Any time food and Paddington are mentioned in the same sentence, marmalade sandwiches of course come to mind, and this year, even more so, with that Yorkshire parkin, chicken liver parfait and marmalade version that was on Great British Menu. Yum.
Apologies, we’ve already digressed just one paragraph in…
But today, we’re talking about London not Peru Paddington, and the best places to eat near the station, which is, incidentally, the city’s sixth busiest by entries and exits.
Paddington Station, with its impressive arch-shaped train shed and wrought iron ribs, as designed by the legendary civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and architect Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt, has been a significant transport hub since its inception in 1854.
It serves as the grand terminus for the Great Western Railway and has evolved as the centuries have progressed to suit London’s ever changing needs, from serving as the destination for Queen Victoria’s first ever train trip all the way to its Edwardian roof being lovingly restored in 2010.
Beyond the station, the wider area of Paddington is also famous for St Mary’s Hospital, where Nobel Prize winner Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, its Lindo Wing the birthplace of various members of British royalty, including Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte.
Anyway, whether you’re royalty, resident or a roving daytripper, you’re going to need something to eat in this part of town. We’ve done the hard work, enduring delicious bites and bold flavours, all in the name of service to you, dear reader, and this guide on where to eat near London Paddington: the best restaurants near London Paddington.
Pearl Liang, Sheldon Square
Ideal for Cantonese seafood and dim sum in oddly opulent surrounds…
For those seeking a menu with its steely gaze firmly focused on a single country’s cuisine, then Pearl Liang, housed in a major canal-adjacent commercial development known as The Basin, might just see them right.
This upscale restaurant offers a wide range of Chinese dishes from across the country’s eight regions, though Cantonese classics, seafood and dim sum take centre stage on an elegantly crafted menu. Interestingly, dim sum is also served for dinner here, if a very specific craving hits you at a very specific time.
Should you succumb, go for the set of eight for a very reasonable £12.50, the king crab meat dumpling the highlight, its load lightened by whipped egg white. Throw in an extra order of a few cheung fun, the barbequed pork version as good as we’ve had anywhere in London.
Though the restaurant’s innocuous position amongst high rises and retail projects could be just about anywhere in the world, the dining room employs every trick to have you transported East; defined by visual motifs of cherry blossom, bamboo, and opulent koi-pond water features, the last of whose insistent trickling had this diner needing more bathroom breaks than a man of his age should be taking during a meal. Perhaps it was the provision of free-flowing, deliciously bitter jasmine tea…
Anyway, for a sophisticated dim sum experience that aims to challenge the dominance of the always reliable Royal China Club restaurant group in the city, Pearl Liang is certainly a good shout should be looking for somewhere to eat near London Paddington.
Website: pearlliang.co.uk
Address: 8 Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, London W2 6EZ
Lurra, Seymour Place
Ideal for robust flavours from the Basque region…
There’s a lot to like about Lurra. To start, it boasts a bright, calming dining room, refined in design with one glass wall overlooking a gorgeous courtyard dining area. Shortlisted for the Best Restaurant Interior Design Award in 2015, it’s undeniably a gorgeous space to spend time in.
It’s the food, though, that is the main draw. The menu here draws on the Basque region of Spain, meaning that you can expect some seriously robust flavours on your plate. Famed for their whole roasted turbot long before Brat were doing their thing out east, as well as the signature steaks, check out our full write-up of Lurra here. Yep, this one is definitely one of the best places to dine near London Paddington.
Address: 9 Seymour Pl, London W1H 5BA
Website: lurra.co.uk
Kol, Seymour Street
Ideal for Michelin-starred Mexican food using fresh and foraged British ingredients…
You’ll have to head a little further (7 minutes by car or a 20 on foot) away from Paddington Station for a truly world class dining experience, all the way to Marylebone’s Kol.
Santiago Lastra, the head chef and co-owner of the restaurant, certainly has some pedigree, having, with chef Rene Redzepi, masterminded Noma’s critically acclaimed Mexican iteration back in 2017.
Here, his vision of celebrating the finest British ingredients using both traditional Mexican cooking techniques and a fair few modern flourishes is executed flawlessly. Or rather, it feels flawless now; in reality, the restaurant’s opening was a rocky one, with successive lockdowns preventing Kol from getting off the ground as smoothly as it deserved.
Rest assured, the restaurant has well and truly hit its stride, winning a Michelin star a year after opening and ranking #73 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List in 2022 (yep, we realise that doesn’t quite make sense, too).
What does make sense is the concept here, with ingredients traditionally so closely intertwined with Mexican food culture here substituted out for their broadly British equivalents. So, that’s an innovative pistachio puree replacing avocado, sea buckthorn bringing the acidity for Kol’s now iconic langoustine tacos, and a dairy farmer in Kent producing Oaxacan-style cheese for the restaurant.
All this wouldn’t matter if the food wasn’t as downright delicious as its inspiration across the Atlantic, but the recent main event here, of lamb barbacoa, freshly made tortillas and a selection of intricately composed condiments, was as straightforwardly satisfying as you’ll find in any restaurant with designs on the top awards in the culinary world.
With a fascinating wine list that draws on some of the unsung heroes of Central and Eastern Europe, Kol is already one of London’s top tier dining experiences. We can’t wait to see where they go next.
Read: 5 of our favourite Georgian wines to try in 2023
Website: kolrestaurant.com
Address: Lower Ground Floor, 9 Seymour St, London W1H 7BA
The Heron, Norfolk Crescent
Ideal for no nonsense, flavour forward Thai food in a British pub setting…
Long before ‘nu-Thai’ became so ubiquitous in the capital that you couldn’t move without getting prik kee noo in your eye, Paddington pub The Heron was quietly pounding out some of the finest Thai food this side the Chao Phraya river, all from the humble kitchens of the pub’s basement.
At Thai Zapp (meaning ‘delicious’ in the North Eastern dialect of Thai) you won’t find som tam salads made with heritage celeriac, but instead, Thai food as you’d find it on the streets of Bangkok; pad Thai, green curry, tom yum, green papaya and all. Because sometimes, that’s what you really want from a Thai restaurant, isn’t it?
Address: Norfolk Cres, Tyburnia, London W2 2DN
Website: theheronpaddington.com
Kateh, Warwick Place
Ideal for experiencing every Londoner’s favourite ‘hidden gem’…
Sitting snug in the picturesque residential streets of Warwick Avenue, Kateh would be described as a true hidden gem of a place if 1. It wasn’t full-to-bursting every night of the week (except Mondays, when it’s closed). 2. It hadn’t held a Bib Gourmand from Michelin for several years. 3. It hadn’t been mentioned as one of London’s best places to eat Persian food in the Financial Times.
So Kateh only really qualifies for ‘hidden gem’ status in the sense that it’s in a residential street and it’s bloody tiny. But if you’re cool with elbow-knocking and story-swapping with adjacent seats, then Kateh is a marvellous place to eat.
Open for more than two decades now, the restaurant is the brainchild of Narges Pourkhomami, a man who understands how to fuse traditional and contemporary Iranian hospitality into a cohesive, totally delicious whole.
Though the meze here is certainly good (we’re particularly enamoured with the mast va musir – thick yoghurt cut through with plenty of diced pink shallot, here a properly piquant version), we often head straight for the grill…
…Of the menu, we mean; we’re not spending our evening at Kateh rolling about in burning hot coals. Instead, we’re spending it in the warm, pillowy embrace of the restaurant’s excellent taftoon (flatbread) and chargrilled chenjeh – which sees lamb canon cubed, skewered and given a properly good seeing to over flames. Saffron rice and blistered tomatoes take you home.
Address: 5 Warwick Pl, London W9 2PX, United Kingdom
Website: katehrestaurant.co.uk
Normah’s, Queensway Market
Ideal for authentic Malaysian home cooking in an unassuming setting…
Okay, Normah’s isn’t strictly ‘near’ London Paddington, but it’s too good not to mention. Or, indeed, walk an extra few hundred yards for…
Tucked away in the eclectic Queensway Market, Normah’s is – sorry, was – the definition of a hidden gem. Founded by Normah Abd Hamid, this intimate Malaysian restaurant has become one of London’s worst-kept secrets, drawing in devoted regulars and curious first-timers alike with its authentic, home-style cooking. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 5-9pm (closed Sundays and Mondays), it’s worth planning ahead to catch their limited service hours.
The space itself is charmingly basic – a few simple wooden tables surrounded by the market’s motley collection of phone repair shops, hairdressers and, curiously, a shop selling ‘Russian films’. But you’re not here for the decor. You’re here for Normah’s roti canai with beef rendang (just shy of a tenner), which many consider the best in London – yep, better than that guy -, its buttery, flaky layers perfect for scooping up the rich meat that’s been simmered for four hours with galangal, ginger, turmeric and coconut milk until all the flavours have homogenised into something truly alluring.
The curry laksa here is a revelation – thicker and more richly spiced than versions you’ll find elsewhere in London, with plump king prawns and springy noodles swimming in its aromatic depths (£13.90). The assam pedas seabass (£15.90), meanwhile, is a masterclass in balanced heat and sourness, the whole fish bathed in a vibrant red sauce that starts tangy before developing into a complex, throat-tickling spiciness. Heads up; also ruins your white shirt if even a flicker gets there. No, really; heads up. Look where you’re putting your spoon.
Don’t miss the fried chicken wings, which come with a crust so crisp it practically shatters, protecting impossibly juicy meat within. Wash it all down with a glass of rose-pink bandung or a frothy teh tarik (both £4), pulled to perfection.
Address: Queensway Market, 23-25 Queensway, London W2 4QJ, United Kingdom
Website: normahs.co.uk
Satay House, Edgware Road
Ideal for time-honoured Malaysian cuisine in elegant surroundings…
A Paddington institution since 1973, Satay House represents the old guard of Malaysian dining in London. Founded by Jaafar A. Shawal and his wife Zaharah Hashim, who previously ran one of Malaysia’s first fine-dining establishments in Kuala Lumpur, it’s now helmed by their daughter Fatizah, who maintains their exacting standards while gently modernising the offering. They keep generous hours, serving lunch from 12-4pm and dinner from 5:30-10pm daily.
The dining room, split across two levels, balances traditional touches with contemporary design – think grey and orange-red walls embedded with hibiscus motifs, the national flower of Malaysia. The ground floor offers a buzzy, casual atmosphere, while the basement provides a more intimate setting for date nights or private gatherings.
Their namesake satay skewers (£14.90) are exemplary – char-grilled chicken or lamb marinated in spices and herbs, served with a rich peanut sauce that you’ll want to bottle and take home. But it’s dishes like the sambal tumis udang petai – prawns and ‘stinky beans’ (here’s a tip; drink the water these sator beans have been boiled in, for its health-giving properties) in spicy sambal, clocking in at £18.50 – that really showcase the kitchen’s prowess. The beef rendang here is properly dry and nutty, while the kari laksa (£18.30) achieves that elusive balance of richness and complexity without becoming overwhelming.
Address: 13 Sale Pl, Tyburnia, London W2 1PX
Website: satayhouse.com
Ranoush Juice, Edgware Road
Ideal for satisfying Lebanese fare and fresh juices around the clock…
Despite its name suggesting a simple juice bar, Ranoush Juice on Edgware Road is a comprehensive Lebanese restaurant that happens to do excellent fresh juices. Part of the venerable Maroush group, this smaller outpost maintains the high standards of its parent company while offering a more casual, drop-in friendly atmosphere. It’s a godsend for night owls, staying open until 3am daily and opening bright and early at 7am.
The menu is extensive, ranging from mezze classics to grilled meats and fresh fruit cocktails. Their hommos beiruty adds a kick of heat to the classic chickpea puree (£5.50), while the mouhamara – a spiced nut mix with olive oil – offers an addictive combination of crunch and heat. The mixed shawarma platters (£17.50) are exemplary, whether wrapped in flatbread or served with vermicelli rice.
Address: 43 Edgware Rd, Tyburnia, London W2 2JE
Website: maroush.com
Roba Bar & Restaurant, Norfolk Place
Ideal for robata-grilled dishes of straightforward deliciousness…
Located just a red hat’s throw away from Paddington Station, Roba Bar & Restaurant falls nominally under the ‘Modern British’ banner, but, in all truth, it’s a much more globetrotting (and quite frankly sprawling) affair than that.
The kitchen here is overseen by former Marcus Belgravia chef Andrea Secchi, and his skills on the grills is what helps Roba shine, the central Robata a showcase for gnarly, gnawable lamb cutlets, which come with comically chunky chips and a choice of peppercorn or red wine sauce (go for the former).
That said, it’s the Italian flourishes of the menu that are most capably cooked, chef Secchi’s roots coming through with clarity and precision on a comforting bowl of four cheese tortellini. Just don’t follow it with the plaice Florentine, another cheese heavy dish that this time sees the delicate fish gratinated. We speak from experience…
Stick around for a digestif in the brightly lit dining room (one that admittedly feels like they’ve lifted the furnishings from a Premier Inn) and then head for your train happily satiated.
Website: robarestaurant.co.uk
Address: 34 Norfolk Pl, Paddington, London W2 1QW
Read: The best restaurants in Belgravia, London
The Victoria, Strathearn Place
Ideal for old-school, wood and leather clad pub dining…
For something a little more homely, The Victoria is a classic British pub that has been serving Paddington locals and visitors since the 1830s. A winner of Fuller’s Pub of the Year in both 2007 and 2009, the menu features freshly cooked, straightforward dishes that just feel right in the old school setting – think leather Chesterfield armchairs rendered in royal green overlooking the fireplace and portraits of British gents in bowler hats on the wall… Yep, it’s that kind of place, and if smoking was still allowed inside pubs here, we’d be pulling out a pipe right about now.
The Sunday roast here isn’t half bad, with a generous serving of sirloin from Owton’s family butchers and all the trimmings (including cauliflower cheese – rejoice!) clocking in at an eminently reasonable £20.
Should you be heading here during the week, The Victoria also hosts regular events, including quiz nights and live music performances, making it a lively spot to spend an evening.
Website: victoriapaddington.co.uk
Address: 10A Strathearn Pl, Paddington, London W2 2NH
Read: 7 of the best Sunday roasts in South London
Azmar, Edgware Road
Ideal for hearty Kurdish and Middle Eastern grills…
This Edgware Road establishment specialises in Kurdish and Middle Eastern cuisine, with a particular focus on charcoal-grilled meats and traditional stews. Open daily from noon until 11pm, it’s a reliable choice for both lunch and dinner. The restaurant’s interior is simple but welcoming, with the focal point being the open grill where skilled chefs prepare an array of kebabs and mixed grills.
Their menu strength lies in its grilled offerings – the Azmar Special Kebab (lamb kofta) comes in at £14 with salad, while the impressive mixed grill for four (£60) offers an excellent introduction to their range. The lamb kuzi, featuring tender meat slow-cooked until it falls off the bone, is a house speciality worth seeking out (£19).
Address: 442a Edgware Rd, London W2 1EG
Instagram: @azmarrestaurant
Patogh, Edgware Road
Ideal for intimate Persian dining and exceptional bread…
Hidden away on Crawford Place just off Edgware Road, this tiny Persian restaurant has become something of a cult favourite among those seeking authentic Iranian cuisine. Opening daily from noon to 11pm, it maintains consistent hours for both lunch and dinner crowds. The downstairs dining room is snug – you’ll likely be rubbing elbows with fellow diners – but that’s part of its charm, creating an atmosphere that feels more Tehran than London.
The star attraction here is undoubtedly their ‘big special bread’ (£5.50) – a vast oval of freshly baked flatbread, crisp in places, pillowy in others, and generously scattered with sesame seeds. It’s the perfect vehicle for their selection of charcoal-grilled kebabs (starting from £12.90), which come in various states of ‘juiciness’ (opt for ‘juicy’ – you won’t regret it).
Address: 8 Crawford Pl, London W1H 5NE
Website: patoghlondon.com
Paramount Lebanese Kitchen, London Street
Ideal for some of London’s finest Lebanese food…
The restaurant formerly known as Ya Hala’ (not to be confused with the equally fine Yalla Yalla), Paramount Lebanese Kitchen’s newly renovated Paddington outpost boasts a large central charcoal grill. It’s here that flatbreads get well acquainted with some smoke and the restaurant’s signature kebabs drip their fat and juices with abandon, causing flames to lick up the wall and illuminate the dining room.
It’s quite the spectacle, but arguably the most joy at Paramount is found in the most simple of dishes – the fattoush salad here is as good as we’ve had, with the cucumber, lettuce and radish roughly portioned, just as it should be, rather than being diced too finely. The adorning pitta is fried to order, as it should be. The hummus is also excellent, roughly hewn and viciously, vigorously perfumed with minced garlic. It’s a funky old thing.
A spicy and sweet mint tea seals the deal. Be warned that Paramount is reliably rammed – do book in advance if you’re keen to swan in and secure a table.
Address: 26 London St, Tyburnia, London W2 1HH, United Kingdom
Website: paramountfinefoods.com
Diwan Dimas, Edgware Road
Ideal for Syrian sweets and the best knefeh in London…
We end satisfying our sweet tooth, at Diwan Dimas. This Edgware Road establishment is nothing short of paradise. Opening its doors from 11am to 11:30pm daily, it’s perfect for both mid-morning sweet cravings and post-dinner desserts. Specialising in traditional Damascus-style pastries and desserts, Diwan Dimas has earned a reputation for serving some of London’s finest Middle Eastern sweets.
Their baklava selection is comprehensive, with boxes starting from £17.50 for 250g, ranging from traditional pistachio-filled varieties to more unusual creations. Their knefeh (£17.50 per kilo) draws the crowds, made the traditional way with a base of soft goat’s cheese topped with crisp, shredded filo pastry and doused in fragrant syrup. Other highlights include their mamoul (£23 per kilo) – shortbread-like cookies filled with dates, pistachios, or walnuts – and fresh warbat (£19.50 per kilo).