The Monks Retreat

You know what you're getting when you walk into this Wetherspoons on Friar Street - and sometimes that's exactly what you need. The familiar formula works here: proper cheap pints, decent pub grub, and those generous breakfast portions that'll sort you right out after a heavy night in town centre. The building itself has character, and the long opening hours mean you can rely on it whether you're after a morning coffee or a late Friday pint. It's not trying to be anything fancy, but it serves its purpose well for Reading's town centre. The prices are reliably low, the staff keep things moving, and you'll always find a mix of regulars, shoppers, and students filling the tables.