Piglet Bar and Eatery

Molly Shalders and Tom Beattie make a great team. The pair are also behind local favourite Paddington Cafe, which was their first venture together. Their second is Piglet Bar, which they opened next door – at the insistence of passionate locals – after turning away larger groups from the pint-sized Paddington.

Shalders and Beattie wanted to create a space that they’d flock to if it were their own local. The sleek yet playful interior reflects the casual and relaxed nature of the place. An on-theme pink- and terracotta-tiled bar plays off against concrete walls and wooden booths with slick joinery.

It’s a cosy place to settle in with the approachable wine list, which is supplied by Blackhearts & Sparrows. Classic cocktails like Negroni and Gimlet sit beneath more colourful house favourites, and the team will gladly make off-menu cocktails with what’s available. Plus, beers from local Philter Brewing are on tap. The single-page menu is updated seasonally, but two permanent favourites are the steak frites (with your pick of Paris butter or red wine jus) and the chorizo and gruyere croquettes.

It’s simple, really – Piglet leaves the daunting lingo for other bars. The emphasis is on the friendly and laid-back service, crowd-pleasing dishes and drinks, and a good time every time you visit.