Regent Chinese Takeaway in St Albans

The website showed the restaurant was open on 14th February 2023. I ordered a meal for 3 people which was confirmed on the website and further confirmed by text to my mobile phone stating that collection would be available 25 minutes later. My wife went to the restaurant at the appointed time to find that the restaurant was actually closed. We subsequently ordered a meal from another Chinese restaurant in Harpenden with less menu choice and ended up eating much later than planned.

Since this place has changed management the quality of the food has gone downhill dramatically. Not only the quality but also quantity. Much smaller portions of rice and much more expensive. Why on earth have they changed everything? It should have stayed as it always was.

For 30 years we've been enjoying eating from The Regent, many times each year and didn't know they'd changed till tonight. We ordered our usual and oh my goodness, it was awful. The Spare Ribs had no sauce, what little meat there was was on the bones was dry like jerky but it was mostly bones and gristle. My husband's meal was disappointing, the vegetables were bordering on uncooked and there was little taste. Considering we spent £16.50 with no sides, it was a waste of money. We will never eat there again, so sad when it's been our go-to place just down the road from us.

Have been using The Regent for many years and have always enjoyed my food . Now it has new owners we gave it a try and was very disappoint. High prices / low quality, will not use again £40 wasted.

Read a few reviews regarding new owners and decline in quality etc… we’ve been ordering from the old owners for 15 years and always been happy. I think the takeaway we had this evening was as good if not better. A few minor changes to the menu, price probably has increased, but the food was really good, not too greasy and the new packaging (cardboard) looked really authentic. Maybe it’s taken them a few weeks to find their feet.

It’s not the same quality or service since May has left . Also so much more expensive. Won’t use again.such a shame that’s it’s gone downhill

We have been using Regents for over 20 years, the food was always amazing, good price and generous portions. New owners with new menu sadly food is no longer even good and is now expensive and just ok. Chicken chow mein was bland, pot of lemon sauce was tiny and very runny - think lemon water. Hopefully it's early days and things will improve.

We have been ordering from here for years, the last time 3 weeks ago. Just ordered our usual tonight and WOW ! Price increases are astronomical! Menu has changed too. New owners now. Such a shame. Cancelled our order!

I normally love this place but today it’s changed the menu, the food. Everything . And it certainly didn’t taste as good. I think they must have new owners.

Orderred our meal and was a bit shocked by the price - told new menu! Prices have risen by up to 89% per dish e.g. Special Fried rice up from £3.80 to £7.20. Sweet and sour chicken balls was £4.10 for 10 balls up to £7.20 for 8 or 41p per ball up to 90p per ball. I know there is inflation etc but this now puts the Regent out pf play for a cheap evening meal. We shall go to the Engineer and be served a meal and have change

Just had really nice meal. Was piping hot even though we had to drive to next village. Highly recommend.

This is the best in Harpenden for me. Tried a bunch of the others in Harps but this is by far my favourite.

We've been eating food from here for over 30 years now and have always been happy with everything. We've tried other places when travelling but this Chinese restaurant is the best, for us.

Normal people prices despite being in Harpenden, thank God some shop owners understand you dont get handed £££ just for living here! Food is great, very friendly staff and you can call ahead to pick up. Fantastic place, Ill use as often as possible !

Excellent food from the Regent this evening. Set meal for 4 - £66. Very good value, plenty of good quality dishes sufficient for 4 adults with hearty appetites. We shall certainly recommend to others and return soon.

Best Chinese I've had in long while shall go back and order again 👍very soon sure others shall as well

I have had Chinese from the top 3 Chinese restaurants listed on Trip Advisor for Harpenden and this is by a long the best. Flavours are spot on, portion sizes are plentiful and it is very reasonably priced. It was the best Chinese takeaway I have had for about 15years. I can’t wait to go back there and have it again.

It is rare that I feel the urge to write a poor review, but honestly, I'm 54 and I've just had the worst Chinese meal of my life.. a thing I never thought possible! The chowmein tasted of smoke and chemicals, the prawn curry consisted of onions, weird boiled prawns and a watery sauce. The Singapore pork just tasted of raw oil. I hope I don't regret eating any of it later!Needless to say I will never eat their food again!

Fresh, not greasey and tasty, what more can you ask for in a Chinese takeaway?! The service is pretty good too, I’m always greeted with a smile and the food is packaged up well. There is a tendency for some takeaways to serve up dishes that are pretty similar in terms of taste, even if you’ve ordered different dishes. However, this isn’t the case for the Regent, each dish is prepared well and tastes great. The mixed starter is a firm favourite, as is the special chowmein (nice thick noodles). It isn’t too salty and no MSG. There only snag is that they don’t accept card payments.

The Regent used to be a favourite place of mine but I am not sure what has happened recently as the food has drastically gone downhill. For example, The Egg Fried Rice is completely tasteless and bland along with the Kung Pao Chicken which is devoid of any taste or flavour. A real shame.

been using the regent for 10 years and always superb food, never has a problem. Very tasty food well cooked and good portion size.

We wanted a take away when visiting my Dad last year, this was open and the food looked god - picked up many orders and had a great lunch, no complaints here, nice flaky cod and crispy batter and with chips just right, happy days

Typical menu but cheap and tasty food with good fast service and open on a Sunday which is a bonus. Beef dish was particularly good.

I’ve had a fair few take outs from The Regent and on the whole it’s fairly good. I think they possibly change chefs on different nights as I have had a few misses with little meat in my dishes and more topped up with onion. Can be a little pricey but most chinese takeaways are. Sometimes you do sometimes you don’t get what you pay for.

I’ve been getting takeaways from here for a couple of years, and have never had a bad dish, or had any mistakes with our orders

Excellent food and great service provided each time we used them! We have been using this take away for a long time and we never had a bad experience. Priced honestly

The menu is extensive and the shredded beef with chilli is as good as anywhere in Soho. Very quick food turnaround. Only negative is they seem to be closed on Tuesdays contrary to the website information.

Been using the Regent for at least 10 years about once a month and never, ever had a bad meal. The food is always the same - delicious.

My first visit to this takeaway. I was quite reluctant to go because of the very different ratings given by others. I needn’t have worried! It’s Monday and it is open! Szechuan chicken, hot and peppery with lovely crisp vegetables, fresh tasting bean sprouts, good egg fried rice and the star: Regent Roast Pork. Very similar to what I would call Babi Pangang. A lovely crispy pork fillet with some chilli seasoning and a spicy sweet and sour sauce with thinly sliced vegetables. Very well balanced and absolutely delicious.

Just had a takeaway from here and it was awful. Prawn toast - chewy, spring rolls - no apparent content ( cabbage perhaps?), seaweed - ok, half duck - ok, Thai red curry - yellow.

We have been going to this Chinese for years now. Consistently the best in the area. Very reasonable prices too.

Pancake Roll is amazing value, always a must. Crispy Squid and King Prawn Satay is also nang. Always good value, such a shame they don't deliver...but in a way adds to the enjoyment/ sense of achievement when eating

Food is always good from the Regent . Dishes are always cooked well. Our favourites are the crispy duck which is always delicious and not dry . The chicken balls again are good and not dry and complemented by the sweet and sour sauce. The beef and mushrooms is always good too as is the chicken chow mein.

Take away last evening was terrible, probably worst Chinese we have had. Normally associate Chinese with hot wok crispy tasty spicy food. Not bland seemingly slow cooked beef and chicken with both dishes swimming in 'taste like out of a jar' sauce.Noodles were fine.

Great food of the old fashioned style chinese takeaway, always quick, always tasty, served with a friednly smile.

I came in at a very busy time, whilst waiting at least 10 people came on to collect their order. The lady behind the counter gave a lovely welcome was very pleasant and keen to help. We didn't have to wait long for out food at all - over all very impressed and will certainly come again.

La comida está bien. Un precio muy razonable. La comida estaba bien, nada especial. Gran ayuda con alérgia, jefe ;) saludos.

Rara vez comer chino porque tengo un grave intolerancia gms, pero mi novia id de un ventilador. Como consecuencia, a veces recogerla una comida del Regent. Ella describe la comida como ligeramente mejor que la media. Sin embargo, lo que ha sido frustrante en los...

Para una buena y bien de precio en china para llevar/Harpenden es Southdown su destino. Se ha convertido en uno de los favoritos de mi familia. Para los vegetarianos. No gastro, no lujoso, comida china confort simplemente.

Best Chinese Takeaway I've come across in a 20 mile radius! Food is consistently first class and we have used it since moving here 6 months ago most months. Service is dealt by the owner and cooking done by a very busy team in the kitchen. Highly Recommended!

Mae and the rest of the team at regent always serve fantastic Chinese food. I have been using this as my only Chinese takeaway for 5 years now. I'd feel guiltyIf I went anywhere else. Delicious food at a reasonable prices. From speaking wth Mae many times she says they would rather have happy customers than over charging them for shredded chilli beef like many others in harpenden do.

Been going here for at least 15 years, I don't live locally at the minute but still travel over to Southdown to get this every few months, only ever disappointed if I try somewhere else. Keep up the good work, amazing food whenever you go!

Love the chicken chow mein in fact I have never had a disappointing dish. Family favourite when we all get together

Been going to the Regent for at least 15 years and keep going back once a month or so. We have tried others (when regent is closed on a Tuesday) but always come back as cheapest in Harpenden and really nice. Chicken and sweetcorn soup best in town. Lovely staff. And very quick.

We have been ordering food from here every week for some months now and it never fails to please. It is best to order by telephone first and then collect some 20 mins later. Mae answers the phone, takes the order and then serves your order on arrival - always with a friendly smile and chat. The number of regular customers shows how good The Regent is !

We have tried all the Chinese restaurants over the years and this is the best. Good food at reasonable prices. Quick service too.

I went to the Regent whilst I was heading home sometime in the last 12 months. It was not very clean and there was a funny odour. I decided to order despite this and got a unappealing oily mess for my dinner. I did not feel well and decided not to go back. The good reviews of this place are a bit of a mystery.

I've had good from here more times than j can remember, it's really good quality, not too greasy and very tasty. Highly recommended and the lady behind the counter is lovely

A very good Chinese takeaway in the Southdown area of Harpenden. ( making it easier to park ) Food always tasty and a fair price.

What you want from your local Chinese. Polite and quick service with food that's never disappointed. Used it for 4 years now and no complaints at all.

We have been coming here about once a month many years. The food is consistently good. It is also handily placed for the Carpenters Arms for a quality pint whilst you wait.

Better value than the other Chinese takeaways in Harpenden. Friendly service and quick. Deserves to be more popular.

We have been ordering from here for more years than I would like to post. You are always greated with a smile and polite chat and the food is always as ordered. The only problem we have is that by the time we get home it needs heating up but we do live a few miles away so that is to be expected. Well done regent.