308 Olives

Set within The Olympic Hotel on Moore Park Road, 308 Olives offers a Mediterranean-inspired escape in Paddington. A modern, welcoming setting underpins a versatile bistro that straddles relaxed pub spirit and polished dining.

The kitchen leans into sun-drenched flavours and smoky, citrusy accents. Bowls of hummus glossed with parsley tahina, sumac and paprika, and baba ganoush finished with crispy chilli, make convivial openers. From there, falafel with pickled chilli and smoky tomato relish nods to street-corner staples, while BBQ prawns in tomato caper butter add a briny, buttery lick of indulgence.

Mains travel the bistro-to-bar spectrum: steak frites, a cap on rump brightened by chimichurri and a pile of skin on chippies; and chicken parmigiana layered with roasted tomato sugo, fiordilatte, mortadella, pecorino and a hearty mushroom ragu. For a sweet full stop, bougatsa brings crisp filo, orange semolina custard and black cherries, all glossed with blood orange olive oil.

With a clear focus on quality and an easy, come-as-you-are mood, 308 Olives suits everything from lingering lunches to casual catch-ups. Its Paddington address keeps it close to the action, but the pace remains unhurried. Drop by, settle in, and take a little trip to the Med without leaving Moore Park Road.