7 best restaurants in Paddington that pack more buzz than you might expect

The best restaurants in Paddington are a saviour for ravenous travellers. Before and after long train journeys to and from all corners of the UK, it pays to check out the area’s foodie scene. Once primarily home to a handful of characterful boozers and bars, Paddington now has several destination dining spots worth experiencing – and they pack more buzz than you might expect. From Aussie brunch classics to one of the best places in town for slices of indulgent pizza, here’s our pick of the best restaurants in Paddington right now.

Where to go for dinner in Paddington?

Popular dinner spots in Paddington include Smith's Bar & Grill for British classics, Santa Maria for authentic Neapolitan-style pizza and Cé La Vi London for sushi spreads.

What is the hottest restaurant in London right now?

London’s food scene is constantly changing and evolving – so much so, that it can be hard to keep up. Thankfully, Condé Nast Traveller’s resident foodies ensure their fingers are constantly on the pulse; you can check out our reviews of the latest openings in our guide to the best new restaurants in London.

1. The Pilgrm

Best for: A cosy hideout in the city

The Pilgrm has long been the Paddington go-to for day-to-night dining – as well as one of the city’s coolest boutique hotels. Now, things are even tastier thanks to the arrival of Duda Diner, a Malaysian family-style pop-up that sees Hakeem and Zura Ahmad cooking fragrant feasts until December 2026. The pop-up is the fourth and final guest chef takeover for the hotel’s 2026 Incubator Kitchen Series; expect dishes such as lamb satay sausage, tiger prawns and noodles and freshly shucked Maldon Rock oysters. Aside from the Asian flavours, the hotel’s chefs offer a cracking brunch menu should a bacon butty and coffee be of interest.

Address: The Pilgrm, 25 London Street, Tyburnia, London W2 1HH
Website: thepilgrm.com

2. Cé La Vi London

Best for: Rooftop sessions

Spanning a restaurant, bar and terrace, you’ll find Cé La Vi London hidden above Paddington Square’s rooftops. 360-degree views of the capital are the main draw here, and things get particularly swanky on warm evenings as DJs soundtrack the vistas on the sprawling rooftop terrace – but there’s a lot to be said for the food, too. Hearty dishes on the à la carte menu include steaks, seafood and sushi spreads, while cocktails are paired with more sushi and snacks at the bar. It also doubles as one of Paddington’s buzziest brunch spots, where sharing menus are served for £45 per person.

Address: Cé La Vi London, 17 & 18, 1 Paddington Square, London W2 1DL
Website: ldn.celavi.com

3. The Cheese Barge

Best for: Pure indulgence

Lactose intolerant? Look away now. This floating restaurant, part of The Cheese Bar restaurants, is a utopia for lovers of cheese in all its forms. Settle into the 96-foot double-decker vessel and indulge in a seasonal cheese-focused menu, with dishes such as gooey grilled cheese toasties, plump burrata and mozzarella and jalapeño croquettes for dipping in a rich garlic and herb sauce.

Address: The Cheese Barge, Sheldon Square, London W2 6DL
Website: thecheesebar.com

4. Smith's Bar & Grill

Best for: British classics

You’ll find Smith's on the banks of the Grand Union Canal, where modern British cooking is served with a side of pizzazz. Doors open at 8am on weekdays and 9am at weekends, and bouncy poached eggs are placed atop crispy muffins from the moment the first customer settles in. On weekdays, the set lunch menu offers two courses for £26 or three for £29; options include French onion soup, ricotta ravioli and churros with a chocolate hazelnut sauce. Come dinner service, diners clink martinis at the bar before devouring steaks and seafood favourites.

Address: Smith's Bar & Grill, Central, 25 Sheldon Square, London W2 6EY
Website: smithsbarandgrill.co.uk

5. Bondi Green

Best for: Brunching

As part of the Daisy Green group, Bondi makes for one of the most atmospheric restaurants in Paddington from breakfast and brunch through to dinner. A stone’s throw from the station, Bondi Green sees an 18-metre bar stretch beside an open kitchen, where chefs master flames, a robata grill and a wood-fired pizza oven. Aussie-inspired brunch dishes range from sweetcorn fritters to tangy shakshouka, while a selection of pizzas is served alongside hearty mains such as chicken parmigiana and slow-roasted lamb in the evenings.

Address: Bondi Green, 2 Canalside Walk, Bishop's Bridge Road, London W2 1DG
Website: daisygreenfood.com

6. The Bridge House Pub

Best for: Hearty pub fare (and roasts)

If it’s a pub serving excellent grub you’re after, look no further than The Bridge House on Westbourne Terrace Road. Snacks like beef shin croquettes and hand-breaded scampi bites go perfectly with pints of craft beer, while a selection of small plates whets palates for larger plates of chicken Milanese, haddock and chips and indulgent burgers.

Address: The Bridge House, 13 Westbourne Terrace Road, London W2 6NG
Website: thebridgehouselittlevenice.co.uk

7. Santa Maria

Best for: An authentic taste of Naples

Santa Maria’s Paddington restaurant is the area’s one-stop shop for Italophiles craving generously-topped slices and an assortment of sides. Tuck into bruschetta topped with roasted aubergine or burrata and nduja, or savour butter-soft meatballs in a rich tomato sauce to start. For the main event, there’s no shortage of pizza options. Our vote goes to the Sandro Vitale – tomato sauce, mozzarella fior di latte, pepperoni, caramelised onions, chilli flakes and parmesan. Naturally, you must save space for tiramisu.

Address: Santa Maria, 13 Norfolk Place, Tyburnia, London W2 1QJ
Website: santamariapizzeria.com