It's really unfortunate for Serendipity that they are literally right next door to a Starbucks…read more I'm sure the Starbucks gets far more attention, and that's just sad. Serendipity is a charming little coffee shop in the centre of Hertford. They boast a ginormous menu which is handwritten on a giant chalkboard on the wall. It is so jampacked full of delicious choices that the letters are scrunched together and bursting from the board. So far I've only tried a veggie wrap and wasn't disappointed. It was chock full of lovely fresh veg. You can eat indoors and have a browse through the artwork and various knick-knacks for sale or you can sit outside to watch the shoppers wandering past. My only complaint is that the staff don't appear to be fully trained barristas. They advertise chai lattes (my fave!), but on the two occasions I have ordered it, I'm met with a blank stare and then presented with various drinks that are either not chai or not a latte. Guess I'll have to go next door for that!

If this is the cafe near Waitrose then this is the most fabulous eating place around. The choice is…read morephenomenal! I have visited here many a time with friends and we are never disappointed! The choice of milkshakes alone can keep you standing there for minutes trying to decide. I usually go for the rhubarb and custard one but my friend really likes the gingerbread one!! The wraps are so full that it's a struggle to get through them but we manage!!! Each wrap comes with a salad and some crisps too so make sure you are hungry when you go!!!I highly recommend this for a girlie lunch out!! The staff are lovely and welcoming too which makes for a good atmosphere.

This place came at the recommendation of a colleague who lives in St. Albans. Having been raised in…read morethe Itlaian neighborhoods of the NY suburbs, I have relatively high standards for an Italian deli. And this is a great little deli. The locals seem to flock to this place pretty frequently. The owners new customers by name (always a great sign), and there was a line when we got there (which moved quickly). Plenty of pastas, paninis, antipastas, and more. We placed a massive order for 5 people and sat outside. Everything was delivered quickly and we ate while reaching our forks over each other's plates to make sure everything was tried, and nothing was missed. I didn't spend too much time looking, but there is a little shop as well which offers different sauces, pastas, etc. for purchase. They all look delicious, and great for a gift basket.

Lovely little authentic Italian deli with seating inside and out to sip the great coffee.read more

For any of you foddies out there, this is the place to go. They have a great selection of meats,…read morecheeses, pickles, and all the usual deli items. But the best bit about this place is their cafe. It is quite small, and very popular so there is often a queue for a seat. However, it is well worth the wait. Their hot meat sandwiches are to die for, and at around £3.50 won't break the bank. They are served with a side salad and homestyle crisps, so it is like a proper meal. I also love their posh ceese on toast, which is melted Brie, on thick slices of breadyummy. Even their coffees are great. The inside is decorated in a retro style, ice cream colours and there is even a cute bunting around the doors. The best cafe in Hitchin by far.

A very different kind of shop and it's the pride of Hitchin town centre. It's situated just off the…read moremarket place and at first glance it seems to be a very fine delicatessen (which indeed it is). But what makes it unique is that it specialies in local produce and will actually buy stock from locals (grown in allottments or gardens) for sale in the shop - what a fantastic concept and very much in line with the spirit of the age. The window displays are particularly mouth-watering and truly enticing, the staff very friendly and the produce always of the highest quality. It's not cheap but what it sells is well worth paying the extra for.

You feel like you are in Italy in this place. It is very white and minimal with that sort of…read moreItalian deli vibe...I can't quite put it properly. It looks has the ambiance of a butcher's shop but in a good way. This is a good place to have an authentic Italian coffee or get a desert or anti-pasti snack. It is a cafe but not a restaurant, by any means. This is an authentic Italian workmans cafe sort of place. Very charming.

Always a good source of Italian food…read more I prefered to shop here than to go to the local supermarkets ( ASDA and M&S). I only wish I had somewhere like this where I live now. Its a homely delicatessen. I recommend the honey roast ham....unless you don't eat pork that is...

A brilliant little place, stocking all kinds of locally-sourced meat, cheese, bread and condiments,…read moreas well as wines, beers and desserts. Service is friendly and helpful and there's a nice teashop right next door.

I popped in here just to see if they had any cranberry sauce, but I could have spent a fortune in…read morethere. They have a fantastic selection of cheese, cured meats and all manner of pickles, sauces and chutneys. Everything is from local producers and is really fresh. You have to go in and see for yourself.

I love this little shop in Vicky Park Village! With a good cheese selection in the back, it…read morecompletes the 'village' feel of the area, complementing the nearby butcher, fishmonger, greengrocers, dry cleaner, and pharmacy. There's a good selection of cordials and juice, olives and antipasto as well as organic dry goods. The Deli is also home to a cafe so you can stop by and relax with a tea or coffee. Prices are reasonable and you can, of course, buy everything in small quantities.

We had a rare Monday off work. The sun was shining, we'd had a walk around Victoria Park and we…read morefancied a brunch-y type offering but couldn't deal with the hoardes of children at the Pavilion Cafe. The Refreshment Room at the Deli Downstairs provided the answer. Amazing Croque Madame (only quibble would be the fried egg was a leeetle bit underdone), a bacon sandwich on really good bread with nice thick bacon and two yummy flat whites. We sat outside on recycled tables, drinking from re-purposed yoghurt pots (the posh terracotta French kind- not plastic pots!) and admired the selection of tea towels they had for sale. Service was fast and friendly, the food tasty and filling and the whole thing cost less than £15. Two happy campers!

Was looking for a little bit of my NYC home in London. Got the chopped liver which came with…read morelightly toasted challah bread. Just the way my mom made it. They offer some good choices for brunch. Had the lox with latkes and sour cream. Lox was fresh and the latkes were on point. Sat at the bar and had friendly conversation with the bartender and servers. If you're planning on coming after 1, make a reservation. Looking forward to coming back here upon my return to the area.

Man, a legit Jewish deli in East London! I've been complaining about the lack of sandwiches in…read moreLondon for so long, and this place does not disappoint! Tried their Reuben (with pastrami) and the Braised Brisket - both were fantastic. Highly highly recommend trying their pastrami, as it was cooked to perfection. The first bite sent you into this kind of food-orgasm-coma where you had to kindly remind yourself that you're in public and you should probably not be making noises like that. The owner and the staff were super friendly! Things were a bit slow but only because it was their first day open - every business has kinks to work out on opening day. Totally worth the wait, and prices are on average with other places in the area. Will definitely be going back!

A sleeper artisan genuine Italian deli with magnificent service and food. Value for lunch is…read moreexceptional especially considering the high brow valueless restaurants on the same block that only are one in the evening for the highgate and highgate clientele