Claret House

With a name like Claret House, you'd expect that this bar does a pretty special number on the wine front, and you'd be right. Housed in Teneriffe's Woolstore building, the interior is all warmth and wood, with stools aplenty for pulling up a seat and working your way through their formidable vino selection. Thanks to its outdoor tables, you can also venture outside and have a social, swill-filled evening.

Drinks-wise, bubbles fans will find more than a few sparkling and champagnes on the list, including with a couple of exceptional vintage options (1990 Veuve and 2004 Dom make an appearance, each just shy of the $400 mark). Unsurprisingly, however, Claret House really shines when it comes to their whites and reds, with a great selection of Aussie drops taking centre stage, and French, Italian and Spanish varietals all jostling for attention as well. When it comes to eating, it's all sharing, with Japanese scallops ($18) and buttered corn arancini ($15) just a couple of the small-plate options among many. Larger serves are also there for the taking, with brisket at 250 or 500 grams ($28/$35) and lamb rump with choc-mint sauce ($23) certain to tempt tastebuds.