Chilli B
A beloved Hitchin cafe renowned for its vast selection of customizable, high-quality sandwiches and friendly service in a charming Victorian setting.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Chilli B
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved Hitchin cafe renowned for its vast selection of customizable, high-quality sandwiches and friendly service in a charming Victorian setting.
Visit Off-Peak
To avoid queues, consider visiting during off-peak hours, especially towards the end of the week during lunchtime.
Ask for Staff Recommendations
Let the friendly and knowledgeable staff guide you to unique and flavorful sandwich combinations you might not discover otherwise.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Cafe, Sandwich Shop
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Customizable Sandwiches
Experience a vast array of high-quality, freshly made sandwiches with endless filling and bread options. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices abound.
American Pancake Stack
Indulge in a delightful stack of fluffy American pancakes, often served with crispy bacon and warm blueberry compote for a perfect weekend treat.
Victorian Charm & Garden Ambiance
Dine in a beautifully restored Victorian building with a charming interior and a lovely garden area, offering a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit Off-Peak
To avoid queues, consider visiting during off-peak hours, especially towards the end of the week during lunchtime.
Ask for Staff Recommendations
Let the friendly and knowledgeable staff guide you to unique and flavorful sandwich combinations you might not discover otherwise.
Explore the Garden
Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy your meal in the pleasant garden area, adding an extra layer of ambiance to your dining experience.
Embrace the Messy Bites
Some hot sandwich combinations can be a bit messy, but they are well worth trying for their incredible flavor.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit Off-Peak
To avoid queues, consider visiting during off-peak hours, especially towards the end of the week during lunchtime.
Ask for Staff Recommendations
Let the friendly and knowledgeable staff guide you to unique and flavorful sandwich combinations you might not discover otherwise.
Explore the Garden
Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy your meal in the pleasant garden area, adding an extra layer of ambiance to your dining experience.
Embrace the Messy Bites
Some hot sandwich combinations can be a bit messy, but they are well worth trying for their incredible flavor.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Chilli B is celebrated for its extensive and customizable menu, particularly its high-quality sandwiches and delightful breakfast options like American pancakes. The staff are consistently praised for their warmth and attentiveness, creating a welcoming atmosphere. However, some recent reviews suggest a decline in food quality and flavor since new ownership, with concerns about ingredient quality and portioning.
"We came to visit Hitchin for the day and after evaluating our options for a nice quick lunch we decided upon Chilli B’s as it had such a wide selection. The variety and selection on their menu is second to none and you can customise it exactly how you’d like. They had monthly specials, I went for the Hoisin Duck special this month, and on their whole menu you can choose whatever filling you’d like and then have the choice between Ciabatta, Focaccia, Wrap or Jacket Potato to have it on. I had focaccia with my hoisin duck and asked to add sweetcorn and it was absolutely delicious! I don’t often give 10/10s but that lunch was absolutely perfect and it got a 10 from me!
Service was very warm and friendly and prompt and the shop has so much character, love how it’s got two sides, one for takeaway and one for eat in. The filled focaccia was £9 which I think is solid! Great vibes"
Grace Younger
"Delighted to hear that Chilli B’s is now open Sundays, so took my bestie for breakfast.
The American pancake stack with crispy bacon and warm blueberry compote didn’t disappoint.
No better way to enjoy a lazy weekend. Good friends, great food in a fab cafe with super staff. 10/10 😋"
Clare Day
"Best sandwiches we've tried in a very long time by far. Found out about Chilli B's by recommendation of an English friend of mine who knows the area well. I've been told this is frequently visited (and with good reason). I went for the Raging Bull sandwich (roast beef -with mustard sauce in my case) which is the one shown on the pictures. This is just one example of the amazing stuff they make at the Chilli B's! The staff was efficient, kind and polite. In fact, we were initially assigned one table with stools , then another was empty and called us so that we could be more comfortable. It was worth every penny. It was our first trip to the UK and I must say coming all the way from Barcelona and finding a place like this is a real joy. Hope to come back at some point because we know where we will be stopping to have lunch! Congratulations to the Chilli B's team and I encourage them to keep up the wonderful service they offer!"
Matilde Sebastia
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Chilli B is famous for its wide variety of customizable sandwiches, offering options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. Their American pancake stacks are also a popular breakfast choice.
While reservations are not explicitly mentioned as required, it's advisable to visit during off-peak hours to avoid queues, especially on weekend lunchtimes.
Yes, Chilli B offers a wide selection of high-quality sandwiches catering to various dietary preferences, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.
The restaurant is housed in a beautifully restored Victorian building and features a lovely garden area, providing a relaxed and comfortable ambiance.
Some recent reviews suggest a decline in food quality and flavor since new ownership, with specific complaints about ingredients and preparation.
Yes, Chilli B is known to be very accommodating with children, even for picky eaters, making it a family-friendly dining spot.
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Featured in these publications
8 of the best takeaway coffee shops in Hitchin according to Tripadvisor
Food here is made fresh to order, and its located within a stunning and beautifully-restored Victorian building. Their website even says it caters for 'the fussiest eater' so there truly is something for everyone to get their teeth into. The site also says: "With a passion for food and a keen eye for customer service they have built up a loyal customer base. Customers here feel like friends and most are known by name or at least what their favourite food is!
Top 5 breakfast spots in Hitchin according to reviews
One guest said: "Chilli B’s is absolutely the best place to eat in Hitchin. The menu is fantastic with so much choice. Today I had a breakfast of scrambled eggs, avocado, mushrooms and smoked salmon with added black pudding.". View this post on Instagram. A post shared by The Groundworks (@thegroundworks)
Your favourite places to eat out with children around Hitchin and Letchworth
The Groundworks and Chilli B’s as they are super brilliant with the boys and totally get my extremely selective eater and will make him toast whatever the time of day (doesn’t sound much but you would be surprised at how many places aren’t willing to toast a bit of bread!)
5 Hertfordshire places to eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday
The eatery has a 4.5 star rating on TripAdvisor, and serves American pancakes on its breakfast menu. One reviewer, with the username 'GregBthy' wrote: "The cooked breakfasts are sublime, the American pancakes are amazing and the sandwiches are to die for!
THE 30 BEST Restaurants in Hitchin
Unfortunately the food has gone seriously downhill - the flavours are just not as good as they used to be. And my wrap was half empty!!. Once I'd eaten the part of the wrap that actually had filling in, I was basically left with dough.
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