While trying to find a quiet restaurant one Easter, Suzanne and Tony Cox realised there was nowhere to dine out in Pymble. A year later, Cellar 8 Wine & Espresso Bar opened and locals collectively sighed with relief.

The former hair salon’s exposed-brick walls are lined with racks of wine bottles in cellar style. Feature walls are embellished with family photos from past adventures.

The wine list is built around small-scale Australian and New Zealand wines you won’t find at your local bottle shop. The list is detailed with brief descriptions to help you choose the right bottle for you. Hamelin Bay Wines from Margaret River is a staff favourite.

Guests usually arrive on foot for moreish caramelised-garlic bread and slow-cooked Riverina lamb shoulder for two. The charcuterie spread is one of the few international delights, sourced from La Boqueria market in Barcelona.

Boutique Australian gin has a strong presence on the back bar. The gin sour, made with Archie Rose Distilling Co. gin, makes for a refreshing closer. Strangely, there’s no particular focus on coffee, despite the “Espresso Bar” part of the name.