The Silver Cup in St Albans

Visited here last week and had one of the worst experiences at a restaurant I’d ever had! I’d booked on the website and was looking forward to a Sunday roast as I’d heard good things. However, on arrival, I was greeted with a quizzical look by the ‘manager’ - who had my name down wrong. Funny, I thought, but that was just the beginning of his incompetence! We had a vegetarian dining with us and when we asked about a vegetarian option we were greeted with a baffled look and he needed to check (I thought he was the manager though?!). 5 mins later we were told there wasn’t one… something relatively common & would expect at any other restaurant these days, yet no warning while booking online. Admittedly I hadn’t checked the menu - but I never do! After a while we were offered a vegetarian risotto, but that was the only option (felt like it was thrown together in the kitchen, I like to think with a mild panic). We decided to pay for our drinks and try somewhere else for dinner but were then told that we’d have to pay the cancellation fee! How much I asked - the ‘manager’ didn’t know! The reason he stated, was that they’d ordered the food in already - amazing I thought, they knew exactly what we’d eat without preordering! I understand the logic of lost space, but the place wasn’t full! Manager came back shortly to tell me it was £39pp cancellation! The price of the meal! (Which he also got wrong looking at the Ts & Cs it was actually £36pp). Apparently I should have notified them that we were coming with a vegetarian… god forbid! So we begrudgingly agreed to eat, seeing as we were paying for it anyway. Food was good, not great. He had the cheek to include the service charge, after all of the above and multiple reminders for the drinks we’d asked for - solidifying his incompetence by taking 30 mins to bring a jug of water…and not bring enough glasses. Won’t be back!

My first time eating here and it blew my socks off. Really amazing food and great wines. Very knowledgeable and friendly service too.

We had the tasting menu, it was excellent food with brilliant service and relaxed atmosphere. The quality and imagination of flavours in the menu really was impressive, such great dishes on every course and amazing value for the standard of food and overall experience. Will definitely be back, every week if I could! Keep up the great work guys.

Was looking forward to our visit to the Silver Cup we live fairly close by and been for drinks on many occasions but not for food. Four of us had the sharing menu, we thought we had a table in the restaurant but our table was in the bar? Typical pub bar fine for drinks but not for dining, not luxurious and decor not to a high standard. Food was ok but by no means excellent and far too expensive for the experience, service was good. The week before we had an amazing dinner in London stunning restaurant with amazing food for about 30% less! Dinner for 4 in the bar £445!

Absolutely incredible. We came for a big birthday for the tasting menu. The food was soo yummy. The wine pairing was great and the service was fabulous. You must visit!

Stopped for a quick drink clean tidy friendly staff

Service was really slow during the Classics on the Common car show.

Beautiful view of the common, great outdoor area and plenty of seating. Toilets all clean and we o lot had drinks so don’t know about the food or inside, however would be visiting soon for dinner. The only suggestion is it would be good to have smoking area for outside and non smoking area, as it’s such a child friendly place for families, it just wasn’t great with two men puffing their cigars towards us all afternoon. Of course they are entitled to smoke as it’s outside but we couldn’t get away from it.

Lucky enough to get a last minute table for steak night (last Wednesday of every month). As always the food and service is exceptional. This is not your normal pub - having eaten here a lot it never disappoints.

This charming pub offered a lunchtime experience that surpassed all expectations. From the moment we stepped in, the warm and inviting atmosphere set the stage for an unforgettable meal. The star of the show was undoubtedly the Scotch egg. Crisp on the outside and perfectly seasoned, it revealed a yolk that was delightfully runny, merging beautifully with the tender meat. Each bite was a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, a testament to the chef's expertise. The waiting staff were happy, cheerful and attentive and the service was very professional. Overall, this pub lunch was a masterclass in culinary delight. Each dish was prepared with care and precision, showcasing the finest ingredients and expert techniques. It's a pub that I highly recommend to anyone seeking a truly remarkable dining experience. Definitely looking forward to returning one evening to sample the tasting menu that looks just as fabulous as the new lunch menu!

Came for lunch in the pub and had a fantastic time. The staff were friendly, efficient and couldn't have done more. The sharing menu was varied, tasty and good value.

We enjoyed the tasting menu and what a fabulous treat that was! Such beautiful delicate flavours and the most succulent pieces of meat & fish, each dish was truly unique and a standout of it's own. Would highly recommend!

We've eaten here a few times (tasting menu once, sunday lunch a few times). Each time it's been fabulous. Wonderful, friendly service, fantastic food and brilliant drinks (from inventive cocktails to delcious wines). Its a superb treat and we're looking forward to our next visit in a few weeks

Just got back from the Silver Cup Harpenden. Really enjoyable meal, lovely staff. One of us left our phone at the pub and one of our waitresses ran across the Common to give it to us. Food was excellent. We tried to book last year when we were over from New Zealand but couldn't this time we booked 8 weeks in advance and it was well worth the wait. Brits from Harpenden, Bristol and New Zealand We will be back!

What a great place with great food and great staff, all very knowledgeable. None of our party had a bad word to say about the Silver Cup. The only improvment I would make is new knives.

I had a distinguished 85 year old Japanese guest staying here for two nights. On paying up front he was then informed that breakfast wasn't available as they had no staff. Unacceptable as he has booked B&B. This establishment should be ashamed. I have no idea how much was charged but looking at the average prices it is ridiculously expensive for a pub where accessing rooms involves a circuit of the bars and a staircase unsuitable for my aged guest.

Great place for my wife’s birthday. Excellent food and service. Staff tried to very hard to make it a great evening

Excellent restaurant of a kind that there isn't much of in this area. Well considered and presented food, a focused wine list, and critically, great service to accompany it. Highly recommended.

Another amazing experience at the Silver Cup, great food and wine.

We had the sharing menu and everything was amazing. We will be back for the tasting menu! We were short on time and the service - especially from Rachel was impeccable. Very happy we found this place!

Can’t say about the rooms as only had dinner in the bar section last night, but rest assured you’re in for a lovely evening here. Great menu and equally stunning food. Perfect night out and great choice if you’re going onwards after and don’t want a massive blow out meal. An all out impressive attention to detail, with attentive service, lovely drinks in quality glass wear and food like nowhere else in harpenden. Top marks silver cup 👏

A lovely dining experience. We loved the comfortable, casual environment which allowed us to bring our newborn to lunch, and were beyond impressed with the fine dining. The food was delicious and beautifully plated, the wine was perfectly paired and the service was warm and inviting. I will definitely recommend to others and be back again!

Excellent tasting menu with original ideas. Good wine list and great ambiance with quiet restaurant and chatty bar next door works well. Best restaurant locally by a long way.

What a culinary delight! Our evening at The Silver Cup was fantastic. When we arrived we were greeted with warmth and hospitality. Each of the seven courses was an incredible culmination of flavours and textures. The wine selection was top-notch. The service was fab and the staff were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. This is truly an amazing restaurant with unbelievable food. We can’t wait to return for another delicious meal!

Wow, what an evening! We had an amazing time at the Silver Cup, lovely cocktails expertly made in the bar before sitting down to a seven course meal. Every course, from the snack to the dessert was outstanding, everything looked and tasted delicious and the service was spot on. I thought seven courses would finish me off but the portions were perfectly sized, the ambiance was wonderful and the staff knowledgeable. I came up from London and I can highly recommend a visit!

Sunday lunch was superb. Great service, quality food and well presented. Thank you.