Coffee Under Pressure | speciality coffee & tea (7 Blagrave street)

A intimate coffee shop serving the best coffee in Reading City Centre. The baked goods are cooked on site. It sells a surprising number of local foods including peanut and almond butter. The staff are chatty and happy to assist… I almost forgot, they have a La Marzocco G2 Espresso machine. That’s cooler than being cool.

Bright and clean place, very friendly staff. Super popular; several people in queue ahead of me and more came along. This fried banana bun... such an amazing taste, very interesting. Fresh and sort of crisp exterior but soft inside. No wet grease from frying on the bag. Tasty from fist bite to last. I can see why it's popular. Had a hint of Indian spices in the taste taste but it didn't overpower the banana which came through consistently. Also got an iced cinnamon swirl/bun (they do a different product that they called a cinnamon bun). It was so tasty. Lots of sugar crunch, taste of icing and cinnamon, nothing overpowering, all balanced and not overpowering sweet. Super interesting shop and a great find.

Almost missed this low-key place until I parked outside and noticed the window. There’s only room for about three customers and it was cosy on a cold early Sunday morning. Very friendly guy working was helpful, informative and chatty. The masala chai was outstanding! On his recommendation I tried the savoury baked egg pie; lovely subtly-spiced onions and egg in nigella-studded puff pastry. Next I’ll try their much-vaunted coffee. Highly recommended but don’t blink-you’ll miss it!