Guide to the best restaurants in Paddington

Floating on Regent's Canal, these restored barges are quite a sight to behold, as they're decorated with vibrant artwork by Sir Peter Blake, a highly regarded British pop artist. Make your way onboard if you're after Aussie-style brunch, lunch or dinner, with the menu featuring a range of tasty international favourites. Cocktails are available as well and, if the weather conditions are right, you can even relax on the open roof terrace.

Paddington's Turmeric Kitchen is a classically elegant space with dim lighting, padded seating and marble table tops. The prices remain budget-friendly regardless, with the dishes showcasing the depth of authentic Indian cuisine with the help of traditional spices and dishes such as biryanis. If you're not feeling spicy, the kitchen can whip you up one of the international backups such as pasta and burgers that are available as well. You can also treat yourself to different afternoon teas here.

This renowned Thai restaurant at the Royal Lancaster Hotel is commanded by an all-female kitchen, devoted to serving authentic dishes in a refined setting. The menu at this brightly lit, opulent eatery balances the five key flavours of Thai cuisine – sweet, sour, spicy, bitter and salty – in various curries, tom soups, and pan-fried dishes. The head chef's signature dish is that most celebrated Thai culinary achievement, pad Thai.

This comfy underground haven beneath Smith's Bar & Grill lets patrons bond over contemporary sharing plates. The food on offer is based in the trendy Nikkei fusion cuisine, the meeting of Japanese and South American flavours, techniques and traditions. You can enjoy freshly rolled sushi and sip on inventive cocktails while listening to live DJ sets. Bento box lunches and tasting menus are also available at Ayllu, and the immersive bottomless brunch includes samba shows.

Speaking of Smith's Bar & Grill, this contemporary British eatery is situated in a bright venue with plenty of space and a striking year-round terrace with views of the Grand Union Canal. You can also relax in the stylish cocktail bar or the comfortable lounge. The range of familiar, comforting dishes on the menu includes steaks, fresh seafood and salads. Breakfast is served as well, and bottomless brunch, seasonal set menus and other offers are also available.

London Shell Co runs another pair of barges in Paddington – the moored Grand Duchess and the Prince Regent, which makes its way to Camden and back while you enjoy your meal. Both barges serve some of the freshest seafood in the city, sourced from a sustainable seafood establishment in Cornwall. The seasonally changing menu features classics such as oyster, Devon crab, Cornish cod and more, with wine pairings available as well.

Gogi is a sleek, contemporary Paddington spot where diners can enjoy authentic Korean delicacies. You'll find all sorts of goodies on the varied menu – fried chicken, hotpot, dumplings, seafood and meats to be grilled at your table. You can also split a BBQ sharing platter, or try convenient lunch options such as bibimbap, noodles, or one of Gogi's lunch boxes. Cocktails and Asian drinks are served as well.

If you're in the mood for good old pub food with a nice view, Lockhouse has you covered. This vast industrial space is suffused in natural light thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows, with splashes of colour throughout the interior adding to the vibrancy of the place. The pub can fit any sort of occasion, from large birthday parties to family meals and business meetings, with over 13 beers on tap and a kitchen menu featuring all the classics. Brunch is served as well.

With its dining room dominated by a full-length cherry blossom mural, matched by the furnishings and enhance by bamboo panelling, Pearl Liang is a sleek, modern Chinese eatery. One of Paddington's culinary gems, the restaurant is known for its dim sum, as well as for authentic specialties such as stir-fried lobster, softshell crab, or Peking duck. The venue includes a cocktail bar and is also available for private hire.

Another barge floating on the canal, this one comes from the folks behind The Cheese Bar in Camden. Aboard the cosy barge, you can indulge in seasonal cheese-based delicacies highlighting innovative pairings, sample a wide range of British cheeses, and fill up on dishes such as a half-kilo baked Baron Bigod cheese. If you prefer your cheese in a more traditional, refined form, there's a cheesy afternoon tea as well.

A members' club for journalists and associated media professions, The Frontline Club features a ground-floor restaurant that's open to the public for weekday dinners. Housed in an old Victorian building, the restaurant is lined with iconic 20th century photographs. The menu is focused on British cuisine, with classic dishes such as fish 'n' chips, seafood linguine, or steak and salad. Fine wines and cocktails are served as well.

The Hyde restaurant is part of the Roseate House London boutique luxury hotel. Providing a refined and contemporary setting for modern European cuisine. You can enjoy all-day dining in the classic interior or in the pleasant garden, choosing from among options such as charcuterie, salads, steak, and pasta. An indulgent afternoon tea is served as well, and private dining is also available.

At this chic industrial-style space in Paddington, the food revolves around sourdough pizzas, made fresh every day with authentic ingredients. Choose between different creative topping combos, for example chorizo, red chilli, spring onion and sun-dried tomato, and wash it down with one of the craft beers. The self-styled playground for adults also offers board games, pool, live DJ sets and other fun things.

Massis is an elegant spot by the canal, with a dark wood interior and a sun-soaked outdoor terrace. It's the perfect place for a group meal, as all the dishes come as mezze, designed for sharing. Both hot and cold options are available, from familiar classics such as hummus, moussaka or fattoush salad, to sambousek with different fillings, or grilled specials such as octopus or sujuk. Fine wines, cocktails, beers and other drinks are served as well.

Casa Malevo's exposed brick walls are embellished with photographs of gauchos, and the rough-hewn wooden tables and intimate lighting add to the rustic feel. The kitchen specialises in prime cuts of meat, grilled and cut to order. Other authentic Argentinian dishes such as empanadas with various fillings are also available, and there's a private dining room as well. The well-constructed wine list includes vintages from around the world.

Bizzarro has been around for more than half a century, serving traditional Italian food in West London since 1957. The kitchen draws on cuisine from the Abruzzi region, preparing authentic dishes that feature all the classics – antipasti, salads, pizza, pasta, lasagne, steak and more. The authentic regional fare is complemented by warm, sincere hospitality and stylish furnishings. The concise wine list highlights typical Italian varieties, including wines by the glass.

The Temper restaurants are a haven for carnivores, taking a staunch stance against industrial farming practices by featuring in-house butchering. With open kitchens and fire pits placed centrally, they transform barbecuing into both a spectacle and a culinary art. The Paddington location boasts both indoor and outdoor seating options and is notable for being the first within the group to provide an all-day dining experience.