Meal in Reading, England

March 1, 2008 12:20 PM

I'm going to be in Reading, England for just a day. Anybody know a good place to get a good English Sunday lunch, drink a pint, read the papers?
posted by jgballard to food & drink (6 comments total)

Well - Sunday lunch may be a challenge - its mothers day and pubs/restaurants get pretty packed out...but a quick recommendation:

The Bel and Dragon is inside walking distance from the town center and has reasonable food and ambience.
posted by mattr at 1:12 PM on March 1

beerintheevening.com might be a help on this - here is a search on there for pubs in the RG1 postcode.

When is it you're going to be there? As mattr says, March 2nd is Mothering Sunday. If it's a bit further off, I'd think about asking your question on the beerintheevening forum, as some Reading locals might be able to point you in the right direction.

And as for the pint, do yourself a favour and make it a nice cask ale, as opposed to industrially produced eurofizz.
posted by coach_mcguirk at 1:26 PM on March 1

Reading you say? If it were just ale you were after, The Hobgoblin is widely recommened (if a bit snooty according to some). But, no food. Conflicting reports on whether The Hop Leaf offers more than crisps, but again, renown for its ales. The Nag's Head, now, does proper Sunday roasts, though I can't say the photos of their clientele inspire.
posted by mumkin at 1:57 PM on March 1

The Oakford Social Club (review) on Blagrave Street is owned and run by the same folk behind Camden's Lock Tavern, which does great roasts, so that might be worth a try.
posted by so_necessary at 3:44 PM on March 1

Anybody know a good place to get a good English Sunday lunch, drink a pint, read the papers?

It's tempting to reply 'Oxford', which is between 25 and 45 minutes away by train, depending on the train.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 4:40 PM on March 1

Sweeney and Todd does amazing savoury pies. So amazing that they're worth the trip on their own. (I can't paste a link in, sorry. Stupid iPhone. They're listed on Beer in the Evening, though.)
posted by Kreiger at 10:15 AM on March 2