Ah, Paddington. Unlike some of the further flung ‘burbs (where the heck is Larapinta, anyway?), this leafy corner of Brisbane is never far forgotten. Among scenes of hill-perched Queenslanders, antique shops, and gourmet markets, Paddington is abuzz with Brisbane culture—and, as everyone here at Urban List knows, there’s one thing we love to do here in Brisbane: eat.
We’ve tallied up the best-of-the-best in the foodie space. Let’s dive into the best restaurants Paddington has to offer, shall we?
Lulu Ramen
6/21 Nash Street, Paddington
Slurp your way to ramen nirvana at Lulu Ramen, a recent bangin’ addition to the Rosalie Village eateries. This sleek yet relaxed spot combines Japanese-inspired decor—think colourful murals, glowing lanterns, and shelves of sake bottles—with a menu that’s all about chicken broth ramen done to perfection. Whether you’re after the clear and fragrant chicken and bonito chintan ramen, the spicy chicken paitan with a chilli oil kick, or the indulgent chef’s special with black truffle sauce, there’s a bowl for every noodle lover here. Pair your ramen with crispy karaage chicken, pillowy gyozas, or seaweed salad, and don’t forget—you can top up your noodles as much as you want.
Elementi Restaurant
257 Given Terrace, Paddington
Elementi promises love at first bite—and trust us, it delivers. Tucked away on the city fringe, this Italian gem is led by an ex-Julius sous chef and an ex-Beccofino pizza chef, so you know you’re in for something special. Start your feast with house-made focaccia, paired with your choice of smoked garlic butter or olive oil and balsamic, before diving into saffron rice arancini oozing with mozzarella and beef ragù. Antipasti lovers will swoon over dishes like burrata with roasted peaches and basil, while pizza aficionados can take their pick of red, white, or folded calzones. Pair it all with something from their intriguing wine list, and don’t miss the oven-roasted duck breast if you’re feeling indulgent.
Old Monk
1/151 Baroona Road, Paddington
Image credit: Old Monk | Facebook
Old Monk boasts a colourful, extensive menu of traditional Indian flavours with a modern twist. We’re talking melt-in-your-mouth palak burrata, mango prawn curry and tender makhmali duck that just glides off the bone. Between bites we recommend sipping on the mix of Indian whiskeys and cocktails on offer, and if you’re not getting a plate of their IFC (Indian Fried Chicken), what are you doing? Plus, it’s located right next to the iconic Blue Room Cinebar, making it the perfect spot to scoff down some hearty comfort food before (or after) catching a flick.
Remy’s
106 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington
When it comes to the four Bs—breakfast, brunch, burgers, and beers—Remy’s has you covered. It’s the go-to for both Paddington locals and visitors looking to embrace the neighbourhood vibe of this buzzing ‘burb. Start your morning with a velvety brew (add that to the list of Bs) and tuck into mortadella brekkie buns or pancakes topped with scrambled eggs, bacon, maple pecan butter and syrup. As the sun sets, the fairy lights come alive along with a menu packed with juicy burgers, crispy fries and wings. Be sure not to miss their weekly deals like a 2-for-1 cheeseburger happy hour from Monday to Thursday.
Uncle Don
3/21 Nash Street, Paddington
The team at Uncle Don live and breathe donburi bowls—hearty Japanese rice bowls stacked high with a variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables, if you didn't know. Elevating traditional Japanese flavours with modern cooking techniques, the menu offers a tempting selection of signature dishes like the wagyu steak don with teriyaki butter, the grilled buta don with sweet soy marinated pork, and the vibrant salmon sashimi don. Pair it with sides of crispy eggplant chips and parmesan karaage chicken, and wash it all down with their range of Japanese fruit wine and sakes—this writer sure has.
You might also like:
- The Best Restaurants In Brisbane's CBD
- Fortitude Valley's Best Restaurants
- West End Best's Restaurants
Attimi by Dario Manca
224 Given Terrace, Paddington
Image credit: Attimi | Facebook
Everything at Attimi, a fresh addition to Paddington’s fine dining scene, urges you to celebrate life’s special moments. This intimate 28-seat restaurant, helmed by Dario Manca, brings a fresh take on Italian cuisine with a 12-course degustation experience that takes you on a flavourful journey across his country. If a long feast isn’t on the cards (it should be though), opt for the eight-course version or explore the à la carte options, including plates of carbonara burrata and charcoal coral trout. With an inviting heritage setting and an impressive wine list featuring skin contact wines and rare beers, Attimi is a true celebration of all that is Italian dining.
Hai Hai Ramen
102 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington
Irasshaimase! Snap up some chopsticks and pull up a chair at Paddington’s very own ramen bar. From inside a converted worker’s cottage, the legends at Hai Hai Ramen have earned their name dishing out bowls of 24-hour cooked pork tonkotsu (as well as a rich mushroom and kombu broth for the vegos), layered with noodles and toppings like chashu pork and chicken, pickled shitake mushrooms, and soft marinated egg. Chuck on some sides of karaage, miso sweet corn and fried tofu bao and you’re set.
King Tea
100 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington
Alright, Paddington, here’s the tea. About a hundred years ago, a small tea house popped up to service the tram workers at the depot across the street. Today, King Tea pays homage to the building’s roots–but in place of tea, you’ll stumble upon tables buried in xiao long bao, honey lemon prawns, Sichuan style pork wontons, and punchy kung pao chicken. We’d say it’s an improvement, wouldn’t you? Oh, and PSA: you can score their ‘King’s Banquet’ on Monday through to Thursday for just $30pp.
Naïm
14 Collingwood Street, Paddington
Image credit: Naïm | Facebook
What’s in a Naïm? Well, Romeo, some of the best damn Middle Eastern food in Brisbane, that’s what. Ever since Brisbane institution Shouk re-emerged as Naim, this corner Queenslander has maintained its standing as one of the city’s Sunday breakfast and lunch staples. Fun fact though: they know their way around a dinner table, too. Every Tuesday to Saturday, later crowds can swing by for loaded hummus boards, and mouth-watering mains like slow braised lamb shoulder with charred eggplant, coriander chimi churri and capsicum and pomegranate salsa verde, paired with cocktails that tip their hat to Middle Eastern roots.
Emily Yeoh
283 Given Terrace, Paddington
In 2020, former Masterchef contestant Emily Yeoh returned to her roots with a Paddington-based love letter to authentic Chinese, Cantonese and Malaysian cooking. This subtle, minimalistic space truly bounds to life on the menu with vibrant iterations of char xiu pork bao, rich roast duck in red lychee curry, and specialty cocktails like the Kyoto Bouquet and the Spicy Watermelon Margarita.
Grappino
226 Given Terrace, Paddington
Salut! With an origin story born straight out of the Swiss-Italian Alps, Grappino is the Italian trattoria even the most devout Nonna will fawn over. Here, among the exposed brickwork and glasses of red Italian wine, friends mingle over authentic dishes of pan-roasted prawns, rich Napoli sauce, and Grappino’s famous spaghetti al funghi.
Yavanna
9/2 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington
Image credit: Yavanna | Facebook
A staple for plant-based folks west of the CBD since 2018, the crew at Yavanna do vegan comfort food—and boy do they do it well. You’ll see everything from baba ganouj flatbread platters and truffle mac and cheese to sweet and sour and spicy buffalo cauliflower wings coming hot outta the kitchen. There’s also burgers, nachos, vegan fried chicken and even meatball kebabs to get stuck into here (with a cheeky cocktail or two of course). What’s more, you can pull up for brunch on weekends and try their mushroom pastrami benedict with crispy baby potatoes and mustard hollandaise—drool.
Hope & Anchor
267 Given Terrace, Paddington
Hard to starboard, crew. Hope & Anchor is the nautical-themed neighbour which draws inspiration from classic British pubs and the venue’s early settler origins. Like any true-to-form pub across the pond, you can snag a booth pretty much any hour of the day. The captains of the ship have bolstered their offering with a strong lineup of draught beers, top-shelf wines and spirits, as well as tipple-friendly plates like the beer braised mussels with crusty sourdough and chimichurri. Bonus points if you BYO sea shanties.
Il Posto
107 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington
The crew at Il Posto are touted as pioneers of Brisbane’s artisan pizza movement, and frankly, we’d picket for them any day. This al fresco, family-owned Paddington restaurant dips into its Italian heritage with some tweaks of contemporary flair. The results? Belissimo. Tour the Italian countryside with courses of antipasti (get the mushroom arancini and thank us later) before ramping up to the main event: pizza. Heavy hitters include the prawn and zucchini Gamberi and the Quattro Carne, a love affair of pork and fennel sausage, ham off the bonepancetta, and fresh mozzarella.
Lek’s Thai Pop Up Kitchen
167 Given Terrace, Paddington
Image credit: Lek's Thai | Facebook
If you haven’t explored the nooks and crannies of Paddington Social’s converted Queenslander, you might not have discovered the cheeky pop-up Thai restaurant that runs every Tuesday to Saturday. Lek’s Thai turns Paddington Social’s typical cafe fare on its head with wok-fried noodle dishes and a slow-cooked beef cheek curry we’d fly to Bangkok for.
Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers
210 Given Terrace, Paddington
These guys are gnocchin’ it out of the park (sorry not sorry). In 2017, Brisbane’s food truck faves Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers opened their first brick-and-mortar restaurant right here in Paddington, and we’ve been carb-loading ever since. Load up your fork with spoonfuls of creamy pesto gnocchi, duck ragu, and hearty Bolognese, and don’t even think of sleeping on the crusty garlic bread (it’s listed as optional, but come on).
Fancy a drink after your meal? Consult this list for the best bars in the area:
Image credit: Ranyhyn Laine | Urban List
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.