Lined with quaint Victorian terraces and dotted with buzzing eateries, chic boutiques and moody bars, Paddington holds some of Sydney’s best kept secrets.
It is where young families and bright-eyed twenty-somethings come together with well-travelled retirees and trend-chasing teens, all simply searching for good food, good company and a good time. Get lost in the nostalgia of boutique street shopping, people-watching down a bustling side-street with a coffee in hand.
Get lost in Paddington.
Eat at…
Tequila Mockingbird
Tequila Mockingbird’s repurposed terrace house turned Latin American restaurant is a cozy and buzzing hotspot for every Paddington foodie. Whether you’re basking in the sun on the rooftop terrace as you graze on tapas, or cosied up in the downstairs courtyard as your tasting menu rolls out, it is a must-have flavour experience from Sake-trained and New York’s La Esquina-inspired Michael Fegent
Cipri Italian
It may be a fine-dining, napkin-on-your-lap kind of restaurant but with Cipri’s five-star food and moody ambience comes the welcoming, unwavering Italian hospitality of the three Cipri brothers. Carmelo, Joe and Anthony pride themselves on serving up delicious food with a sprinkle of warmth and camaraderie. And with the kitchen headed by inspired and talented chef Alessandro Cola, the Cipri experience is one that will keep you coming back for more and more.
Saint Peter
Fish butchery and fish restaurant Saint Peter, nestled in the middle of Oxford Street, pride themselves on showcasing the many flavours and cuts of fresh, sustainably caught and prepared fish. Complete with desserts and an extensive menu of exquisite Italian wines, every meal from brunch to lunch to dinner at Saint Peter is stellar.
Hydrate at…
Barbetta
Newcomer to Paddington, Barbetta, is a 1950’s inspired Italian diner, serving up delicious, nourishing and authentic Italian meals with a twist of Aussie flair. Casual, simple and true to Italian style, every visit to Barbetta is satisfying to the stomach and the soul. Stop in for an espresso and a cannolo at the bar on your way to work, while away your afternoon with a tasty lasagna lunch, or stock up on an abundance of housemade Italian grocery goods from pasta to sauces to stews. The Barbetta crew will always be there to welcome you with a ciao and a caffe.
Ampersand
Books, food and coffee – what more could you want? Cosy up at Ampersand Café & Bookstore with brunch and a latte, surrounded by tomes new and old, with a warm laneway atmosphere to add to the utter cuteness of the experience. A perfect first date idea, or a fun experience to share with friends; either way it is a must-try.
Four Six Eight
Family run and exquisitely designed with a fresh and bright atmosphere, Four Six Eight is an unassuming coffee stop with a dedication to fresh local produce. Their food has a sprinkling of Asian influence, from steamed duck buns to daily rice paper rolls, and their Kenyan coffee from Single Origin Roasters is always a hit. Scandi ambience, tasty food and ethically sourced coffee – a winning combination.
Socialise at…
The Light Brigade
One of Sydney’s favourite watering holes, the Light Brigade boasts a rooftop bar, Spanish tapas restaurant, sports bar and cocktail lounge, so there truly is something for everyone. Just a few minutes’ walk from the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sydney Football Stadium, there is no better place to catch up for a hearty pub meal and a beer before catching a game in Moore Park.
Italian Bar
Inspired by the bustling bars of modern Italy, the Franchi brothers created Italian Bar, a traditional yet trendy Oxford Street hangout serving up authentic pizza, imported Italian wines and all your favourite Italian dishes. With a rustic fitout and warm, welcoming atmosphere, it is the perfect place for a tasty meal with the family or buzzing corporate function.
The Unicorn
A Paddington favourite since 1941, the Unicorn Hotel prides themselves on being a “boiling billy of Aussie wine, beer, music, art, food and conversation”. Owned by some of Sydney’s most well-known foodie establishments, from Porteno to Mary’s, the Unicorn serves up ambience, cheek and true blue Aussie-ness with a foundation of good food and excellent service.
Shop with…
Parlour X
Aside from being the eastern suburbs’ premier designer fashion destination, Parlour X is an architectural gem and style frontrunner. Nestled inside a stunning revamped period home, with floor-to-ceiling windows displaying their couture, and exposed brick for extra flair, every inch of the store screams ‘pretty’. Stocking everything from local luxe Australian labels, to established European fashion houses like Fendi and Saint Laurent, it is a must-visit for every fashion lover.
Paddington Markets
Since 1973, the Paddington Markets have operated rain or shine every Saturday. With stalls selling everything from fashion and jewellery to soaps and candles, live music filling the air, and aromas from all over the globe wafting through, it is a bustling community hub run by the locals, for the locals.
The Intersection
Perched elegantly on the intersection of Glenmore Road and Oxford Street, this aptly named shopping strip is the style destination for Australia’s premier labels. Get back in touch with the romance of boutique shopping down tree-lined streets dotted with laneway cafes as you get to know some of Australia’s most successful up-and-coming designers, from Zimmermann to Manning Cartell to Alice McCall.
Experience…
Berkelouw Books
Any book lover will be transported straight to heaven when they enter this cavernous, light-filled cathedral of books. Home to everything from the classics, to new releases, to specialty and childrens’ books, as well as second-hand pre-loved books of all genres, Berkelouw is the ideal place to get lost in the pages, spend way too much, and bring home more than you can fit in your bookshelf.
Chauvel Cinema
Heritage listed and loved for 40 years by Paddington locals, the Chauvel Cinema is one of Sydney’s most popular homes of independent, world and cult film culture, alongside showing regular blockbuster favourites.