The Duck Inn Pub and Kitchen

Talk about extreme makeovers. The Duck Inn used to be the Duck and Swan, an un-noteworthy pub frequented only by a handful of locals. But times have changed, and thanks to new owners, the Duck and Swan has been reborn as the Duck Inn.

Step inside and you may think that you've entered the wrong building. There are wooden floorboards, comfy couches and a lovely, big, timber bar.

Several taps (and one British-style hand-pump) dispense easy-drinkers from Rocks Brewing, 4 Pines, Wayward and more.

The wine list is similarly faithful to the locals and focuses mainly on good value for money. You can splash out on a bottle of Pol Roger champagne, but it’s an outlier in a list otherwise dominated by sub-$50 bottles from Cake Wines, Jim Barry, Brown Brothers and Yalumba.

The food has improved, too. There’s a hearty cross-section of mains including Szechuan pepper duck breast with bok choy; beetroot gnocchi with goats cheese and garlic butter; and that old classic, bangers and mash.

Out back there’s a delightfully sunny beer garden replete with shady umbrellas and picnic tables. It's a terrific meeting spot on a sunny afternoon or warm evening and hosts live music every Sunday. If it's more sweater than singlet weather, hole up inside and work your way through that wine list.