Watford has an array of restaurants dotted around all ready to welcome hungry visitors. 

While the vast majority are well-rated and special in their own way, there are some once-loved restaurants that have closed down over the years.

Whether it was down to a drop in sales, owner retirement or looking for a new venture, it can be hard to lose your favourite restaurant forever. 

From Ponderosa, to the Oliver, and Flower Drum, here are some of the restaurants Watford locals miss the most.

What are the most missed restaurants in Watford?

One of the most popular closed-down restaurants was the Ponderosa, a buffet steakhouse that while closed in Watford, still remains open across the USA.

Some locals shared how they would visit with their family when they were younger and enjoyed the self-service ice cream machine and salad bar.

One local said: "The Ponderosa - was always a treat when I was growing up."

Another missed restaurant was the Flower Drum which closed in 2022. It was a Chinese restaurant and takeaway on Market Street which one local said was "incredible".

Yummys Chinese also made the most missed list, which fans described as "the best and great value for money".

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One local said: "Yummys was the best Chinese café by miles. Went there religiously for over 20 years and got to know the staff there very well."

Mod Pizza, formerly in the shopping centre, closed down in 2020. It let you create your own pizza with endless choices for toppings. 

Also mentioned was Ally Cat, described as serving the "best burgers" which closed down in May 2020.