The Reader Cafe — Restaurant in Liverpool

Had quite disappointing visit today. I had tried to book for lunch but wasn't able to as fully booked, but was told that tables would be available for walk ins. Arrived with my friend and my 2 year old just before 12pm opening time and got in the short queue. Was told that those who had booked took priority (fair enough). The queue was being managed by 1 person who was calling those who had booked to the front, we waited as more people kept arriving for their booking and went ahead... despite a certain number of tables being set side for walk ins -couldnt someone else have seated us? The lady then told the people at the front that it would be a 20min wait for their food as those who have booked took priority, the next people were told it would be 30min wait and we were then told a 40 min wait (this was in the space of 5 minutes it had gone from 20 to 40mins). Prioritising food orders of those who have booked once we are all seated is very odd - we are all paying customers and had tried to book. When we received our drinks they forgot one and I had to remind them 10 mins later when it still hadnt come, one food order was wrong and ha to go back, and the burger was dry and hard. The staff were nice but seemed untrained and stressed. Lovely setting and good music...

Walked my dogs in the park for close on 25years, eat in here less these days but still occasionally but never again. Friday 3rd Sheltering from torrential rain, thought I’d grab a bite, too late for breakfast so eventually settled for cheese on toast, after locating a magnifying glass to read the menus ( how ironic, the name of the place too) Cheese on toast not bad but was told to sit out in the rain as I had my impeccably behaved Bulldog with me. Apparently it’s ok to stand waiting to be served for 10 mins with the dog but not to sit inside sheltering. He and I was disturbing no one as I think there was 3 people out in the rain at the time.

Staff were robotically polite whilst insisting I sat under a canopy outside ( no shelter whatsoever). I reluctantly obeyed but they’ll never know how close I was to telling them, there’s always an acception to every rule, read the room, take a look outside etc… etc….

I’d ate my food by the time I had to ask for the sausages I ordered for my dog as I felt waitress payback vibe because I pushed back about sitting in the rain.

Definitely won’t recommend and certainly won’t be eating or taking shelter...

Have to say I agree with a previous review about the poor staff attitude. After my toddler ate a few chips off his kids meal I noticed they appeared to have rock salt on them. I asked 2 staff members if the chips should come pre-salted on kids meals, who didn't know. The third one told me they didn't know how old the kid was (I had just ordered from this lady 30 minutes earlier, whilst holding my toddler) so they were pre-salted and I should ask if I didn't want them salted. What an odd stand point to take, I doubt many parents would prefer their kids meal to come pre-salted with rock salt but if the café insists on that they should inform you at the time of ordering. Also no apology, not surprising as I have found many of the staff to be generally stand offish during recent visits. Otherwise, the kids meal wasn't brilliant, the fish fingers looked like they'd been cooked twice & the beans portion was about 20 dried up ones. Nice coffee and adult food OK generally, plus it's convenient, so I will go again but be mindful about...