Paddington

At his first solo restaurant, acclaimed chef Phil Wood explores and expands Australian cuisine with a produce-driven menu combining classic European cooking with local ingredients. There are nods to Aboriginal history, too, plus a fresh take on the classic peach Melba dessert.

At this French bistro above P&V;’s Paddington bottle shop, a 60-kilogram Berkshire pig gets delivered each fortnight. Every part of the beast is used, from the head (which becomes terrine) to the belly (bacon sangers for staff meals).

An Italian restaurant from three ex-Beccofino hospitality pros. The menu includes woodfired pizzas, paninis and a medley of pastas. For wine, there's a bunch of Italian vino – plus lesser-known drops from South America, Turkey and Slovenia.

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.

Breakfast and lunch from the much-loved bakery.

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.

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.

It’s selling plants from easy-care to rare. And there’s a B&B; for foliage freaks.

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

Another instalment for the cult bottle shop. Swing past to pick up a bottle of skin-contact chardonnay or a slab of Heaps Normal non-alcholic beer. Or snag a seat in the courtyard out back for by-the-glass-wine and terrine by ex-Old Fitz chef Nicholas Hill.

So much more than the average high-street jeweller.

The crown jewel of the Berkelouw empire in Sydney. This three-storey literary landmark on Oxford Street has everything a book nerd could wish for, not least of all a good cup of coffee from the upstairs cafe. It’s licensed and open late, which means it’s primed for a pre-movie drink if you’re hitting the Verona Palace Cinema next door.

Like the classic takeaway joint, but with more technique.