The Reading Room - Decatur, Georgia

Shar D.

A friend and I came in on a late Tuesday afternoon. Our experience was just okay. He ordered a drink and I got a water. We did not try any food because we had plans to eat somewhere else.

It was not busy and the service was okay. The cushions were worn and were not the most comfortable. I definitely was not expecting that for what I thought was a newer establishment.

I will probably go back to see if I can update my review but it will not be my first or second pick.

Stella C.

Visited recently on a Friday night and they had live music. The atmosphere is very welcoming and warm. The staff were nice and accommodating. They were very full that night so keep in mind that the place gets crowded. The food was good and the coffee was great. You can have a nice date here or chat for a bit with a friend.

Allanté L.

I decided to come out from under my rock and work remotely from The Reading Room today. I ordered the cashiers favorite coffee and the Breakfast Sandwich. I was there from a little after 9am until 1:30. It stayed pretty quiet but people were steady coming in and out. No one disturbed me. And the wifi stayed fast. I didn’t order anything else because I cringe at having to use public restrooms. But I finally went and IT WAS CLEEAAAN! Like really clean. And cute. So, yes, I approve. Being away from the comfort of my home allowed me to get caught up with work and being an entrepreneur.

Kathryn F.

The vibes were immaculate. Loved the decor and the ambiance. The music choice was a bit odd, but that was okay. The food and drinks were where the experience went a little south. We got 4 drinks, 2 of each of the February specials, and the difference between them was stark. They didn't even taste like the same drinks. The espresso tasted burnt as well, and the matcha was watery. The sandwiches we got, the turkey panini and the chicken salad sandwich, and the panini was definitely a panini. They were busy, so I understand why service was slow, but it was slow for everything, even a cookie.

S. W.

This cozy little spot offers a welcoming vibe that’s ideal for catching up with friends or even a cute first date (just be mindful of the 2 hr max seating policy). After 5 PM, it turns into a wine bar, complete with live music on Friday evenings (sadly we weren't able to stay for this)

The staff was incredibly friendly, creating a warm and family-like atmosphere. Special shoutout to Zack, who was AMAZING! He was attentive, polite, and made sure we had everything we needed.

The food here is simple yet delightful. I tried the warm tomato bisque and the turkey panini with Swiss cheese and peach jam...perfection!

The location, is at the corner of Ponce and Church Street, right next to F2O. Parking is free after 5 PM on Fridays, which is a huge plus!

Shami P.

Came here for breakfast with my husband and child. We got the brunch charcuterie board which was perfect for two people, a croissant that was toasted which was delicious and flaky, and two lattes. We got a pumpkin spice flavor which wasn’t that good and didn’t have a strong flavor and the baklava flavor which also wasn’t that tasty and didn’t have a strong flavor. design inside is very cute and nice. Service was good.

Kat E.

The Reading Room is such a gem of a coffee shop in the heart of Decatur Square. The ambiance draws you in with the beautiful mural outside, ceiling decor, and arch in the back made from books. There’s a good amount of seating, but during peak times, it may be hard to find a table for more than 2 people. They limit stays to 2hrs to turn over tables.

They have great selection of coffees, teas, pastries from Saint Germaine, and hot dishes for brunch/lunch too. I’ve only tried their matcha and teas so far; so far so good. I like that they use tea leaves. You’ll get your tea in a pot that has a strainer so the leaves don’t pour out. Let it steep for a couple minutes, then pour into your cup 🙂 I like visiting to catch up with friends or grab a drink to go while shopping around the Square.

Maggie H.

The inside decor is beautiful and very cozy- they all fit the theme. It’s very busy and compact with tables and chairs. The WiFi wasn’t working for us when we were there, which made studying hard. It’s a mix of a talking and studying cafe. There are some outdoor chairs and not a lot of outlets. I got a small hot sunrise, which tasted so good as a hot drink. I loved the little latte art. I was not a fan of either beers sadly; both were not good in my opinion. I also like how this place switches from a cafe to bar.