The Atrium
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Quick info
About The Atrium
On Friar St in Reading, The Atrium is a coffee shop attached to a church, with a bookshop on the same premises. The shelves carry religious titles, and a second-hand section sits alongside them. The church next door is open whenever the café is, so the two work as one stop for coffee, books and a visit to the church. The food range is short, with wraps, toast and toasted sandwiches, and carrot cake sits next to the coffee. A prayer room is at the back of the building.
Good to know
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention church bookstore, coffee, carrot cake and matcha.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention church bookstore, coffee, carrot cake and matcha.
Customer Review Summary
Coffee is the most frequent draw at this church-run café, with reviewers calling it very nice and good, and one pairing it with a carrot cake they found really good. Close behind is the setting. The café is attached to a church, and several describe it as calm, restful and welcoming. Its bookstore, with religious and Bible books and a second hand section, is something reviewers like to browse after a meal. A matcha, the outdoor seating area and friendly staff also earn praise. Complaints cluster around noise and the kitchen. One reviewer found the music unsuitable and too loud, another could hardly understand a companion at the table, and a third was distracted from working by a loud group. The food is described as a limited range of wraps and toast, and one diner got a toasted sandwich on its own because the café had run out of lettuce. Another waited a long while for a paid-for tea that never reached the table, until a staff member apologised and made it.
Customer Review Summary
Coffee is the most frequent draw at this church-run café, with reviewers calling it very nice and good, and one pairing it with a carrot cake they found really good. Close behind is the setting. The café is attached to a church, and several describe it as calm, restful and welcoming. Its bookstore, with religious and Bible books and a second hand section, is something reviewers like to browse after a meal. A matcha, the outdoor seating area and friendly staff also earn praise. Complaints cluster around noise and the kitchen. One reviewer found the music unsuitable and too loud, another could hardly understand a companion at the table, and a third was distracted from working by a loud group. The food is described as a limited range of wraps and toast, and one diner got a toasted sandwich on its own because the café had run out of lettuce. Another waited a long while for a paid-for tea that never reached the table, until a staff member apologised and made it.
Featured reviews
- Christine Howes
“The Atrium café is attached to the church and is a restful place to sit for a while.”
- Wasim
“I came in today and ordered and paid for a tea. After waiting over 15 minutes, my tea was never delivered to my table. I went back, the lady apologised and made my tea. After receiving my tea, a member of staff asked if I received my tea or not. It seems there's a communication and poor understanding of service. After receiving my tea, there was a group of people loudly who were really loud and distracted me from working. I won't be returning to this place again.”
- Val Abbott
“Disappointing. Music was unsuitable and too loud. Food was uninteresting= toasted sandwich on it's own- no salad...the cafe had run out of lettuce! I won't go there again.”
- Guy Gillbe
“Unequivocally one of the most inviting cafes I've ever been in. Bright and welcoming. And it's hard to write a review without mentioning there's a church always open when the cafe's open - a wonderful place to recharge and reflect if you're into that sort of thing, as I am. Lovely bookstore that's part of it, nice to wander around and browse after a lunch. And the food and drink on offer is superb. I really think I'd go out of my way to go to Reading to enjoy this cafe.”
- Theo Moss
“Great outdoor seating area at this café! The matcha was delicious, and the staff were really friendly. Highly recommend!”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Coffee shop and bookshop. A place to meet and help to build the community”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Cozy
- Onsite services
Show more amenities
- Coffee
- Quick bite
- Dessert
- Solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Restroom
- Dining options· 3
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Highlights· 1
- Great tea selection
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Quiet
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Coffee shops near The Atrium
- 0.2 mi£1–10Outdoor seating
matcha, excellent coffee, speciality brews
- DeNata Coffee & Co.4.92860.8 mi£1–10Wi-Fi / laptopVegan options
pastel de nata, cabbage and chorizo soup, bifanas
- Little Apron4.81151.2 mi£1–10Wi-Fi / laptopOutdoor seating
cappuccino, mozzarella tomato panini, classic greasy spoon breakfast
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Atrium | 4.5179 | — | £1–10 | church bookstore, coffee, carrot cake |
| Coffee Under Pressure | speciality coffee & teaOutdoor seating | 4.6856 | 0.2 mi | £1–10 | matcha, excellent coffee, speciality brews |
| DeNata Coffee & Co.Wi-Fi / laptop · Vegan options | 4.9286 | 0.8 mi | £1–10 | pastel de nata, cabbage and chorizo soup, bifanas |
| Little ApronWi-Fi / laptop · Outdoor seating | 4.8115 | 1.2 mi | £1–10 | cappuccino, mozzarella tomato panini, classic greasy spoon breakfast |
The 3 nearest coffee shops by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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