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The Best Pubs in Paddington to Enjoy a Pint with Dinner
From gastropubs to good old classics, we can guarantee you a good time at any of these fine establishments.
As far as pubs go, Paddington is serving options! Captain Cook Hotel has just reopened with an Italian kitchen and laneway beer garden, Paddo Inn brings upmarket share plates to the corner of Oxford and William, and Royal Hotel’s rooftop takes in sweeping city views at sunset.
From gastropubs to Asian cuisine, there’s a little something for everyone. Read on for the best pubs in Paddington to enjoy a pint with dinner.
In This Guide:
Best Traditional Pubs in Paddington
The Village Inn
A local charmer, The Village Inn is a beautiful corner pub that exudes character and warmth. The heritage building has been a pub since 1890 and The Village Inn continues to live up to its roots by serving old-school pub food and hosting trivia nights, Sunday sessions with live music and sport screenings.
Suburb: Paddington
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Locals, Group dining, Weekend plans
Lord Dudley Hotel
While there’s no shortage of English-style pubs in Sydney, few possess quintessential British charm like this corner pub, and come wintertime, you can nestle by the open fire and enjoy a pint of Old Speckled Hen.
The redbrick exterior looks more like a Tudor-style manor than a pub, while the old-world charms of Old Blighty continue inside with gold-rimmed portraits of dukes and duchesses and a room dedicated to mohair sofas circa 1930s and a cosy fireplace.
As for the food, expect classic pub dishes expertly done.
Suburb: Paddington
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Locals, Weekend plans
Best Gastropubs and Bistro-Style Pubs in Paddington
Captain Cook Hotel
Paddington’s beloved Captain Cook Hotel has reopened after a thoughtful, heritage-led revamp, restoring its iconic round bar and transforming the former pokies room into Joe’s Kitchen; a light-filled Italian eatery fronting a leafy, European-style laneway beer garden.
Expect Roman-style pizza made with airy, cold-fermented dough and topped with all kinds of delicious things like stracciatella, hot honey and Italian sausage. On the drinks front there’s plenty of spritzes, a considered wine list and beers on top, (it’s also one of the few pubs in NSW to serve Heaps Normal Quiet XPA, if you’re abstaining or looking to cut back).
Just steps from the SCG, it’s once again your go-to for pre-game pints, long lunches and everything in between.
Suburb: Paddington
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Group dining, Weekend plans, Locals
The Bellevue Hotel
Away from Paddington’s main hub, The Bellevue is an upmarket gastropub with a modern European menu. The restaurant has a menu that comprises of seasonal, fresh produce – dishes that are several cuts above your run-of-the-mill pub fare – while the public bar and terrace are more laid-back.
Suburb: Paddington
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Gastropub
Best For: Date night, Special occasion
The Paddo Inn
Most likely the chicest pub you’ll ever encounter, The Paddo Inn, located in the heart of Paddington (it’s on the corner of Oxford and William St), is an up-market bistro serving up quality meat and seafood share plates. Our recommendation: stay late, drink wine and soak up the beautiful ambience. It’s designed to look like a Paddington terrace, so no doubt you’ll feel right at home.
Suburb: Paddington
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Best For: Date night, Special occasion
Best Pubs in Paddington with Rooftop and Outdoor Spaces
The London
A corner pub reminiscent of England, The London Hotel on William Street is a laidback yet stylish pub with a light-filled beer garden. The menu keeps things simple with burgers, pizza and pub classics. On the top floor, East London is the Asian influence that has long left the area wanting. The regional cuisines of Szechaun and Shanghai are key inspirations, with flavour and texture the top priority of Chef Jack Steer.
Suburb: Paddington
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Weekend plans
The Royal Hotel Paddington
A heritage pub that boasts a beautiful open-air rooftop with striking views over the city, The Royal Hotel has broad appeal among Paddington’s stylish locals. The menu focuses on shared plates, pub classics and contemporary seasonal dishes. Get in early to secure a highly sought-after spot on the rooftop at sunset.
Suburb: Paddington
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Gastropub
Best For: Date night, Special occasion, Weekend plans
Frequently Asked Questions about Paddington’s Best Pubs
Royal Hotel is the standout for rooftop drinking in Paddington, with an open-air space that takes in views over the city and a menu of shared plates and pub classics. It’s popular with the area’s stylish local crowd, so arriving early in the evening is the best way to secure a spot before sunset, particularly on weekends when the rooftop fills quickly.
Captain Cook Hotel is the closest option to the SCG among Paddington’s pubs, making it a popular choice for pre-game pints and post-match debriefs. Its Italian kitchen, Joe’s Kitchen, serves Roman-style pizza and share plates, alongside a European-style laneway beer garden, giving it a different feel to a typical pre-match pub.
Yes, Paddington has several heritage pubs that lean traditional rather than modern gastropub. The Village Inn has operated from the same Glenmore Road corner since 1890 and still runs trivia nights and live music sessions, while Lord Dudley Hotel offers a British-style interior with an open fire, suited to those after classic pub food and atmosphere over a contemporary menu.
Paddo Inn, on the corner of Oxford and William Street, is generally considered Paddington’s most polished pub option, styled like a Paddington terrace and built around quality meat and seafood share plates with a strong wine list. It suits a longer, more considered evening rather than a quick pint, making it a solid choice for date night.
Yes. The London Hotel on Underwood Street pairs a straightforward downstairs menu of burgers, pizza and pub classics with East London upstairs, which draws on Szechuan and Shanghai influences. It’s one of the few spots in the area combining a classic pub ground floor with a distinct regional Asian menu on the upper level.
Loved this edit of the best pubs in Paddington to enjoy a pint with dinner? Enjoy more from this sought-after suburb with our round up of the best cafes in Paddington. Looking to kick on? Hit up the best bars for a fun night out.
