Crossword Genius

A place to drink and eat out and hitch back (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tearoom

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'eat out and hitch back' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'a place to drink' is the wordplay.
'a place' becomes 'room' (I've seen this before).
'to' means one lot of letters go next to another (I've seen this in other clues).
'drink' becomes 'tea' (tea is a drink).
'room' put after 'tea' is 'TEAROOM'.

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tearoom that I've seen before include "Cafeteria" , "Restaurant for light meals" , "Place for light refreshments" , "Where light refreshments are served" , "Place in which a cuppa is served" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app