Ursula's Paddington

My second visit after three years! The food was still amazing. My husband and I had: - Salmon roe and egg sandwich - Roast king prawns - 180g Grasslands beef fillet - Paris mash We absolutely loved the salmon sandwich. It was so flavourful in just one bite! Even though it was small, it delivered the most vibrant punch of the night. The prawns and fillet were standard. The mash was beautiful and paired perfectly with the beef. Already planning my third visit!

Finally made it to Ursula’s and it was so special. Tucked away in the quiet streets of Paddington with phenomenal decor and service, we felt truly taken care of by the staff. The famous Morton bag bug pasta was a lot richer than expected but had me gobbling up the sauce regardless. Not pictured but the Paris mash was phenomenal and the beef cheeks reminded me of my childhood. We almost skipped on dessert but I’m so glad we didn’t because the dumplings were something else! The golden syrup drenched pillows of deliciousness had me scraping the plate. Would come back just for this!

I’ve visited Ursula’s a few times now, and while I’ve had some excellent dishes, the experience has been a bit hit or miss overall. Starters & Small Plates Many of the smaller dishes showed great promise, though some lacked refinement. • Scallop Rockefeller (coriander, lime, Gruyère): The concept was exciting, but the execution fell short. Rather than being infused with flavour, the scallop felt overwhelmed by the herb crust, which was overbaked and charred. A more balanced, nuanced preparation could really elevate this dish. • Salmon Roe Sandwich: Absolutely beautiful—delicate and flavorful, a definite highlight. • Roast King Prawns (curry, butter, ginger, lemon): This dish was a standout. The ingredients were perfectly balanced, each element shining without overpowering the others. • Roast Quail (Vadouvan sauce, Granny Smith, watercress): Bold and aromatic, though the flavour could be softened just slightly for better balance. • Stracciatella with Plum, Eggplant XO, Roast Onion, Radicchio: An intriguing and well-composed dish. The bitterness of the radicchio paired beautifully with the creamy Stracciatella—reminiscent of a dish you’d find in Puglia, Italy. Mains • 180g Grasslands Beef Fillet (parsley, horseradish, lime): Sadly, this main didn’t meet expectations. The beef lacked depth of flavour and tenderness—it wasn’t the “melt-in-your-mouth” experience I’d hoped for. I’ve had better results with simpler steaks at home. This might be a quality issue with the meat itself, but either way, the dish has potential and could benefit from a rework. • Gem Lettuce Salad (Parmesan, pine nuts, raisins): Light and refreshing, but a very familiar combination that didn’t stand out or offer anything particularly unique. Desserts • Golden Syrup Dumplings (rum, raisin, malt cream): Absolutely divine. I order this every time I visit. My only wish is for a larger portion because they’re just that good—comforting and indulgent in the best way. • Figs with Sheep’s Yoghurt Pannacotta, Honeycomb, Aged Apple Vinegar, Ginger Sabayon: Unfortunately, this dish didn’t work for me. The ginger sabayon was overpowering, masking the other elements completely. While the honeycomb added a lovely crunch, the overall balance was off. Final Thoughts The service was warm and attentive, and there’s a lot to admire about Ursula’s creativity and ambition. I would still recommend it to friends—but with a caveat. There’s undeniable talent in the kitchen, but some dishes could use more finesse and cohesion to match the high expectations the venue sets. Looking forward to seeing how the menu evolves—there’s great potential here.

We had the best time celebrating my boyfriend’s birthday. Ursula’s was recommended to us by some friends and it did not disappoint. I wish we got the same of the girls who served us, they were so lovely and our waitress made some great suggestions. The whole experience felt really personalised, the service is fast but not at all rushed so we were able to enjoy our drinks and courses. Can’t pick a favourite off the menu!

Honestly the best meal I’ve ever had. Will be dreaming about it for years. Went for a friends birthday and had the duck, salmon sandwiches, pasta, fries, dessert, bread and wine. Around $350ish and we were both very full after. Service was friendly, relaxed and prompt. Food was absolutely delicious. Could not fault a thing. Cannot wait to return, 11/10! ( note- It filled up pretty quickly on a Thursday night so it was a tad hard to hear conversation at one point )

Ursula’s Paddington is a refined yet welcoming bistro that effortlessly blends modern Australian cuisine with a touch of nostalgia. Located in a beautifully renovated terrace on Hargrave Street, the restaurant exudes an elegant charm that feels both timeless and contemporary. The culinary vision here is led by acclaimed chef Phil Wood, known for his tenure at Rockpool Bar & Grill and Eleven Bridge. At Ursula’s, he collaborates with talented chefs John Laureti and Luke Cawsey to craft a menu that reimagines classic Australian dishes with a creative twist. The dining experience is elevated by the restaurant's thoughtfully designed interior. The space is bathed in natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that's perfect for both intimate dinners and celebratory gatherings. Standout dishes include the bone marrow with makrut lime and parmesan, a tribute to a beloved item from the restaurant's previous incarnation as Darcy’s. For dessert, the golden syrup dumplings served with rum, raisin, and malt cream offer a delightful finish to the meal. Whether you're a local or visiting Sydney, Ursula’s Paddington offers a dining experience that's both sophisticated and approachable, making it a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts.

Most dishes were solid and well-executed, though quite standard — but the chicken stuffed with scallop and served with chips was truly unique and memorable. A nice spot in Paddington with thoughtful service and a relaxed atmosphere.

super lovely restaurant! decor is okay, kinda of like a home. there is no parking lot and there is some difficulty parking as a lot of areas are 1 hour parking only but there are some streets that had 2 hour parking. service was great, we were warmly welcomed at the door. very cute theme with the menus. I wasn’t a big fan of the oysters and the after taste was a bit strange. The bread was great and I loved the butter . The garlic and parsley wasn’t too strong but a nice complement! The egg and salmon roe sandwiches are an absolute must! I loved the texture from the cracker and egg and the roe, and it was just the perfect combo of sweet and salty! the scallops were great and I loved the crumbing on top. The cheese was great too, great amount! the famous Moreton bay bug pasta! It was so yum! Definitely more salty than I expected but I am a big fan of salt. There was a nice zestiness too it as well. It is a small serving though, good to share as an entree between two. Highly recommend! I’m not usually a big fan of duck but the duck was really good here, I liked the combination of the coconut and chilli, it was sort of reminiscent of a Thai flavour! the tomato salad was a good complement to the duck which was a bit heavier and provided a nice balance. The fries were nice but I think with the duck together it was a bit heavy, recommend maybe if you’re in a larger group but I’d recommend the salad over the fries! As a side. Golden syrup dumplings were super yum, sweet but not too sickening. I love the cream on top too. Highly recommend! Overall a great experience from the servers, they were busy but i still felt I received great service! Highly recommend Ursula’s!