Spanish style tapas dishes served with South American flair and flavour – Cubana is the place to head if you want to add a taste of the exotic to your time in Sheffield. It’s a melting pot of cultures, with a delicious choice of Spanish tapas served in authentic Cuban surroundings, with a welcoming Latino vibe.

We visited because we heard The Buena Vista Social Club (a famous 13-piece crew of traditional Cuban musicians) dined here after their sell-out show and, if it got their vote, we wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Some friends and I arrived on Flamenco Wednesday to find local musician Andrew Clegg providing a live Spanish flamenco and classical guitar backdrop. Feet already tapping, we were drawn in by the wide range of exotic cocktails on offer and sampled the Brazilian Mojito and a Caipirinha. I spied a choice of South American beers I know my other half would love, whilst quality wines from around the world would most likely be ordered by us girls later on.

Cubana’s cuisine has won national acclaim, with Chilean head chef Fabian Cruz crafting a menu of topquality food. Fabian is greatly influenced by his mother’s cooking, so you are assured a true taste of Latin America in every bite. The great thing about tapas is you can order lots without feeling guilty – this in mind, we went for just about everything. The famous fresh meatballs were as fantastic as their reputation promised, and the house speciality fillet of hake in sambuca sauce was exquisite. We could have taken the hassle out of ordering individually and opted for one of Cubana’s three value-for-money set party menus (including a superb vegetarian option).

There are many ways to enjoy Fabian’s delicious creativity. Discover fantastic offers during Happy Tapas Hour between 5pm and 6.30pm from Monday to Saturday. On our visit, the dark rum flowed along with the Latin rhythms, the atmosphere was electric and we plan to return very soon, perhaps for Jazz & Swing Thursday or for a spot of Salsa.