Cafe Willow - Dacorum

Café Willow is a small café attached to the Hillier Garden center. A good selection of cakes were available, but my cappuccino was served too hot and too weak. The prolific number of signs, stickers on the floor, barriers etc whilst helping to make the café covid safe, when coupled with the quite stark minimalistic decorations, did not make the café feel welcoming or relaxing.

Popped in for a lunch and enjoyed half price. Was served by Niahm who was very nice , will visit again as the service was good.

We arrived on a Sunday jaunt after the cafe opened. You would assume that it would have been cleaned either the evening before or early before opening. Dirty floor, tables and visible dust on the radiator. The Cobb roll was very dry and the sausage was small and burnt. Rude counter staff who didn’t want to be there. I won’t be going back!

This charming cafe has excellent food and attentive staff who provide great service in a very clean environment. However, our main issue is that we often cannot make it until 1 o'clock or shortly after, and by then it seems that lunch service is over, making it impossible for us to order a meal. Last time, we were unable to even order a ploughman's lunch, so we settled for a toastie instead. The scones are exceptional and of high quality. Additionally, our plates and cups were cleared away almost immediately after we finished our meal. Perhaps extending the lunch period could attract more customers to this cafe.

Three sandwiches, two waters, and one coffee cost £26, which is considered highly overpriced. It is recommended to avoid this restaurant and instead, head up the road to Little Gaddesden for a better dining experience.