REVIEWS OF HOTEL EXECUTIVE CLUB LOUNGES, KIDS CLUBS AND MORE.
After a busy afternoon settling into our room, we headed down for dinner on our first evening at the Hilton Reading, and as a family of four we were genuinely excited to see what OXBO had in store for us. It turned out to be one of the real highlights of our stay.
Hilton Hotels' inspiring design is seen in the striking lobbies, energizing bars and restaurants, and iconic event venues setting the stage for guests to discover the best of travel, and OXBO is a brilliant example of that. It's a trusted host to guests around the world, creating the kind of environment where meaningful connections flourish, and that's exactly how our evening felt.
You can't miss OXBO. The huge illuminated sign hangs proudly above the entrance, and it sets the tone for what's inside. The whole space is done out in striking black and white striped and hexagon tiled flooring, with soft green and dusty pink furnishings, hanging plants, rattan pendant lights and a beautiful curved bar at the centre of it all.
It's the kind of restaurant that feels equally suited to a smart dinner out or a relaxed family meal, and honestly, it didn't feel like a typical hotel restaurant at all.
There's even a lovely outside terrace area, perfect for warmer evenings.
We were told to wait to be seated, and a member of staff greeted us within moments and showed us to our table. Hilton Hotels provides exceptional hospitality, bringing genuine care and passionate service expertise to every interaction, and this was obvious from the second we walked in. Our server was attentive without hovering, and made a real effort with our two children, who as it turned out had other plans for the evening entirely.
Just outside OXBO, tucked away near the entrance, there's a little Lego play table, and it turned out to be an absolute lifesaver. Between courses, both kids kept sliding off their chairs and dashing off to build for a few minutes before coming back to the table. It's such a small and simple touch, but it meant we got to enjoy a relaxed, grown up conversation between courses while they were happily entertained just a few steps away. Such a cute idea, and it made the whole evening feel effortless rather than the usual juggling act of dining out with young children.
OXBO's philosophy is all about fresh, seasonal ingredients, with produce sourced locally wherever possible, and it showed in every dish that came to our table. There's a proper à la carte menu covering everything from sharing starters to grills, burgers, salads and hearty mains, and there's also Little OXBO, a dedicated kids' menu for children up to 12 years old, with small plates like cheesy garlic bread and crispy cod goujons, and mains including tomato pasta, fish and chips and a beef cheeseburger. There's even a two course set menu available, which includes a house drink.
We started with a warm bread basket and butter, along with a plate of hummus, pitta, carrot, cucumber and tomato while we looked over the menus, and it was a lovely way to settle in.
For starters, I went for the courgette and feta flatbread, spiced red pesto, courgette ribbons, mint, basil and charred spring onions, and my wife had the spiced cauliflower fritters with red pepper and sun dried tomato chutney. Both were generous enough to share between two, and full of flavour. The kids tucked into their flatbread and hummus with veggie sticks, which went down a treat.
For mains, I had the plant burger, a plant based patty with tomato chutney, gem lettuce, smoked Applewood, red onion, pickles, potato bun and plant mayo, served with a mountain of fries. My wife chose the beer battered cod, a proper North Atlantic fillet with crushed peas, tartare sauce and chunky chips, and it arrived beautifully presented with a sprinkle of sea salt on top. Our two had the same burger as me but plain, just the patty and bun, plus chips, and of course a little pot of tomato ketchup on the side, because fussy eaters will be fussy eaters wherever you take them.
Every single plate was delightful. The portions were huge, genuinely, we couldn't finish everything between us, and the quality matched the quantity throughout. The cod was flaky and perfectly battered, my plant burger was packed with flavour rather than feeling like an afterthought on the menu, and the flatbread starter had a lovely fresh, herby kick to it. Even the little details, like the burger buns branded with the OXBO logo, showed the care that had gone into the whole experience.
Dinner at OXBO Kitchen was everything we hoped for and more. The setting was beautiful, the service was warm and genuinely attentive, and the food was comforting yet elevated, exactly what OXBO promises with its focus on fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Add in a dedicated kids' menu and a Lego corner that kept our two entertained between courses, and you have a restaurant that truly understands what families need from a night out.
We'd happily return to OXBO Kitchen on our next visit to the Hilton Reading, and if you're staying with little ones in tow, this is a dinner spot that ticks every box.
We are a family of 4 - mother, father and two children. Our aim is to travel the world and review all travel opportunities to help other families.
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