It’s one of San Pedro de Alcantara’s most iconic restaurants and has been serving customers for more than 30 years.

In fact, it was the first place my parents’ estate agent took them to when they were shopping for our family home here more than three decades ago.

I’m talking, of course, about Alfredo’s, one of the last remaining restaurants from the old school era of Marbella.

But despite its enduring popularity, until this week, I had avoided it for well over a decade.

Typically, I would walk by Alfredo’s at night, when it is packed with tables of 10 and high-volume families with back-to-back birthday celebrations – each to their own but not my cup of tea.

But walking past this week during lunchtime, I noticed there was just a couple of tables seated, so I decided to give it a try.

At first instance, the hospitality was top-tier, and upon being served our first drink we were gifted to a free tapa of two meatballs (the first of many freebies, I must add).

Perusing the menu, I was taken aback by the prices, which seemed unchanged since the last time I had visited over 10 years ago.

It was like stepping into a time warp – in the best way possible.

In a part of the Costa del Sol where many restaurants now charge Marbella prices simply because they can, Alfredo’s is refreshingly honest.

My friend ordered the beef fillets with patatas a lo pobre for just €12.

The beef arrived perfectly cooked, tender and full of flavour, while the potatoes, onions and peppers soaked up the meat’s juices.

I opted for the grilled rosada with potatoes, priced at just €15.

The fish was beautifully fresh, lightly charred and cooked just enough to remain wonderfully flaky, served alongside soft potatoes that made the perfect accompaniment.

We also shared Alfredo’s signature prawn and avocado salad (€17), which initially looked like the most expensive item we’d ordered.

However, it was more than justified, with the plate coming piled high with large king prawns which were clearly of a high quality.

Despite already being comfortably full, dessert proved impossible to resist – especially at the price of just €6.50.

The tiramisu was enormous, layered with creamy mascarpone and dusted generously with cocoa, while the cheesecake, topped with a glossy forest fruit sauce and served with cream and custard, was every bit as impressive.

Then come another freebie, two little pieces of lemon sponge cake – and a shot of our choosing on the house.

It took me back to the Marbella that me and my family fell in love with when we bought a place here 30 years ago.

You get generous plates, consistently good cooking, friendly service and prices that make you wonder whether someone forgot to tell them about inflation.

Sometimes, the best restaurants aren’t the newest openings or the trendiest places filling your social media feed – but the ones that have quietly been getting it right for decades.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.