There’s something quite special about sitting beside a roaring fire eating delicious food as rain patters down on a tin roof.

The Thirsty Travellers thoroughly enjoyed our cosy lunch at Kipling’s Garage Bar in Turramurra on Saturday.

Kipling’s is a former 1920s garage that’s been converted to a restaurant and wine bar. It’s a hop and a skip from Turramurra Station, opposite a lovely little park.

We were there for a family birthday celebration and the location was perfect for the event, offering something to suit everyone from the 80-year-old matriarch to the gluten-intolerant sister.

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The birthday boy chose Pan-fried Barramundi Fillet with Sweet Ginger Dressing & Asian Greens, while I had the Crispy Chicken Salad with Coleslaw, Mint, Coriander & Sesame Dressing. Both looked – and tasted – so good that we couldn’t resist sampling each other’s meals.

Afterwards we ordered two piccolos and shared a dessert of Sticky Date Pudding with PX Butterscotch Sauce & Vanilla Ice Cream, which was deliciously retro on a cold, wet day.

The service was warm and friendly and so was the industrial chic decor, which made it a very relaxed, enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

The wine bar also serves expertly selected wines from Australia, Europe and Latin America, alongside craft beers and cider. However, we’ve been trying to avoid day drinking, so we’ll have to return one evening to sample a few glasses … plus some more nom-nom food from the menu.

Kipling’s Garage Bar is worth a visit if you’re looking for a dining spot on Sydney’s Upper North Shore.

Kipling’s Garage Bar, 2 Eastern Road, Turramurra, NSW