The Rising Sun, A Heartwood Inn

You'll find The Rising Sun tucked away on Castle Street in the heart of Reading's city centre—the kind of place that feels like it's been there forever, even if you've somehow missed it. It's a Heartwood Inn, which means they take their beer seriously alongside proper cooking that doesn't overcomplicate things. The vibe is warm and unpretentious; locals genuinely seem to rate it, judging by those 800-plus reviews. This is where you go when you want good food, good drink, and somewhere that doesn't feel like it's trying too hard to impress you.