Pret A Manger

You're on St Peter's Street, St Albans' busiest shopping stretch, and you need something quick. Pret delivers exactly that—no pretension, just a competent sandwich, a proper coffee, and a queue that moves. The formula's unchanged from every other Pret, which is precisely the point. You know what you're getting: fresh-ish salads, the reliable Crayfish & Avocado, decent espresso drinks made without drama. It's the kind of place you pop into between browsing the high street, not somewhere you'd linger for hours. The staff are usually pleasant enough, and the pastries are decent if you're desperate. Perfect for grabbing breakfast before work or a lunch you won't regret—just don't expect anything revelatory.