The Cauliflower Hotel
A sprawling old pub (established in 1838, in fact) which plays host to a rotating roster of bands.
Overview
Even if you've never been inside The Cauliflower, you've almost certainly seen it. The heritage-listed site has sat on Botany Road since 1862. Here's why you should venture inside: with time comes change. The Cauliflower has had an overhaul in the past few years, stripping away the old-man pub feel and welcoming in the tokens that define a modern establishment. Traditional commercial beers share tap residency with the newer craft beer kids. The wine menu is a good mix of local and imported drops that won't break the bank. The food menu is where things get really interesting with Mexican bites (quesadillas, nachos, tacos), Sichuan-spiced calamari and scotch fillet with chimichurri sitting alongside standard pizzas and parmas.
Upstairs has been transformed in to rum bar The Forgotten Cask. As the exclusive Australian distributor of St Lucia Distiller rums, a cocktail at this rooftop oasis, complete with palms and a grass ceiling, will transport you direct to the Caribbean. The food menu keeps the theme going with jerk-spiced chicken wings, barramundi tacos and cauliflower curry.
Images: Kitti Gould