Bar 44 Cardiff

You head down Westgate Street knowing Bar 44 takes its Spanish credentials seriously—this is Grupo 44's Cardiff outpost, and they're not messing about with half-measures. The atmosphere hits different depending on when you roll in: early evening feels almost civilised, but come 9pm and you've got proper energy, locals three-deep at the bar shouting over each other in the best way. The drinks list leans heavily into vermouth and sherry, which means you can either commit to the Spanish experience or just ask whoever's behind the bar to sort you out. Food-wise, the croquetas are the ones people genuinely talk about—jamón ibérico, mushroom, whatever—crispy outside, silky within. Not fancy for fancy's sake, just unfussy Spanish food that tastes right.