Known for its upscale shopping, stunning old-school architecture and green spaces, Paddington is also a paradise for those hunting a solid feed, with a globally renowned seafood stunner, intimate Italian spots for date night, and modern brasseries serving incredible produce scattered across the 'burb.
These are the best restaurants in Paddington.
10 William St
William Street
Tucked off the main strip, 10 William Street is a little spot with big Euro energy. Grab a table in the front room, at the brassy bar, or upstairs to work through the menu of house-made pasta, Italian-style plates, and the must-order pretzel with whipped bottarga. Natural and interesting wine is a big focus here, and you can definitely drop in for just a drink if that takes your fancy.
El Primo Sanchez
Oxford Street
While it might describe itself as a cocktail bar, you can definitely visit El Primo Sanchez for a formidable feast. The Mexican-inspired spot by the Maybe Sammy crew is pairing a margarita menu with food that combines a whole lot of influences, like tuna tostadas with koji and habanero mayo, pickled turnip and wasabi leaf, a take on chorizo con papas with whipped ‘nduja, crispy potato, crème fraiche and chives, and mixed wild mushroom quesadilla with Oaxaca cheese and preserved porcini.
Maeda Japanese Restaurant
Heeley Street
Paddington is full of surprises, and Japanese and French-trained chef Yasushi Maeda's restaurant is one of them. Grab a table in the courtyard at for traditional nigiri and rolls for your sushi fix, plus snacks like Wagyu tataki or vegetable tempura, udon, salads, and takeaway bento boxes at lunchtime. If you have a special bottle you've been saving, Maeda also welcomes BYO wine on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Saint Peter
Oxford Street
Arguably one of Australia’s best-known restaurants, Saint Peter is where Josh Niland pioneered his whole-fish techniques and game-changing seafood focus. The menu offers numerous species of oysters, seasonal line-caught fish, and complementary ingredients used in interesting applications like Wapengo oyster cream, achiote vinaigrette, and chorizo made from Murray cod. You can visit for a la carte lunch Thursday–Sunday, or book the $195pp seven-course set dinner Tuesday–Sunday.
Editor's note: St Peter will be relocating and sizing up when Josh and Julia Niland take over Paddington's The Grand National Hotel in 2023. Stay tuned for updates.
Civico 47
Windsor Street
Serving traditional Italian dishes using the best produce on the market, Civico 47 is perfect as a neighbourhood drop-in or as an option for date night in the blue-hued front dining room. Start with the scallop crudo with tomato vinegar, green beans and basil before indulging in ricotta gnocchi with borage, brown butter and mushrooms, dry-aged duck with witlof and mandarin dressing, and an A-grade affogato to finish.
Ursula’s
Hargrave Street
Combining its gorgeous corner building’s heritage with a bright and minimal interior and mid-century-inspired menu, Ursula’s effortlessly blends the traditional and new-school. Chef/owner Phil Wood’s lunch and dinner menu offers elevated comfort classics like Moreton Bay bug pasta with parmesan and crustacean butter, roast chicken with creamed corn and konbu butter, and golden syrup dumplings, rum, raisin and malt cream.
Love Supreme
Oxford Street
With a daily changing menu and direct-from-Italy wine list, Love Supreme brings a lot of heart to Paddington’s busiest strip from its deli-style setting. Expect stuffed zucchini flowers, silky pasta with slow-cooked ragu, and a selection of red- and white-based pizzas like the Carra with zucchini, ricotta, chilli and cime di rapa pesto on a tomato base, or the Gi Gi with cuttlefish, potato, leek, garlic and bottarga on a white base.
Porcine
Oxford Street
Tucked upstairs from the popular P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants, Porcine is a modern bistro with an obvious lean towards pork—and plenty more. Pair your wine selection with classic dishes like duck and pork pâté with tarragon mustard, delicate courgette tarts with pecorino and herbs, and grilled octopus with green sauce and peas. For a show-stopper, pre-order the canard à la presse: a roast duck and its various cuts finished tableside using a purpose-built press, with only one available per service.
Fred’s
Oxford Street
Somehow bringing a rustic county home feel to the middle of Paddington, Fred’s has been a favourite for a long time, and for good reason. The farm-to-table menu is wholesome but indulgent, with dishes like potato latkes topped with smoked trout rillettes, Burraduc buffalo mozzarella tomatoes and basil, and grilled lamb with carrot and merguez-stuffed pepper. Don’t forget to head down to basement bar Charlie Parker’s for a drink after your meal.
Il Baretto
William Street
After its foundation in Surry Hills in 1999, now serves its old-school Italian flavours at the Paddo Inn, for a laid-back, unpretentious, and reliably delicious experience. Visit for Negronis and calamari in the bar, or settle in for a full meal of cheesy suppli, tuna carpaccio, spaghetti carbonara, and rich tiramisu.
Oxford House
Oxford Street
This one's a bit of a two-for-one deal; at the glam Oxford House, you can opt to dine in the restaurant overlooking Oxford Street, or head up to the pool bar for Palm Springs vibes and sunshine. Whichever setting you pick, the modern unfussy fare with plenty of global influences is guaranteed to be delicious. Our picks? The fluffy flatbreads with taramasalata, lobster roll with iceberg, Kewpie mayo, lemon and Old Bay seasoning, and Vanella burrata with Ortiz anchovy, green olive tapenade and pangrattato.
Tequila Mockingbird
Heeley Street
This spot’s a Sydney favourite for Latin American cuisine, with robust flavours, seasonal produce, and modern techniques bringing a local touch to its 1890s terrace house setting. Tequila Mockingbird does, of course, offer an extensive selection of agave-based spirits and cocktails, but standout dishes to pair with your drinks include the tuna ceviche with ají panca, corn and nori, prawn tacos with koji, XO and togarashi, and market steak with merquén butter and pickled shiitake.
Image credit: Civico 47, 10 William St (Nikki To), El Primo Sanchez (Steven Woodburn), Saint Peter (Josh Niland), Civico 47, Ursula's, Love Supreme, Porcine, Fred's, Il Baretto, Oxford House, Tequila Mockingbird