Have visited twice and even pleasantly surprised at the high level of service and food quality here. Situated in an idyllic location backing into a lake you can walk around, this pub/restaurant also has a large outside seating area with TV screens for sports and some kids’ play equipment. I’m honestly shocked the place isn’t heaving each time I go there because it’s among the very best in Reading.

There is a review here from Emma that suggests the Waterside left them with no wedding reception. I'm a regular at this pub and was there when she and who I presume is her husband came in. The attitude of her husband was incredibly rude! He was immediately aggressive to the landlord, shouting and demanding, and said he had "emails" that the staff would decorate the room they were using (which is generally packed with diners). Turned out these emails didn't exist! I felt the landlord was incredibly calm and tried to accommodate the man and frankly, I would have told him to leave far sooner as I wouldn't have wanted staff-mostly female- to be shouted at by a belligerent person. I actually commented I felt sorry for his wife. Their attitude put them in that position! Sorry but don't leave a review of a great pub that tried it's best despite your husband's attitude problem. Manners cost nothing.

Stopped here to rest & have a cup of coffee after a nice walk around South Lake. Ordered Americano & a slice of Cheesecake. Coffee was mediocre tasting but the cheesecake was excellent 🍰 The restaurant seating outside is great during the summer. Service usually of non-halal food & drinks, so can not judge the food. Service is superb & staff are super friendly.

Great place by the lake. Fantastic location. Very helpful staff. Good kitchen, lovely beer garden.

Last visited this place when it was known as The Thatcher's. 1st time we have been back for probably 14yrs. It's very nice inside and out, clean and well decorated. Not a huge menu on the Website but there was a separate Pizza menu, a Specials board and separate dessert menu. The staff seemed nice and bar service was good. Although we didn't eat, the food coming out the kitchen looked really nice. The only downside was that there were a few families letting their children run around screaming and shouting. In fairness this was there local not ours so we had no reason to complain, we just chose to leave. Will def go back for food the next time we visit Woodley.

The staff are super helpful and friendly. I went with group of people (charity for VI) and make us feel welcome and its wasn't crowded also the place is well lit for VI people

Wonderful festive lunch. Thank you Waterside Inn Team for fabulous food & great service.

Food was absolutely amazing love the new menu, beer garden was great in the sun the grass need a bit of seeding in patches and the staff were wonderful would definitely come again! Recommend anyone to give it a try!

We met up with some friends for a lunch here on Sunday afternoon. The service was friendly and efficient. We were looked after so well, from the moment we arrived to the time we left. The food was really lovely too and the prices were very reasonable. I went for the Sunday roast lamb. I was very happy with the portion size and quality of food. The cricket World Cup final was on, and so we watched that too. All in all, a great afternoon and definitely worth a visit. The property is really well kept, clean, tidy and a large play area outside foe children.

Went here for fathers day lunch and really enjoyed the food was really good portion sizes and the food tasted great. The staff were very friendly and attentive. Will come back soon

Had the hot wings and Asian ribs. Were beautiful. Very well priced too. Need to start eating here now often. It's a delight.

We met up with family on Saturday lunchtime, including the two grandchildren ages 2 and 6. The food was lovely and reasonably priced. The service was excellent throughout, from the warm welcome we received from Anna on arrival to the table service from Rosie and Isabella. They all looked after us so well, it really made our day special. Thank you so much.

Go for a walk around the lake before you eat. (Beautiful) Wonderful roast dinner. Superbly cooked. Sadly the chef forgot to include crackling with the pork. Most important ingredient!!! Still was delicious. Great service from girls with receptionist theme! Unusual but entertaining. Great massive fireplace, but at -1 degrees and they hadn’t lit it. Shame as such a beautiful attraction. So a little chilly.

A lovely dining experience with excellent food. Our family always enjoy the wide variety of food on offer. A family friendly restaurant with friendly and helpful staff. Great value for money. Absolutely loved the pork schnitzel, recommend - a nice winter warmer in this dreary weather.

I absolutely love visiting the Waterside Restaurant with my family! The staff is consistently polite and friendly, making every visit feel like a warm welcome. Our dog adores it too, adding to the cozy family atmosphere. On Fridays, it's our go-to spot, often choosing it over a trip into Reading. And let's talk about those halloumi fries - hands down the best I've ever had! Whether it's a special occasion or just a casual dinner, the Waterside never disappoints.

I've been here a few times when visiting my daughter who lives in the area. Nice traditional sort of pub with good food and great service. There are also tables outside in the garden area at the back away from the road. Always a pleasant experience and would definitely recommend.

The staff and food was fantastic and Georgia who served us was wonderful. I had the peri peri prawns for starters, the sirloin steak medium rare and sticky toffee pudding with custard. It was my first time eating at this restaurant/ pub and the food was delicious. Also the rest of the staff were fantastic too. I would recommend this place to everyone.

Good food, friendly excellent service and congenial atmosphere. All round great experience. Would highly recommend.

Great Atmosphere special mention for Anna who is great with our grand daughter Isla and such a friendly person. Very relaxed pub and restaurant good for couples families and people with dogs.

Great atmosphere and friendly service. The food was really good. Unfortunately, no ales on tap but still enough of a selection for everyone.

The place is really nice, I was used to go there some years ago and the food was really good, the service as well. Went for a Sunday carvery, it is not served anymore even if their website said yes. We got a Sunday roast, the food is really cheap and the London pride served was acid.

Disappointed after reading the good reviews of this pub. I've given two stars as it's okay for a drink and looks nice from the outside, that's the only positives. We arrived a couple mins before our lunch booking and the pub looked closed. The staff made us wait in the car park until 12 which I didn't like, the pub really should be open beforehand for a drink if they are taking lunch bookings at 12. There are no views of the lake from the pub, we were seated with a view of the car park. The name of the pub is very misleading. The food is average at best, reminded me of a wetherspoons menu. I can't comment on the dessert as we were told there would be a long wait, which didn't make a lot of sense as the pub didn't seem that busy. Can't recommend this pub for food.

Surprisingly decent Sunday roast. They don't allow dogs into their dining area surprisingly for a neighbourhood pub, but they're allowed in the bar - so we sat at a high table with our pub and a baby in a pram. Note: there's minimal bar seating in case you do come with your 4 legged child.

Dinner here last night . Great Service. Friendly Staff they were hard working. I got allergies and the manager came to the table to make sure I could eat what I had ordered. Definitely be back. And good value. Happy New year's to you all.

Went for a Roast but was too late- not sure how that works on a Sunday. Decided to save the planet and had a moving mountains burger but made the mistake of not checking and getting the dodgy vegan mayo - bad choice. Very pleasant place with nice staff and good outside area. Lovely decor and beautiful pub. Stands out in the area its in. As my gran would say "the best drinkers are the thirsty ones"

Have just come away from The Waterside having entered the pub via the car park entrance and been met by words to the effect of "Sit down at a table and someone will come and take your order". This from a young lady who didn't see the need to have the courtesy to even initially welcome my partner and me before curtly issuing the instruction and expecting us to lamely obey. We did in fact sit down at a table sufficiently long to take the decision to leave there and then. Nobody appeared to be bothered by such action. As visitors to the area, we had decided to have a drink at the establishment and book a table for a meal there in the evening. I'm writing this in a nearby pub where we are having a drink after being greeted very courteously. We have also made a table reservation for this evening.

Had my birthday night out here 🍸! Was amazing and the food and cocktails were great as usual! Caitlin was lovely and managed to keep up with our drinks orders! Was the best night, will be back soon!

Good place for an informal family get together. We ate in the pub garden, which has plenty of space for children to run around, and a climbing frame and slide, (not suitable for very young children). The food was good and the staff were very helpful. Also look out for the best footballing dog ever!!! Thanks to the weather and the staff for an enjoyable family celebration.

Had a lovely Sunday roast. Fresh nicely cooked vegetables, plenty of meat, friendly welcoming staff who looked after my 90 year old mother-in-law. Good prices, recommended, will come again.

From walking in the staff were really friendly, lovely place and good food at a really good price! But the staff is what made it, just so nice and genuine nothing was too much bother really nice to chat to, great service always making sure we had everything really attentive even though it was quite busy they were always smiling just fantastic! Would come back for the staff alone, they're brilliant!

I visited twice this year. The food was good and delicious. A little bit too less for the price which i paid. The staff were professional and i felt welcomed there. Few days i spent time with my friends for few drinks and the staff were very understanding for what we wanted.

We went to Waterside for a meal last night for the first time . I start with positives waitress was lovely and helpful. Nachos were great but the rest of our meal let the food down . I had baby ribs and fries, the ribs had not taste and very dry. The fries has been reheated and tasted bland. My husband had a burger which was over cooked under seasoned and large grisly bits in it. Once again the large chips had been heated and the onion rings were stone cold. I’m sure the kitchen is doing its best but definitely not a chef in there. I would not recommend the main meals we had.

Lovely setting, friendly and polite staff. Food was good and a great selection of beer available. Had a lovely outdoor lunch on a nice sunny day. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Would definitely return when in the area

Really lovely looking place, little play area but not great for smaller ones (under 2s). Food was lovely, staff were friendly. I though you'd be able to see the water but it's just behind a fence in a woodland area very green water not what we were expecting but that doesn't take away from the pub itself. Spacious area lots of places to sit outside.

Stopped for Lunch last week and was pleasantly surprised on how good the food and service was. Was shown to our table by Anna the pubs manager who couldn't do enough for us and was very polite and tentative to our needs. Keep up the good work Anna and team, job well done !

we were here last weekday and we were very well received for dinner. food and wines were really satisfying. Generally clean and friendly staff. it was a nice evening. we will come back as always!

The one star is for all the inconsistency at this pub. Some staff are great, the bar lady is rude and condescending. The food looked good, but taste was off the mark. Prices for some food items are just ridiculous. Parking was blocked by the delivery van while there was no need to do this.. the van could have been parked just a feet behind to allow access to the car park. I would not come by again.. several better pubs in the area

We went there for Sunday lunch and will definitely return. The service was not rushed, so we spent around 2 hours there for a 3 course meal. The food was plentiful without skimping on quality and the atmosphere was welcoming and cosy.

Thought id have a pint after work on the way home. Pub was quite busy but a very warm friendly atmosphere. Football was on the screen so a added bonus. Decided to have a meal and was one of the best steaks I've ever had. Staff were very attentive. Have been back a couple of times since and have not been disappointed. Highly recommend.

Nestled along the serene banks of the river, The Waterside Pub stands as a beacon of culinary excellence and warm hospitality. From the moment you step through its welcoming doors, you're transported into a realm where delicious flavours dance on your palate and every moment is infused with genuine care. During my recent visit, I had the pleasure of experiencing not just exceptional cuisine, but also the outstanding management prowess of Anna, the heart and soul behind this gastronomic oasis. Thank you Anna!

Would happily give 0 stars. Terrible pub. Various people including ourselves paying customers down here for the Arsenal Game only for it to be turned off 60 minutes in for the IRISH rugby…. In an English Pub… Other customers reserved tables for it to be turned off for a mid game rugby match. Shocking to say the least

Lovely pub! Food was amazing, service was great. The large garden with ample seating is a really great selling point for the summer! Would definitely recommend a visit