El Barrio is a cosmopolitan gem nestling under one of the capital’s busiest streets. The restaurant’s motto is ‘we make the food, you make the party’, and every night at El Barrio is a fun-filled fiesta.

This lively venue is both a vibrant Latino bar with an exotic drinks selection, and a great place to stop in for some well-cooked, tasty food. Whether you’re visiting El Barrio for an evening meal or a night of cocktails, a good time is guaranteed to be had by all. The food menu offers a tempting range of Latin American flavours. The El Barrio skewers were a case in point – tender succulent pieces of chicken, cosied up to rich chorizo and chargrilled to perfection. The fluffy rice and crisp salad provided an excellent accompaniment. We then tried the quesadilla (stuffed grilled tortilla) – this was filled with flavour-infused meat, complemented beautifully by guacamole, salsa, soured cream and thin-cut fries.

The signature Cuban dessert, the Mojito sorbet, was a star turn. The rum-infused ice cream with lime and mint was a most delicious finale to a cracker of an evening – and the dancing was still to come.