Picnic Foods image

Picnic Foods

Restaurant Cafe Coffee shop Breakfast restaurant

👍👍 Been there couple of times and loved their fresh homemade food. Nice to find there are a few vegan options as well. This place is like a gem hidden behind Costa snd Starbucks but way better than them. They also offer hand squeezed orange juice. I would rather support a small business than a chain c... People often mention coffee, cakes, good, staff, cake, great, love, Reading, cafe, service,


Address

5 Butter Market, Reading RG1 2DP, United Kingdom

Website

www.picnicfoods.co.uk

Contact

+44 118 958 9292

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (392 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Sunday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Monday: 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Thursday: 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Friday: 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: coffee (18) cakes (12) good (11) staff (9) cake (9) great (7) love (7) Reading (7) cafe (6) service (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Andrew L. 2 years ago on Google • 1111 reviews
    Very pleasant cafe selling warm drinks including coffee, cakes and meal boxes. Because of Covid you were unable to sit inside but this changed now. You can see their cakes through the window. In a town full of coffee chains, it's good to see we still have independents and these should be supported. Visited on 30/04/22 and were able to sit inside. Quite a small cafe. Quick service from friendly staff.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Krithiga B. 1 year ago on Google • 42 reviews
    Been there couple of times and loved their fresh homemade food. Nice to find there are a few vegan options as well. This place is like a gem hidden behind Costa snd Starbucks but way better than them. They also offer hand squeezed orange juice. I would rather support a small business than a chain coffeehouse.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hannah S. 1 year ago on Google
    Delish summer salad for a great price (£6 to go). My meal was made GF for me as well. Quick service.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Abraham Y. 1 year ago on Google
    A lovely coffee shop serve breads, sandwich, salad and soup. I think their coffee is good though I know little about it. The shop dinning area is not big but you will feel spacious and warm. They have a 'secret' garden inside so if you lucky you can grap a seat there. The name of the shop is just perfect: good for gossip; yet also perfect for being solidarity. Last the staff is very pleasant and warm.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Amro A. 8 months ago on Google • 519 reviews
    Definitely not worth 9£, it taste good to be fair but not 9£ for toasted goat cheese with honey. Also if you took the same toasted cheese its 6£ but for takeaway. The coffee taste as Americano ☕️ as requested.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anashe T. 2 years ago on Google
    I cannot describe how great is the food. I love their fresh salad boxes they are very unique and very creative, the cake ate always tasty and fresh and lots of variety to choose from. I definitely recommend that everyone should try this place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 DN G. 2 years ago on Google
    I am not into sweets nor have a sweet tooth but the Brownies here is changing my mind. I always recommend it to anybody passing by the area
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Richard P. 1 year ago on Google
    Not just another nice independent cafe. The food is consistently very very good. All ingredients are carefully sourced and cleverly combined. The cakes are particularly excellent. Never less than satisfying and tasty and up to probably the best cake I’ve ever had. Needs more ⭐️s !!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Iwcia 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely small place , we had to stop there to try one of the best carrot cakes I have ever had !
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J 1 month ago on Google • 107 reviews New
    I love this place. The owner, Jon, is a good egg. Excellent coffee. Very tasty cakes. Always clean, tidy, and well-presented. Nice atmosphere. Good outlook onto the town. Cosy interior. Picnic Foods comes highly recommended.

  • 2/5 don R. 3 months ago on Google • 73 reviews New
    Really disappointed... had heard so many good things about it, but the coffee was barely above room temperature, the cakes mediocre at best and the staff really not engaged (borderline appearing not really wanting to be there)... maybe it was because it was a Sunday; I'll try again in midweek and hope for a better experience.

  • 5/5 Saleem A. 3 weeks ago on Google • 20 reviews New
    Excellent. We ordered vegetarian salad box and slice of cake with 2 coffees. Was divine. Highly recommend. Good quality and delicious.

  • 5/5 Sonk 2 months ago on Google • 16 reviews New
    Lovely place with wonderful staff and an impressive range of cakes and such.

  • 5/5 zak 1. 1 year ago on Google
    My favourite cafe in town, amazing sandwiches and really good coffee

  • 5/5 Erin T. 2 years ago on Google
    Picnic has the most amazing selection of cakes and serves great coffee and hot chocolate. My favourite on offer has to be the vegan chocolate cake. The staff are lovely too. Takeaway cake, samosas and coffee from picnic was one of the few things that brought me a lot of joy during the lockdowns and so I'll always have fond memories!

  • 5/5 Clive U. 2 years ago on Google
    Love this place. They do the best cakes in town and also great coffee and the staff are alway very polite.

  • 4/5 Harry T. 2 years ago on Google
    Excellent coffee, probably the best independent cup in Reading. Friendly, efficient staff.

  • 5/5 Samantha D. 5 months ago on Google • 14 reviews
    Exceptional service Perfectly crafted flat white Sausage roll was well seasoned and tasty. Light, fluffy carrot cake with perfect balance of nuts and a scrumptious cream cheese icing

  • 4/5 Col M. 7 months ago on Google
    I like this place. Some original food and cakes rather than the usual hash of burgers and pre packaged snacks. Service is friendly and efficient. It’s small and without a lot of seating. I love to take a coffee and snack and sit at the outside tables and watch the strange and wonderful residents of Reading stroll by.

  • 5/5 Neil C. 4 months ago on Google
    Fabulous sausage toastie for breakfast this morning! Very good coffee too. One of the best cafes in Reading - great service too 👌

  • 5/5 Lana M. 7 months ago on Google
    Picnic is one of my favourite coffee places in Reading! Coffee is alway top quality, food is always different from week to week (fishcakes are my personal favourite 👍😊). Very decent vegan sausage rolls 👍😊 I love their soups and stews during the winter 👍 Desserts are mouthwatering, carrot cake is the tenderest and delicious out of all to my taste😋 Also love their "Apple and maple"! Recommended this place to many people and everyone was always pleased with taste and quality ❤️

  • 1/5 Cristina L. 2 years ago on Google
    They close at 3:30pm at least on Fridays! I asked for a take away cake at 3:45 and they didn’t sell it to me. So they should upload the times

  • 5/5 Mallika D. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely wonderful place with delicious treats!! Please don't ever stop making the apple maple cake!! Absolutely sumptuous! This cafe is a gem in Reading 🌸 Also do try the hot chocolate /mocha, it's out of this world

  • 4/5 Lydia R. 9 months ago on Google
    Convenient spot for a bite to eat, offering both eat in and take away options. The goats cheese and pine nut toastie was lovely, even if slightly overpriced. The iced coffees were nice too but the fact that they don’t have a toilet is quite surprising. Definitely something to note if dining in - it put us off so we got food to go.

  • 2/5 Simon B. 9 months ago on Google
    Not a fan. Been twice. First time the service was average. Vegan sausage roll was ok but nothing special. Not unfriendly, but not friendly either. Went again today. No cold diet coke, couldn't tell us what was vegan (apart from soup), server had to ask another member of staff for reassurance. We politely left and went to John Lewis instead!

  • 5/5 _jed 2 years ago on Google
    Best toasties I've ever had, especially the Reuben when its on. Bread is elite, good amount of filling, what more could you want? Amazing service and always something different to try each week.

  • 5/5 Matt B. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely coffee, nice atmosphere and really lovely and friendly staff! Loved being in there to people watch and will be back again!

  • 5/5 Matthew H. 1 year ago on Google
    A perfect flat white and croissant this morning, and a nice warm welcome in a lovely setting. Glad to find and independent cafe in Reading..Will be back!

  • 4/5 random f. 1 year ago on Google
    Been here a few times now, great little independent coffee shop. They have a great selection of cakes and pastries, sweet and savoury, and the coffee is decent. Staff very friendly. Food is good too. Seating not as comfortable as other places but very nice ambience.

  • 5/5 Jay H. 1 year ago on Google
    Pistachio and carrot loaf was sensational! Moist, flavourful and frosting was just the right sweetness

  • 5/5 Shiv 1 year ago on Google
    The quality of the cakes are just insane - whoever is making them is very talented. I love this place so much it is literally my favourite aspect of Reading. Thank you so so so much for making high quality, gluten free perfectly-sweetened desserts! I love you guys!


Call +44 118 958 9292 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Restaurants nearby

COSMO image
1
COSMO
Buffet restaurant
Stylish, modern chain dining room with cooking stations producing a range of global dishes.
$$ $$
4.30 (5.1K reviews)
House of Flavours image
2
House of Flavours
Indian restaurant
Sizzling meat on hot griddles, regional curries and buffet lunches, in spacious, modern dining room.
$$ $$
4.40 (3.7K reviews)
Slug & Lettuce - Riverside Reading image
3
Slug & Lettuce - Riverside Reading
Cocktail bar
Smart bar chain with a cocktail list, a menu of global classics, and contemporary decor.
$$ $$
4.50 (3.2K reviews)
Toby Carvery Caversham Bridge image
4
Toby Carvery Caversham Bridge
Carvery
Timeless family chain restaurant serving roast meats carvery-style, kids' menus and classic puds.
$ $$$
4.00 (2.5K reviews)
Miller & Carter Oracle image
5
Miller & Carter Oracle
Steak house
Stylish chain steakhouse serving sustainably raised, grass-fed British beef, burgers and ribs.
$$ $$
4.50 (2.4K reviews)
Last updated:
()