About Halsey's Deli & Eatery
Halsey's sits in a Tudor building on Hitchin's Market Place and calls itself the town's first provisioner: the shop has been selling food and drink here since 1854. Today it is part deli, part eatery, and the cheese counter is the draw. Expect British favorites such as Cheddar, Red Leicester, Cornish Yarg and Bath Blue alongside Comté, Gruyère, Pecorino Romano, Roquefort, Gorgonzola and cave-aged Picos de Europa, with crackers, pickles and chutneys to go with them. Loose-leaf teas and coffee beans are sold to take home too.
In the eatery, breakfast is served all day, from egg baps with streaky bacon or Lincolnshire sausage to a fully loaded bap with sausage, bacon and fried egg; croissants are baked daily, and the team suggests arriving around 8am for a warm one. Lunch brings toasties on white bloomer, a halloumi or pulled pork bap, and a signature bubble and squeak, made fresh rather than from leftovers and topped with a fried egg.
The cake counter covers sponges such as Persian lemon and chocolate orange, cannoli in pistachio, Sicilian lemon or chocolate hazelnut, muffins, cookies and traybakes, with several gluten-free and vegan choices. Halsey's is open 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 5pm on Sunday.
Hitchin Lavender at Cadwell Farm, Ickleford, is about 10 minutes north of the town center, so Halsey's works well for breakfast before the lavender fields or for picking up cheese and bread for later.
What to do
- Choose British and European cheeses at the deli counter
- Order an all-day breakfast bap or a warm morning croissant
- Try the signature bubble and squeak with a fried egg
- Pick a cannoli in pistachio, Sicilian lemon or chocolate hazelnut
- Take home loose-leaf tea or coffee beans
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round, seven days a week
- Hours
- Monday–Saturday 8am–5pm, Sunday 9am–5pm
Tips for your visit
- Arrive around 8am for croissants warm from the oven
- Gluten-free and vegan bakes are marked on the menu
- There's no published phone number; use the contact form on their website
Pair it with a lavender farm
Hitchin Lavender · about 10 minutes away
Hitchin Lavender at Ickleford is about 10 minutes north, so start with breakfast at Halsey's before the lavender fields.
Getting there
Questions
How old is Halsey's?
The shop has served Hitchin since 1854, in a building dating to Tudor times.
Is breakfast served all day?
Yes, the breakfast baps are served all day.
Are there gluten-free or vegan options?
Yes, several cakes and bakes are gluten-free or vegan.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Hitchin & North Hertfordshire
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
