Set in an impressive former ballroom in the heart of Hitchin, Hermitage Rd Bar & Restaurant offers exciting food with added theatre from the open kitchen, quirky cocktails and beer from the bar and live music from local talent. Downstairs, grab coffee and bagels from our award winning coffee shop and have a browse in the lifestyle store.
We are open 7 days a week, see below for opening times and details. Our coffee and bagel shop is open 7 days a week with pop up al fresco cocktails on sunny Fridays and Saturdays. We also offer private dining, cocktail masterclasses and conferencing for up to 24 people in our 'Room @ the Top' best to contact us about this availability and terms post-lockdown.
We are open 7 days a week, see below for opening times and details. Our coffee and bagel shop is open 7 days a week with pop up al fresco cocktails on sunny Fridays and Saturdays. We also offer private dining, cocktail masterclasses and conferencing for up to 24 people in our 'Room @ the Top' best to contact us about this availability and terms post-lockdown.
Services
For decades our building has been a destination for music going right back to our heritage as a ball room. Some of the all-time music greats have graced our stage and we continue to revel in live music and supporting talent. Bar & Restaurant is part of Anglian Country Inns (ACI), we are a family run business rooted in a love of good food and proper old fashioned hospitality.
We serve early breakfasts downstairs in our coffee & bagel bar from 7.30am through to late night bar snacks and everything in between. In the main restaurant, you have front row seats into our impressive open kitchen, so you can see our chefs preparing your dishes. If you fancy a bit of added theatre to your dining experience you can take a seat up 'at the pass' so you can see all of the action up close.
Reviews (24)
Joe Byrne
Jan 20, 2022
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Becky Pearson
Jan 01, 2022
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Steve King
Dec 11, 2021
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Sheryl Croft
Nov 12, 2021
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Simeon Doolan
Oct 31, 2021
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Chris Hornby
Sep 15, 2021
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Michelle Dickson
Jun 15, 2021
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Mary Moore
Jun 13, 2021
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John Morgan
Jun 11, 2021
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Lidia S.
Dec 26, 2020
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Lisa Ross
Jun 07, 2020
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Jason W.
Dec 12, 2019
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Rebecca Buttall
Dec 02, 2019
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Christopher Malby-Tynan
Sep 02, 2019
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Valeria Romano
Nov 08, 2018
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Holger B.
Sep 20, 2016
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Located in a high-ceiling historical building and separated into a bar and a restaurant area, this place serves great food, served by nice people.
The restaurant area is like a big hall with long tables, which may not suit everybody, but they manage to keep a warm atmosphere, decorated with a few pieces of modern art. The kitchen is also open to this hall.
Reservation recommended.
The restaurant area is like a big hall with long tables, which may not suit everybody, but they manage to keep a warm atmosphere, decorated with a few pieces of modern art. The kitchen is also open to this hall.
Reservation recommended.
Rozwana H.
Jun 24, 2015
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Craig B.
Dec 21, 2014
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This is the best place of its kind in Hitchin. The food, service, environment and ambiance all feels very 'London' and I mean that in a good way. This also means the prices are higher than most places in the area but you are paying for quality so it is worth the extra cough. You can either pop in for a drink at the bar or book in for lunch or dinner in the restaurant area. If you're a local or not I would recommend you give this place a go.
Johannah H.
Oct 23, 2014
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I'm not a Hitchin local but this is worth a stop by if for the bathrooms and nothing else. The boudoir theme was fun as was the decor in the main bar. We had an excellent selection of shots involving baileys and jam, always fun at the end of a night out. The clientele are mixed too - not just young folks but some old soaks like me and family groups. Apparently the food is excellent - this being yummy mummy territory that's a good sign. My review is based on drinks only but I'll head back for eats next time I'm there for sure.
J. S.
Aug 15, 2014
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Definitely the best "upmarket" or "gastro" type bar/restaurant you'll find in Hitchin. The food is spectacular and there's a reason you usually have to book well in advance at the weekends when trying to dine here.
Decent selection of beers, ales and wines on tap as well.
It's not a cheap place to go, but I think you get what you pay for.
Decent selection of beers, ales and wines on tap as well.
It's not a cheap place to go, but I think you get what you pay for.
Sue L.
Aug 19, 2013
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Hitchin is rapidly becoming the food centre for Hertfordshire and The Hermitage must be one of its star attractions. A former dance hall that had seen better days The Herm has now been reinvented and feels like walking into a little bit of New York.
There is energy, style and great cocktails at this restaurant. The food is good too. I particularly like that they source food locally, for example the bread comes from Quotidian in Sun Street - a fabulous bakery but dont go on a Monday as they are closed!
Sharing plates, Sunday brunches, birthday parties, and noise are all to be found here
There is energy, style and great cocktails at this restaurant. The food is good too. I particularly like that they source food locally, for example the bread comes from Quotidian in Sun Street - a fabulous bakery but dont go on a Monday as they are closed!
Sharing plates, Sunday brunches, birthday parties, and noise are all to be found here
Jennifer N.
Nov 16, 2012
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Rob H.
Oct 13, 2012
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This place looks great and has a feeling that you are in New York or a London restaurant not Hitchin. Food here is great, been a few times, the latest was for a Sunday carve your own roast. Brilliant idea, get 6 people together and then you get a roast with all the trimmings to carve at the table. We had beef which was tender and more than enough for all. Roasties were to die for... all good. Also been for dinner and can recommend the platters.
They can be a bit funny about letting you in just for drinks, trying to keep the bar unclustered but the atmosphere is worth it. Great little coffee
They can be a bit funny about letting you in just for drinks, trying to keep the bar unclustered but the atmosphere is worth it. Great little coffee
Hannah L.
Mar 05, 2012
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So disappointed! The place looks great and I was looking forward to supporting a local business instead of a chain restaurant in Hitchin. They've done a great job converting the space and it looks really good. But the customer service is absolutely the worst I have received in a very long time (actually, maybe the worst ever?!!).
First of all, I tried 4 times to make a reservation, 3 phone calls and 1 email. I kept being promised a return phone call, but it never came and my email was never returned. When I finally did get a reservation the evening was such a disappointment. And it was not
First of all, I tried 4 times to make a reservation, 3 phone calls and 1 email. I kept being promised a return phone call, but it never came and my email was never returned. When I finally did get a reservation the evening was such a disappointment. And it was not
