Quirky Restaurants In Reading

When it comes to the best quirky restaurants in Reading town centre, The Botanist is up there. A flower-adorned beauty equipped with eclectic light fixtures and wooden panelling, it offers an escape from the bustle of the city. Take your seat among vine-woven columns to dine on some seriously photo-worthy food, like its world-famous hanging kebabs. On the menu, you'll also uncover international eats: think katsu curries and bang bang noodle salads, followed by indulgent desserts such as chocolate cookie dough covered in salted pretzels. Look forward to being charmed by its live music roster throughout the week; there's plenty of entertainment to enjoy while sipping on one of its many themed cocktails, like the gin-based Plant Pot or the Cherry Blossom Martini. 

Dinner in a sexy townhouse, you say? Count us in. The Roseate Reading is a gorgeous hotel that boasts vaulted ceilings and elaborate woodcarvings throughout its breathtaking rooms. Previously Shire Hall for the Berkshire County Council, the building has been restored to offer a five-star service as well as an array of dining concepts from pretty afternoon teas to nibbles in its fairy-lit secret garden. The Reading Room restaurant is the main event as it's home to modern European cuisine prepared by award-winning chefs. Come to try rabbit and chicken roulade, tandoori spiced monkfish and dark chocolate delice, then leave just after you've marvelled at the 86,000 Italian glass-beaded chandelier in what was once the original lift shaft.

Coming in hot as one of the most quirky places to eat in Reading is Zerodegrees. Not only is it a lively restaurant slinging out some top-notch slices, but it's also a microbrewery and home to multi-award-winning craft beer. On the Mezzanine level, you'll find The Tank Lounge, complete with pool tables and a balcony where you can overlook the neon glow of the eatery below. As proud winners of the National Pizza of the Year 2023 award, its menu consists of bouncy dough topped with the likes of wild boar salami and 'nduja. Plus, you can even order a metre-long version of your favourite pizza, or combine four flavours all at once.

If you're looking for somewhere to go that promises cheap and alternative cocktails that'll look good on Instagram, as well as neon pink interiors that'll brighten up anyone's day, then Slug and Lettuce is for you. The Frair Street location boasts beautiful blossoms trees and eccentric furnishings to create a tropical eatery that's perfect for group dining. Swing by for brunch to tuck into waffle eggs (£8.50) or some berry pancake tacos (£8.50) topped with a vanilla cheesecake mousse, or enjoy an array of small plates (three for £15.50) washed down with a gin-based Botanical Bombshell (£11), or an indulgent Confessions Of A Chocoholic (£10).

When it comes to quirky Reading restaurants, Playlist Live, a venue boasting non-stop tunes and musicians who are prepared to play your requests in a heartbeat, is up there. Sing and dance the night away in this eclectic haunt, filled with sparkling chandeliers and walls lined with giant portraits of iconic entertainment legends. All you have to do is write down your choice on a slip of paper, hand it to your waiter and away you go. Your shenanigans will also be accompanied by some delicious food as, while famed for its epic bottomless brunches, it serves blue cheese and bacon burgers, plus loaded nachos to share with your mates.

One of the top sushi joints in this city has to be Osaka, or at least it's in the running. High praise indeed, but you'll soon see why as you enter the tranquil dining room, decked out with dark wooden furnishings and individual booths. Towards the back, you'll spy painted brick walls complete with geisha stencil art before taking your selected seat to slurp up some silky noodles. Expect to enjoy traditional dishes combined with modern recipes to help elevate them and tickle your tastebuds. Sharing is encouraged from a menu that fronts deep-fried octopus balls, spicy tuna uramaki rolls and tonkotsu ramen. 

You'll find the award-winning The Coconut Tree located adjacent to the River Kennet slinging out scrumptious Sri Lankan street food. Here you can expect a flavour explosion in your mouth as you dine in a relaxed setting showcasing tables lit with candles in half coconuts. Cocktails are served in cute tumblers such as elephants (home to the Drunken Sri Lankan made with coconut flower sap-based whisky) and ruby red mugs (a vehicle for the rum-laced Rio Rumble). And on the menu? Devour the likes of creamy dhals, Jaffna goat and potato curry, plus slow-roasted pork belly and hoppers.