From a Bangladeshi kitchen near the station to charcoal-grilled kebabs in Southdown and fish and chips that have been fried on the High Street since 2012, Harpenden has a takeaway for every night of the week. This guide covers the best takeaways in Harpenden for curry, fish and chips, pizza, Chinese, Thai, sushi, burgers and kebabs, with the essentials for each one.
We have grouped them by type of food, then rounded them up by area, so you can find what is closest to you.
Best takeaways in Harpenden: quick picks
- Best curry: The 1971 on Station Road, rated 4.9 from more than 1,000 Google reviews
- Best fish and chips: Godfrey’s on the High Street, with homemade pies and sides
- Best burger: Sear Burger, with dry-aged British beef
- Best kebab: Town Grill Kebab in Southdown, cooked over charcoal
- Best sushi: BentoZo on Southdown Road
- Best Thai: Tay Tar Thai on Station Road
- Best for lunch: Emilio’s for Lebanese wraps and salad boxes
- Open latest: PAYA Cuisine, until 1am (2am on Friday and Saturday)
Harpenden takeaways compared
| Takeaway | Food | Where | Delivery | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The 1971 | Bangladeshi and Indian | Station Road | ✓ | A special-occasion curry |
| Sarakh | Indian | Southdown | ✓ | Something different from the usual curry house |
| GTR by Papa J's | Modern Indian | High Street | ✓ | Indian fusion and vegetarian dishes |
| The Cherry Tree | Indian | Batford | ✓ | A reliable Friday-night curry |
| Balti Village | Indian and balti | Batford | ✓ | Collection deals (10% off) |
| Godfrey's | Fish and chips | High Street | Collect or eat in | Classic fish and chips, homemade pies |
| Kingfish | Fish and chips | Batford | ✓ | Fish and chips in north Harpenden |
| Skippers | Fish and chips | Southdown | ✓ | Lunchtime fish and chips |
| Zio's Pizzeria | Pizza and Italian | Station Road | ✓ | Independent pizza |
| Oriental Aroma | Chinese | Station Road | ✓ | Salt and pepper dishes |
| Chef Peking | Chinese | Church Green | Collect or eat in | Crispy duck and Sichuan dishes |
| Tay Tar Thai | Thai | Station Road | ✓ | Authentic Thai |
| Bangkok Lounge | Thai | High Street | ✓ | Family-run Thai |
| BentoZo | Japanese | Southdown | ✓ | Sushi and bento boxes |
| Sushi & Bento House | Japanese | Southdown | ✓ | Sushi platters and katsu curry |
| Sear Burger | Burgers | Station Road | ✓ | The best burger in town |
| Town Grill Kebab | Kebabs and grills | Southdown | ✓ | Charcoal-grilled kebabs and wings |
| Emilio's | Lebanese | Southdown | ✓ | Shawarma, falafel and lunch boxes |
Best Indian takeaways in Harpenden
The 1971
The 1971 took over from Cafe Jeera at 36 Station Road and has quickly become one of the best-rated restaurants in Harpenden on Google, with a 4.9 rating from more than 1,000 reviews. The menu mixes Bangladeshi home-style cooking with Indian favourites, and reviewers praise the flavour, the presentation and the selection of dips with the poppadoms.
- Find it: 36 Station Road, AL5 4ST, two minutes from the station
- Order: eat in, collect or delivery
- Good to know: open every evening from 5.30pm, until 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday
See The 1971 on Harpenden Life
Sarakh
Billed as roadside Indian, Sarakh on Grove Road, just off Southdown Road, steps away from the standard curry-house menu. Regulars rate dishes such as the Bengali beef chilli, and it has more than 400 Google reviews.
- Find it: 2 Grove Road, Southdown, AL5 1PX
- Order: eat in, collect or delivery
- Good to know: open every evening from 5pm to 11pm
GTR (Grand Trunk Road) by Papa J’s
Named after the ancient trade route across South Asia, GTR is a modern Indian restaurant and takeaway at 72 High Street from the Papa J’s group. Expect Indian fusion dishes such as Chatpata wings, Chicken 65, Chicken Chettinad and Avocado Bombay Bhel, with good vegetarian choices including chilli paneer.
- Find it: 72 High Street, AL5 2SP
- Order: eat in, or collect and delivery through its own website
- Good to know: open for lunch and dinner, closed on Mondays
See GTR (Grand Trunk Road) by Papa J's on Harpenden Life
The Cherry Tree
An Indian restaurant and takeaway on Southview Road, Batford, the Cherry Tree is a favourite for a Friday-night curry in north Harpenden. Reviewers like that the food is fresh and not greasy, and that collection is quick.
- Find it: 2D Southview Road, Batford, AL5 5AP
- Order: eat in, collect or delivery
- Good to know: open every evening from 5pm (4pm on Sundays)
See The Cherry Tree on Harpenden Life
Balti Village
A takeaway-only curry house on Lower Luton Road, Balti Village does tandoori dishes, tikka, baltis and biryanis. House favourites include the Village Special Mix Tandoori and tikka jalfrezi.
- Find it: 93 Lower Luton Road, Batford, AL5 5AJ
- Order: collect or delivery. Minimum order £15 in AL5
- Good to know: 10% off collection orders over £10 placed on its website. Open every evening from 5pm
See Balti Village on Harpenden Life
Also worth knowing: Swagat at 12 Station Road reopened after a refurbishment and is open every evening until 11pm, and Cinnamon on Thompsons Close, behind the High Street, offers a menu that goes beyond the usual dishes, with takeaway and delivery (closed on Mondays).
Best fish and chips in Harpenden
Godfrey’s
Harpenden’s best-known chippy has been frying on the High Street since 2012. Potatoes are peeled and chipped every morning and double cooked, and the pies, fishcakes, mushy and minted peas, curry sauce and tartare sauce are all made in-house. There is a sit-down restaurant next to the takeaway counter.
- Find it: 41 High Street, AL5 2SD, next door to the Cross Keys
- On the menu: cod, haddock, plaice and scampi, homemade steak and ale pie, fishcakes and battered halloumi
- Good to know: open Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 9pm, closed on Sundays. Gluten-free fish and chips are cooked in a separate fryer every Monday from 4.30pm. Collection only
See Godfrey's on Harpenden Life
Kingfish
Batford’s chippy on Lower Luton Road is a favourite with locals in north Harpenden, with regulars calling it the best fish and chips in the area. It also does burgers, sausages and veggie options.
- Find it: 146 Lower Luton Road, Batford, AL5 5HA
- Good to know: open Monday to Saturday at lunchtime (11.30am to 2pm) and in the evening from 4.30pm. Closed on Sundays
See Kingfish on Harpenden Life
Skippers
Tucked away on Piggottshill Lane, just off Southdown Road, Skippers is a traditional fish and chip shop with friendly staff and a wider menu than you might expect.
- Find it: 5 Piggottshill Lane, Southdown, AL5 1LG
- Good to know: open Monday to Saturday at lunchtime and from 4.30pm. Closed on Sundays
See Skippers on Harpenden Life
Best pizza takeaways in Harpenden
Zio’s Pizzeria
An independent pizzeria on Station Road with a cosy dining room, Zio’s does pizzas, pasta and starters to eat in or take away. Its cheesy prosciutto flatbread has its fans.
- Find it: 34 Station Road, AL5 4SE
- Order: collection, or delivery from £1.49 within a mile
- Good to know: open daily from lunchtime, until 11pm on Friday and Saturday
See Zio's Pizzeria on Harpenden Life
For the chains, PizzaExpress at the bottom of the High Street does collection and delivery, and Domino’s (Station Road), Papa Johns (High Street) and Nonno’s Pizza (High Street) are all open until 11pm every day.
Best Chinese takeaways in Harpenden
Oriental Aroma
A takeaway on Harding Parade, Station Road, Oriental Aroma is a strong contender for the best Chinese takeaway in Harpenden, with fans singling out the salt and pepper chicken and the fresh, crunchy vegetables.
- Find it: 7 Harding Parade, Station Road, AL5 4SW
- Good to know: collection or delivery, open from 5pm to 10pm, closed on Mondays
See Oriental Aroma on Harpenden Life
Chef Peking
A smart restaurant on Church Green specialising in Sichuan, Peking and Cantonese dishes, Chef Peking is the place for crispy duck and pancakes. You can also order to collect.
- Find it: 5–6 Church Green, AL5 2TP
- Good to know: open for lunch most days and every evening from 5pm
See Chef Peking on Harpenden Life
Also on the list: The Regent on Southdown Road (evenings, closed on Tuesdays) and PAYA Cuisine on Harding Parade, which is open later than anywhere else in town.
Best Thai takeaways in Harpenden
Tay Tar Thai
A Thai restaurant on Station Road with a loyal following, Tay Tar Thai is a regular recommendation for authentic Thai food at reasonable prices, from pad Thai and sizzling steak to pandan desserts.
- Find it: 32 Station Road, AL5 4SE
- Order: eat in, collect or delivery
- Good to know: closed on Mondays, lunch from Wednesday to Saturday
See Tay Tar Thai on Harpenden Life
Bangkok Lounge on the High Street is another family-run favourite with a long menu (closed on Mondays), and Giggling Squid on Amenbury Lane offers takeaway and delivery from its popular restaurant, seven days a week.
Best sushi and Japanese takeaways in Harpenden
BentoZo
BentoZo on Southdown Road is one of the best-rated takeaways in Harpenden, with a 4.9 rating on Google. Regulars rave about the generous bento boxes, the donburi and katsu, and the freshness of the sushi and sashimi.
- Find it: 131 Southdown Road, AL5 1PU
- Good to know: open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays
Sushi & Bento House
A couple of doors along at 125 Southdown Road, Sushi & Bento House serves sushi platters, bento boxes, chicken katsu curry, gyoza and Korean spicy wings. It delivers with its own drivers.
- Find it: 125 Southdown Road, AL5 1QQ
- Good to know: from 4pm on weekdays and late morning at weekends, closed on Wednesdays
See Sushi & Bento House on Harpenden Life
In the town centre, Zero Sushi on Leyton Road is a daytime favourite for sushi platters (closed on Sundays), and Sushi Daily inside Waitrose makes sushi fresh throughout the day.
Best burgers, kebabs and street food
Sear Burger
This small, husband-and-wife-run burger joint on Station Road is regularly called the best burger in Harpenden. The beef is grass-fed, dry-aged for at least 28 days and comes from British herds, and the double and triple smashed cheeseburgers are the ones to order.
- Find it: 17 Station Road, AL5 4SQ
- Order: eat in, collect or delivery through its own website
- Good to know: do not miss the honey sriracha wings
See Sear Burger on Harpenden Life
Town Grill Kebab
Town Grill on Southdown Road cooks its shish, kofte and chicken wings over charcoal, alongside doner, wraps and burgers. It is rated 4.8 on Google, with reviewers praising the generous portions and friendly owner.
- Find it: 137 Southdown Road, AL5 1PU
- Order: collect, or delivery within about 3.5 miles (minimum £20)
- Good to know: weekday lunch deal, closed on Mondays
See Town Grill Kebab on Harpenden Life
Emilio’s Lebanese Street Food
Run by Emile and his team, Emilio’s on Ravenscroft, just off Southdown Road, serves shawarma wraps, rotisserie chicken, falafel and big salad boxes, plus good coffee. It is as good for lunch as it is for an evening takeaway.
- Find it: 3 Ravenscroft, Southdown, AL5 1ST
- Order: eat in, collect or delivery through the apps
See Emilio's Lebanese Street Food on Harpenden Life
Near the station, Harpenden Grill & Kebab does kebabs, pizzas and burgers until 11pm on Friday and Saturday, and Losh Bar & Grill on Station Road offers its Turkish charcoal grill dishes to take away. For pudding, Sweet Spot Desserts on Station Road delivers waffles, cookie dough and ice cream until late.
Takeaways near you: Harpenden by area
Station Road and the station
Harpenden’s busiest takeaway street: The 1971, Swagat, Zio’s Pizzeria, Tay Tar Thai, Sear Burger, Domino’s, Oriental Aroma, PAYA Cuisine, Harpenden Grill & Kebab and Sweet Spot Desserts are all within a few minutes’ walk of each other.
High Street and the town centre
Godfrey’s, GTR, Bangkok Lounge, Papa Johns, Nonno’s Pizza and PizzaExpress are on the High Street, with Chef Peking on Church Green, Cinnamon on Thompsons Close and Zero Sushi on Leyton Road.
Southdown
Southdown Road is a takeaway hotspot of its own, with Sarakh, Town Grill Kebab, BentoZo, Sushi & Bento House and The Regent, plus Emilio’s on Ravenscroft and Skippers on Piggottshill Lane.
Batford and north Harpenden
The Cherry Tree on Southview Road, plus Balti Village and Kingfish on Lower Luton Road.
Tips for ordering a takeaway in Harpenden
- Order direct: many takeaways, including GTR, Sear Burger, Town Grill and Balti Village, take orders through their own websites, which is often cheaper than Deliveroo, Just Eat or Uber Eats.
- Collect and save: Balti Village gives 10% off collection orders, and collecting is usually quicker on a busy Friday or Saturday night.
- Check the day: Monday is a common closing day for restaurants, and Harpenden’s fish and chip shops are closed on Sundays.
- Allergies: always tell the takeaway about allergies when you order. Godfrey’s runs a gluten-free fryer on Monday evenings.
- Collecting by car: some town-centre car parks are free or cheaper in the evening, so check the signs before you pay.
Worth knowing before you order
Takeaways change hands more often than you might think. Cafe Jeera on Station Road is now The 1971, and Google lists The Meating Room and Pinarz on Station Road as permanently closed. Opening hours here are taken from Google and the takeaways’ own websites, so check before you set off.
Harpenden takeaways: frequently asked questions
What is the best takeaway in Harpenden?
It depends what you fancy. For a curry, The 1971 on Station Road is one of the best-rated restaurants and takeaways in town on Google, with more than 1,000 reviews. For fish and chips, Godfrey's on the High Street is the local favourite, and Sear Burger on Station Road is widely rated the best burger in Harpenden.
What is the best Indian takeaway in Harpenden?
The 1971 on Station Road is the most highly rated, followed by GTR (Grand Trunk Road) on the High Street and Sarakh on Grove Road, Southdown. In Batford, The Cherry Tree and Balti Village are popular takeaway choices, and Balti Village gives 10% off collection orders.
Where can I get fish and chips in Harpenden?
Godfrey's at 41 High Street has a takeaway and a sit-down restaurant and makes its own pies and sides. Kingfish on Lower Luton Road in Batford and Skippers on Piggottshill Lane in Southdown both open at lunchtime and in the evening. All three are closed on Sundays.
Where can I get gluten-free fish and chips in Harpenden?
Godfrey's cooks gluten-free fish and chips in a separate fryer with fresh oil every Monday from 4.30pm. Gluten-free batter is available on other days, but it is fried in shared oil.
Which Harpenden takeaways are open late?
PAYA Cuisine on Station Road takes orders until 1am, and until 2am on Friday and Saturday. Domino's, Papa Johns and Nonno's Pizza are open until 11pm every day, as are Sarakh and Swagat, and The 1971 is open until 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday.
Which takeaways in Harpenden are open on a Monday?
Plenty are, including The 1971, Sarakh, The Cherry Tree, Balti Village, Godfrey's, Zio's Pizzeria, BentoZo and Sushi & Bento House. Town Grill Kebab, GTR, Cinnamon, Tay Tar Thai, Bangkok Lounge and Oriental Aroma are closed on Mondays.
Where can I get sushi in Harpenden?
BentoZo and Sushi & Bento House on Southdown Road both do sushi, bento boxes and katsu curry for collection or delivery. Zero Sushi on Leyton Road is open in the daytime, and Sushi Daily inside Waitrose makes sushi fresh throughout the day.
Which Harpenden takeaways deliver?
Most do, either with their own drivers or through Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats. Godfrey's is collection only. Ordering directly through a takeaway's own website or by phone is often cheaper than the apps.
Menus, opening hours and ratings are taken from the takeaways’ own websites and Google, and are correct at the time of writing. They change, so check with the takeaway before you order. Photos are the businesses’ own.
