The Fleetville Larder in St Albans

Waiting for my cake & drink when a customer came in with a huge dog. This is such a tiny place filled with food. Yuck, I thought. Then the waitress petted the dog, fed the dog meat from her hands and only gave her hands a little rinse after. Then she petted the dog again and didn’t wash her hands. In what other ways are they ignoring basic hygiene? I had to eat my food with this massive dog sat right next to me. Gross, gross, gross.

I see a huffy owner response to a previous review that mentions poor service/attitude but it’s a pretty accurate reflection on how this place operates. The service is abysmal with rude staff who treat paying customers like an inconvenience. Yes yes I’m sure it’s all very nice with your regulars, etc but really you ought to treat all of your customers well. Overall an average, miserable little cafe.

The food is delicious and the options are great, but the owner always seems grumpy. I’ve unfortunately never known him to be friendly although I do understand it’s a stressful business. Nevertheless, a smile to a customer goes a long way - with that and great food, the custom will grow! I don’t think I’ll go back. There are quite a few friendly cafés around.

Despite the limited space available I can always find somewhere to sit to enjoy their quality coffee and avocado on toast to die for.

Spoiled for choice here. The offering is magnificent - and if they don’t have it, they will try to find it. Don’t leave without buying a cup of coffee to go. It’s the best cup in St Albans. By far!

Lovely ladies, so accommodating and really looked after us when we came in for coffee and (delicious) cake!

What a good surprise! A team that smiles and food with taste. It reminded me home! I recommend this place… Perfect!

Absolutely love this place. The coffee tastes great and is strong, the food is always made well and hearty and the cheeses on offer are pretty amazing. As is the owners knowledge of them, really nice to be able to ask someone’s view in what to buy and get honest help. Also on sale are local Gins, whisky, beer, honey and some other items from further afield. Highly recommend that you take a visit, you’ll be coming back over and over again for sure!

First visit today - fantastic coffee - wonderful deli products, only had a quick look but so pleased to find my favourite gins - campfire ! And fab Tracklements goodies. Lovely, friendly service too, looking forward to this being a regular coffee / shop visit.

A cracker of a local indie - Ed's Fleetville Larder has some delicious cheese and Ed and staff are really knowledgable. It's a great place to buy a fresh coffee or stock up on a variety of deli goods. Also lots of local suppliers stocked here. In the past have bought Fathers day hampers, been given cheese board ideas, found Saracens player's coffee and always leave with something interesting I didn't go in for!

Really lovely larder style shop with fantastic coffee and a selection of cheeses that will literally blow your mind and keep you wanting to come back to try them all! Also stocks the types of foods, wines, cakes and more that you always hope to find! Staff are fantastic and always make you feel at home. If you haven’t been there to see the team and try the cheeses yet, you need too!

Have visited this café / deli many times during the recent pandemic. From the cheeses we tried my favourites were the Tunworth ‘Camembert’ and the Montagnola blue cheese. All the cheese was well wrapped with the names on the cheese handwritten on the packaging. We have brought plenty of their amazing “Dolce Forno Breads”: the White Crusty Baguette was excellent with the cheese: its crust is solid enough to cut the fresh bread into thin slices – just perfect for aperitifs or for sampling cheese. The sourdough and the white bloomer, asides from being tasty, also make excellent toast and the bread lasts for days. Really looking forward to being able to sit down in the café again, but have really enjoyed the takeaways in the meanwhile.

I would like to thank Ed and his team for the amazing cheese and accompaniments they put together for us. The lady taking my order (sorry I did not get her name) was able to guide me to choose some wonderful cheeses which would meet mine and my husband’s tastes. Her suggestions for the accompaniments was gratefully appreciated- the spicy green olive tapenade on the toasted rustique bread was divine. Thanks Ed for the home delivery. Really appreciated the additional details of the cheese selections and a lovely voucher for free coffee post pandemic. I will be back.

Decided with a few friends to have a cheese and wine tasting evening. Called Fleetville Larder who couldn’t have been more helpful - we agreed a budget and broad contents (no. of wine bottles, no. of cheeses etc) then they picked a great selection for us and delivered it to each of us the day before. Some brilliant choices we all enjoyed - we’re already planning for another tasting session very soon and will be back in touch with Ed and team to provide us another super selection. Thanks all at Fleetville Larder.

Always a fantastic cheese selection available along with interesting wine and beer. Not to mention the selection of jams, crackers, pasta etc. Always friendly and helpful it's thoroughly recommended.

The staff at the Fleetville Larder have been very very helpful in these difficult times. There has been lots to choose from and they have been very efficient in delivering my order to my home. Many thanks to all the staff there

Just wanted to say Thankyou to Ed and his team at the Fleetville larder in St Albans. Usually go in there for a fab coffee and a lovely pastry/brunch with friends but obviously at the mo that’s a no no. Found out today that they are doing local deliveries of eggs, milk, cheese, tinned goods and pasta so I gave them a call and ordered my box of goodies which have just been delivered by Ed. 😊 I’ve really struggled to get eggs recently so it feels like Christmas in our house! 😋 Anyone local, just give them a buzz and see what they’ve got. Not only that but a lovely note attached to the box offering me a free coffee when we get through this challenging period! Please support your small local business if you can. Thank you! 🥰

In these extraordinary times Ed, Cathy and the team at the larder offer a fantastic delivery of cheese, wine, deli goods and a whole host of delicious products. Really missing a cappucion and toast at the larder but will be back as soon as we can. Stay safe everyone and thank you for the amazing service .

I absolutely love the Fleetville Larder, such brilliant coffee to take away or to have there, in such a lovely cafe. Would recommend highly!

This cafe is a gem and well liked and frequented by the locals. Pop in for coffee and don’t forget the cheese! I met friends for a late Friday that they sometimes do so you can take your time in a more relaxed setting and pair the selection with a glass of wine. Booking recommended in the evening.

Celebrating a friends birthday and is nice to do something different,Four of us and we had 2 salads, bruschetta , cheese board and cold meats. Plenty of bread and crackers and some really nice wine.. Owner is friendly and helpful.

In addition to the coffee, the vibe of a coffee shop is what sets it apart from all the rest; gives it its competitive advantage.

I go here regularly for a coffee when out walking with my little one. The gentleman who I think owns the shop is so helpful and friendly. The food is amazing, especially the cakes! Highly recommend.

For people who like speciality cheese served in a friendly atmosphere this is the place. It has an exceptional, changing but well focused set of high quality rare artisan cheeses.

I’ve met friends here a few times and eaten either their delicious cakes, or the cheese platters with a glass of wine. Always great quality.

Always friendly and helpful! Whether it’s a coffee for me or a hot chocolate for the children, the Fleetville Larder is great. The owner supports independent brands and sells delicious coffee, cheese etc. Today he helped me find a cheese to my liking and gave me samples to help with the selection. Do go!

Sometimes pop in here when I'm walking past just to have a look at what they have. Will always buy some cheese as they sell such a great selection from local or small producers which just tastes so much better than the stuff we all buy at the supermarket. And the staff are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about what they're selling.

My friend and I had lunch here today. I had a ham and cheese baguette with any choice of cheese I liked. Great bread, proper ham, lovely brie and a little pot of cranberry in case I wanted it plus a generous salad (on the side rather than in the sandwich as requested).

There are so many positive things to write about The Fleetville Larder I've decided to break them into sections.

This is a really excellent cafe, and the staff get the perfect balance of low-key and unobtrusive while being helpful and warm. The menu is great, the coffee is really good, and the ambience is lovely. I come here as a treat when I need to recharge and always look forward to it and know I will feel better for it. I noticed a recent reviewer was put out by having to wait for service. That is never my experience, but I do wonder why people don't just wave a hand in the air or catch the eye of a staff member, rather than sit getting cross and then going home to write bad reviews. Similarly if you don't like your drink, ask for a new one or a refund! I have no personal connection to this cafe but stroppy passive aggressive reviews of a small business which deserves congratulations really irritate me. Thank you Fleetville Larder for many excellent experiences which have turned some bad days around for me.

We had a lovely breakfast / brunch here when we visited friends close by. It’s lovely inside, menus had a good choice and fresh cakes and pastries available too.

We enjoyed pots of great loose leaf tea, a cheeseboard with unusual cheeses (with nice bread and crackers but no celery or grapes or salad) and a generous toasted cheese and pickle sandwich. The service was friendly and there was some tasteful and unintrusive background music. Pleasant and welcoming.

Not very happy with the service here at the fleetville lardar. Went there for quick hot chocolate whilst my daughter was at ballet. No one greeted us as we arrived, staff didnt even look up from what they were doing. Waited nearly 20mins for just hot chocolate. People who arrived after us were being served before us. After waiting that long we were presented with half a mug full of frothy milk with a splash of dark chocolate on top..disgusting. Not worth the money and definitely not worth the wait. Rude staff and snobby customers.. DO NOT RECOMMEND

Really nice café and very nicely decorated. Slightly expensive but good quality food and drink. Love it !

Very friendly service. Food and cakes very tasty. Good value for money. A little deli too, you can buy some amazing food & drink products.

Thriving, lively cafe/deli. My 11 year old meets me after school here once a week - he won’t consider anywhere else. Delicious selection of cakes, cheeses, juices. Small but well stocked. I can buy birthday / Xmas presents, unusual relishes and crackers. There’s even a small selection of individual greeting cards. Great meeting place but also welcoming for solo visitors.

Had a very nice morning coffee break at Fleetville Larder. The slice of Bakewell Tart was best that I’ve ever had. There was a newspaper to read and we managed to park right outside.

What a lovely little place. We sat outside in the sunshine, inside looked lovely too. My daughter and friend had toasted sandwiches and I had a salad. It was all lovely and not too expensive. And then the most divine carrot cake that I have had in a long time and my daughter devoured the lemon and blueberry cake. Highly recommend.

We enjoyed our coffee and a piece of carrot cake to share so much that we returned for an early lunch... tomato and mozzarella salads with sourdough toast. We had more (delicious) coffee to follow and couldn’t resist another piece of (even more delicious) carrot cake to share, although I must admit we were getting a bit worried that the cake might disappear from the display before we got it!

We visited Saint Albans for an extended period, three months, staying with our family. This cafe was the one to which we constantly returned. It is very popular, small but worth waiting to get a table.

I almost don’t want to say how good this place is as I love going and getting a seat so easily! Another reviewer said the coffee was strong but I found it delicious! The atmosphere is lovely and the staff are very friendly and chilled! I love the avocado on toast lunch dish they do - it is so tasty! I would highly recommend for a relaxed cup of coffee and cake!

Highest rating i could give, if i didnt applaud there cheese range 1*. Went in there as another cafe nearby wasnt open, wish i had stayed at home. Full lunch menu only takes up 1 x a5 paper! About 10 foods on menu, appaling cake selection the only thing i ordered from the 'cakes' was a flapjack as there wasnt any actual cakes eg. Victoria sponge, red velvet cake, banana bread, there was only a flapjack, bakewell tart and something else that i cant remember. Good range of cheeses, there was a fairly good range of drinks, except that if you wanted a glass you the waitress told you to go and get a glass from the front of the shop, which obviously weren't dried with a towel as the top one i picked up was wet on inside. But when order came coffees are so strong i could still taste it when i got home, and i dont like coffee light. Would not go again even if nowhere else is open, waste of £20 next time ill just make some toast and stay in...

We trekked out from Watford for a bit Stilton for a quiche recipe, and ended up having an amazing early lunch on CHEESE!

One of the nicest cafes I've been to in St Albans, a great addition to the Fleetville area! Quality ingredients used in all the dishes. Toasties are delicious, as are the cheeses. Worth a visit for sure!

Even though I don’t live anywhere close to this place it has become a “must stop” if we are even remotely close. Ed has never let us down with his always surprising selection of everything from cheese to wine to nibbles to gin! You can tell when some takes pride in what they do and they love what they do -

Just had a lovely evening at this fab deli, coffee house, wine shop, come cheese shop. Ample selection of cheeses, meats, salads, olives, bread,cheese biscuits all served round a big table plus a glass of prosecco to top it off. Perfect place to hire out for a small crowd and daytime it’s a coffee shop/ deli. Thanks Ed fir a great night.

We had a lovely lunch at this most excellent independent cafe. Went for the cheese board and we let the owner select a 5 different good quality cheeses. Served with a bowl of tangy sour dough bread, crackers and chutney. Will defiantly come again.

Fresh food, competent and friendly service; easy parking what is there not to like? Conveniently situated on the Hatfield Road just up from Fleetville.

My first ever grandchildren minding session, and I'm primed with all sorts of tips, advice and nuggets of wisdom. But when T asks if we can go to 'The Cheese Shop' Granddad knows we can. Except Fleetville Larder isn't just a cheese shop. They sell coffee - good coffee at that - and other items. Both grandchildren already knew where the story books were, and the helpful staff took the pictures.

Went here last night with group of friends and enjoyed wonderful quality wines (sold at shop price plus £5 corkage; bargain!) and lovely cheeseboard and bruschetta. Nice cosy and buzzy atmosphere, it was open til 10.30 (last orders 10pm) friendly and welcoming owners. This place deserves to and will do well.

We visited for lunch on a Saturday and chose the sharer cheese board. The owner is very friendly and clearly knows his cheese! We left the cheese choices to him and they were very tasty.

The Fleetville Larder is a small coffee shop that also sells cheese, bread and a small range of deli items. I tried a homemade sausage roll, served with a fresh chilli jam, and a cappuccino – both were good (I especially liked the chilli jam).