PADDINGTON
With its leafy streets, art galleries, trendy boutiques and vamped-up pubs, Paddington is the inner city capital of all things designer, decadent and delicious.
In partnership with City of Sydney, we’re celebrating what makes Paddington such a vibrant community to live in and visit: its local businesses. It’s been a tough year, and these bars, restaurants, shops and cultural spaces need your patronage more than ever. It’s time to hit the streets, spend consciously, and throw your support behind these local gems.
Flick the switch above, and we’ll dim the lights to show you the best things to do once the sun goes down. You can also explore more inner city suburbs here.
With its leafy streets, art galleries, trendy boutiques and vamped-up pubs, Paddington is the inner city capital of all things designer, decadent and delicious.
In partnership with City of Sydney, we’re celebrating what makes Paddington such a vibrant community to live in and visit: its local businesses. It’s been a tough year, and these bars, restaurants, shops and cultural spaces need your patronage more than ever. It’s time to hit the streets, spend consciously, and throw your support behind these local gems.
Flick the switch above, and we’ll turn on the lights to show you the best things to do pre-6pm. You can also explore more inner city suburbs here.
Paddington is renowned for its penchant for pubs — and galleries, of which there are more than 15. Legendary Australian artist Margaret Olley lived and worked here (at 48 Duxford Street) and, following her death in 2011, her house was recreated at the Tweed Regional Gallery near her birthplace.
If you’re travelling by public transport, the easiest way to arrive is via Oxford Street on a 380 or 333 bus, which both run between Circular Quay and Bondi Beach. The 389 bus is handy, too, as it passes through The Intersection on its journey from North Bondi to Pyrmont. Once you’re in situ, on foot is best.
Lingering over a good book with a good coffee is one of life’s finest pleasures and you can do so at Ampersand. Add a dose of art at a top-notch gallery, such as Blender or UNSW Galleries, before relaxing over a glass of the house sparkling at The Unicorn.
To explore local-style, start with a coffee at Alimentari, then wander to Reservoir Gardens, and drop by the beautiful Jardan shop after. Come lunchtime, you have a choice of rooftops, both with cracking views: The Royal and The Light Brigade.
There are RSLs. And then there’s the Paddo RSL. Aside from serving generous portions and cheap beers, the expansive venue also has a long history as one of Sydney’s best live music spots. Decades ago, the RSL’s stage even welcomed the likes of INXS and Hunters and Collectors.
If you’re travelling by public transport, the easiest way to arrive is via Oxford Street, on a 380 or 333 bus, which runs between Circular Quay and Bondi Beach. The 389 bus is handy, too, as it passes through The Intersection on its journey from North Bondi to Pyrmont. Once you’re in situ, on foot is best.
Fashion lovers shouldn’t leave Paddington without paying a visit to Parlour X‘s world-class designer collection, while foodies must order the truffle egg fettuccine at Buon Ricordo, check out the breathtakingly beautiful kitchen at Fred’s and sample every part of a fish at Saint Peter.
As is obvious from the queues, locals are pretty obsessed — and understandably so — with 10 William Street‘s wines and Italian dishes. You’ll also find them crowding into The Paddington for a drink, perusing the shelves at Berkelouw Books and catching cult flicks at the historic Chauvel Cinema.
How to do Paddington
Do as the locals do.
Cafes
Paddington's cafes are laidback, light-filled and splashed with greenery. Stop at one of these five to start the day with a guaranteed good cup of coffee.
1. Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore
2. Morris
3. Infinity Bakery - CLOSED
4. Paddington Alimentari
5. Funkis Köket Cafe
Restaurants and Pubs
Whether you're after a craft beer or a gastronomical feast, expect to be surrounded by design — banquettes, pendant lighting and inviting beer gardens.
1. The Paddington
2. The Chicken Shop
3. Daily Greens
4. Barbetta
5. Don Pedros
Shops
To shop in Paddington is to take a journey through Australian fashion — from pop-ups run by emerging designers to flagships from leading talents.
1. Poepke
2. Dinosaur Designs
3. Jardan Sydney
4. Funkis
5. Just William Chocolates
Arts and Culture
Name your artsy desires and you'll find them among Paddington's many cultural spots.
1. Blender Gallery
2. Paddington Markets
3. UNSW Galleries
4. Kudos Gallery
5. Cooee Art Gallery
More Art
When we say Paddo is known for its art, we really mean it. Here are five more galleries worth adding to your list.
1. Defiance Gallery
2. Juniper Hall
3. Saint Cloche Gallery
4. Piermarq
5. Blinq Art
Shop Online
Can't visit the area soon enough? Get gems from these Paddington-based businesses sent straight to you instead.
1. Collector Store Paddington
2. Venroy
3. Lee Mathews Paddington
4. Bag-all Australia
5. Jackies Cafe
How to do Paddington
Do as the locals do.
Restaurants
Paddington's tree-lined streets are a culinary adventure, from truffle egg fettuccine to smoked eel pikelet.
1. Saint Peter
2. Buon Ricordo Ristorante
3. Fred's
4. Love Supreme
5. Italian Bar - CLOSED
Bars
Whether you're looking for a good wine and a quiet chat or an all-night party, there's a bar for you in Paddington.
1. Charlie Parker's
2. 10 William St
3. The Wine Library
4. Goodbar - CLOSED
5. The Light Brigade
Pubs
Live music, elevated pub fare and local pups — these Paddo watering holes have it all.
1. Paddo RSL
2. The Captain Paddington
3. Paddo Inn
4. The Village Inn
5. The London Hotel
Shops
Should 6pm roll around before you're ready to drop, despair not. Trading hours are often extended at these beauties.
1. Opus
2. Fish Butchery
3. Parlour X
4. Paddington Fine Wines
5. Sarah & Sebastian
Leisure
When you're not shopping, beer-ing or art-ing, relax on a deck chair in a subterranean park or head to an art deco cinema.
1. Chauvel Cinema
2. Paddington Reservoir Gardens
3. Palace Verona
4. Flow Athletic
5. Berkelouw Paddington
Cp faves
Here are our favourite haunts for when the sun goes down and the streets of Paddington come alive.
1. Tequila Mockingbird
2. Indian Home Diner
3. The Unicorn
4. Chubby Cheeks
5. Come As You Are
Editor's Itinerary
Here is how our editor loves to spend a few hours in Paddington.
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Infinity Bakery
Sit in for a morning coffee and croissant, or take away one of its delicious cakes when it's time to celebrate. -
Shopping in Paddington
Paddington is a mecca for shoppers. Less about fast fashion, more about Aussie-designed, the options of where to spend your dollars are bountiful. -
Paddington Reservoir Gardens
Head here when you need a break from shopping. The sunken garden modelled after the Gardens of Babylon are an idyllic spot for an afternoon recharge. -
Kudos Gallery
Check out Australian art up-and-comers at this free gallery run by UNSW art students. -
The Light Brigade
Head to the rooftop in the late afternoon to enjoy a bottle of rosé as the sun sets over Sydney.
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Paddington Fine Wines
Enhance your oeno-knowledge and keep your eyes peeled for wine classes and wine and cheese tasting events at this haven of good drops. -
The Paddington
Rotisserie chicken is the name of the game here. If you haven't tried the succulent chook, rectify that immediately with $50 banquet menu. -
Lucio's Art Collection
Having served incredible, authentic eats since 1983, this Italian eatery also boasts an epic collection of art that's been named as one of the top five restaurants for art in the world. -
The Unicorn
Come for the Mary's burgers, stay for the amazing wines. Make sure you order at least one glass of the house sparkling, Blind Unicorn Juice — it's made specifically for the bar. -
10 William Street
Here you can go for something small like the whipped bottarga with pretzel and a glass of wine from the board, or something bigger like the spicy crab spaghettini and a nice bottle from the extensive list.
Find Your Way Through Paddington
Track down the must-visit local haunts.
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