Ziba

You'll smell the cardamom and rose water before you even step through the door of this lovely Persian café that's become Hitchin's worst-kept secret. The tables fill up fast with regulars who've cottoned on to the fact that this is where you come for proper Middle Eastern pastries, not the usual high street fare. The baklava here is stupidly good – flaky, not too sweet, and clearly made by someone who knows what they're doing. Their Persian tea service is the real deal too, served in proper glasses that make you slow down and actually taste what you're drinking. It's the kind of place where the owner remembers your order, and Tuesday closure feels like a personal affront to your weekly routine.