Nine Must-Visit Spots in Paddington for Every Occasion
You'll find everything from sustainable fashion (and fish) to culinary gems in this pocket of the eastern suburbs.
Nine Must-Visit Spots in Paddington for Every Occasion
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You'll find everything from sustainable fashion (and fish) to culinary gems in this pocket of the eastern suburbs.
The perfect blend of eastern suburbs bougieness meets inner city living, Paddington has long been a destination for art, culture and fine dining. Visitors and locals alike are sure to enjoy a day of ambling along Sydney's iconic Oxford Street exploring the bars, shops, cafes, galleries and cinemas that call the leafy suburb home.
On the hunt for something specific? To make things a little easier for you, we've teamed up with American Express to put together a shortlist of places both new and old that should be your first port of call, no matter the occasion.
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If you’re looking for a date night spot that oozes charm then look no further than 10 William Street, a nifty local wine bar with an Italian-inspired menu to match. A quaint little spot with walnut leather banquettes and a green laminate bar, 10 Will is the perfect spot to get cosy with a few share plates and, of course, plenty of delicious wine to wash it all down. The regularly updated wine list is currently 11 pages long and organised by style and region. There’s also a smart cocktail list and a handful of decent beers to balance it out.
As for the food, expect dishes such as spanner crab with polenta and corn and orecchiette with cavolo nero and house-made ricotta. Oh, and don’t skip the legendary pretzel with whipped bottarga. Your special someone will be impressed by your good taste (we’ll let you take the credit for this one).
Image: Kitti Gould
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Whether you’ve just moved into a new space, or you’re just really bored of staring at the same walls after so much time spent indoors recently, there’s a simple solution: buy some art.
Paddington has long been a stronghold for the arts in Sydney’s east, and over its colourful history has seen musicians, painters, photographers, sculptors and all manner of creatives call it home. Blender Gallery’s offering to this area has been to create an exhibition space and commercial gallery dedicated to the finest music photography that celebrates local and international artists of the past fifty years. Iconic images from rock ‘n’ roll history are available to view and purchase from a variety of world-renowned photographers such as Pattie Boyd and Ross Halfin.
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In Paddo, you’re spoiled for choice in the after-work drinks department — the area is home to some of the finest bars and restaurants in the country. If you haven’t already, make sure to hit up Tequila Mockingbird next time you’re looking to take the edge off after a hard day’s work.
Situated in the iconic Five Ways, this three-level terrace bar and restaurant offers over 30 varieties of premium tequila, plus some cracking mezcals if you’re that way inclined. Feeling peckish after a long day on the tools? Snack on guacamole, fish tacos, and salmon carpaccio — or go the whole shebang and tuck into the nine-course tasting menu for $85 per person.
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We couldn’t talk about common occurrences in the eastern suburbs without mentioning brunch. With its vast selection of Italian cured meats, coffee, pastries and cheeses, Paddington Alimentari may be a step away from your usual smashed avo affair, but it’s no less an enjoyable way to start the day. You can fill up on arancini, an antipasto platter or an olive bread panini stuffed with bocconcini and prosciutto, and wash it down with an Allpress coffee. A cabinet of sweet treats is there to tempt you, too — and don’t leave without picking up some artisanal produce to take home, either.
Paddington Alimentari was Tequila Mockingbird owner Michael Fegent’s pick of the neighbourhood. “This is one of my all-time favourites,” he told us. “The extra wow factor making is the street seating. It is informal and chilled, where you can rock up on your own, sit under the gum tree and expect to have a good conversation with a friend or some random person.”
Image: Destination NSW
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If you’re looking for tasty and inventive ways to eat more fish, then look no further than Fish Butchery. From the crew behind innovative seafood fine diner Saint Peter, this fishmonger champions sustainability and the use of underutilised species, sourced directly from a number of independent Australian anglers.
The resulting product is seafood of superior quality due to its detailed preparation and storage. Fish Butchery favours a dry-aging approach, something rarely seen in larger-scale operations, which culminates in an intense depth of flavour. Whole fish, cuts and prepped seafood dishes are all available along with enthusiastic, expert advice about how best to prepare your selection at home.
Image: Cody Duncan
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Depending on the recipient, finding the perfect gift is sometimes easy as pie. Other times, it’s impossible. In both of these instances, however, the answer can readily be chocolate. As a fourth-generation chocolatier, Suzanne Williams brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to this Paddington fixture.
The handmade delights available here include decadent truffles, creamy pralines and soft-centred bombs. They’re not only delicious, but they’re prepared and presented in unique, on-trend packaging that make them perfect for giving as gifts. Speaking of gifts, you can take the thinking out of it with one of Just William’s gift packs, which start at just $10 and give you the option to select milk or dark treats only or go for a mixture, which also includes white chocolate for good measure.
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Local fans of a decent tipple will likely already be aware of Paddington Fine Wines, a neighbourhood bottle shop founded in 2017 on the cornerstones of exemplary customer service, top-notch product knowledge and a zest for fine wine. The Oxford Street store, which has sister outlets in Darlinghurst and Rushcutters Bay, is indicative of its name, boasting local and international wines in all manner of styles.
The staff is passionate about making sure you get a great drop with in-store tastings happening on the regular. If wine isn’t your choice of poison, the bottle-o also has beers, spirits and liqueurs. It often champions independent Aussie brewers and distillers, alongside big-name international favourites.
Image: Kitti Gould
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The Chauvel Cinema has been a mainstay of the Sydney independent cinema scene for more than 40 years. The former Paddington Town Hall ballroom has retained its original art deco-style interior, complete with red plush velvet seating and high arched ceilings. You’ll feel like you’re soaking in cinema history in this beautiful theatre.
While most movies in cinemas are projected digitally these days, Chauvel hosts special sessions using both 35mm and 70mm projection. If you’re serious about your cinema, you’ll want to get along to one of these sessions.
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Designer Kit Willow is one of Australia’s foremost exponents of ethical and sustainable fashion, striving to make women look and feel great without endangering the planet. Focused on creating unique designs and luxe outfits at competitive prices, KitX is the perfect shop to check out when you’re after a new frock that’ll make you stand out for all the right reasons.
Willow’s extensive research into all aspects of each garment’s journey, from agriculture to textile development and manufacturing, ensures a range of elegant pieces that are truly unique and free from many of the harmful byproducts that come with much of the high-fashion world.
