10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Reading

Reading’s dining scene has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, with a host of forward-thinking venues adding to its already impressive collection of restaurants. There are options for every kind of culinary desire spread across town, with traditional Italian and Polish eateries positioned right alongside funky modern bistros and cocktail bars.

Plus, Reading has a flourishing café scene with plenty of places to score an outstanding combo of coffee and cake. Here, we’ve selected just a few of the great local dining options on offer, ensuring some of your time in Reading is spent on enjoying delicious cuisine.

1. Coconut Bar & Kitchen

Sample pan-Asian cuisine and potent cocktails

Good for: Food

Coconut Bar & Kitchen is situated in the heart of Reading’s bustling town center. The popular joint serves up a variety of cuisines from across Asia, using locally-sourced ingredients that jam-pack flavor into everything coming out of the kitchen. From Japanese katsu curry and vermicelli noodles to Korean bibimbap, the spices and aromas outshine most in Reading.

Once you’ve finished lunch or dinner, it’s time to indulge in one of the bar’s expertly made cocktails. These vibrant creations pack a punch that’s just as powerful as the meals. Plus, you can even take part in a cocktail-making masterclass and learn how to put a modern twist on some classic beverages.

Location: 62 St Mary’s Butts, Reading RG1 2LG, UK

Open: Monday–Thursday from 11 am to 1 am, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 2 am, Sunday from 11.30 am until midnight

Phone: +44 (0)1189 598877

2. Piwnica

Taste the flavors of Poland at this charming local favorite

Good for: Food

Piwnica is where diners in the know head when in the mood for some hearty Polish dishes. Located within a charming 19th-century cellar, the restaurant has kitschy décor with dolls, knick-knacks and scenic paintings.

The menu has a wide array of traditional dishes, ranging from pastries with smoked cheese to stroganoff and authentic pierogi dumplings. There are also beloved brands of imported Polish beer to help wash down your meal, while desserts range from sweet cheese crepes to flavored vodkas. Piwnica keeps Reading’s sizeable Polish community happy year-round.

Location: 81 London Rd, Reading RG1 5BY, UK

Open: Daily from noon to 11 pm

Phone: +44 (0)1189 589908

3. Quattro

Soak up the warm atmosphere and dine on some of Italy’s finest flavors

Good for: Food

Quattro has remained close to the hearts of Reading’s residents for more than 30 years, having been owned and operated by the same family over the decades. The restaurant serves up some of the town’s most authentic Italian cuisine.

Its menu features an outstanding selection of antipasti, pizza and pasta, as well as elegantly presented meat and fish dishes. The expansive wine list is also a highlight, while a specials menu offers new meals to try every week. Like all good Italian restaurants, Quattro is renowned for its intimate vibe that welcomes everyone into the family.

Location: 14 Prospect St, Reading RG4 8JG, UK

Open: Wednesday–Sunday from 5 pm to 9 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

Phone: +44 (0)1189 483070

4. Pepe Sale

Classic dishes from the gastronomic heartland of Sardinia

Good for: Food

At Pepe Sale, the flavors of Sardinia are what matter most. It’s led by owner and head chef Toni Sale, who spends each morning hand-making pasta to be served that evening. And the difference is obvious once you order regional pasta dishes such as malloreddus (Sardinian gnocchi)and bottarga (salted and cured fish egg).

Pepe Sale’s comprehensive menu sticks to this theme, offering the chance to dive into a range of Sardinian specialties. Start the evening with pane carasau (traditional flatbread) before moving onto the main event like wild boar with white wine and chili or sea bream served with pan-fried olives and anchovies. For those feeling extra famished, don’t miss the slow-roasted suckling piglet.

Location: 3 Queens Walk, Reading RG1 7QF, UK

Open: Monday–Wednesday from 6 pm to 10.30 pm, Thursday from noon to 2.30 pm and from 6 pm to 10.30 pm, Friday–Saturday from noon to 2.30 pm and from 6 pm to 11 pm (closed on Sundays)

Phone: +44 (0)1189 597700

5. Zest

Eclectic dishes from around the globe

Good for: Food

Zest is one of the more serene restaurants in Reading. Set within the sprawling surrounds of Green Park, with 180 acres of landscaped gardens, the modern restaurant can be found along the waterfront. Chef Tony Cole is in charge and draws considerable culinary inspiration from his time learning the craft in leading Australian and New Zealand kitchens.

At Zest, you’ll be welcomed by a rich variety of dishes, ranging from spicy curries and juicy burgers to high-end sirloin steak. Take a wander through the gardens and then pop into Zest for a delicious lunchtime or evening meal.

Location: Lime Square, 220 S Oak Way, Greenpark, Reading RG2 6UP, UK

Open: Monday–Friday from noon to 3 pm and from 5 pm to 9 pm (closed on weekends)

Phone: +44 (0)1189 873702

6. Café Yolk

For great coffee and brunch offerings

Good for: Food

Café Yolk is the pick of the bunch when it comes to great brunch eateries in Reading. Opened in East Reading in 2013, owners Alexandra and Sunny felt the area was missing a top-notch breakfast spot. And they were proven right, as the café has gone from strength to strength since its launch.

Café Yolk provides locals with a special place to call their own, with the menu overflowing with appealing brunch options. There are much-loved classics like avocado toast, breakfast burgers and a classic English breakfast, while more adventurous choices include a Mexican-style brunch with cheesy potatos, chorizo and sour cream. Plus, the cafe’s coffee and fruit smoothies are excellent ways to start the day.

Location: 44 Erleigh Rd, Reading RG1 5NA, UK

Open: Daily from 8 am to 4 pm

Phone: +44 (0)1183 271055

7. Honest Burgers

Enjoy excellent burgers made with grass-fed beef

Good for: Food

Honest Burgers might be a chain, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting. Launched in 2011, it’s safe to say the restaurant has achieved its goal of serving Britain’s best burgers, with premium grass-fed beef coming straight from the Scottish Highlands. Since opening, Honest Burgers has expanded around England, with the Reading restaurant just around the corner from The Oracle shopping mall.

At Honest Burgers, each restaurant has its own unique meals and beverages – and Reading is no different. In collaboration with steak connoisseurs, The Beefsteaks, you can sample their goods alongside Waterloo cheese, bacon gravy and rosemary salted chips. Meanwhile, there are beers on tap from local brewers, including Wild Weather Ales and Siren Craft Brew.

Location: 1-5 King St, Reading RG1 2HB, UK

Open: Thursday–Friday until 10 pm, Sunday–Wednesday from noon to 9 pm

Phone: +44 (0)1183 593216

8. Sweeney and Todd

Enjoy some outstanding English pies

Good for: Food

Sweeney and Todd have been serving delicious pies in Reading for more than 30 years. As one of the longest-running restaurants in town, it’s remained popular over the years by offering an abundance of great flavors alongside consistently flaky pastry.

Across classic steak, lamb and mint, chicken and leek, and a plethora of other tasty combinations, the giant portion sizes go great with the eatery’s selection of wine and beer. Pop into the deli at the front of the restaurant to grab other goodies like cold meats, scotch eggs and pasties.

Location: 10 Castle St, Reading RG1 7RD, UK

Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 10.30 pm

Phone: +44 (0)1189 586466

9. Nibsy’s Coffee Shop

Serving gluten-free sandwiches and dairy-free coffee

Good for: Food

Nibsy’s has been a standout café in Reading since 2014. It’s rapidly grown in popularity not only due to its great food and coffee but also because the entire menu is gluten-free. Head along to choose from a wealth of fresh sandwiches, quiches, wraps and salads, while sweet-tooths will also find decadent slices of cake and other snacks.

Like all good cafes, the quality of coffee is of utmost importance. Winchester Coffee Roasters handles the roasting process locally, providing the perfect match for Nibsy’s choice of milk that includes cow, almond, soy, lactose-free, and oat.

Location: 26 Cross St, Reading RG1 1SN, UK

Open: Monday from 8.30 am to 5 pm, Tuesday–Friday from 8.30 am to 5.15 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm

Phone: +44 (0)1189 597809

10. Valpy Street

A bistro-style menu paired with awesome cocktails

Good for: Food

Valpy Street’s contemporary dishes contrast perfectly with its historic location. Occupying the former newsroom of the Reading Chronicle, the restaurant is just a short walk from Reading Station. Adding a touch of class to the center of town, Valpy Street’s renowned bistro-style menu has earned the restaurant fans from both near and far.

Serving a selection of first-rate burgers, braised lamb shank and baked falafel, there are also numerous vegan and vegetarian options, ensuring the venue is popular with diners of all varieties. The cellar bar is also a hit, with an expert team curating its extensive wine and cocktail list.

Location: 17-19 Valpy St, Reading RG1 1AR, UK

Open: Monday–Thursday from 11 am to 11 pm, Friday–Saturday until midnight (closed on Sundays)

Phone: +44 (0)1183 271331

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