Unit 3,
Cloth Hall Street,
Leeds,
LS1 2HD
(0113) 243 9533
The ViewLeeds Review
All the taste of Latin America is concentrated into this vibrant chain bar and restaurant. There's everything you could ask for with a colourful venue, interesting dishes, great drinks and a vibrant soundtrack.
The Venue
Entering Las Iguanas you realise there's quite a lot to this place. It is spread over a large room with a striking image of Rio De Janeiro printed on a rippled surface covering a wall. There's a raised area with semicircular booths, round tables and red, pink and orange glass panels giving you a peak inside the kitchen. The round bar is a feast for the eyes because of the many baskets filled with colourful fruit. Beside the bar are some nice stripy couches and modern armchairs which make up the drinking area. To make everything even more exotic there are bizarre chandeliers dangling from the ceiling and a few leafy plants scattered here and there.
The People
Las Iguanas has a double life. During the day and weekday evenings it's predominantly a restaurant with only a few customers showing up just for a drink. This crowd is older and not particularly talkative but come here on the weekend and you'll experience something completely different. The place gets packed with people mostly in their twenties and thirties.
Most are nicely dressed and all are looking for a fun party atmosphere. Some staff members make you think of stereotypical Latin lovers but don't worry they're just complying with the Latin theme of Las Iguanas. The music is predictably Latin and easy to enjoy.
The Food
Until 6:30pm everyday you can order a two course meal for only £7.90 (add a glass of wine or a beer bottle for only £1.50) and you have a choice of a wide selection of mains and a couple of starters. Alternatively you can pick from the tapas selection (£4.20 to £5.50 each or £12.60 for three or £21 for five). Pato Taquito (char grilled tortilla filled with shredded duck and caramelized onion with sweet chilli jam), Bolinhos (Brazilian-style fish, potato and parsley fritters with hot chili salsa) and New Seviche (seared yellow-fin tuna, salmon and crayfish in a fresh mango, ginger and citrus marinade) are all exotic dishes you will not taste anywhere else.
At dinner time pick from the main courses (£8.50 to £13.50). You can choose between gourmet fajitas, Xinxim (lime chicken in creamy crayfish and peanut sauce), Brazilian Moqueca (coconut curry rich in exotic ingredients like sweet plantain, coconut farofa and palm hearts) and Chimichanga (crisp tortilla parcel served with salsa, guacamole and either meat or vegetables). Latin American fish dishes (£10.50 to £13.50), regional specialties (£8.90 to £18.50) like the Puerto Rican Paella and the Cordero Asado (roast lamb rump) are also available alongside chili con carne and enchillads for when you are not feeling that adventurous.
The Drink
The drink menu in itself is rather spectacular and it could easily be the key to the success of this chain. The cocktails steal the show and they're all inspired by Latin America. There's plenty to choose from and if you like mojitos you will want to visit Las Iguanas again and again. They serve classics and twisted classics like the Mojito Especial topped with Cava, the Berry Mojito with fresh blackberries and blueberries and the Spiced Mojito with spiced rum (all £5.50 to £5.90).
The selection of Caipirinhas is just as great. They serve a pomegranate version with pomegranate seeds, a tropical mix with fresh pineapple and Malibu and a tempting berry type. Within the classics cocktails (£4.20 to £5.90) you can pick sangria, passionfruit margarita, pisco sour and many others. Try an Acapulco Cream (Tia Maria, vodka, Baileys and fresh cream) for something sweet or a Cana Royale (cachaca, raspeberry liqueur, elderflower and cava) for a dose of bubbles. Want to sample them all? Drop by during happy hour ( noon to 7:30pm) and lots of them are two for one.
Las Iguanas may be a cachacaria but if you're into Spanish beers you are in for a treat. Pick from Cusquena, Brahma, Corona, Negra Modelo and San Miguel (£3-3.30).
The wine list is in line with the theme with bottles imported from Argentina, Chile, Spain and the less common Brazil, Uruguay and Mexico (£13 to £17.50 a bottle, £3.10 to £3.80 for a small glass, £4.40 to £5.40 for a large one).
The Last Word
Exotic and sultry Las Iguanas is ideal for unusual drinks and food. The bar looks cool, the music is colourful and the atmosphere is vibrant. Viva America Latina.
Las Iguanas has been reviewed by 3 users