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My new top five

I have to admit I’ve been a bit slack with updating my top five cafes, but a few days ago I have updated the list to show my current top five places to drink rooibos tea.

Teashop by the canal

Tea and cake at The teashop by the canal

For a long time, my top five has displayed as:

  1. The teashop by the canal
  2. Delicious…
  3. Ladurée
  4. The Ritz
  5. Sweet Tooth Cupcakery

This list is out of date for two reasons. Firstly, it was made before I started drinking rooibos tea, and secondly, two of the cafes have now closed. Sadly, Sweet Tooth Cupcakery and Delicious… are no more.

One of the reasons I haven’t updated the list before now is that it’s so hard to choose. Especially when my favourite places change depending on what I’m looking for from my tea. Do I want somewhere convenient? Somewhere that’s good to write? Somewhere that’s good for meeting friends? I also don’t travel as much as I used to and tend to revisit the same places more often than before.

My new top five are:

  1. Nibsy’s
  2. Siblings Home
  3. Picnic
  4. Reefside Kiosk
  5. North Tea Power

Here’s a little explainer as to why they made the top five (please imagine the kind of chirpy music that you get with a music video countdown).

Nibsy's tea

Pot of rooibos tea and the marvellous chocolate brownie in Nibsy’s.

Nibsy’s It’s got rooibos tea in a pot and excellent cake with very friendly staff, as well as a mix of normal tables and chairs and low tables and armchairs. It also has a toilet, which can be crucial if you’re drinking lots of tea.

Siblings Home Loose leaf rooibos in a pot, good food and a lovely environment. And a toilet. I especially like that it’s got lots of plants.

Picnic Rooibos tea in a cup (but it always comes with a little caramelised biscuit). Great soup with generous amounts of bread, brunch at the weekends, salads and cake.

Reefside Kiosk The photos in my review don’t do the views from the pier justice. It was very calming and a cup of hot tea when we’d been walking was just what was needed. Plus it sells ice cream.

North Tea Power The only place I’ve ever been to that sells tea latte. Genius.

Don’t forget, if you have any other suggestions of places to try, let me know and I’ll add them to the wish list.

 

 


6 Comments

Delicious…

10, Prospect St, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire RG4 8JG    0118 947 741

Tea and a chocolate brownie at Delicious...

Tea and a chocolate brownie at Delicious...

I’ve briefly mentioned this cafe on here before, but I like it so much I think it deserves re-posting. The owner of this cafe makes all the cakes herself, and the soups and sandwiches and everything fresh and it all lives up to it’s name. The chairs and sofas are comfy, there’s an outside area with daffodils and parasols, and newspapers to browse through as well. And if that wasn’t enough, they have a loyalty card too!

This is the best place to get tea in the Reading area and sells the most amazing chocolate brownies. I have never tasted chocolate brownies so good. I even started to make my own to recreate that homemade taste, but I can’t do it. Once, I came in and the brownies had just gone in the oven. I spun out my pot of tea for an hour until they were ready to eat. Now I get told of the brownie situation without having to ask. If you ever come this way, go to this cafe and ask for the brownies.

Teapot? Yes, white china and big enough for 3 and a half cups. Matching cup and saucer.
Leaf tea? No, but fairtrade teabag.
Milk jug? Yes.
Price? A lovely £1.50 for a whole pot and a bargin £1.45 for a brownie.
Cake? Yes, tasty and homemade. Scones, salads, sandwiches and afternoon tea available as well. The best chocolate brownies I’ve ever tasted. Oh, ice cream too!
Go again? At least once a week.