King James Pub Royston — Restaurant in North Hertfordshire

Raving Review – The King James Pub & Authentic Indian Cruisen, Royston

I’ve known the King James for decades—over 30 years of family ties to Royston means I’ve seen this place through many chapters. To be honest, it was never top of my list in the past. The food was hit and miss, and the atmosphere just didn’t sit right. But let me tell you—something has completely changed. I recently revisited after hearing it’s under new management, and the transformation is nothing short of remarkable.

The minute I walked in, the vibe felt different—clean, cosy, and genuinely welcoming. It had the feeling of somewhere you could sink into and stay a while. The bar was alive with laughter and song, but not in a rowdy way—it was heartfelt, warm, and buzzing with good energy.

But the real standout? The service. Mani and his team are in a league of their own. There’s service, and then there’s service with intention—and that’s what they deliver. Every interaction was thoughtful. I felt seen, heard, and truly cared for. With food sensitivities and a deep awareness of what I put into my body, I was blown away when Mani not only listened but adapted the menu to suit my needs—clean oils, no unnecessary extras, just simple, flavour-packed, nourishing food.

What I tasted was nothing short of outstanding—authentic Indian cuisine with integrity, warmth, and flavour. It’s rare to find a pub that balances soulful food, feel-good energy, and genuine hospitality all under one roof, but this place nails it.

If you’re after a proper night out in Royston—whether you’re local or just passing through—make your way to the King James, ask for Mani, and tell him Nadia sent you.

As someone who lives by design—my Human Design environment is Narrow Valleys, and this place hits all the marks: ground-floor comfort, intimate spaces, friendly faces, and a home-away-from-home energy. It’s got that special something. Try it, and you’ll see what I mean.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five...

An excellent pub where atmosphere and decoration are well-deserving of a 5 star review. The landlord and his team are incredibly friendly and, on the Friday night we attended, the live music was without flaw. Of all the pubs in Royston, there are none better than the King James if you want good food, drink, or a spectacular atmosphere.

The decoration is a brilliant fusion of classic architecture and modern charm, the range of drinks (and pricing) is great, and the staff are friendly and accommodating.

Thank you...

We had an incredible dining experience at the King James Pub in Royston! The food was absolutely amazing, and Despite it being a public holiday and the pub being short-staffed, the food arrived much faster than we expected, which was great since we were quite hungry. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, making it a lovely place to relax and enjoy our meal. The portion sizes were generous, especially for the price. We were thoroughly impressed and will definitely be...