Rustique Restaurant

You'll find this French bistro tucked along Castlegate, just a stone's throw from Fairfax House, doing the sort of proper bistro cooking that actually justifies the word 'rustique'. The interior strikes that sweet spot between cosy and sophisticated – exposed brick, warm lighting, and tables close enough to catch snippets of conversation without feeling cramped. The menu reads like a love letter to classic French cooking, and they deliver on it. Their steaks are particularly good – cooked exactly as ordered with proper chips that actually crisp up. The wine list leans heavily French, as it should, with bottles that complement rather than bankrupt. Service moves at a pace that suggests they understand dinner should be savoured, not rushed. It's the sort of place that works equally well for a Tuesday night dinner as it does for marking something special.