Novotel Reading Centre

You're right in the thick of Friar Street's bustle, but step inside this hotel restaurant and the chaos of Reading's main shopping drag fades away. The dining room feels properly corporate - think crisp white tablecloths, attentive staff who actually know the menu, and that particular brand of international hotel cuisine that never offends but rarely thrills. The menu reads like a greatest hits of crowd-pleasers: decent steaks, reliable pasta, fish that's cooked properly. It's the sort of place where you can bring visiting relatives or have a work lunch without worrying about dietary requirements or awkward silences. The breakfast spread is particularly good if you're staying over, though at dinner you're paying town centre prices for what's essentially very competent hotel food.