The Brasserie at Sopwell House

You're heading out towards the quieter end of St Albans, past the buzz of the city centre, when Sopwell House appears—a proper period building with that relaxed luxury feel that works equally well for business lunches or weekend dinners. The Brasserie is unshowy about what it does: confident cooking that leans into seasonal British ingredients without overthinking it. It's the sort of place where you can dress up or stay casual, where the staff actually know their stuff, and where you won't feel rushed between courses.