A review of the chemistry and applications of cyclotriveratrylenes (CTVs) and cryptophanes is given. Synthetic approaches to CTVs and cryptophanes are discussed, including the recently reported mild cyclization conditions and strategies for the synthesis of lower symmetry cryptophanes. Host– guest and inclusion chemistry is surveyed, including binding of neutral and organic cations by cryptophanes in solution, clathrate structures of CTVs, the anion‐binding abilities of metalled CTVs and cryptophanes, the fullerene‐binding abilities of CTVs, and xenon binding by cryptophanes and their potential applications in xenon biosensors for imaging applications. The uses of CTVs and crytophanes as molecular platforms for other supramolecular chemistry applications are also discussed. These include development of coordination polymers with CTVs and cryptophanes; organic and metallo‐supramolecular prism‐like assemblies, some of which show unusual molecular topologies; and self‐organized systems such as liquid crystals and gels.