The Best Restaurants in Paddington

Best known for its incredible line-up of cafes, trendy boutiques, designer stores and fine art galleries, Paddington scores top points for a weekend pit stop. You could easily spend a whole day meandering along Five Ways, Oxford Street and William Street. But that’s not all you can do around this posh suburb. It’s worth extending your day trip into the night to discover a whole host of tantalising restaurants serving delicious plates from all over the world. Before you head down to one of Paddo’s best bars, line your bellies with delicious food from the best restaurants in Paddington. 

Ursula's Paddington

Led by chef and owner Ursula, this cosy eatery serves up a range of delectable dishes that are both comforting and sophisticated. The menu showcases an array of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which are thoughtfully updated regularly to align with the changing seasons. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty bowl of pasta or a perfectly cooked steak, Ursula's has got you covered. Nestled among the best restaurants in Paddington, Ursula's offers a warm and inviting ambience, complemented by impeccable service. It's an ideal choice for a romantic evening out or a get-together with friends. Be sure to book ahead as this popular spot fills up quickly.

92 Hargrave Street, Paddington

Zafferano Trattoria Mediterranea

Zafferano is a charming trattoria that brings a slice of Sicily to Sydneysiders. With a simple yet sophisticated menu that includes signature Sicilian classics like fluffy pizza and considered seafood dishes, this eatery is sure to impress. Helmed by the talented Sicilian-born chef Simone Crivello and his partner Isobel Galloway, Zafferano not only delights the palate but also captivates with its interior design. Drawing inspiration from Palermo, the restaurant boasts forest green walls, exquisite marble finishes, and large windows that provide a picturesque frame to the tree-lined, terraced streets of Paddington. 

354 South Dowling Street, Paddington

Porcine

Specializing in all things pork, Porcine serves up an array of creative and delicious dishes that showcase the versatility of the beloved meat. From crispy pork belly to juicy pork chops, the menu is a carnivore's dream come true. Vegetarians need not fear, as there are also plenty of flavourful veggie dishes available. The rustic and warm ambience of Porcine adds to its charm, making it an ideal spot for a romantic date night or a night out with friends.

268 Oxford Street, Paddington

Tequila Mockingbird

Breaking free from the stereotypical burritos and fajitas, Tequila Mockingbird offers an inventive menu that's both literary and delectable. Your visit should include sampling their ceviche tacos that burst with fresh and zesty flavours, and their fried tapioca is not to be missed. The whole menu showcases Tequila Mockingbird's culinary prowess, blending Latin and Asian influences seamlessly. To complete your experience, signature tequila-based cocktails and mescal pours stand ready.

6 Heeley Street, Paddington

Chubby Cheeks

Paddington’s Chubby Cheeks dishes up modern Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine. The menu artfully marries traditional Asian flavours with top-tier local ingredients, featuring delectable offerings like tea-smoked duck breast on a banana blossom salad, a 12-hour smoked Rangers Valley wagyu brisket with green papaya and burnt chilli sauce. Pairing well, the drinks menu has been curated to fit the flavour profiles of the dishes and the wine list focuses on light varietals from Australia, New Zealand and France. Taking notes from street-style eateries, the laid-back yet chic vibe permeates the space with its fun and contemporary fit out. 

437 Oxford Street, Paddington

Barbetta

Paddo’s Barbetta is an all-day Italian-style eatery known to embody the essence of Italian authenticity and familial warmth. Introduced to the neighbourhood by the food-obsessed Cipri family in 2018, Barbetta captures the Italian way—embracing diners with open arms and delectable offerings. With a heritage steeped in hospitality spanning generations, this Paddington restaurant is best for a casual bite and a local’s go-to hangout. 

Barbetta prides itself on traditional techniques and their menu is a testament to simple, nourishing dishes with classic Italian flavours infused with a modern twist. Throughout the year the team opens the kitchen to welcome those eager to learn. You can hop on their workshops on pasta making and Italian cooking so you can upskill, too!

2 Elizabeth Street, Paddington

Saint Peter

In its debut year, Saint Peter, the highly anticipated seafood establishment in Paddington, made a resounding entrance, securing two prestigious Chefs Hats and clinching the title of New Restaurant of the Year. This Paddington restaurant shines as a beacon of sustainability, with an inventive menu that evolves with the daily catch, promising a refreshing experience every visit. Particularly intriguing is its approach to brunch, it's the place to be when the weekend rolls around.

If you're not keen on seafood, Saint Peter is still the best place to test the waters. Chef Josh Niland has arranged his Paddo restaurant into a single counter for an engaging dining experience—you're near the action and you can actually talk to the team about all your flavour- or food-related enquiries. 

362 Oxford Street, Paddington

Fred's

At Fred's on Paddington's lively Oxford Street, you can expect the warmth of a friend's rustic country home where you can perch at the kitchen counter for an intimate view of culinary magic over the open-fire hearth. Here, it's all about life's simple luxuries, from just-harvested greens to artisanal bread and sustainably sourced meats and seafood. The thoughtfully crafted wine list celebrates ethical choices and small growers who embrace environmentally friendly practices.

380 Oxford Street, Paddington

The Paddington

A fusion of sophistication and nostalgia, The Paddington offers a unique trifecta as a bar, restaurant, and pub, boasting a minimalist yet striking interior that pays homage to Paddington's storied past. Its design recalls a classic butchery, with white glazed ceramic tiles, timber panelling, and dark timber furnishings. Upstairs, the atmosphere shifts to feature booth seating, mirrored tables, and a leather-fronted cocktail bar. This reinvented neighbourhood pub has played a role in the revival of Oxford Street. The distinct sections of The Paddington each have their unique style. Executive chef Ben Greeno oversees a kitchen with custom-made rotisseries, resulting in succulent, hormone-free, air-chilled Bannockburn chickens and other rotisserie delights. 

384 Oxford Street, Paddington

Buon Ricordo Ristorante

If restaurants could be heritage-listed, we’re certain Buon Ricordo would be first on the list. Buon Ricordo, a Sydney dining institution since the '80s, is headed by Chef Armando Percuoco, a Naples native, who began his culinary journey at 14, showcasing his enduring passion for authentic Italian flavours. 

One of the best restaurants in Paddington, Buon Ricordo envelops diners in Italian artistry and ambiance, leaving them with quite literally a buon ricordo or good memory. Its menu goes by the saying “If it ain't broke, don't fix it.” Hence, they let the fine, fresh ingredients shine through their expert classical Italian techniques. 

108 Boundary Street, Paddington 

10 William Street

Tucked away in a Paddington terrace, 10 William Street is a chic wine bar-slash-restaurant perfect for date nights and catch-ups with friends. Led by the Fratelli Paradiso brothers, it's a hub of culinary experimentation, offering an ever-evolving menu that artfully melds Italian traditions with contemporary Australian and Asian influences.

This dynamic eatery thrives on creativity, crafting a menu that shifts with the seasons. Summer brings vibrant salads and sumptuous crudités, while winter offers hearty delights like ragus and creamy risottos. With a stellar wine list showcased on a blackboard, 10 William Street encourages patrons to explore new wine horizons. The cosy ambience and rule-free vibe make it a must-visit.

10 William Street, Paddington

Loved reading up on Paddington's best restaurants and now on the lookout for the ultimate gastronomic experience in Sydney? Look no further than our curated lists of the best restaurants in the area. From charming Italian trattorias to cosy French bistros, we've got you covered with a variety of delectable options to suit every taste.