La Cosa Nostra in St Albans

A bang average neighbourhood restaurant. It's good value for money with nice food but the service is a bit curt and the environment is nothing special. It was probably more successful before some of the more recent Italian restaurants like Per Tutti opened up and attracted people away from it.

Great food Friendly staff Recommend

When I called to book a table and the person on the phone emphasised repeatedly that we could only stay 1.5 hours, I should have concluded that the hospitality was not going to be good. Sadly, I thought it was charming and funny. When we arrived no one greeted us to ask if we had a reservation or wanted a table. We had to approach the staff which was standing and staring rudely at us, to ask for our reservation. The server made no small talk and made no attempt to find out if we had been there before. She seemed annoyed with us, just like the man on the phone. The food was tasty but overpriced. We ordered the aubergine starter with garlic bread to have together and they came out 15 minutes separate from one another. We couldn’t get anyone from the staff to look in our direction. So there was no way to remind them that they forgot to bring the bread. When the main meal came, they seemed annoyed that we needed more to drink. The place was very full, but the staff was not staying engaged with any table. They were just doing the bare minimum and hoping everyone would leave. There was one woman who was friendly, but she was not acting as a server. The menu says they reserve the right to add a service charge for tables of more than 5. We were four. We didn’t complain or cause anyone any trouble, but the service charge was added to the bill anyway, without asking. I won’t go back. There are other places in St Albans to go and have better food and better service.

Good food and atmosphere...card machine was broken so they only accepted cash - looking back at previous reviews this seems to be a regular issue (!) and wasn't made clear to us in advance so I'd suggest checking before you book.

Lovely food and very good prices, lovely desserts and coffee too. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for authentic Italian food!

Great meal with 3 kids and 4 adults. Pizzas were great and Bea provided great service

Over priced, small portions, average quality. I had high expirations given the reviews. Unfortunately the quality of the wine was average but they want mandarin oriental prices. One small scoop of ice-cream wes 120 bht. Everything was just underwhelming unfortunately. If you've read this far got to l'oliver in BKK.

This Italian restaurant is absolutely outstanding! We enjoyed it so much that we ended up dining there three times with different family members during our visit to St. Albans. The food is authentic Italian and incredibly delicious. The staff were exceptionally friendly, adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The cozy setting, combined with the charm of watching the pizza oven in action while waiting for our meals, made each visit truly memorable. Highly recommend!

Can really tell the difference between a pub lasagne and one from here - lovely!

Amazing restaurant! The atmosphere and the food, very high quality, is authentic Italian! The staff is very kind and friendly!

Always loved this place. Great food and really friendly welcoming staff.

The food was outstanding everyone of us enjoyed what we had reasonably priced very tasty my wife’s cannelloni was superb I’d almost wished I’d ordered that but my veal Milanese was lovely can’t wait to return oh and the staff are wonderful people very accommodating

I rencently moved to St Albans and it quickly became one of my favorite places to go for a diner or lunch with my wife. We have been going at least once a week for lunch, as you can have a great meal while working from home, and it gives us time to catch-up. Highly recommend

Best Italian in St Albans for sure. Tony and the team are amazing.

We had a great meal and the pizza was very good

Food is good, prices are reasonable but it can get too loud as the space is small and there is no music playing in the background to add a sense of authenticity. Overall a good experience!

Visiting from the states. We stopped in and ordered pizza and calzone. They were both very good. Great service, highly recommend. Great pice too.

Perfect, food is always lovely. Lunch deal is amazing value ☺️

I had a pizza, perfect thin base, expertly freshly made. Then the topping, perfect. I'll be back. Arnold

Amazing experience - perfect service, delicious food, nice atmosphere. Our kid liked spaghetti bolognese, I enjoed marinara and my husband adored cannoli. Homemade tiramisu is great! And white house wine is also very please. Highly recommend the place (but book the table in advance, not enough space).

Really tasty, authentic food, good portions, great service!

Such an authentic 'Truly Italian' experience, perfect food, typical Italian hospitality and vibe + a faultless care from Yonna the enchanting and exquisite young lady who looked after us so exceptionally well. Efxharisto para poli... grazie mille, caro... Ju jeni mahnitëse 👏🏻😍 the food was Perfetto!! Back again, busy as ever, cheeky but fun - a few changes but still a great choice.

Came here for a family night out on a Saturday evening. It’s quite a simple, rustic menu but executed very well - the veal was fantastic and the home made tiramisu got a unanimous thumbs up from the four of us. I’m not a big fan of having the service charge added to the bill as a compulsory but we were well looked after, so a minor grumble.

It is crammed and is too noisy so you can’t have a quiet meal. But you hear the noise only up to when the food arrives, the food is divine enough to block out all the noise !! We loved it

Myself and my sister , went for a late dinner tricolre salad starter and mushroom starter , my seafood spaghetti amazing as a main this is an authentic Italian eatery a must visit if dining in st albans just minutes from the main line station

Good value authentic Italian food in charmingly old school bistro. Highly recommended.

Fantastic Italian food and service

We eat a lot of pizza, at home and at places specialising in wood fired pizza etc . My boys state this is the best pizza they have ever had, and I find it hard to disagree. They do a lunchtime special offer that is excellent value and we took pizza away due to the generous portions. I had a pizza with peperroni and gorgonzola and it was amazing. Service was speedy and friendly and the atmosphere was very nice. This is one of the nicest meals out I have had for ages.

Delicious fresh pizza, served with a smile - would recommend the lunch deal!

Delicious, authentic Italian food at a family-run, welcoming restaurant.

We called in last night for our annual visit. Great restaurant, great food, great staff. We love it.

Delicious cuisine with warm and friendly staff

Eat there a few times in the year as myself and friend used to work around the corner from the restaurant...the same owner always recognises us! 😊

Quick and friendly staff. Very tasty food. Lively atmosphere. And overall an enjoyable experience.

Looked like a really nice place, food looked really nice, but I wouldn’t know because we weren’t served. We came in and sat down, we waited around 10 minutes for a menu and then another 20 mins to get the waiter’s attention, after which time we had had enough and left.

Lovely, cosy little place with lovely staff. There's plenty of veggie options on the menu and a good range of wines.

Had a pizza with local friends enjoyed the food in a welcoming Italian restaurant 🍻

Never fails, perfect food and lovely people x

There is a lunch set, the pizza is huge, and the staff is warm and friendly

My family and I have been coming to this restaurant for years. It is consistently excellent. The food is fresh, delicious and plentiful. You can see Francesco the pizza chef making and cooking your pizza in front of you. The pizzas (although large!) are fantastic! The price range will suit most pockets, cheap and cheerful or to push the boat out and a little more expensive, ranging from steaks to pasta. The staff are friendly and helpful. Big shout out to Leonard, Bee, Francesco and the Maitre D, Tony. A fantastic bustling atmosphere! A jewel in St Albans.

There was proper cooking and hospitality here today. A breath of fresh air. Classic Italian ingredients jumping out what has so easily become a tired old format in other venues. These guys make it all about the joy. - go get some is my advice.

Really lovely staff. Great food reasonable prices.

Friendly, good value and great food

Lovely restaurant. Very friendly staff. The food was excellent. For me the garlic bread was the best I have ever tasted. I had lasagne it was beautifully cooked. We will be going back again very soon

A lovely authentic Italian restaurant, brilliant atmosphere, good food and great service

Just love this place. Never ever get a bad meal, and the staff are all so lovely and friendly.

Been here many times over the years I've lived in St Albans. Every time I've been the food has never dissappointed, from the pizza to the pasta to the meat dishes they have all been extremely tasty and satisfying with littler to no complaints from anyone. The reason I can't give it a full 5 start is primarily down to the service which I can only describe as a bit chaotic. This is for two main reasons, they've crammed too many tables / chairs into the restaurant and they perrhaps need an extra person or two on busy nights to provide better more attentive service. However, hats off to them for managing in the tough environment they have! I can't say I've ever had any bad experiences on the service front but it's not 10/10. I would still absolutely recommend this place, mainly for the quality home-style food this establishment provides. For example, I had the canneloni last night and it was so delicous and tasty that I couldn't help but scrape every last bit from the dish! Price wise, it's pretty good value. Some nibbles to start, mains and two bottles of wine between 5 of us came to around £150 including service charge so £30 each, pretty good for what you get in my opinion.

Good food, reasonable prices but their card machine was broken. So we had to go get cash.

My daughter treated me for a special mothering Sunday lunch. There was a special menu. Restaurant is always busy which is a good sign. Food was delicious and in generous portions. Staff are attentive and welcoming. This is my 3rd visit and definitely won't be my last! Reasonably priced too.

We have been there twice, always well received, excellent value for money. Very good and the staff are really friendly. Thanks to all the team.

Surreal if the staff is friendly when serving you and insulting you when you overhear them while visiting the toilet. Pushed me out of the restaurant eventually when I confronted them about that.

Beautiful authentic Italian restaurant -very cosy with a unique menu and friendly service. Recommend you book ahead to secure a table as a small venue and very popular. Be prepared to be spoilt for choice and go home completely stuffed! The food was just beautiful and plenty of it. We were well looked after too. We will be returning!

La Cosa Nostra the best restaurant at Saint Albans City , delicious food, excellent service and brilliant atmosphere, the guys is so friendly respect for Leonardo🙌🏻

Super, local restaurant. Excellent food and great service. Love this place

Beautiful absolutely fantastic.

Food was so delicious! So happy we went here :)

1st time trying this place and have to say it was amazing . Service was outstanding and the food was so tasty. Definitely our new Italian restaurant to go to from now on in St Albans

Very friendly and authentic Italian restaurant with great food and atmosphere

A wonderful local restaurant. The food was excellent and the place was already full by 18.30. The service was good and the staff friendly and considerate. We had a great time and will go there whenever we are in St Albans.

Lovely unpretentious place for lunch

So happy here! What is it with great Italian run eateries, they are friendly, professional, delicious.

Lovely home cooked food. Packed at lunchtime. Glad we booked. Will return soon.

It’s the best Italian restaurant around here.

Nice Italian food, I’ll recommend to try the pizza - very nice dough, Italian style. Pasta is also nice, but I think they could work a little bit on presentation and maybe make some changes inside and outside the restaurant( could be more cozy ) Very good prices of food and wine too!

Me and my wife ate here last night. We are not local, but love to pop in to this lovely rustic Italian restaurant. I must say that we are quite fussy regarding eating out. The food is always amazing, great flavours, well presented and delicious to taste. Lovely ambience with a genuine friendly service. Thanks for looking after us. See you soon

Small family run Sicilian/Italian restaurant. Best Italian meal I've had in a while. Staff are excellent 😃

Go to place with the (not so small) kids. Tend to go mid week so can usually book on day or day before. Always nice and busy which gives a good atmosphere (even on a Tuesday). Although it's a pizza place, the pasta is very good as well!. Highly recommend the Accolazione Pizza

Food was excellent and the staff were very friendly. Nice atmosphere.

Visited on a Saturday lunch time. Sat outside as weather still alright. Blankets are available. I had the set lunch, 1 course plus a soft drink. The vegetable risotto was excellent. Good portions. Tagliatelle from the main menu also ordered. Really relaxed and enjoyable lunch.

Very excellent, I recommend it 👍

I had my daughters b-day yesterday and it was amazing.The service was fast,the food delicious and prices very reasonable . I was first time there but not last.

The food was just ok, maybe a bit greasy if look at the oil stains on my boots from what leaked out of the pizza box. The prices on the website are wrong and I was just given a generic excuse. They demanded to be paid in cash (and no discount for take away or a cash payment). Expensive for what it was - £55 for three pizzas and some basic pasta. We ordered by telephone, and were told it'd be ready in 15 minutes. Arriving 23 minutes later they hadn't even started preparing it. I was ordered to wait outside.

Love this place, delicious authentic Italian food with an intimate atmosphere

Great little restaurant a 5 min walk from the city center. The service was a little slow but the food made up for that and a great value lunch menu, pasta or pizza and a soft drink for £8.50. Will definitely be visiting again.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Cosa Nostra in St Albans, and it was truly a delightful experience. The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the trio of thin crust pizzas we ordered: Pepperoni, Napolitana, and Fungi e Prosciutto. Each pizza was a masterpiece of flavors, with the thin crust providing the perfect canvas for the fresh and mouthwatering toppings. To complement our meal, we enjoyed a bottle of Prosecco, which added a touch of effervescence and celebration to the evening. The crisp and bubbly Prosecco paired wonderfully with the pizzas, enhancing the overall dining experience. Beyond the fantastic food, I must mention the exceptional hospitality we received from Francesco, who made us feel right at home. His warmth and attentiveness contributed to the inviting and welcoming ambiance of the restaurant. Cosa Nostra in St Albans is a true gem that offers a delightful culinary journey. From the delectable pizzas to the gracious service, every aspect of our visit was top-notch. If you're in search of a memorable dining experience with an authentic Italian touch, look no further than Cosa Nostra. I can't wait to return and explore more of their enticing menu.

nice food, nice staff, nice place

Very good meal and great atmosphere. Service very good. Only spoilt by the fact that after we ordered, we were told the card machine wasn't working and cash only which we didn't have and to go to local cash machine that charged!

The staff was awesome and the food was amazing.

Cannot knock their lunchtime deal. Always good food. Diavoli pizza a favourite.

Small Italian bistro in St. Albans. Fab food but very noisy & no parking

Had lunch here on Father's day. Ordered seafood pasta, carbonara, rissoto and pizza. Food was amazing, will definitely go back again. Highly recommended.

Love the authentic food and atmosphere. Great value and best Italian for miles!

Pyszności, 😁 Do zobaczenia kolejnym razem.

Little quaint place. Very basic. OK food. Very rich in sauce. First visit.

Great little Italian, amazing value lunch menu - £12.50 for two courses! Will be back soon.

One of the best italian places in St. Albans. I defo will come back.

Excellent as always. Great service, good food, friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

An improvised dinner and we were lucky to find a tiny table for 3 outside. Excellent food, friendly staff and clean restaurant

Didn’t book just turned up. Lovely bright restaurant with outside dining to front too.Ordered lunch special pasta with olives, chilli and anchovies. Delicious. Comes with a drink for £6.95. Another order of linguini marinara also. Little disappointed that the lady serving didn’t seem very enthusiastic or happy. Would have made a difference to the experience.

I was visiting friends in St Albans and they booked a night out for us in their local Italian restaurant La Coza Nostra . I always have been big fun of Italian food but this little , buzzing place convinced me even more . The food was amazing , I had grilled aubergines as starter , full of flavours and extremely tasty , for my main I chosen linguini marinara , seafood pasta , mega taste , garlicky with tomato sauce , OMG that was like haven in my mouth . I have been recommended Homemade Tiramisu for desert and I wasn’t disappointed, that was the best tiramisu I ever tried , the fact that the desert was prepared by the restaurant’s chef added the cherry on the top . We had amazing night , the food was delicious, the service was very friendly and two smiley and attentive waitresses were trying to do their best to make our experience unforgettable. We were also sharing the restaurant room Grant Shapps , the minister of transport. I must admit , he must know , how best Italian food taste like . That was my first visit in this amazing , buzzing and friendly restaurant and definitely, not the last one . I could highly recommend, so if you passing by St Albans , pop in and try their extremely tasty , homemade food !

One of the best quattro formaggi pizza I ever had and the tiramisu is excellent! Definitely worth to visit this restaurant.

We visited La Cosa Nostra on a weekday lunchtime to use their £6.95 pizza/pasta and soft drinks deal. Our order was taken in no time, drinks arrived within minutes and the pizza’s not long afterward.I can genuinely say these were the best pizzas we have had in a while.

Been a client in Cosa Nostra over 10 years.I was very happy with the pizza chef and their levels of standards hygiene in the past.For personal reasons I do not eat pork or any meat. Jet I could simply be vegetarian/vegan or suffer food allergies. Food contamination is a big issue for me.I’ve always enjoyed the vegetarian selection of pizzas they make. The pizza chef has always made sure that the counter was clean from previous preparations and my pizza was cut with a clean blade.Today the pizza chef was changed and I was explaining politely to the new chef that I did not eat meat and asked do not pre-cut my pizza.The waitress interfered in an extremely rude manner replying to me that they are not obliged to clean the counter or knife blade whilst serving my pizza.I was completely shocked to be spoken in this manner by her. As a regular customer and a business owner myself I found the waitress manners completely unacceptable and unreasonable.Cash only asking on the booking no card taking money wash......!?Surely I will not going back.No recommend to anyone.

good reviews so gave it a go;ordered linguini marinara.asked to leave out the squid alarm bells rang when told this was possible as this invariably means that at least some of the ingredients are bought in frozen and i think that this was the case. sadly this is another restaurant that thinks that 25ml is a measure for a martini,but charge what i would normally pay for a correct measure of 50ml,do they really not know?'i use three other italian restaurants in st albans all of which are excellent,so no repeat performance

Had lunch here yesterday. At 12.30 pm only our table outside was occupied but within 15 min both inside and outside spaces were filled up - a good sign. Food was excellent. Waitress very helpful in explaining explaining menu. Prompt service.

Really friendly staff and the food is amazing!! So fresh and tasty! Defo in my top 3 of best Italians I’ve been to! Their lunch deal is fab too! £6 odd for a drink and a pizza or pasta! I’ve paid more for a crappy sandwich before! This is now our fav lunchtime spot!

Visited with family. 6 of us. The service was excellent. I had the Linguine Alfredo and it was fantastic. They had run out of Primitivo so we just had an extra bottle of Montepulciano D’Abruzzo. Two favourite wines. The bill for us 6 including 2 bottles of wine, 4 beers, main courses and sweets and service was £180 - excellent value. Hadn’t been before but had always meant to. Definitely will return soon.

Visited for lunch with a work friend on their recommendation and had a lovely meal. Very good value lunch deal. Gorgeous food, friendly staff. Service charge was automatically added on though.

We went every week for Lunch at La Cosa Nostra during October.Food Great, staff and service wonderful. We would not go to a Restaurant regularly unless we felt it was 5 Star. Prices are excellent such a shame we cannot visit until, we hope, December. They are still offering Takeaway Pizzas. A great shame when Restaurants obey Covid Rules and are still forced to close.

We visited La Cosa Nostra because of recommendation. The pizza (for starters) was delicious. Nice and crispy, great flavor and not too thick. ( we like Roman style pizzas) We also are veal cooked in breadcrumbs (Milanese) and ravioli con spinach I. Both meals were excellent and better than expected. Shall definitely be returning .