The Hand & Crown in East Hertfordshire

Well I was about to book a table for my birthday at 13.00 Sunday 24th March, I am horrified that you are requesting us to leave after an hour and a half what a cheek ! I will be spending my my 200 quid some where else, where we can enjoy a longer stay, you greedy people 😡

We were a party of six, we all had a different meal and all thoroughly enjoyed them. Nothing to complain about.

The lady behind the bar seemed a little harassed and it came over in her tone of voice to us-shame. The server was lovely and couldn't do enough to help the children. Even though the kitchen was closing, the food was good; fresh and nicely cooked.

Fabulous food as always. Thoroughly enjoyed it

Once again a lovely experience and fantastic food.

Divine... the only word to describe this place. HIGHLY recommend 👌

WOW !! Waitress long dark hair !! The rudest unwelcoming person possible . Her attitude is disgusting . Not an asset thats for sure . Offering large or small dinners ?? What is that all about . We ordered large which was a normal size portion. Dessert ... large or small ?? WTH Nothing to say about this place , but over priced , miserable staff, didn't look clean and actually worse than a Toby Calvery ... infact A Toby has more flavour ... I've eaten in some amazing and less amazing places but this one isn't even on a radar, I'm sorry .. NO JUST NO !

Saturday early evening our group had four different choices from the menu all were absolutely delicious, we will be returning.

Great food here, the place is highly rated on Google and has the highest hygiene rating (5/5). Definitely worth a stop for those taking a flight from nearby Stansted. The menu is varied and the staff were very welcoming. I thoroughly enjoyed the breaded camembert followed by the beef stroganoff and hand cut chunky chips. As far as I saw, all produce is locally sourced where possible and the meat used in the stroganoff was of very high quality. It was great to see the chips are proper pub type and not the frozen rubbish other places might serve. I would happily come back here to eat again.

An excellent venue to catch up with friends over dinner and drinks. I had a simple meal of sausage, mash and vegetables very nicely done. The staff were good humoured and attentive without being intrusive. Definitely worth a return trip.

Very nice food in a cosy pub environment. All the food looks very fresh and is delicious.

Amazing food, fantastic portions. Great service from everyone. This is now my new favourite. Just a word of warning, you will need to be rolled out, the portions are HUGE

Really lovely place, staff are friendly and welcoming and the food was lovely, highly recommended.

The most delicious roast dinner - highly recommend

Very rare I get the chance to eat here but every time I do (which can be a year or 2 apart) the standards are always the same.. perfect.. food is always very good, plenty of choice and large portion sizes.. very reasonably priced too.. we just paid £120 for 4 people including drinks.. bargain.. Thanks for another excellent meal

Delicious meal and lovely staff.

Large food portions. Food excellent. Pleasant staff Enjoyable time

Lovely building, loved my beef and vegetables out of my Sunday dinner, the potatoes let it down a bit, as they where too hard and I didn't eat them, everything else was really well cooked, vegetables still crunchy, which is how they are meant to be. My partner loved his fish and chips. Service was good, super friendly staff. Shame about the wait. Still would recommend a visit.

Eaten at The Hand and Crown a couple of times now and again tonight celebrating an anniversary had most enjoyable meal. Would recommend for all occasions!

Food is exceptionally good, service is great, staff are very friendly, would highly recommend.

Fantastic restaurant and the staff were superb. I got there before opening and they let me sit in the lounge until they opened. The service was excellent. Highly recommend this for a meal, service and especially the Pods, superb

Booked a dome for my partner and I which made it a truly intimate experience. Food was excellent as was the service. Only one gripe, lighting in the carpark could be better.

We all love The Hand and Crown it's a firm favourite especially as we lack independent restaurants in the area. The Beef Stroganoff is to die for. Staff are lovely. Last visit was for my Mum's 80th Birthday and the staff were so friendly and accommodating.

That charming, cozy, elegant pub, with a Christmas atmosphere then! Wonderful for you who want to surprise your love with a wonderful moment!

Usual excellent service and great food. Very generous portions. We were a party of 10 and we were served very slickly. Would always recommend.

A must dining destination, excellent food and service and the Rosie nosey beer is pucker too. Never let us down on any visit

Food here is always copious and excellent value

Lovely pub lunch. Everyone super friendly. Will go back.

Only gripe is the al dente veg. Especially the Brussel sprouts. I think next time I visit I will mention i would prefer my veg a little more cooked. For the price point I thought in general good value and the staff were lovely

Darren was a brilliant host. Thank you for a pleasurable evening.

Great service exceptionally good food and a fantastic oldy worldy atmosphere.

Great Christmas menu. Good service and excellent food.

our son and his partner invited us for a meal here, what can I say Food is probably the best my wife son his partner and I have had in a very very long time. if i could i would of given more stars. I would highly recommend this place..

Had a lunch yesterday with friends. Table for 4. My starter was enjoyable .Curried lentils on a pitta. My main course was not good.Lambs liver,tough,bacon fatty, 2 chantenay carrots 2,small pieces of brocoli, with thick stem i couldnt cut into to Spoonfull of large stem chewy cabbage So dissapointed condidering the price of the dish. Also very cold in there ,which didn't help .Such a shame.

Funeral not a regular social event

First time for many years, not disappointed. Really nice.

Ended up in a 'pod' outside which was much better than we'd expected. Heater and blankets provided very swiftly. Service and food excellent.

Only popped in for a drink after a visit to The Rivers was surprised how bizzy it was at 7pm

From a friendly welcome & introduction to the menu with an update on what was available, to the personalised descriptions, we felt we were in good hands. The recommended wine we chose was excellent value - & one of the less expensive options. Our Sunday Roast meals were delivered promptly & we were happy with the optional smaller size, enabling one of us to manage 3 courses - even if the last one was shared! All in all a very enjoyable experience. Highly recommended.

Excellent service and food, had a good relaxed feel about it. Thank you.

Great little pub. Outstanding food really really great and very reasonable..mouth watering desserts. Friendly staff would very much recommend this place ...

Absolutely blown away with this place what a little hidden gem. We ate lunch in a pod that we pre booked, so lovely the food was phenomenal cannot recommend enough..the staff were super attentive the owner was so lovely he explained the whole set and mad us feel so welcome. A speaker is provided in the pod so you can play your own tunes...cannot recommend this place enough...YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE AT LEAST ONCE..reasonably priced for the standard of food and service..SUPERB GASTRO PUB

Quite disappointed today, maybe just a bad day? We have visited many times and it has always been excellent. When we arrived the marquee outside was collapsed, which didnt look good The staff were very friendy and helpful, but the food was very average. One of the party had prawn cocktail, for a starter, which was served in a soup bowl! The main courses were far from fresh. The beef looked like it was cooked yesterday and the turkey was very dry. We then had to wait 45 mins for dessert. Come on thats to much.

Pre booked pod for lunch was amazing The pork and lamb was the best I've ever had . The starter's were out of this world and deserts just stunning. The staff are so friendly and the owner made us feel so welcome. Can't wait to come back . I highly recommend this place you will not be disappointed...... Went back for Sunday lunch today and I'm speechless the food is so fresh and tasty absolutely love it here .

We had an amazing Sunday lunch. Roast potatoes were lovely and they do a lovely big homemade Yorkshire pudding. Had garlic mushrooms and brie to start. Will definitely be back

Went for for the first time for Sunday lunch. We had the garlic mushrooms and brie to start and then a nice beef roast. Potatoes were so nice and a lovely big homemade Yorkshire. Will definitely be going back

Lovely evening meal here, food to a good standard, excellent service and ended up with a nice chat to the owner. Thoroughly recommend.

My girlfriend and I had a quick lunch. Lentils and courage dahl with sweet potato fries and smoked haddock with bubble and squeak were all delicious. Really nice service and atmosphere. 👍

Very friendly welcome, great food & service was lovely. Mint aero cheesecake was particularly yum! Would definitely come again!

I have tried several dishes and all hit the target. They are great with mix and match, if the food combination is not quite as you want it, they assist in adjusting the menu to fit your needs.

The food was really amazing, could not fault the staff they were friendly and attentive. The pub is lovely and authentic

First time here food was lovely staff were very attentive especially as so young very professional Will definitely be coming back atmosphere very nice

Lovely roast dinner with my parents, ate in one of the pods. Loved it so much had to go again midweek with the mother in law. Food is great and service is fantastic. Best pub in local area!

Enjoyed the pod dining experience for a family celebration

Went for lunch with a friend, food was freshly prepared and delicious. Staff friendly and professional.

Lovely pub, we can for a family meal. The Sunday roast was amazing ☺️

Very good food at a range of prices to suit all pockets. Original old pub. Lovely staff and a car park.

Really good food, very tasty! Lamb wrap was delicious. Dad enjoyed the liver and bacon. Great selection of food for vegan, veggie, gluten, and dairy free. Two portion sizes. Previously, I've been for roast dinner and thoroughly enjoyed! We will be back.

Wow - what a great place to visit for a lunch time feed. The staff were amazing and couldn’t have been more helpful with taking our order, menu knowledge and general care while we stayed for lunch. The portion sizes are huge and great value for money. You must try the chips, they are next level and wouldn’t look out of place at a Michelin star restaurant.

Very friendly and helpful proprietor xx

First time here and very tasty Had the catch of the day , excellent portion and crispy batter , the sirloin was delicious and mushrooms and spinach well seasoned, pepper sauce icing on the cake The girls will go for the small portion next time while mine was just right Decor lets the food down somewhat but the service was with a smile Pods look nice, although the positioning of them is a little weird Will defo return

Absolutely amazing! Me and my brother took my dad here for his 65th and we had a wonderful time and absolutely amazing homemade food. The chips were to die for and everything everyone had was sublime. I can not recommend it enough. I don't have any complaints. The staff were really lovely and even gave my dad a lovely Irish coffee for dessert when we were all too stuffed and couldn't fit in a dessert and that was really wonderful too. If there was 6 stars I would give that. I would really recommend the fish and chips as it is 100% in the top 3 best fish and chips I have had and I have had fish and chips from all over the country including many award winning chippys. Great portion sizes, you will not be going hungry when you leave and the price is bang on too, if anything I would say they are slightly under priced for the quality of the food they serve. Great job to all the team and the Hand and Crown, the waiting staff and the chef outdid themselves. We paid £136 for 3 starters and 3 mainsand 9 pints which is very reasonable. We obviously gave them £150 as don't forget to tip the staff! As they really do so an amazing job and deserve every penny.

Excellent food, friendly staff, a little slow cooking but forgiven for the goodness of the wine. The pasta is also excellent although not al dente.

The Hand & Crown is probably our favourite local places to eat. The staff are very friendly and attentive, and the service is always prompt even when the Pub is very busy, and your meal arrives freshly cooked and piping hot. The H&C has a good selection of meals to suit everyone's palate. I particularly like that they offer two size of portions, 'Room for Dessert' or H&C. The 'Room for Dessert' portion is still a significant portion. I would say it is similar to many other places 'regular' portions, so you won't feel like you've only had half a dinner, that's for sure.

Best beef stroganoff ever, the sauce is to die for. Have it every time I've been to the Hand and Crown over many many years.

Robotic service and sterile atmosphere with passable food. Not worth the trouble or the expense. It's like dining in a factory run by an engineer.

Lunch today and I had beef stroganoff as I do every time I go and I've been going there for many many years. The sauce is to die for. It's so good I never want to try anything else!

Very good food Very good service can'twait to go back

Food was delicious, great variety for a mixed group. Comfortable and cosy settings I’d recommend the pie - delish! Chips are a must also!

Always guaranteed to eat well here. Every dish we've tried here so far across 3 visits has been excellent. The staff are friendly and efficient and the menu is very good value for money.

Had a great lunch with family - the food was excellent and such huge portions- the Hand and Crown is a lovely old building so much character All the staff were excellent Will definitely be back

Sat outside under the gazebo, lots of lovely blankets available if needed and the tables were amazing (large driftwood stand and glass tops) Extensive and varied menu. Really good idea to do all mains in slightly smaller portions so you have room for dessert. Food was cooked fresh, plentiful and really tasty. Waiting staff friendly and attentive. Will definitely be visiting again.

Excellent food and service. The beer battered fish was AMAZING!!! My Aussie friend said it was the best he’d ever had!

We have been here twice & both times the food was delicious & plentiful, thank you to a 5 Star Chef. The staff are outstanding & deserve 5 Stars for truly making us feel welcome & wanting to return.

We had a really nice fish dinner. A nice pudding but too big for me, so my partner finished it off for me

Good food friendly, service was excellent as was the food and wine, Up to it's usual high standards. WELL WORTH A VISIT

Good beer and service but the food was very hit and miss. One meal (smoked haddock) was really good but the entire Greek lamb dish was bland - I could have done much better myself with a jar of sauce. The desserts were also really disappointing - tasteless ice cream and a chocolate panna cotta that I would not have known was chocolate apart from the colour.

Really lovely pub. Fantastic staff who have a sense of fun and really good food. Loved this pub and staff. Definitely will be back

Love this restaurant, food is delicious, service excellent, atmosphere lovely.

Great food, great staff and a good vibe!

Friendly staff, great atmosphere

Loved the food, service and outside seating!

Popped into the pub for the first time all tables set for dinner only no relaxing area apart from sitting outside in wicker chairs basically catering for food only posh gnosh looks nice didn't have only a beer and a bag of crisps,, as I have past it many times before I went in and I will probably pass it a good few more times not for me.. maybe for somebody else

Quite an extensive menu, so should cater for all tastes. Food, service and staff all very good. Would definitely recommend and we'll visit again.

We've called in to this lovely busy pub twice now. The food both timed has been excellent and the staff are friendly and service excellent. We'll definitely be back

Unfortunately didn't get to chance to try the food because they were fully booked. So just a drink. Lovely place and great service.

Four of us went for meal having been bofore a few year ago, same attentive staff very friendly, food very good and fair price. Overall a lovely time, can recommend.

Incredible food, wonderful staff...thankyou for pulling out all the stops and making my birthday meal so special. 25 of us including vegetarian and vegan guests and the food and service was impeccable.

Quite loud but not their fault, otherwise excellent.

Visited here with family for a birthday meal. Upon entering the pub, greeted by very cheerful and pleasant staff who made us feel so welcome. Decided to sit inside as it was a very hot day, as inside was cooler. I had the Steak and Ale pie, served with mash potato and a good choice of vegetables - not the usual boring carrots/broccoli offering, which many pubs/restaurants seem to aim for! The steak was cooked to perfection, melt-in-the-mouth consistency. Absolutely delicious. Portion size was huge and I couldn’t finish all of my meal. That did not detract from how delicious it tasted. Really lovely pub, good atmosphere, food excellent, staff are a diamond! I would recommend this establishment 100%.

Our fifth visit here and still as good proper food excellent choice of small or large offerings lovely staff anl with plenty of dpace between tables. Expect to pay roughly £25 per head with drinks for two courses. Many Thanks to our waitress who was...

The service from staff was great, really attentive throughout the duration of our meal & were so polite, friendly & welcoming. The food was great & fresh. I loved my visit and will return!

Good range of food options. Reasonably priced. Nice outdoor area.

Hadn't booked but a stressful morning meant we needed food and drink! The dark haired girl at the bar was excellent. Got us seated, took our orders and served us. Friendly and professional. Great pub. Atmospheric and comfortable.

Great place to eat outdoors staff are professional polite and friendly worth food really good along with a good beer

Such a lovely welcome from the staff, very friendly. Was here with family for a birthday meal and because it was a very hot day we chose to sit indoors in the cool. There was plenty of seating available because most people were outside. I...

Proper Sunday lunch. Beef, Yorkshire, roast pots and veg. Lots of gravy as requested brilliant. Followed by ice creams in a bowl, not a tiny glass dish. Good friendly service…excellent.

Top class customer service and good food. Never had a bad meal here and always very accommodating, highly recommended if in the area.

Our favourite restaurant. Been visiting the Hand and Crown for 40 years

An excellent meal with very good service for a party of 28! We have eaten here many times and never been disappointed.