Nonna's Cafe and Restaurant (Harpenden) - Harpenden

Introduction

Nonna's Cafe and Restaurant, nestled in the heart of Harpenden at 78 High Street, is a delightful Mediterranean-inspired eatery that has been captivating locals and visitors alike with its authentic flavors and charming ambiance. This family-owned establishment is a labor of love, reflecting the passion and warmth of its Italian heritage.

Main Services

• Mediterranean Cuisine: Nonna's specializes in a variety of Mediterranean dishes, offering a taste of Italy, Greece, and beyond. From classic pasta and risotto dishes to tantalizing falafel and hummus plates, there's something to satisfy every craving.
• Cafe Favorites: In addition to its extensive lunch and dinner menus, Nonna's also serves up a mean coffee and an impressive selection of teas. Their breakfast and brunch offerings are not to be missed, featuring everything from traditional full English breakfasts to more exotic options like Shakshuka.
• Dining Options: Nonna's caters to a variety of dining preferences, with options for dine-in, takeaway, and no-contact delivery. Whether you're looking for a quick bite, a leisurely meal, or a great coffee to go, they've got you covered.

Location and Access

Conveniently located at 78 High Street, Harpenden, Nonna's is situated in the heart of this picturesque town, making it easily accessible by foot, car, or public transportation.

• By Car: There is limited on-street parking available near the restaurant, as well as several public car parks within walking distance, including the Harpenden Town Centre Car Park and the Batchwood Hall Car Park.
• By Public Transportation: Harpenden has excellent rail and bus links. The restaurant is just a short walk from Harpenden Station, which is served by regular trains from London St Pancras, St Albans, and other local destinations. Several bus routes also stop nearby on the High Street.

Featured Characteristics

• Ambiance: Nonna's has been thoughtfully designed to evoke the warm, inviting atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria. With its rustic wooden tables, exposed brick walls, and soft lighting, it's the perfect setting for a cozy meal or a catch-up with friends.
• Catering to All Diets: Nonna's is committed to offering options for everyone, with a range of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes on the menu. Their staff is also happy to accommodate any other dietary requirements upon request.
• Great Coffee and Desserts: Nonna's takes pride in serving high-quality coffee and an array of delicious desserts. From their creamy gelato to their rich, decadent cakes, it's the perfect place to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: Nonna's is open seven days a week, with varying hours for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Opening times may be subject to change, so it's always a good idea to check their website or give them a call before your visit.
• Contact Information:
  • Address: 78 High St, Harpenden AL5 2SP, United Kingdom
  • Phone: 1582761717
  • Website: nonnascaferestaurant.co.uk

Customer Reviews

Nonna's has earned an impressive average rating of 4.5/5 on Google My Business, with a total of 181 reviews. Here are some of the positive aspects mentioned by customers:

• Atmosphere and Design: Many customers have praised the "beautiful" and "chic" design of the restaurant, as well as its "great vibes."
• Food Quality: The food at Nonna's has been universally praised, with customers raving about dishes like the "delicious" Shakshuka, the "amazing" Nonna Special breakfast, and the "super cute" serving dishes.
• Service: The staff at Nonna's have been consistently lauded for their friendliness and attentiveness. One customer noted that the staff were "very helpful" and "made the dining experience even better."
• Variety and Options: Several customers have commented on the wide variety of dishes available, with options to cater to different tastes and dietary requirements. One customer appreciated that they could find "something for everyone" on the menu.

👍 Reviews of Nonna's Cafe and Restaurant (Harpenden)

Mahsa K.

5/5

Beautiful place with a chic design and great vibes. I tried Shakshuka for the first time and it was absolutely delicious. The serving dishes are super cute, and the staff are very friendly – especially Tabi, who welcomed us with the warmest smile. Totally worth the trip from London. Highly recommend!

Lakhvinder U.

5/5

Amazing breakfast. I went for the Nonna Special. I definitely was not disappointed. This place is now saved as one of my favourites. This place is a definite stop off if I'm in the area.

The lady serving us was so lovely. She made us feel very welcome.

Definitely recommend.

nic C.

5/5

Hands down the best brekkie in Harpenden. Absolutely delicious fresh ingredients we love it! The veggie / vegan breakfasts are brilliant. Great choice on the menu to cater for any time of the day and very fairly priced.

Martin T.

5/5

Visited Feb2025. Food was delicious and superbly cooked. On this visit, the service was a little slow, because the friendly waitress got caught by a customer who wouldn't stop talking, waitress was too polite to stop the conversation! Service became prompt when the waitress had torn herself away from said customer. Menu is largely European for luncht and evening services, including kebabs, koftes, wraps, etc. Coffee is very good. The crockery for tea is very ornate. Will return!

Amgad H.

1/5

Avoid Nonna’s Café — total rip-off!

I’ve never experienced anything this sneaky before. The lady brought the bill and quickly flashed the receipt, saying it was £44. When we checked properly, we realised we’d been charged for four drinks when we only had two! After questioning it, she changed it to £40, reprinted the bill — and guess what? Now there were three drinks instead of two.

When we pointed it out again, she got visibly annoyed instead of apologising. It was obvious they were trying to squeeze extra money out of us and hoped we wouldn’t notice. The whole thing felt dishonest and shady.

To make it worse, the food wasn’t even good — definitely not worth the headache. Honestly, save your time and money. There are plenty of better, more honest places around.

Mr G.

5/5

Food haunting for something healthy and I can say this was the right choice. The Sour chicken was beautiful. Great service very accommodating lovely fresh juices aswell. Thank you see you soon.

Ritu S.

5/5

This place is amazing! We had tried the restaurant before and the service was so slow. But now this is a cafe the service has definitely improved. Best place for breakfast/brunch. Food is of such a high quality.
I went with my mum for breakfast a few weeks ago and was so impressed that I took my husband and children this morning. Everyone enjoyed it.
Thank you Ali for your hospitality and looking after us so well. Will be going back there gain soon with my mum 🙂

Nick N. (.

5/5

I absolutely love this gem of a place to eat. This is my go-to place when I want a nice easy lunch and something different for brunch.
So much good stuff on the menu I'm not quite sure where to begin but I've uploaded a couple of photographs of my last trip on Sunday and all I can say it was yummy.
Extremely reasonably priced in this day and age and this is my fourth time to this little gem and I've never been disappointed.

Give it a go you'll love it.

Approximate bill came to £26 and that included tea and coffee service charge.