Vivo Latino is a vibrant restaurant and cocktail bar located at 147 Cowbridge Road East in Cardiff. The establishment offers a diverse menu that blends flavors from Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, and Peru, featuring dishes like enchiladas, nachos, homemade dips, burritos, fajitas, and Peruvian goat curry. The culinary team emphasizes the use of authentic ingredients such as buffalo peppers, sweet plantain, black bean rice, pak choi, guajillo chili sauce, and spicy pepper salsa. The cocktail program is equally diverse, incorporating spirits like Mezcal, Pisco, Tequila, and Rum to create unique and flavorful drinks. The restaurant also hosts various promotions, including bottomless brunches, birthday specials, and themed nights like Taco Tuesday and Fajitas Night, enhancing the dining experience.
What each source says
- Google 4.6 949
- Tripadvisor 4.5 502
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-26.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Authentic Latin Flavors Vivo Latino offers a diverse menu of Mexican and South American dishes, praised for their authentic flavors and fresh ingredients, providing a unique culinary experience.
- Delicious Cocktails The cocktails are frequently praised for their quality and flavor, offering a wide variety and great value, enhancing the overall dining experience.
- Exceptional Service Many reviewers highlight the friendly and attentive staff, with specific mentions of staff members going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant dining experience.
- Great Value for Money With reasonable prices and generous portions, Vivo Latino offers excellent value for money, making it an affordable option for a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Vibrant Atmosphere The restaurant boasts a lively and fun atmosphere with colorful decorations, creating an enjoyable and immersive dining environment.
Criticised
- Hit-or-Miss Food Quality While many praise the food's authenticity and taste, a few found the flavors underwhelming or too cheesy, suggesting some dishes may not consistently meet expectations.
- Inconsistent Ambience While many enjoy the lively atmosphere, some visits can be quiet, potentially lacking the vibrant and fun experience others have described.
- Inconsistent Service While many rave about the attentive staff, some experienced slow or inattentive service, especially during busy times, leading to long waits for orders and attention.
- Out of the Way Location Located outside the city center, it requires a 20-30 minute walk from central Cardiff, which may be inconvenient for those without transportation or preferring central dining options.
- Portion Size Discrepancies While most find the portions generous, some felt certain main dishes, like the enchiladas, were smaller than expected, potentially leaving some diners wanting more.
The longer read
Vivo Latino is a restaurant that receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with many customers describing it as a "hidden gem" and a must-visit when in Cardiff. The restaurant is praised for its authentic South American and Mexican cuisine, with reviewers frequently highlighting specific dishes such as the goat curry, enchiladas, tacos, and various tapas options. The food is consistently described as delicious, flavorful, and well-prepared, with generous portion sizes. The menu offers a wide variety of options, including vegetarian choices, catering to different tastes and dietary requirements. The quality of ingredients is also noted, with some reviewers mentioning the use of fresh and top-quality ingredients.
In addition to the food, the service at Vivo Latino is consistently lauded. Many reviewers specifically mention the friendly, attentive, and accommodating staff, with particular praise for individuals like Amit, Ram, and Reshan. The staff are often described as going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant dining experience, offering recommendations, catering to special requests, and providing prompt service. The bottomless brunch option is also popular, with reviewers noting the fast and efficient service for both food and drinks.
The atmosphere and ambiance of the restaurant are also positively reviewed. The decor is described as colourful, lively, and fun, contributing to a great overall dining experience. The restaurant is suitable for various occasions, including date nights, group gatherings, birthday parties, and casual lunches. The value for money is also frequently mentioned, with reviewers noting the reasonable prices for the quality and quantity of food and drinks offered. Many reviewers express their intention to return to Vivo Latino, highlighting its consistent quality and the enjoyable experiences they have had.
While the vast majority of reviews are positive, a few mention minor issues such as slow service at times or inconsistencies in food quality. However, these negative comments are infrequent and do not detract from the overall positive sentiment towards the restaurant. Overall, Vivo Latino is highly recommended for its delicious food, excellent service, vibrant atmosphere, and reasonable prices, making it a top choice for Latin American cuisine in Cardiff.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 29 2022 0636
- Website
- vivolatino.co.uk
| Mon | 12:00 - 23:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Wed | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Thu | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Fri | 12:00 - 0:00 |
| Sat | 12:00 - 0:00 |
| Sun | 12:00 - 22:00 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.6 against a median of 4.5 across the 59 places to eat we hold for Cardiff, where the most-reviewed is The Ivy Cardiff.
Still deciding?
- What type of cuisine does Vivo Latino in Cardiff specialize in?
- What are the most recommended or unique dishes to try at Vivo Latino?
- What is the atmosphere like at Vivo Latino and is it suitable for groups or romantic dinners?
- Does Vivo Latino offer options for vegans, vegetarians, or people with food allergies?
- What is the best way to make a reservation at Vivo Latino and how far in advance should you book?
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.