Griffin

You'll find this sizeable Chef & Brewer operation perfectly positioned on Church Road, where Caversham folk have been gathering for decades. The Griffin manages that tricky balance of feeling both neighbourhood local and destination dining spot – the sort of place where you can nurse a pint at the bar on a Tuesday or bring the extended family for a proper Sunday roast. The kitchen takes pub classics seriously without being precious about it, and those breakfast hours at weekends are a godsend when you need somewhere reliable that opens before most of Reading has rubbed the sleep from its eyes. With nearly 2,600 reviews averaging 4.5 stars, they're clearly doing something right beyond just having decent car parking – though let's be honest, that doesn't hurt in this part of town.