Shortlist: Eight Restaurants In Wokingham That Locals Love!

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Last updated on November 18, 2022 by Wandering our World

This historic Market Town just a short commute outside of London is brimming with history, and is an attractive town that bustles with its own unique energy. From the stunning architecture to the friendly community, it’s hard not to enjoy visiting Wokingham, especially considering the many fantastic restaurants you’ll find in town.

It can feel surprisingly busy too, but if you need to find a place to relax and refuel then you’re in luck. Wokingham is filled with quirky and wonderful restaurants serving all kinds of delicacies throughout the year.

From exotic meals to classic homely cooking, there’s somewhere to dine for every taste. So if you’re feeling perplexed and don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered.

So kick back, relax, and let us take you on a tour of the best restaurants in Wokingham.

Chef cooking in kitchen
Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+

The Best Restaurants In Wokingham: Food Worth Waiting For!

1. Rossini

A cosy family-run Italian Tratoria with a surprisingly extensive menu of authentic dishes and options for all dietary requirements.

Three decades of family tradition lie in wait behind the doors of Rossini in Wokingham. Opened in 1993, they’ve easily become one of the most beloved restaurants in Wokingham through their unwavering hospitality and incredible food.

While they’ve got their fair share of competitors, Rossini brings its own unique charm that’s had locals and tourists in awe for years. Situated off the popular Denmark Street, they attract a number of hungry wanderers and welcome each like a family member.

They’ve taken the interesting quirks that come with old town buildings and converted them into their own slice of Tuscany.

Gorgeous paintings act as windows to foreign shores, and the well-worn wine racks hint at the years of love the Rossini restaurant has offered.

The layout allows even the most intimate corners of the establishment to still feel encapsulated by the incredible atmosphere. The air is always filled with happy chatter and contented compliments to the chef.

The recipes have been passed down through generations, and the years of experience are plain to see. Each element of the dish is hand-made and colourfully honours each ingredient’s flavour.

Our best advice is to come hungry; the menu is elaborate (as any good Italian restaurant is) and includes many options, some of which you’ve never heard of before.

Take comfort in the elaborate list of homemade pasta and familiar Veal Parmigiana. Still, we implore you to explore the menu a little further. There’s more to indulge in than the usual suspects of pasta, and branching out might surprise you. They even have separate vegetarian, vegan & gluten free menus.

But remember to leave room for dessert, too; it’s blasphemous to turn down one of their famous Tiramisus.

Rossini has fiercely held on to their title as one of the best restaurants in Wokingham, but whether they’re deserving is up for you to decide. We certainly think so.

  • Opening Hours: 12 pm to 2:30 pm; 6:30 pm  to 10:30 pm Mon – Thurs 12 pm to 2:30pm; 6:30 pm  to 11 pm Fri & Sat; Closed Sun
  • Location: 16 Denmark St, Wokingham
Italian pastas with different kinds of sauce
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Roxiller

2. Hamlet

A contemporary restaurant with a sprawling outdoor section that specialises in unique, creative meals while offering all the comforts you’d expect from your local bistro.

Despite its namesake, Hamlet is far from a great tragedy. In fact, this quintessential bistro has managed to wow the crowds enough to earn it a spot on our list of the best restaurants in Wokingham.

The bustling venue is constantly abuzz with crowds of hungry patrons from dawn to dusk. The outside terrace, the most popular seating choice, comes prepared for the colder months with an army of heaters to keep the undercover areas toasty. While the inside opens up into a basic Scandi-style restaurant, with ample space between tables to create a private occasion all your own.

The staff, blessed with incredible service skills, float between sections delivering an abundance of meals to hungry mouths throughout each rush. And we promise there are rushes as this place is popular, so we caution patience when the restaurant is brimming with guests.

The menu can seem like a maze depending on the time of day you choose to dine here. Breakfast consists of honest-to-goodness morning foods like a hearty Full English and Granola. At the same time, their more creative dishes become more apparent around lunchtime and dinner.

Comfort items like sandwiches and steak are easy choices. But the magic happens with the peculiar dishes you generally wouldn’t think work. It’s hard to put forward a recommendation, as the menu seems ever-changing. Still, we’ve heard good things about their Korean Fried Chicken.

And why not watch the masters at work with an intimate Chef’s table experience if you’re planning on winning over a special someone. You’ll be treated like nothing less than royalty.

For a young restaurant, they’ve fought against sturdy competitors along Peach Place, known for being Blue Collar. But they’ve successfully managed to create a dynamic dining experience that’s welcoming to all.

It’s far more than a simple bistro; it’s creative and has all the makings of something great.

  • Opening Hours: 8 am to 4 pm Mon-Wed; 8 am to 11 pm Thurs – Sat; 9 am to 4 pm Sun
  • Location: 10 Peach Pl, Wokingham
Chef adding drizzle to fine dining plate
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Kuzmin

3. Piccolo Arco

Situated right under Wokingham’s town hall, Piccolo Arco serves up a divine selection of Mediterranean and Italian dishes in a quaint indoor-outdoor setting.

Piccolo Arco is yet another member of Wokingham’s competitive Italian restaurant industry. But this works in their favour; after all, with years of experience in the industry, over three decades by our count, they clearly know their way around a kitchen.

Owner Meti Veseli has had his roots down near the Town Hall for over two decades, initially owning a small but popular little venue called the Piazza Cafe. When the opportunity struck to expand, they grabbed it without hesitance and, with the help and support of their community, opened the doors to the larger-than-life Piccolo Arco.

You’ll know this place as soon as you see it by the sprawling archways that mark the historical building it resides in. The restaurant spills out the doors, turning the curb into an outdoor dining area where you can people-watch to your heart’s content. Inside opens into a snug bistro-styled restaurant, with booth seating and plenty of space to host large groups.

Make sure you come prepared with an appetite, as guests often regret not leaving space to try more of the delicacies on the menu. A mixture of traditional Italian and Mediterranean dishes spread out through a concise but versatile menu with a surprising amount to choose from.

While many hint at the Spaghetti being one of their best dishes, there’s a world of flavour to explore once you breach your comfort zone. Personally, we liked the sound of a Fegato Alla Veneziana, calf liver with red onion and pancetta.

And, of course, everyone’s favourite part of a meal would be the dessert, of which they have a handful, including an unforgettable Vanilla Ricotta, which diners can’t seem to get enough of.

  • Opening Hours: 6 pm to 9 pm Mon; 11 am to 2:30 pm, 6 pm to 10 pm Tues – Sat; Closed Sun
  • Location: 2-4 Town Hall, Wokingham
Italian food with seafood
Photo for illustrative purposes only (iStock.com/Rawpixel)

4. Chef Peking

A classy, yet casual Asian restaurant in Finchampstead village serving an assortment of Pan-Asian cuisine from Thailand to China.

Taking a dive into the other side of the world, Chef Peking offers a delightful Pan-Asian menu in a superb and surprisingly swanky venue in the Finchampstead village of Wokingham. Under the guidance of new management since 2013, they’ve elevated what was once just your average Chinese restaurant into a flavour excursion we’re sure you want to visit.

Their reputation as one of the best Chinese restaurants in Wokingham precedes them, with guests raving not only about their incredible cuisine but also the beautiful venue and vibrant atmosphere that comes with it.

It’s a nice change of pace to your average Chinese restaurant too, creating a lavish dining experience that won’t tighten your wallet. Decorative wallpapers bring a splash of colour to their large dining area, and an attentive team eagerly awaits your arrival.

As a prerequisite to your meal, you’ll be able to nibble on some prawn chips while you mull over the options. Guests often enjoy kickstarting their meal with a Chef Peking Hors D’oevres platter, which gives an excellent selection of their 5 best appetisers. It’s a perfect choice if you’re new to the cuisine and allows you to explore a range of flavours.

And exploring is something we always encourage, especially when it comes to dining here. You can find familiarity with dishes like Szechuan Beef, Sweet & Sour Prawns and Egg Fried Rice, but what’s the point? Why not explore something exotic and out of the ordinary, so why not go for something new and exciting? We’ve heard the Cashew Nut Chicken is incredible.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, pick one of their Set Menus and let the chefs whisk you away to warmer places with a complete arrangement from start to finish.

Besides Chinese, you can also find Japanese and Thai dishes, making Chef Peking a one-stop shop for all the Pan-Asian cuisine you could possibly dream of.

  • Opening Hours: 6 pm to 10 pm Mon – Thurs; 5:30 pm to 10 pm Fri & Sat; 12 pm to 1:30 pm, 6 pm to 9:30 pm Sun
  • Location: 426 Finchampstead Rd, Finchampstead, Wokingham
assortment of asian dishes on a table
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/thesomegirl

5. Chalk

Contemporary British cuisine served up in a lovely dog-friendly venue with outdoor seating, great breakfast and occasional events.

Fresh-faced and rearing to go, Chalk came screaming onto the scene in 2020 and made its entrance with a bang. Quickly becoming a neighbourhood favourite, the contemporary British restaurant set a good example of the versatility of simple, wholesome cooking.

They’re open throughout the day, from breakfast to dinner and have a menu to celebrate each occasion. And while all-day dining has often proven itself to be challenging for restaurants, Chalk has seamlessly integrated multiple menus without dropping the ball on quality.

And luckily for us, the menus are manageable. They consist of classic English dishes that use local ingredients and a contemporary twist to make something unique. As a result, their meals are simplistic and uncomplicated but manage to encapsulate a whole lot of flavour.

Guests can’t get enough, and when Egg and Soldiers are magically made gourmet, we can’t blame them. From breakfast to dinner, each menu is concise without being overbearing and carries favourites and classics like the Full English, Pigeon, Burgers and more.

There’s no denying that Chalk has you set for every occasion too, and if you’re looking for somewhere for a nice Sunday Roast, well, they have that too. It’s one of their many special events, in fact.

If you monitor their social media, you’ll know when the next best event hits town too. From parties to wine evenings, there’s always something happening at Chalk.

They certainly have the space for it. With a sprawling terrace, inviting guests to soak up the sun in the warmer months, and a luxuriously decorated interior, Chalk seriously checks all the boxes. Not to mention, they’re one of the most dog friendly restaurants in Wokingham too.

We definitely understand why Chalk ranks amongst the best restaurants in Wokingham; it’s a venue to suit every taste and every schedule, so there’s no excuse not to visit.

  • Opening Hours: 9 am to 11 pm Mon-Sat; 9 am to 6 pm Sun
  • Location: 31 Broad St, Wokingham
English breakfast display
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Taninwat Pichitnapakul

6. Bombay Story

A charming restaurant with indoor-outdoor seating and a menu packed full of authentic Indian delicacies and plenty of vegetarian & vegan options.

Formally known as Dabawalla, Bombay Story is a restaurant that’s taken its history to heart. We’re not talking about a few decades in the industry; their story began in the 1890s when a plucky lad decided to try his hand at food delivery in India. Fast forward a century later, his passion still shines through in new generations and across foreign shores.

Indian cuisine is nothing new to Wokingham, but with the way Bombay Story does it, you might want to look through fresh eyes. Their passion runs deep and can be felt in every bite of their meals. Using tenacity and creativity, they’ve created a one-in-a-million experience for their local community.

Rightfully situated on Peach Place, their colourful venue is hard to miss. They’ve converted the curbside into their own little dining terrace, with a fair few tables under the shelter of umbrellas offering guests some scenic dining.

The interior includes a sprawling dining area and a well-endowed bar. The decor is simple, rustic, and bright, with yellows, greens, and deep-toned blues splashed around the venue. While it may not mimic the excessive decor of some of its competitors, Bombay Story feels exotic in its own way.

We can only imagine this is enhanced by the aromatic scents wafting from the kitchen. So naturally, we expect nothing less when the menu contains everything from genuine street foods to authentic curries.

The chefs take pride in a number of their dishes, with their biggest achievement being flavourful vegan and vegetarian food. Each dish is packed with spices and uses only the freshest ingredients to recreate an exotic taste you’ll struggle to find elsewhere.

Open from breakfast to dinner and the happy participants of many special events, we expect to see nothing short of excellence from Bombay Story in their future endeavours.

  • Opening Hours: 12 pm to 11 pm Mon – Fri; 9 am to 11 pm Sat & Sun
  • Location: 2 Peach Pl, Wokingham
Assorted curries on table
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Roxiller

7. Toto Italian Street Food

A unique concept restaurant that dapples in the hidden art of Italian Street Foods.

Wokingham is no stranger to Italian restaurants and has its fair share of fierce competitors in the ring for the best pizza in town. Toto Italian Street Food, however, should have a class all its own.

While it’s not unusual to come across venues selling assortments of pasta and tiramisu, we implore you to find one that dives headfirst into the more casual fare Italy offers. Impossible? Not in Wokingham.

Toto specialises in the comfort foods found on the streets of Italy. Of course, every country has them, but Italy rarely shines a spotlight on theirs. Locals love the concept, and we tend to agree. Nothing sounds like it would soothe our cravings more than Bolognese-stuffed deep-fried Rice Balls and pizza.

Amongst the other treats on the menu are items like Paninis and well-known dishes like Canneloni and Lasagne. While the Arancini (those Rice Balls we mentioned) seem to trump the ratings as one of the best dishes on their menu.

When you walk into Toto, you’ll find a laidback and casual venue with very little to want. A deli-style counter displays freshly made pizzas and other assortments while the busy chef, Luciano, continuously pumps out dishes to order.

It is cosy and familiar, allowing diners to take their meal to-go or sit at their limited tables after receiving counter service. We wouldn’t have it any other way, after all, it’s street food, and something about having white tablecloths and a fancy kitchen seems blasphemous to the concept.

So if you’re ever looking for a casual and quick dining experience, we can promise there’s nowhere quite like Toto.

  • Opening Hours: 9:30 am to 5 pm Tues – Sat; Closed Sun & Mon
  • Location: 4 Central Walk, Wokingham
Wine and pizza display
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Foxys_Forest_Manufacture

8. The Greyhound

Wokingham’s very own pet-friendly gastropub with year-round events and outdoor dining.

The Greyhound has attracted and maintained an impressive reputation since its opening in 2021. The sister venue to the two existing ventures of Brucan Pubs, this gastropub was born in the limelight following the feats achieved by owners Jamie Dobbin and James Shaw in the past.

It’s a contemporary take on traditional British pubs. Still, it has the additional benefit of being swanky enough to take your mum to. It’s buzzy and laidback, so much so, in fact, that even the family dog is welcome to join.

The pub’s character shines throughout its quirky interior, from the interesting features in the bathrooms to the wine-rack-clad walls. Its features extend to the bar, dark and modern, where you’ll often find regulars tucking into locally-sourced brews and stirring up conversations with strangers.

Year-round outdoor seating is available in the form of 5 heated wagons, you read that right, and a zoned section that also holds up pretty well against the cold. Take in the lovely greenery Finchampstead is known for, while enjoying a casual dining experience that’s sure to be one for the books.

The idea is simply “taking hospitality back to its roots”, and their menu does just that. A simplistic but well-configured selection of dishes from the finest and freshest ingredients is offered throughout the seasons.

Jamie and James did a fair stint in high-end dining, and their expertise shows through the carefully collaborated recipes that celebrate British cuisine. The Greyhound makes food for the soul, from a succulent Beef Wellington to a selection of well-balanced soups.

Simply put The Greyhound is easily one of the best restaurants in Wokingham, not only for their divine cuisine but for the unbeatable atmosphere that can be found all year round.

Be on the lookout for their special menus, which pop up on their social media to celebrate events and holidays throughout the year.

  • Opening Hours: 11 am to 11 pm Mon-Sun
  • Location: Longwater Rd, Finchampstead, Wokingham

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    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.