Isla Detroit

Restaurant · Sterling-Heights

Isla Detroit

Restaurant · Sterling-Heights

4

2496 Metro Pkwy, Sterling Heights, MI 48310

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Isla Detroit by null
Isla Detroit by null
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Isla Detroit by null
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Highlights

Isla is your go-to spot for delicious Filipino comfort food, from hearty lechon kawali to refreshing halo-halo, all served in generous portions.  

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2496 Metro Pkwy, Sterling Heights, MI 48310 Get directions

isladetroit.com
@isla_metrodetroit

$$$$$$

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2496 Metro Pkwy, Sterling Heights, MI 48310 Get directions

+1 586 883 7526
isladetroit.com
@isla_metrodetroit

$$$$$$

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Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

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@eater

"Isla Detroit is the fast casual Filipino eatery with a refined approach, featuring a selection of rice bowls, noodle bowls and desserts, and entrees that are reflective the cooking styles of Iloilo, a province in the Philippines’ Visayas region. The desserts out of this charming establishment are also impressive. Brightly-hued tropical ube cakes are always a standout and if you’re dining in, try the Buko Halo-Halo — the quintessential Filipino dessert featuring crushed ice, evaporated milk or coconut milk, along with various toppings like fruit and jellies." - Serena Maria Daniels

18 Perfect Places for Dessert in Metro Detroit
View Postcard for Isla Detroit
@eater

"Melody Baetens, restaurant critic/reporter, The Detroit News: ...Isla (Filipino)..." - Serena Maria Daniels

Best Detroit Neighborhoods to Dine in 2022 - Eater Detroit
View Postcard for Isla Detroit
@eater

"Isla Detroit, a fast casual eatery with a refined approach, is run by classically trained chefs J.P. Garcia and Jacqueline Diño-Garcia. Isla offers a wide selection of rice bowls, noodle bowls and desserts, and some of the entrees reflect the cooking styles of Iloilo, a province in the Philippines’ Visayas region, like the batchoy, a noodle dish served with beef shank and bone broth. Other hearty meals include lechon kawali (crispy pork belly), varieties of pancit as well as sweets like the tropical ube cake and sans rival. As for the interior, a mural featuring both Filipino and American eagles decorates the restaurant’s gray wall, which showcases the chefs’ love for both countries." - Eleanore Catolico

8 Essential Places to Get Filipino Food in Metro Detroit
View Postcard for Isla Detroit
@eater

"A year after departing its location inside the Fort Street Galley, hit Filipino food stall Isla made a comeback in January with a casual restaurant and bakery on the border of Sterling Heights and Troy. The restaurant offers carryout for dinner with online ordering for a mixture of rice and noodle bowls. Customers can take their pick from options like chicken adobo rice bowls, Pinoy baked spaghetti with wings, lechon kawali (crispy pork belly with dinuguan sauce), and even tropical ube cake." - Brenna Houck

New Southeast Michigan Restaurants and Bars That Opened in the Pandemic - Eater Detroit
View Postcard for Isla Detroit

Yvonne Sioco

Google
We had a good lunch. It was a pretty decent meal. I ordered lechon kawali, which comes with dinuguan, and my husband ordered palabok. The serving size is generous, like American portions. I had to take out my leftovers because I didn't want to waste a good meal. We also tried the dessert, which is unique and not too sweet, which is very good. The price is affordable, and the place had ample parking space.

Jennifer F

Google
We had a good time eating here in Isla. I had lechon kawali with dinuguan sauce,it's so good I wanna cry! batchoy has its authentic flavor, beef is fork tender. Also, get to try their Palabok, it's tastes better than Goldilocks palabok, in my opinion. My husband had the adobo, and he liked it he said it was flavorful. We had their signature halo halo in coconut very refreshing. their sans rival is just the best! I wish we live close by. I'll definitely be a regular here. No lie. You should try their cake rolls coming soon , the owners were very nice to have us try the Ube roll we really liked it! This will be perfect for the holidays. Thank you so much Jaypee and Jacqueline! We'll be back ! Regards, your fans from Ohio

Frank Leone

Google
Delicious Filipino food cooked to perfection and portioned generously. My pork pancit bihon was full of flavor, and the warm, flaky banana turon is simply a must-try!

Spreeses S

Google
I have severe systemic nerve damage from autoimmune attacking my nervous system and am highly sensitive to MSG, I was able to order meals with no added/synthetic MSG in any of their dishes/sauces and I nearly teared up with gratefulness while eating! It was delicious and I could finally enjoy some of my favorite food types without fearing a severe reaction!! The food was truly delicious and the woman who served us was beyond wonderful, attentive, and kind! Please visit it’s a very nice alternative choice for a quick healthy and delicious meal!

John Delacruz

Google
Was so happy to find a great Filipino restaurant in Michigan. The Lechon Kawali was so juicy AND crispy. The showstopper was the batchoy. Places will seldom have this on their menu and theirs having pork AND beef was an incredible decision (wish it had a little liver, though). The desserts were a pleasant surprise and the chocolate yema cake was so decadent.

JEANETTE

Google
My husband picked up lunch for us from Isla Detroit, and it was amazingly delicious!!! We ordered the Pancit Palabok and Lechon Kawali.... I've been craving these dishes for the longest time, and I finally was able to get a taste today! I haven't met them personally,however, based on what I was told by my husband, the owners are great people, very friendly, and the preparation of the food was quick! We will definitely be back for more!! Salamat po! Update: My husband and I met here for lunch and ordered the Lechon Kawali, Pork Adobo, and we got to try the Pancit Bihon with chicken. I can not get enough of their food!!! EVERYTHING is soooo freaking good!! I highly recommend the entire menu!! It's the most authentic Filipino food I've had that's not cooked by my own parents. I finally got to meet the owners, and they are the sweetest people!! They are the epitome of true Filipino heritage and hospitality. On a side note: I rely on reviews, which is why I take the time to leave reviews for places I go. I'm honestly disappointed in many of the reviews that I see on here for Isla Detroit by people who claim they know what Filipino food tastes like. There are many variations of how Filipinos cook their food, and as a true foodie, you should never base your judgment on what you "think" it should taste like then leave a negative review because it wasn't what you liked.

Lara Jane Hadlocon

Google
My husband and I enjoyed our lunch at Isla. I personally love how well the chicken was fried and how moist the baked spaghetti is. The halo-halo is a must-try with shaved iced buko on a coconut shell topped with home-made ice cream and flavorful toppings. We had a nice conversation with JP, the chef/owner and he seems unbothered with the growing Filipino cuisine competition in the area, but rather optimistic and encouraging of the increasing representation of ethnic cuisines. We need more of that spirit, supporting one another and helping folks keep their local businesses successful. Kudos, Isla!

Karol Collazo

Google
I had never visited before, this week was my first and I went specifically for the Lechon. I can say all the dishes exceeded my expectations, they were packed with flavor and the potions were generous! The lechon kawalis texture is unlike any other! I tried the Isla Halo Halo for dessert and it comes in a beautiful coconut branded with their logo and topped with all these yummy toppings, it was the perfect way to end our dinner. I will be back next week!

Sofia M.

Yelp
The food here is so good! Great introduction to Filipino cuisine and I need to re-visit. I had the pork adobo, and it was so flavorful, and perfect with the rice. I couldn't stop eating it, but still had leftovers for a couple days. Read: prices are worth the portion sizes you get here. Halo halo was also amazing, and refreshing. The ube and other flavors are so interesting, and it's like exactly the dessert you'd want on a summer day. Main complaint, which the restaurant can't control, is when they're busy, the remaining seating for solo diners has a big window facing the sun, so you're really in the sun when you eat. Bring your sunglasses! If you don't have sunglasses this could be very annoying but wearing mine sort of added to the ambiance, like I was on a tropical beach eating. They also must not get a lot of solo diners, since the host seemed confused at first at me walking in to eat.

Jann D.

Yelp
I've had almost all the food on the menu and I love it! My family has ordered food and dined in. My personal favorite is the Lechon Kawali and of course the beautiful Halo Halo! The food is always yummy and authentic.

Vy N.

Yelp
Went in here for the first time around noon on a Sunday. Immediately noticed that the restaurant is pretty small. Had four tables and then a few seats at the countertops. Half the tables had a reserved sign when we got there. Might be good to make a reservation if you can since it's limited seating. Food was very good. Got the crispy pork and then ordered off the brunch menu the beef and egg with garlic rice. The desserts looked very good so would have to come back and try those out.

Ilene G.

Yelp
I have never been here before, but I would like to try it out sometime soon and I head they had great reviews there too

JoAnne R.

Yelp
We drove from Lansing to Sterling Heights for the Isla experience. The ambience is fantastic, and the space is Instagram-friendly. The owners are super friendly, and the service is great. They even surprised my mom with an ube dessert for her birthday. That was such a nice touch.

Amanda L.

Yelp
Isla is genuinely one of my absolute favorite places in all of metro Detroit, as a more or less lifelong resident of metro Detroit! It is also one of those places that I can't believe I haven't written a review yet for, so I am making up for the error of my ways today, once and for all! I first discovered Isla half a decade ago when they were one of the restaurants that operated out of Fort Street Galley in downtown Detroit. I had just started a job in downtown Detroit and within that same week, discovered Isla. Ever since, I have never looked back! I would go to get lunch at least once a week (if not more!) from Isla basically every week before the pandemic hit and we started working from home. And then, for a few years while the pandemic was raging, I sort of lost all concept of time and space and realized quite belatedly that Fort Street Galley had closed during the pandemic, so by the time I went back to work in Detroit, Isla was no longer there. But no matter because from the ashes of the pandemic and from Fort Street Galley, Isla rose again and this time in metro Detroit! They are kiddy corner from H Mart in Sterling Heights on Big Beaver/Metro Parkway, so it is always the perfect place to go before or after a proper grocery shop there - it's truly the perfect afternoon! Everything on Isla's menu is so delicious! For those who don't know, Isla is a Filipino-owned restaurant comprised of truly the best Filipino food EVER! It's a husband and wife duo, with the husband being the chef and the wife being the pastry chef, so you definitely want to make sure to get a meal including dessert here - you won't regret it! They are so lovely and personable, always making sure that you're enjoying your food. Isla sometimes has odd hours or limited times where they'll accept phone call aheads, so it's best to check their websites and social media (which they are good about updating) if you can't get through one way or another. But trust that it's worth a trip, regardless of where you're coming from! They have a ton of indoor seating for you to dine in. I oftentimes will take my food to go and even though I'm located about 30 minutes away, it all holds up beautifully once I get home and reheats really well for the next day or following days too! My favorite items on the menu are their Lechon Kawali (crispy slices of pork belly over a massive bed of rice, which you can pour their dinuguan sauce all over) and the Pancit Palabok (SO much shrimp and crab over a soupy bed of rice noodles with crispy chicharron bits on top for some added texture!). The flavors in both of these dishes, and every dish on their menu, are TO DIE FOR! Their Adobo Rice is also absolutely divine and I have so many friends of mine who always will get their adobo rice meals because it's the best they've ever had as well! Isla is always coming out with limited time specials, both for their meals and desserts, so it's always worth a try because everything they've ever made is so delicious! I love trying new things each time, but I am also so tempted to return to my favorites as well (and often do) because they are some of my favorite things I've ever eaten in the area and I crave them all the time! As for desserts, again...every single dessert is DELICIOUS! A fan favorite is the ube cheesecake, which I love, but my personal favorite is the cashew sans rival! If you love meringue, you will LOVE this! The texture and flavors of the cashew sans rival is out of this world!! I truly could go on for 156 more paragraphs, but I'll try to wrap things up! Bottom line, do not sleep on Isla! You will love anything and everything you order here! I almost don't even want to publish this review because what if you all start selling out of my favorite things haha! Something to note, that I've been really wanting to try, is their Sunday brunch! The menu looks so delicious, but I haven't been able to get out there on a Sunday during their brunch hours quite yet! Hopefully SOON! In the meantime, go any time you are available and make it a priority! And tell them Amanda sent you! You won't regret it!! See you soon, Isla!!!!!!!!

Christopher T.

Yelp
I was beyond ecstatic to find a Filipino restaurant here in Sterling Heights, Michigan! Being a Bay area native, I am no stranger to amazing Filipino restaurants and home cooked meals. There was so much on the menu that I wanted to try! I decided on getting the Pork Adobo and Cashew Sans Rival for something sweet. Both were amazing, the combination of soy sauce, vinegar, pepper and garlic was very well balanced. The portions were generous and the meat was very tender. PJ and Jacquilyn were very kind. It was nice learning that PJ had Bay area roots like myself. I can't wait to try the Lechon Kawali and Chicken Inasal next! Also, they do silogs (Filipino breakfast) on Sundays!

Phil S.

Yelp
If you are considering Filipino food, this is seriously the best Filipino food I have ever tasted in that even even coming from my own family. The pork adobo I ate was so well marinated and so tender that I did not want each bite to end. This also goes for the halo halo which every ingredient was fresh. Even the bowl that it sits in is in a young coconut, which then you can scrape out and mix with the rest of the ingredients to eat. The service is wonderful, but it does take some time to make the food so be prepared to wait however it is worth the wait! Overall, ambience is very family, friendly and oriented. Very clean. Space you will not be disappointed. This is a must try!

Kendra N.

Yelp
One of my fav spots to go to! No bad dish here. Service was very nice here. You won't regret coming here.

Bella B.

Yelp
Pictures share the story. Had to try because it is the ONLY Filipino restaurant in the Detroit metro area. Food. Interesting. Different. But good flavors and textures -- varied from cruchy lechon, savory diniguan, hot soup, to cold Halo-Halo dessert. Everything were in to-go containers with plastic ware. PRICEY. Service was counter service. Kind. Not "extra" Filipino hospitality. A bothered by the "RESPECT" signage on tables. So, tips may not be expected. Ambiance. They call your number when your order is ready. So, it is a little impersonal. Small restaurant. Seats less than 30? So, make a reservation or do takeout. Overall, I would come back for the lechon.

Alyssa S.

Yelp
The food was all very good! The palabok was my favorite. The sauce was flavorful and it came with a lot of shrimp and chicharron on top for an added crunch. The calamansi juice is the cherry on top to make the palabok the best. Both the owners are very friendly and attentive.

Andria L.

Yelp
The food was absolutely incredible! We got the pancit with chicken and the tocilog. Both were so tender and flavorful, I cannot recommend this place enough. Got the taho for dessert, which was lovely too.

Amy B.

Yelp
Every time I hear the name of this restaurant, I immediately think of the song "La Isla Bonita" by Madonna. Anyway, my friend wanted to come here and check the place out and has heard good things. I've never formally had Filipino food, so I thought, why not give it a try. Walking in, the place isn't very big and has limited seating. The menu's pretty simple, in regards to only having a few dishes to choose from. We studied the menu, and I went with the Chicken Adobo and my friend went with the Pork Belly. When the food came out, the portions were HUGE, and was more than enough for two separate meals. (I still have leftovers.) I didn't try my friends dish since I don't eat pork, but my dish was absolutely fantastic! Best food I've had in a while. I was hungry anyway, but I couldn't get enough! So why 4 stars instead of 5? First, everything's plastic here. Silverware, bowls, and cups are paper. No formal settings. Secondly, they don't have fountain pop, only small cans and a juice or two. Also, there was barely any napkins at the table and we had to ask for more. Small and minor? Yes, but still annoying. I will be back here when on this side of town. Foods excellent and well worth the money. It's not cheap, but it's easily two meals and done really really well.

Christal P.

Yelp
Isla is not nearly as good as it once was when it first opened. It was always overpriced but I was willing to pay to get quality Filipino cuisine that could not be found elsewhere. My favorites were the Lechon Kawali and the Pinoy Baked Spaghetti and Wings. The prices have slightly increased and the quality has gone noticeably down. The Lechon Kawali has a lot less meat than before and the lechon slices are thinner and drier. Not worth the price or, for me, the drive. The hours are also inconvenient and sometimes the restaurant is unexpectedly closed. I don't see myself returning anytime again soon.

Nathan L.

Yelp
This is my favorite Filipino spot in Troy. The staff is really friendly and makes you want to come back. I had the Pancit Palabok, Chicken Adobo, Pork Adobo, Pancit Bihon, and Tropical Ube Cake. I thought all of these dishes were great and it just depends on what you are feeling that day. The palabok is tangy and flavorful with a good amount of seafood. the Bihon with chili sauce has a good amount of protein and noodles. The adobo is good and creamy. I love their adobo sauce but I prefer the pork as sometimes the chicken is a little dry. Now you have to try their tropical Ube cake, it is one of the yummiest things I have had and I wish I could eat it every day. it is well balanced in taste and texture with a creamy, tart base contrasted by the citrus passion added to it. For texture, the cake is soft and has added crunch with the crumbs put around it.

Hannah C.

Yelp
My boyfriend and I went here. It's right on the border of Sterling Heights and Troy off Big Beaver. The inside is small, but very clean. We went on a Friday evening and were able to find a seat right away. The staff were very friendly and service was excellent. Food was delicious. We split a crispy pork bowl and tropical Ube cake. The sauce that comes with the bowl was very flavorful and savory. Will definitely be back to try more dishes.

Saphace A.

Yelp
It's interesting to find Filipino restaurants up in Metro Detroit. But love to see it! We came to only try dessert. We got halo halo, which is a mix of shaved ice, ice cream, lychee, other toppings. This version was in an open coconut. Really refreshing to scrape off the coconut meat! Usually, its served in a bowl or a sundae glass cup. We also tried ube cake which had some sort or gelatinous coconut flavored something on top. Really light and delicious! Overall, everything was good! The halo halo is beautifully presented but slightly messy to eat if it doesn't melt a bit. Otherwise, Everything falls off it. We didn't try the main menu, but my sister had had their pancit before and enjoyed it. My sister decided to try their calamansi juice. Really fantastic! It tasted like they must've made themselves! It's not a large space inside. A handful of tables. It can seat families and large parties. But I'm sure they get folks who like to do carry out! Plenty of parking out front as well.

Ailun H.

Yelp
Overall, a 4.5/5 (a couple minor issues, but not a big deal), but will round it up to a 5/5. This is my fourth time trying Filipino food, and Isla was a great fourth restaurant experience! My friend and I didn't have to wait too long (20 minutes, maybe?) for a table this Wednesday evening, but I'd recommend calling ahead to make a reservation. For the rice bowl entrees, you can choose between white or brown rice here! Sadly, no garlic rice, haha. CHICKEN ADOBO - 14.99 I love that there's so much chicken - a good mix of white and dark meat. The dark meat was tender and juicy! The white meat was dry and did not soak up the adobo sauce very well. Still, it was tasty. The adobo sauce was flavorful and was well integrated into our rice, so you could definitely enjoy the rice without any chicken. Good amount of garnish that enhanced the flavor of this entree. LECHON KAWALI - 14.99 There's a decent amount of pork belly, but so much rice. I get that you're supposed to pour the dinuguan sauce (which was flavorful and a bit tangy) over the rice, but there's just not enough meat. Overall, the pork belly was delicious and crispy. Some of the skin was a bit hard (and didn't have much meat) which made it hard to eat without it getting stuck in my teeth. This seems to be their most popular entree here, so definitely give it a try. While there were some quips, my friend and I thoroughly enjoyed the food here. We were very full and loved the flavors of both of our rice dishes. Next time, I'd like to come on Sunday morning to try out their "Sunday only" brunch options like Longsilog or the Ube Waffle!

Sabreena L.

Yelp
Soooo good! Looked for filipino food in the area and found this one. The lechon was crispy and the diniguan was pretty good with lechon/add to rice. The pancit bihon was also tasty, but the chicken on top was the best part -- so juicy and flavorful Will come back for sure!

Reneh G.

Yelp
Delicious. Tasted like home. Came on a Wednesday and it was nice and slow. Inside is super clean and modern, there's about five small tables and another seating area near the window, so be conscious of what day and time you're coming. We dined in and were given menus and were told to come back up front when ready to order. We chose the chicken inasal and lechon kawali. For desert I was originally going to choose the Cashew Sans Rival that was on their little dessert sheet, but luckily Tita Jacqueline asked if we wanted Turon and or Halo Halo, we said yes to both and was not disappointed. Food took about 15 minutes, but Filipino food can take a long time to cook, so I was happy to wait. The food was amazing. It tasted like home, and it was certainly made with love. The portions are perfect. Lechon wasn't too salty, but still had a crispy bite. Inasal was packed with flavor. And I don't know what it is about their white jasmine rice, but it tasted wonderful, the fried garlic bits on top really made a difference. Tita Jacqueline also seemed to be conscious of the time frame of where we were in our meal, because just as we were finishing up our entrees, the Halo Halo and Turon were being served. I really really appreciated that it timed out like that. Halo Halo was delicious (and messy as it should be) and the Turon was perfectly cooked. The Halo Halo tasted like the ones from home. And I appreciated the flaky, not overly sweet Turon. I felt as though the prices were a tad bit expensive, but I know Filipino food can require a lot of time and resources to cook to make it taste properly. The Owners were very nice and friendly, and I can't wait to see them again when I have another pinoy food craving. The palabok and Batchoy is next on my list!

Geovanny A.

Yelp
Isla chicken is sooooo good. Will definitely be back. Dessert was also delicious. Staff was very friendly.

Richard U.

Yelp
Legit filipino food in Sterling Heights! Chicken inasal with garlic rice: really nice stand out items here.! The chicken drippings mix with rice to make it really yummy! Lechon kawali: a must get if you are into crispy pork belly (who doesn't love crispy pork belly??) Pretty tasty Pork adobo: any adobo is always something that Filipinos are highly opinionated on since you always compare it to what you grew up with. Version here is quite good and similar to how we do it at home! Very soft pork shoulder chunks, whole peppercorn and good over rice. Batchoy: not something we ate growing up. beef noodle soup with chicharon topping very good on a cold day Dishes come as single orders over rice but easy enough to share. The halo halo looks amazing but not an option for take out sadly! Next time dine in to try!

Mayumi S.

Yelp
Very friendly service , very clean atmosphere, food is great! What other thing do I need more? I usually don't eat Filipino food, I didn't know about that.Of cause I still don't remember name of food so I checked when eat see the picture and read review... . But my preference here is rice with something... I really like them. Pork,chicken very yummy... I never try dessert so usually I'm full when finish eat but next time I will try something sweet!

Rob G.

Yelp
Food is delicious. Service is minimalistic-not in a bad way. Your food is served to you already in to go containers with plastic utensils. Space is nice and welcoming. Appears to be family owned and operated. They attend to your needs when you bring them up. Food was really good.

Nicole E.

Yelp
They're open from 4 PM to 8 PM tonight. They suggested making a reservation for dinner tonight. We made one for two of us at 6 PM. The inasal chicken and the adobo chicken look good. We ordered the adobo chicken, rice noodle with chicken (pancit bihon), two of the Calamansi juice (lemonade like) Ube cake. The Calamansi juice is good. The pancit bihon was decent. The chicken was good and moist. Wasn't super flavorful. The adobo chicken was yummy. Nicely stewed chicken, falls apart it's so moist. Not a ton of flavor but still good. The Ube cake was different and not too bad. Looks cool. The food all comes out in carry out containers and plastic utensils as well. Service was quick and easy and attentive too.

Stacy K.

Yelp
Cute little mom and pop cafe tucked in a corner of a strip mall. We wanted to get a taste of Jollibees since it was coming to Michigan and for some reason never opened, so we got a couple baked spaghetti and fried chicken dishes. The spaghetti was good. Taste just like the dish I make at home, well cooked with gooey cheese. The chicken was good, very crispy, but needed a bit of seasoning to the coating. Since they gave such a nice sized portion I was able to salt it a bit and reheat it the next day, then it was perfect. The real star was the chicken adobo. The rice was so well cooked and absorbed all of the sauce from the chicken and onions. The chicken was tender and cooked perfectly. It had such a familiar taste of comfort food. Also a large portion with plenty for lunch the next day. If we visit again, dessert is definitely on our menu to try.

Marissa C.

Yelp
I was looking for a nice treat for dinner and found this restaurant through a recommendation for a friend and it did not disappoint!! I got carry out and the service was quick and efficient. The cashier was able to help make recommendations. The way the food was packaged was so nice and displayed nicely! The chicken in the chicken adobo was soft and tender you can tell it was cooked with care and for a long time to really develop flavors! The pancit noodles were full of sauce and the beef was incredibly tender. This adorable mom and pop shop definitely deserves 5 stars and recommend to anyone looking for some amazing Filipino food!

Joe J.

Yelp
This was my first time eating Filipino food, and I was impressed! We went on a Saturday afternoon and only had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated. The restaurant is small, but comes with a side of terrific service. We got Pancit Palabok along with the Pinoy Baked Spaghetti and Wings and shared. The Pancit Palabok was good. It featured very crispy pork, some good seafood and thin noodles. The only thing I'd change about this is I wish it was hotter - temperature wise. It was warm, but for a broth based dish, I wanted it to be hot. Meanwhile, the Spaghetti & Wings were some of the best I've ever had! The chicken was so crispy and the spaghetti was full of flavor! I'd get that again, without question. Sadly, didn't get a photo of the chicken and spaghetti. We dug right in! Overall, if you're in the area, stop in! You'll be happy you did. Just check their website, the hours are a bit unusual right now.

Jenny K.

Yelp
Amazing Filipino food and awesome service. The owners were very friendly. We ordered the chicken adobo and lechon kawali. Both were very good and they come in pretty large portions. For dessert, the Halo Halo is a must! It is such a unique and refreshing dessert. The ube cake was absolutely delicious and probably my favorite part of the meal. Yum!

Jamrensze D.

Yelp
Ever since moving to Michigan, I've wanted to try Isla because it's one of the few fully Filipino restaurants. I took my friends (not Filipino) and we enjoyed it so much! FOOD: The calamansi juice was so well made and refreshing. I had pork adobo (because you can't go wrong with adobo) and they had lechon kawali + dinuguan sauce. The pork adobo was SO tender and just had the right flavors. The lechon kawali was so crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. We also shared a Halo-Halo dine-in, which my friends had never had. They elevate the halo-halo from traditional by taken the coconut water from the fresh coconut and freezing it to turn into the shaved ice for the halo-halo. So you can literally taste the coconut in the ice too. I don't like artificial coconut very much but LOVE fresh so this was absolutely amazing. I got a tropical ube cake and Sans Rival to-go and took bites as soon as I got home... absolutely delectable!! EXPERIENCE: The restaurant space and seating is limited, so it doesn't feel super chaotic like it feels at some larger/chain restaurants. The owners (JP & Jacqueline) are the only ones working during weekdays and sometimes have 2 teenagers helping during the weekend. Kuya JP and Ate Jacqueline were SO accommodating and attentive even though it's only the two of them cooking/serving in the restaurant. They're super kind and care about your eating experience. Overall, such a positive experience and it felt so much like home! If I could give more starts, I would. Definitely recommend trying!!

John A.

Yelp
I dined at Isla Detroit for the first time and had their pancit palabok and enjoyed it. The presentation was excellent. Their restaurant is at a good location. I highly recommend Isla Detroit for all to enjoy their authentic Filipino cuisine. Isla Detroit owners are good people and great to talk to.

Carey C.

Yelp
Pricey but delicious. Never having ate Filipino food before, I was unsure what to get. There menu is small, a rice section and a noodle section, with about 4 options each. I asked what the most popular/signature dish was, and the woman working said the Pork Adobo with Rice, and the Pancit Bihon. so I ordered one of each, and topped it off with the most popular dessert, The tropical Ube cake. The Adobo was out of this world. I would totally order it again. The noodle dish was good, but I would try another one next time. Then I ordered the Tropical Ube Cake, and at $8.50 I thought I might be getting a small cake to feed 2, but it was a sliver of a dessert, barely enough to share. I'll eat here again, but I'll forgo the outrageously priced desserts.

Dona L.

Yelp
The place is almost an hour away from where we lived. Nevertheless, we make sure we make time to go back to Isla each time we are craving for a Filipino dish. Food : This time, we were back to get lechón kawali with dinuguan, and pancit palabok specialty noodles. Aalways, each time you eat, what ever on the menu, its guaranteed to be delicious, with a twist. The chef /owner has his way of adding his secret ingredients that would wow any customer. Service: Very good service! Jackie, the wife / owner surely knows how to take care of her guest. Today, we were served a complementary 'special turon'. Incidentally, this dessert piece has been published in the famous'HOUR' magazine. Ambiance: Casual setting. Average noise Cost: priced appropriately for the volume of food you are getting. Wifi: None Parking: Free in front of the restaurant. Restroom: Clean, Shared Gender Overall summary : Would recommend this place to any one. We've done it multiple times taking guest here if we want them to showcase, a taste of Filipino food. While we thought we were done eating dinner, the owners came out and gave their courtesy greets. We got entertained talking with the JP and Jackie for more than an hour touching based on a lot of topics. You can call that as Total entertainment ! Until next time. Definitely will go back.

Jasmin N.

Yelp
Food was sooo good . Customer service wonderful. Gave us things not on the menu and took the time talking with my daughter . Even offering her sweets . The store was clean and atmosphere welcoming . Definitely eating here again . I gotta go back for the pork belly !

Kat T.

Yelp
I've been trying various cuisines and wanted to try Filipino. I went for lunch and was very happy with my pancit canton with pork. The decor is modern and minimal. You place your order at counter prior to sitting down. Your meal is brought to your table. A sign at the table indicated we were to clear and clean up table. Hand sanitizer was on the table which I appreciated. The woman working there was very pleasant and helpful. I wouldn't hesitate returning if I was in the area.

Ben G.

Yelp
Came back for Sunday brunch. Still did not disappoint. Food's really tasty. Prices are very reasonable for the portion size. Very friendly staff. Good ambience. Yum!

Jay Arra M.

Yelp
This establishment is top notch. From the friendly service to the yummy food. I come here often in my attempt to try everything on the menu (lol) and each time the owners JP and Jacqueline were so nice and attentive. I'm so glad we have a legit Filipino restaurant in metro Detroit that can introduce our food to the American palette with a touch of refinement and unique way compared to how I grew up eating it at home. P.S. - you can't miss their desserts too!! Would recommend this place to my friends and family

Dawn V.

Yelp
The Filipino food here cannot be found anywhere else in Michigan- so that should be your solitary reason for going way out of your way to try it- It's 5 star food- just really really good- and don't skip dessert because it's pastry chef quality. (You're going to pay for that quality and it's worth it) But I took off one star so that you're well aware of how hard you might work to eat here You can call to reserve a table but most likely no one will answer the phone. (We tried for days and then, once here, reaffirmed that you can call to reserve, but also heard the phone going unanswered while we were dining in) We arrive at 4:30 (they open at 4) on a Sunday and it was a 2 hour wait for the table. (You can carry out but that would be a 40 minute wait- and we wanted the special dessert which is fine-in only) We also pre ordered our food so that when the table was ready, so would the food. There are 5 tables. So you wait. We gave our cell# and went shopping at Aldi, Target and HMart and got a bubble tea at Vivi across the street. When we came back, all was ready. With 20% tip- (that's going on faith because we gave that when we ordered and left two hours ago )- we spent $69 for 2 ppl: 2 rice noodle bowls (one with shrimp and one with chicken), a Halo Halo dessert and an Ube cake. Again, the food is DELICIOUS- we even ordered another bowl to take home for someone else- But I want you to be prepared: you will wait and it will not be cheap Try getting through for a reserved table. That's prolly your best Plan A

Michelle D.

Yelp
I haven't tried many Filipino place but regardless of cuisine type, I would highly recommend this eatery. This family owned restaurant is run by a couple who's very pleasant and friendly. The restaurant is very clean with cute, rustique-ish design. They have Filipino noodle and rice bowls. Everything looks interesting, but I decided to go for Pork-n-Beans (grilled pork, mung bean, rice) while my friend tried the Lechon Kawaii (crispy pork belly and dinuguan sauce). Portions are huge! It serves as 2 meals although of course everyone is welcome to finish it one seating. The pork-n-beans is delicious! The pork has a sweet glaze but still has an umami taste from the grill. The rice is topped with mung beans (which I wonder if it's cooked with coconut milk) and refreshing veggies (spinach, cherry tomatoes), and topped with spring onion. Absolutely delicious. The lechon kawaii was crispy yet tender. I highly recommend the dinuguan sauce! Unfortunately a lot of people seem to skip it and choose brown sauce instead. Like, no people! The dinuguan is the way to go! It's a savory sauce with a hint of acidity, but it's really good especially with rice. Aside from the main course, don't sleep on dessert! They have a beautiful tropical ube cake which is visually very appealing. It tastes very refreshing too with layers of coconut and mango on the cake. And of course the Halo-Halo. We actually came back specifically for the Halo-Halo as it looked so glorious but we're too full to have the first time. Ya'll this is the dessert to go for! Tastes as delicious as it looks! Ube, flan, jelly, beans, shave ice, on coconut. Service is excellent and price is pretty good. Definitely give this place a try

Ferdinand D.

Yelp
Just had our dinner at Isla with our Uncle and Aunt from Augusta, Georgia... and we were blown away by the food we ordered - Lechon Kawali, Pork and Munggo, Batchoy, Pancit Palabok and my son ordered the Chicken Inasal... all these were so good to our taste and we did not stopped until we finished our food. To top it all, the coconut halo-halo was cherry on top for our dinner... i don't think i could leave Isla next time without getting the halo-halo. Thank you Jackie and JP. See you soon!

Jenny S.

Yelp
The food was great, takes a while but it is all fresh to order. The atmosphere is pretty nice and there's more space to eat than you would expect for its location. I Definitely recommend if you're looking to try something different.

Eric D.

Yelp
I travel across the US for work and I always look for Filipino restaurants everywhere I go. One, I want to be pleasantly surprised at some unusual places, and two, I want to support these businesses who could certainly help make Filipino cuisine more mainstream. Isla is definitely one of those that could do the latter. Food is amazing, period! No matter what version you think you're getting it is great -tasting food. This is not your usual turo-turo joint, but not the fancy fusion thing either. Price is fair for what it offers. There is an article on Food&Wine about the best Filipino restaurants in every state and Michigan was represented by Isla. Great job JP and Jacqueline, I wish you the best!

Stephanie A.

Yelp
The food was amazing. I felt like I was back in the Philippines enjoying great food with great friends. The food had my taste buds dancing in my mouth. Because every time I took a bite it was a different explosion. The HALO HALO was everything I could imagine and more. Thank You Isla for loving me and bring me home with you!!'n

Duzyboy73 L.

Yelp
I did not have an opportunity to try the food, the website says they are open until 3:00 PM on Sunday, arrived at the restaurant at 2:17 to place a carry out and the sign on the door says they closed at 2:00, not a single car in the parking lot. Adding insult to injury the "Open" sign was still turned on. I spent my time driving from southeast Roseville for nothing. You lost a customer, I will not try again.

Jerome C.

Yelp
If you love Filipino food, Isla is the spot in Sterling Heights/Detroit. Worth the drive if you're further out. Food served fresh, nice presentation and YUMMY! You gotta try the Ube Cake, out of this world

Nino Yap C.

Yelp
First time here, and I'm glad I came.. Food was good. We tried the Palabok, which was the best Palabok I've ever had here in The United States. Reminds me of the Palabok I used to get at Red Ribbon back in The Philippines. I think a side of Kalamansi would be a good touch. We also got the Lechon Kawali rice bowl. I do think, the kawali could have been more crispy, I usually like a thicker and crispier skin part of the kawali.. But the star of the dish is definitely the Dinuguan sauce, which was such a great surprise and combination with the rice and kawali.. Overall, this is a great representation of Filipino cuisine..

Justin H.

Yelp
This place is good as for their limited menu that they have. I wish there was more but they do not allow it. I wish they had more space and more of a menu but given the chance it was "OK" however not like the original Filipino food I'm used to. Would I go there again? The question is up for discussion. Just wish they made more of a menu than what was presented to us. Don't go into there with as high expectations as we did...a family of 4 who reserved a table....

Natalie N.

Yelp
OMG BECKY AMAZING RESTAURANT ALERT. I was so blown away by how delicous this food was. As soon as I walked in my nose was capitavted by the smell of incredible food being prepared. I ordered the Beef Pancit Bihon it is noodles with vegetables and a lovely sweet & tangy sauce. It was simply the best noodle dish I have had in a very long time. Derrick ordered the pork rice bowl. He enjoyed it and said the meat was so tender and was marinated well. He also tried the lemonade beverage it was so refreshing with a hint of tangerine. If you want something different and delicious for dinner this is your place. I highly recommend this little Gem. I hope everyone has a good dinner tonight.

Maria Je J.

Yelp
They raised the bar in bringing Filipino authentic dishes. Our fav dishes are lechon kawali , batchoy and of course couldn't leave without eating Halo-halo. So far it's the best one we ever had from multiple places we've been to. Customer service is excellent. Kudos to JP and Jacqueline.