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)
The Moderation
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