Cafe Paci
Restaurant · Newtown ·

Cafe Paci

Restaurant · Newtown ·

Modern Australian dishes with inventive twists, rye bread, and seafood

friendly service
cocktails
great value
attentive service
elegant food
calabrian chilli
ox tongue taco
brown butter scallop ravioli
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by Eater - Lists + Maps
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null
Cafe Paci by null

Information

131 King St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia Get directions

$$$

Reserve a table
See Menu
Usually a wait
Reservations required
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner

Information

Static Map

131 King St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia Get directions

+61 402 392 189
cafepaci.com.au
@cafepaci

$$$ · Menu

Reserve a table

Features

•Usually a wait
•Reservations required
•Restroom
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Cozy
•Romantic
•Trendy

Last updated

Jan 17, 2026

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@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,992 Cities

The 38 Best Restaurants in Sydney, Australia | Eater

"When Cafe Paci first emerged in Darlinghurst as a low-key pop-up in 2013, the restaurant was painted an underwhelming low-cost gray — but chef Pasi Petanen’s dishes brought the color, flavor, and humor. While his brilliant popcorn fairy floss with butter salt didn’t make the transition when he moved things to his full-time Newtown site in 2019, two star dishes earned permanent residency on the menu: The Finnish rye bread with trademark molasses coating (ranked as one of the city’s defining dishes by the Good Food Guide) and his brilliant carrot, yogurt mousse and salted licorice dessert (which also deserves to be in Sydney’s culinary hall of fame). Know before you go: The grapefruit and gin Lonkero soda is an ultra-refreshing taste of Petanen’s birthplace. The pre-mixed beverage was designed for 1952’s Helsinki Olympic Games and is still frequently consumed in Finnish saunas." - Lee Tran Lam

https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-sydney-australia
Eater - Lists + Maps
Cafe Paci
@silverkris
10,054 Postcards · 2,272 Cities

Café Paci - SilverKris

"A permanent iteration of the “pop-up” in Darlinghurst that ran from 2013 to 2015, this is a revelation in its current Newtown location. Finnish chef Pasi Petänen helms this modern bistro and wine bar, serving creative, seasonal plates with global influences. Settle into the wooden tables to sample dishes like XO trout potato dumplings and rye taco with ox tongue. The wine list, with its focus on natural, biodynamic small producers, is equally eclectic." - Gayatri Bhaumik

https://silverkris.singaporeair.com/guide/australia/syd/eat-sydney/cafe-paci/
Cafe Paci

Paul G.

Google
Fantastic experience! Had a stunning lunch here in August and we have to say that is the most intelligent, elegant food we have had for years. The restaurant has a great casual vibe, excellent staff and service and a Newtown edge, however the food was next level! A big shout out to the crab blini, it looked stunning, was light as clouds and we had one of those moments of silence where you think where am I, how did they do this! A must do experience. Lunch 30 Aug

M4l2K T.

Google
This is my top 5 restaurant globally. Calling it a cafe is modest for the quality of food that this place produces. This should be an Australian institution. The food is perfection… modern contemporary with hints of Asian flavours. These guys at paci make me upset that I don’t live in Sydney so I can come every other day. Everytime I am in Sydney this is the first place and last place I hit. Must order the kingfish carpaccio, the prawns (omg the prawns), and the decadent cocktails. I am flying there now. Arghghh!

Nicole C.

Google
It’s been a while since I rated a place 5/5! I’m actually not sure where to start. Ok firstly the warm welcome from Georgia was so nice. Seated at one of Shiela’s tables was just pure luck! Dinner - starters the incredible rye bread and creamed butter. Followed by the Barrata mini calzones, tender asparagus in the must scrumptious cream and finally the tuna with blood orange segments. If that wasn’t enough to blow your mind - the most tender of silky carpaccio with organic rocket and Parmesan was sensational. The finale for us was the plate of cauliflower steak with burnt butter and garlic. We spoke about this dinner all the way home and it was tough choosing our best dish. Only regret is not having the space for dessert. Huge thanks to Celia, Cam and the team for what can only be described as my treat out for the month. Thank you.

Lauren R.

Google
We eat out a lot. Without doubt one of the best meals and service we have experienced in eons. Here’s a heads up to the uncountable amount of cafes and restaurants who truly believe their food and service meets the grade - take your team to Cafe Paci - best lesson ever!!! As a former hospo at many levels in the food and wine industry…we were blown away. Thank you Cafe Paci. And a special shout out to Tori and Cam - consummate professionals.

Ibrahim S.

Google
From start to finish, our dinner here was just a fantastic experience. The restaurant has a super cool and vibrant atmosphere without being overwhelming, making it the perfect spot for a special night out. We'd heard great things, and Cafe Paci absolutely delivered on all fronts. The food was the real star of the show. You can tell a lot of thought and creativity goes into every single dish. We loved everything we tried; each plate was inventive, beautifully presented, and packed with flavour. It’s the kind of meal you talk about for days after. To top it all off, the service was wonderful. Everyone was so friendly and attentive, which really completed the perfect dining experience. It's rare to find a place where the food, the vibe, and the staff are all this good. Can't wait to be back again soon!

Eileen

Google
Lovely venue, well priced menu. Absolutely loved the ox tongue taco and brown butter scallop ravioli, and I appreciated the portion as ravioli dishes usually come with an average of four pieces 🤣. The fish dish was quite average. I’d visit again to sample more of the menu!

Gailda L.

Google
Quite possibly one of my absolute favourite restaurants in Australia. Visited for the first time last week on a Friday night and it exceeded all expectations. Every dish was incredible - no lulls in courses or improvements needed. Loved the holistic balance of flavours while the punchiness of the star ingredients really shone through (I'm going to need to get myself some calabrian chilli's for my own pantry...). They somehow even transformed asparagus into one of my favourite dishes of the night (a hard task, as everything was so good). All in all, a fantastic restaurant with a a comfortable yet slightly upscale ambience and exceptionally warm service.

Kay H.

Google
It is i think best value and food for 2 hatted restaurant in sydney. Delicious food, surprisingly good portions, good wine list, friendly and efficient service. You can dress up or just walk in with your casual dress. Highly recommended!