THE nights are drawing in and summer feels like a distant memory. And while Las Iguanas can’t deliver the climate of South America to Bournemouth, it does promise to bring “Latin American flavours, awesome cocktails & Rio vibes”.

Opened just four months ago in Bournemouth’s BH2 complex, the chain specialises in Latin American-inspired food from the likes of Brazil, Peru and beyond. But if Mexican food is more you’re thing, they’ve got you covered, too.

The spacious restaurant offers seating inside and out with a separate bar area for those who just want to take advantage of the 2 for 1 cocktails during happy hour which happily lasts all day.

If you arrive feeling extra hungry, there’s certainly no shortage of options to kick off your meal featuring everything from nibbles to taco planks to tapas and starters.

We couldn’t resist the nachos at £7.50 which you can choose to have with chipotle chicken or beef, chili con carne, Havana club & jerk BBQ pork or refried beans for £2 extra.

We opted for refried beans which came served in a separate bowl and their soupy consistency was just right to accompany our generous portion of nachos.

Cheese lovers may find it light on the melted cheese but with pico de gallo salsa, jalapeños, roasted tomato salsa, soured cream and guacamole to keep us going, we certainly weren’t lacking in food (or calories).

Being calamari fans, we also chose the deep-fried squid in crisp cayenne and cassava crumb (£6.30) to share. It was served crispy and piping hot with a wedge of lemon and side of aioli.

There’s certainly no end of exotic sounding main dishes to tempt you including Xinxim, Bahian coconut chicken and Moqueca de Palmitos.

Vegans, vegetarians and gluten free diners are also well catered for with a number of options throughout the menu.

My husband went for the Sea Bass a lo Macho (£14.95), which consisted of fillet of sea bass with mussels, crayfish and prawns in a white wine, spinach, paprika and cream sauce with spring onion rice.

Absolutely packed with fish and shellfish in a tasty cream sauce, he was very happy with his selection.

I went for a smoked chipotle chicken burrito (£11.95) which was stuffed alongside refried beans in a wheat tortilla and came served with sour cream, guacamole and roasted tomato salsa on the side.

It also came with a salad just to make me feel slightly virtuous. The burrito was well-stuffed but I had to admit defeat half way through as it was so filling with perhaps more rice than I’d like.

With a brimming dessert menu put in front of us, featuring everything from dulce de leche macadamia cheesecake to churros, we decided to try the rather intriguing Brazilian Flip Flop.

A chocolate brigadeiro, dulce de leche, crushed peanut brittle AND dulce de leche ice cream, while it may not be the most aesthetically pleasing dessert you’ll ever encounter it will more than satisfy those with a very sweet tooth.