Picnic Foods — Restaurant in Reading

A Hidden Gem with Top-Tier Coffee and Atmosphere

I have been a loyal customer of this small coffee shop for a few years now, and it has become one of my favorite rituals every Monday or Tuesday when I stop by during a cycling trip. The quality of the coffee is outstanding — rich, smooth, and clearly made with care and expertise. Whether you’re into espresso, pour-over, or a classic flat white, they get it right every single time.

The food is just as impressive. Fresh ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and a rotating selection of both sweet and savoury options keep things exciting. Whether I’m in the mood for a hearty brunch or a light snack with my coffee, they always serve something delicious. In the past, they even sold homemade traditional bread and organic strawberries from a local farm — a lovely touch that speaks to their values and attention to detail.

But what truly sets this place apart is the atmosphere. It is cozy, welcoming, and full of character — the kind of spot where you can catch up with a friend or enjoy a quiet moment on your own. The staff are consistently friendly and make you feel right at home, adding to the charm and strong sense of community.

It is rare to find a place that consistently hits all the right notes, but this coffee shop does exactly that. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who values quality, comfort, and a genuinely great...

The tall blonde man who works here is so rude for no reason! I’ve been to Picnic many times over the years and I’ve always given the service the benefit of the doubt but I have finally had enough of him and I certainly won’t visit again. My review was prompted by a discussion with a friend who also had a horrible experience with him. She loves chatting with people asked him about an ingredient in the salad that she wasn’t familiar with and he stared blankly and said, “we clearly say what it is on the board”. Mind you, it was written in chalk in tiny letters that weren’t visible unless you have 20/20 vision. Every interaction I have ever had with him leaves me thinking, “did I accidentally do something to offend him?” I mean I waited patiently in line, said please and thank you when I placed my order, maintained eye contact. I’ve finally realised that it’s not me, it’s him. He’s a pretentious...

Food hygiene issues. I ordered today a tostie to take away. A girl who was serving me completely forgot about my order and left tostie to burn. I was watching what she was doing. She was serving other customers, picking up many things and wiped her hands using extremely dirty, yellow sponge cloth which was sitting by the till. After more than 15 minutes of waiting, she offered to prepare another one. When she went to prepare another tostie, I noticed that she started to make it without even washing her hands. I mentioned it to her but it was already too late as tostie was done. I refused to have it and i asked for a refund. I am extremely disappointed and disgusted. Would definitely...