15 Of The Best Paddington Cafes

Renowned for its fashion and culture, Paddington offers leisurely brunch spots, freshly baked goods and specialty coffee that will keep you wanting more.

Elegant Paddington seamlessly blends historic charm with modern flair. Nestled close to the Sydney CBD, Paddington’s tree-lined streets and beautifully restored Victorian terrace houses achieve the perfect balance between bustling and peaceful. There’s plenty to see, and more importantly, to eat: browse through Paddington Markets that are on every Saturday from 10am to 4pm, pop into one of the many chic boutiques, book a table at one of Sydney’s best restaurants, Saint Peter, for delicious seafood, or cafe hop along Paddington’s excellent cafes. Whatever brings you into the suburb, the excellent coffee and cafe scene will see you stay a little longer. Read on for our suggestions for where to eat.

1. Jackies

Best for: light, al-fresco dining space offering Australian and Japanese food.
Price: $-$$

Located in the heart of the Intersection, Paddington, Jackies cafe has been an institution on the cafe scene since the late 1990s. All-day breakfast is served in the sunny outdoor courtyard, offering the classics and plates like lobster scrambled eggs. The lunch menu is a mix of gyoza, sushi, salads and sandwiches. A wide selection of drinks is available, ranging from coffee, juices, shakes, kombucha, cocktails and wine.

the exterior of Jackies cafe in the shopping district in Paddington — Pop by Jackies for a delicious brunch. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 1C Glenmore Road, Paddington

2. Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore

Best for: cosying up in a bookstore, enjoying fresh food and good coffee.
Price: $$

You’ll find Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore on bustling Oxford Street, and if in doubt, follow the trail of book lovers making a direct beeline for three levels of new and second-hand books. The tables nestled into cosy nooks and crannies on each level give a Parisian vibe, and diners are invited to lose themselves in the pages of a book with a coffee (and baked treat) in hand. Expect Little Marionette coffee beans, and the chai, bircher muesli, granola and juices are made fresh on-site. For breakfast, you’ll find things like smokey house baked beans and Turkish-inspired labneh eggs, with salads and burgers rounding out the lunch menu.

Address: 78 Oxford Street, Paddington

3. Funkis Köket Café

Price: $
Best for: cosy Scandinavian vibes with plenty of outdoor seating.

If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Scandinavia right in the heart of Paddington, head for the charming Funkis Köket Café . With a beautiful indoor aesthetic and sunny garden courtyard, it’s the perfect place to indulge your senses with an irresistible Kanelbullar – cinnamon bun – to embrace the Swedish coffee break tradition of “fika", paired with one of their Allpress coffees.

a spread of breakfast menu with coffee on the table at Funkis Köket café, Paddington — Embrace a Scandinavian start to the day with breakfast at Köket.

Beyond the tempting baked treats (you’ll also find vanilla and cardamom buns too), the cafe offers a seasonal salad selection, and brunch dishes like Skagen-inspired salmon, and granola. The cafe adjoins Funkis, a Scandinavian design and lifestyle store, so pop in for a spot of shopping afterwards.

the exterior of Funkis Köket café, Paddington — Köket adjoins Funkis, a Scandinavian design and lifestyle store.

Address: Funkis Köket cafe, 202 Oxford St, Paddington

4. MORRIS

Best for: when you need a menu that has something for everyone.
Price: $

The owners at MORRIS are keen to share their love for food and coffee with Paddington. Morris has an all-day menu featuring the classics, and dishes like bruschetta stracciatella and hot salmon toasties. While it’s not often you see hot milo on the drinks menu, you’ll also find a range of smoothies, shakes and juices alongside the coffee. With tables out the front that spill into the shady, green street, Morris Cafe is the perfect spot to casually enjoy your meal while the world slowly goes by.

Address: 33 Albion Ave, Paddington

5. Barbetta

Best for: classic Italian food in a nostalgic setting.
Price: $$

If you’re craving hearty Italian for breakfast, lunch and dinner; fancy moving onto a pasta workshop, and then want to bring Italian wares home afterwards, Barbetta is the place to be.

Banoffee ricotta pancakes at Barbetta in Paddington — Pasta dishes reign supreme at night but banoffee ricotta pancakes steal the show at breakfast. (Image: Nikki To)

With an open space that is bustling and welcoming, the hardest breakfast decision is deciding on whether you want sweet or savoury, with choices like banoffee ricotta pancakes and carbonara Australiana – soft scrambled eggs with crispy bacon, ricotta and pecorino. The lunch menu covers all the favourites, from rigatoni al ragu di wagyu, to polpette – homemade pork and veal meatballs.

the cafe interior of Barbetta, Paddington — Discover a taste of Italy in the heart of Paddington. (Image: Nikki To)

Address: 2 Elizabeth St, Paddington

6. Daily Greens

Best for: grabbing a fresh juice and healthy green bowl.
Price: $

Daily Greens embodies the philosophy of ‘Grow, Harvest, Serve’ with its commitment to fresh food and zero waste. Head here if you’re hankering for a delicious, healthy meal – as well as the breakfast menu, there’s a range of seasonal sandwiches and salad bowls, with the option to ‘build-your-own’.

a spread of food on the table at Daily Greens, Paddington — Enjoy a vibrant feast at Daily Greens. (Image: Luisa Brimble)

It’s not every day that you find a tree inside the back of a cafe, head inside and you’ll notice that the sun-drenched glass room has been built around it. You’ll also find outdoor seating out front, and a relaxing, leafy courtyard rounding out the seating out the back: a perfect city escape.

Address: 2/16 Glenmore Road, Paddington

7. Bake Bar

Best for: artisan bread and baked treats paired with a lazy morning coffee.
Price: $

A staple on Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs bakery scene, Bake Bar can be found just off Paddington’s Five Ways intersection. This classic artisan bakery has a range of bread, from sourdough, l’ancienne loaves and baguettes, as well as an extensive offering of baking goods ranging from scones to muffins, scrolls, danishes and croissants.

Bake Bar in Paddington — The artisan bakery serves up a range of delicious breakfast options.

There’s outdoor street seating if you choose to eat in, with an extensive rotating summer and winter menu serving the classics like shakshuka, salads and burgers. While you’re there, you may as well grab a few pastries to fuel a wander through Paddington’s boutiques – your future self will thank you.

people dining outside Bake Bar, Paddington — Stock up on pastries and bread for the week ahead while you’re there.

Address: 226 Glenmore Rd, Paddington

8. Cafe Fiveways

Best for: big brekky out in the sun, people-watching.
Price: $

Cafe Fiveways is perched right off the iconic intersection, and the outdoor seating out front is the perfect spot for people-watching in the sun. It’s an all-day menu, with favourites like a big brekky, burgers, salads and pasta, and a kids’ menu available. There’s fresh juice and coffee on offer, and they’re fully licensed too.

Cafes and shopfronts along the Five Ways, Paddington — Settle in for a morning of people-watching and delicious eats. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 2A Heeley Street, Paddington

9. Padre

Best for: a coffee sensory experience of the taste buds.
Price: $

Padre means business when it comes to coffee, which is excellent news for Paddington. The popular Melbourne-based coffee roaster opened the doors to its first Sydney concept store in June 2023 and has been an oasis for coffee newbies and enthusiasts alike ever since.

the cafe exterior at Padre Paddington — Padre Paddington is a taste of Melbourne’s best brew in Sydney.

Inside you’ll find a glossy espresso bar, featuring a hot filter and cold brew, a spot to buy signature blends and coffee equipment, and importantly, tasty baked treats available that have been freshly sourced from local Sydney bakeries.

a staff at Padre Paddington handing out a cup of coffee — Coffee and baked treats are the order of the day at Padre.

Address: 241A-241B Glenmore Rd, Paddington

10. Four Six Eight

Best for: classic, healthy meals in a modern setting.
Price: $

With friendly service, a cosy feel inside, and a tiny courtyard out the back, Paddington’s Four Six Eight is the place to go for a casual, relaxed meal.

a plate of food and drink at Four Six Eight, Paddington — Meals at Four Six Eight are colourful and comforting. (Image: Nikki To)

Husband and wife team, Cathy and Jacob Lo, have put together a tasty menu featuring a range of breakfast and lunch favourites to keep everyone happy. The beans are sourced from Pablo and Rusty, and organic tea from Rabbit Hole.

people dining at Four Six Eight cafe, Paddington — Four Six Eight cafe offers a bright and airy space or courtyard to dine in. (Image: Nikki To)

Address: 468 Oxford Street Paddington

11. Sonder

Best for: homely vibe with fresh food and good coffee.
Price: $-$$

Sonder’s cheerful yellow street umbrellas welcome you in from Paddington’s Five Ways intersection, and into the bright terrace building and courtyard out the back. The menu covers all the brunch classics, from ricotta hotcakes, shakshuka, bircher muesli and house-baked beans. There’s a range of drinks available too, from coffee to cocktails, milkshakes, smoothies and juices.

Address: 227 Glenmore Rd, Paddington

12. Paddington Alimentari

Best for: rustic Italian deli serving great coffee and a range of paninis.
Price: $-$$

For a slice of Italy, step into Paddington Alimentari , and be wowed by abundant deli counters that will serve all your antipasti desires. Originally established as an Italian delicatessen, you’ll now find a cafe, with limited seating, serving Allpress coffee, paninis and a range of fresh produce. With glass counters overflowing with baked treats and delicious food, be ready to take some to go so that you’ve got plenty of snacks for later in the day, too.

the Alimentari cafe in Paddington — Come by Alimentari for Allpress coffee and paninis. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 2 Hopetoun St, Paddington

13. Omeio Artisanal Deli

Best for: a curated deli selection of local and international goods.
Price: $-$$

It’s hard to pick just one thing when you stop by Omeio , so come prepared to take home an assortment of tasty Mediterranean deli foods, baked treats and pantry essentials. Omeio considers itself a local purveyor of good food, featuring over 500 unique goods from skilled artisans who use high-quality ingredients. Think freshly baked portokalopita, spanakopita, delectable sandwiches and deli plates. Omeio’s has a strong sense of community, so take a seat on one of the crates out the front, or order one of their picnic boxes and head a few streets over to Paddington Reserve for a glorious picnic in the area.

Address: 1/31 MacDonald St, Paddington

14. Juniper

Best for: a local boutique cafe with fresh brunch favourites.
Price: $$

You’ll find Juniper , a friendly neighbourhood cafe, just off the iconic Five Ways intersection in Paddington. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with friendly staff eager to be helpful. There’s an all-day breakfast on offer, as well as burgers, burritos and salads. On a sunny day, opt for a seat outside to watch the Paddington community go by.

a close-up of food at Juniper, Paddington — Consume healthy greens at Juniper.

Address: 225 Glenmore Rd, Paddington

15. Berkelouw Café 1812

Best for: a sophisticated cafe/wine bar to people-watch or sink into a book.
Price: $$

Berkelouw Café 1812 draws inspiration from the very first Berkelouw Books to open in Rotterdam, Holland, back in the year 1812. The visionary forebearer understood that books were a precious commodity, so wanted to establish a salon for communities to gather and discuss books and ideas over books and wine. Today, Cafe 1812 has created its own space to do just that: a cosy place to enjoy books with robust coffee and good food. The dark timber panelling and polished floorboards of this first-floor cafe evoke a salon-esque space, and it is the best spot to perch with a drink in hand to people-watch those passing by on the street below. There’s all day breakfast, as well as a lunch and dinner menu with an accompanying wine list.

Address: Level One, Berkelouw Books, 19 Oxford Street, Paddington

Discover the best cafes in Surry Hills

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

15 of the best Paddington cafes to indulge at