Cafe Roma - St Albans

You'll find Cafe Roma tucked on St Peter's Street, in that stretch where the independent shops still outnumber the chains. It's the kind of place where regulars have their order memorised by the staff, and newcomers immediately understand why—there's a no-nonsense approach to coffee here that's refreshing. The Italian heritage shows in everything: the quality of the espresso, the way they treat their milk, the pastries that taste like they actually came from somewhere with proper ovens. It's tight quarters, sure, but that's part of the charm. The vibe is genuinely local, unpretentious, and exactly what you want when you need proper coffee without the performance.