5 Best Breakfasts In Reading

Opening its doors in 2013, Café YOLK is one of Reading’s favourite brunch restaurants, serving homely honest food made from locally sourced ingredients. Situated in a historic corner building in the easterly part of the city, it boasts a beautiful, sheltered terrace that’s great for al fresco dining and a light bright interior with a buzzy feel-good atmosphere.

Swing by from 8 am for avocado on sourdough, a traditional full English or French toast topped with berries and creamy vanilla yoghurt. Café YOLK is also known for its excellent selection of hot and cold beverages that pair beautifully with its menu items including exotic fruit smoothies and freshly brewed coffee.

A short drive south of Reading town centre in the Kennet Island piazza, Fidget & Bob offers unbeatable breakfasts. They also feature farm-fresh produce including free-range eggs, bottled juices and artisan jars of jam. Enjoy a morning meal outside when the weather permits, or head indoors for a window seat, a wonderful spot for people-watching. 

Fill your belly with toasted sausage and hash brown wraps, overnight oats with berries and biscuits and bacon and egg o’muffins. To drink, try the aromatic Assam chai tea, the minty hot chocolate or Greek-style whipped coffee with cold milk and ice.

Inside the swanky Roseate Hotel, The Reading Room is an upscale restaurant and bar that’s elevated with contemporary furniture, warm wooden floorboards and ambient mood lighting. Its European-style breakfasts are prepared by award-winning chefs who use the finest produce from the south of England. Come here too for the glitzy cocktails.

Reserve a table to enjoy continental dishes like freshly baked pastries, artisan cheeses, fresh fruit salad and sliced smoked salmon. You can also order delectable hot plates including eggs Benedict, filled omelettes, pancakes with bacon and maple syrup and honey-toasted granola served with lashings of Greek yoghurt.

Launched in 2012, The Shed is in a historic wood and brick forge that’s a short walk from Reading Museum and the leafy expanse of Forbury Gardens. It’s adored by locals for its hearty homemade breakfast offerings like scrambled eggs with streaky bacon, hangover tortilla wraps and smashed avocado on sourdough toast.

Swing by at brunch for soup of the day, a gourmet selection of toasties and the famed Shed Special: a generous plate of Moroccan couscous loaded with grilled peppers, succulent chicken, creamy coleslaw and houmous. This trendy gastro cafe also offers an enticing selection of freshly brewed coffees and loose-leaf teas including supreme Earl Grey and English breakfast.

Featuring an eclectic interior with chocolate Chesterfield couches, colourful throw pillows, potted palms and green velvet chairs, Bill’s Reading Restaurant is one of Berkshire’s most charismatic dining venues. Set in St. Mary’s Church House in the heart of the town centre, this local institution serves up scrumptious breakfasts and brunches, as well as aromatic coffee.

Treat yourself to a traditional Full English breakfast, or pig out on poached eggs with chorizo, cheesy truffle mushrooms on brioche or avocado Florentine. Sweet tooths can opt for the buttermilk pancake stack, the berry, maple and cinnamon porridge or the classic tea and toast with summery strawberry jam.