Festive Food and Drink in Reading Centre

13th December 2024

This Christmas is a fantastic time to be in Reading! In the town centre, you’re surrounded not only by an array of shops for all your Christmas present needs, but also a wealth of restaurants and cafés lining the sparkling high streets. There are countless Christmas exclusive menus this December to help make every part of your shopping experience festive. Whether its freshly-brewed coffee, hot and cheesy toasties, glittery cocktails or sweet treats, these are our favourite finds for festive food and drink this year in Reading! 

Burgers, Toasties and More:

Honest Burgers 
This year, Honest Burgers’ Christmas special features both a fried chicken and beef version of their Camembert Burger, including their familiar festive combo of bacon, cranberry sauce, rocket and deep-fried camembert (in a gluten-free poppy seed breadcrumb).

Popeyes 
Head to the high street for their Festive Superstack Sandwich, and for a unique festive breakfast option, their Festive Feastin’ Roll and Sage and Onion Hash Brown. 

Shed
On Merchants Place, just by the station, Shed has its own Christmas Toastie full of gravy-soaked chilli chicken, crumbed stuffing, cranberry sauce, cheddar, sage slaw and frazzles wrapped in sourdough. To top it off, they’re also offering a veggie and vegan option of this creative sandwich! You won’t be able to find these anywhere else.

Gregg’s 
Similarly, Gregg’s is back with their Festive Bake, also available alongside a Festive Vegan Bake. P.S. Get yours with their Mint Mocha or Mint Hot Chocolate! There are FOUR Gregg’s in the town centre so getting your hands on any of these treats should be easy. 

Muffin Break 
Any fans of Yorkshire Puddings? Well, Muffin Break has got you covered with their Christmas Range. Choose from four options of Yorkshire Pudding: Boxing Day Katsu Curry, Cauliflower Blue Cheese & Cranberry, Turkey & all the Trimmings and Pig in Blankets. They’re also serving Millionaire’s Milkshakes and Billionaire’s Hot Chocolates.

Tortilla 
If you’re looking for something bolder than a sandwich this year, look no further than Tortilla’s Camembert, Cranberry and Chicken Quesadilla with their signature cranberry and chipotle salsa.

Itsu 
Or maybe, if you’re looking for something wonderfully different or a healthier way to enjoy festive food out, how about Itsu’s Ho Ho Faux Caviar? 

Zambrero 
Similarly less traditionally festive, this year, Zambrero is selling the ingenious creation of the Toasted Truffelo. This delicious treat is made with white truffle and chipotle mayo and has TWICE the cheese. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Sweet Treats:

German Doner Kebab 
A sweet kebab? GDK have done it, combining their signature waffle bread with a luxury KitKat chocolate sauce. With a minty twist, let’s welcome their Festive Chocolate Waffle Bread. 

Black Sheep Coffee
Black Sheep have brewed up a green storm with their Gingerbread Matcha Latte and White Mint Chocolate Matcha Latte. Both of these drinks come either hot or iced! 

Paul 
If you’re looking for something even more luxurious to celebrate with this Christmas, Paul Bakery has some fabulous Christmas options. From their Praline Yule Log and Chocolate Roulée to their Red Berry Yule Log, if you’re looking for something fruitier and more colourful, Paul Bakery’s Christmas treats are bound to impress the family.

Wenzel’s 
Have you seen a sleigh anywhere? Because there are sightings of some Reindeer Croisnuts in Wenzel’s. You heard that right. They’re half doughnut, half croissant, and with a whole in the middle, flaky layers throughout and a red nose, they look 100% delicious. 

Our Favourite Café Chain Options: 

Reading not only has a diverse variety of chain restaurants and cafés but it also has an abundance of each. These Christmas treats will be sold all over the town centre, so finding them in Reading will be deliciously easy!

Pret 
If you’re looking for a Festive Orange Hot Chocolate, Caramelised Almond Latte or one of Kamilla’s Maple Pecan Lattes, then head to Pret! Conveniently located at the end of the high street and right in front of the station to have on your morning commute. 

Nero 
Ever tried a Tiramisu Latte? How about a Caramelised Pistachio Latte or a Pistachio Hot Chocolate? Or if you’re after a sweet treat, why not head to one of our THREE town centre cafes to try their Profiterole Cheesecake...or their White Chocolate and Gingerbread Cake...or both!

Starbucks 
This year, Starbucks have a new standout food item on their festive menu, the most adorable Polar Bear Cake Pop! This little bear looks almost too good to eat, although that certainly wouldn’t stop me... 

Alcoholic Drinks: 

There are some fantastic festive fizz options in the town centre this year, especially from our local independent breweries and bars! Whether you’re after warming wine, refreshing craft beer or luxury cocktails, Reading is the place to be. 

Siren 
If you haven’t yet checked out Siren’s new bar on Friar Street, have a look around and see if you can find their Christmas cans for this year, Miracle on Marshmallow Mountain Porter and Lumina Christmas IPA. 

Revolución de Cuba 
From the comforting Papa Guinness and refreshing Gingle Juice, to the Absolut-ely delicious Yule Mule, Revolución de Cuba have a creative range of Christmas cocktails to indulge in this December. They even have a Liquid Gold Tree, which holds TEN of these magical drinks. And even better, Absolut will plant a tree for every one sold. 

High Spirits Cocktail Company
If you're after unique cocktails this Christmas, High Spirits has to be on your list. This year, they're serving up the Minty Berry, a drink that's strong, curious and reveals a firework of flavours, as well as the Winter Old Fashioned and more.

Christmas Markets 
Finally, our very own Christmas markets are serving up Mulled Wine and Bailey's Hot Chocolates to warm you up as you shop this chilly winter!