Town Hall Cafe in St Albans

The cafe in the old courthouse used to be fantastic. It’s not as good since they changed the hours and introduced a ridiculous rule. They close at 4 but from 3 you can only get take away drinks. They do a great pot of tea but you can’t have that after 3pm. Used to be regulars here for tea and a scone. Now we have to go elsewhere because they want to do all the clearing up before they close. Ridiculous. If you do want to do that then open later in the morning and close later in the afternoon. Very disappointing. Also please change the soup. It’s watery and sour. And get on top of your ordering. Arrived today before 2 for soup and a cheese scone and plenty of soup but only one cheese scone. And a smile from the staff would be welcome. The gentleman behind the counter can’t be more helpful but the other staff almost treat you as if it’s an imposition to want to order anything. Used to give this 5 stars. Now only 2.

Coffee was delicious..americano with hot milk on the side. Very nice scone and cream. Some tables hadn't been cleared but there was enough space. Counter service a little slow but it was quite busy. Glad to see pastries were covered.

The cafe is within a wonderful facility in St. Albans. A free museum with displays that change and a very good gift shop. We ordered a flat white and Cappuccino with a toasted sandwich. The display of pastries etc. looked very good. The coffees were well below the standard of coffees in some of the other coffee shops. The flat white was lukewarm and very very weak (this should be quite strong) the cappuccino was equally weak and had an odd back taste almost like liquorice. At £3.50 a cup and with other similar establishments nearby serving far better coffee might I suggest you change your supplier.

Town very busy today as Easter Monday but thought we would try and get a seat in the town hall museum cafe.. We did. Ordered 2 black Americanos and 2 scones and butter. Asked if we wanted cream and jam but said no. The bill was £16.20. I queried this as didn't have the cream and jam but was told same price if you have it or not. Anyway sat down, the coffee was OK. Both scones crumbled as we cut them and were soggy in the middle. The butter was solid and I mean solid. Tried to soften with our hot coffee cups to no avail. Ate part of the scone and drank the coffee. As we left noticed plates left on other tables with food left on every plate. I think there is something wrong here. This is such a great location, the tourists will be arriving in the town in droves soon please look at the cafe and see what the problems are.

My nephew had his wedding at the Townhall last night and the café gated upstairs in the hall. We started with a mezzo which was really nice but the Fitbit could’ve been served as cold quite chewy.Main course was salmon on a bed of spinach dauphinois potatoes mixed vegetables and roasted courgettes dessert was brownies nice soft and not to rich. I have to say very nice all of it

but it looked good. We were there to see the museum and were disappointed. Compared to the old Hatfield Road Museum which was excellent this has a marked lack of exhibits. There are a few displays which tell the story of the City but precious little else. I suppose it’s good to provide a purpose for the old Town Hall but the rest is poor. We wouldn’t visit again.