Where to eat and drink while you’re in Oxford Street, Sydney

Oxford Street City Guide

Oxford Street is a thriving thoroughfare that runs from Bondi Junction to Hyde Park in Sydney CBD. The once famous nightclub strip is now a cultural hub lined with some of the city’s top shops, bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs.  

The western side of Oxford Street, often referred to as the “Golden Mile”, is a favourite amongst the LGBTQIA+ community, with traffic closing each March in celebration of Sydney’s annual Mardi Gras parade. East of Taylor Square on Oxford Street, you’ll find the popular Paddo Markets and an array of upmarket boutiques and restaurants. Take a walk with us down this iconic street, and discover some of the best Oxford Street restaurants, bars and cafes.

Oxford Street Restaurants and Bars

Don Pedros 

For the best Mexican diner on Oxford Street, look no further than Don Pedros in Woollahra. Split across two levels, festive Don Pedros serves a selection of Mexican-inspired classics, including jalapeno poppers, barramundi ceviche, sizzling fajitas, quesadillas and fresh tacos, which a choice of soft shell crab, pulled pork belly, crispy prawn, mushrooms and more. To drink, Don Pedros shakes up an excellent Margarita from classic to chilli or coconut, with a range of top Tequilas to round off the night. 

Find them: 10 Oxford St, Woollahra NSW 2025

Credit: https://www.instagram.com/donpedros.paddington/

Cafe Freda's

Cafe Freda's is a sit-down bar and diner located at the crossroads of Oxford Street and the Eastern Distributor. The colourful neighbourhood eatery offers a menu of cheese or charcuterie boards, fritters, tostadas, beef empanadas and Freda's traditional pork ragu lasagne. Just drinks? Order a glass from Freda's impressive wine selection or a choice of cocktails to sip while people-watching in the heart of the action on buzzing Taylor Square. Don't miss Cafe Freda's happy hour Wednesday to Friday, with DJs spinning the decks on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 pm till late, making this one of the top Oxford street bars to visit.

Find them: 191-195 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010
 

Credit: https://www.instagram.com/cafefredas//

Fred's 

Fred's, located opposite the Paddington Markets, is all about rustic farm-to-table cooking with a focus on seasonality and premium locally-sourced produce. The charming Merivale restaurant gives a behind-the-scenes peek with an open kitchen and open-fire hearth, with chefs hard at work creating dishes from their ever-changing menu that speaks to the seasons. Think Oscietra caviar with potato blinis to start, grilled rack of Margra lamb with artichokes and warm tapenade for main course, and prune, dark chocolate & Armagnac tart with crème Chantilly for dessert.

Sophisticated with a hint of French country charm, Fred's is an Oxford Street favourite where the food and service are equally warm and inviting.  

Find them: 380 Oxford St, Paddington, NSW, 2021

Credit: https://www.instagram.com/fredspaddington/

Charlie Parker's 

Head down the stairs at Fred's, and you'll stumble upon Charlie Parker's. This chic neighbourhood basement bar offers an innovative cocktail list crafted around seasonal produce and botanicals, from fermented blueberries, chilli and cucumber to mixed melon and lemon basil. Like its upstairs counterpart, Charlie Parker's food menu showcases a selection of fine wines, beers and sophisticated seasonal bites, including steak tartare, smoked mackerel pate, wood-fired flatbread and assorted cheese and charcuterie platters.   

Find them: 380 Oxford St, Paddington, NSW, 2021

Credit: https://www.instagram.com/charlieparkers.syd/

Big Poppa's

Big Poppa's is an award-winning restaurant where cocktails, cheese and hip hop are the order of the day. Located in the Darlinghurst strip of Oxford Street, this late-night eatery serves up a range of gourmet cheeses from Italy, France, Australia and Switzerland. The menu also features modern Italian dishes, including pumpkin and ricotta gnocchi, hand-cut pappardelle with lamb shoulder ragu and a sprinkling of Parmigiano Reggiano. Big Poppa's is a guaranteed good time with a drinks menu of hand-picked wines, signature cocktails and brews, and non-stop hip hop music until 3 am every night. 

Find them: 96 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010

Credit: https://www.instagram.com/bigpoppas_syd/

Oxford Street Cafes

Ampersand Cafe

Ampersand Cafe is a cosy Oxford Street cafe slash bookstore with more than 30,000 books spread across three floors. The morning menu is a delicious mix of coffee, fresh muffins, cinnamon scrolls and doughnuts, with breakfast options including salsa verde eggs and avocado, ricotta french toast and classic eggs benedict. Lunch, meanwhile, is a feast of Turkish-inspired labneh eggs, BBQ beef brisket sandwiches, burgers and Mediterranean salads. With charming reading nooks a plenty, dining tables, worn armchairs and a little laneway area, Ampersand Cafe is the ideal spot to while away the morning (or afternoon) with second-hand books available to read, put back or purchase. 

Find them: 78 Oxford St, Paddington, NSW, 2021

Credit: https://www.instagram.com/ampersandcafe/

Cafe Köket

Located in the courtyard of Scandinavian design & lifestyle store, Funkis, is stylish Cafe Köket. This Oxford Street hidden gem is an ode to effortless Swedish style with muted grey furniture, chic exposed brick and wooden countertop filled with traditional kanelbulle (cinnamon & cardamom buns) and organic pretzels. The menu is simple and understated, featuring Allpress coffee, house-made granola, soft-boiled eggs, Scandi quiches, seasonal soups and avocado or smoked salmon and crème fraîche on organic sourdough.

Find them: 202 Oxford Street, Paddington, NSW, 2021

Credit: https://www.instagram.com/funkiskoket/

Where to stay near Oxford Street?

Ideally situated less than 10 minutes from Oxford Street is luxury boutique hotel, Crystalbrook Albion. Crystalbrook Albion combines the luxury of a five-star hotel with all the comforts of home, with a space that is delightfully intimate and refreshingly unpretentious. The historic Surry Hills hotel, where no two rooms are the same, features an array of luxury amenities from plush queen or king-sized beds to rain showers, soak-in tubs, fast and free Wi-Fi, Smart TVs and cosy bathrobes and slippers.  

Book your stay at Crystalbrook Albion: