Harden's says
Restaurant and tapas bar alongside a stylishly revamped Victorian lido
Harden's survey result
Summary
Located in the “quirky but fun setting” of a refurbished Grade II listed Edwardian swimming pool, this venue is an “oasis of decent food in the wasteland of Reading”, serving “very good Mediterranean-style food across all three courses”. With views over the pool through plate-glass windows, it’s “great to eat while watching others exercise!”.
Summary
“A shining light in the middle of Reading dining” – this glass-fronted dining room overlooking a Grade II listed Edwardian swimming pool serves a “frequently changing selection” of “very decent tapas”. “The lovely space and atmosphere have made it a new favourite”. It’s from the team behind the similar Clifton Lido in Bristol and “the swimming makes a fun backdrop while you eat!”
Summary
“One of the best places in Reading” (not the double-edged compliment it might appear), this spin-off from the team behind Bristol Lido has an unusual setting around a Grade II listed Edwardian pool. The Spanish and Mediterranean tapas is “consistently great” (by most – if not quite all – accounts) and an oft-changing menu means that “there is always loads to choose from” on a visit.
Summary
“Reading? It feels more like you’re in San Francisco” at this “fantastic” four-year-old venture, where “you can watch the swimmers” in the Edwardian lido, rescued after 40 years’ dereliction by the people behind Bristol’s Lido. “The décor, lighting, setting and service are modern, and the food Mediterranean/North African fusion, with fish and shellfish to the fore”. “We love the lido!” – “anyone with a sense of adventure will not be disappointed”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Thames Lido?
Napier Road, Reading, RG1 8FR
Restaurant details
Thames Lido Restaurant Diner Reviews
"It would be damning with faint praise to say that this is one of Reading's better restaurants ... but it certainly is. The food, including the tapas, is very decent, the service OK and the setting in a very carefully converted Lido is both striking and pleasant. It is surprisingly soothing to watch others swim whilst you eat. The Lido is in a pleasant green area a few minutes walk from the busy station - so it's not a bad place to meet."
"Lovely location"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £26.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.20 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Napier Road, Reading, RG1 8FR
Opening hours
| Monday | 9 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 9 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
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