The food: Owned by the group that runs waterfront restaurants Tony & Joe’s and Nick’s Riverside Grill, this bar and restaurant offers a nuevo Latino menu that’s a mishmash of Spanish and South and Central American influences. On the Tex-Mex side are enchiladas, nachos loaded with guacamole, plus fajitas and chimichangas. Four ceviches include varieties with bacalao and shrimp, a classic mole poblano, and a paella. At night, Cabanas becomes a drinking destination. Latin-accented cocktails include mango and strawberry margaritas and a Mexican cosmopolitan made with Patron tequila.

The scene: On warm days, most customers jockey for a patio table overlooking Washington Harbour’s centerpiece fountain. But inside the restaurant, where dark wood pillars are offset by white tablecloths and large palm fronds, private cabanas with curtains provide more intimacy.

What’s nearby: Washington Harbour (also known as the Georgetown waterfront) is a hub of restaurant/bars, condos, and office spaces set around a picturesque fountain adorned with shrubbery and flowers. Recreational boats dock along the promenade beyond the fountain, and tour boats motor in and out. On the street side, a multiplex movie theater is a little more than a block away, and the shopping, dining, and nightlife of Georgetown are about two blocks away.

Insider tips: On Wednesday nights, tables are pushed aside for salsa lessons (expect a cover charge). Beginner moves start at 8, while more advanced lessons begin at 9, followed by a DJ. On Friday nights, flamenco dancers perform at 8 and 9.