10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Reading

Coconut Bar & Kitchen is situated in the heart of Reading's bustling town centre. The popular joint serves up a variety of cuisines from across Asia, using locally-sourced ingredients that jam-pack flavour 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 drinks.

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 flavoured vodkas. Piwnica keeps Reading's sizeable Polish community happy year-round.

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.

At Pepe Sale, the flavours 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 specialities. Start the evening with pane carasau (traditional flatbread) before moving onto the main event like wild boar with white wine and chilli or sea bream served with pan-fried olives and anchovies. For those feeling extra famished, don't miss the slow-roasted suckling piglet.

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.

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 potatoes, chorizo and sour cream. Plus, the cafe's coffee and fruit smoothies are excellent ways to start the day.

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 centre.

At Honest Burgers, each restaurant has its own unique meals and drinks – 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.

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 flavours 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.

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.