paddington

Fred’s

Restaurant

A wood-fired oven, an open-flame hearth and some of the country’s best produce and cocktail bar underneath.

Porcine

Restaurant

“A French bistro above a bottle shop” sounds like a straightforward brief. But there’s nothing straightforward about this cosy inner-city restaurant. (Or the bottle shop for that matter.)

Saint Peter at the Grand National Hotel

Restaurant

A pioneering “fin-to-scale” eatery by Josh and Julie Niland. In the large open kitchen, the chefs utilise all parts of the fish to create a menu of wildly inventive dishes. A meal here is thrilling, educational, and enhanced by an impressive selection of Australian wine and Japanese sake.

Civico 47

Restaurant

In the former home of Paddington institution Lucio’s, this homey diner carries on its predecessor’s legacy with classic Italian dishes, non-traditional pastas and a selection of mainly Italian wines.

Bootleg Italian

Restaurant

Buzzing Bootleg Italian does “bootleg” plant-based versions of Italian classics. The whole menu – from fluffy dough balls with garlic butter to cacio e pepe and lasagne – is vegan. Don’t forget to order a serve of incredibly convincing tiramisu.

Four in Hand

Restaurant

This backstreet local made a particular name for itself under Colin Fassnidge's culinary leadership but is now under new management. It retains its produce-driven menu but without the nose-to-tail ideas Fassnidge was keen on. There's a bigger wine selection than most pubs and taps pour all of the classics.

Padre Coffee Paddington

Cafe

At the Melbourne-born roaster’s first Sydney shop, you’ll find seasonal espresso blends and single origins alongside excellent pastries and bread. Plus, everything you need to lift your coffee game at home – from hand-grinders to espresso machines and beyond.

Organic Bread Bar

Cafe

Breakfast and lunch from the much-loved bakery.

Barbetta

Cafe

This bustling, pretty cafe fuses traditional Italian flavours with local brunch staples

Morris

Cafe

There are giant cookies, à la Scout's Honour.

Sonder

Cafe

A young team dishes up breakfast until five at Five Ways.

Ampersand

Cafe

This Paddington bookseller does food, drinks and books. And what a combination that is. Every book across its three levels is second-hand, with regular bargains to be had. The website is constantly updating, with titles landing daily – even if they’re used, the rotation keeps things feeling new.

The Paddington

Bar

Like a cross between a pub, a bistro and chicken shop. Enjoy the rotisserie-focused menu in this sleek and sunny fit-out. If you've got a solid amount of pals for an event, ask for the private space, a magnificent frieze-covered dining room with a sun roof.

Charlie Parker’s

Bar

Like end-to-end diner Fred’s upstairs, this warm basement bar employs the best of the season’s produce on a menu that truly has something for everyone. Fancy something fresh and lively? Sure thing. Or perhaps a stiff, old-school classic? Right this way.

El Primo Sanchez

Bar

The team behind Maybe Sammy have moved into a heritage Paddington pub and created a Mexican-inspired bar all about good times. There’s a DJ booth, disco ball and a menu that riffs on classic Mexican dishes. Cocktails are a big yes given who’s behind the place.

The Royal Hotel

Bar

Four distinct spaces in a Victorian-era pub package. The brassy, stain-glassed Royal Bar downstairs is a great spot for a beer and some live sport. Upstairs the restaurant does upmarket pub classics. One more level, and you’re on the rooftop. You can dine year-round up here, thanks to some retractable coverage. But in summer, it’s rosé-ready – the good stuff is pouring on tap.

Busby's

Bar

An all-star cast has been assembled for this vinyl-spinning bar: P&V's Mike Bennie is on wine duty, Maybe Sammy is handling cocktails, and star chef Clayton Wells is doing food. The highlights? A fried-potato dish and BYOR (that’s bring-your-own-records) nights.

10 William St

Bar

Set over two storeys in an iconic Paddington terrace, Sydney’s most experimental wine bar has Italian swagger in spades. Come for pastas that are anything but traditional, and a pretzel with whipped bottarga that’s so spectacular it’s never left the menu. The wine list changes so frequently, you could visit three times in a week and never get bored.

The Chicken Shop

Shop

Like the classic takeaway joint, but with more technique.

P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants Paddington

Shop

The sequel to the cult Newtown shop is almost a mirror image of the OG. Except here, you can settle into the courtyard for by-the-glass pours and snacks a la Porcine upstairs.

In Bed

Shop

Stonewashed linens, crisp cottons and beautiful accessories, designed right here in Sydney.

Sarah & Sebastian

Shop

So much more than the average high-street jeweller.

Berkelouw Paddington

Shop

The crown jewel of the Berkelouw empire in Sydney. This three-storey literary landmark on Oxford Street has everything a book nerd could wish for, not least of all a good cup of coffee from the upstairs cafe. It’s licensed and open late, which means it’s primed for a pre-movie drink if you’re hitting the Verona Palace Cinema next door.

Opus

Shop

Creativity, passion and a good eye for what people like makes this gift store a keeper with more than 50 years’ history under its belt.