Oxford Street, Paddington, and the surrounding areas have an abundance of restaurants and cafes ranging from great value BYO's to those offering a fine dining experience."BYO" means the restaurant allows patrons to bring their own alcoholic beverages. A Corkage fee is usually charged. Alfresco dining is extremely popular with the locals. Wander up to Paddington on a Saturday morning, be part of the lifestyle - shop, visit the markets, go to a galleries, and then relax at an outdoor cafe for a delicious lunch. Below we have listed a few of our favourite places.

RESTAURANTS/CAFES

The De Spot, Balkan Seafood 217 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. Seafood, pastas, veal and grilled meats with a daily Croatian specialty. Large servings. BYO. A regular favourite with our guests. Very busy - booking recommended. 5 minute walk.

The Balkan Continental 209 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. The meals here are large and wholesome. It is an original BYO establishment with the owners bringing their favorite recipes from Croatia. Great value. 5 minute walk.

Thai Nesia 243 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. You will experience a tempting selection of spicy Thai and Indonesian cooking. BYO The ambiance is pleasant with a local clientele and many regulars. Licensed. 5 minute walk.

Casa Cordobes 251 Oxford St, Darlinghurst. Gorgeous, mouth watering Italian at affordable prices. Large serves & attentive staff in such comfortable surroundings. Within 5 minutes walk of the Hotel. Also deliver.

The Paddington Inn Bistro Oxford Street, Paddington. Old Style Pub Service, with a Paddington Twist. Great value. No bookings taken. Open for both Lunch and Dinner. 10 minute walk.

Micky's 268 Oxford Street, Paddington. Modern Australian fare, including pastas, satays, steaks and roasts. A very popular restaurant, young and lively. 10 minute walk. BYO

Grand Pacific Blue Room 1 Oxford Street, Paddington. Trendy restaurant/bar offering a good selection of Australian and European dishes. The kitchen is open until 11.30 p.m. but the bar stays open later. Crowded on weekends. 2 minute walk.

A Restaurant Five Ways, Glenmore Road, Paddington. Blackboard menu offering five entrees and mains and four desserts. International cuisine with Scandinavian influences and Asian fusions. 15 minute walk from the hotel.

Onde Liverpool Street. Voted one of the best 'Cheap Eats' in Sydney. French bistro style with a real Darlinghurst buzz. Open daily from 5.30pm until 11pm. Lunches on Sunday only. 5 minute walk.

Uchi Lounge - Brisbane Street Darlinghurst. Well priced modern Japanese. Funky Vibes and groovy people. BYO. Open Monday to Saturday from 11am until 10.30pm.

...and the dish ran away with the spoon - 226 Glenmore Rd, Five Ways, Paddington. One of the greatest little cafes around. You will find some of the freshest, yummiest food in Sydney. Open 7 days a week from 8am to 10pm.

Bistro Lulu 257 Oxford St, Paddington. Lunch available on Thurs, Fri, Sat 12-3. Dinner Tues to Sat 6-11pm.

FINE DINING

Buon Ricordo - 108 Boundary Street, Paddington (10 minute walk). Open for dinner Tues-Sat 6.30-11pm and Lunch Fri-Sat noon-2.30pm Booking essential. Described as Italian soul food. Consistently awarded Best Italian restaurant in Sydney.

Lucio's (15 Minute walk) 47 Windsor Street, Paddington. Open Lunch and Dinner Mon-Sat. Booking recommended. Noted for their good food and good manners.

Oh! Calcutta 251 Victoria St, Darlinghurst. Rated Best Indian Restaurant in the "2002 Good Food Guide". Dinner Monday - Saturday 6pm until Midnight.

Claudes (15 minute walk) 10 Oxford Street, Woollahra. BYO Dinner Tues-Sat from 7.30pm. Booking essential. Fine Australian. Presentation in the French Style.

Bistro Moncur (5 minute taxi ride) Woollahra Hotel, 116 Queen Street, Woollahra. Open Lunch Tues-Sun noon-3pm and Dinner Tues-Sat 6.30-10.30pm. No bookings. Best to arrive by 7.30pm. Modern French.

MG Garage (5 minute taxi ride) 490 Crown Street, Surry Hills. Modern Australian. Booking recommended.

RockPool (10 minute taxi ride) 107 George Street, The Rocks. Modern Australian. Open Lunch Mon-Fri noon-2.30pm, Dinner Mon-Sat 6-11pm Booking essential. Predominantly seafood.

Doyles - Watsons Bay. Seafood platter with lobster, King prawns, calamari, crays, oysters. Known for its wonderful views of Sydney harbour. Catch the L82 bus from near the hotel, or a ferry from Circular Quay.

Bent Street at Fox Studios - A 10 minute walk. Among the dining options are Beach Road, the Palm Beach restaurant which holds one chef's hat in the 1999 Sydney good food guide - offering contemporary Australian cuisine. Golden Century holds two hats and operates a 350 seat Asian kitchen and noodle bar. The Balkan, which offers stunning views over the Fox Show ring specialises in seafood.

Aria 1 Macquarie st, East Circular Quay. Modern Australian Cuisine. The view is straight out huge windows to the Opera House & the Harbour beyond. Bookings essential. Lunch Monday - Friday noon - 2.30pm. Dinner Monday - Saturday 5.30pm - 11.30pm. Sunday 6-10pm.

Tetsuya's 529 Kent St, CBD. Awarded Restaurant of the year. Japanese/French/Modern Australian. Bookings are essential. Lunch Friday-Saturday noon to 2pm, Dinner Tuesday - Saturday 6.30pm - 9pm.