St Helena in Bedford

Fabulous restaurant. Warm and welcoming ambiance, delicious food beautifully presented and superb, attentive service. Top of my list of favourite places to dine.

Delicious food in lovely surroundings. We have been customers here for years and never been disappointed. Raff and Franco are excellent hosts. Ruth J

Raff and Franco have owned and managed the St Helena for nearly 38 years and I and my family have been customers for nearly 38 years! I cannot recall ever having even a slightly sub standard meal and the ambience and service are always first class whether it is a party of 10 or dinner à deux. You can enjoy a good quality bottle of wine for £25-30 or literally spend thousands as they have probably the finest Claret list in the south of England outside London. In the warmer months enjoy a pre-dinner drink in the beautiful gardens; I overheard one customer say “this is the quintessential English Country garden”! Book a table, it is excellent value and you will not regret it.

I would say what an amazing night… however that would be an understatement! Absolute perfection, what a team and what a service !! Can’t wait to go back.

What a wonderful restaurant. It was our first visit whilst staying with family and it was one of the best restaurants we’ve been to. Everything from the moment we arrived was just so lovely. Raff, Caroline and Franco made us feel so welcome and relaxed whilst we looked at the menu over a drink in their beautiful garden. The food was delicious, particularly the lamb. The restaurant had such a lovely atmosphere, all of the servers were extremely professional and personable, and the restaurant hosts were very attentive. Thank you so much for a lovely evening, can’t wait to return next time we’re in the area.

Stunning venue with gorgeous food and fabulous staff. Couldn’t fault it. First visit and will definitely be coming back to this hidden gem 😍

We went with long time friends to st.Helena’s a restaurant we have frequented for more years than I can remember. The same owners have maintained a standard that is unequalled Sometimes the food or your choice might be better than other nights but I can genuinely say we never have a bad meal..the standard of food,service and ambience is unparalleled Congratulations to Raff,Frank and their team

Excellent restaurant and an absolute steal for the quality and service. Delicious food - we had steak and fish, all beautifully presented. The maitre d’ is charming. It’s a beautiful building with a lovely garden, if the weather is right have a glass of champagne outside before you dine.

This is a wonderful family run restaurant where you can always be sure of the warmest welcome from Raf, Frank and the team. We were a party of 8 and enjoyed a brilliant convivial evening in the lovely ambience of St Helena. The menu is creative, food delicious and service excellent. The perfect place for a celebration or romantic meal.

If you haven't been here before, then make it a priority to pay a visit to St Helena Restaurant. Eight of us visited recently to celebrate our friends' emerald wedding anniversary and as always, Raff, Frank and their staff looked after us so well and made our evening memorable. Plenty of laughs, great food and drink and a jovial atmosphere. Couldn't ask for better!!

Yet another wonderful meal yesterday evening in a fantastic restaurant. Service slick friendly and efficient, food beautiful and atmosphere cosy and welcoming. Have to save up to return soon

Absolutely beautiful meal fantastic service as per usual this place is awesome lovely family run business always make every visit special and wonderful staff always happy and perfect service

Wonderful food service was fantastic it was the best place to celebrate our ruby wedding anniversary.

Lovely restaurant in a beautiful setting with superb food. Great service from Raff, Frank and their staff, attentive but not intrusive. Great selection on the menu. This was our first visit but it won’t be our last.

Fine dining with excellent food and service . A special treat for our Ruby Wedding Anniversary.

Went with friends for birthday dinner. Excellent food and excellent service. A lovely evening.

Absolutely fantastic!! 5 stars for the location, decor, staff and of course the food. Possibly the best Crème Brûlée that I have ever had and I’ve eaten many!! Can’t wait to visit again!!

The staff were very attentive, the food was delivered promptly and was exceptional would definitely recommend, you won't be disappointed 😊

This is a place we'll worth visiting.

What can I say that can justify the delicious food, the best service and the ambiance! Every course was super tasty! We were served by Fabio, a gorgeous young man who looked after us with a pleasant smile on his face! We will be visiting again and definitely recommend it to all 🤗❤️

Excellent food and amazing wines - will definitely be visiting again

Excellent food and excellent service, best place to eat in Bedford.

A fabulous place to celebrate a special occasion

Outstanding Fine dinning at its best

A wonderful venue with perfect service

My first visit to this restaurant was for my 30th. I have been back for a wedding anniversary and again last night for my 48th!!! What can I say apart from amazing, truly made to feel special on each occasion. Will be booking again for my next family celebration. Thank you to all the team.

Celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary there last night. Food was excellent, ambience great and staff lovely.☺️

Amazing place what a treat to go there.

I first attended St Helena in 1987 for a 21st meal. I have been back on approximately ten occasions in the interim and was fortunate to return for my 57th. To have created a restaurant that has maintained such a high level of quality, style, finish and personal touch over that period of time is an incredible achievement and a real testament to the owners and all the staff. From the initial greeting to the final goodbye is done to a very high standard in a manner that makes you feel special. A group of four has some delicious food and 7 years after the first occasion, I was back for the haggis. The star of the show for me was the ‘fish and chips.’ Perfectly cooked chips, a deliciously flavoured fish in a fabulous batter and a soft shell crab cooked to perfection. Friends enjoyed perfectly cooked steak and a pork main dish, the presentation of which were admired and enjoyed immensely. I don’t believe that I have reviewed St Helena restaurant previously but felt tonight was worthy of a 5* review for that level of longevity and quality. The perfect location for what is always an amazing experience.

Fantastic experience. Absolutely fab. All dishes I chose were wonderful. Service impeccable.

First time here. Good selection of food on the menu and very attentive staff. Made for a lovely evening out with friends

This was our anniversary meal and everything was so perfect I couldn’t ask for more from a dining experience! The food was fantastic. The service was incredible. We were dining for nearly three hours and it was a perfect experience.

Can't fault it x wonderful food, perfect for a special occasion, lovely staff and hosts x

Great food & brilliant service. Special thanks to Raph for making it a special evening

We visited St Helena a few weeks ago for my dad's 60th birthday. After reading all the reviews, we were very much excited ahead of our visit. We were first greeted outside and seated in the gorgeous garden area where the team took our drinks order. A short while later we were taken to our table inside where we were offered water and given some complimentary breads which were lovely. Out came the chefs appetiser which was a delicious introduction to the evening's menu. Our starters arrived next and I must say, the scallops were huge and cooked very well, would definitely recommend. The experience so far had set the bar very high and sadly the mains and desserts felt a little disappointing. 3 of us ordered the fillet steak to be cooked medium rare and when these arrived, all 3 were overdone, one of them was cooked through with no red or pink in sight. As well as this, the steaks themselves were quite small and thin which was disappointing for such a highly rated restaurant. I will say, the other 2 mains we had were very good so maybe it was just an unlucky set of steaks. We got a variety of desserts and again, 2 of these were really nice but the cheesecake was overpowered by the baileys as it was very strong and I am not sure what was in the crème brulee but it definitely didn't taste of vanilla! Aside from the food, I would say the most disappointing part for us was the service. When we arrived, the greeting and service was excellent. However, once you get inside and take your seats, it feels like there is no personal touch and a huge lack of attentiveness. No one asked how the food was and if we were enjoying it, no one asked if we wanted to order more drinks throughout the meal and after waiting about 40 minutes after finishing our mains, we eventually had to ask someone if they could take our dessert order. It seemed everyone was helping everyone but no one was dedicated to each table to make sure they were enjoying the meal and had everything they needed. Overall, the food was disappointing for the most part and the service was really lacking. I appreciate it was extremely hot on this particular evening but that doesn't excuse the lack of service in such a highly rated establishment. Sadly, I wouldn't rush to visit again.

Excellent as always, Raff and Frank make you feel so welcome A +++

One of my favourite restaurants in Bedford! Would visit whenever I am in town with family. The food and service have always been top-notch! The garden on sunny days is a bonus. Special shoutout to Frank and all the staff who have always been incredibly hospitable throughout the years.

What an amazing experience! Food was exceptional, service was outstanding, very attentive staff, atmosphere excellent. Truly worthy of a 5/5 star review!

Great meal, very friendly staff, very enjoyable only slight drawback was there was no air con, but otherwise an excellent experience

Crisp white table cloth and friendly staff were pleasing features. However, rather cramped and non-relaxing environment and some problems with food. Melted butter, replaced with apology, and melted ice cream desert. No ice in water. Very nice wine. Food very average, main course piled on plate. Fixed price menu too expensive. Live locally and found to be no better than previous visit some years ago; will not return.

Was just going to write a standard review for one of our favourite spots in the area after dinner there on Saturday for a friends birthday but I saw the previous 2 star review which has boggled my mind so I thought I’d contrast my experience last weekend with that review Cramped? It’s a 400 + year old building with low ceilings and beams? I don’t feel tables are too close together whatsoever Service excellent - agreed Crisp white linen - agreed Wine excellent - agreed, we had two bottles of Segoe Margaux on Saturday night at £67 a bottle (they do much cheaper and way more expensive) and it was epic Food average? On Saturday I had my staple haggis entree and fillet steak main - superb, the only place for equivalent or better food (but the wine and ambience don’t come close to St Helena) round these parts is Eileens in Ampthill Fixed prix menu is too expensive? For what you get are you insane? You can have 3 courses in a pub in Ampthill consisting of average high street fare and pay more overall We finished with lovely cheese, a bottle of dessert wine and a couple of complimentary brandy’s and went home very happy Thankfully, as you will see the 4 and 5 star review far outweigh any negatives - if you haven’t been I highly recommend you do, you won’t be disappointed

Second visit after deciding we'd come back for a special occasion, and we were not disappointed. This time it was nice enough to sit outside for a drink before eating, in the attractive garden. The restaurant is a nice environment, and the service was overall very good. Enjoyed all of the food and another very good evening.

Interesting menu expertly executed. Loved every morsel. The service was attentive but not obtrusive and they surprised us with a birthday treat they we had not advised them of ahead of time. Thoroughly recommend and very good value for money!

A fantastic find. Exquisite, interesting food, excellent service and great decor. Couldn’t have hoped for better

We have been going to St Helena since it first opened. We have over the years visited regularly. We believe the location is beautiful. The site was originally John Bunyan's home. The staff are always friendly and helpful. The food in our opinion has always been very good and excellent value for the price charged. In our opinions it is certainly possible to find a more Fine dining experience. The only problem is. It sometimes is up to four times as expensive. The total parcel at St Helena is definitely exceptional. We always leave with tongues smiling !!!

Great Allah cart restaurant great service great food

This is a beautiful restaurant with fantastic food & service. The garden area is stunning and it’s really nice to sit & relax with a drink before heading to your table for dinner. The selection of started, mains & dessert is excellent! Honestly can’t fault this place. We shall definitely be back. It’s a little oasis in Bedford.

Incroyable restaurant où j’ai eu la chance de manger de la cuisine traditionnelle anglaise revisité, le fameux haggis, de l’agneau écossais, du pudding. Le patron est charmant, le service est impeccable et tout cela dans un endroit merveilleux.

This is an outstanding restaurant. Food is excellent and the service if first class. Nice relaxed atmosphere, Raff is also a great host. It is also lovely sitting in the garden for a drink.

Fine dinning at its best, amazing food and exceptional service, Raff and his team of staff make you welcome the minute you enter the restaurant, would recommend this restaurant for any occasion and if you get a chance try pre dinner drinks in the wonderful grounds.

Fantastic food, great attentive staff and reasonable prices with great wine options. 10/10 would recommend - we can’t wait to come back!

Lovely evening - and food - staff great. Will return…

Suddenly dawned on us our eldest is off to uni this weekend (earlier than most) so thought we’d better have a send off Managed to get a table at short notice (thanks Frank) Lovely night Good food as ever - we thought steaks were even better than usual Great pomerol and Sauterne Bit “tired” this morning :)

Just been for the first time to this lovely restaurant. Sat in the garden for drinks before our meal. Ordered while we were outside before being taken to our table. Food was excellent. Service was superb. Thank you to the chefs and staff for making our visit memorable. We will visit again soon.

Amazing restaurant, hidden away in a beautiful, homely setting. First class service, amazing food & excellent value for the quality of food, service & location. I am a very fussy person regarding cleanliness, being hurried, etc in restaurants & for me this experience was an absolute delight with not one single complaint about any part of it. As it was also a birthday treat, I was given a discreet birthday wish in chocolate. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

We had the pleasure of an amazing evening at St Helena's. From start to finish this establishment is just class. Food was amazing. Attention to detail was second to none. We did not want our experience to end. Would definitely go back & highly recommend.

The best resteraunt by far in bedfordshire 10/10

A rare Oasis of excellence! Events have prevented us attending St Helena for far too long. However, last night was like returning home. Raff, Frank and ALL their staff looked after us to the highest standard. Food was as exquisite as always, as was every other little detail. Still at the top of their game! We will be back very soon!

Four of us dined at St Helena on 11/05. We were returners but our friends were first timers. We had a most enjoyable evening. Service and food was as always excellent. We are so short of decent restaurants in Bedfordshire and this continues to be...

Just over a year ago we celebrated my 50th at St Helena This time around it was y wife's birthday Just as wonderful Drinks in the sun in the garden Great food Amazing service Sensational wine (including a double magnum or 1995 Barolo (dont ask!)...

Honestly, this is right up there with the best meals I’ve ever had. Added to the relaxed ambience, and attentive staff; it is highly recommended. They get it just right. The food is a culinary experience that both delights the palate and is filling at...

A "Proper Dining Experience", good quality food and lovely surroundings with 5 star staff service. The garden is particularly lovely. (Nice loos) It's not cheap cheap, but not ridiculously expensive either. It is a great place for a proper treat.

Such a lovely evening for my partners birthday 🎂 (Arif). Raff and the team were so attentive, especially young Fabio who is a credit to you. The food was delicious. They made the evening so special, thank you!! We will be back very soon.

An amazing meal once again from Raff and his fantastic team to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Nothing was too much for the team and our visit was sensational - thank you! Highly recommend to anyone!

Never fails to impress, We have been eating here for about 30 years. St Helena is the only place to go for our family for that special night out to remember. This visit was for my wife’s birthday, the whole evening flowed like clockwork with...

Elegance and style upper class and grace brings in a certain person

Another fabulous evening with raff and his staff.One of elstow and Bedfords finest established businesses in the region. After reading through all comments on trip advisor I would highly recommend pre booking and especially calling after four o'clock in the afternoon so your call is...

As total food snobs this is the best restaurant we've eaten at in a very long time. Staff were pleasant, service was prompt and personally we liked the simple fixed per head price. We left it very late to book an evening meal for six on a Friday night after our wedding. But they made a massive effort to accommodate us but be warned book early to avoid dissappoinent.

Events have unfortunately prevented us from attending St Helena for quite some time - Too long! However, last night we were welcomed back like Old Friends and goodness how glad we were to be back! Raff, Frank and ALL their staff showed that this wonderful...

Fantastic. Great atmosphere. Amazing service ( we had the owner's son of 18 years of age advising us on wines and he was incredible!). Delicious food.

We’ve been loyal customers of Raf and Frank’s for approaching 15 years We’ve sort of grown up with them - new kids, new business, new houses, new cars (of which Raf is an authority) - they feel almost like an extended family Saturday was special...

My wife and I often dine at St Helena and he hospitality of the staff and especially Raff is a wonderful experience. The food is out of this world and the atmosphere is sublime. Its our favourite restaurant! David & Victoria

Fantastic birthday treat. Everything perfect.

Amazing food - the food was absolutely superb, great service and reasonably priced - high recommended and we’ll definitely be coming back!

Spend a lovely evening with family for my sister birthday and we really enjoyed the experience. Excellent food and great service.

Well where do I begin!! Firstly we were greeted warmly by the owners Raf & Frank and shown to our table. The staff obviously are very well trained they are hardworking, polite and run around catering for everyone’s needs. The restaurant was packed yet staff...

Food exceptional..service top class ..overall experience..10 out 10...must visit!! Love you Raph x

Thank you, Raff. You always give the best service in Elstow. Mum had the greatest 80th birthday 🎂 food and atmosphere 100 % as always.

An incredible evening at a wonderful establishment.Truly amazing food with top class service.

Our party of 8 was treated to a thoroughly enjoyable evening for my birthday. Four generations of my family had a fantastic meal. Everything was cooked to perfection and timed perfectly to allow us to enjoy the evening. As ever Raff and Frank did a...

First visit in 11 months! Children and work seem to have prevented us from visiting our favourite place. We will never leave it that long again. We first visited 10 years ago and have never found anywhere else that comes close. Never disappoints, never lets...

This is a superb, classic British restaurant. Everything here is good. The service is attentive, clear and helpful. The food is sublime, with really well thought through dishes, a great range of options, fantastically tasty and some lovely wines. The atmosphere is great, and the prices are fair for a fine dining restaurant like this - not cheap, but definitely not extortionate either. We really enjoyed it, and look forward to coming again.

Heard good reports on this restaurant and had a meal there last night. Must say I was not disappointed at all. Atmosphere, Food, wine choice and service was amazing. I will definitely be going back there again.

Amazing food, great ambience and friendly service. What more do you need?

I am embarrassed to admit that this is my first visit to St Helena, although not my partners. I can confidently say that this will be my first of many to come! Everything about the evening here was perfect. Outstanding service, food the likes of...

Visited for a friends 50th Birthday, have been before and the Food and service as always were excellent. Fantastic venue for a celebration

Visited for Friends 50th Birthday, food and service excellent as always. Highly recommended

It is luxury in a quiet corner of Bedford. Fabulous menu. Excellent creme brulee. Amazing cheese board. And Raff. The perfect evening out

Just been to saint helenas restaurant in Elstow being a restaurant manager myself I have to say this is my best ever experience in a fine dining establishment. From start to finish the staff were above my expectations the owner raff general manager Frank and...

Dinner at St Helena last night Not been for a few months before Christmas As ever, a wonder evening. Food was delicious Excellent wine Raf, Frank and team spoiled us as ever Thanks gents!

Our first visit but it won't be our last

I brought a friend along for their birthday treat, and a treat it was! She was blown away by the hospitality and friendliness of all the staff here. I'm a bit biased; St Helena knocks the socks off most places for us personally, but it...

A pre- Christmas visit with friends. Staff were wonderfully welcoming as always. Ambience was warm and welcoming with delicate and charming Christmas decorations. The food was excellent, beautifully cooked and presented with an explosion of flavours. I had the haggis starter followed by the trout...

Went on the 30th of November with 12 friends to celebrate my Civil Partnership to Sue. As usual every thing was brilliant Food and the Service. Eight of the party had never dined there before and were blown away by everything saying it was the best dining experience they had ever had... I would say 5 stars is not enough... Mine-Host was as ever superb.

Recommended this restaurant by three or four people and they were all spot on. Set in Elstow on a dead end road, it's a quiet little spot. Lovely restaurant from the outside especially with festive lights leading to the door. Welcomed by a young guy,...

Simple amazing!! Franco and Raffa make any night special!!

4 of us, including 2 friends who’ve never visited before. So good for my wife and I to see the St Helena team again, after various delays thanks to Covid et al. Owners, staff all brilliant, cheerful, efficient as ever but so ‘non posey’. Great...

Simply amazing. Our ‘Go to’ restaurant. Never fails to disappoint. Other restaurants should come and learn how to run a restaurant business and produce such exceptional food with class service for great value. Keep doing what you are doing!!!

Fabulous food, attentive service and excellent choice of wine

This place is a little gem in Bedford, there is no other place like it that comes close. If you want to pay for a luxurious meal with excellent service then this is where you go. This is my 3rd visit and sure I will be back in the future. Thank you