Valpy Street Bar & Bistro in Reading

Booked for lunch on a Saturday meeting a friend, neither of us are local so went for somewhere with good reviews close to the station. It’s on a road with nothing else apart from offices easily found from the station and opens up when you go downstairs into a spacious and welcoming basement, lovely little bar area too. Waiter was attentive without being intrusive. We had starters and mains, absolutely delicious and well presented. Highly recommend.

Here’s a refined version of your text: "We recently celebrated a 30th birthday, and the experience was outstanding. The staff handled our table of 20 with ease, providing attentive service and promptly bringing drinks. The food was superb, even though it leaned on the expensive side, but not a single complaint from anyone at the table. I had the seafood chowder, which was absolutely sublime. Highly recommended!"

Fantastic evening meal here, hadn't booked in advance, but had a table free for us. Excellent food, service was superb, server very knowledgeable on the menu, with great recommendations.

Excellent little find. Service and food were exceptional. Onglet steak was stunning and everyone enjoyed their meals.

Lovely place with delicious food and drinks. We all like cocktails and really enjoyed the whole experience here including food. Service was top notch and staff very pleasant and polite. Would definitely come back again. Highly recommended. Thank you

Wow. What an amazing place. I would describe this place as “private elegance”. Great atmosphere with amazing food, presented in a classy way. No noise or disturbance from the usual worldly things. The staff are all very friendly. You feel important and recognised. Prices are very reasonable. We will be back, without a doubt. Thanks for an amazing evening. Lara, you were amazing and deserve a special “shout-out”.

I booked the private dining room for a group of 12 work colleagues on Tuesday evening. The food and service were excellent and the atmosphere was great. The small room and format meant that we could hear everyone speak without a lot of background noise. The staff were extremely professional and attentive and I would rate this as my top Reading venue for a small business dinner.

Good restaurant with great cocktails. We went for afternoon lunch, was quiet but fully attended to. The waitress was on her own on the restaurant floor and bar but was very hospitable and catered for us. We went for the lunch menu and although portions were a little small they were delicious. I went for the Deep fried Brie (one piece) and the steak which were very good. Thank you for a great meal, and please pass my thanks to the lovely waitress working afternoon on 07/06.

Food omg. Service, waiter people were very nice polite and on the ball. Talk to them for tailored service. Food, I ordered beef starter and liver main course. The meat was selected very well, it was tender, fell apart under the fork and dissolved in the mouth. I was very pleased the food was tasty and sauces a nice flavour. The table next to mine mentioned it was too noisy inside, but I disagree. The place was full of life and fun. I enjoyed my stay here and will probably visit again another time.

Fabulous restaurant, a hidden gem in Reading for a special night out or celebratory evening. Great value for money, food is mega and service even better. Bright and welcoming with great ambience

The food was lovely but to be honest, the portions were very small given the cost. We had three courses but I still had some snacks when I got home - it definitely didn't feel like a full meal! Service very nice, environment lovely, and the food was good, although vegetarian and vegan options were pretty limited - but this is perhaps to be expected on a small menu.

Great food and the staff are amazing too.

Great food, flexible with booking but little dingy in the corners plus damp/mould??? Bullet-proof meringues to finish!

A fabulous evening celebrating a family birthday at this lovely bistro in the heart of Reading. Great service from the bar and waiting staff and delicious food. We’ll be back!

Harry was great! Excellent service excellent food.

It would have been 5 stars if not because of a soup dessert was totally unremarkable and with no indication to have a strong licorice taste, required no preparation and was literally some sort of marmalade goop or sweet bad gazpacho. The chowder, croquette and beef carpaccio were very good. The lamb was average, the sauce was great but needed more to cover the average lamb flavour.

The best cocktails in Reading by far. And the best place for a really delicious and special meal! A short and well thought through menu of starters, mains, puddings that pick and mixes flavours from around the world: everything from French style pâté, hearty and classy seafood chowder, fresh gnocchi, and a vegan coconut curry. This might sound all over the place but it’s so cohesive - everything arrives gorgeously presented and tasting amazing. Staff always friendly and attentive. I can’t recommend Valpy st enough!

Had to wait a long time for both ordering(15-20 mins) and for the food to arrive (50 mins for mains). Cutlery was not properly cleaned. Had one item from the order wrongly brought to us. Taste of the food was blend at best. Had 2 starters, 2 mains and 2 sides and enjoyed not even half of them, which is kind of disappointing considering the prices.The salt and pepper pots were also empty at the table. Overall an underwhelming experience, not really keen on going back.

Really nice bistro and menu to match with some new style variations on their menu. Probably for smaller groups but definitely a good choice to visit and 2 mins from train station

This place is an absolute treat! Highly recommend!

We came here for a meal to celebrate our engagement and it was fantastic! The staff were excellent, all the food was top tier and it was a great atmosphere! Thanks again and we will definitely be back 😃

We decided to venture to Valpy Street for our Team Christmas lunch, and despite none of us having dined there before, the enticing Seasonal menu convinced us it was worth a shot. To our delight, everyone left with nothing short of full marks, largely attributable to the exceptional quality of the food and drinks offered. The three-course meal was not only impeccably prepared but also thoughtfully paced and portioned. The staff played a significant role in our positive experience, proving incredibly accommodating to some last-minute changes and consistently checking in to ensure that everything exceeded our expectations. We were fortunate to secure the private dining space downstairs, which contributed to a wonderfully relaxed environment. This is certainly an experience we'll be recommending for future team gatherings. Valpy Street exceeded our expectations and left a lasting impression, making it a noteworthy choice for any occasion.

Doesn't get better than Valpy in Reading. The food is absolutely to die for and the service is top notch. Even with multiple Christmas parties it wasn't even loud for our party of 5. I highly recommend the duck salad starter, Beef Cheeks, and Seafood Chowder. A+++ it was so good we totally forgot to take pictures!

Booked a table for my girlfriend's birthday and was really impressed. The food was really good and portions were generous. We also enjoyed the cocktails. Was too full to have a dessert. Prices were reasonable. When I next visit Reading I'll go again.

Hi Andrew and team had lunch in the Bistro yesterday and enjoy it immensely the food was great and if anyone is look for a dinning experience they should pay you a visit

Our three course meal took two and a half hours and we were sat on our own in annexe to the main restaurant. The food was excellent, but I think we won’t be going back.

Had a really nice meal here. The staff were really nice and all in all a good place for a nice dinner.

Food was really good. A bit on the expensive side but cosy bistro set up.

Andrew was very accommodating to Lisa of requests and our girlie lunch was a real treat. Thank you!

Consistently delivers great food. Best lunch in Reading.

We came to Valpy St just for drinks and were super impressed by the service. The cocktails were expertly mixed and the wine choice was fantastic. The two waiters were really friendly and stayed on even when we were the last two customers. I would love to come back for food sometime.

I love this intimate place in Reading, possibly one of the best resturants in Reading. Went for my fiancées birthday, and she loved it. Really cosy atmosphere perfect for a date or celebration.

Visited for the first time last weekend, and absolutely loved the food and the vibe! The part-time waitress we had was amazing and a lovely lady that definitely looked after us! Please note that service can take a while, we stayed over 2 hours for a main and a dessert!

Very tasty food and very friendly staff

Great early Saturday evening. The Old Fashioned cocktail was one of the best I have ever had.

Great place, very friendly. The food is elegant but also feels like it's made with real warmth. The beef shin was especially good and the sauce for the haddock was first class. Would definitely recommend.

I went here a few weeks ago with 44 of my closest friends. We had specifically requested name cards so that our orders could be brought to the correct guests but these were no where to be seen. On top of this, the owner of the place was clearly drunk and slurring his words when talking to us! Thankfully the staff members worked diligently with us to determine the correct placings for the food orders. We had one lovely young man who helped out greatly with the starters but unfortunately wasn’t able to be there for the rest of the evening. Would not go here again and would recommend others not to as the owner doesn’t seem to care for his staff or his establishment!

Lovely place, friendly staff and the food was excellent.

Lovely restaurant - great food and service. One of my Reading faves!

Food was mediocre, service was amazing and atmosphere was great.

Good casual food. Fast and friendly service. Good value for price.

A nice quiet restaurant perfect for a dinner with a partner. Really good cocktails (reasonably priced) and amazing bread and butter pudding. The main meal was also very nice but eclipsed by the dessert. I think it's possible to go here just for drinks too.

Must go! I for one shall return!

Food here was excellent! Best calves liver I've had in years. The restaurant was nice but unfortunately very quiet as we were the only ones in there. Definitely worth another visit.

Exceptional food and service . The food was really remarkable and the staff were delightful . We loved it 💕

Service was great and the food like in Master Chef tv show

Amazing food, great service and very relaxed atmosphere. Would recommend the pork and prawn balls and scotch egg for starters. My partner had the calfs liver and said it was excellent 👌

Food great, service great, sightly dark for my personal preference but still 20/10 rating!

Not what it once was! On this visit, a few hours or so before arrival, I received a call saying that it wasn't going to be very busy as they only had two bookings and I was one of them! So if it was an atmosphere I was looking for, it wouldn't be here. In my opinion that was a way of inadvertently asking not to come as they wanted not to open on the bank holiday Monday. As it was for my mum's 75 and she has been looking forward to it for some time, we went. The service was ok, the paper menus were dirty with grease spots on all three of my tables, the food quality was far from my previous visits, the fondant potatoes were poor, the shin of beef was good though. The attention to detail within the restaurant needs to be addressed as it is off putting, seeing gaffer taped up air-conditioning units, looking into unpolished mirrors and overall a tired looking place. Was it worth the money for this experience.......this time no, will I return, I doubt it.

The food was excellent (although the prices were towards the top end of what you would expect to pay) Waiting staff were engaged and attentitive, but because we were in the ground floor room rather than the main restaurant, we waited quite a long time for orders to be taken/bill to be produced and it did seem to us on more than one occasion that we had been forgotten. But overall, it was a very good eating experience, and i will definitely return

The food was amazing. I had the lamb shank which was tender and off the bone as it should. The atmosphere is great, with the main area of the restaurant being underground / in the basement. The service was also very good and attentive. We will no doubt return and I'll be recommending it to everybody. It's great to have another excellent independent restaurant in the heart of Reading.

Great place for business Dinner, good food, friendly service. Knowledgeable staff. Please lower the mirrors in the ladies, tall people can bend, jumping to tidy hair doesn't work

My friend and I have just had the best cocktails! Amazing atmosphere and Georgia is so amazing - cannot recommend enough!

Service was fantastic, very attentive & welcoming. Restaurant decor & ambiance is lovely, perfect for date night. Very relaxed & inviting environment. Only disappointment is the lack of diversity on the menu, only 1 vegetarian dish available. Would be beneficial to mention on website perhaps that menu not 'non meat friendly', considering how common it is ppl opt for vegetarian options.

An extremely well managed place with great ambience and excellent food and drinks menu. The staffs are helpful, polite and knowledgeable. The service is good. 👍👍👍

Really good quality food presented well. It is a small, thoughtful menu that is interesting enough to make you want to return. Service was perfect, always there at the right time. I've been twice so far with different menus, and I'd go again.

Lovely little bistro with friendly service and very decent portions!

Excellent hard working staff. Food was very good. Just watch out for the shotgun pellets in the pheasants dish. Lol. Definitely go again

Lovely food, friendly staff with a smile on their face, and well priced; 2 people bottle of wine starter and mains and desert for around £120 is very well priced IMO and good quality food well cooked and good selection. Would highly recommend for a date-night or couples occasion.

Staff are very good and food is excellent.

We had dinner in Valpy Street Bar & Bistro and I personally loved the experience. I ordered seafood clam chowder (£21) and it’s divine! I didn’t need to add salt and pepper as it’s already perfect. My friends had beef and said that theirs are so soft. I had sticky toffee pudding - a classic for dessert and I’m glad it’s not too sweet. The staff members were also very nice, smiley and accommodating. The ambiance of the place is very cosy and it’s perfect for intimate dinner.

We were a party of four for lunch and were very impressed by both the service and food. Some weeks earlier we had eaten at a very high-profile restaurant - a little bird might tell you where. Although the food was great we were let down by the service, specifically between staff and kitchen. In contrast we felt valued and very well looked after here, and though the vibe is informal we all felt the service was way superior. We ate from the a la carte menu. Stand-out dishes were the mains of stone bass, pheasant, and lamb shank. Thanks Valpy staff, we look forward to returning.

Really lovely lunch at Valpy Street. The staff were very friendly and helpful with just the right amount of attention. Can highly recommend the seafood chowder. Would definitely return.

Just had some coffee, but would deffo take friends there again.

Great place for a date or a cozy dinner with friends. Food is great and wine selection too.

Small restaurant with nice atmosphere. Reserve early!

Absolutely amazing experience! The food was simply amazing. I am quite demanding in terms of the quality of the food and I can't recommend enough this place. Delicious main courses, sweet and nice desserts with an interesting taste, and a great selection of wine as well. A cozy place with an Italian vibe. If you are in Reading, you will regret if you won't visit this place.

Exceptional dining experience. Food was exquisite, the wine delicious and the service excellent

Firstly the service is absolutely amazing! They always cater for us and our little one at the table upstairs. Onglet steak and the lamb shank is a must try!

Excellent food packed with flavour and the restaurant team were wonderful!

Amazing hidden gem! Such lovely food, wonderful service and a great atmosphere!

Absolutely amazing food! Plus the staff are all really friendly. Definitely worth a visit.

Excellent service by Lilly, Ted & Erin!

Outstanding dinner and top service. Unique space ( essentially a basement ) with great ambiance. Standout wine selection. Highly recommend - especially the braised lamb shank.

Lovely environment!! Wonderful staff! Ted was so welcoming and lily looked after our every need! Recommend for date night or drinks!

Excellent friendly service and a great selection of wine

Delicious food, classic dishes with a beautiful twist, loved the seafood chowder, the carpaccio is delicious too, has a good selection of wines And an impeccable attention.

Still one of the very best restaurants in Reading - amazing food, fantastic staff and great atmosphere. Perfect night out.

🤨cold and noisy. But the food flavours were fantastic. Pork and prawn balls and Chicken in Parma with spinach & barley risotto to die for. Sea Trout dish too small. Staff were great, attentive , not rushed even though it was busy. Would go again, hopefully not with such noisy customers.

Great night, great food, great staff. The food was amazing, first time visiting but won't he the last. All of the staff were super friendly and nothing was too mych trouble. Highly recommend

Great food at a fairly reasonable price for the quality. Lamb shank and the pork was incredible. Its great to find a great independent restaurant in Reading.

Outstanding food, the Onglet steak was the best tasting steak I have ever had. Excellent service, we can't wait to visit again soon and recommend Valpy street to everyone.

Great atmosphere, great staff, great food. Would recommend and definitely come again

Good food, friendly service, nice atmosphere

Seeing this place advertised as open until midnight on a Friday. I went just after 10.30 on my own for some food and was turned away saying they weren't doing food. Nothing on their website about food times. I thought 1.5 hours before closing, and being on my own, was plenty time for a meal. They thought otherwise.

I wouldn't recommend this place. Manager Miah Nesar is very rude, arrogant and had very little manners when spoke to us, lots of promises and very little action. Followed up over 10 times regarding my query, but he tends to ignore. Please stay away. Also we got food poisoning and spend a long time recovering. Saw 2 rats in the toilet. Miah Nesar doesn't wear a mask in the venue and doesn't care about covid 19. Avoid this place.

Great place and food - correctly priced

Great place, nice music, amazing staff and incredible food. Seafood chowder is mu favourite, but everything is good.

The venue and staff were great. Unfortunately my food was not too good. But my friends had fantastic meals maybe it was just one of those days. But I will go back there again.

Food and service was lovely. They also had an excellent gluten free menu, very reasonably priced for the quality and portions of the food. Would recommend and would definitely eat here again!

Very nice hidden gem. Friendly staff and great food. In 3 years the place still is as good as the first time! Friendly staff, good food. Nice selection on food and drink.

Visited this restaurant last night and enjoyed a really fun family night out to celebrate our Son's 18th birthday. Everything was perfect and can't recommend this restaurant enough. It was perfect. Thank you

Excellent lunch menu well executed and well priced

Lovely atmosphere and the staff couldn't do more for us, so pleasant and polite. The food was exceptional and very fairly priced with perfectly sized portions and cooked to perfection. Would definitely recommend to anyone and will certainly be back again in the future!

This is a great restaurant. Hosted a 60th birthday here for 12 and we were given a private ‘party’ room with a square table which was really convenient to engage with everyone there. Food, service and ambiance superb. Well done Valpys

Nice staff, amazing espresso martini food was nice.

Good service, starters and mains were great.

Lovely lunch with a friend just round the corner from the station. This place does not look much from the outside as you have to go downstairs, but it is really nice. The menu was not extensive but there was something for everyone. We had the brocolli and stilton tart, which was delicious and nicely presented. Desserts were also very tasty. Wine list had a good selection by the glass or bottle. Service was good and the waiter was attentive but not intrusive. Highly recommended and would be a great place for a meal with friends or a couple. It would also be a good venue for a business lunch as there are more private alcoves.

Very good food in a pleasant basement setting. The cocktails and service were great too

We had our first experience in this amazing bistro! The food was absolutely delicious! Lily took care of us and she was extremely attentive and very sweet! We definitely will be back!