Las Iguanas is adding two more sites to its growing portfolio, bringing the Latin American party vibe to Canterbury and Peterborough in the autumn.
One of the best-performing restaurants in the casual dining sector, Las Iguanas has recorded outstanding customer feedback and strong sales since reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the two new sites are part of a major expansion programme to respond to continued strong demand for the brand across the country.
The new 284-cover restaurant and bar on Longmarket in Canterbury will be spread over 7,000sq ft with two spectacular terraces and a vibrant late night cocktail bar on the ground floor. The venue is set to open to the public in September, creating 50 new jobs for the local area.
The 160-cover restaurant, bar and terrace on Peterborough’s Church Street will be spread across 4,500sq ft in a historic Grade II-listed building in the heart of the city centre. Due to open in October, Las Iguanas Peterborough will create 40 new jobs in the community.
The two new locations will bring Las Iguanas’ site total to 50 venues across the UK and follows the recent announcement of two new sites at Center Parcs’ Elveden Forest and Sherwood Forest holiday villages.
Last year, Las Iguanas’ owner, the Big Table Group, announced plans to almost double the size of the Las Iguanas estate over the next three years, as part of an investment of more than £50m in new sites and renovations across both Las Iguanas and Bella Italia brands.
Matt Ainger, Property Director at Big Table Group, said, “Las Iguanas has consistently proven to be an extremely popular choice with guests of all ages, so it’s fantastic to have found two perfect sites to add to our growing portfolio.
'There’s great demand for Las Iguanas across the country, and we’re proactively speaking with landlords in a number of towns and cities about further opportunities to continue the expansion of this thriving brand.”
Both restaurants will feature Las Iguanas’ signature tropical green plant walls, vibrant street art, flashes of neon signage, and will be awash with lots of sky blue and soft sandy yellows, evocative of Brazilian beaches.
Celebrating the authentic flavours of Latin America, guests will be able to sample an array of favourites, including the famous Las Iguanas Bottomless Brunch – bookable seven days a week – and delicious 2for1 cocktails all day every day.
The menu features a selection of boldly spiced Mexican, Brazilian and Latin American food to choose from, including stacked-up Fajitas sizzling in Las Iguanas’ top secret spice mix and the North Brazilian classic, Xinxim - chicken and crayfish in a creamy lime and peanut sauce with spring onion rice, shredded greens, coconut farofa and sweet plantain.
The Veggie, Vegan and Plant Based menu is also bursting with flavourful dishes, from vegan Taco Sharing Boards with jackfruit, mushroom and chilli toppings to Moqueca de Palmitos, another classic Brazilian curry served up in a bespoke terracotta pan.