We came here for lunch with a friend. My wife had the Margherita pizza. I had the steak filet sandwich. Both of them were good - not great, but fine. What we appreciated the most was our server, who went out of her way to be sure that my wife's order did not contain MSG. She really was very friendly and very helpful. The fact that I ordered a pint of Amstel that I didn't receive didn't bother me. The price of the food was reasonable, and the serving sizes were fine. Overall, a good place to go - but not a great one. read more

I have eaten here regularly at lunch times and find the menu excellent. The starters are excellent and two is a meal for one person. Alternatively a starter and a main will leave little room for a dessert! Good value for money with friendly and attentive staff! read more

Been here many times, like it, low beams for those 6ft plus so keep your head bent unless you want a sore one... Food is OK to good, depends on what you go for from the extensive menu really, found the burgers to be especially nice. Great for big parties as plenty of decent sized tables and a really buzzy atmosphere (pretty much any evening of the week) Most puddings come with custard, which in my book is a major plus. Like it - hope you do too. read more

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If I was going to go out for a nice meal in Harpenden I would make it The Fox. There is a great atmosphere here on a Friday/Saturday night, candlelit dinner and amazing food. The furnishings are modern very clean and presentable. The food was lovely. Small menu, better than pub food but not pretentious or too grandiose. Nothing over the top. Very fresh and one in our company who had steak could not rave enough about it. They put a lot of thought into the menu with seasonal specials. Summer pudding was amazing. read more

I enjoy good food and appreciate well cooked food with great service. Historically I had eaten at the Fox and had fine cuisine. It's clearly changed hands since I last visited. My partner booked a surprise table for valentines. They had spaces, now we know why It started well, great front of house. That's where the good review ends I'm afraid It was a Valentines menu. We started with the seafood platter. The aioli contained so much garlic - it was offensive. To the point that 2 packs of extras, mouthwash and teeth brushing still has not resolved the overpowering lingering stench on both of our breaths. This was pointed out to our server after - to which it was conceded that it was heavily laced with garlic so did we want Mayo- no thanks. Menu stated there was crab on the seafood platter. It was hidden in some Mayo served with shrimps. To be honest, under trade descriptions it would have been misleading. The bed of tomato risotto was undercooked and. crunchy. Fortunately only two spoonfuls worth, so negated. We moved to the mains -- minus cutlery. Asked the sever for cutlery. We were not the only table to have to do so. Next the ribeye steak. Which was so tough I didn't know whether to fight it or eat it. As I could do neither - the whole steak was sent back. Not one of the staff asked why an entire steak had been returned- which tells me; they're clearly used to customers not eating the food!!!! In fact, I'm still convinced they served me braising steak instead of ribeye. The sides were palatable, but chips, a mushroom and greens consisted of my meal. For which we were charged full price!!!! When it came to desserts and were asked would we like to see the menu; it felt like a challenge. So we very quickly declined. The wine was great. I quaffed an entire bottle of Malbec in an attempt to forget what I was eating. The espresso martini was also delicious, however it was offered as an alternative to a dessert and again we were charged for it. We did not tip, but if we had to our tip would be; find a chef that can cook alongside some decent waiting staff. Overall abysmal. Will not be returning and will not be recommending. The happy ending to this tale of sadness is we found a lovely tapas bar with a great mixologist on station road so our night wasn't completely ruined NB there is one star awarded as you can't leave a review unless you give at least a star. Needless to say - it's not worthy of it. read more

Better come prepared. I.e not hungry like us. You'll be waiting a fair while for starters to arrive. Ours are still not here and it's been 30mins. On top of that, this is countryside prices, and the quality reflects this too. Save yourself some money, go to the fish and chip shop near the station and get some simple but tasty fish! read more

Went to the fox for our second visit yesterday afternoon. Last visit was a family occasion to celebrate our daughters graduation with other family members following the ceremony on a Friday lunchtime and we all thoroughly enjoyed the food. Yesterday was the two of us we had the Curried Smoked Haddock Fishcakes for starters which were absolutely lovely. I then had the Smoked Gammon with a maple sauce and Mustard Mash with green beans which was delicious. My husband had the Butternut Squash Risotto for main - but I have to say it really was not good; it was a pile of stodge and not the unctious pile of creamy rice etc it should be. He left about half of it which is not like him at all. We would return as the menu is interesting and the surrounding are lovley, many people were sitting outside as the weather was beautiful. read more

Came in for dinner. The automated phone reservation system was very easy. Arrived early and they were able to accommodate. 3 of us had chicken dishes and all were first rate. Desert (brownie) was excellent. Recommend The Fox for a pub and quick bite! read more

The Fox is on the road out of Harpenden towards Luton and does a good Sunday roast. In the Summer the garden area is a good place to enjoy an al fresco meal, while inside, the decor is understated but warm and chic, classy gastro-pub style. The service is slick and at weekends you'd be advised to book. We once had a roast there that wasn't all that but that probably had something to do with our late arrival on the Sunday afternoon. read more

I agree with Minkymoos about the Roast but pretty much every time I have been the food has been good and the service reasonable. I particularly like the range of non-alchoholic drinks as it is usually me who ends up driving and the whole garlic baked camembert is just divine. My wife is less keen on that especially when its just me that has it ! read more

Really nicely done up pub with a good atmosphere and an excellent kitchen.

The Fox on Luton Road is a very average semi-chain pub. The food is very overpiced for the quality, and the pizza in particular is not good. One of those pubs trying to do something for everyone, but end up just doing a lot of stuff very average. The best thing about the place is the nice outdoor seating. I would strongly encourage anyone reading this to give the other Fox pub in nearby Darley Hall a visit. It isn't a chain, everything is fresh and usually seasonal, and I can tell you the Darley Hall Fox blows this one away for overall quality and value. So take the extra few minutes to find the other Fox in the quiet, rolling countryside behind Luton airport. read more

I recently went to the Fox in Harpenden for a meal to celebrate my Mums birthday. While everyone else were reasonably satisfied with their meals, it seems the chef does not know how to cook Steak. I asked for my T-Bone to be cooked Medium-rare, twice it came out to me well done and finally I received it looking partially medium rare, but it was stone cold in the middle. The chips were vile and had clearly been microwaved a few too many times. I have never sent a meal back in my life, yet had to twice here. I can't comprehend how poor a cook you have to be in order to ruin steak. I can appreciate the restaurant was busy, but having to pay £20 for Steak and chips, I expect to at least enjoy my meal. Staff were clearly more concerned with filling the restaurant, rather than making the experience a pleasant one. I would never visit this place again. read more

Nice gastropub in Harpenden.

In Luton for ten days, we had some very good meals in the area, but this wasn't one of them. The Fox came highly recommended. Very busy - a good sign. Unfortunately that resulted in a long wait for food and drink, as well as being extremely LOUD. We had to practically shout to talk amongst ourselves over dinner. If the food was good it would have been worth it, but none of us was particularly satisfied with our meals. The fish and chips was OK, but the other meals were subpar. When asked by the waitress, I was very specific on my lamb being medium rare, pink in the middle, and it came well-done, tough, and dry. A friend's chicken was equally overdone and dry. With ten days in the area, I rated several restaurants on YELP and this was one to bypass. Harpenden is a very nice town with many good choices, i.e. Billy's down the street was much better. read more

Good roast, excellent deserts - good beer with lunch. Plenty of kids at the weekend which is great if like me you have them with you - don't feel too embarrased about noise then. read more