168
27%
29
Market Overview
168 cafes operate across Reading, making it one of the more competitive food and drink sectors in the town. To put that in context, there are also 192 restaurants, 232 fast food outlets, 134 pubs, and 27 bars — meaning cafe owners are competing not just with each other but with over 600 alternative food and drink businesses for the same customers.
The market is dominated by coffee shops, which account for 73 of the 168 cafes. Sandwich shops (12), Italian cafes (4), and breakfast spots (4) make up the next most common categories, with 29 distinct cuisine types recorded across the area. That variety suggests some room for niche operators, though the sheer volume of coffee-focused businesses points to a crowded core.
Perhaps the biggest opportunity lies in digital visibility. Only 45 of Reading's 168 cafes — just 27% — have a website. In a town of 230,000 people, where customers increasingly search online before visiting, the majority of cafes are essentially invisible to anyone who doesn't already know they exist. Operators willing to invest in even a basic web presence have a meaningful gap to exploit.
Names like Workhouse Coffee, Fidget & Bob, and Lincoln Coffee House have built online profiles, but most competitors remain offline. The barrier to opening a cafe in Reading is low — the barrier to being found is another matter entirely.
Top Types in Reading
What Customers in Reading Care About
Better than the chain option
With Starbucks present and 73 coffee shops in town, locals want independents that justify skipping the high street default.
Strong weekday food offering
Reading's mix of shoppers, students, and office workers means a cafe that nails breakfast and lunch can build reliable Monday-to-Friday trade.
Actually showing up online
Only 27% of Reading's cafes have a website, so customers rely on Google Maps and reviews — a cafe that doesn't appear there might as well not exist.
Something beyond generic coffee
With 29 cuisine types across the market, customers will actively seek out Ethiopian, Italian, or bubble tea specialists rather than settle for another identical latte stop.
A reason to sit, not just grab
With 232 fast food outlets competing for grab-and-go customers, cafes that offer a comfortable space to linger can differentiate themselves clearly.
Cafes operating in Reading
A sample of real cafes in this area. Want ratings, reviews, and exactly where you rank against them? Run a free report on your business.
| Business | Type |
|---|---|
| Global Cafe | Ethiopian |
| The Herb Farm Coffee Shop | Cafe |
| Workhouse Coffee | Coffee Shop |
| Pavilion Cafe | Cafe |
| Costa | Coffee Shop |
| Starbucks | Coffee Shop |
| Mon Cheri | Greek |
| Crumbs | Coffee Shop |
| Fidget & Bob | Cafe |
| Sebastian's | Cafe |
| Englefield Tea Rooms | Cafe |
| Julia's Medow | Italian |
Business listings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Tips for Cafes Owners in Reading
Get online — most rivals haven't bothered
Only 45 of Reading's 168 cafes have a website. A basic site with your menu, opening hours, and location puts you ahead of three-quarters of the competition in local search results and maps listings.
Pick a clear niche in a generic market
With 73 coffee shops, the biggest risk is blending in. The data shows 29 cuisine types exist locally, so a specific angle — Ethiopian coffee, Italian pastries, a breakfast focus — helps you stand out where the field is thinnest.
Build for weekday regulars, not just weekend browsers
Reading's daytime population of shoppers, students, and workers creates reliable Monday-to-Friday demand. Lunch-focused sandwich cafes and breakfast spots already account for 16 of the market — lean into that weekday rhythm rather than waiting for Saturday footfall.
Competition Snapshot
Reading's cafe market is crowded at the core and sparse at the edges. Coffee shops make up 73 of the 168 cafes — roughly 43% — meaning the basic latte-and-pastry format is heavily oversaturated. Step outside that category and competition thins quickly: Italian cafes, Ethiopian specialists, and breakfast-focused spots each number in single digits. The real gap is digital. With three-quarters of cafes lacking a website, visibility is mostly limited to walk-in trade and word of mouth. Standing out in Reading requires a clear niche, a basic online presence, and a focus on weekday customers — not just weekend footfall.
Other Industries in Reading
Cafes in Other Cities
Own a cafe in Reading?
See your exact rank against nearby competitors, what customers say about them, and where you can win.