Embers

Walk down Victoria Road towards the seafront and you'll spot Embers—no faffing about with the branding, just straightforward cooking that makes you wonder why more places aren't doing this. The kitchen's clearly got standards; reviewers keep banging on about how fresh everything tastes and how the portions don't mess about. It's the sort of place where regulars book months ahead and you'll spot the same faces on a Friday night, which tells you everything. The vibe's relaxed without being stuffy, intimate without feeling claustrophobic—exactly what a proper neighbourhood restaurant should be.