One of West London's most underrated areas, Paddington is fast becoming a mecca for great food and drink. Whether you're sipping beside the basin or heading for brunch by the canal, W2 is packed with places for any and all occasions. To help you get a better grip on where to head first, we've done you the service of rounding up our top picks for the best Paddington bars.
Last edited by Kiera Chapman
Last updated on 24th September 2024
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Perfectly placed next to the canal, Smith's Bar & Grill mixes excellent British grub and gorgeous drinks in one sleek package. Whether you're cosying up inside with Sunday roasts and a nice glass of red, or taking in the air on their terrace with a table full of happy hour cocktails, Smith's has got the atmosphere for any day or night out.
Wondering where to drink in Paddington? Mad Bishop & Bear has got you covered. Not only does it boast beautiful, traditional interiors filled with mahogany, from the elegant cornices to the gleaming chandeliers, but also a lip-smacking menu of thirst-quenching tipples to match food from breakfast through to dinner. Think Fuller's pints on tap, steak pie and classic fish 'n' chips.
Industrial interiors and fresh flowers your thing? We'd recommend a trip to Heist Bank. Dripping in cool and serving up a delicious selection of craft beers, cocktails and moreish wood-fired pizzas, this great Paddington bar is just the thing for after work drinks and relaxed weekend jaunts.
Explore over 120 wines by the glass at Paddington's bustling wine bar, Vagabond, which can be found in Sheldon Square right near the Grand Union Canal. With new arrivals every week and an ever-rotating selection of expertly-picked bottles, it's an essential destination for any of London's wine-lovers seeking after-work refreshment or fun date nights.
One of the best bars in Paddington basin, this fun and friendly bar is all about the good times and the 20 international craft beers on tap. Alongside a top notch daily selection of classic cocktails and award-winning burgers, Lockhouse also know how to host one hell of brunch - so if duck benedicts and a few glasses of fizz float your boat, we'll know where to find you on Saturday mornings.
Boasting an outdoor terrace, live music and plush seating, The Swan is a great shout. The pub has scrumptious British dishes such as fish 'n' chips and sausage and mash, alongside hoppy beers such as the London Pride or Firecracker. And when you know that this place dates back to the 1700s and was the final drinking destination for victims of the Tyburn Gallows (now Marble Arch), it's obvious this beautiful boozer overlooking Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens has a lot of history.
Looking for a sleek Paddington bar for a romantic date night? Head on over to Ayllu, which oozes high-end luxury across jungle-inspired interiors. From its stunning look to the menu of modern Nikkei cuisine, this restaurant bar is sure to get that special someone swooning. These guys' Japanese and Peruvian-inspired brunch isn't to be missed, nor are the Flamingo cocktails or the Pinku - a mix of white lychee pearls, raspberries, vodka, lime sherbet and sugar syrup.
A historic pub in the heart of London, The Victoria is as old as Paddington Station itself. Believed to have been built around 1838, its held up well over time and has a ton of great history, from Charles Dickens writing part of Our Mutual Friend here to Queen Victoria visiting the gaff. Head over to the Strathearn Place bar for casual drinks and moreish Sunday spreads at this award-winning pub.
Sat next to Paddington Station, and just a short walk from Little Venice, this fun and friendly bar is an excellent place to bed down for a few pints if you're in the West London area. Whether you're stopping in for coffee with colleagues, or making a meal of it with friends, this casual but charming venue is an easy choice for any occasion.
Burgers? We've had a few, but rarely to do they match the patties you'll find at The Green Man. This fun Paddington pub perched on the corner of Edgeware Road and Bell Street is known for its great cask ales and friendly service, alongside its meatier offerings, including one fabled menu item known as 'The Juicy Bastard'.
Brimming with character and a cosy aesthetic, Pride of Paddington is one of the best pubs in Paddington and only a two minute walk from the station. Grab yourself a seat in the train carriage-inspired booths, where you can keep an eye out for marmalade-loving bears and suitcases. Chomp on a vast array of hearty British food and wash it all down with a pint of cask ale from the rotating tap offerings.
One of Paddington's premiere party bars, HUCKSTER is a wonderland of drinks, street food and things to do - featuring areas such as its very own Chinatown and another called Subway East that's inspired by Lower Manhattan. A colourful hub of graffiti set over multiple levels, this fun watering hole is the ultimate spot for group celebration thanks to its varied onsite activities, which span everything from karaoke to bottomless brunch.
Sat right on the edge of Paddington basin, BrewDog offers a perfect spot for a post-work pint. Boasting an extensive selection of signature and guest beers to sample, as well as their own spirits too, the bar also makes sure you don't go hungry with an impressive line-up of mouthwatering burgers and brunches. Better yet? You can even book shuffleboard to get competitive with your mates.
