Quantum Web Cafe in Reading

Stumbled across this today and was very pleasantly surprised. The food and service was excellent and the prices were very reasonable too. Would heartily recommend.

Great meeting room, compact but functional. Helpful friendly attentive staff, good coffee and snacks. Real find, cost effective when on tight budgets!

Apareció en este lugar para imprimir algunos bits ya que mi computadora portátil anterior es un poco pobre. El personal es servicial y te traen café mientras estás en tu terminal. Tuve un problema, pero un miembro del personal muy útil pronto rectificó las cosas. Imprimir en color es un poco caro, pero de alguna forma tienen que ganar dinero. Es bueno ver que puedes cargar tu teléfono mientras estás en la terminal. No estaba ocupado pero era bastante agradable.

Very friendly staff and a nice atmosphere but the coffee was not great and the cake we chose was very average. A pity as we like to patronise small cafes like this one.

Vine aquí para una despedida de soltero a internet como alternativa a la habitual beber por el pub. El lugar era increíble, 16 bien distribuido PCs configuración y un magnífico ambiente ya que procedió a jugar una gran variedad de juegos de la instalada.Nuestro anfitrión Jason era impresionante. Pasó la mayor parte de las 4 horas corriendo sirve una corriente de parada de bebidas y alimentos. Nada era demasiado problema para él y él realmente ayudó a hacer un evento memorable. Gracias!

I love this cafe, and I visit everytime I come to England from France! The staff are always very patient and helpful, prices are very reasonable too. Love the modern funky design of the place. Food simple but always good. Definately recommended!J'adore ce café ! Et j'y retourne dès que je suis de passage en Angleterre. Le personnel est à l'écoute et très patient, les prix sont très raisonnables. J'adore la décoration et le design qui donne un coté très classe et accueillant. Les repas sont simples mais absolument délicieux. Je le recommande !

Once again the interior in Quantum had been updated and the lighting is so much better. There are new tables and chairs downstairs at the back. The menu is still the same as well as all the services.

Tenía unas pocas horas para matar en Leer antes de una reunión y les pasé en Quantum. Personal amable, excelente servicio, ambiente relajado, buena comida, sin mencionar el acceso a internet y capacidad de impresión. Arriba era muy tranquilo y confortable y el servicio de equipo/muy fácil de usar!Un montón de terminales y no estaba lleno. Felizmente recomendaría!

Mi hijo y su amigo se celebró una fiesta de cumpleaños por sus 11 LAN en este lugar elegante y bien equipada. Antes de la fiesta el personal dedicado tiempo para comprender lo que los chicos de juegos quería jugar al, y se aseguraba de que todo funcionaba muy bien, así que al llegar a los 12 chicos podían bucear directamente. Durante la fiesta el entusiasta y experto personal permite a los chicos para hacer sus propias cosas, mientras ofrece ayuda y apoyo cuando sea necesario. Los chicos se lo pasaron de maravilla y recomendaría una fiesta aquí para chicos (y chicas) de cualquier edad.

Reservamos una fiesta de internet para un cumpleaños de mis compañeros aquí y que era increíble; cada aspecto era genial y el personal en 110% esfuerzo para cuidar de nosotros todo el tiempo que estuvimos allí. Catering para nosotros como cinco estrellas los huéspedes adecuados, incluso no correr de cerveza para nosotros cuando nos acabaron Stella!

Decidí venir aquí a algunas bebidas antes de salir de la ciudad para mi 25 cumpleaños y fue genial. El personal fue muy atento y se aseguraron de que nuestras copas nunca estaban vacíos, asegurándose de que no tuve que tomar nuestros ojos la acción para un segundo! La cerveza fluyen y los juegos no demasiado con el personal expresamente ayudarnos a correr la noche y dando la cantidad de ayuda (juegos y consejos) a aquellos que necesitábamos, pero por lo demás está bien manos, que permite que nuestra propia dirección ... y ser bastante ruidoso!Recomiendo tener una fiesta de internet en Quantum a cualquiera que disfruta cerveza, juegos y un servicio de primera categoría.

Me encontré con este lugar uno el sábado por la tarde cuando estaba lloviendo. Llevé a mi hijo de seis años que pensaban que era genial, ya que no nos I. El personal es encantador y la comida era genial. No lo he probado, como por ejemplo una deliciosa patata de la chaqueta en mucho tiempo

I found this café by accident having to wait for one of the shops in smelly ally to do something...

Agradable y acogedor pequeño café de Internet con un personal amable, buena sección de comida de comida, café y bebidas. Wifi realmente bueno, hay impresoras y PC disponible y en el sitio web se puede encontrar todos los servicios que se ofrecen en esta tienda de café . Sólo puedo que recomendaría este lugar a todo el mundo de manera especial si un ordenador o si necesita usar su ordenador portátil.

Just experienced a LAN party at Quantum, and it was great! The staff were friendly, food was good and the computer were pretty fast too. We made lots of noise (sorry!) and that staff didn't even mind. I would definitely visit Quantum again, I was overall happy with my visit! Thanks for a good day, Quantum!

Good cakes and coffees.... not tried the food and breakfast......dining place is small... so not great to go with a group of people....staff very friendly

Smashing little place down Smelly Alley in Reading. Ideal if you don't surf "on the go" and want to have a few moments with a drink and a nibble whilst surfing in their internet cafe. Reasonable prices too.

Calling all business travelers staying in Reading, and citizens of the town/area - if you want to work, access the Internet, print anything, and have a nice cuppa and/or a full English, Quantum is THE place to visit. In the historic "Smelly Alley" (Union Street), Quantum's "Bog Standard" breakfast is nothing but. Hot plate serves hot food (can't beat that!). Tasty and good value. On vacation, but need to get some last minute loose ends tied up. Got everything finished and delivered in the relative peace and quiet of Quantum. Fab/funky music in the background, but not too loud or distracting. Truly excellent and knowledgable staff. So impressed.. You guys are awesome. I've been here many times since discovering it a few years ago, and it's consistently good. A terrific find and where I come for a bit of solace, whilst also being productive. Better and more relaxing than any business center I've experienced.

Web cafe. Knowledgable staff. Free WiFi. Good Food. Licensed to sell alcohol. Printing, laminating, scanning, gaming (upstairs is best), welcoming atmosphere. Smoking tables outside. The Gents is a scream (have a look). Private work room.

Was looking to have some breakfast and whilst taking a short cut from Friar Street towards Broad Street via "smelly alley" saw the Quantum café. They had a board outside showing breakfasts that they serve so decided to go in.As you enter on your right there is a display counter with selection of cakes, muffins etc. The looked absolutely delicious.Menus were on the table. You select what you want go and order and pay at the till. One of the staff will then bring your food to you. Food - Had the Veggie Breakfast. Good Points - Warm plate. Excellent coffee, nice toast, two individually wrapped pats of butter, 2 eggs sunny side up.Bad Points - Hash browns not cooked through. Tomatoes don't know if they were supposed to be served raw, but they were, Baked beans were slightly hard, cheap, nasty, watery and piled on top of the eggs!I have never had under cooked beans so this was a total surprise.Service - think both the female staff were having an "off day". May be Saturday wasn't a good day to visit. Won't eat here again.

I've lived in the Reading area for years, but today was the first time I'd paid a visit.Just what was required on a Sunday morning before doing a spot of Christmas shopping.Friendly service, nice relaxed venue and the two cups of tea and sausage sarnie were very good value.One suggestion...I wouldn't bother with the crisps and slices of tomato alongside your sausage sarnie, Quantum Web Cafe. No need. It's great value anyway!Will definitely pay another visit.

Quantum cafe just gets better and better. Current staff are very helpful and polite. Food is a mixture of coffee-shop style snacks - muffins, cakes etc, or cooked pub-grub type food, baguettes, melts, fry-ups, cheese on toast that sort of thing, but is always tasty and much much cheaper than going to one of the corporate chain outfits. And now featuring screensavers with information on the artist and track title of the music currently playing !

An amazing little find right at the heart of Reading and located along one of Reading's most historic alleys! Brilliant service and great food! There is always something interesting going on at Quantum. The team really put a lot of thought into their service and how to stand out from the crowd! Love it - definitely worth a visit or several!

This really is a fantastic web café. It's hidden, off the main street in an alley, but once you find it you will love it as much as I do.It's really easy to use the computers and internet here. You are given a laminated set of instructions when you arrive and you are only charged for the time you use the computer. If you print the charge is per page and you pay a little more for colour than black and white.The staff are very patient and very helpful. Even when the café got busy the staff got everyone through their computing with a smile. I was impressed with this because some of the customers were quite rude at times!There are lots of computer terminals, seating upstairs, clean toilets and a great menu. I was pleased to see home cooked food and soya milk. They serve fantastic breakfasts too.It's really a pleasant place to be so the next time you need to work on the computer you should try it here.

Popped in for tea for two. Lovely little cafe tucked away from the crowds. The tea was ordinary but milk in a jug!

Nope, I know you're protesting in front of your screen,but it's true there exists an independent cafe that isn't owned by some American fat cat or dodgy mafia! Hidden down smelly alley,it is a public service as it smells divine! Cheesey toasties,freshly ground coffee , sizzling bacon from the local butchers and the one and only QUANTUM MELT! : P an affordable heart attack in one delicious hot'n'fresh baguette! I come here all the time since i moved to reading and was instantly depressed by the boggling numbers of the same damned chains serving cardboard food and swill like coffee...I was subsequently saved from malnutrition and a mental breakdown by this little bijou cafe! Lovely caring staff and knowledgable friendly owners who always take the time to stop and have a chat or give you tips/advice on the confusing world of computers! Free wifi and cheap Internet prices in a clean and hip enviroment have seduced me into staying till closing time more than once. And if you are lazy like me,no need to get up,just click a a button and they'll bring you food/prints/ a smile to your face!!!!I'll see you there,Quantums resident customer

I definitely recommend going to Quantum Web Cafe! I was searching for somewhere to print, and was told about this place, and I will certainly go back again. The service was friendly, the price was decent, and I even had time to sit and have a coffee. Very pleased.

Firstly, i have to say that as i don't have a personal computer, and was ignorant of the other internet cafes in Reading, i was dependent on this internet cafe for quite a while. I don't go often, but when i do, i don't see how the cafe acheived its '5-star' rating. It's not even a 2-star cafe. Now i know of other internet cafe's for actually looking around today, i won't go to this one again.Many times when sitting in the cafe, i have frequently noticed that the search history on many computers is not (yes, not!) deleted from the past users' last login. So, their history (facebook, email, downloads, etc) are clearly visible when the next person logs in. More than once i have seen pornographic content displayed in the search bar and history, which is very disconcerting considering how many under-18's use these computers.Secondly, the customer service is abysmal. There have been many occasions where i had to borrow a usb docking station from the counter (usb sticks plugged straight into the computer doesn't work). But when i first tried it, it turned out that didn't work either! So i took it back to the lady at the counter, explaining my problem, only for her to accuse me of breaking it. I was absolutely disgusted. She handed me another one, but this time, i had to download a particular software for it to even work! Costing more of my time and therefore money.Thirdly, the noise is far too loud. When using the computer to type work, it's not unusual for many other computer users to be using skype to talk with others. Which is very distracting. Why can't they make skype users sit in another room? Not ideal for work.The food served looked absolutely dreadful. I wouldn't ever recommend actually eating it. It looked dry and overcooked. The prices are outrageous. You could get the same cake/full breakfast just a few hundred yards away for a much lesser price.The hygeine standards aren't brilliant either. The keyboards are often greasy and the headphones smell of sweat. Because of this, i always wash my hands before i leave. Though today, after looking at the time displayed at the bottom-right of the computer, i realised that after washing my hands from the greasy keyboard, i had been on the computer for 22 minutes. The fact that i had to take my time to actually wash my hands from the grease and heaven-knows-what from the keyboard, to log in (which takes about 2 minutes for the screen to react that you want to use it, and load), i thought the manager (who was at the counter) would be understanding, and not charge me an extra £0.50 for staying on the computer for a mere 2 extra minutes, which weren't even used on the internet. But no. The manager was argumentative, and came across as a very arrogant and snide man. For his (disgusting) tactic was to make the clock a few minutes faster than it was shown on the computers. So, when i left the computer, it was 4:22pm (i logged in at 4:00pm), and when i was downstairs at the counter, it showed on the downstairs clock 4:27pm! (And no, it didn't take me 5 minutes to walk downstairs! It was about 5 seconds!). I argued my case to him and his employee, but they wouldn't have it, and i was forced to pay extra for their own mistakes of poor hygeine and messing around with the computer/downstairs clock, after tiring of arguing with the manager over 50p!The price of staying on the computer for 30minutes (which i was charged), was £1.50. In Reading town's other computer cafe (at the end of London Street), it's barely half that price, and with much better service, cleaner computers and much, much better privacy. Quantum's customer service is disappointing (at the best of times!) compared to other computer cafe's in Reading Town. So in summary, for better privacy, better customer service (like not being accused by a member of staff for no reason, or tricked into giving a mere 50p), for better food and a less noisy atmosphere, better hygeine, and (especially) better value for your money, look elsewhere. (i.e. London Street) I did and now i'll never go back here again. Definately not 5 stars. 1 star is too good for this place.Another thing, the printing quality is very poor.

It's tucked away down a small shopping street - but what a gem. I have been to a number of Internet cafe in my time. Typically you get good Internet or good food or good service.This place supplies all three with a smile. I popped in to get some documents scanned whilst I was without a PC at home - ended up surfing with a nice coffee, sandwich and cake. Give this place a try.

Quantum web café is located in Union Street, aka "Smelly Alley," a narrow pedestrian-only street that bizarrely connects the glossy-but-bland prosperous main shopping area of Reading with the Budget pound-shop-bookies-and-lots-of-social-types-hanging-about shopping area of Reading. I avoided this place for years and years because, I guess because of its location and the fact that they are licensed to sell booze, you often see certain 'social problem' types perched on the seats outside, smoking and swearing. However, fed up with the blandness and shortcomings of the corporate chain coffee houses, I decided to have a look last year for the first time, and was very impressed. They have an excellent "British-grub" menu at reasonable prices, but if you just want a snack and a cup of tea or coffee this place might well be the cheapest and best in Reading. Over the last year, on a minority of occasions, the excellent food quality was quite bad, due to certain members of staff cooking it wrong, for example I had several scones that were not 'warmed' in the microwave so much as 'nuked' so that the centre had taken on the weight and consistency of a black hole.. and the normally excellent toast was burnt and disappointing. However, in the last few months (as of Aug 2012) I'm happy to say I haven't had any more repeats of this, and the two girls currently working in there are both very polite and very helpful and prepare very good food. The inside of the café is quite quirky; there are non-internet café tables of four chairs apiece available as well as internet seats available; there's no need to use the internet in there, you can just go in for lunch etc. The seats are very comfortable, tables nice and solid and steady, original paintings around the walls and large inspirational quotes from Churchill and Ghandi. A nice temperature inside as well. Its quite small but its never that busy so you can always get a seat. Also the proprietors have a sense of humour and the unused internet terminals rotate "adverts" for the café, some of which are very funny like the cat faxing one - it's worth going in just to see that. But the adverts also advertise all the computer and general services they offer as well, faxing, photocopying, laminating, computer repair etc. Oh and they also now have a rentable private meeting room, and a networked computer games room upstairs for the games nerds. You don't get all that at Costa-lot ! The bottom line is - do I choose go back to this place regularly ? Yes. Definitely better than any of the chain cafés in Reading; in summary cheap, better range of food, excellent tea and coffee, and very very comfortable inside. Just watch out for the step half way along the floor, it's easy to forget it is there and I've seen a couple of people go flying on it.

Since the beginning of the year Quantum Web Cafe formally know as Quarks Internet Café has been decorated, had its name changed, and now has a rentable office, sorry they call it a “meeting room and private workspace hire.” Yes, I have been inside it but have not used it (not allowed joke). It is a good size to spread out and work on those confidential documents that need finishing to meet that so important deadline. Have one to one appraisals away from other team members, conduct interviews for employment, surveys etc. Hold meetings with colleagues to brainstorm, plan, or just finalise that project etc. Yes you can swing the cat in the room and I know that they say that you can fit three in comfortable but I think they are talking of at least two the group being rugby players. As the pictures show, it is well equipped with everything you have outside only with privacy.Other changes unfortunately are the prices for the food and drink have gone up slightly. In addition, the food and drink range has changed but the favourites have remained. The staff is still friendly and helpful but busy. The internet speed is still fast, the different games people play on the computer are still there, and if it is not, there I am sure that they can find you a copy to play. Therefore, if you wish to surf the web while eating this is the place to be. link to see what I mean - http://www.quantumwebcafe.co.uk/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1857

Small place, very friendly!First thing, I often go to this place and I have to say that the quality of service and food is regularly very good. You have to take the cinnamon tchai tea which is just tasty, creamy: awesome! The freshly baked baguette filed with cajun chicken and melting mozzarella on top is fantastic too.The big things here: good, affordable, friendly and quiet enough for me to easily fall into a book!

I stopped in here for a Breakfast the other day whilst in Reading, bouyed by the results I had seen on Tripadvisor, I was soon brought down to earth with a big bump, For £5 I was expecting something different and maybe a bit special...it was that alright. Possibly the only English breakfast I have ever seen made solely using an oven and a microwave, even the eggs.My £5 breakfast turned up on what looked like a side plate, with 2 'fried' eggs (overcooked and dry) 1 sausage (lets not even go there) 1 bacon (dried out) beans (overcooked in m/w) 1 x hash brown (hidden under eggs and soggy, soggy, soggy) crammed onto it. |The only saving grace was the 2 x rounds of toast that covered the breakfast by sitting on top of it.I must say, I am rather surprised by the reviews given on this website for this cafe, they certainly weren't eating what I had...

Finding a half decent vegetarian breakfast can be a hard task; fortunately this places does it, and in 2 sizes! They offer tea/coffee as part of the price, but didn't object when i opted to have a juice bought at th health food shop next door instead. V.friendly staff :-)

First time in this restaurant and a very welcoming experience. Lovely and clean place, with excellent food and service, and at very affordable prices. The perfect place to enjoy a mid-shopping trip break to recharge the batteries!

I visted Quarks cafe last month. The staff were friendly and served up some great coffee. I can also recommend the milkshakes and chocolate cake! PC facilities were spot on - from now on it'll be my default option whenever I pop into Reading! Highly recommended.

I often go there for the internet, and the food. They have WiFi, which other reviews have not mentioned. Which is free and unencrypted. Although you don't have to buy anything to use it, it is polite to buy something, even if it is the cheapest thing on the menu.The staff are always polite, the boss is a big friendly knowledgable chap. The piped music is not drivel and not too intrusive. The 'wired in' terminals are excellent.You could just come for a coffee or something to eat and not use the internet terminals.In short, it is an attitude free zone, and always welcoming.If the patio doors are drawn shut you can have a cigarette sitting at the pavement tables (the town ordanance forbids smoking in such a way that ingress of cigarette smoke is possible.).You can scan, up and download, skype, webcam and just about anything without the tedious restrictions sanctioned by council libraries.

I often use Quarks when I am in Reading. You always get a very friendly welcome and the staff seem to love Children too. There are crayons and colouring books to keep them amused whilst i check my emails and even have a coffee! The food is reasonably priced and I can highly recommend the baked potatoes. Great 'all round' cafe which has a very european feel to it.

After technical problems at my offices, Quarks internet cafe was a life saver. I managed to get all my training done. Thankyou. It was reasonably priced and the food was amazing, would recommend the melts!!!

Cool place, really easy to find and great food. Very handy for business and I like the staff a lot. They are very helpful and informative. I use this place a lot for meetings.

I live in Spain, but am quite often over in the UK to see family. I always go here when I’m over, they always remember me and make me feel welcome. Sometimes I use the PCs (which are fast and clean I should also mention) and sometimes I just go to eat. I’ve probably tried everything on the menu, but the olive oil basted baked potato with tuna mayo or the veggie English breakfast are probably my favourites. It’s a hidden away location even though it’s smack in the town centre, and it still feels like it’s ‘my’ secret place! Highly recommended for lunch or breakfast.

brill food, good internet access and great service! :)

Situated in Union Street, Reading “Quarks” is an internet café, which sells the best tasting, competitive priced and most various combinations of all day breakfasts in Reading. Starting at £4.00 for the “Veggie Standard” consists of two eggs, two hash browns, tomatoes, baked beans, two rounds of toast and butter; there is cup of tea or coffee as well. There is then the “Bog Standard” which costs £5.00 consists of two eggs, two hash browns, bake beans, a rash of bacon, a sausage, two rounds of toast & butter, and a cup of tea or coffee. The bacon for all the breakfasts is out of this world, it smells and tastes fabulous, and is bought from the butcher just a few doors down. At £5.50 there is the “Beery Veggie Brekky” this includes two eggs, two hash browns, two tomatoes, baked beans, two rounds of toast and butter, and a bottle of beer instead of tea or coffee. At £6.00, there is the “Vegetarians Nightmare” which includes the following two eggs, two hash browns, bake beans, two rashes of bacon, two sausage, two rounds of toast & butter, and a cup of tea or coffee. Also at £6.00 “Big Beer Breakfast” which consists of two eggs, two hash browns, two tomatoes, baked beans, two rounds of toast and butter, and a bottle of beer instead of tea or coffee. I dare you to try the “Utterly Ridiculous” which is priced at £7.00 and you will get three eggs, three hash browns, bake beans, three rashes of bacon, three sausage, two rounds of toast & butter, and a cup of tea or coffee.Quarks are famous for their melts, which are served on freshly baked piping hot baguettes with you choice of fillings topped with melted cheese. Costing £3.90 each baguette is filled with the choice of the following different fillings ham, tuna mayo, bacon, sausage, spicy tuna, also tomato & mozzarella.Not interested in the above you can also order baked potatoes with a choice of filling such as baked beans & cheese, baked beans, cheese & tuna mayo fillings; finally, there is a plain baked potato with individually rapped butter. The price of the baked potato and fillings varies from £2.75 to £3.90 but is a real deal and highly recommended.On offer like all good café’s are a range of sandwiches & baguettes. Prices for the sandwiches start at £2.80 while baguettes (also freshly baked and piping hot) cost £3.90. Filled with the filling of your choice which can be sausage, smoked bacon, bacon lettuce & tomato, cheese & pickle, cheese & onion, cheese & tomato tuna mayo, tuna mayo & sweetcorn, Ham & Tomato, chicken salad & cajun spiced chicken. How about a quick snack or drink between shopping. There is a range of cold (alcoholic & non-alcoholic) and hot drinks reasonably prices.All food can be eaten at the newly updated computers so one can eat and surf the net, play computer games or just catch up with friends on facebook etc.Hope to see you soon at the small but very friendly café.I am one of the regulars.Free WIFI, laptop connections, all day Skype for a set fee,. There is DVD burning, scanning, photocopying, printing etc.Opening time are 9 to 8 Monday to Friday execpt bank holiday.9 to 7 on Saturdays10 to 6 on Sundays and bank holiday.