17 Food And Drink Spots You Must Visit In Reading

It's only 25 minutes on the train from London, dontcha know.

1. Café YOLK

Café YOLK / Via Facebook: cafeyolk

When I first moved to Reading I made it my priority to seek out the best place to head for brunch, and the popular consensus was that Café YOLK are responsible for serving up the best in town.

They won South East regional Cafe/Bistro of the Year in The Food Awards England, probably in part thanks to their infamous fry-ups, and as their name might suggest, their incredible eggs. This is obviously the place to go for your eggs benny fix.

2. Picnic

Picnic / Via Twitter: @picnicfoods

Lovingly known as “The Kings of Coffee Corner” (a title with extremely satisfying alliteration), Picnic is an adorable cafe that can be found by Reading’s Market Place. They serve up gorgeous coffees produced with ethically sourced arabica beans, alongside teas, smoothies and a tempting selection of locally baked cakes, which include gluten and dairy free options.

You can eat in or take away any of their salad ‘picnic boxes’, which make an ideal lunch. The menu changes every Monday and there's always a tempting choice.

3. Workhouse Coffee

instagram.com / Via Instagram: @workhousecoffee

Workhouse Coffee has been serving up a unique coffee experience in Reading town centre for almost 10 years.

There are about a dozen varieties of coffee beans available, and customers are encouraged to get involved in the creation of their coffee – my dad was given a quick lesson in latte art last week (though hasn’t quite mastered the art as well as the team yet). Speaking of the team, they’re lovely and keen to help you discover the roast that suits you best (for me, it’s the Butterscotch bean!) and even offer up free tasting and experience evenings for coffee lovers to learn more about the specific origins available.

4. Tasting House

Tasting House / Via Facebook: Tasting

This is a great spot for an evening of sophisticated, educational drinking. It’s a shop, bar and private event space with a fantastic selection of over 200 wines from around the world, as well as delicious charcuterie and cheeses to snack on as you imbibe.

I popped in with a date and we were able to enjoy the great variety of wines using the Enomatic – one of those cool machines that you slot a pre-paid card into to receive taster servings of the available wines for as little as 50p each. It makes it easier (and cheaper) to discover which wine is your favourite without drinking the bar dry and making a fool of yourself in front of your date!

5. Manhattan Coffee Club

instagram.com / Via Instagram: @frolickingfashionista

Despite being found in the middle of The Oracle shopping centre, this ethical coffee house is completely independent. The interior echoes the feel of New York City’s early twentieth century, with steel tables and chairs, reclaimed wooden counters and dark brick, but the large glass windows and doors bring the light in to make it feel bright.

The coffee and cakes served in MCC (the muffins are particularly good FYI), come with a side of social and ethical responsibility; the club has teamed up with charities to ensure that with each drink sold, money and help goes towards children and families in Guatemala. The definition of coffee with a conscience!

6. Milk

instagram.com / Via instagram.com

Milk is a bar that has a particular love of rum, but if you prefer your cocktails with gin or vodka, that’s okay too, because the cocktail menu here has been created in-house by a very skilled team. But this is more than just a bar, it’s a live music and comedy venue too, and DJs play regularly. It’s a mixed crowd with a variety of ages, so you’ll struggle to feel out of place here.

7. London Street Brasserie

instagram.com / Via Instagram: @muellarman

Serving British and French dishes, the London Street Brasserie has been recognised by Michelin as being one of the finest restaurants in Reading. It serves up elegant and luxurious foods from within its Grade 1 listed building on the banks of the beautiful Kennet river.

The wine list is extensive yet affordable, and though this is one of the more pricy restaurants in town, the quality of the food is reflected in the prices. If you’re really looking for something a bit special, you can’t go far wrong with the impressive Limoncello Souffle!

8. Coconut Bar & Kitchen

Come2uStudio Coconut Bar & Kitchen Facebook / Via Facebook: coconutbarkitchen

The experience you have at this hybrid bar and kitchen will depend on when you pay it a visit. During the week and at lunch times expect a laid back atmosphere where you can everything from Korean BiBimBap hot stone bowls to Chinese dim sum, Japanese gyoza and Thai curries. Where possible (and appropriate) the ingredients are all locally sourced.

However, in the evenings and at weekends the atmosphere becomes electric, with DJs playing music as vibrant as the cocktails they serve. There are over 50 cocktails on the menu, some classic but many created in-house by the talented mixology team.

9. Royal Tandoori

Royal Tandoori / Via royaltandoorireading.com

Reading has more than its fair share of Indian restaurants serving up all the nation’s favourite dishes, but Royal Tandoori sits higher on the quality spectrum, with its extensive menu of regional Indian dishes.

Try the Jeera Chicken for your starter; tender pieces of chicken breast in a spiced sauce; before heading onto something a bit more saucy for your main course.

10. The Lyndhurst

The Lyndhurst / Via Facebook: lyndhurstreading

The Lyndhurst can be found just on the outskirts of town, and I have it on good authority that it is a popular haunt of the hospital staff based around the corner. It’s no surprise, what with the great selection of beers and wines, and the intimate old school decor. The menu also has something to suit all tastes, including plenty of vegetarian dishes.

The double duck scotch egg is heralded as a must order – I always think you can judge a pub on the quality of its scotch egg, and the same goes for their pub quiz, which this one hosts on Sunday nights.

11. Pepe Sale

Pepe Sale / Via pepesale.co.uk

Making their pasta fresh every morning, Pepe Sale offer Sardinian specialities which has seen them awarded the title of Best Italian Establishment in the South at the Food Awards England.

With house specials including the weekend’s suckling pig dish and a beautifully creamy tiramisu, this is the perfect place to head if you want an authentic taste of Italy.

12. Sushi Mania

Fangyi Liu / Via facebook.com

Sushi is always pretty good, but when it’s served fresh, it’s incredible, and that’s exactly what it is at Sushi Mania. Served here is every variation of sushi and sashimi you could possibly want, and it’s all affordable as well as delicious. But it's not just sushi; it's also ramen bowls, crispy and hot gyoza, tempura and ribs. There is so much to enjoy that it's easy to go a bit crazy when you order, especially if you have eyes as big as my belly!

13. Tutu's Ethiopian Table

Tutu's Ethiopian Kitchen / Via Facebook: Ethiopiantable

Tutu, the namesake of this Ethiopian restaurant found within the RISC Global Cafe, learnt to cook back in Ethiopia where her and her sisters were taught by her mother. She brought her cooking over to Reading in 1991 where she has since adapted her recipes a little to accommodate British tastes – but never straying too far from the genuine flavours of Ethiopian food.

Her full Ethiopian menu is served for lunch and dinner 5 days a week, featuring a selection of meat and vegetarian stews served with Injera, a spongy like pancake perfect for scooping up the varied flavours of the stews.

14. The Goring Grocer

instagram.com / Via Instagram: @goringgrocer

Now opened for just over a year, The Goring Grocer is owned by hubby and wife team Caroline and Stuart. With 44 years of cooking experience, Stuart and his kitchen team cook and bake stunning pastries, breads, soups and salads on site Monday to Saturday every week.

While you can’t enjoy the food on site, The Goring Grocer is a deli that offers everything from home-cooked ready meals to stunningly indulgent pastries to enjoy at home, as well as beautiful Neal’s Yard cheeses, charcuterie, hummus and fresh soups.

You’d be a fool not to grab yourself a gorgeously flakey sausage roll or one of their infamous Portuguese Custard Tarts to enjoy by the river.

15. The Bosco Lounge

The Bosco Lounge / Via Facebook: boscolounge

Found in Woodley just down the road, the Bosco Lounge is part of a family of neighbourhood cafes and bars, all of which offer the same laid-back, comforting atmosphere – a great place for families and friends to relax with a coffee, slice of cake, brunch or bigger meal. There are full menus provided for vegans and gluten free folks – and not just a few dishes, either.

Though this place is fantastic in summer, with its big bi-folding window, it's also perfect for winter nights, snuggled up with a board game or in book swap corner.

16. The Boat House Deli & Cafe

The Boat House / Via Facebook: SwanatStreatley

On the banks of the Thames in Streatley, just outside of Reading, you’ll find this idyllic spot for relaxed lunches with stunning views. With its "Ferrari of coffee machines”, river-side walkers can stop off to refuel, as both muddy boots and pooches are welcome.

The menu includes a delicious selection of freshly prepared kitchen salads, quiches and hearty sandwiches to eat in or take-away, and while the kitchen closes at 3pm, cakes, sandwiches and toasties are available until 5.30pm.

17. The Pot Kiln

The Pot Kiln / Via Facebook: potkiln

Based in an area of outstanding natural beauty, The Pot Kiln is widely regarded as one of the best pubs in the country, let alone the Reading area. This country pub and game restaurant is run by Mike Robinson who also owns London’s Michelin-starred Harwood Arms.

Naturally game is focus of the menu, with local free-range, organic and humanely reared wild game available – no surprise considering the restaurant has its own deer park, which just so happens to provide beautiful views over the Berkshire downs.

I used to come to this pub a lot as a teenager, and have fond memories of the outdoor stone baked pizza nights which still happen, weather permitting. It’s easy to spend an entire day here enjoying drinks, food and the views, and you'll never feel like you’ve outstayed your welcome.