & cocktails, friendly efficient service & quality food. Absolutely the best spot for food in SA - also serve an amazing Sunday roast beef!

Exceptional food, plenty of choice and beautifully prepared. It's a bit dark inside and food is pricey, but it's worth it. No parking but car park within a short walk.

One of the best Sunday Roasts I've ever had. Fantastic service by every member of staff, incredible food cooked and served to perfection in a lovely atmosphere. Couldn't fault any of it. Definitely our favourite place in St Alban's, since the location is excellent too.

Went for a birthday celebration on a Sunday lunch. Service was very, very good - efficient but relaxed. Cocktails were great and came quickly. Food was also very, very good. Not the cheapest in St Albans, but in my view the best.

I was last here two or three years ago and had a great meal then as we did this time. Nice "intimate" dining room with a good atmosphere. Somewhat narrow menu but all good choices. Excellent knowledgeable front of house staff - with just the right balance of chat and service. Good quality and tasty food. Everyone in our group had a really good dinner/evening.

We went here for my sons birthday and the food was exceptional. Very high level food. The service was decent. The decor could be better, it was a little dark inside and the cutlery was dated but overall excellent and we would go back.

Having eaten at Dylan’s several times we chose it for a family birthday celebration. Ryan ( Front of House) was brilliant and service was excellent. Ham hock and Parmesan croquettes and a scallop starters were delicious and the cod with pea purée main course option was superb. Whilst all the desserts were very good,the chocolate soup with peanut butter ice cream was excellent. We all thoroughly enjoyed the food and ambience and wil defiantly return.

I recently visited with my work colleagues for dinner as one of my team had been here previously and loved it. It’s very dark at Dylan’s and the service wasn’t the best, quite slow at times and didn’t feel very welcoming. The food however most people really enjoyed. As the menu has only a few options for each course, most people has the Steak or the Lamb. We also had 1 vegan and 1 vegetarian with us too, I must say the veggie and vegan option(s) are very limited. In this instance it was a pithivier (pie.) I personally had a starter and a main and the starter was much better than my main. I had the Burrata with jalapeño pesto and the biggest piece of sourdough bread ever - one slice was genuinely as big as some whole bread rolls. I wish bread everywhere was that big! For main, I had the battered cod with beef fat chips, the chips were too crispy for my personal taste and the fish whilst nice was nothing special. Whilst I wasn’t blown away by my meal, I think it was potentially my poor choice on this occasion vs the expectations I had set for Dylan’s based on recommendations as those that had the steak and lamb thoroughly enjoyed their dishes and said they would give them 4/5 or 5/5.

I popped in for a quick glass of Malborough Sauvignon Blanc and the barman persuaded me to have one of their scotch egg bar snacks. I would thoroughly recommend. Looked like a nice restaurant as well and also good beers

This quaff was epic, largely due to the vast offering of both grape and grain. We began with 2 x bottles of Pol Roger - an excellent non-vintage champagne (though should you want to upgrade to the vintage Pols, several are available), before diving into...

A memorably miserable anniversary celebration, booked a month earlier. Thanks to a table of 7 LOUD 30-year-olds celebrating a birthday with total disregard for the other four tables, it was so noisy that we couldn't hear the waiter, or think straight, let alone talk to...

We booked Dylans for 4 of us for Sunday lunch for my birthday after hearing great reviews. I was aware it was expensive (hence had waited for a special occasion) and we are very picky about our roasts (and our Bloody Marys) so I went...

We decided to change our dinner from Friday to Thursday on the Thursday afternoon. When I rang to book a table, I was initially told that they were full but then a table became available. On arrival, the bar was vibrant and noisy but the...

Dylan’s has been on our list of restaurants to visits for a while- it was worth the wait! The bar and restaurant have a great atmosphere. All three courses were delicious. The service was also very good. We will definitely be returning.

Good staff and nice place. Nice selection of craft beers. Wine stupidly priced at £15 per large glass

I feel bad about giving Dylans a bad review – but really its more that I want them to pull their socks up and get back to the standards they were at on my last visit. It’s also difficult to review a place like this...

I want with friends, the restaurant is lovely although a little dark, could do with candles on the table. I had Roast beef which was very good followed by apple crumble.

not the first time we have eaten here, and it had always been good, but they surpassed them selves with some top notch cooking yesterday. Fantastic duck livers on toast was followed by a beautiful ox cheek. My wife had a lovely cod brandade followed...

Top class food at Dylan’s tonight. Easily the best we’ve had in St Albans, and this should be in the Michelin Guide! The staff made one mistake on the order but rectified it quickly, but the food was really something special. Very rare that food...

The price charged is far too high (probably double) for the service, ambiance and quality of food. For three of us sharing a couple of starters and mains plus wine no pud is was over £70 a head Service was ok but functional and not...

Lovely staff, great atmosphere, great food. Never disappoints. And walking distance from home, bonus 😂

Organised retirement drinks with colleagues on Wednesday evening. Everything perfect from the bar food, beers, wines and cocktails. Staff gave fantastic service and really made my night special. Well done Dylan’s I will be back soon.

Amazing - simply the best restaurant in St Albans. I’ve been going for several years and never been let down by quality of food or service . Sean and his team excel. Well done !!

A brilliant menu, lots of options but really simple and interesting menu. Brill ambiance, lovely staff, pretty bar and great choice of wines. Love Dylans

A very nice evening in Dylans with some friends of ours. Never been before but heard many good reviews from people so we thought we had to try. Very glad we did, the food was superb, interior was cosy and well decorated, and the staff...

We have been waiting to visit this place for two year and finally got a chance and we were not disappointed. The staff were absolutely amazing, not only were they very attentive but they were so friendly and welcoming too. The food was out of...

This is quite simply the best restaurant in St. Albans. In fact, if you consider the surrounding towns and what they have to offer, it's the best for miles around. The food is beautifully presented and delicious, and the wine list is vast and eclectic....

What an amazing meal! Visited last night for the first time since Covid and had forgotten how good the food is. Amazing decor, welcoming, buzzy atmosphere and wonderful service. Shared the lamb which was cooked to perfection and the sorbet was an excellent way to...

Best food I have eaten in St Albans. Creative, thoughtful and perfectly executed food. Its not cheap but it is worth it. Staff were very friendly and great atmosphere. The acoustics are VERY loud, so if you are after a quiet romantic dinner, this might...

We visited Dylans several years ago for a Sunday roast, was underwhelmed but decided to try again while visiting St Albans recently. The photos of their food look amazing! Dylans is interesting in that they have a pub in the front with a dining room...

It is good food but at a price. Def one for a special occasion. The cheeseboard was a major disappointment, the tiniest bit of each cheese and a few crackers. Not designed for 1 let alone 2 and for £14, ridiculous!!!

Went here with a friend and we had a great meal, staff were very friendly. We ordered a bottle of wine which we actually didn’t like! Luckily they replaced it with a recommendation more suited to our palette! Food was lovely and tasted great. My...

Very slow service. Recommendations? Not the steak at £35 (without vegetables) nor the 10 chunky chips at 50p each! nor the very small onion salad for£5 . Apart from one pint of beer and two tomato juice our bill for two without starters or desert...

Dylan’s served up an amazing 3 courses and a beautiful bottle of wine. Lovely buzz’s about the place as usual.

Fantastic Sunday Lunch! The service, the ambiance and especially the food was all fab! We already can’t wait to return. We’ve been a couple of times and it’s always as fabulous, it’s my go to when friends come to visit I love to take them...

4 of us went for Sunday lunch. My friend managed to get a booking over a month ago, we was really looking forward to it. The scallops at £8.95 each very overpriced .both my friend and I had to send our roast beef back ,...

I was so looking forward to trying here. The food was good but crikey the portions were small and the prices high. I realise hospitality has some catching up after the Lockdowns but please spend less on the posh crockery and more on the volume...

Food as good as ever. Service as friendly / relaxed as ever, yet very efficient. Always a good lunch / dinner. Wish there were more places who got it as consistently good as Dylan’s !

the food here is excellent, this is more like fine dining food in a relaxed atmosphere. the lamb and fishcakes were lovely. real ale and cocktails. good service. it was a little noisy, I think a few people had had too much to drink :)...

Wow, what a hidden little gem this place is. The menu is refined to cater for the freshest produce and it doesn’t fail to satisfy. Grilled flatbread with spiced aubergines and yoghurt was a delight as a starter. Iberico Pork Cheeks to die for, the...

Dylan’s has just had a refurbishment with a new menu. I was lucky enough to get a table for my wife and I. Absolutely amazing food! We loved the fact the portions are a little smaller so you can have more than one dish. If...

Everything about my experience of Dylan’s was perfect, the food was incredible we had to thank the chef Josh as every dish had so much flavour. Our servers Laura and Heidi were so friendly and made us feel so comfortable in the current circumstances. Can’t...

I've eaten at Dylans a number of times and the food is always great but lunch yesterday was something special. I met up with two friends who are also business contacts and we hadn't got together in eight months, other than on Zoom. Seeing two...

We had a delicious Sunday lunch today and were warmly welcomed by the friendly and natural staff. It was drab and rainy, but lovely, stylish and cosy in Dylans. The food was excellent, flavoursome without being heavy and the sticky toffee pudding was just gorgeous!...

Have visited Dylan's many times for drinks, dinner or bar snacks. Love the atmosphere and decor; traditional pub feel but with fun, eclectic touches. Food has always been amazing and you can see the care the team put in to sourcing their ingredients and produce....

Visited here as family of 4 on 20th Sept. Thoroughly enjoyed both good and service. Certainly one of the best Sunday roasts I’ve had. The staff were all really friendly and the service throughout was first class. We had chicken livers to start, we both...

Whilst the food was good the service was terrible. The wine ordered took ages to arrive and only as the starters came. When the starters came we were told they had ran out of one of them one and they had to re order. Consequently...

It was the most perfect Sunday lunch, the beef was faultless sirloin, the vegetables were perfectly cooked and selected and the service great. Not usually a huge fan of the Sunday roast but this was done really well. Three courses - only one meat. but...

Before lockdown, went with friends. The food was amazing. So many of the dishes were incredible that we can't wait to go back. Service wasn't as good as we would have liked but it was very busy. We'd revisit every weekend if we could because...

Best place to eat in herts by a mile. Sister pub the plough is equally good, better for the summer due to beer garden. Dylan’s rarely disappoints for quality of food, drink and atmosphere. Can’t recommend it highly enough .

I remember the Kings Arms when it was just a pub and it is good to see the inside hasn't really changed. The set menu gave a good choice for all courses and our party of six had no trouble choosing. the portions are big...

Not a great start and unfortunately didn’t get any better. We arrived in pouring rain at 11.52. Booking at 12. We walked in to be told they don’t open until 12. There was decidedly no option to shelter from the rain there. Poor customer service!...

Dreadful over priced sunday roast.Meat was tough and yorkshire puddings were so dry they must have been made the night before veg was cold .I cannot recommend as there was nothing good about it.Have been here before fore the a la carte which was lovely...

Fabulous birthday dinner - Group of 9 - we had excellent service, the food was yummy and they really know what they’re talking about with wine. To my mind this is THE best restaurant in St Albans and the bar has such a great atmosphere.

We came for a roast for 4 people, and the food was really, really good, the portions were perfect and we were all really pleased with our meals. The staff were also real friendly and attentive. My only feedback would be there is a real lack of choice for vegetarians. I am partaking in veganuary and there was only one vegetarian choice nothing that was actually vegan, Having a roast offering to suit this growing need is really important and I think should be reviewed. Thanks fot he great meal!

Finally managed to bag a prized Saturday night table at Dylans. Definitely worth the wait. All three courses were excellent and for the quality of cooking it was great value.

Just after lunch time popped in for a quick snack - glass of champagne with scotch eggs, fries with beef dripping and sausage rolls between two. The place is beautifully decorated and very cozy and I always enjoy my visits.

The food is delicious here and service is friendly and professional. This is a lovely restaurant to come to when there is a log fire burning in the winter. All very enjoyable!

What a gem. Spacious. Large table for 2. Good menu choice. Hot tasty food. Great I rushed service. Cannot find a fault.

Although the chocolate soup was fantastic and a good sized portion, starters were really tiny and main course a bit small.

Dylans was recommended by family. It was a week night but quickly got very busy. The food was tasty but quite small portions,, and the waitress was lovely, putting a candle in my pudding when she heard it was my birthday.

My husband and myself went on Saturday evening for dinner we had the most delicious meal followed by a few drinks. The atmosphere was vibrant, the staff were very attentive and we will definitely be back. Thank you

Food portions were extremely small. To actually turn the £26 set menu into a meal you needed to add chips and veg which was an extra £8. Some starters and mains had supplementary cost so the price quickly racked up. The butternut soup was like the dregs you'd leave on the bottom of a bowl. Once the skin was removed from the fish there wasn't much left to eat!

Had a Sunday roast beef. The Yorkshire pudding was very dry and hard, and the inside was cold. Well....what else can I say?

Fabulous food and service. Very reasonable for the quality of food and extensive drinks menu. Really enjoyed the pork cheeks.

Fabulous food and service! Everything about the meal was wonderful. It was a truly special occasion.

What can I say. Great cocktails lovely food , delicious wine and very friendly staff. The decor is also very pleasant and the at,osphere just right. It isn't big but you won't regret going here for lunch or dinner.

A long time since I’ve been in. A group of eleven of us met there before heading to Nando’s for a meal. I was surprised by the amount of local lagers and ales they have on tap. 3 brewers was very nice.

Had the most outstanding afternoon here, thanks to Adam for recommendations of various drinks. All were Fabulous...

Great friendly staff, in the middle of town. Menu is selective but they will happily cater around your needs. Went on Saturday lunchtime and place is busy. Lovely ales and wine list. Would love to go again. Had duck scotch egg, soup and fish for mains. Perfectly cooked. Thanks for such good service

Great Sunday menu in nice surroundings. Excellent service by staff who looked after us well . Food served was really good no complaints from this party . Good value for money. We will be back

You have to book well in advance to enjoy Dylan’s exceptional 2 or 3 course menu but it is worth it. The good is excellent and the service and setting wonderful. It is probably one of the more expensive restaurants in St Albans at £26 for 2 courses or £30 for 3 but if you want something for a special night, this is the place.

Whilst visiting St Albans on a busy Saturday midday we wanted to get a bite to eat. Our friends recommended amongst other places this restaurant.

Food quality was good, but did not justify the rave reviews - just good. Portions were not great. Fixed price dinner of 2 courses for £26 has a catch - if you want chips with your fish add 4 pounds, include broccoli for another four pounds - I chose a starter that for some reason was an extra two pounds - so £26 meant £36 to turn the fixed price dinner into a dinner. Sauces generally lacked sparkle/flavour, but quality of food was good. Beer quality also about average for St Albans.

I chose Dylans for its central location, interesting but unpretentious menu and small dining area. If restaurant seating is too big, the acoustics can be make it difficult for everyone at your table to join in the conversation. Service was friendly and efficient throughout. There was no disappointment, the dishes were all well executed and along with a great beer/wine list, I feel Dylans deserves its reputation - hard won, when there is so much choice in St Albans.

We'd been here before for dinner and loved it, so decided to return for Sunday roast. As expected, the food was fantastic. The scotch egg starter was delicious and the roast dinner was huge. You got a giant Yorkshire pudding, tender beef, plenty of veg and lovely crispy potatoes - plus extra gravy! Love the atmosphere here too - very cosy and relaxed, with nice staff. Perfect Sunday lunch.

Had a stunning three course lunch today tasting as fresh as possible lovely ciders too an absolute treat thank you

Tip - the restaurant is not huge so definitely worth booking ahead to secure your table.

This quaint unassuming bar and restaurant sit in one of the narrow streets in central St Albans

This was an excellent lunch experience. Very busy with locals but service was prompt with great choice of drinks. Food was simple and well-cooked with lots of flavour. Good portion sizes.

Went here for usual pub food and the food was excellent. And the wine was of a good quality. The soft drinks were very pricey though as the wine was cheaper!

We sat down to the most amazing Sunday lunch that was faultless from starter to dessert. We chose the ham hock croquettes, market fish of the day and grey mullet for starters followed by a rare treat of a Tomahawk steak for 2 with traditional roast garnish off the daily specials board and hake served with pancetta peas and tartare butter. The cooking of everything was exceptional and perfectly seasoned and the garnish to each dish demonstrated how well thought out and original the menu dishes are at Dylans. Everything we ate tasted beyond our initial expectations from the menu description. We ended our meal with a chocolate soup, peach cobbler and baked cheesecake which we all shared as couldn't decide which was nicer! Service was friendly, attentive, knowledgeable and complimented a perfect Sunday lunch setting and meal. Would also recommend the extensive beer and wine list that offered a wide range of carefully selected beers and wines. A massive thank you to the Dylans team for making our Sunday so special. Would thoroughly recommend Dylans for all occasions as it really is that little gem in the town centre.

My wife and I dined here in May. The restaurant is small, discretely separated from the bar. It is very tastefully furnished, a distinguished and inviting decor.

This was our first visit and won't be our last. Food choices were wonderful, lovely wine. Food, wine and service were all excellent. Really lovely, relaxed atmosphere, staff are very friendly and helpful. I had one of the specials for my main, the roast pork and it was delicious, as were the starters and the cheese board. I've haven't enjoyed a meal this much for a while.

So, I'm in St Albans alone, on business. I wander out my hotel and surf TripAdvisor for somewhere to eat. The little pub looks a bit different, so I walk a few hundred yards to find it. Pub moderately busy and restaurant empty when I arrive. I've just eaten and the restaurant is buzzing. Having read a few more reviews I realise how lucky I was to get in on a whim. This place is amazing and pretty quirky, in a very good way. The bar has a great range of beer (my choice tonight) but there are also many interestingly looking gins etc. Oh, and the the food. In a word: sensational. I had Scotch Egg: one if the very best I've ever had (and it's one if my staples) and hake: simply stunning.

We just happened upon this very pleasant gastro pub, wandering about looking for somewhere to eat. Did not look much from the outside, but as soon as we entered, we loved it. It was inviting, with a very good atmosphere.

Dylans is one of St Albans' little gems. The food and service are excellent and having maintained the bar at the front the atmosphere is always buzzing. You need to book in advance but well worth it!!!

This place is really nice, with a good atmosphere, friendly staff and good service. The menu is changed frequently and offers a good choice of tasty food. Wine selection is very good and well priced. Well worth a visit or two.

lovely menu, a little overpriced - however looks appetising. Much nicer than a chain. I am looking forward to trying their sister pub soon.

I like this restaurant and pub; it sets out to be different. The decor, the drinks selection and the food, all provide an alternative to the norm. In this sense it should be celebrated and supported, there are not many business that have the courage and creativity to attempt, and pull off something like this. I ate here last week and the food was fantastic; as good as you can get in St Albans, in my opinion. The service was also mostly good but it does depend on which member of staff you are dealing with. It is hit and miss and surly or uninterested service can ruin an otherwise good experience. My advice is be prepared for it to make sure it doesn't affect your enjoyment of the food, and if you get a good one you will definitely have a fantastic experience.

Visited with family. Table of 9. Started well, kids mains came with adults starters as requested. Then it took ages to clear the table. At least an hour before the mains arrived. We almost cancelled the desserts because they took so long. It was only because we couldn't find a single member of staff. Not once were we asked if everything was ok and not a single apology for how long everything took. Food tasted great but the service was terrible.

Great service, great food and a great table (not always a given when you are a party of 8!) what more could you ask for?

We’ve visited Dylans on numerous occasions for personal events and business meetings and had the most mazing meals, superb wines and beers provided with always lovely service, the best we’ve ever had!

Stumbled across this gem of a traditional pub and what a find it was! Old world charm with a friendly welcome and great hospitality. A friend and I popped in for a tipple late afternoon and found their knowledge on mixing the best G & T's amazing. Staff of all ages were both welcoming and very hospitable. We are from out of town but the locals told us you have to book almost two months in advance to get into the restaurant or simply secure a seat in the bar area and peruse and eat from this menu. Highly recommend a visit and would definitely return - this time for a restaurant meal.