The Courtyard Cafe in St Albans

Nice selection of meals with non vegetarian, vegetarian and vegan options. I enjoyed the mackerel open sandwich with bettroot and basque cheesecake. There is always plenty of greenery with the lunches. Loved the iced coffee too. A wide range of anges observed there.

I had forgotten to bring some bread with me to make a sandwich for lunch so rather than walk all the way to the shops, I thought I'd pop in as I was next door to see if they'd kindly sell me 2 slices of unbuttered bread. I explained this to them when I asked. They sold me the 2 slices but there was no kindly about it. Now, normally this is the sort of thing you'd like to get free but I'd have been happy to pay, say, 20 - 50p. I was charged £2!!! For 2 slices of unbuttered bread!!! I was planning on taking my family in there because it looked nice but I certainly won't be going back. 😡

Such a lovely warm friendly place, nice outside seating and delicious food. The coffee actually tastes of coffee and the cake selection brilliant. Warm goats cheese salad so so nice.

One of the cosiest and tastiest spots in St. Albans. The friendliest staff you could imagine. Make sure you get one of the toasties. Will absolute blow your cotton socks off.

Lovely coffee , lovely cakes , great location when out for a long walk. I can’t understand why you can’t sit on stone benches which are placed a long way apart to drink your coffee. Until recently it was the place to sit and rest and soak up the beautiful countryside while practicing social distancing but now even that has been taken away. Most people wear masks and stand apart if there is a small que. please think again on this restriction.

Love this place,really cosy and friendly staff, serving delicious gluten free meals and a range of homemade cakes.

I’ve loved this place for years. It’s a total gem. The staff, the food, the atmosphere. Thank you for offering this beautiful space it’s special! 💚

My first visit here but certainly not my last. Lovely relaxed atmosphere with very friendly staff. Beautiful home cooked food with a great deal of variety.

This cafe is so sweet - the outdoor seating and seating inside is really quaint and the service equally warm and welcoming! They even sell local bits inside, which I thought was a really nice touch. I love coming here for a bite to eat - it's also such great value (especially compared to most of the other places in St. Albans!)

A nice little place very intimate and comfortable inside. Interesting menu.Some eclectic offerings but at reasonable prices.

We visit here regularly for the excellent coffee and the wide range of delicious home-baked cakes. There are around half a dozen or so cakes to choose from and usually vegan options. It’s not the usual boring carrot cake and one other. For example today there were Middle Eastern made with orange, nuts and cinnamon; a lime and coconut; banana loaf and something chocolate among the selection. They also do very good breakfasts and lunches. Very friendly, local business and I recommend it very highly. It is closed Sundays and Mondays.

We hosted a 10 person afternoon tea at the Courtyard Cafe and it was lovely. We were in a private dining room, which was really nice. The food and tea were delicious and the service was wonderful. Highly recommend!

This café is both informal and yet has an authentic "home made" feel plus a great selection of what look like home made cakes, and that taste excellent. It is always very popular and feels like a favorite community point, so good for those who like a great "village" type atmosphere.

The fact that so many people visit this little cafe regularly is a testament to the friendly welcome and the honest, homemade food.

I have now visited this place 3 times in a month because it is great and the menu has so much variety. It is independently owned which is a big tick for me and the food is delicious including the yummy cakes. The staff are all very friendly and have been so helpful when struggling with a pushchair. Recommend wholeheartedly!

Its tucked away at the top of the town. Indepently owned which we love and provides lovely foodall frshly prepared for you. Great for coffee and cake or lunch. Sadly not open on a monday but you can't have everything.

Found this cute little cafe up the back streets of St. Albans. Cute little place with a very friendly owner who greats with a smile. Lovely home baked cake and a varied menu to fulfil all your desires. I will be back and recommending to friends.

I walked past all the chain coffee shops on St Albans High Street. I didn't want to come all the way here and then just visit the same brand of coffee shop I'd find at home.

Went here last week and I agree with the previous chap, albanbean, this place is a bit out of the way and when you get there, whilst a nice little place, the atmosphere rather puts you off, it's just a bit "matey" but only to regulars it seems. Food is really quite nice but there is an air of being part of a club which puts you off, and we were a bit put off to see other people getting served before us, simply because they knew each other. Just makes you feel a bit unwelcome is the only way I can describe it. A lot of rather second rate homewares on sale and I notice they market themselves as a "lifestyle" store, which is rather exaggerating what they have on sale - I felt they couldn't decide whether they were a store or a cafe. Might try it again sometime, but doubtful as there are better cafes actually in the city centre, where you're not made to feel out of place.

Sadly, this is my third time and each time has got worse. Food is OK but the atmosphere isn't good. Full of "muesli mums" and their badly behaved children, but clearly some sort of "friends" or family of the owners. The irritating thing is they don't take cards (duh!! Really?? Hello? It's 2018 not 1818!!) so in our view living in the dark ages. There are far better places to eat in St. Albans and we feel we've all given this little place a fair crack of the whip, tried it 3 times, but worse each time, so we will not be back. The place was chaotic, noisy and the staff unhelpful. Rickety tables and chairs, mismatched cups and saucers - so 2012! Overpriced and very clicky, also quite unfriendly to those who are not from their "group" or regulars or whatever. We've given it a fair go, 3 times, too far out of town and they need to "get over themselves", they have a lorra lorra competition in town!

I would like to be able to review this café but it still does not take cards or any sort of non-cash payment. As I didn't have enough cash for two coffees and two cakes I had to go elsewhere. This is the second time I have tried to eat here, I thought that as it is the 21st century, they might have moved with the times, but no.

Perfect spot for lunch just a few minutes away from the busy town centre. Great sandwich, lovely coffee and friendly staff

This cafe is just simply wonderful. Everyone is so friendly, the service is quick and the food is delicious. I can see from reading other reviews that it has been open a few years now, which is a big surprise, as I can't believe I haven't been here sooner. I am a great lover of places that are independent like this and always try to seek them out when I am in an area new to me. I am sure I will eat my way around the menu in the weeks to come, but for now I can highly recommend the Mediterranean breakfast - perfectly poached eggs, roasted tomatoes, sweet potato wedges, smashed avocado and chorizo. I've also had their halloumi, which is probably the best halloumi I've ever eaten. All the ingredients used here are of high quality, and it shows. I do not find them overly expensive, indeed I think prices compare favourably with any chains, but their food far surpasses anything you'd ever find in one! The only thing I wish they did was Chai Latte, as this is a personal favourite of mine and I'm sure they'd make it brilliantly.

If you like eating where the staff are friendly, have a family that enjoy their food and enjoy cafes that sell craft and vintage items, then you will love the Courtyard Cafe. If you want a generic chain (see review with one star), then this cafe probably isn't for you.

Food is dreadful, its all 'health food' that's not cooked well and very overpriced. Nothing the kids would eat. Very cramped, can't take your buggy inside, so I had to wait outside while the baby slept. no proper changing facility for the baby and toilets were dirty and had a very wet floor, clearly the staff hadn't checked in there for a while.

I love this quirky little place. The food is great and a bit different. Everyone is really friendly. Highly recommended!

Had a fantastic lunch sat out in the courtyard. Food was delicious - I had warm bean and halloumi salad with hummus and pitta bread with home made lemonade. Finished off with rhubarb and raspberry sponge cake. Lovely and relaxing and calm on a hot day catching up with friends- couldn't have found a better venue!

Fabulous as ever had lunch alfresco style at the Courtyard cafe Food is fantastic with breakfast and lunch dishes - indulgent,comforting or healthy Also fantastic cakes Try it ...

Apparently been open for 6 or 7 years, it's just a shame it has taken us so long to discover The Courtyard cafe. Charming little place with a variety of crafts for sale, but the reason to return soon is the varied range of healthy items on the menu, and the outstanding quality of both the dishes we had on our first visit (a goat's cheese and caramelised red onion flan, and a Mexican omelette with chorizo and jalapeños - both very scrummy indeed). Staff were also charming, already working on an excuse to visit again very soon.

You'd find it hard to find a friendlier bunch of people running a cafe. Sometimes it resembles a creche which shows how welcoming it is to all. Not the cheapest but quality is good.

Charming breakfast lunch spot with art and goodies for sale. Brilliant full English breakfast mismatched porcelain for tea which is quaint and endearing. Free wifi. Place for buggies. Big sofa, cushions and magazines and newspapers. Service is prompt, food is fresh and staff are friendly. Highly recommended.

This is a bit of a hidden gem - fresh home cooked food with a lovely selection of cakes set in an old building with loads of character. Good place to go if you want a coffee and to read the paper or to have breakfast or lunch with friends.

Nice historic building. Food options included several breakfast and brunch offers, as well as veggie friendly - suited us since only one is veggie.

This little cafe serves delicious home made food and has a cosy, at home atmosphere. The vegan breakfast is tasty and they always have gluten free options. There is plenty space outside to lock up your bike too.

Nicest cafe in St Albans & best for vegetarians. Great breakfasts including a fab vegan breakfast! Also lovely homemade cake. And another thing, only place in St Albans currently selling local art & vintage gifts. Lovely people too. Janet

A great little private run café just down Hatfield road from town centre. Looks as though it was a church hall, friendly staff and service to match. Sit in or out. Nice to support a small business rather than a large chain.

Came here for breakfast. Lovely cup of tea in vintage china cup. Full English breakfast was very good with mushroom, tomatoes two eggs bacon and sausage. Toast was granary and very good! Thoroughly recommend it - the vibe is very good and friendly. There was a singing group practising in the back room which just added to the relaxed friendly vibe

Came here for breakfast. Nice friendly vibe and welcoming. Seems like somewhere mums go after dropping off their kids to school. I had the Mexican omelette which was very good and my wife had the veggie breakfast which she found very satisfying.

Homemade food with lots of choices for all types of diets, and the cakes, etc looked very tempting. There was organic, vegan, gluten free and vegetarian choices which surprised me for the venue area. Must give it a try

I frequently visit St Albans market on Saturdays and always walk down the short distance from St Peter's street to the Courtyard Cafe for a break. It makes a refreshing change to the many chain cafes in the High Street with its homely atmosphere, extremely friendly proprietors and staff, and most importantly, the home-cooked food and cakes. They cater for my gluten-free requirements, offer a variety of great local produce for sale and run an art gallery. They also have a separate room that you can rent for special occasions and they provide a fantastic menu and service. If you are lucky enough to get a seat on the sofa, it feels just like sitting at home, enjoying a cuppa and some food, reading the paper and chatting to a friend. Also great if you are a solo visitor.

Instead of strolling past on our way into town, we strolled in and the dog was made to feel welcome too with a bowl of water and a sausage!

Came here for a coffee at the weekend and it was brilliant sitting outside in the sun. The coffee was tasty (albeit extremely hot!) and there looked a lovely selection of cakes too! Also a cute gift shop at the front of the cafe. Will be back!

The Courtyard Cafe has a really good selection of gluten free food and the staff are very knowledgeable about gluten free eating. Delicious homemade cakes and savories. Very friendly staff. Highly recommended.

In the back yard off an old Street this place does not shout out from a prime position. It is not easy to find but on a nice day it should not be missed for a quiet morning coffee, lunch or afternoon tea. Good service good pricing.

Went here on recommendation as all the food is home produced and good coffee. All true. the building is probably Victorian and thankfully hasn't been subjected to joozhing up, and various parts of it have different uses such as yoga centre etc.

I visited this cafe on the strength of the TripAdvisor reviews with my wife, daughter and grandson for lunch. This is an annexe to a church which appears to have diversified. The display of cakes was amazing. The chalkboard menu comprehensive and interesting. Our choices of food were well cooked, beautifully presented and served all at the same time. The waitresses need lessons on customer relationships, the prices were very much on the high side and not being able to pay by credit card was nearly an embarrassment. Strong on vegetarian and gluten free options.

his really is an oustanding place just to go for a coffee or a more substantial lunchtime snack. All food is home made with quality ingredients

Great coffee, i am very fussy on my coffee and this was one of the best have ever tasted in st Albans.

The Courtyard Café is an interesting place with more than just food and drink for sale. There was an excellent range of cakes (not your normal range, and all homemade) and priced at £3 a slice – there was also a good selection of morning pastries. Coffee was very good and so was the cake.

I can only agree with the many positive reviews. The Edwardian building has a lovely homely atmosphere.

Popped in for a sandwich and a coffee with my grandson. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff. Great service. Really nice sandwich, coffee and cake and a nice relaxed atmosphere, even though it was busy.

Food is consistently delicious, menu changes enough to be interesting but no so often that you don't get enough time to have your favourites, people are delightful, friendly, down-to-earth but not in your face, and the courtyard is the sunniest spot around. A treasure.

I very much enjoyed my visit to this local Eco restaurant/cafe. They serve homemade cakes and other sweet treats, all of which are baked to 'fulfilling goodness'.

Loved the rustic feel.and traditional approach and the homemade choices and healthy options. As it was a sunny day we sat outside and enjoyed our tasty meals served with a smile.

It's a bit off the beaten track, but well worth a visit. Interesting choice of food, reasonable prices and friendly staff.

A great venue with a large external area. The owners are very friendly and the food, drinks and service are top-notch. Highly recommended.

We had a beautiful, big lunch. Finished with wonderful cakes. Lovely cafe which feels personal as it's not too big. Friendly and helpful staff.

Quirky little place with a vintage home kitchen feel. Great choices of food many veggie dishes. Great presentation and all reasonably priced. Definitely going again!

Great quirky place for lunch. Sandwiches, salads and homemade cake. Friendly staff. Lots of tasty, veggie food.

The Courtyard Cafe is a wonderful little place for freshly prepared and cooked simple food all day, with some delicious dishes on the menu that look and taste great. Freshly baked home-made cakes too. Lots of local arts and crafts to look at, vintage tables and chairs and a very welcoming atmosphere. The staff are attentive and service was prompt and efficient. Recommended and will definitely return soon.

Fantastic food, quirky surroundings, lots of local art and crafts to buy and look at whilst you eat. The kind of place you'd expect to find in London - lovely home made cakes, and a really varied menu. Great for vegetarians too.

The cafe' had been booked on a Sunday afternoon for a christening party and so there were lots of small children and ancient relatives too. There was plenty of room for everyone to enjoy a delicious, traditional tea party to celebrate the occasion.

We went here for a late breakfast/early lunch and were not disappointed. My husband is a vegetarian and was spoilt for choice. Everything home-cooked and delicious. Will definitely return soon. Only downside is that it gets very busy and once the oeople with buggies are in it is very cramped.

Great place, makes you feel great to in there. Ring you mates after to tell em how good it is, says it all really.

Although not for us wrong side of 60 , this is a lovely eclectic cafe with lovely home made cakes. I am a bit of a coffee wimp & my latte

Lovely arty/boho interior filled with the work of local artists; friendly staff; private dining room available; amazing selection of freshly baked cakes always on display to tempt the unwary! And an imaginative menu of tasty cooked to order light bites and more substantial meals for meat eaters, vegetarians or omnivores alike!!

Having lived in St Albans for over a year now, this was our first visit to this lovely cafe.

Always been treated well in here and served with a smile. A bit eclectic but I like that and the grub is good too!

I am very glad I red the reviews on tripadvisor & choose this place. Interesting different rooms with lots of paintings hanging on the walls, set off the road with a little garden on the front.

This place has great homemade food including fabulous cakes (try the almond and orange one), tea in china cups, and its always a stop off for me when I'm in St Albans. Slightly away from the main hub (next to St Albans Museum) but has outdoor seating and a warm welcome. Good breakfast, lunch and all day menu. Highly recommended.

We go back time and time again as The Courtyard Cafe has everything we want. Lovely staff who are always friendly and helpful. The food is fresh, interesting and suitable for both veggies and not. I'd thorougjly recommend it for anyone. What's best is that it's not one of the recognised chains of cafe which serves the same food as everywhere else!! Love it!

Great menus featuring quality ingredients which really shine in dishes.. Fab brunches and cake range, plus range of beverages including good coffee .. Set out comfortably with a range of artwork and other handmade items for sales..staff are very friendly which makes you feel very at home ...currently our favourite cafe.

I've been to the Courtyard Cafe many, many times and have always enjoyed it. The menu changes based on the season and everything is cooked fresh when you order. The cakes are made daily and always include a gluten free option (lemon polenta - yum!) and you can get gluten free bread, too, which means gf breakfast and sandwich options. My all time favourite here is the sweet potato falafel; though not really a falafel at all, it's a delicious dish that always has me wishing I ordered another to take home. I also had the "Mexican Eggs" yesterday - delicious (though being form California the chorizo in the eggs was the main "Mexican" bit of the dish). Coffee and teas are good, too.

I've eaten at The Courtyard Cafe on probably a dozen occasions over the last year and have enjoyed their "Full English" and vegetarian cooked breakfasts on several occasions, a selection of their very tasty cooked lunches and am slowly working my way through their delicious range of cakes and I can truly say they have always "delivered the goods"!

I've been here twice recently and will certainly go again. It manages to feel like eating in a cross between someone's front room and a gift shop. The food is lovely home-cooked international cafe fare (spicy aubergine with couscous, jerk chicken salad, stilon and onion tart), and make sure you leave room for dessert, as the cakes are incredible - and there's a huge choice. You place orders at the serving window, where the menu is written up on blackboards, but they bring the food to the table on a variety of mismatching crockery. The art on the walls is by local artists (I think) and is all for sale, as are the various candles, soaps, tea towels, displayed attractively around the place. Perfect for an informal meal or tea and cake (on sofas!), and there's a brunch menu that I intend to try soon. Be warned - cash only, and I don't think you can book!

This cafe is a wonderful find. The menu is simple but different, the food home cooked, the cakes excellent and the service friendky and welcoming.

Hidden away, off the beaten track, this is really worth a visit. Lovely cakes, delicious sandwiches, great coffee - in an old church hall. The furniture is shabby chique - each piece different. The atmosphere is relaxed with sofas and newspapers. I could stay for hours. The shop also sells bits and pieces of china, etc and the atmosphere is really welcoming.

we went on saturday afternoon. We asked if we should order at the counter but were told no, someone would be with us. 2 or 3 different waitresses went past us, on numberous occasions, clearing up tablets people had left. 30min later, we went to the counter as we could not attract anyone's attention. We ordered soup, 2 cakes and 2 drinks. It took 20 min for the first thing to arrive. We asked which cake it was and the waitress shrugged and said 'how would I know'. The remaining things came over in drips and drabs over about 20min.The first person had finished eating before the second person even started. The toast was cold, the butter straight out of the fridge and rock solid. The soup was hot, but not particularly tasty. Several waitresses were there, but there was poor organisation and unmotivated staff who all seemed to dislike their job. Its a nice location, but the poor service really let this place down. It wasn't even that busy as it was around 3pm, so not the lunch rush.

I eat here regularly for lots of reasons: a great variety of dishes, good vegetarian options, cakes to die for (including gluten-free), always outstanding quality, friendly service from the owners and the staff, lots of character, excellent value for money and it has never disappointed. There is a vintage theme to the decor, local artists' work on the walls which is for sale, tables and umbrellas outside. Without question one of the best places in St Albans. It's closed Mondays and only cash is accepted.

I've been to this place several times and have always been impressed. The food is outstanding and the staff welcoming. Prices are reasonable but they only accept cash. I can't think of any more I'd want when going out to lunch.

Negatives first - where the heck were the salt and pepper pots? That's it, everything was great - a little shambolic but in a good way - shabby chic, friendly staff and really very good if not exceptional food. My daughter and I had breakfast here today - Mexican eggs - toast - fresh fruit salad. Everything fresh and homemade and executed perfectly. We will be back - to hang out in the back dining room with a newspaper or book - for a light lunch or breakfast.

A lovely cafe that could do with more space for the St Albans buggy population. Food is always good but lets itself down as it only accepts cash.

You know when you go on holiday and find a local taverna that serves excellent food with the same friendly staff making you feel so welcome that you just go back over and over again? Well this is how the Courtyard Cafe feels to us and many of our friends. I couldn't cook even the simpler dishes like they do and the ingredients are so fresh you would think they had an allotment out the back. Try the Mexican scrambled eggs with Chorizo - It makes me feel hungry writing this and I'm impressed the way the Chef recognises me and cooks the Chorizo just how I like it! The home-made cakes really are home made and there are a huge range of teas and great coffee. There is a small room through the door to the right of the serving counter which is normally quieter - with all the art on the wall and the old furniture it feels more like you are visiting your Grandma.

I take back my earlier review. I was there this week and witnessed the woman who runs the place (I think) evict a woman with a small crying baby. She pretty much shooed them out the door and said other customers were disturbed... I certainly wasn't. The baby wasn't even crying that much and the poor mum was clearly very upset. Why did the cafe take her money if they don't welcome small babies? I won't go back. This place is ideal if you'd prefer not to have children nearby, however the cafe may be shooting itself in the foot here as its right beside Gymboree and a baby yoga class! Oh dear.

If you don't mind paying silly money for two slices of bread and two small sausages and a mug of tea - £5, then you will find this place "quirky" or " quaint". I found the service and clientele snobby and aloof.

We had a lovely breakfast at the Courtyard whilst staying in St Albans to visit friends. We were given a very friendly welcome by the owner from the kitchen area and had fabulous cooked breakfasts, great coffee and fresh squeezed juice. When we came to pay the waitress informed us that they didn't take cards at which point the chef / owner said we could just drop back in with the cash whenever it suited. This kind of trust in humanity is so rare and welcome these days so a huge thumbs up to the courtyard cafe.

Really what is there not to like about this place. Quirky, friendly, fun, vintage, with lovely home-cooked food by Michael, one of the owners, and lovingly looked after by Julie, the other owner.

Its very simple but also very nice eating here. I'd also recommend the milkshakes which come in numerous flavours

The Courtyard Cafe might be off the main thoroughfare of St Albans but it's worth the short stroll down the Hatfield Road.

Been here twice and tried 2 different main meals. One is the Fish Cakes, the other Goats Cheese Salad. Really tasty, home made and the Latte was good too. Meals are about £6.50-£6.95 and well worth it.

Love coming here with my 8 yr old daughter. Its welcoming, kid friendly, integrated with the outdoir space and most importantly the food is always fresh and delicious.

The simple, delicious and inexpensive food makes this place a pleasant lunchtime respite from shopping, with it's shabby chic interior.Tucked away at the top of town near St Peter's,

quirky but good - ate here in summer, lovely home-made food, friendly people, community feel.

Surprisingly spacious inside, the different rooms are all lovely. Great food and fast service, friendly and child friendly.

Since Mike & Julie opened their cafe 2 or so years ago we've been regular vistors. Whether its for a quick coffee, which is the best in town, or a more substantial lunch, its the place to go. They do everything from traditional bacon and eggs to Rissotti,pannini and adventurous salads. Well priced (£5ish for lunch) and welcoming. They also have a large room at the back of the cafe which they hire out. We took my mother in law for her birthday with grandchildren. There was something on the menu for everyone including cakes, smoothies, shakes for the kids. Really nice friendly place to go for a quick bite!!!

This is a lovely little cafe in an old building beside the St Albans city museum. Great coffee tasty lunches & homemade cakes. There are interesting crafts for sale and the decor adds to the relaxed atmosphere.