Casa Don Carlos

You're walking down Union Street towards the seafront and you duck into Casa Don Carlos: low lighting, wooden tables, the smell of garlic and jamón hanging in the air. It's the kind of place that feels lived-in rather than designed, where regulars slot into corner tables and the kitchen clearly has standards. The food is straightforward Spanish—think croquetas that are all cream and ham, patatas bravas with actual flavour, albóndigas that'll make you forget every meatball you've had before. Prices sit comfortably in the mid-range, so you're not paying Lanes money, but you're getting proper cooking. It's become the sort of spot locals return to, not because it's Instagram-friendly, but because the food's consistently good and the vibe lets you actually enjoy it.