Paddington’s canals have got a lot more going for them these days.
And here’s a spot you do want to touch with a bargepole.
It’s called Pergola Paddington, and it’s commandeered a leafy, two-storey, 850-capacity semi-outdoor space in the Paddington Basin development for street food and cocktails. And you.
Shielded from the industrial views around it, it’s a little oasis amidst the glossy offices and bustling transport lines. You’ll arrive to find yourself on the fairy-lit upstairs terrace, equipped with cosy daybeds (large enough for up to 15 people, and bookable in advance), benches and a very large bar, at which you’ll spy cocktails on tap, draught beers, wine and G&Ts.
Head downstairs, and you’ll find the pergola itself, festooned with fairy-lights, flowers and foliage and set with rows and rows of picnic tables – handy, since your nose will soon be leading you to one of the street food stalls, which currently include:
Temaki Bros, who aren’t really brothers but do make really great temaki (sushi hand rolls);
Babek Brothers, who coincidentally are brothers, and serve kebabs alongside halloumi fries;
Salt Shed, a team of curers-turned-BBQ’ers plating up slow-smoked and fire-scorched meats; and
Thunderbird, a Southern fried chicken outfit from a former racing car driver.
Behind their two lengthy bars, the ‘tenders will also be mixing up cocktails and spritzers, pouring the wine and pulling a couple of craft beers and ciders on tap.
Not all at once, though.
NOTE: Pergola Paddington is open from 4pm Weds-Thurs and 12pm Fri-Sun. They take walk-ins, but you can make reservations (for up to 199 people) on their website right HERE.
Pergola Paddington | 5 Kingdom Street, W2 6PY
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