Paddington

A modern Thai restaurant serving twice-cooked master-stock chicken and Wagyu brisket that takes four days to prepare.

The old-school Italian joint in Paddington with the iconic green door. It’s been kicking hard since 1987 with honest Napoli-style fare including hand-made pastas, fish and beautifully prepared meat courses. The tablecloths are white, the upholstery is floral and the service is pitch-perfect.

This backstreet local made a particular name for itself under Colin Fassnidge's culinary leadership but is now under new management. It retains its produce-driven menu but without the nose-to-tail ideas Fassnidge was keen on. There's a bigger wine selection than most pubs and taps pour all of the classics.

Paddo Inn is home to Il Baretto, an Italian diner that feeds all corners of the venue. In the restaurant out back, the a la carte menu includes hand-made gnocchi, antipasti and aperitivo. And in the timber-fitted front bar, you’ll find home-style Italian fare such as meatballs and lasagne to match well-priced wine and beer.

This Paddington bookseller does food, drinks and books. And what a combination that is. Every book across its three levels is second-hand, with regular bargains to be had. The website is constantly updating, with titles landing daily – even if they’re used, the rotation keeps things feeling new.

A Swedish cafe by Funkis serving cinnamon buns, skagen and lingonberry cordial.

The chef trained at Thomas Keller's legendary French Laundry in California as well as some of LA's hottest restaurants.

This bustling, pretty cafe fuses traditional Italian flavours with local brunch staples

Offering goods to fill the pantry and fridge, all from small local producers.

Italian swagger in Sydney’s most experimental wine bar. Chef Dan Pepperell’s legacy lives on in his unshakeably spectacular pretzel with whipped bottarga, but Trisha Greentree’s farm-to-plate focus across the daily menu brings even more panache to this gamechanging Paddo institution.

One of Paddington's old guard, with the doors originally opening in 1890. The current iteration is renowned for its weekly specials and the sunny balcony that overlooks Glenmore Road. Dining is typical pub fare (burgers, steaks and salads), but it’s well executed.

A lot of pubs get major revamps, only to lose their old-school charm. Not the Unicorn. The team here have given the spot a stylish but sill pubby fit-out. Drinks here are an inclusive mix of commercial brews and natural wines. Food, meanwhile, involves jazzed up pub classics, and probably the best schnitzel in Sydney.

This classic English pub was founded in 1875. There are little Union Jack flags on the table and a menu that lists everything from fish and chips to dhal. It's a classic family pub, filled with dogs, daily specials and match-day Swans supporters.

Three unique spaces in a Victorian-era pub package. The brassy, stain-glassed Royal Bar downstairs is a great spot for a beer and some live sport. Upstairs the bistro does all of the pub classics. One more level, and you’re on the rooftop. You can dine year-round up here, thanks to some retractable coverage. But in summer, it’s rosé-ready – the good stuff is pouring on tap.

Bordering Woollahra and Paddington, this fine old boozer is one of the area’s oldest (it opened in 1880). These days it’s one of the best spots in the area to catch some live sport, with screens in nearly every section. The upstairs bistro, with its weekday specials, is also popular.

So much more than the average high-street jeweller.

Josh Niland – of the boundary pushing seafood restaurant Saint Peter – is behind this retail seafood boutique.

Like the classic takeaway joint, but with more technique.

Creativity, passion and a good eye for what people like makes this gift store a keeper with more than 50 years’ history under its belt.