Reading Welcomes Exciting New Dining Venues!

It has been a bumper year in Reading for venue and restaurant openings, with two new bowling alleys and arcades and eateries serving a range of cuisines.

Reading has had a bumper year for new nightlife and food spots, from bowling alleys to pizza joints and Asian kitchens — many of them winning licensing consent from Reading Borough Council to sell alcohol and serve food and drinks past 11pm.

Hollywood Bowl
Opened in July on the ground floor of the former House of Fraser at The Oracle. It offers bowling, an arcade with redemption games, plus a restaurant and bar.

Bowl Central
Launched in June, about a month earlier, also with bowling and arcade games. Its restaurant serves pizzas, sides, sharers and milkshakes, and there’s a bar with cocktails. The opening was delayed from a planned 2023 date because of fit-out complications.

Rosa’s Thai
One of the earliest arrivals, opening in February at Jackson’s Corner after a delayed launch following a 2022 licence allowing alcohol until 11.30pm Monday–Saturday and 10.30pm on Sundays.

Zi Tore
Also opened in February in the Union Street unit formerly occupied by the Grumpy Goat, serving Italian street food, pasta, pizza and coffee.

Cosy Club
Opened in May at the gateway of The Oracle, bringing its brunch, cocktail and dining experience to Reading for the first time. The brand is owned by the same company behind the Lounge cafes in Woodley and Caversham.

Eatnua
The Thai restaurant opened in the summer on Gun Street, taking over the site of Bluegrass BBQ, which was liquidated in January.

Chilis South Indian
Chilis expanded into new premises at The Village this year. Chilis initially opened at the former Art of Siam in November 2021 and then took over the Bolan Thai unit to create its South Indian offering, which has already picked up good TripAdvisor reviews.

Take Your Time
The Asian fusion spot also opened in The Village, occupying the top-floor unit with its own balcony. It replaced Dolce Vita, which shut in 2018 and left the space empty for seven years.

Abbey Corner: Paesinos & Amo Italian
Abbey Corner was transformed from a benefits centre into four food businesses. Paesinos is a small pizza takeaway using halal-certified meats with chicken, wurstel sausage, turkey and vegetarian options. Amo Italian focuses on Neapolitan dishes — pizza, calzone, arancini and salads.

House of Doner
Opened in September on Broad Street, replacing the long-vacant Chipstar unit. The takeaway serves doner kebabs, falafel and wraps.

Smoke & Pepper
One of the latest openings, launching in December at the Butter Market, specialising in burgers and indulgent dirty fries.

Bagaara
The Indian restaurant opened in September on Shinfield Road, in the former Firezza pizza unit. Its menu includes regional dishes and the unique appetiser ‘bheja fry’ (lamb brain), alongside curries and rice.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter