A taste of Havana in the heart of Liverpool, this is the place to be for Cuban food and lively entertainment.

The Venue
As you enter Campbell Square, where La Cubanita is situated, the first thing you notice is the stillness in the air. There’s no traffic, no hustle and bustle of the normally buzzing city streets and yet you are still only yards from the main thoroughfares of Liverpool City centre.

But if you're heading to La Cubanita the peace is shattered the minute you open the door. You'll probably hear a saxophone blasting out Cuban music and you're met with a wonderful array of smells and sounds which will immediately kick your senses into action.

The walls are adorned with black and white pictures showing Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in various guises but you must take a step back to uncover the hidden gem inside La Cubanita. If you look to your left while climbing the stairs you'll find the most fantastic pencil drawings of life in Cuba. These drawings cover the whole wall and really are a must see.

The People
Weekends are the busiest and when you're most likely to see some salsa moves on the small dancefloor in front of the stage. The restaurant is split into two levels, the upstairs will appeal to the more romantic, but if you wish to immerse yourself in the full Cuban experience then opt for a table downstairs. Here you're within touching distance of the magical Cuban band who play live on a nightly basis and fully expect you to get on the dancefloor or stage and jive with them.

A mixed crowd come to La Cubanita with families, groups of guys and girls and couples. There's a friendly atmosphere and it can get very loud.

The Food
You may not know quite what to expect from Cuban food but you will be pleasantly surprised. There’s an array of both starters and main courses to choose from. If you want to give your taste buds a hint of the pleasure that is to come then the potatas bravas (£3.95) is the starter for you. A mix of spicy potatoes and large chunks of equally spicy chorizo provides a substantial start to your meal.

The main courses are where this menu really comes into its own. Choose from a splattering of tapas and authentic Cuban dishes but the real jewels in the crown are the various skewers you can choose from. There’s peppered beef, chicken and chorizo, lamb fillet, vegetables or drunken prawns. The drunken prawns are so inebriated with rum that they sit woozily on your plate.

You can opt for two or four skewers (£13.95 or £22.95) and have a mixture of them all. This, you will find, is by far the best option. All the skewers arrive with a side dish of congri (a mixture of rice and beans).

If you still have room then there are desserts which are a rich combination of both cakes and flans. If you can handle more rum without sliding off your chair the pudin de pan will round off your night perfectly – it’s a delicate mix of mango and white chocolate pudding served, would you believe, in a rum sauce.

The Drink
You may feel slightly disappointed with the drinks menu. There are all your basics and a decent selection of wine, but for a restaurant that prides itself on its alcoholic cooking then you expect just a little more.

The Last Word
La Cubanita is a unique restaurant offering live music, good food and something for everyone, from the romantic to the office party, and all under one roof. This little piece of Cuba is well worth a visit.

venue information venue map view liverpool review user reviews (10)