Isa Bistro

Isa Bistro never disappoints, and our most recent visit was no exception. We enjoyed some incredible dishes starting with the lobster tostada, which was fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced. The shaved fennel salad and Brussels sprouts were standouts as well, each prepared with the kind of thoughtful flavors and textures that keep us coming back. The burrata was creamy and refreshing, the perfect complement to the rest of the meal. For entrées, the halibut was cooked to absolute perfection! tender, flavorful, and plated with care. The gnocchi was rich, comforting, and wonderfully executed, easily one of our favorites of the night. Every dish felt crafted with intention, and the attention to detail shows. We love coming to Isa Bistro, not only for the consistently delicious food but also for the warm, welcoming atmosphere. Each visit feels special, and this one reminded us exactly why it’s one of our go-to spots. Highly recommend!

Our favorite restraunt when we want a good meal. We look at it as a treat for a long work week. The food is always consistant. The avacado beet salad and mango cheescake are my favorite items. The bolognese is also great.

Absolutely fantastic. We randomly picked it a few days before our visit to Portland. The food was stellar. My wife and I both said one of the dishes is basically worth making a trip to Portland (we're from Maryland) to have again. I specifically loved the tostada and my wife who is obsessed with beets was obsessed with the salad. My wife said the Squid Ink pasta was a close second to this fabulous restaurant we went to over the summer in Iceland. We 100% will be back on our next trip to Portland

Favorite new spot in Portland We had focaccia (the best with the green butter) Scallops appetizers Simple salad, so good Short rib pasta, lobster stuffed sole and coconut cream All dishes were exceptional 10/10

Food was good. Very noisy, difficult to have a conversation. 3 entrees served then we waited a solid 3-5 minutes for final entree. The side dish of summer seasonal vegetables was really good. Would of loved to see an entree involving this side.

Isa Bistro truly does my hometown proud. The food and drinks were exceptional. Particular props for the braised short rib ragu, which was among the best dishes I’ve had in Portland. Tremendously friendly, down to earth service and a beautiful bar in a relatively intimate setting. Very well done overall.

Wow. Every item we ordered for my wife’s birthday dinner was exquisite. This focaccia bread is like a smoked cloud of wonder. Grilled octopus, tender and balanced. The fries punch above their weight, I thought they were fried in tallow or duck fat but nay. The mains were inspired, with a delicate crunch to offset the rich smoothness of gnocchi or ragu. Pleasant service and atmosphere, unpretentious but refined, really a gem that reminds of what it means to be a restaurant. A superb experience.

We recently dined at this restaurant. Overall, it was a positive experience. Appetizer and the dishes were enjoyable. Albeit triple chocolate cake was rather sweet.

Absolutely delightful, quaint, locally-sourced and delicious bistro that (in my opinion) is very much slept on in the Portland food scene! I dined here with my mom during her visit to Portland and she wouldn't stop talking about this place -- it really set the bar for everywhere else we ate. The restaurant interior is cute, cozy, and refined. We were lucky enough to sit in the covered patio area outside, which is also a lovely set up. And the service here is standout: everyone was incredibly warm, we were checked on often, the food was well-paced, and they swapped out our plates after every dish. As for food: we ordered the house focaccia, a salad, the grilled octopus, scallops, and eggplant lasagna. You really can't go wrong here. Everything was fresh and balanced and elevated. Our favorites were the scallops, which were so tender, and the eggplant lasagna (so good!). We also ordered the seasonal blueberry cheesecake, which came with fresh blueberries on top and a sprig of thyme. Like everything else, it was gorgeous to look at, meticulously crafted, and delicious. Highly recommend - I can't wait to be back!

Impressed first timer. The halibut and sole were both fresh and delicate. Attentive service and great cocktails. The restaurant is small and can be a little loud for most folks.

"A real cheeseburger. Not some fancy, deconstructed, affluent bullshit, a *real* cheeseburger." -The Menu Table for 1 There are few things as priceless as biting into a cheeseburger that someone didn't ruin trying to reimagine it. It's a cheeseburger, the simpler the better and Isa (like everything else on their menu) executed it flawlessly with their smash burger. Two thin patties covered cheese, thinly sliced house made pickles, tomato and shredded lettuce. Served with a side of fries accompanied by their guajillo aioli. I'm not much of a french fry person, but in this case I used them as a vessel to consume the aioli without looking like a total weirdo. The burger was juicy, not overly greasy, the assembly, perfect! Every flavor illuminating your palette exactly when it was supposed to. Yes it's "just a cheeseburger" the the simplicity of it is what makes it a masterpiece. And yes of course I got the octopus, I can't go to Isa and not order it, I can barely drive by and not get the damn octopus! It's stunning EVERY time. If I were asked what I could eat every day the rest of my life and not get sick of it, here's the answer.

My husband and I loved everything about our evening here! It's a small restaurant. I'm not sure how many tables, maybe a dozen or so and there is seating at the bar. We had a reservation and were seated right away. Logan was our server and he's good at his job! He was very personable and gave opinions on menu items when asked. The menu isn't big, but it's good. I literally could have licked my plate clean - but I didn't. Every dish we had was so good. There was so much flavor packed into every bite. We also shared a piece of Warm Mexican Spiced Chocolate Cake but I forgot to take a photo of it. I highly recommend checking Isa out if you're in the area!

The best friendships are ones where you have not seen each other for over 7 years but pick up exactly where you left off as if no time has passed. It means traveling over 7 hrs each way by plane and car or by bus to meet up. It means sharing every dish at Isa Bistro so we can all try more of the menu. My friend who is a regular visitor of Maine picked this spot for our first dinner together and she definitely picked a winner. We started with a marinaded citrus and burrata salad which is perfectly balanced between the richer burrata and the refreshing citrus and arugula. The salt cod fritters are flavorful and bursting with flavor. The duck confit tostada special was loaded with shredded duck with the toppings a perfect complement. Pan seared branzino was the lighter of the two entrees we chose while the braised local short rib pasta was much richer. However, the addition of the sautéed broccolini side was the perfect accompaniment and was as spot on as all the other dishes and not an afterthought. Chocolate pie and dulce de leche were both hits and perfect for sharing. Great food with even better company made this a most memorable dinner.

It was perfect. Start to finish. Unpretentious Great relaxed vibe. I started with the meatballs marinara. Light. Beautiful. Then moved on to the eggplant lasagna. Again, light delightful. The clean simply prepared food does all the talking. Wish I lived in Maine We sat at the bar. Great service

There's really not much more you can say about this jewel. It's the standard for Portland fine cuisine that's been here before most of the rest. Excellent service, perfect presentation, unique taste. Everything always a hit. We should just come more often!

My family went for Friday lunch and it was by far the best meal we had while visiting Maine this summer. Every bite was delicious! The service was attentive and the space was cute, it was quiet while we were there but I could imagine it filling up at dinner easily. My only "complaint"was I wish I could have had double of everything so I didn't have to pick the plate clean.

Isa Bistro turned out to be more than a little off the beaten path, but we had such an outstanding dining experience that I'm really glad I let Yelp point the way here :-) The service was outstanding, and the ambiance was warm and homey. We began our meal by sharing a Caesar salad, then we shared the eggplant lasagna and the crab linguine. The lasagna was excellent, and the linguine was wonderful, with plentiful chunks of crab and a subtlety delicious flavor. We finished the meal by sharing a piece of blueberry cheesecake for dessert; it was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal!

Cozy, unpretentious restaurant with amazing seasonally driven food. It's small, warmly lit and you can actually have a conversation while you eat! Service was friendly, helpful and professional. We started with a slice each of the delicious focaccia which was warm, crispy and so fresh. The caesar salad was light and tasty with a tangy dressing. The short rib with mushrooms was perfectly tender and rich. The shrimp with polenta, red peppers and onions was delicious. Comforting and perfect for a cold night. Shared a piece of the creamy dreamy coconut pie for dessert. A perfect meal. We will be back.

Great little place! I went here after work with a coworker. Start to finish was highly enjoyable. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. The food is great- good portions, reasonably priced. They have parking in the back so no driving aimlessly looking for a spot.

Absolutely rockstar meal. Cute, homey space. Fast and helpful service. Starters: Grilled octopus (8/10) Succulent octopus, bright and fresh flavors. My only critique is the balance of oil -- I could have done with less. Duck tostada (10/10) Completely addictive. The acid / fat balance was so refreshing, while still punching with the umami flavor. Drinks: Whisky despair (10/10) Amazing pear flavor! Night owl (10/10) The best fall cocktail I've ever had. Knockout drink choice for cinnamon lovers! Also, nice wine selection -- we had a lovely red with our entrees. Entrees: Pork chop (9/10) Perfectly cooked chop with a gorgeous sauce. The mushrooms were the perfect pairing -- with a slight curried aftertaste. My only critique was that the polenta could have been more flavorful! Short rib pasta (10/10) My favorite of the night. Nice Al Dente pasta with a fatty yet balanced sauce. A big bowl of comfort! Focaccia (8/10) No frills, just nice bread. Dessert: Coconut cream pie (10/10): Very generous slice. The chocolate ganache was a lovely addition to a classic pie. Well toasted coconut topping to bring that added texture.

Best meal I've had in a year! We came with another couple and everyone loved each dish they ordered. A wonderful caesar salad to start for all of us, gorgeous Seared Halibut for me and my friend. Pan Seared Sole, and Braised Short Ribs for the other two. Even the desserts were terrific. Exceptionally nice service, complex, beautifully presented food and a nice quiet atmosphere where we could hear each other laugh and tell stories. I don't know how we've missed Isa before this, but we're all coming back soon!

ISA--Great Find Spent a few days in Maine and were fortunate to discover a great family run neighborhood bistro called Isa. The food and service were truly amazing, so we ate there two nights in a row on our trip. The Lobster Tostada and Crispy Potato Taquitos were fun appetizers, for our meal we enjoyed the Seared Duck, Short-rib Pasta and the amazing Eggplant Lasagna. A true find, hope that you wil enjoy it as much as our family did.

Isa was a dream. This was not the first time I've been, but the first time in a year or so and I was delighted to return. They have a relatively new outdoor seating area which is beautiful, gated in and decorated with warm string lights, it felt like an escape from the city. I started my meal with a delicious Blueberry Lemonade - so good! They have a good selection of mocktails which was awesome. The appetizer portion of the menu was so enticing that we ordered 3 appetizers, split a salad, and split an entree. Oh and dessert! it was a total treat! For appetizers we had the delicious lobster tostada, the corn dish, and a mackerel special that day. My favorite (closely followed by the mackerel) was the lobster tostada. Brown butter lobster with avocado - fresh and unique. You try a lot of lobster apps/new ways to do lobster here in Portland, and this one was a success. We split a Caesar salad with a delicious house made Caesar dressing and spiced croutons - it was really nice! The entree was the best part for me, you may not know this, but very few Portland restaurants do a vodka sauce (no idea why, but it's hard to find!) vodka sauce is one of my FAVORITE Italian meals - this was homemade linguine, housemade vodka sauce that was creamy and multi-layered in flavor, fresh burrata (!!!) and an awesome touch was the bread crumbs. I've been dreaming about this dish ever since. Our waiter was so kind. We talked for a while about our favorite fish entrees and he showed excitement in explaining the menu. Patient and understanding. And you HAVE to top off the night with their Marscapone cheesecake. Another absolute dream. I miss this cheesecake. One of (maybe THE) best cheesecake I've ever had. I had it with a nice cup of Nellie's tea (a local brand). What an amazing night, quiet and relaxing, with incredible flavors.

Cute little bistro with a nice vibe and decor. The service was very friendly and attentive. The cocktails were perfect (Sidecar and Old Fashion). Appetizers of Burrata and Caesar Salad were tasty. The main courses were shrimp over linguini (soooo tasty, nice kick) and Tagliatelle and meat sauce (yum). Ended the meal with sorbets, perfect finish. The restaurant isn't too loud and tables were spaced out nicely. The neighborhood isn't the best. If you're sitting by the windows you get views of the homeless people and addicts walking around (but hey, the view is free!). Overall, we loved Isa's.

First time patrons. Food and service were wonderful! Server was very friendly and helpful with food recommendations.

This is my favorite restaurant in Portland. Treat yourself to a seat at the bar to learn as much as possible about the dishes. Small but mighty spot that reminds me of someplace you would find in France. I had a terrific pasta dish and grilled octopus. And my husband's scallops were wonderful, too.

We had a really nice experience, sat at the bar and the bartender was lovely. The chorizo dip with chickpea puree/avocado app was insanely good - so unique & tasty. For mains, I had the pasta/bolognese which was hearty and yummy, and my partner had the halibut , which was delish.

Saving the best for last is an understatement when it comes to dining here on our last night in Portland. It seems like they're usually closed on Tuesdays but for Portland wine week, Isa hosted a special five course meal with wine pairing for 150 dollars. For the quality and quantity, this may be my best dining experience of the year! The menu was inspired by each of the hand selected Spanish wines. The first course was a carefully curated mackerel course with a glass of white from Spain. The second course was even better with lobster in a delicious creamy broth with a touch of chili. The third course was a lamb carpaccio that was so elegantly prepared and was paired with a full bodied Spanish red. The family who owns the farm that sold the lamb was at the dinner as well! It truly felt like a small tight knit community. The mushrooms and ribeye did not disappoint. They even surprised us with an extra dessert course paired with sherry wine which I surprisingly loved. Overall, Isa is a fantastic restaurant. I would definitely come back to try out their regular menus as well as look out for future prix fixe menus!

Amazing service, great menu, and delicious food! This is a small restaurant with diverse offerings and great flavors. Great atmosphere.

Wanted one fine dining experience while in Portland and decided Isa would be the call. Love the intimate environment and the care that the employees put into all aspects of the restaurant. Had a couple of cocktails that were both amazing. Halibut tacos were amazing. The beer batter was light and crispy, I could not recommend enough.

This was our second time in two years eating at Isa Bistro. Tonight we started with Cod fritters and sautéed scallops. Both were excellent. We followed the appetizers with Lobster linguine. All of the food is delicately prepared and presented. Some may say portions are small but we were satisfied and left too full for dessert. We sat outside in a private patio towards the back of the bistro which was very nice. I would recommend trying to get a table outside. The waitress and hostess were excellent.

Super service. Great, energetic ambiance. Fabulous food. Beets, focaccia, pork chop, halibut special. All amazing.

My sister and I were on the hunt for some duck. Most restaurants that serve any duck dish don't seem to open until the evening. We tried calling around but nobody was around earlier in the day to answer phones. I resorted to facebook messaging a few places and alas, ISA (within 10 minutes) was the only restaurant to respond that seared duck would be the special for that night. We were thrilled and made a reservation using Open Table. Once we arrived, as we had selected, we were seated at the bar. The bartender had a great personality and was very attentive. In conversation, we learned that he was the brother of the owner's wife, ISA was named after the owner and that most of the kitchen staff was family members. You could tell that this was a family owned neighborhood restaurant when patrons walked in and they were greeted warmly, as friends who had been to the establishment many times before. We started with brussels as our appetizer and for our entrees, seared duck and short ribs. Both were executed with culinary finesse. The proteins were tender and juicy while the sides played strong supporting roles. I could eat a whole pan of the potato au gratin that accompanied the short rib! As some mentioned, the location isn't in the best part of Portland, but don't let that stop you. You'll be missing out on this gem that is sitting on the perimeter of the Old Port- avoiding meter or garage parking. Give it a shot. You won't be disappointed.

Set in a city that is a culinary dynasty, this small establishment certainly satisfies the palate. At first glance, it appears the portions are on the smaller side but every bite packs a punch and I think smaller portions let you savor every bite. Ingredients are local and menu switches depending on availability of Ingredients. You will find selections such as octopus, duck, and rabbit. My husband prefers to stick with chicken or beef dishes so luckily there was a beef dish (beef bourgignon) that was out of this world. When I looked at the portion for him, I thought oh oh that's small but he didn't complain. He said it was so delicious. It was served osso buco with cognac. We added a side of fries to soak up the sauce but thought wow a side of mash or fingerling potatoes would be a great addition. I wasn't to hungry so I had the octopus appetizer. It is grilled with an oil base and herbs accompanied with chickpeas. Price point is $16 for a small piece. Not shareable in my opinion. I thought that was high but maybe fish right now is costly. I would of liked it better with maybe a hint of vinergarette but I did enjoy it. I then had the ceasar salad. All salads are not shareable due to size. The salad was delicious. My daughter had the house linguina and loved it. The mascapone cheesecake was a slice of perfection. It had peaches on it each bite was rich and creamy. I can't wait to come back!!

Our food tasted amazing! The coconut cream pie was the best I ever tasted. Great service. Quaint and clean!

Favorite restaurant of all time. Just wow. Cute little spot, close parking. Service was attentive but timely which was awesome. The flavor combinations and plating was stunning, the food was all extremely good. I was worried about the expenses but the prices are well-deserved.

Came here on the recommendation of our lyft driver and he got it right! Service quick and professional, with the fun flourishes of fine dining. We came with our luggage direct from travel, and they were able to accommodate us very well. Good food as well! My spouse has already reflected upon the pork chop a few times in great positivity. Eggplant lasagna has great pasta layers and just right amount of cheesiness. Cheesecake for dessert was tasty and good to split too.

Restaurant was small but welcoming. Food was good. Prices are rather high in Portland and Isa is comparable to the competition. Food was solid. I with the wbg selection was larger but all was good with what I chose. We were lucky to find parking behind the restaurant. Server was good.

Amazing service. This was by far the best food we had in Portland. The halibut was amazing. Very little to accommodate a child's palette, but amazing for mom and dad.

Best meal I've had in Portland in the past 40 years! Outstanding service and the flavors in every dish we had were unique and delicious.

My parents have been coming to this place for years, and the food is uniformly spectacular; they always order from here when I'm back in town. They switched to takeout during the pandemic and still do takeout, but the people there still remember them. Current highlights: the crab cakes, the lobster tostada, the esquites (corn off the cob), the branzino , and the pork chop. And the lobster tacos, which are only available at lunch. Strongly recommended, and extremely affordable to boot!

Service was excellent, but more importantly the food was so delicious!! (That is why we go to restaurants,eh?). I had eggplant lasagna, 2 in my party had lamb special, and salad special. Jack had an appetizer of octopus (reportedly excellent). It's a small place but has a casual feel. Highly recommend

One of the best meals I have had in a long time. Service was perfect-knowledgeable and helpful with choices and dropping in at the right times while we conversed. Everything that I tried was delicious. I think this was perhaps the best pork chop I have ever had. Definitely will come back.

Such an amazing cozy restaurant. Came with 4 of my girlfriends and everything from the drinks, food, service and ambience was wonderful. Isa Bistro does an amazing job highlighting mushroom ingredients sourced by a local vendor. Lobster Tostada was a favorite and so was the cavatelli. Save room for dessert! Crème brûlée and coconut crème pie were delicious. Also good selection of dessert wines and digestifs.

Excellent table service of excellent food. Eggplant lasagna is a staple and it lives up to its reputation. My companion had the sole and it was also excellent. Broad but small range of beers and wines. We enjoyed our dinner very much The neighborhood? I'm insulated from these citizens of Portland because I live in the woods. Still, for the food it was worth the walk.

With as crazy a food town as Portland has become, I have to applaud the outliers, the neighborhood bistros that offer a civilized, friendly dining experience without all the noise, hype and hassle. Isa is a stalwart. Upscale comfort food, excellent service, comfortable bar, and a corner space with atmosphere, even on-site parking.. What's not to like?

Reserve ahead of time as place is small and very popular. Several of my friends consider it among their favorites. Service is excellent. Ingredients sourced locally, so menu changes.

Found Isa and was thrilled with all aspects of dining there. The space is intimate, calm, and elegant. Food was perfection. The eggplant parm exceeded expectations as well as all the other dishes, including desert. Attentive and friendly waiters. On site parking lot a plus. Not a large space, so make a reservation.

Delicious food and excellent attentive service. Not inexpensive but elevated, creative food. The bistro ambience = noisy! At least for a Saturday night in the height of summer! Easy dedicated parking for the restaurant is around the corner.

We went to Isa on our last night in Portland. We almost canceled, but I'm so glad we didn't. Service was impeccable. The food was excellent. We had the burrata, the corn and lobster tostada to start. Everything was super fresh and flavorful. The corn was my favorite though. We also got the tagliatelle bolognese. You can tell they make their own pasta. I could have ordered another plate.

We visited Isa twice during our visit to Portland. The food was truly amazing and a cut above any other meal we had in Maine. The halibut entree was unforgettable. We also had excellent service.

Great atmosphere, lots of excellent choices on the menu & the service was attentive without being over the top. Outside of downtown but well worth the trip.

We went to several restaurants during our week in Portland. Isa Bistro was the stand out favorite. I ordered the Seared Halibut with summer vegetables, lobster saffron broth and bread. It was some of the best halibut I've ever had. We also ordered the Grilled Pork Chop with potatoes, grilled cabbage and Dijon garlic butter. The pork chop was super tender and tasty. Everything was excellent! I highly recommend Isa Bistro.

Cozy, friendly accommodating staff, top level food. We returned to Isa recently and I'm sorry it had been so long. We just love the place, food, ambiance, service. We started with the Lobster Tostado, which was almost to beautiful to eat. Crisp tortilla with avocado, and aioli and a nice balanced amount of lobster. The shaved fennel salad was bright with a nice amount of acid from the grapefruit- unique. Grilled pork chop expertly cooked and I loved it. We also had the seared halibut also perfectly cooked. While the menu is on the small side, I'd come back to order a few more appetizers and maybe split a main dish so I could try more things. Our waiter was great, and suggested wine and changes to accommodate some food sensitivities for my wife. One of our favorites in Portland.

I am a Portland local and this is one of the best restaurants in the area. We had a group of us and all were in agreement. Can't wait to visit again.

This place is a gem. Amazing eggplant lasagna sliced so thin that the texture is like eating pasta. The halibut melted in your mouth and the sautéed broccolini was perfect and service on point!

This is the best restaurant in Portland. Bold statement I know but there is something for everyone here and the quality, creativity, and level of service is always way above par. Hesitant to post as we selfishly like to keep this hidden gem to ourselves and others already in the know, but also want to see the team at Isa get the recognition they truly deserve. Isa is my jam - and I encourage you to make it yours as well!