Where to find Cuban restaurants in Bristol

Located on the harbourside, Las Iguanas brings a bit of sun to Bristol every day of the year. While you might have heard of the venue before and know it as a popular chain that celebrates Latin American food and culture, it’s a bit more than that. Las Iguanas is a community of people who are passionate about sharing their love for unique flavours and it shows through their excellent customer service. What’s more, Las Iguanas supports various local and overseas charities so you can be sure you’re in good hands when you dine there. Even though the venue isn’t primarily a Cuban restaurant, it has a menu section where you can find dishes from the country. Our personal favourite is the Cuban sandwich filled with roasted pork belly, melted cheese, smoked ham, pickles and topped with sweet mustard. You might also be interested in trying Fiesta Ensalada, which is a mix of vegetables, watermelon and sweet chilli peppers that encompasses the uniqueness we love this cuisine for. You can wash it all down with one of the delicious cocktails. Bring your friends and get the party started. 

Picture this: you’re out with your friends in a celebratory mood and you feel like trying something new. After a quick Google search, you stumble across Revolucion de Cuba and wish you’d discovered it sooner. This popular hangout spot is exactly what you imagine a Latin American restaurant to be: vibrant, full of colour and with a friendly staff ready to make your day extra special. The menu is designed for sharing as it features a selection of delicious Latin-inspired tapas: think pork belly skewers, tacos, Mojito prawns, patatas bravas and Cuban-style black beans with tortilla chips. For the main, we recommend Cuban paella that comes with king prawns, chicken, smoky chorizo and pico de gallo, plus a side of fries with Manchego cheese sauce to really get a feel of what Cuban cuisine is like. Don’t forget to get churros for dessert to sweeten it all up. And if you’d like to learn more about all things Latin America, head to the website to discover blogs on various topics, from interesting facts to the history of cocktails.

If you’re already familiar with Latin American food and hoping to have an authentic meal, look no further. Café Cuba is as authentic as it gets with a menu featuring the best of Cuban cuisine, including ropa vieja, which is a seasoned pulled beef dish, traditionally slow cooked in tomatoes and served with onions, garlic, peppers, garlic and olives. Other delights you should try include pollo croquettes or marinated grilled lamb with rice and fried plantain. The restaurant is also known for its amazing Mojito that many locals describe as the best they’ve ever tried and we agree with them – don’t miss out on it! The interior is cosy so if you’re looking for a place to chill after work or for a casual date, you can head there to sample delicious food in an intimate and welcoming atmosphere.  

This Cuban place is a creation of Alain Hernandez who moved here from Cuba over 20 years ago and uses his culinary skills to introduce people to Latin American culture. The philosophy behind his success is the theory that everything should have balance – a mix of old and new cooking techniques, plus passion and skill is what translates into a satisfying meal that will make you keep coming back for more. If you’re looking for something traditional, you should try Cuban rice with black beans, fried plantain and steamed cassava. Other dishes that deserve a special mention are pollo borracho ( a chicken cooked in beer and vegetables), ropa vieja, soups and plenty of vegan options.

If you’re craving Latin American flavours but don’t know where to start, you can be sure that Turtle Bay is the right place for you. Situated in the heart of the city centre, this beach-style restaurant is difficult to miss not only because of its convenient location but also because it’s always filled with customers. Beloved by both tourists and locals alike, the place wins every eater’s heart by combining recipes from all over the Caribbean. Some of our favourite dishes include Caribbean curry katsu and fish fry straight out of Barbados. You can also expect a laidback atmosphere and reggae tunes that will put you in the party mood (if not, one of the cocktails should do the trick).