The Harpenden Arms, Harpenden

Featured reviews

• G

  Google user

  ·1 month ago

  “⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Popped into the Harpenden Arms today for a couple of pints and ended up staying for an hour. Vicky was great as always — friendly, welcoming and good for a bit of banter. 🍻 Great service and a nice relaxed atmosphere. Always a pleasure, Vicky!”

• G

  Google user

  ·1 month ago

  “During the heatwave must people want to sit outside but this is our chill zone in the high temperatures cool and ventilated . Always a warm welcome from Esch (Manager) George who sadly has gone to Japan but good luck with his future plans and the smiling Victoria. Drinks always served promptly and are of a consistent standard . Dog Friendly and a pleasant new small outside area highly recommend when visiting Harpenden .”

• G

  Google user

  ·1 month ago

  “We ended up coming here after a really disappointing experience at another pub very close by, where unfortunately my family and I were made to feel anything but welcome. What a difference when we arrived here! Vicky was absolutely fantastic from the moment we walked through the door. Her hospitality was unbelievable — so warm, friendly and genuinely welcoming, and she honestly couldn’t have done more for us. After the experience we’d just had, it completely turned our evening around. It’s amazing how much of a difference one person can make to your experience somewhere, and Vicky is an absolute credit to the pub. We went from feeling like we wanted to just call it a night, to having such a lovely evening with the family. Thank you so much Vicky — we will 100% be back! 👏🏼❤️”

• G

  Google user

  ·2 months ago

  “I come here every week, it’s my favorite pub. Esh makes it so welcoming and so does the team! Tara is a legend! Shout out to her great customer service. They do great food and drinks. Absolutely phenomenal place to visit”

• G

  Google user

  ·3 months ago

  “Dropped in for a drink around lunch time. Very nice pub. Clean and tidy and a cool escape from the heat. Good range of beers and an impressive food menu. Tha manager was friendly and informative. Will be dropping in for lunch in the near future. Well worth a visit.”

• G

  Google user

  ·4 months ago

  “Delicious food and friendly service but would avoid Saturday nights in this pub. It’s a lively atmosphere which is fine if you’re out out for drinks but the (usually serene) restaurant area is basically spill over from the pub - full of noisy drinkers not diners. Not the vibe for a meal really - will be back just not on Saturday night”

• G

  Google user

  ·4 months ago

  “Great staff, friendly and good sense of humour. Food was awful. Cold burgers and chips Too hungry to make a fuss, I have a feeling a new chef wasn’t up to much ! On the pricey side as well. £24.90 for pint of zero % beer & a cheese burger with no sides. No veg or salad either.”

• G

  Google user

  ·5 months ago

  “After a big birthday lunch, a 50th, we decided to go for a drink. We were able to use the orangery, staff were friendly and happy to accommodate us, including Mabel the dog. Since we had the birthday cake and nothing to eat it with, staff provided plates, forks and a knife. We had a great time, really enjoyed ourselves. Massive thank you!”

• G

  Google user

  ·7 months ago

  “⭐️ A shoutout to the team at Harpenden Arms I just had to leave a review because every visit here reminds me why great hospitality makes such a difference. The atmosphere is always brilliant, the drinks are spot on, favourite ways to spend a day/ evening. A special mention has to go to Lewis – honestly the reason we keep coming back. His service is second to none, his cocktails are always perfect, and he somehow remembers our order every time. It’s those little touches that make people feel welcome and looked after. Lewis treats everyone like a regular, even if it’s their first visit, and that’s a rare skill. We genuinely need more people like him in hospitality. If you’re in Harpenden and looking for great service, great drinks and a place that gets it right every time, this is it. 🍸”

• G

  Google user

  ·8 months ago

  “Complete disaster of a meal on Saturday night. We were a group of five friends and we had a table booked for 7.45pm. We ordered some drinks from the bar and the bar staff were friendly and cooperative. We ordered starters from the menu. My friend was told the scotch egg was not available so she ordered padron peppers only to be then told that was not available either. So she opted for salt and pepper squid. When it arrived it looked suspiciously like the squash hummus so I asked the waitress and she said it was ‘squid hummus’ -go figure!🧐 Eventually the squid arrived. So then we move on to the mains. I really fancied a burger but I don’t eat beef and I was disappointed that there was no chicken or vegan alternative and so I opted for the Aubergine Schnitzel as I love aubergine. For those people out there who have travelled extensively and brand themselves as Foodies, you will know that the meaning of schnitzel is a ‘thin slice of meat or vegetable alternative that is dipped in flour and egg and breadcrumbs and then shallow fried. What can possibly go wrong???? Well when it arrived it was a whole aubergine coated in batter and shallow fried. The centre of it was not cooked and therefore lukewarm. I am totally flabbergasted that any chef in their right mind could call this schnitzel and actually charge money for it. I did ask to speak to the chef (approx 9.40pm) but they did not know where he was. So there you have it- the Harpenden Arms was only ever good when it was Thai food. I have eaten once or twice before over the last few years, it wasn’t good then and still isn’t. I do not recommend eating there if you are really into your food. I have posted a pic of the actual dish alongside a pic of what I expected it to be.”