Scroll to Content


ABOUT

Dylans at The Kings Arms is a Top 100 Gastro Pub 2023 ( jumping 22 places in this year’s list to number 72) that is also featured in the Good Food Guide – housed in a beautiful 15th Tudor Century building on George Street in the Cathedral Quarter of St Albans.

For hundreds of years, it was a pub ‘The Old King’s Arms’ which sadly closed in the late 1990s. In more recent years it was a French restaurant and when the freehold became available in 2014, Dylans at The Kings Arms was created. A local pub and restaurant to rival some of the most exceptional pubs and restaurants in London.

Owner, Sean Hughes and his family run the pub closely with their team, not only to ensure that everyone enjoys their visit but as a key community asset and somewhere for neighbours and visitors to meet.

A neighbourhood gem, Dylans at The Kings Arms is loved locally for its award-winning food, service (winner of Best Front of House Team in the UK – Top50 Gastropubs) and extensive range of craft beer, specialist wines and spirits.

The kitchen is headed up by Josh Searle who has been with Dylans for 6 years and Head Chef for the past 2 years, developing his own style of cooking whilst staying true to the Dylans ethos of simplicity and quality.

Adapting the menu to make the most of the season’s best produce and with a focus on quality produce from small, local, and family suppliers, Josh cooks the kind of food we all love to eat. Specialities include Dairy Cow Rib and fresh Cornish fish cooked to perfection.

With a snacking menu available in the front bar room and an a la carte restaurant in the back, Dylans offers unpretentious but high-quality dining in a casual pub environment.

And who is Dylan? Well, Dylan was Sean’s dog, a naughty chocolate Labrador. Sadly, Dylan passed on in 2019 but his legend lives on!

NEWS

OUR TEAM

JOSH SEARLE

HEAD CHEF

Happy 5-year Dylans anniversary to our brilliant head chef Josh Searle! There’s lots that goes on behind the scenes to create the flavours and textures that make our dishes taste the way they do and leading our kitchen team and our menu development is Josh. Josh has developed his talent in our kitchens after joining us in 2018, exploring his own culinary interests and passions whilst also remaining true to the Dylans ethos of simplicity. We’re so proud of his journey from sous chef to head chef and our recent achievements that he’s been instrumental to (Good Food Guide, Top 50 Gastro Pubs) and look forward to the years ahead!

LEXI

FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER

Lexi’s favourite cocktail is an Espresso Martini (made with decaf coffee - because its key ingredient keeps her awake, but it doesn't wake her up!) Our wonderful and naturally energetic front of house manager has been with us for over 7 years now and ensures that customers have a great experience from moment they walk through the door. A true people person, she loves being part of the community and spending time at the heart of it. Over the years, customers have become friends and colleagues have become family. Hospitable, professional (and exceptionally stylish), we couldn’t be without her!

G

TAPS

Happiest behind the bar - particularly one end of it - chatting to our regulars, G used to work at @madsquirrelstalbans before joining the team at Dylans two and a half years ago. Now in charge of taps and our all important craft beer offering, G is studying the lists to get the freshest beers on to our wall. G is a Gin specialist too, which is lucky as we have over 30 Gins on the bar. Her favourite serve is the Spanish Nordés with a light tonic and a slice of lemon (a true classic). What else can we, say aside from we absolutely love having G as a part of our team.

LATEST ON INSTAGRAM

Smashed Dairy Cow, Double Bacon Cheese Burger.

Treat yourself to a cheeky cheeseburger and a pint before the rugby this weekend 🍔🍺

Available on our snacking menu in the bar!

#dairycowburger #top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #snackingmenu
...

We are now working with The Pudding Stop - one of our favourite local businesses - who are baking our Po Boy Rolls, Burger Buns and our incredible Sourdough.

Their main bakery is just a few miles away in Redbourn where there’s a talented bunch of bakers that we are really excited to be working with 🤝

#enjoystalbans #supportlocal #hertsbusiness #top50gastropubs #puddingstop #puddingstopstalbans
...

Jerusalem Artichoke & Honey Truffle Soup, Hazelnuts, Sourdough Croutons.

Available this week on our Mid-Week lunch menu.

2 courses for £25 or 3 courses for £29.

#midweeklunch #enjoystalbans #top50gastropubs #eattheseasons #jerusalemartichoke
...

Cornish Cod Po-Boy, Herb Mayo, Chilli Slaw.

On our snacking menu 🙂

#snackingmenu #cornishcod #poboy #enjoystalbans #top50gastropubs
...

We’re excited to announce that once again Dylans at The Kings Arms will be taking its place alongside some of the country’s top chefs and best local restaurants at Pub in the Park 2024!

From 6-8th of September, together with our sister pub Boot Cantina, we’ll be serving up a special collaborative menu, enjoying the last of the summer sun and listening to some amazing live music from headliners Paloma Faith, Ollie Murs and Tinie Tempeh.

Who’s joining us for a weekend of feasting and fun?
Tickets are on sale now. Book now to guarantee your preferred slot. @pubinthepark for more details!

#pitp24 #enjoystalbans #pubinthepark
...

It’s that time of the week 🍻

#beerfriday #savestalabanspubs #top50gastropubs #enjoysyalbans
...

Fennel, Spiced & Truffle Salami.

The best Italian salami freshly sliced to order, available on our snacking menu from our wonderful and local, St Albans’ supplier, Buongiorno Italia 🇮🇹

#dylanskingsarms #fennel #snackingmenu #supportlocal
...

Vanilla Pannacotta, Poached Rhubarb, Ginger Meringue.

Indulgent and fresh with ginger wine jelly and a ginger tuille 🥄

#dylanskingsarms #rhurbarb #vanillapannacotta #pudding #top50gastropubs
...

Slow Cooked Pork Cheek Bourguignon, Whipped Potato, Horseradish.

New on the menu this month is our Dingley Dell Pork Cheek which is brined for 24 hours in a mixture of citrus fruit, spices and herbs to give exceptional flavour throughout the meat. (Josh uses this for many of the pork dishes on our menu to lock in moisture and add taste.)

It’s then confit and slow-cooked for a melt-in-the-mouth texture. Ultimate comfort food when served with a side of cheesy leek gratin.

#dinglydell #porkcheek #comfortfood #top50gastropubs
...