Affordable Restaurants: Cheap Eats In Reading

What started out life in South London as a small, humble restaurant has now turned into one of the UK's favourite spots for a delicious burgers. What makes these guys stand out? Their top-quality beef and sustainable ethos, of course. They source their grass-fed beef from small farms in Gloucestershire, using rib cap and chuck which results in a succulent, juicy patty. And though the classics are stars on their own (with chicken and plant-based patties available too), each city has their own special. Reading's is made with beef, bacon, Waterloo & Heckfield cheese, apple slaw, tomato and chilli chutney, and rocket. Just make sure to order a side of this joint's famous rosemary salted fries, too.

Fun, quirky and right in the centre of town, Slug And Lettuce on Friar Street is ideal for a casual meal out. While surrounded by dangling foliage, indoor blossom trees and vibrant patterns, get to know the menu that really gives you bang for your buck. Kick-start your day with a cheap brunch, or take advantage of their sandwich and a soft drink for £10 offer. Fancy something for dinner? They've got you sorted on that front too, with Malaysian katsu curry, steak frites and burgers at affordable prices too. 

Slug and Lettuce Reading is the place to be for outdoor bottomless brunch vibes - sunny tables, pop tunes in the background, and two glorious hours of cocktails, prosecco, and great brunch dishes. Whether you're craving pancakes, plant-based bites, or a full-on Big Breakfast, your weekend just found its highlight.

If you're looking for cheap places to eat in Reading city centre, make sure to check out BrewDog on Castle Street. The industrial-chic space is perfect for grabbing a bite at a bargain price, with a menu featuring affordable burgers, salads and sharing plates – dig into a juicy Patriot, featuring a beef patty, smoked bacon, cheddar, pickles, onions, baby gem and BBQ sauce for just £12.50. But that's not all, as they also host Vegan Mondays, where you can grab 2-4-1 on all vegan and veggie mains. That means you can get plant-based nosh like the Clucky This Time (made with a Crispy Tindle chicken burger, avocado, red onion and Cajun mayo) for less. Plus, these guys are famed for their iconic craft pints, boasting 23 taps of fresh beer for you to pair with your feast.

Though, unsurprisingly, Veeno is all about delicious Italian wine imported from the owners' own vineyard back in Sicily, it's also one of the best cheap restaurants in Reading town centre. Make your way over to enjoy a fine Italian wine tasting, while also digging into a few spuntini (cured meats, cheeseboards and bruschetta) or delve into the menu of affordable mains. Chow down on lasagna alla Bolognese (£11.95), ravioli 'nduja e pecorino (£11.95) and tiramisu classico della nonna (£5.50).

Zerodegrees take pride in their pizzas, using a secret recipe to create their dough (although we do know that they use high-grade flour imported from Naples), which is then proved lovingly for over 24 hours. To complement the fluffy, chewy base? Homemade Neapolitan tomato sauce and top-quality ingredients. One of our favourites has to to be the Cinghiale, made with fior di latte mozzarella, wild boar salame, 'nduja, roquito peppers, parmesan, fresh chillis, basil and extra virgin olive oil. So, grab a seat on one of their balconies to soak up the sunshine with a slice in hand, not to mention a pint of their own-brewed craft beer.