Shiplake Restaurant Guide

“On a summer's day the Thames-side terrace is a paradise” at this riverside venue. In 2019, Shaun changed tack here, adopting a more bistro style in contrast to the fine dining approach it had previously adopted. Long-term regulars say: “it’s cheaper than it used to be, but never disappoints”.

“A shining light in the middle of Reading dining” – this glass-fronted dining room overlooking a Grade II listed Edwardian swimming pool serves a “frequently changing selection” of “very decent tapas”. “The lovely space and atmosphere have made it a new favourite”. It’s from the team behind the similar Clifton Lido in Bristol and “the swimming makes a fun backdrop while you eat!”

Antony Worral Thompson’s spacious and quirky country spread is, for fans, “a go-to choice for any special occasion” – “the pub and garden are beautiful, the service professional and discrete, and most often AWT himself is a visible presence ensuring the highest standards”. The globally inspired menu features “high-quality ingredients, well combined and perfectly cooked”. Top Tip – “good steaks – try the wagyu”.

In June 202, Dom Chapman took on this well-known Thames-valley pub (he also owns The Beehive in White Waltham, see also), which had been run by the Bonwick family for the previous nine years. It opened too late for feedback in our annual diners’ poll, but an early report from fooderati insider, Andy Hayler, suggested that Champan will be continuing the high quality of The Beehive and also the Bonwicks’ former regime here: “service… was excellent. Overall, this was a very enjoyable evening, The Crown offering a very appealing menu and generally well-made food. … this is already shaping up to be a charming restaurant, and based on the chef’s track record I expect the food to progress further from this solid start”.

Nandana & Sharat Syamala are moving their Hyderabadi kitchen into new premises in Caversham after their “great eatery” and growing national delivery service outgrew its original London Street site on the back of rave reviews. The new, part-crowdfunded venue is a former Wetherpoons pub, the Baron Cadogan, is to give the couple sufficient space to run a ‘fine-dining’ restaurant as well as a separate open kitchen with bar counter for snacks, small plates and street food, plus eight beers from local brewers. As of October 2022, both the original address and national delivery are closed as they focus all their efforts on the move.