Best places to eat in Herefordshire

Of course, the county’s diverse restaurants, pubs and cafés provide ample opportunity for you to sample the goods! If you’re looking for some inspiration, we’ve curated a list of our favourite places to eat in Herefordshire for a mix of tastes, to give you a flavour of what’s on offer.

Beefy Boys, Hereford

Best for: Burgers & fries

If you’re looking for a quality burger joint, they don’t come much better than Beefy Boys. What started as four friends BBQing in their back gardens, Beefy Boys now holds titles like World Burger Championship Finalists and the winners of the National Burger Awards – so unsurprisingly it’s a hugely popular choice with locals and visitors alike. On the menu of this flagship restaurant in Hereford city centre, you can choose from a big selection of mouthwatering 21-day-aged Hereford beef burgers in freshly baked buns. Expect the likes of ‘The Macaroni Boy’, ‘The PBJ Boy’, ‘The Chipotle Boy’, ‘The Blue Boy’ and more, all stacked up high and oozing with toppings. You can also order loaded fries, chicken wings, cocktails and boozy milkshakes on the side. Turn up hungry – and be prepared to get a little messy!

The Greenman, Fownhope

Best for: Country pub food

In the peaceful village of Fownhope in Ross-on-Wye sits The Greenman, a striking and picturesque inn dating back over 500 years. The inn’s interior is just as charming as the exterior, with old wooden beams and a roaring fireplace creating an inviting setting for a hearty pub meal. On the menu you’ll find seasonal food and pub classics like fish and chips, pie, burgers and steak, as well as a range of tasty sandwiches if you fancy something lighter. And if the weather is good, there’s a lovely garden at the back where you can relax with a local ale or glass of wine and views over the surrounding countryside. Bliss. 

Rocket Kitchen Café, Hereford

Best for: A welcoming café stop

One of Hereford’s top-rated cafés on Trip Advisor, Rocket Kitchen Café is a small but welcoming family-run establishment on the picture-perfect Church Street near the Cathedral. With a bohemian-artisan feel, Rocket Kitchen prides itself on using lots of local suppliers and ingredients, and serves up a great menu of delicious breakfasts, sourdough pizzas, salads, wraps and flatbreads, as well as a good selection of pastries, cakes and coffee, to eat in or takeaway. Once you’ve had your fill, make sure you allow time for some leisurely retail therapy on Church Street, where there’s a wonderful mix of independent shops neighbouring the café, from fashion boutiques to quaint craft shops to tempting delis. 

Pensons, Netherwood Estate

Best for: Fine dining

For a special evening meal, head to the historic Netherwood Estate on the Herefordshire-Worcestershire border where you’ll find the acclaimed Pensons restaurant. This Michelin-starred eatery is headed up by Chef Chris Simpson and celebrates ‘hyper-localism’, with much of its fine seasonal produce sourced from nearby or in some cases, grown and foraged on the estate itself. You’ll even find locally-made furnishings and décor in the interior, as well as steak knives forged by their blacksmith neighbour. The evening menu features five courses, with meat, pescatarian and vegetarian options. You can expect creative dishes like ‘Bass with Watercress and Cauliflower, Pickled Apple and Crab Butter Sauce’ and ‘Spiced Red Wine Pear with Vanilla Panna Cotta, Gingerbread and Yoghurt’. 

The Bookshop, Hereford

Best for: Brunch

The Bookshop is a modern restaurant in the city of Hereford serving excellent food all day – including an award-winning Sunday lunch. The Bookshop (named so because of its setting in a converted bookshop) has been designed with gorgeous, aesthetic interiors and is a particularly lovely spot for a sumptuous brunch. On the extensive menu you’ll find both savoury and sweet options including eggs, toast and toppings, breakfast buns, pancakes, French toast and more. Plus there’s a special brunch cocktail menu featuring Espresso Martinis and Mimosas, if you fancy making it boozy. The Bookshop is run by the passionate team behind A Rule of Tum, so you know you’ll be getting a good meal made with locally sourced ingredients.

Museum of Cider, Hereford

Best for: Cider fans

Hereford is famous for its centuries-long tradition of cider-making, and today it’s home to some of the world’s bigger cider brands including Bulmers and Westons, as well as lots of smaller craft producers. Whilst there are plenty of farms and pubs where you can enjoy a taste of the moreish appley drink, the Museum of Cider is one of the best places to learn all about the county’s fascinating heritage and cider production methods – and sample the results too! Be sure to call in the Cider Shop where over 150 dry, sweet and medium craft ciders and perries line the shelves, many of which you won’t find in supermarkets. And if you’re feeling peckish after all that, there’s an on-site tea room to stop for a light bite or slice of cake.

The Bunch of Carrots, Hampton Bishop

Best for: A family-friendly carvery

Set in the quaint village of Hampton Bishop on the outskirts of Hereford, the Bunch of Carrots is a traditional, family-friendly pub, renowned for its carvery served seven days a week. You’ll usually find two roasted Herefordshire meat joints on offer with tasty seasonal vegetables from local suppliers, as well as a selection of real local ales and fine wines to accompany your plate. It’s nice and spacious inside, with plenty of seating for family groups and some dog-friendly areas. And there’s a children’s play park in the garden too, perfect if you’ve got little ones who want to have a good run around before they sit down for their roast. 

Sensory & Rye, Hereford

Best for: Coffee in the city

A popular spot with locals, Sensory & Rye is a casual, modern eatery in the heart of Hereford with cool interiors and big glass windows. Their ethos is about ‘creative flavours, nutrition, honest and fabulously presented plates with the ingredients being organic and sourced sustainably and locally where possible’. And on the brunch and lunch menu you’ll find an array of colourful dishes to match, including tacos, wraps, buddha bowls and more. Whatever you choose, make sure you order a coffee on the side, made with beans supplied by the local Method Roastery. Coffee fans might like to know that as well as their specialist espresso-based coffees, Sensory & Rye also offer single origin coffees that can be brewed in a cafetiere or V60 drip. 

En Korean BBQ, Hereford

Best for: Korean with a local twist

For a dining experience with a difference, head to En Korean BBQ in Hereford’s Old Market Shopping Centre. Here you’ll find an incredible menu of enticing barbecue dishes (which you can grill on your table), as well as mouth-watering street food, and En’s famous sushi. Owners Pampi and Peyman aim to showcase the flavours of Japan and Korea in fusion dishes made using Herefordshire beef and other local ingredients – and it’s often busy so has certainly been a big hit with the locals. The cocktail menu is just as exciting too, with options like Yuzu Cheesecake and The Green Matcha. Or you can try a Japanese Sake or Boba Tea, made with chewy black tapioca pearls. 

Ponte Vecchio, Hereford

Best for: Authentic Italian

Situated near Hereford’s picturesque Old Bridge, Ponte Vecchio is an Italian Trattoria run by husband and wife team, Alice and Leonardo. They aim to recreate the passion of the Italian family table and the charm, intimacy and atmosphere of their beloved Florence. Their mouthwatering menu features antipasti and pasta dishes packed with traditional Italian flavours and ingredients. Alice also makes gelato and sorbet in the kitchen, so there’s always an amazing choice of flavours on offer for dessert; as well as classics, you’ll find the likes of ‘Gooseberry and Hazelnut Crumble’ and ‘Raspberry and Pink Peppercorn. Even if you’re not hungry, you should pop in and grab a tub to take away!

The Monkland Cheese Dairy, Leominster

Best for: Cheese lovers

Cheese lovers should visit The Monkland Cheese Dairy in Leominster, where small batches of creamy, blue, smoked and soft cheeses are made by their dedicated team of cheesemakers. Whilst the dairy no longer offers tours and experience days, you can visit the café where you can sample Monkland’s range of wonderful cheeses. Choose from The Little Hereford Ploughman’s Lunch, a cheese platter or a simple cheese roll – all served with freshly homemade bread. And if you fancy topping it off with something sweet, the café also serves cakes and, in the summer, scones with clotted cream and jam. There’s a cheese shop on-site too, so you can purchase a selection of your favourite varieties to savour at home with a glass of red.

De Koffie Pot, Hereford

Best for: Lunch beside the river

Set in a stunning spot on the banks of the River Wye in the heart of Hereford, De Koffie Pot is a well-loved café and bar serving delicious meals, homemade cake and locally-brewed coffee. Their spacious outdoor courtyard is a gorgeous spot to enjoy some of the city’s most iconic views across the river and the Cathedral whilst you savour an indulgent burger, pizza, chilli or fish and chips. There are covered areas and fire pits too, so you can even enjoy an al fresco lunch on chillier days. Or if you’d still prefer to eat indoors, you can pick a cosy corner amongst the rustic interiors. There’s sometimes live music at De Koffie Pot too – take a look at their Facebook page to find out what’s on during your visit. 

The Hereford Bar & Brasserie, Hereford

Best for: Afternoon tea

In the historic Green Dragon Hotel in the city centre you’ll find The Hereford. This contemporary bar and brasserie is set in a classic 1920s panelled dining room with beautiful leather booths and high ceilings that make for an ultra romantic setting. The menu features a mix of classic and modern lunch and dinner dishes – but on Saturdays they also offer a decadent afternoon tea. Expect scones the full works – scones with homemade jam and cream, cakes, freshly made sandwiches and tea or coffee. Or for an extra special treat for two, why not upgrade to bottomless prosecco or a glass of champagne to sip on the side? 

Staying in Herefordshire

If you’re looking for a place to stay for your foodie escape to Hereford, take a look at our collection of handpicked hideaways in the county’s beautiful countryside. How about a safari tent on the banks of the River Wye? Or a picture-perfect oak shepherd’s hut amongst apple trees? Explore our collection of Hereford hideaways and plan your foodie adventure.