Up too late for breakfast but too hungry to wait for lunch? Brunch, the meal that combines the two, is the answer. From bottomless brunch with Prosecco to a traditional fry up with a pot of tea, we’ve rounded up the best places to brunch in Hertford and Ware.
Fore Street, Hertford, SG14 1BZ. Tel: 01992 583091
Open all day, every day offering traditional cooked breakfasts, buttermilk pancakes, eggs ‘served your way’, smashed avocado and more. This beautiful 18th century building is perfectly situated for refuelling after a cycle or countryside walk and, if you’ve been strolling with your pooch, they are welcome too.
The Folly, Hertford, SG14 1QD. Tel: 01992 581871
A traditional family pub in an idyllic riverside setting in the centre of Hertford. Brunch is served from 10am to 1pm every Saturday and Sunday. Menu highlights include a vegetarian full English with halloumi instead of bacon, savoury and sweet waffles plus the option of a Prosecco Mimosa or Bloody Mary to liven up your visit or recover from the night before. Dogs are welcome in the garden.
Mudlarks Café
32 Fore Street, Hertford, SG13 1BY. Tel: 01992 538515
Hertford’s only vegetarian and vegan café, Mudlarks is a fantastic community project providing training and paid work for adults with learning disabilities. Vegetables are grown on their own allotment while cakes, pastries and bread are made by their on-site bakers. Gluten, wheat and dairy-free options are available, and the café is wheelchair, pushchair, breastfeeding and dog friendly.
1 Railway Square, Hertford, SR14 1BG. Tel: 01992 848556
It’s all about the coffee at Bebo’s with both their Italian and a special blend always on offer in their charming, character-filled building with exposed beams and wooden floors. Brunch is cooked to order until noon on weekdays and all day at the weekends with everything from a gourmet fry up to American pancakes, waffles, eggs Benedict, bagels, baguettes and more.
1 Fore Street, Hertford, SG14 1DA. Tel: 01992 517440
A beautifully converted Grade II listed Georgian townhouse hotel in the heart of the town. Alongside the classics, the weekend brunch menu showcases spicy breakfast tacos, buttermilk pancake stacks and smoked duck hash with the added bonus of a DIY Bloody Mary bar. If you still want more, try their ‘Bottomless Brunch’ with unlimited cocktails, Prosecco, wine or beer.
Rose Café
33 Railway Street, Hertford, SG14 1BG. Tel: 01992 553524
If you’re looking for a traditional café offering all-day breakfasts, cooked in the kitchen from scratch, this is your place. One of Hertford’s most popular eateries, Rose Café is renowned for serving generous portions of tasty food with a proper cup of tea at reasonable prices. Vegan options are available.
The Mexican at Jacoby’s
13-15 West St, Ware, SG12 9EE. Tel: 01920 449559
Want to spice things up a little? Head to this restaurant and cocktail bar for a Full Ingles or Full Mexican, breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, quesadilla tradicional and churros with chocolate for dipping. A great Sunday morning hangover cure especially if you add a Bloody Mary, Breakfast Margarita, Cerveza Cubana or Mimosa from their ‘Hair of the Dog’ drinks menu.
88-96 Fore Street, Hertford, SG14 1AA. Tel: 01992 660660
A bustling restaurant and cocktail bar with a reputation for being Hertford’s number one breakfast and brunch venue. Feel saintly by choosing smashed avocado, feta and sun-dried tomatoes on sourdough or the coconut and passion fruit porridge with cacao nibs. Satisfy a bigger hunger with a traditional breakfast or balsamic glazed chorizo and potato hash. Gluten-free and vegan options available.
Ware to Eat
20-22 Baldock Street, Ware, SG12 9DZ. Tel: 01920 486808
A family run business, specialising in all day breakfasts and brunches freshly cooked to order with bread supplied from a local bakery. Ware to Eat is a traditional café offering a full English or build your own breakfast plus a selection of homemade daily specials.
12 High Street, Ware, SG12 9BX. Tel: 01920 469997
A family-run, popular little café in the centre of Ware. Brunch dishes, which are served all day until 4pm, include avocado and egg on toast with smoked salmon, double eggs Benedict with spinach, breakfast baguettes, hot sandwiches, pancakes, waffles and more.
