Las Iguanas offers a variety of Latin dishes and drinks, from Brazil to Peru and even Spain, in the nice area of Park End close to the castle.

The Venue
At the end of the high street, one of the most commercial streets in Oxford, you'll find the restaurant Las Iguanas, which has the tagline Eat Latin, Drink Latin. Park End is a lively area that offers plenty of nightlife, with bars and clubs all around.

Las Iguanas is located just across the street from the castle. When you go inside, some of the young waiters unfortunately are as Latin as a glass of Pimms and don’t even have a basic grasp of Spanish. If you do, then the menu will give you a chance to show off your lingo skills.

The People
Even when it's not busy this big restaurant feels cosy and it has warm atmosphere thanks to wood furnishings, intimate lighting and lots of foliage. This informal vibe is helped by occasional background Latin music and the attentive staff. While you wait for your meal you can have a look at the kitchen through the large open bar. Although Las Iguanas specialises in Latin food their customers are from all walks of life and represent all ages. And it’s a good place to have a romantic dinner.

The Food
Portions are a bit small but the presentation is very good. It's better if you order some starters like the seviche (also known as cebiche or ceviche), a fish marinated with lemon juice typical in Chile and Peru. Or maybe the bravas (spicy potatoes), the most popular tapas in Spain.

As a main dish, the enchilada (£8.50) or chimichanga (£8.50) are splendid. There’s lovely presentation of the chilli and very interesting flavour in the new cordero asado (£12.50) with beetroot sauce.

The wide range of vegetarian meals are a must but are not so popular within Latin gastronomy. Otherwise, the desserts are a bit disappointing because they don’t live up to the wonderful descriptions on the menu.

The Drink
You can have everything in Las Iguanas. From Spanish beer to Chilean wine, there’s plenty to choose from. Cocktails include caipirinhas and mojitos made with genuine cachaca or the always fine Havana Club rum. If you are a lover of Caribbean drinks try the Tropical (£5.60), the Mojito Especial (£5.90) or the Las Iguanas Magnifica Cachaca (£2.70).

The Last Word
Las Iguanas is open every day and is a good choice if you want to experience Latin food in Oxford.

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