The Reading Room

The story

The Reading Room, Reading | Modern European Dining & AA 2 Rosettes

The kitchen and seasonal sourcing

Guests at The Reading Room in Reading build their evenings around a modern European cuisine shaped by weekly deliveries. Award winning chefs update the offerings continuously, prioritising responsibly sourced seafood and certified British farm cuts. Every plate reflects a strict attention to provenance, where ingredients carry clear origins rather than heavy sauces. This disciplined approach to European cooking earned the dining room two AA Rosettes for culinary excellence.

Architecture and quiet surroundings

Visitors sit inside a space preserved from 1911, when the building served as the Shire Hall for Berkshire County Council. Wide hallways feature restored Purbeck marble and vaulted ceilings that draw the eye upward. Soft blue and gold tones balance against darker wooden tables, creating a setting designed for conversation rather than spectacle. The minimalist art collection and intact council chamber details ground the room in local heritage.

An interactive tasting format

Diners seeking a deeper look at the European kitchen can book the dedicated Chef’s Table evening. The fixed programme delivers seven courses alongside curated wine flights, allowing guests to watch techniques unfold at the pass. Chefs explain the inspiration behind each shift in the seasonal lineup during the exchange. A private cinema screening closes the night once the final plate is cleared.