The Three Guineas, Reading

You know that slightly desperate feeling when you're killing time before a train and every pub near the station looks like a complete dive? The Three Guineas breaks that curse. Right on Station Approach, it's got the location of a tourist trap but the heart of a proper local – dark wood, decent beer selection, and food that goes well beyond the usual microwaved disappointments. The menu leans into gastropub territory without getting too precious about it. Think proper Sunday roasts, fish and chips that don't taste like cardboard, and burgers that actually justify their £15 price tag. It gets absolutely rammed during rush hour with commuters grabbing quick pints, but there's something quite lovely about the buzz. Sure, it's not the cheapest pint in Reading, but when you're this close to the station and the alternative is a sad meal deal, it feels like a minor miracle.