Builders Arms Hotel

There might be steak, pie and a roast on the menu, but the hotel's part-owned by Andrew McConnell, so the dry-aged rib eye comes with killer house-made mustard or textbook tarragon-scented bearnaise, the fish pie's chunky with lightly smoked trout and prawns and topped with a golden pillow of pastry, and fork-tender shoulder of lamb is big enough to keep Fred Flintstone satisfied. With a clean, almost New England-like fitout of white wainscoted walls, charcoal banquettes and wooden floors, the Builders Arms looks like the tradies have just finished the job. Unfussy service gets the food out smartly while leaving you to pour your own wine. Look out for McConnell-style treats such as anchovy toast, ancient grain salad and crisp pig's ear crackling. With 2012 Young Chef of the Year Josh Murphy in the kitchen, this happily buzzy pub delivers downright good food, right through to a celestial dessert combining meringue, tangy curd sorbet, quince and candied herbs.