Don Beni, Wokingham

Your comments (9 positive, 8 negative)
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"Very disappointed after hearing the rave reviews about the Ascot branch, extremely expensive for what was a very below standard tasteless meal."
Ali, UK. September 27, 2011

"The official review is irritating. Don Beni's is our favourite family restaurant. We never were disappointed and the staff is friendly, cheerful and attentive to all customers. I have lived for a while in Italy and Don Beni is a typical family-owned restaurant with excellent fresh Italian food. Just the Italian experience I am looking for."
Jurgen, UK. September 20, 2011

"The official review is unfair. The restaurant is always busy; yes. However, this is because it is a decent place to eat. The food is really good and the atmosphere is lively, especially in the evening. The service is a little patchy (sometimes excellent, sometimes distinctly average). On balance, well worth a visit."
John, UK. August 25, 2011

"Would really not recommend eating here. Went to the Buffet evening advertised as serving both hot and cold pasta, pizza and meat dishes. All was stone cold, managers defence was food had been out for over an hour including spare ribs etc. We were even charged for our uneaten dining experience."
Becki, UK. August 16, 2011

"I love this restaurant. I go regularly with my husband and cannot fault it. The staff are very friendly and the food is excellent. Top marks to this Italian restaurant!"
Brenda, UK. August 5, 2011

"We eat at Don Beni's regularly. We have great service when we are there, the food is always exceptional, REAL italian food. They have changed a few of their staff. I think their dishes are wonderful, the spagetti carabonara is the best I have ever had, even in Italy. Try this place again, engage in a conversation with your waiter, smile, they respond to friendliness. If you are cold and aloof then they do leave you to yourself to dine in peace. Try this place again."
Jeannie, UK. June 30, 2011

"Food so overpriced! Staff not welcoming - unless you are a female in your 20's. Then your luck is in!! Waiters will ignore all other customers and devote time to you and your friends. Would not suggest going there unless you are Italian or young female with lots of money. Forget it!!"
Helen, UK. January 3, 2011

"The official review is nothing to go by... Don Beni is tradition Italian and staff are lovely. I have no complaints on food or service as everything is perfect. The best Italian I've ever been to. I honestly can't believe that it has such a bad review! It shocks me as it is one of my favourites. They welcome everyone and make you feel at home. Try it. Your missing out otherwise!"
Sophie, UK. February 19, 2010

"Whilst not perfect, this is the restaurant by which I judge all others. The service is friendly, the food is great, the place is comfortable and unpretentious. My only complaint is that, having eaten the entire menu several times over, I would like more variety so I could come more often."
Bruce, UK. December 5, 2009

"With the plethora of Italian restaurants in Wokingham it never ceases to amaze me that Don Beni's is still trading. My first visit there was a disaster, poor food and even worse service. I thought it may have been a one-off, but no - my second visit was every bit as disappointing as the first. The restaurant is gloomy and poorly lit, the food is below par and the waiting staff are the rudest and most arrogant bunch of people I have ever had the misfortune to encounter.
Even if this was the only Italian restaurant in Wokingham I would never visit again. As there are at least 6 better alternatives within a stone's throw, my advice would be to give Don Beni's a very wide berth."
Pablo, UK. September 18, 2009

"Just been to this restaurant, and the food was cold the drinks are watered down, the staff are rather rude and want you to hurry up. A very unfriendly atmosphere. Don't even get me started on the toilet facilities. I nearly slipped over in an oily patch,and one man laughed hysterically, even though I am heavily pregnant and could have been seriously injured. I would not recommend this place to anyone."
Tracey, UK. July 25, 2009

"I'm afraid I cannot agree with any of the bad comments of Don Beni's (and I DO eat out a lot). The staff couldn't have been more attentive. They were friendly but NOT overly so. We didn't have to top our wine glasses up once. As soon as they got three quarters of the way down a waiter appeared and topped them up. The food, although not top notch compared to say, Pepe Sale in Reading, was still very well cooked and tasty. They even got wind that I was celebrating my birthday and came out with a cake singing happy birthday! It was my first time there and it won't be my last (Plus I travelled from the other side of Reading to try it out). I might have just picked a good evening but it was very busy so that's always a good sign."
P James, UK. May 13, 2009

"Arguably the worst restaurant I have ever eaten in anyone that insists that this is a good place to eat does not eat out much. On a day visit to see family yesterday ate here and my only regret is leaving without paying the extortionate bill. Shocking service, cold uncomfortable interior, cheap produce to compliment an unbelievably overpriced menu (higher than some top London restaurants). Avoid at all costs if you are intending to eat in here don't, I had a gut ache for 2 hours and so did my guests. I'm still angry 24hrs later having 'dined' out at Don Beni's."
D McEvoy, UK. April 11, 2009

"We tried this restaurant once and were so appalled with the lack of service and the rude waiters that we left before ordering.
We thought we may have been unlucky on the first visit, therefore tried again, with the same results.
The staff really do need some customer service or cultural training - basic manners and not making rude gestures when guests are not quite ready to order 5 minutes after sitting down would be very beneficial. Not recommended - can not comment on the food as we were so appalled on both occasions, we have yet to try it! Have been to the one in Farnham Common which was very good - maybe these staff could train the ones in Wokingham!"
C Smith, UK. February 2, 2009

"Several members of my family and friends regularly eat at the Don Beni restaurants, and we all love the food and the atmosphere. It is not a quiet, romantic restaurant and the food is by no means ground-breaking, but go there if you enjoy hearty, traditional food (and especially good steaks) at reasonable prices. And the waiters and staff are wonderfully friendly and enthusiastic, so just relax and enjoy it!"
Kate from Binfield, UK. September 26, 2008

"A very average restaurant serving very average Italian food. The worst aspect of this establishment are the waiters who are just who letch over the female diners and are condescending towards the male diners. Not much fun if you are trying to have a pleasant meal with your partner. Not recommended."
Ian from Wokingham, UK. September 12, 2008

"Please ignore the terrible "official" review. I think the fact that the reviewer mentions that the restaurant is always busy speaks volumes i.e. it's busy because it's very good. To call Don Beni a pizza and pasta restaurant is a travesty. It's much more than that offering superb steak and fish courses as well as "homemade" traditional Italian deserts from the desert trolley.
I've never had a bad meal there yet and all my friends and family consider it to be one of the best restaurants in Wokingham. The service is also excellent and the staff friendly and efficient. I think the fact that the head chef at a rival Italian restaurant up the road regularly eats has his lunch there is testament to how good this place is.
Try it. You won't be disappointed."
Simon from Wokingham, UK. July 25, 2008