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In May 2017, when I stopped by the Unicorn with my pal Trevor, it was on the back of some great reviews and a quite different menu. This time my friend James suggests that we have to try the place advertising Sydney’s best schnitty. We arrive early, just in case on a Saturday night, it is too busy to get in. It’s wild. Upstairs is packed with the retro music so loud that to enjoy it, you’d have had to come specifically for it. But downstairs is a little too empty, so it’s lacking atmosphere and the outdoors area is a mix of smokers and people sitting on the ground.
We split a jug of Young Henry’s Newtowner beer ($20; in fact, we go through another one of these). While there is still an appetizer on the menu with Jatz crackers, the menu has swapped up its fish dishes for standard (or so you think) pub grub, heavy on the meat. Our choice really is between the chicken scnitty and the chicken parma, but as James said, why would you have a schnitty when you can have the parma?
The ordering process at the bar is chaotic. It’s tiny. James says when he orders he gets attitude from the bartender. I get a nice one, but his tablet won’t work properly. The system is that you point in the general direction you’re sitting, which eventually means the waiter (a very cool-looking women with multiple colours of hair) comes in the vicinity asking if you’re Bob, Dick or Harry. It must be as frustrating for them as for us; everyone orders the same thing; they have to go to each table and ask as it comes out.
But voila! It was worth it, and we both agreed that very possible, this chicken was among the best we’ve had. Served on a modest bed of the crispiest fries possible (good that it was modest, this is such a huge piece of chicken, it was almost too much for me). They’ve left the wing on, cleverly, and the rest is, I’d guess, a half of chicken, pounded down and stretched out, super crisp and tasting very high-quality. Which, for $29, you’d want.
The parma topping was a delicate mix of sauce, ham and cheese, not too much, not too little, broiled to perfection James commented that the difference for him is that the whole thing tasted smoky, in a good way. I just thought it was pretty amazing: crispy, meaty, fatty, savoury and yes, tasting like an elevated version of the classic Australian dish and possible the best chicken parma I’ve had in Sydney.
Our only suggestion would be a pretense of a vegetable: maybe a few rocket leaves would have been a good garnish for this plate of protein and carbs. I see from the photo that there is actually the suggestion of green from some herbs, but that effect was rather lost in the sea of melted cheese.
3 stars for the food quality (surprisingly because it’s apparently Mary’s burgers!!) but definitely 5 stars for the staff. They are all exceptionally friendly, polite and efficient. The old world charm of the main pub area is a real plus, though the beer garden could do with a big make over. All in all one of the better non-scene pubs in the whole area. If you want real people in Paddington then you’ll find them here.
The schnitzel here was large, juicy and tasty. Apparently these guys are also owned by Mary’s Burgers so you also have that option. Great atmosphere, recommend checking this place out with friends!
The Unicorn is a quality pub on Oxford St Paddington, perhaps a little out of place. This place is more a pub you would expext to see in paddington, with hipster vibes. But good drink, including Young Henry's and good food is what it is all about. Being a whisky fan, we were here to sample the Jameson and Young Henry's caskmate collab. Will return for more
Pros - good selection of beers on tap and marys burgers.
Cons - they forgot one starter that we ordered (not a big deal), the marys burger was good but not quite as good as the original or the city. The bun was a little squashed and maybe a little too much sauce and was pretty small for the price.
I love this pub plays homage to Australia. Maps and art on the walls are the obvious signs but the true homage is the menu, true Aussie pub classics. Jatz crackers for crying out loud, hysterical. The snitty tho, is a revelation, served with the wing in gravy with peas and mash has to be the best in Australia . The beers, Australian, excellent by any standards and with a tap set up that is not dictated by the beer giants all beers are good here. The wines are excellent adventurous Australian wines, there is serious stuff here, another notch in the belt to say FU to the giant bullies in the booze industry who want to homogenise what we have access to.
The owners added the burger from their other venues Mary's, which in view is a beautifully balance burger that is perfection nine times out of ten. This feeds my burger addiction on the regular.
I love this pub.
Good local pub. Quiet for a Sunday eve. Very generous portions of lamb shanks so huge we shared a plate. Delicious tender home cooked comfort food. Meat, mash & veggies. A bit pricey on the food end. Tried an interesting passion fruit rum cocktail was a bit sweet. But otherwise a nice, homey unpretentious vibe. Great bartender!
Daniel Sutti Mansutti
+3.5
Went on the Easter Monday at around 2 in the afternoon.
Was quite busy and they did looK a bit understaffed as the wait at the bar was around 10-15 minutes. Once I ordered though my meal came very quickly which made more incline to forget about the time I waited to order. I ordered the Mary's burger (as the owners are from Mary's)with a craft beer (majority of beers are craft beers) and it was a pleasing meal. The burger wAs not up to the complete Mary's standard but you could tell they strived in achieving a replica. $1 pool is a bonus but only one table.
Great lunch today, all staff very friendly.
Meals were excellent, hamburger was as good as any in Sydney and the steak was great value.
Mary's Burger still the highlight of course the mash is relish too the steak was decent better than your average pub steak for $22 with two side it was quite reasonable for the most basic steak.
Not the best Schnitty in Sydney, I put it outside my top 5. It is good, but is a bit too crumby and for the price it is the most expensive and you don't even get greens/veg. The Parmi is much better one of the best I've had and the separate side salad is really good. The atmosphere is great here and lots of space, really nice staff too. Just expensive for a pub and the schnitty doesn't live up to the claim.
The Mary's fellas took over this pub when it was back in distress. Gone were its 80s 90s hay days, when you'd have to be as popular as Usain Bolt to get through the door. It's pretty popular now, and the team there were busy and competent...and friendly..not something you can rely upon, where good staff are harder to find than a bacon sarny at a bar mitzvah. The home lager is a good sub for the sold-out reschs. The parmy is certainly not hiding. The addition of the wing is welcome, the ham bits are...bits of ham. The sauce and cheese play their role. The chips may be on-trend, but not on point.
This is a good, reliable place. It's not a cheap eat, or a great eat. It's reliable and very full priced.
One of the best. Whether it’s with a bunch of friends, our kids, or both, the staff are always above and beyond friendly and accommodating. Great beers, even better wine list, and the Schnity lives up to the hype.
Super pub to visit in the heart of Paddington. I like this place as it offers awesome cold beer choices and a relaxing atmosphere.
It says they have the best schnitty, and honestly, this was the best schnitty I’ve ever had. The people are also fantastic, the Trivia is real trivia, and the beers are excellent.
10/10 to everyone there. I would not recommend anywhere more highly than this
Great place to catch up with friends and family for meals and drinks. Friendly staff great service.
My favourite local pub in the inner east of Sydney. They have such a welcoming atmosphere, no BS policy, and fantastic food (bean dip, roasted cauliflower salad, and home made potato scallops are a winner). Always good music and a pleasant courtyard garden. Their weekly Wednesday Cards Against Humanity game is the most fun you'll have on a school night.
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