Author // Shannon Edwards, Place New Farm
The rolling, green hills of Paddington are speckled with beautiful cottages and magnificent Queenslander homes.
Amongst them, you’ll find some of Brisbane’s best cafes and restaurants, retro goods, quirky keepsakes and vintage and designer fashion.
What to do this weekend? We’ve compiled a list of some of Paddington’s best spots to eat, drink and burn some calories (whether that be working out in a gym or at the shops).
8:00 am – Namaste
Located down the stairs at 83 Latrobe Terrace, Santosha Yoga, is Paddington’s own true yoga haven.
In a warm, nurturing space Santosha Yoga explores the importance of self-nourishing and all that the art of meditation has to offer.
The company’s passionate teachers lead classes focussed on rejuvenating and calming their clients within the studio’s tranquil space.
With lessons on improving physical posture through strength exercises and breath exploration, Santosha Yoga has classes suited to all experience levels.
9:30 am – A Pleasant Feed
Delivering the tastes from the Middle-east to a quaint corner cottage is Naim (formally known as Shouk Café).
Naim in Hebrew means pleasant, which reflects the cafes delicious menu and relaxing open-space interior.
From pumpkin & haloumi on sourdough to chocolate, apricot & honey waffles, Naim has a menu that’ll get you salivating.
Enjoy one of their delicious dishes while looking over fantastic views of Paddington’s backstreets.
Photo Credit: @naimpaddington
11:00 am – Sweet Serenity
Nothing beats the sweet smell of fresh blooms as you walk through the door of Francesca’s Flowers.
More than just a beautiful florist, Francesca’s Flowers is a place for guests to relax and rejuvenate.
Residing in a beautiful Queenslander, enjoy a cup of tea on the cottage deck while one of the friendly staff put together your personalised bouquet.
There’s something so fascinating about the art of floristry, don’t you agree?
Get creative and join in on one of the floristry workshops where floral design secrets will be revealed.
Photo credit: Francesca's Flowers
1:00 pm – A Long Lunch Never Hurt Anyone
Remodelled from an old Brisbane favourite, Paddington’s Darling and Co. offers the perfect relaxed setting for a glamorous long lunch.
The venue’s lunch and dinner menu is characterised by Australian ingredients with a European influence - one thing is for sure, Darling and Co. will leave your taste buds tingling.
Enjoy the chilled-out tropical vibes of the open-plan interior with plants hanging from the ceiling and greenery adorning each table.
While we’re in a tropical frame of mind, why not sip on one of their exclusive seasonal cocktails from the broad bar menu, where they are also serving up a range of local and International wines and craft beers.
3:00 pm – A Step Back in Time
The streets of Paddington are blessed with numerous quirky vintage and second-hand stores.
We could easily spend hours wandering the aisles of the iconic Paddington Antique Centre.
Occupying the old Plaza Theatre, the Paddington Antique Centre has every nook and cranny crammed with trinkets and treasures.
Just a short stroll from Paddington Antique you’ll come across Retro Metro.
When you arrive, a shade tent bursting with colourful frocks and vintage sweaters will signal your arrival.
You’ll snatch up a bargain from the jam-packed clothing racks and shelves overflowing with vintage garments - prices start at $5.
Photo credit: @retrometropaddington
5:00 pm – Bring on the Food Coma
Brisbane’s first ‘gnoccheria’ has arrived to the streets of Paddington.
After running pop-up kitchens across Australia for many years, Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers have opened their doors as Australia’s first bricks-and-mortar restaurant dedicated 100% to gnocchi - what a dream!
Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers make their soft, tender gnocchi and mouth-watering sauces in-house daily.
You can’t get much fresher than that!
The menu offers the likes of gnocchi with mushroom and truffle sauce to the classic favourite traditional slow cooked Bolognese.
Photo credit: Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers
7:00 pm – Time for a Lil’ Fun
Named after a travelling American sideshow, Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall is Paddington’s honky-tonk that never fails to entertain.
The 19th century hall inhabits Petrie terrace’s old Baroona Labor Hall, sharing the ghosts of its latter occupants.
Bringing country music and American eats to Brisbane’s inner-city, Lefty’s is a place to enjoy live music, a cold drink and complimentary snacks from their retro popcorn machine.
Red walls adorned with antique mirrors, a lavish bar overlooked by taxidermy wildlife and candlelit tables sitting beneath chandeliers – Lefty’s has a charm unlike any other.