The curves and climbs of Paddington’s Given Terrace have long played host to a cluster of culinary gems, but drift a little further up Latrobe Terrace and you’ll reach an inspired new food destination. Sprawling across two stores previously occupied by Monty’s Chocolates and Novel Lines Bookshop, Paddington Deli & Epicerie invites guests to dine on breakfast, lunch or sweet treats in-store, before fossicking for imported and local food products to carry home. Owner Antoinette Pease had dreamed of crafting such a space for years, finally taking the leap from her corporate career when a dream lease popped up in her neighbourhood. The space has been stripped back and given an old-world feel, with chandeliers bouncing light off polished wooden floors and ornate frames meeting exposed brick walls. Antique furniture has been sourced from around the city, offering the perfect place to rest a pot of tea and slice of cake.

The space has been divided into two equally tempting parts, with the cafe and deli occupying one half and dried pantry goods and take-home meals in the other. Browse the shelves for quality products including the likes of award-winning Mount Zero oils, Pepe Saya dairy products, Sonoma mueslis, The Grainge preserves and locally made Roza’s Sauces, or sidle up to the fridge for a wedge of French cantal cheese or grana padano. Next door, the deli cabinet is filled with plump olives and hunks of meats including garlic mettwurst, sopressa Milano and prosciutto sliced to order.

When the doors open at 6:30 am each morning, Paddington locals amble in for fresh avocado stacked on toasted bread, topped with Woombye marinated Persian fetta, grilled corn, a drizzle of lemon and Pink Lake chilli salt, while for lunch, a salad of roasted cauliflower, spinach and pomegranate with marinated Danish fetta, walnuts, onion and Benfatti Nero aged balsamic walks has been proving popular. The kitchen has a leaning for local, sourcing all fruit and vegetables from Milton Fruit Bowl, meat from Milton Fine Meats, bread from Newmarket’s Crust & Co Artisan Baking and sweet treats courtesy of Alphabet Cafe. The expert baristas will top your Segafredo coffee with Maleny Dairies milk or serve your choice of eight blends of Tlicious tea in fine KH Pottery cups. Antoinette has a few plans up her sleeve to one day invite guests to BYO on a Friday and Saturday afternoon while she assembles the antipasti, but you’ll have to keep an eye on the venue’s Facebook page for updates.

For contact information and trading hours, check out our Stumble Guide.