8 Places to eat in Reading Berkshire England

One one of the reasons I love being a blogger is because I am occasionally given an opportunity to check out local places to eat!

Reading, like most towns, are constantly changing and growing and 2017 saw some great new places to eat open up! Also a few staples/classics had a bit of a revamp on their menu's and I was there to check them out. Saying that I thought I would round up all the places I visited in one post to hopefully help those who are looking for somewhere new to try!

I have listed them 1-8 one being my favorite - now everyone's tastes and experiences are different so I can only go on my tastes and experiences, but I hope it helps if you are from the area or are visiting!

1. Pho Restaurant - 1 - 1a King's Rd, Reading RG1 2HG

The place I crave:
This is listed as my number one place because I have been back several times and it's the place I suggest to friends and family when we are looking for somewhere to go! I crave the rice bowl and the Vietnamese coffee they serve here. So, if you're like me and love noodles, rice, and soup give this place a visit!

2. The Real Greek - The Oracle, Bridge St, Reading RG1 2AT

The 'something' different place:
Like Pho, I have visited The Real Greek a few times since I have reviewed it. The food and atmosphere are great and if are looking for something different then the typical restaurant, you know the places that rely on burgers and fries, I couldn't recommend this place more!

3. Pavlov's Dog - 21-23 St Mary's Butts, Reading RG1 2LN

The place for fun:

This was a bit of a surprise really, having walked past it a million times in the years I have lived here, but have never go in my friend and I had a great night here. The food was typical pub food, but we couldn't fault it. My favorites were the appetisers and cocktails which is exactly what you want from a pub! Also we agreed, after playing Mario Kart on a Nintendo Game Cube, that this was a fun place to go! 

4. The Botanist - 1-5 King St, Reading RG1 2HB

The cool place: 

It is so cool in here. It's like the big sibling of restaurants - you want to hang out here and just be a part of all the things that go on here! They have musical bingo and live music and hanging kebabs! Like the last three places I have been here more then once and have to say it's worth a visit! 

5. Cau - The Oracle, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2AQ

The place for meat lovers: 

Not to say there isn't anything for vegetarians, but really this place is all about the meat... beef more specifically. I had the best steak sandwich I have ever had. Cau's menu is a mix of food inspired by Italy, Spain and Argentina and is overall a big win for me!

6. Wrap it Up! - Unit 1, 10-14 Duke St, Reading RG1 4RU

The place for lunch: 

I say that it is the place for lunch, but these wraps are full meal in themselves so could satisfy one for dinner as well! I have only been twice, but both times the flavor combinations blew me away! If you work in town they deliver to offices and if I worked in town I would have one too many of these! 

7. Franco Manco - The Oracle, Bridge St, Reading RG1 2AT

The pizza place:
Sometimes I feel very overwhelmed at restaurants when I have too much to choose from and I found it really refreshing that they have a small menu and a special menu that changes occasionally. The quality of the pizza's is on point and they really pay attention to the details. If you go in the summer try the pesto, it's the best thing I have ever tried.

8. Walkabout - Wiston Terrace, Reading RG1 1DG

The place for a night out: 

The food here was good, I tried a kangaroo burger it was a bit gamey, but it's not the first place I would think of for food. However, it's been revamped and looks great inside and I believe would be a great place for a good night out. The cocktails and atmosphere were spot on! 

A few other places I visited the past year and worth mentioning are:
7Bone Burger - 60 St Mary's Butts, Reading RG1 2LG
Bluegrass BBQ - 15 Gun St, Reading RG1 2JR
Revolución De Cuba - 138-141 Friar St, Reading RG1 1EX

I can't wait to see what 2018 will bring to Reading! Do you have a favorite local place? I would love to hear about it in the comments below!

* Each restaurant is linked to my review for more pictures and information!! -- I had been invited to review all of these places - I was not asked to give a positive review and all opinions are my own please see my contact/policy page above for more information. If you have a local place you'd like me to review email me at unitedcakedom@gmail.com and I will get back to you!

Wrap it Up!! - Reading, Berkshire {restaurant review} NOW CLOSED

An article written at the end of 2015 says that Reading is growing faster then London. 

It stated that: Reading is expected to out perform most of the country in terms of growth in the coming years. A recent economic forecast by EY Economics for Business, a part of Ernst & Young which provides analysis for businesses says Reading will grow faster than London in the next three years.

In the next three years ... it's only the second year and this town has had some big changes. There have been big store openings (Ikea) and lots of improvements (rail station). There are these big changes and then there are the little ones like the many restaurant openings I have been invited to in the past 6 months! 

Tucked a way in a quieter part of town on Duke Street opened an alternative solution to the common question of what to have for lunch today?  

Wrap it Up! opened up earlier this year and I had an opportunity to stop in when I was wondering around town one day!

It wasn't hard for me to decide which wrap to try... I mean come on I am an American so I had to try the American smokey: slow cooked pulled beef brisket filled with Boston beans, crunchy gherkin slaw, grated Monterey Jack cheese, and crispy onions. 

The best thing about wraps is that it is literally your lunch (breakfast or dinner) wrapped up in one soft tortilla! The American one had it all for me, well seasoned beef brisket with the the softness of beef and the crunchy slaw it satisfied taste and texture! No extra sauce was needed, if you know me I like my dips and sauces, but this needed nothing else! 

The menu is full of creative and great sounding wraps! I can't wait to visit again and try something new, although I did love this wrap and would be tempted to get it again! They also have breakfast wraps and cater for offices - visit them or the website for more information! 

via

There is no denying that Reading is growing and I am all for that if it means more great places to get a bite to eat! If you have a day wondering around town like I did or need an all-in-one lunch for a quick lunch break why not give them a visit? If you do or already have let me know which wrap I should try next in the comments below! 

CLOSED
Wrap it Up! 

Unit 1 10-14 Duke Street

Reading

RG1 4RU

UPDATE - I made a second visit to Wrap it Up! and ordered the new Greek Koto and was not disappointed! The best thing about these wraps is they have everything you need in one wrap and the flavor combinations are amazing!! I will be visiting again!!

*I was asked to visit and provided with a voucher to try a wrap of my choice, no other compensation was given - all opinions are my own please see my content/policy page for more information.