Edible Reading has always been based on feedback from readers, and the vast majority of places I review are requested or recommended by people who read and follow the blog. If you want to get involved you can email me, comment on this blog post or give me your suggestions on Twitter.
I’m happy to consider going anywhere on duty provided it’s in Reading, or close enough that it’s easily accessible by public transport. Although it doesn’t have to be in Reading – nowadays I review as far east as London and as far west as Bristol, along with reviews here and there from Oxford, Newbury, Maidenhead and many other towns closer to Reading. I tend to review independent restaurants and cafes; I’ve got nothing against chains, but unless they’re a new, small, interesting or unusual chain I’m not sure a review from me generally adds much. Most of us know what it’s like to eat in a Pizza Express.
I also like to give new places at least a month to find their feet before I go and review them. It’s very tempting to be hot off the press with the first review of Pho, or Comptoir Libanais, or Thames Lido, but it’s all about trying to get an idea of what a representative meal at a restaurant might be like and the first month, when restaurants are finding their feet and the staff are all jelling, is unlikely to show you that.
I never tell restaurants in advance that I’m visiting, and I never announce the subject of any review ahead of time.
The list below is my current to do list – I update it regularly as new places open or as I get round to reviewing any given restaurant. Let me know what you think is missing!
Amee’s Kitchen
Bijan’s Kitchen, Henley
The Bina
Biryani Mama
Blissful Umami
Bolan Thai
Bombay Brothers
Bombay Story, Wokingham
The Bull, Arborfield
Calico (opened December 2022)
Cattle Grid
Chaiiwala
The Cheesy Grape, Henley
Cherwell Boathouse, Oxford
Chilli’s
Chillim Kitchen
The Coriander Club (opened 6/12/23)
The Cross Keys, Newbury
De Nata (opened Mar 24)
Deccan House
Doner & Gyros
Dough Bros (opened Mar 24)
El Cerdo, Maidenhead
The Fox and Hounds, Theale
Good Old Days Hong Kong Ltd.
Green Chilli, Wokingham
The Greyhound
Gringo Loco, Henley (opened Feb 24)
The Herd, Pangbourne
House Of Flavours
Istanbul Mangal
Ji Chickens
Jollibee
Karak Chai & Coffee
KhonKaen Thai Cuisine, Newbury
Malmaison
Manzano’s
Marugame Udon (opened Apr 23)
Mori, Slough
Nino’s, Pangbourne
Nino’s Deli, Pangbourne
Oakford Social Club
Orwells, Shiplake
Osaka
OXBO Reading
Palmyra
Pau Brasil
Perry’s
Persian Palace
Plate At No. 6
The Reading Room
Rizouq
RYND, Wokingham
Salty Olive, Wokingham (opened May 2023)
Shawarma Reading (opened May 2023)
Shellfish Cow, Henley
The Six Bells
Spitiko
Sultan, Wokingham
Thames Lido
Time 4 Coffee (opened Aug 23)
Valpy Street
Vampire’s Den
Vegivores
Wendy’s
Workhouse Coffee
YayLo
Zambrero
Zia Lucia (opened 3/4/24)
Zigana, Didcot
Zyka, Tilehurst
Edible Reading 
Have you thought about visiting Buon Appetito (glamorously situated on a roundabout on Chatham Street)?
I’ve reviewed it!
Pau Brasil in Silver St should really be on your list if you like Brazilian/Portugese cuisine. Shame you had a bad experience with the Portuguese place by Palmer Park, walked past there the other day and was curious but it doesn’t sound d very nice. There’s also a yummy authentic Portugese stall by Reading Borough Councils offices too
So, I reviewed Pau Brasil many years ago and wasn’t impressed. I should go back and try it again. As for O Português, I went back and tried their food at the restaurant and had a far better meal than I did when I ordered takeaway – there’s a review of that too.
If you need help for Flavours of Mauritius, I can definitely be of assistance! I can help explain the core food staples of Mauritius and it may help that I speak Creole too.As you may tell I am a British Mauritian and have been longing for a decent restaurant close by that does food like my parents.
Thank you very much! Any tips you can give me would be much appreciated, I understand they’re very close to opening.
May be worth checking out the steak restaurant in the elephant hotel in pangbourne (I quite enjoyed having the steak cooked in front of me over an open wood fire).
Added as requested!
Mumbai Wokingham is really special but takeaway/delivery only. Toto, a tiny little Italian street food place in Wokingham, is worth your time. Blue Orchid Bakery has sadly closed and I’m glad Chalk’s on the list.
I knew that about Blue Orchid but I’d somehow forgotten to take them off the list – thanks for the reminder! Toto is a good shout, I’d add it but does it have tables or is it also takeaway only? I’ve actually tried to review Chalk already but, so far, been thwarted by weather and/or public transport.
I’ve been to The Elm Tree in Beech Hill a couple of times recently and it has been fantastic. Only problem is in not sure how easy it is to get there without a car. Well worth a visit though, lovely outside seating area.
Red Lion, Peppard. Now owned by the ‘younger’ Laithwaites…looks interesting 🙂
Not really grabbed by the menu, and a little too tricky to reach by public transport except for Saturday lunchtimes, I’m afraid!
Three suggestions:
1) fat tabby catering (burgers – they rotate menus, the burger menu in particular is worth checking out), popping up at various breweries inc. Siren and Loddon. Food quality is definitely going up for these sorts of pop ups and this is a good one.
2) tasty Greek souvlaki (reading town centre). Says what it does on the tin, good smelling restaurant.
3) beehive pub white Waltham. Lovely gastro pub, lovely location.
I don’t review popups, mainly because there’s no real consistency about where they’ll be and when, although I am aware of Fat Tabby.
Tasty Greek Souvlaki I’ve already reviewed, you can always see which places I’ve reviewed before by checking here: https://ediblereading.com/the-list-alphabetical/
The Beehive has been on my mental list to visit for a fair old while but sadly, it has the same challenges as the Red Lion in Peppard – not especially practical by public transport.
OK.. In this case I will offer you up a good restaurant in an unfashionable location. Mori (japanese) in Slough is a little gem, and a short walk from the train station.
Now that does interest me! Added.
This is truly incredible.
https://instagram.com/pf_italy_reading?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Worth knowing! I’m not doing takeaway reviews at the moment, but I’ll check it out.
Nathan’s nibbles in Caversham might be worth a visit. Although a bit of a trek for a fry up. You could always pop into geo cafe for a brew afterwards.
I remember when it used to be on London Street. It looks a little – not sure how to put this really – basic?
It’s not going to revolutionise the world of an easy lunch or a fry up but it’s always busy when I pop in. They must be doing something right I guess. I am big fan of their baguettes. It’s something I’d always easily found back home and have always struggled in the UK as a decent lunch option, Nathan’s does it well enough for me. I wouldn’t travel out of your way to get there but if you’re in the area and looking for a quick bite it might be worth your time.
I’d be interested in your review of Salty Olive in Wokingham when it opens. Looks interesting.
It does sound interesting. Wokingham already has an excellent tapas place in the form of Sanpa, but pintxos is something else again.
Mina’s on Buckland Road in Whitley. Brazilian cafe that opened recently. Amazing cheesy bread rolls.
A brilliant tip-off, thank you. I’ll add it now – their food looks really interesting.
Silent reader of many years and love your reviews, I suggest the Bull in Wargrave is worth a visit. Especially the pie (“LARGE & HEARTY” per the menu).
New reader, loving the blogs and historic reviews. Sad news about Buon Appetito.
As for a suggestion, in Woodley there is a brilliant Indian tucked away (on a bus route by the way) called Jalpari. Been going there for years and always sets a good standard.
How about My Warsaw-Polish street food ? They are having great reviews.
What do you recommend there?
Definitely Zapiekanka my fav is with smoked cheese and cranberry but they have a lot of option. They do desent hot dogs my husband love them. We didnt try the rest options that they have.
Got a new one for you when you are next in Oxford – Il Gusto, 218 Cowley Rd (not to be confused with the Gusto chain on the High Street) Just dropped in as needing food that end of town. Looks like any standard Italian from the outside & menu, but the cooking was next level. It was your blog many years ago that first got me to try burrata, well I have just had a heavenly one here. Served with thin slices of pear (&strawberries &orange) with walnut crumbs and a honey dressed salad, plus honey drizzled toasted bread. The burrata was the perfect texture to spread onto the toast. Followed up with a risotto with the freshest mushroom & asparagus…my only regret not having enough room for dessert! I think they are quite new & don’t have much of a social media presence yet.
I was up that way on Saturday actually, although I had other lunch plans (which you’ll get to read about soon!). I’ll make a note of this one, though.
Hi – For a great breakfast / brunch, Artichoke Cafe in Pangbourne is a great new addition. They have been trading since October 2023 (27 Reading Road RG8 7HY)
Hi ER. Strongly recommend you give Lisboeta on Charlotte Street a try the next time you’re Londonwards. They’re a Portuguese restaurant who seem to really know what they’re doing.
The Rowbarge at Woolhampton? It’s menu is surprisingly varied (and slightly unusual).
Believe it or not I’ve eaten there a couple of Christmas Days. Not the best day to judge a restaurant I know, but I thought it was nice but unspecial.
Would love to see a review of Tomo Tankova in Maidenhead when you’re in the area for El Cerdo. There is also a Bombay Story outpost