Finding somewhere for lunch in Hitchin should be fairly straightforward.
You go into town, do a bit of shopping, have a wander around the market and eventually realise that coffee is no longer going to scratch that itch.
That is when lunch becomes important.
Whether you are meeting friends, taking a break from shopping, organising a casual lunch date or simply looking for somewhere that serves more than a sandwich and a packet of crisps, Craft & Cleaver Hitchin is worth a visit.
Right in the heart of town on Bancroft, we serve low-and-slow American barbecue, burgers, sharing plates, craft beer, cocktails and plenty of reasons to make lunch last way longer than originally planned.
A lunch menu with a bit more going on
There is nothing wrong with a traditional lunch.
Sometimes a sandwich is exactly what you need. Other times, you want something a little more substantial. Something smoky, messy, satisfying and ideally served with a side that you did not technically need but ordered anyway.
That is where our menu comes in.
Craft & Cleaver is built around American barbecue, with smoked meats prepared by our pitmasters and a menu inspired by barbecue traditions from across the United States.
Depending on the current menu, you can expect dishes such as:
- Smoked beef brisket
- Burnt ends
- Pulled pork
- Smoked chicken
- Pork belly
- Fried chicken
- Burgers
- Smokehouse fries
- Mac and cheese
Our menus evolve throughout the year, with seasonal changes and monthly specials giving the team room to try something new.
So, if you are looking for the best lunch in Hitchin, you do not have to settle for the same thing every time you visit.
Although, if you find yourself ordering brisket every time, we will understand.
Lunch after shopping in Hitchin
A quick trip into town rarely stays quick.
You might only plan to pick up a few things, but then you spot something else, stop for a coffee and somehow end up carrying several bags you did not have when you left the house.
At that point, lunch is not just a nice idea. It is a necessary part of the itinerary.
Craft & Cleaver is close to the centre of Hitchin, making it a handy place to stop after shopping or exploring the town.
You can come in for a relaxed lunch, order something from the main menu and take a proper break before deciding whether you have the energy to visit one more shop.
You probably won’t.
But at least you will be well fed.
Lunch for people who cannot agree on what to eat
Choosing somewhere for lunch with friends can be surprisingly complicated.
One person wants something healthy. Someone else wants barbecue. Another person says they are not that hungry, which usually means they will be interested in whatever arrives on your plate.
Our menu gives groups plenty of choice.
Alongside our smoked meats, we serve burgers, fried chicken, salads, mac and cheese, to name but a few. This means everyone can find something without the table having to hold a formal board meeting before ordering.
There are also sharing options for anyone who would rather try a bit of everything.
That is one of the good things about barbecue. It is made for sharing, although there is always someone who quietly claims the best looking burnt end or biggest slice of brisket.
A casual lunch in Hitchin that can turn into an afternoon
Lunch does not have to be rushed.
At Craft & Cleaver, you can sit down for food, order a drink and take your time. Our Hitchin restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, so it works just as well for a casual weekday lunch as it does for catching up with friends or celebrating something special at the weekend.
When the weather behaves itself, our beer garden is another reason to stay a little longer. There is room for plenty of people, making it a useful option for sunny lunches, group visits and afternoons when nobody is particularly keen to go home yet.
We also serve craft beer, cocktails and other drinks, so lunch can easily become more of an afternoon.
We are not saying that is the plan.
We are simply saying it happens.
Lunch and bottomless brunch in Hitchin
If you are looking for something a little more celebratory, Craft & Cleaver also offers bottomless brunch.
The offer includes 90 minutes of bottomless Prosecco, Mimosas, craft beer, Margaritas and hot drinks. Guests also need to order at least one main course each from the main menu.
It is available daily until 5pm, with the last sitting at 3:30pm, subject to the current terms and availability.
That makes it a useful option for birthdays, catch-ups, daytime celebrations or the sort of lunch where someone says, “Let’s just have one drink,” and nobody believes them.
You can find more details on our Bottomless Brunch page.
Lunch with something to do afterwards
One of the advantages of visiting Craft & Cleaver Hitchin is that lunch does not have to be the end of the visit.
Our Hitchin restaurant is also home to a 20ft shuffleboard table.
You can book a game for a date, birthday, work social or a lunch with friends. It is a good way to make more of the afternoon, especially if you are looking for something a little different from simply sitting around a table.
Shuffleboard is easy enough to pick up, although people do tend to become very serious about it once the scores are involved.
Especially the person who claimed they were “just here for lunch”.
What should you order?
That depends on how hungry you are.
If you want something properly filling, smoked brisket is a good place to start. Burnt ends, pork belly, and pulled pork are also popular smokehouse choices.
If you are eating with friends, sharing plates and combo options make it easier to try different meats and sides.
And then there are the sides.
Smokehouse fries, mac and cheese, pit beans, slaw and other delights are available to round the order off nicely. You may not need all of them, but that is not really the point.
Is Craft & Cleaver open for lunch every day?
Craft & Cleaver Hitchin opens from midday throughout the week, although opening hours can vary by day and may change during holidays or special events.
Our main menu is available during lunch service, with seasonal dishes and specials changing throughout the year.
Sundays are slightly different, as we serve our separate Smokehouse Sundays menu, featuring roast dinners prepared by our pitmasters. If you are specifically looking for a Sunday roast in Hitchin, that is the menu to check.
For a regular lunch from Monday to Saturday, the main menu is the place to start.
You can view the current menus before your visit.
Why choose Craft & Cleaver for lunch in Hitchin?
There are plenty of reasons to make lunch part of your day in Hitchin.
At Craft & Cleaver, you get:
- A central location on Bancroft
- Low-and-slow American barbecue
- Smoked meats prepared by our pitmasters
- Burgers, fried chicken and other main dishes
- Vegetarian and vegan options
- Sharing plates and sides
- Craft beer and cocktails
- A beer garden with room for 50 people
- Shuffleboard for something different
- A relaxed atmosphere
- A menu that changes with the seasons
Whether you are looking for a quick lunch, a longer one, a lunch date or somewhere to meet friends, we are here to make the decision a little easier.
You just need to decide what you are ordering.
That’s the hard part.
Book your next lunch in Hitchin
If you are searching for the best lunch in Hitchin, come and see what is happening at Craft & Cleaver.
You will find us at 17 Bancroft, Hitchin, SG5 1JQ, right in the centre of town.
Check the current menu, find out more about Craft & Cleaver Hitchin or book a table before your visit.
