Top Paddock

When the Darling Group (Higher Ground, The Kettle Black) took over Top Paddock in November 2018, the weekend queues we first saw in 2012 were still very much a thing much.

In part, that’s due to the continued evolution of the menu, which features sophisticated dishes such as braised lamb shoulder with burnt eggplant puree, green beans, pearl barley, lemon yoghurt and fried shallot; and crispy skin barramundi with pickled slaw and asparagus. Of course, if you’re after classics such as eggs Benedict or blueberry and ricotta hotcakes, the kitchen also has you sorted.

Drinks are similarly considered and include the signature Darling Blend; Gulbarn, a native, non-caffeinated tea; and cold-pressed juices.

The space seats well over 100 people, but service is efficient and polished. Sit up at the long, communal benches or nestle into a booth as the morning fades into afternoon.