The Unicorn Hotel

Proper Aussie pub culture, zero pretentious gastro-fluff. Right on Oxford Street—an easy stroll from the SCG—this sprawling Paddington staple is an absolute masterclass in doing the classics right. Stadium-goers and discerning pub purists routinely pack the dog-friendly downstairs courtyard for perfectly poured IPAs and fiercely good grub. You’re ordering the chicken parmi—golden, heavily sauced, and famously massive. Swinging by on a Monday? The steak night is legendary. But honestly, the snack game alone justifies a visit. Think stuffed chicken wings, killer eggplant dip with a loaded pickle plate, and the ultimate retro flex: French onion dip with Jatz. It gets predictably slammed on weekends, meaning you might wait a bit for your schnitty when the footy crowd descends. But with classic Aussie tunes on the speakers and incredibly warm bar staff pulling cold pints, the vibes are unmatched. Uncomplicated, deeply satisfying, and essential.