Highly anticipated restaurant The Palomar, has just opened its doors, and this time in Sydney. Taking over the former Grand Pacific Blue Room in Paddington, the new space will embody its sister venue in London – a vibrant restaurant where the flavours of Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Levant come together in a love letter to the Mediterranean. Founded by hospitality siblings Layo and Zoë Paskin of Studio Paskin – the duo is known for shaping some of the city’s most acclaimed venues.
While the menu features creative and playful house cocktails, the focus remains on the extensive specially curated wine list. A mix of the familiar and the adventurous, this menu leans into character, texture, and a sense of place. You’ll find classics sitting alongside new producers, bottles that tell stories from the hills of Burgundy to the coasts of Tasmania. It’s all about easy-drinking drops, small-batch discoveries, and a few showstoppers for when the moment calls for it. Whether you’re in the mood for something crisp, cloudy, chilled, or full-bodied – there’s a glass (or bottle) worth talking about here.
At the helm is Culinary Director Mitch Orr, a born-and-bred Sydneysider whose laid-back style and bold, flavour-driven creativity have made him one of the city’s most distinctive culinary voices. Shaped by Sydney’s food scene and his time working alongside Layo and Zoë in London, Orr brings a sensibility that’s both local and global.
“Working with Layo and Zoë means we’re building something layered: a menu that’s delicious as hell and a style of hospitality that feels alive in the moment but grounded in detail. For me, it’s important that it sits comfortably within Sydney’s dining culture. The Palomar has always been a place where the hospitality community comes together with ease, and that’s the energy I want to capture here – a restaurant that is dynamic, welcoming, and authentically part of the city, “Said Orr.
Joining him is Head Chef Luke Davenport, whose career comes full circle with his return to The Palomar. Luke began his journey at The Palomar London in 2016 before joining the kitchen at Evelyn’s Table. He then went on to gain experience in kitchens including Noma (Copenhagen), The Ledbury (London), and Alo (Toronto). Returning to Australia, he led the team at Franca Brasserie, where he cemented his reputation for sophisticated, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
“My time in London with Studio Paskin was incredibly formative, and returning to The Palomar in Sydney is an opportunity to bring that experience here, together with Mitch, we want to create a kitchen-bar where vibrant, flavourful dishes meet a dining experience that truly embodies the spirit and energy of The Palomar,” said Davenport.
Orr and Davenport form a partnership that’s both dynamic and deliberate, rooted in creativity, craft, and shared vision. The menu draws inspiration from The Palomar London, reimagined through the lens of Australia’s exceptional produce. At its heart is the wood-fire grill, where ingredients are transformed with smoky, bright, and nuanced flavours that celebrate both seasonality and technique.
Expect dishes like cucumbers with green tahini and crispy chilli oil, Berkshire pork chop with roasted grapes and sherry, butterflied blue mackerel with chermoula, grilled southern calamari with preserved lemon, and a pistachio ice cream baklava sandwich.
Inside, the 110-seat venue offers a thoughtfully designed dining experience that reimagines The Palomar London’s timeless aesthetic for its new Paddington home.