Top 10 Latin restaurants

Despite its relatively small size, Centro Latin Kitchen and Refreshment Palace has a menu to match its ambitious name. Indeed, the dinner selection includes a Grilled Ahi Tuna dish for $22, a chocolate-chipotle braised lamb shank at $20 and the Panama Hot Tomato and Beef for $15, a dish that incorporates fried egg and rice noodles. In addition to its grandiose food menu, this chic Pearl Street spot also functions as a specialty bar; their selection of tequilas alone is enough to make the eyes spin.

Stylish and sunny, the Tango is a bright spot on an otherwise dreary strip of 38th Avenue. The sommelier takes great pains to match the best of South American wines with a variety of seasonal dishes. There is no one stand out, but the Chilean ceviche (orange roughy, shrimp and red onion marinated in cilantro and lime juice served with avocado, pico de gallo and chips) sets the tone for the dishes to come. Definitely appropriate for an out of the way date, or dinner with friends, this rustic bistro is worth several visits.

Refreshing is the first word that comes to mind. Gastronomic delight whirls around Beso (Spanish for kiss), and the pleasantries abound when it comes to the drink selection as well. Fresh, unique and varied, the menu comes alive with an amalgam of a tapas-esque approach to Tex-Mex, complimented nicely by obvious injections of South America as well. The smooch of the artistry is evident in the décor as well, with the building itself a renovated 1873 house.

Not only is Mercury Cafe one of the city's only restaurants powered by renewable energy (wind and solar) and sustained by recycled materials, but everything on their menu is organic, locally grown, farm-raised and as close to the eating straight out of the earth as humanly possible. Where does the Latin part come in? They often have dance lessons every evening such as tango and salsa.

Peru’s traditional native cuisine is one unlike any other. Channeling the best of this time-honored culture, Limon presents a menu of superlative dishes. Open for lunch (when it is never very crowded so you can eat in peace) and dinner, you’ll want to go multiple times or with multiple people in order to sample a full range. Of special note, is a drink called a Tortuga—cucumber-infused gin, mint leaves, a bit of sugar and cucumber slices. Delish.

The owner’s Mom fled Cuba in 1959. This is a serious Cuban restaurant, Denver, and it’s in your backyard. Originally built as a home in the Golden Triangle, this restaurant is quaint, snazzy and chic. The walls are painted subtle Caribbean colors that bring out the atmosphere. Every weekday you can indulge in their Mojito happy hour from 5-6:15 p.m. We suggest the empanadas de picadillo (empanadas filled with ground beef) from the menu. This is your getaway without having to use up all your vacation days.

Fancy cocktails are one of their specialties (hint hint, try the mango mojito). Entrees vary from Tampiquena (filet mignon), flautas (flautas) and mole poblano (chicken breast). The portions are small and won’t make you feel like you need to unbutton your pants and get rolled out of the restaurant. As if it can’t get any better, Tamayo succeeds. Once you’re done with the main course, you better, and we repeat better, order their empanadas de platano! Maldicion Delicioso (Darn delicious, or at least we hope that's what it means).