Where to eat and drink in Paddington

You shouldn’t have too much trouble finding Darcie & May Green – the canal boat turned restaurant moored on Grand Union Canal – since its kaleidoscopic exterior was painted by the pop artist, Sir Peter Blake. This Aussie spot is open all day and serves a particularly popular bottomless brunch with both savoury and sweet options, from sweetcorn fritters to an award-winning banana bread sandwich. Australia’s hip, laid-back vibe can be felt in all corners of this venue, especially on the open-air terrace where you can enjoy a glass of low-intervention wine (also Australian, of course). The restaurant group is very transparent about its suppliers too, so you can relax in the knowledge that you’re digging into some high quality tucker.

Another cool canal boat setting in Paddington has been brought to life by the London Shell Co., a family-run business that offers two gastronomic experiences: a meal on moored vessel The Grand Duchess, as well as a two-and-a-half-hour dinner cruise on The Prince Regent. The menu changes constantly depending on what’s been caught that day, however you can expect to find plenty of classics and more intriguing seafood creations, from platters of oysters and salt cod croquettes to fishy risottos. If you’re looking for seriously fresh, high quality seafood, then the London Shell Co. is worth a punt.

This inviting Malaysian eatery has been tucked away on a quiet, pretty street in Paddington for 50 years and rumour has it that the Malaysian royal family eat here when they’re in the city… So these guys must be doing something right! The restaurant is set across two floors: a casual ground floor space and a cosier basement that’s ideal for date nights, serving some of the most authentic Malaysian food in the capital. You’ll find fragrant noodle and rice dishes as well as the popular Rendang Daging, which is a traditional dish of braised beef that has been stewed in coconut milk and spices for hours, so the meat melts in the mouth and offers a rich medley of flavours.

This glass-fronted Chinese restaurant on Queensway looks relatively unassuming from the outside, like your typical white table-clothed eatery, however Mandarin Kitchen is actually quite a big deal… It’s the home of the original lobster noodles, which is a dish that consists of a whole lobster broken up over thin noodles and doused in a ginger and spring onion sauce. If you look around the restaurant on any regular night, you’ll likely find that most tables will be devouring steaming bowls of this crustacean-clad concoction. While you’ll find plenty of recognisable dishes on the extensive menu, including duck pancakes and sweet and sour, this restaurant really excels in its seafood selection. Other more unusual and perhaps daring delicacies here include jelly fish and pork knuckle slices…

Pergola Paddington is a Tardis of a dining and drinking destination. With an abundance of foliage and rattan details, this rooftop spot offers an upbeat holiday atmosphere. It’s a great place for a relaxed after work cocktail (margaritas and lageritas are £7 every Monday), while at the weekend, it ups the ante with DJ sets and bottomless brunches. There’s an array of foodie options too, including moreish and spicy fried chicken from Lucky’s, juicy burgers from Salt Shed, and delectable umami dumplings and fluffy bao buns from Temaki Bros.