Reviews :
This great Latin American bar and restaurant even boasts a cachacaria where you can sip superb caipirinhas made with cachaca from Las Iguanas' very own sugar plantation in Rio.
Time Out - October 2007
This bustling restaurant and bar provides a perfect mix of tasty and authentic Latin food. Wash it down with a tangy margarita for the perfect Brazilian getaway.
Leeds Guide - Food & Drink Top Ten - September 2007
Las Iguanas, The O2. Attractive South American restaurant, currently best choice of the selection in the Dome's mall like interior
(The Food & Drink 50; Time Out's 'essential chart of the capital's best restaurants and bars, old and new' )
Time Out - August 2007
Bringing a touch of Latin America to Southbank Centre, Las Iguanas serves up a zesty blend of Brazilian tapas, tortillas, steaks and chimichangas. Although the seasoned meatballs, cusquinha and steak fajitas are well worth working up an appetite for, the big draw of Las Iguanas is the Cachaçaria which serves up some of the most authentic caipirinhas in London.
Time Out - June 2007
MORE LATIN LOVELIES...Las Iguanas, Anchor Square, Bristol. The rich flavours of South America, Portugal and Africa are united in the signature dish, xinxim - a Brazilian chicken recipe with a creamy crayfish and peanut sauce, rice, fine beans and sweet plantain
Sunday Telegraph - April 2007
Las Iguanas is a great place to eat; you can have a great evening out with a taste of Latin America without actually making the journey. You can have a fresh and delicious meal before a night out, or even just prop up the bar sipping cocktails and enjoying some tapas after a heavy shopping stint at the Bullring.
This restaurant is a hidden jewel and worthy of a five star rating.
Redbrick - Birmingham University - March 2007
The Place. Las Iguanas is the airy Latin fusion chain opposite the library. Like Carpoocchios it sprang up when they rebuilt the block and plies brisk trade. Unabashedly modern, it has warm, dark red hues, comfy sofas around the edge and one end dedicated to a large bar which leaks lively Latin atmosphere.The Meal. We’re crazy for fusion tonight. Bypassing tapas options we go for queso fritos and bocatilla quesos, roasted goats cheese and jam, particularly scrummy. Next we opt for butternut squash and zucchini chimichanga and their signature Puerto Rican Paella…In the event both mains are delicious. Perhaps the chimi has the edge with the right crispness to the tortilla, a puddle of beautifully-made black bean sauce and the obligatory guac and salsa on top. The Verdict. Finding food from the Americas is a struggle in Brighton. However Las Iguanas deftly side steps the battle by venturing in to authentic corners of the Latin diaspora. Service is smart and posh, the lunch menu looks enticing – and they even run their own estate near Rio, to brew precious cachaça. Despite Las Iguanas being a chain, and probably dreadful news for indie Latin cafes around the UK, it’s tough to fault.
The Brighton Source - March 2007
Las Iguanas, tucked away in the West One complex, is a piece of Latino lovliness... I will certainly be dining there again - the food is delicious, the drink goes down well and the atmosphere is buzzing yet chilled, with friendly staff who look like they are enjoying themselves as much as the guests are.
Sheffield Steel Press - October 2006
Very reasonable prices, cosy booths and universal appeal make it a decent bet for most get togethers, and the outdoor seating overlooking the river is glorious...
Itchy Guide London - October 2006
...my companion smacked his chops and gloated over his choice of black tiger prawn fajitas with lemon and coriander which had gradually assembled itself on our table as the fleet of waiting staff ferried its various elements from the kitchen; a covered dish of hot tortilla pancakes to the final sizzling platter of seafood heaped on soft and caramelised onions and sliced green peppers, a finger bowl and so on. This was a coup de theatre, and theatre certainly has its place in a good restaurant- after all part of the pleasure comes in the anticipation of tasty food. Fortunately for my companion, the fajitas were every bit as good as their flamboyant entrance.
Bristol Evening Post - July 2006
It's the place to be in the summer when Mill Lane is buzzing and the shutters are thrown wide open. But in the middle of winter it's equally cosy... An interesting mix of native Latin American Indian, Spanish, Portuguese and African food... Fast service, good choice, just what you need in a lunch hour.
South Wales Echo - February 2006
One for the Latin lovers out there, this. The hungry among you can sample the regional South American food, including Xinxim, and for those of you who like the odd Mojito, head for the Cachacaria, (named after Brazil's National Drink). Grab yourself one of the cocktails, plonk yourself down amongst the mosaic tabletops and Latin artefacts and, but for the fact that it's probably raining, you could just as easily be in Sao Paulo as Leeds.
Itchy Guide Leeds - January 2006
…I was rather impressed, it was certainly more exciting than I had expected, and some gigantic prawns were really very good indeed. Spicy, crisp chicken was piquant and duck tortillas juicy and sweet.
Xinxim chicken comes in a rich and creamy sauce made, I am told, with lime, peanuts, crayfish and palm oil. It’s certainly rib-sticking stuff and despite being pretty full I couldn’t help but keep returning to it. It had an addictive flavour that made me suspect that they might be adding something else from South America – but I am sure that they would not be so naughty.
A plate of Cordero was amongst the best cooked lamb I have tasted in a while and as tender as can be. Had I not already eaten enough for three I might have made more of an impression on the roasted vegetables and sweet potatoes that lay beneath.
I rather like Las Iguanas. It’s fun food without the pretensions and it arrives in good quantities and piping hot. I didn’t allow Gloria a chance to bring dessert, that really would have been a course too far, but I guess we will return and do the tapas and caipirinha thing again. In fact a few days later I popped in with a colleague and we had an excellent £7 set lunch, two courses and of course two caipirinhas…
Andrew Kay, Latest 7, Brighton - December 2005
There’s a time and a place for everything, and when it’s time to eat like a Latino, this place hits the spot. It’s unusual in that, while they serve all the Mexican favourites, Las Iguanas tends to focus on Brazilian dishes you’ve never heard of. That's not a bad thing though, which you'll realise once you’ve tried a couple. Whether you fancy munchin’ on a luncheon of tapas, taking refuge in the bar for cocktails or having a full on chilli-out, these guys know the score
Itchy Guide Brighton - November 2005
Las Iguanas seems to have quickly established itself as the ideal after work venue to escape the city. In here the atmosphere is permanently revved up by samba rhythms and a chattering crowd loosened by dozens of the zesty cocktails offered at the bar — or cachaçaria as they prefer to call it. Once sat down you can almost make believe that you’ve spent the day playing volleyball outside the Copacabana before heading for the town centre in search of a decent party.
The restaurant is keen to remain true to the Latin spirit, which obliges them to keep it informal with a selection of tapas, sides and fiery cuisine to warm up those rainy grey days on Cloth Hall Street. Huge palm trees did lead us to expect fast food joint style dishes and prices, so the menu was slightly more expensive then anticipated. And though, the service may have been swift, the ambitious food was far superior to what we had bargained on. Throughout the meal we spent a lot of time enviously eyeing each other’s plates and pleading to be able to try just a bit more! For starters my dinner companion tried out their ‘queso frito’, a crispy tortilla parcel filled with fresh brie and mango served with mango, ginger and coriander salsa, which had some pretty stunning flavours and textures going on. For mains my companion went for a hot sizzling platter of chicken strips with lemon and coriander, which were folded into the accompanying warmed floury tortillas. I decided to be a bit more adventurous and ordered the sweet potato ‘moqueca’, a Brazilian style coconut curry of peppers, tomatoes, garlic and ginger with saffron rice, which is cooked fresh to order (and is also huge by the way). According to the menu the moqueca is a national favourite and combines African, Portuguese and native Brazilian flavours. Although rather spicy the coconut ensures that it’s not too hot to handle. All the same, one of their citrus coolers with crushed fresh lime and lemon topped with lemonade and ice is ideal for cooling those tingling taste buds.
A thoroughly enjoyable experience, and at approximately £50 for a three course meal for two including sides and a bottle of white wine, it’s not over-priced either.
The Leeds Guide - August 2005
Las Iguanas is one of those magical places that can transport your imagination half a world away and leave you thinking it’s high time you treated yourself to a much deserved holiday somewhere hot, sultry and always within earshot of a samba beat.
Las Iguanas offers the chance to dine out in style, or if you prefer, to enjoy a quick tapas break in your busy schedule or to sink a couple of ice cold beers on a sweltering summer’s day. Whatever kind of dining experience you’re after, though, you’re guaranteed a blend of cool, smart décor, intoxicating Latin beats and fresh, tasty and authentic food boasting a truly delightful fusion of native Latin American Indian, Spanish, Portuguese and African influences.
Las Iguanas is an experience to return to time and again.
24-7 - June 2005
Las Iguanas sources its own cachaca (the national tipple of Brazil, a wonderfully underrated, subtle spirit) then has its bartenders work their magic, adding sugar and limes to create what must be the best Caipirinhas in Birmingham.
Metro Midlands - June 2005
Below the hub of Latin American restaurant Las Iguanas (to which it belongs), Pulp (Bath) has a formidable reputation as one of the best free-pour bars in town. Of the 25 varieties of cocktail on offer, the Cana Royale - a blend of cachaça, raspberry liqueur, elderflower and champagne is fabulously regal; while Pulp's trademark tipple, Caipirinha, is mixed with the restaurant's own brand of cachaça, harvested from its sugar cane plantation outside Rio.
Metro - January 2005
Las Iguanas is a venue for most occasions that is as tasty as the food. There is no question that if you are bored of the flat atmosphere in many of the city's other restaurants and want to dine somewhere that leaves you feeling as zingy as the décor, you're sure to love Las Iguanas.
69 Magazine - November 2004
Iguanas must be the rabbits of Brazil - there are now seven across Britain. The formula is infectious: a modern space, loud salsa and non-stop caipirinhas made with Las Iguanas's own cachaca, brewed near Rio. The menu runs like a stunned lizard, from Mexican nachos and fajitas to Brazilian swordfish moqueca and ribeye in an Argentinian churrasco rub.
Independent on Sunday - August 2004
Informal, bright Latin fun.
Restaurant Magazine - October 2003
While some new venues creep into the city and hang back shyly waiting to be noticed, that cannot be said of Las Iguanas. Hundreds of guests crammed into the restaurant and cachaçaria's sizable Belvoir Street home for the opening night bash, with more queueing outside, all keen to taste the South American food and cocktails, swing to the salsa and drink up the lively atmosphere.
Las Iguanas's reputation, it seems, goes before it. The Leicester branch is far from being the first but the menu, interior and atmosphere have none of the tired predictability we so often moan about when reviewing chain venues.
The abundance of wood, stone and mosaic and the colour scheme of rich browns and reds help conjure the atmosphere of a hot, laid-back evening in Rio. It is a vibrant alternative to the minimal, sometimes anaemic décor new bars seem so fond of.
Snuggle into a booth near the bar and nibble tapas, which are reasonably priced, fresh and tasty, well-proportioned and highly recommended after shopping. Or you can people-watch while sipping cocktails based on Cachaça, the Brazilian sugar-cane based spirit.
The menu, if you fancy a more substantial meal, is mouthwatering. It is clear from what we have seen on our many visits (we had to go back for more cocktails) that older couples feel as comfortable here as gaggles of girls, families and business folk.
We are particularly excited about the fact that finally there is a place in the city where there is a fair chance you will find yourself listening to Joao Gilberto as you sip your Caipirinhas. Fabulous.
Leicester Mercury - October 2003
In a city where the locals are desperate to believe they are really in the Mediterranean, Las Iguanas on the Whiteladies Road in Bristol comes close to fulfilling their dreams. The café's tables spill ubiquitously onto the pavement of what is now known as the Golden Mile, so you can sit nibbling on your fresh boquerones and watch combat-trousered locals pass by.
The patatas bravas are fiery hot while fat green olives come with a plentiful supply of very fresh bread. The albondigas slip down well with a glass of chilled cava at only £3 per glass. They mix a fine margarita and if you get there before 7:30 you get two for the price of one. Add to this atmosphere a rousing salsa soundtrack and charmingly friendly bar staff (a bit of a rarity in Bristol) and you have the perfect place to forget that you won't be on holiday for a long time yet.
Guardian Unlimited - September 2003
Sleek, modern and vibrant. The atmosphere is electrifying. The sultry salsa beat sets the pace from the moment of entry and the first impression is just how different this restaurant is from anywhere else around.
Sheffield Telegraph - August 2003
Welcome to modern-day Latin America. The flavours are as loud and proud as Joaquin Cortez's Cuban heels, as intense as Antonio Banderas's gaze, as brazenly sumptuous as J-Lo's curves.
Venue - March 2003.
Testimonials :
Just intended to drop in for a drink & a quick bite to eat but ended up staying until the lights went up! The atmosphere decor music food and drink all made for a perfect latin experience. I have told all my friends and I will definitely be coming back.
Mrs J J, Oxford
Thank you for your hospitality we had a great night with a wonderful atmosphere.
Mrs T B, Manchester
The food was delicious and the service excellent. The waitress and other staff were all very friendly and helpful and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and will definitely be back and have been telling our friends to come too
Mrs S W, Bath
Had a birthday celebration in your new Milton Keynes restaurant after having my first visit to the one in the O2 Arena. The O2 was great but the MK one was simply brilliant. The
food and especially the staff were absolutely fantastic. Enjoyed it so much we spent much more than we should have! I'm now hooked on your menu and cocktails. Please pass on my thanks to the MK team. They really were great. - thanks
Mr D S, Bedford
Sheffield Las Iguanas is now the sole choice of my family and our friends for each and every event It started on Mothers Day 2006 and has grown to become my restaurant bar of choice for both home family and corporate entertaining. This year alone Scott and his excellent team ( Rachel is a dream waitress ) have accomodated my daughters 16th my sons 22nd and both mine and my husbands 40 somethings birthdays . I have entertained my team from work as a thankyou and my director has
entertained me and my peers on my recemmendation . The food is excellent cooked and served to perfection the service has NEVER been bad but the thing that brings us back time and time again is Scott and his fantastic team . His bar team are incredible greeting me and my friends with our names and cocktail of choice . Its great for impressing clients but even better when they remember a young 16 yr old girls birthday . Whilst you could expect good service from a restaurant in such a good location the personalities and behaviours of his staff are what makes it an experience to cherish and rush to recreate . Last Saturday ( 15th ) we had our Christmas night out with 4 of our dearest friends and as usual the attention and care made it a night to remember . He's got to have the best team in town and you have to have the best restaurant as a result . Well done Iguanas.
Ms D R, Sheffield
I would like to say Las Iguanas Birmingham is a 1st class latin american restaurant. The staff are 100% on the ball and the service is incrediablily good. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone .
Mr M P, Birmingham
I took my wife and three sons and their partners to your Milton Keynes site for my wife's birthday and all of us really enjoyed the experience. We would go again and I have already recommended it to several of my colleagues.
Mr I W, Milton Keynes
We came to Las Iguanas in Milton Keynes and it was excellent, especially the bar staff. They are extremely friendly, helpful and generally lovely people. Excellently managed and we will definitely be returning!!!!
Ms C T, Milton Keynes
Me and three work colleagues went for a late birthday luncheon. I had the lunchtime special burger and drink for £8 and found it great value for money. It was also very enjoyable and I will definitely go back for numerous visits. Thanks very much.
Miss S C, Milton Keynes
I would just like to say what a fantastic time we had for the second time at Las Iguanas. We ate with you for the first time a few weeks ago which was great, this Saturday we came in for drinks at lunch and could not resist to call back to eat another time. We love Mexican food and have eaten at a few Mexican meals even in Mexico itself and I must say you come out on top. The reason I am emailing you is that I am usually the first to complain about anything but credit where credit is due, we all feel that Las Iguanas and its staff are brilliant and I will be sure to tell all my friends and family about you.
Mr J B, Bradford
We loved it over there. We were with 6 six people from Holland all working in bars and restaurants so we're not satisfied that easily. But we had a great time. Really good service and nice food. You guys completed our visit to the Prince show. Thank you for that. If we're ever back in London we already agreed where to eat. So we will be back. Lots of love all the way from Rotterdam!
Mrs L F, Rotterdam
It is not often I write to a company but on this occasion I felt I had to. My wife and I recently attended your new restaurant in Milton Keynes and I would like to compliment you on this excellent establishment. From the moment we walked in we were treated very well. Your manager, I think her name was Alex, is an asset to your company. She was so attentive and even though the restaurant was very busy and we had to wait for our table she never once neglected us always keeping us informed and even helped me brush up on my Spanish language skills (which are not great!!!). I think it is a great idea having a Spanish manager in a Latin restaurant.
Mr P N, Newport Pagnell
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