The London

The London Hotel has been one of Paddington’s favourite watering-holes since 1875. Set a few blocks back from Oxford Street, the London remains charmingly understated. Out back, there’s a spacious courtyard that’s welcome come summer.

There’s a respectable range of local bottled beers and some simple pleasures on tap. Its menu mirrors the London’s fit-out - a tasteful yet unpretentious take on the classic pub. There are a couple of steaks, fish and chips, and a house-made pie, but there are also dishes like spiced lamb salad, grilled market fish with caper salsa, and prawn linguine.

Pizzas are also on offer, from the unsurpassable Margherita with buffalo mozzarella, to an altogether more excessive pepperoni pig, pork belly, pepperoni, tomato mozzarella and chilli concoction.

Plus, The London is also home to the smarter London Fields, a wine bar upstairs focusing on great wines from Victoria and New South Wales and tapas-style share plates.