
Clay's Kitchen & Bar
A celebrated modern Indian restaurant known for intensely flavorful dishes and a vibrant atmosphere, offering a premium experience.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Clay's Kitchen & Bar

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A celebrated modern Indian restaurant known for intensely flavorful dishes and a vibrant atmosphere, offering a premium experience.
"Exceptional food, great ambience and service - truly a cut above the rest!"
Book Ahead
Consider booking in advance due to reduced opening hours.
Allergy Awareness
Inform staff about nut or peanut allergies; they handle it professionally.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Modern Indian
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+44 118 947 6060
Address
22-24 Prospect St, Reading, RG4 8JG, United Kingdom
Website
clayskitchen.co.uk/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Indian Flavors
Experience intensely spicy Indian food with aromatic spices and unique dishes that pack a punch.

Modern Ambiance
Enjoy a premium dining experience in a vibrant, modern setting with a buzzy atmosphere.

Monthly State Showcases
Explore exciting culinary experiences with monthly showcases featuring food from different Indian states.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Consider booking in advance due to reduced opening hours.
Allergy Awareness
Inform staff about nut or peanut allergies; they handle it professionally.
Monthly Specials
Don't miss the monthly showcases featuring food from different Indian states.
Consider Portion Sizes
For younger children, inquire about smaller portion options.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Consider booking in advance due to reduced opening hours.
Allergy Awareness
Inform staff about nut or peanut allergies; they handle it professionally.
Monthly Specials
Don't miss the monthly showcases featuring food from different Indian states.
Consider Portion Sizes
For younger children, inquire about smaller portion options.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Clay's Kitchen & Bar is celebrated for its delicious, authentic Indian dishes and vibrant, modern ambiance, offering a premium experience at reasonable prices. While many praise the exceptional food, attentive service, and unique monthly specials, some diners have noted slow service and food that doesn't always justify the price tag, especially during busy periods.
"We visited for the first time in a while and it was so delicious it left us wondering why we had left it so long! Incredible food and great ambience and service in the restaurant. I had the Manchurian Gobi and Indrahar with beetroot roti and they are all fab. It was the perfect setting to enjoy the food and chat with the right volume of music and friendly staff. Highly recommend and we shall be back again before too long."
Georgia Melodie Hole
"I have been meaning to leave a review of Clay's for a while. Having eaten at this vibrant restaurant for a few family celebrations and attended one of the incredible collab evenings they hosted with Phantom brewing co. - Clay's is absolutely fantastic. Always an exciting menu that entices you to try everything! Highly recommend."
Carys Newbury
"Disappointing Experience at Clays - More Hype Than Substance
We visited Clays in Reading on a Friday evening, hoping for a standout Indian dining experience given its generally positive reviews. Unfortunately, our visit was largely disappointing, marked by incredibly slow service and food that failed to live up to the premium price tag.
Upon arrival, despite the restaurant only being at half capacity, we were left waiting a full 10 minutes before anyone approached our table to take a drink order. This set the tone for the rest of the evening. Our starters, once ordered, took a further 20 minutes to arrive. The most frustrating wait, however, was for our main courses, which took an astonishing hour from the time of order. When we enquired about the delay, we were simply told that the restaurant was "busy" and the kitchen was "overflowed" – an explanation that felt disingenuous given the visible half-empty dining room.
The food itself was underwhelming. While perfectly edible, it tasted remarkably similar to what you'd expect from an average Indian takeaway, yet at three times the price. We had hoped for something more distinctive and refined, but it simply didn't justify the cost.
We found the restaurant quite noisy, perhaps unlucky enough to be seated next to a loud table of four gentlemen.
Overall, our experience at Clays left us thoroughly underwhelmed. For the prices charged, the slow service and ordinary food were simply not acceptable. Reading boasts numerous other Indian restaurants that offer superior food and a better dining experience, often at a more reasonable price point. I would recommend exploring other options before settling on"
Václav Pavlík
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Clay's is known for its intensely spicy Indian food with aromatic spices and unique dishes, all served in a vibrant, modern atmosphere that offers a premium dining experience.
Yes, they offer monthly showcases featuring food from different Indian states, providing an exciting culinary exploration.
Popular choices include Manchurian Gobi, Indrahar with beetroot roti, biryani selections, cauliflower starters, lamb chops, and prawn curry.
They offer a children's menu with options like fried rice and omelette. Some suggest inquiring about half portions for very young children.
Yes, they handle dietary restrictions, such as nut allergies, professionally. It's recommended to inform the staff.
It's advisable to book in advance, especially considering their reduced opening hours and popularity.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Reading, eating, writing
I’m sure it will come as no surprise that Clay’s makes this list, as easily one of the most influential restaurants Reading has ever seen. They made my 2019 list, too. But what they’ve achieved in the last five years has, if anything, taken the restaurant to another level still – crowdfunding a move to a far bigger site over the river, creating a big buzzy space and receiving a glowing review in the Guardian, one of the only times a Reading restaurant has troubled the national press.
Tripper - Guide - 15 perfect restaurants in Reading, United Kingdom
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Berkshire's best Indian restaurant or takeaway as voted by our readers
The others to make it onto our shortlist were Asian Spice in Tilehurst, Clays in Caversham, House of Flavours in Reading, Jalpari in Woodley, and Spice Master in Tilehurst. A breakdown of the vote percentages can be seen on the bar chart below.
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It’s a hands-on way to embrace your creativity, with lots of potential to get silly. At the end of the night, bake your creations or let them air dry to preserve them forever.
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Clay’s Kitchen & Bar is a celebrated Indian restaurant located in Caversham, Reading. Established in 2018 by chef-owners Nandana and Sharat Syamal ...
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