The Gardens in Reading

I’m all for supporting local indie coffee shops but having visited three times am not a big fan of the offering and would struggle to recommend this place - frustratingly slow service, staff not especially attentive. Food rather expensive (I think £7.50 for sausage roll?)

Love the place! Great coffee, delicious and appetising looking edibles, and very friendly staff. That's of course over and above the lovely location!

I visited once. The lady serving us was nice, the coffee was OK, the cake didn't taste good. As the other reviewers mentioned, there is no menu, nothing has a price tag or even a label saying what it is, and things are not cheap. This is ridiculous. They should put up at least a hand-written menu and price tags, if they want people to return. Various coffee types are on display, but one doesn't get to choose from them in fact, so it doesn't make much sense to keep the big variety then.

I visited here on a Saturday morning whilst visiting the area and thought the service, selection of cakes and drinks was really good. The staff were very friendly and took the time to explain what they had on offer. All cakes on the counter were covered which I think is essential given the current situation (covid19). Slight downside is that no prices on goods but you can alway ask. Actually I thought the prices for the cakes were fair given the good sized portions. I would return.

I am difficult with coffee and rarely find a cup from a coffee shop as good as a pour over I make at home. But I’m not always home. I just moved to the area and have been checking out the range of independent coffee shops here. The Gardens of Caversham was a surprise. Don’t go there for the decor—that almost detracts—go for the coffee. They do pour over, which was the first surprise, so a few special instructions are involved. The staff (Marie) was polite and efficient, but also accommodating of my “helpful” suggestions. Not the barista war of egos I often encounter. She made the grind a bit coarser for me and the water super hot. Their standard for pour over is 24 grams which is generous and also what is usually needed. I tried the Stark blend as it was the darkest roast they had and it was very good. Worth a review. Coffee is subjective so I won’t try to describe here. On my second visit I tried the washed Ethiopian which was also good for what it was, but less to my taste. I met the owner and briefly talked beans. He is intense— passionate about coffee, roasting and freshness. Their Stark is from Burundi, which I know to be rare, expensive and usually a bean I will like. So far I’d rate the other Reading independents as 6s and 7s and Gardens of Caversham an 8.

Brazil beans are good here, this is the mother branch of workhouse and therefore the owner is the same and not very friendly.Coffee good but the blondie and brownie are way too sugary and pricey.Wherever you do, avoid the pecan pie - trash!FYI - flat white is comedy size and I think 10/12 oz.

A fantastic hidden gem to find some space and peace in busy Caversham. Always well maintained and even in the cold and wet these gardens are enjoyable. Great to have riverside views with places to sit and relax for a while. The tea kiosk provides welcome hot drinks and cakes to while the time away. Definitely worth a visit to decompress from the hussle and bussle.

Really love this place. They make a great flat white, larger than normal and with 3 shots so still strong. £3.10. The cakes and nibbles are cooked in the cafe by the owner and they are delicious.The staff are great too!

A new coffee house in the centre of Caversham housed in old Lloyd’s Bank building but with a dull ambience, gloomy outlook, the cakes for sale lying on the dusty counter with no covers or display cabinets. The floor and foot rug was littered and cigarette butt on the floor, windows dirty and window Cill with paper litter. No sign board in front to say the name of the place.Having witnessed all this I must say the male barista was polite, helpful and made excellent cup of coffee. Full marks to him and to the cup of coffee but @ £3.30 a small cup was a bit more than Costa!

Nice to have an independent coffee option in Caversham. From the same people as Workhouse Coffee, with the same good quality and quirkiness, but this place has its own vibe, bright, lofty almost Scandinavian. So for it's been quiet, it's an asset to the village so I'd recommend giving it a go, hopefully it will stay around.