I’ve recently discovered a little gem of a restaurant in Montreal; you would swear you were on vacation in your own city.

More than just a restaurant, La Iguana, is a destination. When entering this Mexican oasis I could tell immediately that the atmosphere was laid back and gentle. The subtlety of green and terra cotta with hints of blue decor in a candle lit room set the ambiance beautifully. The terrace was open and live Mexican and Cuban music filled the air.

"WOW, are we in bar or a restaurant?" I asked my partner. A complete 7 page menu of Margaritas, Daiquiris and Martinis filled the pages…but TEQUILA, that’s my passion and there were 30 different imports to choose from.

La Iguana offers all tastes a varied selection of refined mexican food. “The menu is continually evolving, says operator Frederick Saunders”. We’ve recently changed our menu adding many new creative selections. We have the largest tequila bar in the country, and we play great live music in the evenings from Thursday to Saturday.

For starters we tried the Mojitos, an authentic blend of lime, branches of fresh mint, rum and sugar… a perfectly mixed Cuban cocktail. Our appetizer, the Iguana Especial was a Mexican platter filled with many delights. Crisp spring rolls called Flautas, creamy and lightly spiced guacamole, bite size quesadillas, smoked chicken wings and nopales (cactus au gratin).

Beautifully prepared and presented, we shared our plates. Camarones Mazatlan, a nice 1/2 lbs portion of giant shrimps covered in a mango coconut sauce served with rice and salad, and an authentic mole combining the unique flavors of chocolate, spices and peppercorn, sprinkled with sesame seeds and served with a crisp garden and sunflower sprout salad. All were absolutely delectable!

La Iguana serves Mexican traditions like ceviche, vegetarian platters, salads, west coast salmon and Cajun Rib-eye steaks. Specialty nights bring in a crowd during the week.*

So remember, when you need a pause in your day, take a mini vacation right in the heart of Montreal…La Iguana, more than just a restaurant, it's a destination.

*check the website for our weekly specials