Best Lunch Restaurants in St Albans

"The finest days – weekend ones or otherwise – begin at The Wolseley. The Piccadilly restaurant is the stuff of London breakfast legend: impeccable service, quietly superb food and an elegant room with an atmosphere that is at once grand and intimate, particular but unfussy. Among a menu of classics to suit all mornings, signature serves include omelette Arnold Bennett with haddock and hollandaise, and a rich portion of fried haggis with duck eggs and whisky sauce."

"Gill's book Breakfast at The Wolseley as 'wherever, whenever breakfast comes, it is a mouthful of stoic optimism', you can be sure to leave this London institution with you bellies full and content. Filled with celebrities, from Madonna to Kate Moss, diners can expect to eat world-class cuisines at the famous hotel. But, for us, it's the pancakes that really have us salivating."

"This Fitzrovia cafe’s impact cannot be underestimated — even in the context of its second site on Eastcastle Street. Another Square Mile stalwart, the initially short-lived (but now happily revived) guest espresso program brought global roasters to the very centre of London, and in being weekends only to begin with, emphasised the rarity and uniqueness of the coffees served. Incredible consistency and a willingness to innovate: it is, refreshingly, as simple as that."

"This independent café and espresso bar is directly inspired by Australia and New Zealand’s thriving coffee culture and owner Peter Dore-Smith’s time working in the Melbourne hospitality scene. Hit up Kaffeine for a silky smooth flat white or one of the finest cortados in the whole of London but don’t forget to grab a chewy, buttery ANZAC biscuit for the road. They’re dangerously addictive and the perfect partner for a well-made brew."

"Located at 66 Great Titchfield St, Kaffeine is one spot to try some of the best coffee in London in the heart of the city. With a massive list of gourmet coffee concoctions, as well as the classics, it’s a great pit stop to sit back and relax. For the true barista experience, be sure to take part in their group latte art classes!"

"A new vegan operation linked to outstanding Chinese restaurants Xi’an Impression and Xi’an Biang Biang Noodles, Tofu Vegan promises to do what so many restaurants couldn’t: succeed on Upper Street in Islington. Dongbei sweet potato noodles; hot and fragrant deep-fried asparagus; and Chongqing-style mock chicken feature, but the star is shimmering dòufu huā, a wibbly cloud of beige saturated with buzzy chilli oil and black beans."

"Mildreds is a certifiable veggie institution, serving meat-free dinners in Soho since 1988. Over the years it has increasingly catered for vegans too, and now diners can safely assume everything on the menu is vegan unless marked otherwise. Favourite dishes include the Sri Lankan sweet potato curry, the beetroot and white bean Polish burger and shimeji mushroom gyoza dumplings."

"Mildreds is a bit of a classic, having served vegetarian meals in Soho since 1988. It now caters to vegans too, offering up flavors from Asia, South and Central America and the Middle East, alongside British classics and Mildreds’ famous burgers. I highly recommend the Sri Lankan sweet potato curry, and the shimeji mushroom gyoza dumplings are delicious, too."

"Not many places in London live up to the full New York City deli experience, but The Counter at The Delaunay on Aldwych comes pretty darn close — although it's styled as traditional middle European. The huge wiener schnitzel (don't laugh, it's classic Swiss and made from veal) is a stunner, but the chicken noodle soup carries the flavour crown. An impressive feat given the dish's usual association with sick beds."

"The Delaunay, just off The Strand, know how to do pancakes in style. A classy establishment, with dark furnishings and old-school glamour, the pancakes here are served with a good selection of toppings and and come with a jug of maple syrup so you can pour on as much of the sweet stuff as you like."

"This 1920s style restaurant is a glamorous spot to indulge your pancake craving. 55 Aldwych, Holborn, London, WC2B 4BB. Tube: Temple Station , Holborn Station"

"Restaurants American Soho. Like it says on the tin, you know where you are with the flashily decorated Burger & Lobster chain. Hand-minced burgers (made with Nebraskan beef) and lobsters (shipped over from Nova Scotia) are the star attractions, with back-up from lobster rolls, oysters and other affordably luxurious hits."

"Like it says on the tin, you know where you are with the flashily decorated Burger & Lobster chain. Hand-minced burgers and lobsters (shipped over from Nova Scotia) are the headliners, with backup from lobster rolls, ‘beast’ combos and other affordably luxurious hits. Flagship site: 29 Clarges Street, W1J 7EF"

"Restaurants Australian Shoreditch. Lantana’s weekend brunch menu rings the changes when compared to the standard menus on offer throughout the week. A few classics (think smashed avocado and honey granola with Greek yoghurt) sit alongside more unusual assemblies including duck and sweet potato hash, a salmon poke bowl and a pork belly bánh mì burger with gochujang mayo."

"When it comes to places to eat outside in London, this Canary Wharf restaurant is a great shout. Not only does Humble Grape have you sorted for breakfast, brunch and dinner but it's also got an impressive selection of wines available."

"This gorgeous restaurant by the canal offers a menu of vibrant Venezuelan eats in a trendy setting. Sit back and watch swans pass as you soak up the sun outside or revel in the cool decor indoors, while exploring the menu of cachapas, rice bowls and arepas."

"Offering a huge range of veggie and vegan-friendly dishes at both their Haggerston and Bethnal Green locations, Arepa & Co are catering to all diets and lifestyle; tuck into meat-free selections from their menu of traditional Venezuelan eats."

"A trendy laid-back restaurant opposite the canal in Haggerston, Arepa & Co offer a menu of vibrant Venezuelan eats that won't break the bank. to top it off, their happy hour offers 2-4-1 cocktails every day between 4 and 6pm."

"Spread across two floors, Kitty Hawk is a hot spot for lunch near Liverpool Street. Join the swanky bar and restaurant as they serve hearty steaks in their downstairs venue, and if you're looking for a spot of liquid lunch head upstairs to the swish and buzzing bar."

"Situated in North London, Highgate Wood is one of the four ancient woods of the London Borough of Haringey (together with Queen’s Wood, Coldfall Wood and Bluebell Wood). Containing an impressive variety of trees and shrub species, the Highgate Wood is the home for many foxes, grey squirrels, as well as multiple species of birds, bats, butterflies and spiders. Besides the fact that it was included among the eight Green Heritage Sites in London, Highgate Wood also attracts visitors with its recreational facilities like children playgrounds, cafés, walking trails and sporting fields."

"London’s huge metropolitan zoo has been delighting visitors since it opened in 1828, making it the world’s oldest scientific zoo. You can spot an amazing variety of animals from all over the world. Your best bet is to purchase your tickets ahead of time for the best price and stress-free entry."

"The ZSL London Zoo is in Regent’s Park and is a super fun attraction to check out. The zoo is the oldest in England and is also a conservation zoo. This means that all sales proceeds go towards protecting the creatures of our planet."

"The world's first scientific zoo contains 12 listed buildings, 12,000 animals & 650 species. Regent's Park Outer Circle, Primrose Hill, London, NW1 4RY. Tube: Chalk Farm Station"

"From St Michael's it is a very short stroll to the Verulamium Museum, a modern museum showcasing finds from the Roman city. One highlight is a 2nd-century bronze figure of a goddess known as the Verulamium Venus, and another is 'Postumus', a skeleton discovered buried in a beautifully crafted lead coffin. A short walk across Verulamium Park from the museum brings you to a 3rd-century mosaic and hypocaust, protected by a low modern building."

"Source: Photo by user Carole Raddato used under CC BY-SA 2.0. This stop is definitely worth a visit as this is the only Roman theater of its kind, in Britain. Once surrounded by shops and houses, the foundations of which you can still see here, this is not your usual Roman amphitheater."

": Row upon row of glass jars, with everything from tiny organisms, to strange two-headed beasts, to examples of gross diseases, this museum can be very creepy at times, especially when it’s quiet. However, it’s so much more than the freakshow that it is sometimes made out to be, offering a unique insight into the history of surgery and advances in modern medicine. The next few months are your last chance to see the museum before it closes in 2017 for refurbishment, so get going!"

"The Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum sits in a Grade II listed former Victorian waste water pumping station. The museum is dedicated to chronicling the technology, transport and industrial history of the Walthamstow area. The collection houses an impressive list of transport and machinery from steam engines to workshops to original tube cars to firefighting equipment."