With Victorian terrace homes along leafy streets, and galleries, boutique shops and cafés lining Oxford Street and Five Ways, Paddington is easily one of Sydney’s prettiest suburbs. And ‘Paddo’, as the locals call it, has got no shortage of photo-worthy restaurants, to boot.
From several eateries by hospitality group known for its impeccable interiors, Merivale, to a tiny former terrace house, specialising in tequila cocktail, ahead is our in-no-way-comprehensive edit of some of the best restaurants to visit (and take Instagram grid-worthy photos) in Paddington right now.
El Primo Sanchez
The Maybe Group (Maybe Sammy) and Public Group (Oxford House) are behind El Primo Sanchez, which opened earlier this year. Its space is splashed in a colour palette inspired by Mexico City in th 1940s, with mostly orange hues and pops of greenery. It’s also home to a two-person karaoke room. On the menu is Mexican street food favourites, some with twists.
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Tequila Mockingbird
Latin American restaurant Tequila Mockingbird is tucked into a heritage-listed, converted terrace, built in 1898 and located in Five Ways. It has three separate dining spaces, an upstairs, a downstairs and a courtyard, each with its own atmosphere. Dine on dishes like ceviche tacos, pan de queso and market fish, washed down with namesake cocktail Tequila Mockingbird.
Fred’s
Fred’s on Oxford Street is a Merivale venue, designed to look like a (rich) friend’s country home. In line with the décor, the restaurant serves farm-to-table cooking, with a focus on seasonality and locally-sourced produce, and most of the food cooked with fire. The restaurant is centred around a wood-fired oven and open-fire hearth, and the space is bright, yet wood-dominated.
10 William St
Tucked off the main strip and spread across two storeys in a converted terrace house, 10 William St has a distinct European feel with wines lining its walls, a general moody feel and a chalkboard with wines and specials listed. While it’s mainly a wine bar, it also serves a limited menu that changes seasonally but is mainly Italian-based in terms of ingredients and technique.
Ursula’s Paddington
Another Merivale venue, Ursula’s was inspired by the casual, neighbourhood bistros of Europe, but is still elegant with bold caramel tones and deep blues on the walls and floors. Thonet chairs, typical of said bistros, and crisp white tablecloths are in contrast with the more rustic feel of custom timber furniture. Start with oysters, before feasting on meat dishes like roast Bannockburn chicken or grasslands beef fillet, or veggie options like tempura eggplant or dashi and mussel risotto.
Paddo Inn
Oxford Street pub Paddo Inn got a major reno after it was bought by Solotel Group in late 2016. While it’s still got the distinct neighbourhood pub feel it’s had since opening in 1814, in the back, is white exposed brick-walled, buzzy restaurant Il Baretto. Share pizzas and pastas in its high-ceiling room, punctuated by modern light fixtures.
The Paddington
Located on Oxford Street, The Paddington (yet another Merivale spot!) thinks of itself as part pub, part restaurant and part cocktail bar. It’s best known by locals for its fine rotisserie meats, hearty veggie mains and late-night drinks. A white staircase on its ground floor leads to its second level that looks out onto the ground dining and open kitchen.
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