Without a doubt, one of the best cups of coffee I've had since arriving in Reading (other than my…read moreown at home, of course), Workhorse is truly all about the coffee. Technically a chain (because there are now two of them), this is a very small independent player, competing on Reading's "coffee corner" with six other shops within 100 yards (Starbucks, Costa, Coffee Republic, West Cornwall Pasty, Pret and the one-off independent Picnic). This location of Workhorse (the other is in West Reading) is in the historic King George Hotel, believed to be one of the very oldest buildings in Reading and dates back to 1423. The shop is a completely unique split-level and since they only opened recently, is still quaintly hand finished. Certainly a nicer character than the cookie cutter Starbucks. If the competition is only about the coffee and the service, Workhorse wins hands down. Choosing my beans (eight little tubs of Guatemalan, Ethiopian, Kenyan and more I can't recall), they were ground right then and there, put into a one-off drip filter and hand watered into my coffee cup. Talk about fresh! And the food choices are all local, which made my ham, chorizo and cheese ciabatta completely guilt-free. The guy serving me was happy to talk coffee. He was particularly engaging regarding their style of coffee making as well as my thoughts on french press. He didn't get drawn into comparisons with "the other guys" across the street. (Literally, across the street - you can see their bright green banner in the window in my picture!) All of that would be worth five stars, but I have to take one back because sadly, there is no free wireless available in the shop. As I read online, that's not the demographic of customer they want to reach. That's okay. Since that's the market I'm in, I'll pop in for great coffee but it won't be my hangout.

Sunday morning find here in Reading in a quaint spot located at The George Hotel. Ordered an…read moreAmericano with cream. Wow, flush with flavour and taste, just the right amount of bitterness. The coffee bean selection looks exceptional and looking forward to repeated visits.

We came here for brekky and it was delicious! And the ladies who run the place are great. They made…read morean oopsie--my partner's food was accidentally delivered to the wrong table while I already had mine and so I was waiting and mine got cold yadda yadda. The owners were apologetic and offered to comp the meal, even though they didn't need to. Am definitely impressed and will be back if I'm ever in that part of town again!

Good hearty breakfast, with options for all. Outdoor…read moreseating available. Clean and spacious.

Great place and the staff is heavenly and beautiful!! Service is happy and prompt. Who could ask…read morefor more???

Don't know how this place was missing from Yelp. It's one of the first places I found in Reading…read morethat gave me the slice of art and culture I was craving, aside from the museum at the town hall which is relatively static. This, on the other hand, is dynamic and full of life. If you are interested in the environment, international affairs or jazz, poetry and other music, then this is the place for you. If you are not interested in any of these things but want to try some different food then come here for a variety of African dishes, I believe it specialises in Ethiopian food, I had a rice dish with lamb (was a while ago, can't remember the name) but wasn't as tasty as I expected it to be since I was hoping for a more North African flavour. Also, the World Shop next door has an amazing collection of objects from around the world. There are so many handmade marvels and interesting trinkets and toys that you risk browsing there a long time. I love the way the store is laid out and they are always updating the merchandise. It has a lot of yummy fair-trade snacks and teas. At the back of the shop you can find some really special books among the more mainstream ones that you would have trouble finding elsewhere, even on amazon! The downside is it's a little pricy but it is a registered charity so you know your money is going to a good cause and helping others. I've been dying to buy some of the furniture- so gorgeous! Definitely check this place out and look at the website for the different music and events that they have going on.

A true community place, RISC is a lot more than a restaurant. Although the Ethiopian cooking of…read moreTutu's is outstanding! - You get a great authentic meal there for a very reasonable price. The decor is certainly eclectic, and partly really rather worn, but that adds to the charm. Often there are gigs, readings, and other cultural events at RISC and that is what really makes the place. It is a meeting point for free thinkers, free spirits, and people from all sorts of cultures in the town.

Lovely, well run family type business Like eating here sometimes, you get plenty to eat and prices…read moreare reasonable :-)

On the same corner, this Costa competes with a Starbucks (that has much better seating) and a…read moreCoffee Connection (that also has good seating and better nibbles). I figured I had to try all three, so I did. The store is very small with the tables very closely pushed together and some bar stools and a counter in the window that are just barely enough for coffee, but no laptop. And speaking of laptop, I didn't notice if they had their own wifi as I was drawn into the Starbucks BT Openspot across the way. The coffee certainly tastes better than the Starbucks, but only because the latte seems to be all milk with just a little bit of coffee. I've never had a coffee that made me sleepy, but this was it. I'll stick to Starbucks.

Great coffee house, they serve very good drinks (I'd say better than the Starbucks who is opposite…read morethem), has a great window for people watching, very nice and cosy inside. Very friendly staff.

Amazing salad & stew. Small cozy place to be seated and…read moretakeaways also available. Good experience with my daughter.

Stopped in here today for a snack on my first day in Reading. Ordered the goat cheese, honey and…read morepine nut toast - so delicious! But beware, it arrives at the table HOT!! Staff were so chipper and helpful. Small cage with a great spread of homemade treats, sandwiches and salads. Lovely lattes, coffees and teas - support the little guy instead of heading next door to the Starbucks.

Friendly servers, delicious espresso drinks. Banana dark chocolate bread was simply amazing. Their…read moresandwich and salads menu looks very creative (and tasty).