Quick info
About Café YOLK
On Erleigh Road in Reading, Café YOLK operates as a walk-in breakfast and brunch spot that draws long queues outside, especially at weekends. Service moves quickly once the door opens, so the wait tends to be shorter than the queue suggests, and weekdays or the period just after opening offer a calmer visit. The kitchen covers a brunch-leaning menu that includes Turkish eggs with chorizo, herby potatoes, and pancakes served with bacon and maple syrup, alongside Biscoff milkshakes for those with a sweet tooth. Dogs are welcome inside, and the room takes walk-ins throughout the day rather than working on a reservation basis.
Good to know
- ParkingPaid parking lot · Paid street parking · Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Family-friendly
- DietaryOrganic dishes · Vegan options · Vegetarian options
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Menu & Prices
62 dishes · mains £1–16- Eggs Any Style£7.65
- Avocado On Sourdough£10.75
- Classic Smoked Ham£10.50
- Scrambled Tofu£8.00
- Mexican Brunch£10.50
- Turkish Eggs£10.50
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention flat white, mexican brunch, avocado on sourdough and french toast.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention flat white, mexican brunch, avocado on sourdough and french toast.
Customer Review Summary
Brunch is the main draw, with the Mexican brunch named repeatedly alongside Turkish eggs with chorizo, French toast with mixed berries and vanilla yogurt, and avocado on sourdough with a vegan scrambled tofu option. Close behind are pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, breakfast tacos with beans and pickled red onions, and the herby potatoes, which one reviewer calls a local legend. Coffee also earns praise, from flat whites to a pistachio iced latte and a Biscoff milkshake, and reviewers describe friendly staff and large portions. The recurring complaint is the queue. Reviewers mention long lines outside, with one reporting nearly an hour for a seat and saying the food is not good enough to justify that, and a few suggest weekdays or just after opening. Two reviewers, both returning customers, say food quality has declined. One describes a full english with a very small sausage and a single slice of bacon, and avocado toast that arrived oily and mushy. Another found the Mexican brunch heavy and wanted more poached egg and better tea bags.
Customer Review Summary
Brunch is the main draw, with the Mexican brunch named repeatedly alongside Turkish eggs with chorizo, French toast with mixed berries and vanilla yogurt, and avocado on sourdough with a vegan scrambled tofu option. Close behind are pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, breakfast tacos with beans and pickled red onions, and the herby potatoes, which one reviewer calls a local legend. Coffee also earns praise, from flat whites to a pistachio iced latte and a Biscoff milkshake, and reviewers describe friendly staff and large portions. The recurring complaint is the queue. Reviewers mention long lines outside, with one reporting nearly an hour for a seat and saying the food is not good enough to justify that, and a few suggest weekdays or just after opening. Two reviewers, both returning customers, say food quality has declined. One describes a full english with a very small sausage and a single slice of bacon, and avocado toast that arrived oily and mushy. Another found the Mexican brunch heavy and wanted more poached egg and better tea bags.
Featured reviews
- Finlay Williams
“Not yoking that was so good! Eggs-cellent meal with cracking service”
- Google user
“I had such a wonderful brunch experience at Cafe Yolk in Reading last Saturday after my friend suggested we visit. I went along with her and her two boys, and we had a fantastic time. The cafe was absolutely buzzing, which meant we had to wait a little while before being seated, but the atmosphere was brilliant and it was clear that it’s a very popular spot. The food was genuinely exceptional. I ordered the Turkish eggs with chorizo and a Biscoff milkshake, and both were absolutely out of this world. The flavours, presentation and quality were amazing — easily one of the best brunches I’ve had in a long time. The boys really enjoyed their pancakes with all the trimmings, and my friend’s eggs and salmon looked equally delicious. What impressed me just as much as the food was the service. The waitresses and managers were outstanding — friendly, attentive and genuinely welcoming throughout our visit, making sure we were well looked after even though the cafe was so busy. A huge thank you to the team at Cafe Yolk for such a great experience. I’ll definitely be returning and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic brunch in Reading.”
- Stuart Stebbens
“Lovely cafe in reading. Good food a little pricey but well made, tasty and service was great. Coffee very good.”
- Henry Evans
“I visited this place yesterday. I come here from time to time, and the previous time I had been here was about three years ago. Unfortunately, I feel that the quality of the food has noticeably declined and it is no longer what it used to be. Perhaps the head chef has changed, or perhaps cheaper ingredients are being used. It is a shame, because I remember this place much more fondly”
- larry gibland
“Everyone knows this place does good grub ... Larry Gibland APPROVED!👍”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Popular neighbourhood pit stop offering breakfast, pancakes and burgers in a casual atmosphere.”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Paid parking lot
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed inside
- Takeout
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Dining options· 7
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Planning· 1
- Usually a wait
- Offerings· 5
- Coffee
- Healthy options
- Organic dishes
- Quick bite
- Vegetarian options
- Facilities· 2
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Parking· 2
- Paid street parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Pet-friendly· 1
- Dogs allowed outside
- Highlights· 3
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Crowd· 3
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
- Family-friendly· 2
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Location
Cafes near Café YOLK
- Monty's Cafe4.87090.1 mi
date and cinnamon latte, mint lemonade, shawarma
- Earley Cafe4.81,9760.6 mi£1–10Outdoor seatingVegetarian options
british breakfast, eggs, old school cafe
- Ori Caffe4.21421 mi
butter croissant, mango passion fruit cake, iced caramel latte
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Café YOLKOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.52,014 | — | £10–20 | flat white, mexican brunch, avocado on sourdough |
| Monty's Cafe | 4.8709 | 0.1 mi | — | date and cinnamon latte, mint lemonade, shawarma |
| Earley CafeOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options | 4.81,976 | 0.6 mi | £1–10 | british breakfast, eggs, old school cafe |
| Ori Caffe | 4.2142 | 1 mi | — | butter croissant, mango passion fruit cake, iced caramel latte |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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