10 William Street Paddington: Menu, Reviews, Booking
Paddington hides its best wine bar on an ordinary terrace street where locals actually go. 10 William Street draws a crowd with its intimate, buzzy atmosphere, open Monday through Thursday for dinner and Friday through Saturday for both lunch and dinner. This guide covers everything from the signature dishes that keep people coming back to how to score a table (hint: walk-ins welcome, but booking takes the stress out of it).
Location: Paddington, Sydney NSW · Type: Wine bar with food · Rating: 4.8/5 (OpenTable) · Hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-late, Fri-Sat 12pm-late
Quick snapshot
- Wine bar in Paddington, Sydney (OpenTable reservation platform)
- Chef Francesco Ruggiero leads the kitchen (World’s 50 Best Discovery feature)
- Walk-ins always welcome (Official venue website)
- Exact opening date not publicly confirmed
- Full seasonal menu rotation not published online
- Specific wine producers by region not listed on site
- Pretzel & Whipped Bottarga — constant since opening (Worst Seat dish review)
- Olives $12, Salumi board $30, Focaccia $6 (Official venue menu)
- Natural wine list with Italian regions and orange wines (The Infatuation wine bar guide)
- Online reservations available via OpenTable
- Groups of 6+ contact info@10williamst.com.au
- Instagram @10williamst for updates and event notices
The key facts table below consolidates verified venue information from multiple sources.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | 10 William St |
| Address | 10 William St, Paddington, Sydney, NSW 2021 |
| Phone | +61 2 9360 3310 |
| info@10williamst.com.au | |
| Website | 10williamst.com.au |
| Rating | 4.8/5 (OpenTable, 203 reviews) |
| Price Range | $41–$100 per person |
| Dress Code | Casual |
| Noise Level | Moderate |
| Parking | None available |
Where is 10 William Street located?
The venue sits at 10 William St, Paddington — the address is practically the business name. Paddington’s postcode is 2021, and you’ll sometimes see the venue listed under Woollahra council boundaries since the suburb borders blur slightly in that area. It’s a five-minute walk from Oxford Street’s boutique scene, tucked into one of those quiet residential pockets where you wouldn’t expect a buzzing wine bar to materialize.
Address details
- Street address: 10 William St, Paddington, Sydney, NSW 2021, Australia
- Nearest transport: Redfern Station is closest (about 12 minutes walk), or catch the 333 bus along Oxford Street
- Parking: None on-site — street parking is limited, so public transport or a rideshare is the smarter play
Nearby areas
The venue sits squarely in the Paddington village grid, making it an easy stop if you’re browsing the Saturday markets or gallery-hopping on a weekend afternoon. Woollahra’s dining scene is adjacent but distinct — 10 William St skews more casual wine bar than white-tablecloth restaurant.
What is on the 10 William Street menu?
Chef Francesco Ruggiero runs a seasonal Italian menu with a clear philosophy: minimal-intervention small plates built around interesting ingredients and natural wines. The kitchen describes itself as a bar first and restaurant second, which shows in the portion sizing — dishes are designed for sharing, and most reviewers recommend three courses to feel properly fed.
Small plates
- Pretzel & Whipped Bottarga — the kitchen’s signature item, available since opening (Worst Seat dish review)
- Olives — $12 (Official venue menu)
- Salumi board — $30 (Official venue menu)
- Sardines on toast, anchovies with fennel, focaccia — $6 each (The Infatuation wine bar guide)
- Vitello tonnato, chicken agnolotti and fennel brodo (Worst Seat dish review)
Sample prices
The OpenTable listing pegs the price range at $41–$100 per person, while the World’s 50 Best Discovery feature team notes an average spend around $50 per head when pairing food with wine. The three pastas, tiramisù, and pretzel-bottarga combo come up consistently as the dishes people photograph and rave about in reviews.
Diners who share three to four dishes per person leave satisfied — those who order fewer often wish they’d planned for more.
How do I book 10 William Street?
Walk-ins are always welcome at the door, which is unusual for a venue this popular. But if you’re planning a date night or a group catch-up, reserving takes the guesswork out of it — especially on Friday and Saturday evenings when the 36-seat interior fills fast.
Online booking
- Book directly via OpenTable reservation platform — the platform shows real-time availability and confirmed reservation holds
- The venue accepts AMEX, Mastercard, and Visa (OpenTable reservation platform)
Group reservations
For groups of six or more, the team asks you to reach out directly via info@10williamst.com.au rather than using the standard booking widget. This makes sense given the intimate fit — larger parties need a bit of coordination so the kitchen can plan accordingly.
The walk-in policy is genuine, not performative — reviewers confirm you can usually snag a spot same-night. But “usually” is doing a lot of work on a Saturday at 8pm. Booking removes the variable and guarantees you won’t be wandering Paddington looking for alternatives.
What are 10 William Street Paddington reviews like?
The venue holds a 4.8 out of 5 on OpenTable across roughly 203 reviews — a score that puts it in the top tier of Sydney wine bars by user rating. The breakdown reveals why: Food scores 4.8, Service 4.7, Ambience 4.7, with Value pulling a slightly lower 4.5, which tracks with the “it’s not cheap but worth it” sentiment threaded through the commentary.
TripAdvisor highlights
- Standout dishes: Spaghetti Al Nero, profiterole — reviewers flag these as “must order” items (TripAdvisor venue reviews)
- Small serving sizes noted, but most diners say three courses fills the gap
- Vegetarian-friendly menu options acknowledged on both TripAdvisor and OpenTable
Customer feedback
The recurring themes in reviews are consistent: staff described as warm and knowledgeable (“Staff were lovely, food delicious. Can’t wait to go back,” says one OpenTable diner), the intimate setting praised as ideal for date nights, and the natural wine list credited for being approachable enough to explore without sommelier pressure. Time Out Sydney calls it “one of our fave spots in town for a cosy date-night.”
The cavatelli with tomato and ricotta was everything we love about a bowl of pasta at 10 William. — Worst Seat food critic For those interested in shedding a few pounds, there are many science-backed ${how to lose weight science tips} available. how to lose weight science tips
Paddington’s 10 William St is one of our fave spots in town for a cosy date-night. — Time Out Sydney entertainment guide
How to contact 10 William Street?
Direct contact is straightforward — the team responds to email and manages reservations and function enquiries through a dedicated inbox. Social media is the better bet for event updates and seasonal menu drops.
Email and functions
- Email: info@10williamst.com.au
- Phone: +61 2 9360 3310 (for same-day enquiries only)
- Groups of 6+: Email directly — standard booking system not designed for larger parties
Social media
- Instagram: @10williamst — best for menu updates and event notices
- Website: Official venue website — hosts the official menu, booking widget, and contact form
Upsides
- Consistently high ratings (4.8/5) from verified diners
- Signature Pretzel & Whipped Bottarga is a reliable constant
- Walk-in policy means spontaneity is rewarded
- Natural wine list designed for exploration, not intimidation
- Intimate setting ideal for date nights and catch-ups
- Chef Francesco Ruggiero brings credibility from World’s 50 Best recognition
Downsides
- Moderate noise level — conversation can be challenging at busier tables
- No parking; public transport or rideshare required
- Portion sizes lean small — three courses recommended for a full meal
- Value score slightly lower than other categories (4.5/5)
- Seasonal menu means signature dishes can vanish without warning
- Friday-Saturday lunch only; no Sunday service
Staff were lovely, food delicious. Can’t wait to go back. — Verified OpenTable reviewer
Related reading: Rich River Golf Club – Courses, Fees, Reviews & Booking Guide
Frequently asked questions
Does 10 William Street offer vouchers?
Gift cards are available — check the official website or contact info@10williamst.com.au for purchase options. OpenTable also offers gift card integrations if you prefer booking through that platform.
What wines are at 10 William Street?
The focus is all-natural wines with particular attention to Italian regional varieties and orange wines. The list is curated for curious drinkers — staff can guide selections without the formality of a traditional wine service experience (The Infatuation wine bar guide).
Is 10 William Street good for functions?
The venue accommodates group bookings of six or more by direct email enquiry. The intimate 36-seat fit means larger events need advance coordination, and the team has hosted private gatherings — contact them directly to discuss requirements.
What are the prices at 10 William Street?
OpenTable lists $41–$100 per person as the price range. Reviewers report an average spend around $50 when pairing food with wine, though ordering the signature dishes and sharing a few small plates can push toward the higher end (World’s 50 Best Discovery feature).
Can I see photos of 10 William Street interior?
The official Instagram account (@10williamst) and Google Business listing host photo galleries of the venue’s interior, terrace seating, and dish presentations. OpenTable and TripAdvisor reviews also include diner-submitted images.
Does 10 William Street have outdoor seating?
The venue’s terrace setup depends on the season and weather — reviewers mention an outdoor component, but the official site doesn’t guarantee terrace seating year-round. Call ahead if al fresco dining is important to your visit.
What music plays at 10 William Street?
The venue doesn’t publish a playlist, but reviewers consistently describe the atmosphere as buzzy with an appropriate music volume — present enough to set mood, quiet enough to hold conversations. The vibe leans toward what’s comfortable for a wine bar rather than a DJ-driven venue.