Cafe Andaluz Old Town

You're walking down George IV Bridge towards the National Museum, and Cafe Andaluz pulls you in with that unmistakable smell of sizzling chorizo and garlic. It's got that warm, slightly chaotic energy of a proper Spanish bar—high ceilings, exposed brick, and enough bustle to feel alive without being impossible to have a conversation. The menu reads like a greatest hits of tapas done right: the gambas al ajillo come swimming in proper olive oil, the croquetas are crispy enough to shatter, and they don't shy away from the full Iberian spread. It's not fancy, but it's proper, and at these prices (mains around £12-18) you're getting honest food and generous pours.