If The Florist is cool and charming, its new downstairs neighbour, Las Iguanas, is all about fun and colour.

The Latin American restaurant has just opened its doors in Watford High Street and promises to bring a wealth of spice and flavour to the town.

With lively Latin music, brightly painted blue and yellow walls and strings of lights looped from the ceiling, it’s fiesta time as soon as you step inside. Bottles of rum glitter tantalisingly behind copper shelves, reflecting the light of the neon writing on the walls, and greenery hangs between the wooden beams overhead.

Watford Observer:

Everything about Las Iguanas encourages you to join in and have some fun. Whether it’s getting messy assembling your own fajitas, or cocktail masterclasses in which you learn how to craft the perfect drink, it’s both a place to relax and a place that encourages you to get stuck in.

A large part of the reason for visiting Las Iguanas has to be the cocktails, which are two-for-one all day every day, and the drinks menu doesn’t disappoint. From their signature caipirinha to classic margaritas, there’s something to suit all tastes. I went for a mojito, which perfectly balanced sweetness and sourness with lashings of sugar and lime. The mango collins had a similar vibe, with a sweet and fruity taste offset by the tang of vodka. There’s even a selection of mocktails for those who prefer not to drink.

Watford Observer:

The menu is divided into sections by country, so you can travel to Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Peru and beyond without even leaving your seat. There’s a vast array of dishes, from burgers to chilli, ribs to fajitas, and there are plenty of options for both vegetarians and vegans.

I chose the chicken enchilada from the Mexico section for my main course. A soft tortilla stuffed with spicy chicken, pepper, onion, cheese and chipotle sauce was served on a bed of spring onion rice and refried beans. It was just the right side of spicy, the fresh spring onions and mild beans contrasting beautifully with the smoky tortilla.

My friend’s chicken fajitas were served in three stacking pots – one containing tortillas, the second small pots of cheese, sour cream, salsa, jalapenos and guacamole, and the top sizzling with a delicious smelling mixture of spicy chicken, onions and peppers. This one was a little more on the spicy side, but the taste and presentation were faultless.

Watford Observer:

For dessert we couldn’t say no to that classic Latin American choice: churros. The crispy pieces of dough, dusted liberally with cinnamon-sugar, were served in a pink and white paper bag, with chocolate ganache and dulche de leche dipping sauces on the side. They were beautifully textured, sweet and comforting – everything a churro should be.

We also shared a Mexican take on an Eton mess. The whipped mascarpone cream was sweet and tangy, with a gorgeous prickly pear syrup and a scattering of strawberries and raspberries.

There were plenty of things on the menu I’d love to try, but the food is just one of the reason why I’m sure I’ll be returning to Las Iguanas soon. The staff were welcoming and friendly, and the atmosphere was lively and fun. And if you need any more reason to give it a try, need I mention two-for-one cocktails again?

Visit lasiguanas.co.uk