The Waffle House - St Albans
If you ever find yourself wandering through the charming streets of St Albans and catch the warm, comforting aroma of fresh waffles in the air, chances are you're near The Waffle House - St Albans, tucked inside the scenic Kingsbury Watermill on St Michael's Street. This place isn’t just a restaurant-it’s a local institution for anyone who appreciates the perfect combination of crispy, fluffy waffles served up with imaginative, hearty toppings.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t your average waffle joint. The Waffle House serves up a mix of sweet and savoury creations that appeal to both die-hard traditionalists and adventurous foodies. Whether you're in for a lazy breakfast, a casual lunch, or a solo early dinner with a view, this spot consistently delivers. And yes-it’s as Instagrammable as it is delicious.
First off, the vibe. There’s a rustic charm to the setting-think wooden beams, countryside views, and outdoor seating that overlooks a tranquil watermill. Accessibility is clearly a priority here, with wheelchair-friendly entrances, seating, and toilets. Whether you're catching up with friends, bringing the kids, or simply dining solo with a book in hand, the ambiance is casual and inviting.
Now, let’s talk food-the real star of the show. If you’re going sweet, the Strawberry Waffle is an absolute winner-fresh berries, soft whipped cream, and a drizzle of sweetness that never overwhelms. For something a little more indulgent, the Banana and Toffee Sauce waffle hits all the right notes. It’s comfort on a plate. Craving something a little different? Try the Bananas Foster-it’s got that caramelized depth you don’t usually find in a breakfast dish.
Prefer something savoury? The Chilli Con Carne Waffle adds a Tex-Mex twist to your waffle fix. Rich, meaty chilli layered on a crisp waffle-who knew that combination would work so well? And if you're more into brunch-style eats, the Avocado and Hummus waffle is a satisfying, vegan-friendly option that’s both fresh and filling. Vegetarians also love the Mushroom and Cheese waffle, a creamy, earthy dish with just the right amount of indulgence.
Drinks? Oh, they’ve got you sorted. The chocolate milkshake is thick, rich, and best enjoyed alongside a sweet waffle for full nostalgic effect. Their latte is smooth and strong-perfect for a quiet moment outdoors. You’ll also find fresh juice, organic teas, and a carefully curated selection of beers, wines, and cocktails if you're sticking around longer.
One of the underrated highlights? The live performances. On select days, you might catch a guitarist strumming away on the patio, adding an extra layer of atmosphere to your meal. And while this place doesn’t offer delivery, they’ve nailed their dine-in and takeaway experience, keeping everything efficient without losing that friendly touch.
Whether you're popping in for a quick bite, indulging in great dessert, or fueling up with organic and vegan-friendly options, The Waffle House - St Albans keeps it simple but exceptional. Locals keep coming back not just for the food, but for the consistency in service and quality. It’s easy to see why it’s popular for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
If you’re in the area, skip the chain cafés and make your way to Kingsbury Watermill. This spot knows how to do waffles-and much more-right.
Reviews
Food was delicious, we had 3 sweet waffles which we thoroughly enjoyed. One member of our party cannot eat gluten so it was great to see that gluten free waffles were available. Service was good and I absolutely love the fact that the building itself is an old water mill. You can still see the inner workings of the water mill inside in a little museum area. My only complaint is the booking system and the queue. I tried to come in the day several times on weekends, could not get parked and found there was a massive queue. There was no option to pre-book a table which seemed absolutely nuts to me, especially when some people are elderly or disabled and cannot stand or walk for long periods of time. Not at all inclusive from this point of view! I did enquire whether it would be possible to pre-book and was told no. I can therefore only assume that for some reason the owners like the massive queue as it could very easily be resolved by introducing either an online or telephone booking system. In the end to avoid the queue I came at 11am on a weekday. However, the difficulty in getting a table without queuing will make it practically difficult for me to come back again in the near future given I work full time Monday-Friday. I'd love to recommend to friends and relatives but don't feel I can on account of the queuing and lack of booking system.
Such a lovely menu, food was so delicious and the service was great. You aren’t able to pre book tables - walk in only. I think this is a great way of running the business as you can just turn up when you want. You might have to wait a while on busy days but generally it’s not that bad. We ordered sweet and savoury! There is also gluten free option waffles so will definitely return with friends.
It’s been many years of visiting The Waffle House in St Albans and only this weekend I arrived early enough to catch their breakfast menu, and how amazing was it! The food was fresh and flavourful as always. There tends to be a wait to sit on weekends but I particularly believe they are worth the wait. We went for waffles, coffees and juices.
Great location with a stream literally going through the middle of the outdoor seating area...get on the stream side not the car park! Tasty quick service, although not sure I am the biggest fan of a waffle Vs simple toast but is good for the sweet and savoury options. Good selection of smoothies. No bookings just turn up and roll with it. Good post parkrun brunch venue for
Didn't mind the wait for 30 minutes. Waiting for food would make you feel that the food would be another level. HUGE DISSAPPOINTMENT! I just understand why they feel it is acceptable to serve warmish chicken. Clearly fried and held hot in a warmer. Get better level of chicken in nandos. Service was good. Very warm and friendly but food let it down.