Reading - where to eat&drink

[rich0411]

Going to be going to Reading at the end of the month and wanted some suggestions where to go for a nice meal and some drinks after .. Close together would be good.. I'm staying near the oracle shopping centre.. Will I best just heading to there ..? I see there is a Miller & Carter there and I've always had a nice meal at the one in Solihull.. Any good bars in there that will be any good on a Wednesday night?

[Ynox]

Bars - I quite like http://www.saharabars.co.uk

Pubs - Allied Arms / The Ale House

Restaurants - http://www.pepesale.co.uk was ok. Otherwise I tend to chain it up (Nandos, Bella Italia etc when in Reading - usual suspects are all near the Oracle centre). Got to give a special mention to http://www.readingrestaurants.com/sweeney_todd/ too. Pretty good pies (I try to go every time I'm in Reading).

[bigandclever]

Ynox said:

Bars - I quite like http://www.saharabars.co.uk

That's a shame, it's shut. Well, re-opening as something else anyway.

Pepe Sale is fine, do a good suckling pig at the weekend. You've got London Street Brasserie at one end of the Oracle, then all the usual chain places (Wagamama, Giraffe, Nandos, and on and on). There's a Jamie's Italian place that was ste when it first opened but has got better, supposedly. There's Carluccio's in Forbury Square, Sweeney Todd is good for pies as mentioned, Oakford Social Club by the station does (arguably) the best made-on-premises burgers. You've got Malmaison opposite the station too.

Basically, there are plenty of places, and Reading ain't big so you won't be walking far

Bar-wise, I know nowt being an old fart, but there are plenty of pubs and 3 (three!) Wetherspoon's. Which probably tells you all you need to know What kind of night are you after?

[Ynox]

Bugger. Need to find somewhere else to go after kick out at the Allied Arms now!

[clarkey]

It's not exactly posh, but Sweeney Todd's pie shop is great, just down from the police station.

[skinny]

ah gutted about sahara, one of the few places in town capable of making a proper cocktail (i.e. without pre-made mixers!)

miller and carters is reasonable, a few doors down is the handmade burger company, opposite is mission burrito's if you wanted something a little dirtier, and down the road is london street brasserie if you don't.

[prand]

The Restaurant and cocktail bar at The Forbury Hotel (Cerise?) seemed fairly good when I went there (reasonable steak, lots of nice drink). A bit pricey.

Edited by prand on Thursday 7th March 10:26

[Miguel Alvarez]

For quick lunch time food I usually end up in Perry's (Jackson's Corner) great tasting West Indian food without being too rich and heavy. They're open till 8pm.

My brother has always been a fan of Sahara's for drinks or the Forum or whatever its called now opposite the station. For food he likes the Thai Corner next to Primark. I'm not a fan but when it comes to his choices we end up there.

I've yet to go to Jamie's. Other than that as above. Around that area its all pretty much the usual same thing. Pizza Express, Pizza Hut, Nandos, Wagamamas, Bella Italia, Yo Sushi etc etc.

[Puggit]

No haute cuisine at Sweeney Todds, but you get great pies and ale!

I always mention Mya Lacarte in Caversham, but it is a trek if you're not in Caversham. Fantastic bistro food.

[Davey S2]

Miguel Alvarez said:

I've yet to go to Jamie's.

Not been to the Reading one but I find Jamies massively overrated. Been several times with work and food has been average at best.

[Miguel Alvarez]

Davey S2 said:

Miguel Alvarez said:

I've yet to go to Jamie's.

Not been to the Reading one but I find Jamies massively overrated. Been several times with work and food has been average at best.

I'm not hoping for much. I've been to the one in Bicester a few times and always come away thinking that tasted "healthy" read mehhh. The crepe place in Bicester though is nom nom nom. But I'm digressing as usual.

[sidekickdmr]

My second favorate local spot is "Zero degrees" great decor, fantastic pizzas and mussels, and they brew their own been on site too.

Right next to the oracle too

Check it out!

[Gareth1974]

Stayed in Reading last night on business, went to the Alehouse as recommended above, thought it was excellent, very good selection of beers.

[dapprman]

clarkey said:

It's not exactly posh, but Sweeney Todd's pie shop is great, just down from the police station.

+1 from me.

Been a while since I last ate there - is it the same old staff ? if so the way main waitress (who I believe was the owner) spoke could be best described as hearing her voice audibly rise several social levels (to badly paraphrase Terry Pratchett)