The Waterloo Hotel & Bistro

You're walking into the kind of place that feels like it's been looking after Newport for years—because it has. The Waterloo sits on Alexandra Road with the sort of unfussy charm that comes from actually knowing your regulars. It's a hotel bistro that doesn't pretend to be anything fancier than it is, which is exactly why people keep coming back. The kitchen takes British classics seriously without getting precious about them, and the sort of straightforward approach to food that rewards you for not overthinking your dinner choice.