ISLA Restaurant

Isla was a really great experience except for one aspect. The food and atmosphere was great. Our waiter was knowledgeable and the experience manager who came to our table to speak with us was very lovely. The only part that bothered me was there was a man (who I presume to be a manager) that is tall and African-American who was unbelievably rude to me. I walked in and he happened to be standing near the front desk and only greeted and spoke to my friend. It was as if I was invisible. I was shocked. It was clear he took an interest in her, but to ignore someone standing in front of you is extremely unprofessional. The same manager came by our table, again later in the evening — only spoke to my other two friends, he didn’t even acknowledge my presence or look at me. I mentioned it to one of my friends who concurred and agreed he was extremely strange. This unfortunately diluted the absolutely wonderful experience me and my friends had. But I am grateful for the staff who were welcoming and considerate.

Truly enjoyed this place!!! They were so accommodating but also the service was amazing (one of the best in DC)! The food was fire and the drinks were great! We all had a fantastic time. Loved the ambience and the interior design. Honestly for a DC restaurant this is truly a great spot and highly recommend. I don’t love the dc food scene but I’ll send people here because I know it was a guaranteed great time. Their speakeasy was beautiful and whoever did the interior chefs kiss

Isla was an absolute delight. The host was incredibly accommodating and made sure we were seated exactly where we wanted for the perfect dining experience. The food was excellent. I started with the oysters and shrimp, then had the red snapper for my entrée, which was delicious. For dessert, our server surprised us with a refreshing mango sorbet. I’ll definitely be returning!

Aesthetics…impeccable! Pablo and Dre took GREAT care of us at the bar. The food was amazing. Beware-sauce for the oxtail patty is HOT (but delicious). Octopus was 10/10 in tenderness. Not a fan of corn, so that was the only downside to the plate, but to be fair, we knew what we were ordering. The fried snapper 100/10! Oysters were delicious as well. Pablo poured up the BEST tequila old fashioned I’ve had in years. Definitely will be back. Reservations are recommended.

Wildly delicious food 10/10 plus a really nice wine selection and fun cocktails! Great for groups, especially if you like tapas style. We ordered a bit of everything on the menu, there’s a variety of options whether you’re a vegetarian or a meat lover. And an overall cozy atmosphere. Please just go, and enjoy upscale but down to earth Caribbean cuisine *insert chef’s kiss

A beautiful new place with delicious food! Went on a Friday night with a +1 and the ambiance was stunning. Definitely upscale in the best way. Cocktails: we had their take on a passion fruit marg and the whiskey sour. Strong and well balanced drinks! Food: everything we ordered was delicious. We started with plantain chips and snapper crudo. The snapper crudo was in this delicious passion fruit sauce that stopped up in our tracks. As our second course we had crab patties and rock shrimp. the crab patties which were also diving and came with a very spicy sauce. The rock shrimp was perfectly fried! For entrees we had snapper and branzino with the rice and cabbage. Both the snapper and branzino were delicious with Amazon flavor and cooked perfectly. The cabbage was unique and paired well with both entrees. We did not love the rice as it was a little more moist than we would like but still good and I’m sure someone would like it. Service: as this is a new place the service was pretty slow especially when it came to ordering drinks. At one point we did wait 30 minutes for our second drink order to come out. They were apologetic. Overall will be back! Loved the vibe here

From the moment I stepped into ISLA, I felt surrounded by warmth and elegance. The restaurant’s atmosphere truly reflects its philosophy — a blend of island soul and global sophistication. I started with the Oyster topped with hibiscus granita and scotch bonnet mignonette — absolutely incredible! The balance of floral, spicy, and ocean-fresh flavors was unlike anything I’ve tasted before. It perfectly captured the “island through a global lens” theme. The service was attentive and friendly, the bartender Kristina and Alex did the best to serve us going through the menu itams and I can tell every dish that followed carried a story and a sense of creativity. The presentation was stunning, and the flavors were bold yet refined. ISLA is not just a restaurant — it’s a culinary journey. Whether you come for the artistry, the flavors, or the atmosphere, you’ll leave inspired and satisfied.

Beauitful dinning room! Gracious manager Kellen and delicious food! Fiz did a great job with service! Chef De Cuisine also did a walk through and touched several tables including ours! Well done We had several dishes and the lamb tartar was by far the most memorable.

I loved my experience here at Isla! I made a reservation but the place started filling up quickly after I got seated. I was seated near the kitchen, and the restaurant is very beautiful to look at. My only complaints are that it is loud and dark, but thankfully, the waiter gave us a flashlight to look at the menus. I started with the Style and Grace cocktail which was sweet and tasty - like a peanut butter flavoured espresso martini. They also gave us complimentary champagne which was nice and citrusy. For food, started with the scallion bread with yuzu honey butter. The bread itself was fluffy and had a good level of butteriness to it, and the yuzu honey butter made it taste smooth with a small kick to it, melting in my mouth. Had the wagyu oxtail patties which were honestly the star of the show for me! The meat was tender alongside the crispy dough shell, but the pepper sauce that came along the patties made it so delicious, and the sauce was a great amount of spiciness for me! Had the fire-grilled branzino for the main entree which was good, but nothing jaw-dropping. I liked that it was boneless and came with some nice chive flavours; I liked the skin part more than the white fish meat itself. We added the charred cabbage as an addition and it was probably my second favourite thing I ate here - the aioli made it very flavourful and the cabbage had a nice mix of saltiness and crunch on the top - I loved it! Finally, ended off the meal with the carrot cake, which wasn't too sweet but can get hefty if you're not a sweets person in my opinion. The bits of ginger and walnut were a great addition to the cake, which I enjoyed. Overall, I enjoyed my food and experience here. Food came out pretty quickly and everything was presented well. There were some dishes I definitely preferred more than others, but I liked all of them regardless. The staff were also very attentive and kind, offering coat check, cutting up some of our food, cleaning our tables, and providing us information about the dishes. The manager dropped by too and was very friendly with us. I'd definitely recommend coming here to try it out as an experience in DC!

If you're celebrating anything - birthday, job promotion, anniversary, Tuesday....stop scrolling and book a table. Isla delivers. The moment I walked in, the vibes alone put me on cloud nine...and somehow, it only got better. The wine program? Unreal. Thoughtfully curated to match their island-inspired dishes, and it shows in every sip. Now for food, the must-orders: Grilled avocado salad and the creamy crab rice with a side of mushrooms, simple on paper, total flavor explosion in reality. And the staff? Truly the cherry on top. They treat you the way the restaurant feels: like royalty.

I visited Isla for a friends birthday a week or so after they first opened. The restaurant was a little hard for me to find because of the lack of signage on the outside, but that may have been because it recently opened. The ambiance is beautiful once you're inside, however. You can tell that the owners invested in making the dining experience unique. You truly feel as though you've been whisked away to enjoy some secret location. I arrived nearly an hour late (due to a prior commitment), and to my surprise my friends were still waiting for their drinks and appetizers. Service was a little slow, but our waitress was kind. I assume that the restaurant needs some time to figure out the kinks. I ordered the Isla Daq which was tasty. The Isla crab patties with the spicy sauce were my favorite. I decided to keep things light for my main dish by ordering the Channa with the Fire Roasted Plantain which was really good as well. For the price point, the portion sizes could be a little bigger. I'd definitely visit again, but I want to give them some time to refine the menu, and the service.

The ambiance and service were amazing. The restaurant is decorated beautifully and has a dimly lit intimate vibe making it perfect for date night and small groups. Our server was very helpful with explaining the menu and the food came out quickly. Overall the food was a little underwhelming. The snapper and oxtail patties were the highlight of the choices but they were both too salty. My friend had the chicken and she would not recommend. It's worth trying but not somewhere I would revisit.

New Restaurant Alert!!!!! Long post alert! Detailed breakdown Added to the DC culinary scene, Isla, pronounced I-La. This Caribbean fusion restaurant is the place where the African diaspora comes together to prepare various culinary traditions, all of which can be tasted in the variety of spices. Bravo to the owners for presenting this vision. As a Trinidadian woman, I felt a sense of comfort and class on the plate and was proud to hear the use of spices very relevant to Trinidad and Tobago. Service: every good restaurant has a great staff and this staff was nothing short of amazing. Leading at the top of the service was our waiter, Marcus. He explained that he does not have Caribbean background but was passionate about learning the items. I think he perfectly explained the menu and gave incredible recommendations for both food and drinks-kudos Marcus! You're a rockstar. Ambiance: the decor isn't for the faint of heart so come dressed in your best wear, grab your significant other, a date, or some friends, and go! The decor was breathtaking. Picture the international dining scene, the rich use of accent bronze, marble tables, dimmed lighting, sexy bar area, rope and stanchion, large chandeliers, and you've envisioned this place. It's classy and sexy and their music selection gave off a grown vibes. I loved every moment. Appetizers: Scallion bread- This bread was freshly baked and buttery soft. The yuzu kosho honey butter was literally the icing on the cake lol it was a hint of sweetness and spiciness paired together. Highly recommend. Lamb Tartare- my goodness! The chef won big time with this dish. As someone who loves ordering tartare of any kind, this lamb presentation of the dish was exquisite. Robust flavors with a balance of fattiness, sweetness, pickled flavors, and the winner-green seasoning. A staple in any Caribbean home. Highly recommend. Main Dishes: My boyfriend wanted to try the Chargrilled octopus, which only comes as an appetizer. The dish was DELICIOUS! Perfectly charred to perfection, with some subtle balance of acidity. Highly recommend as an appetizer because it is a little small. Fried snapper: honey, this is STELLAR! Marcus informed us that it was a dish first fried, filet into pieces, and fried again. But he didn't prepare me for the taste. The seasoning on this fish was delectable! Some fried dishes can taste like the oils they're fried in, or you can capture the flavors in the batter-the flavors were oozing out of the batter making this dish a 10/10. Paired with a perfect side of pickled carrots, an ode to Jamaican escovitch-nuff respect! Highly, highly, highly recommend! Side dish: cook up rice. Whether you're Trinidadian, Jamaican, Guyanese, Bajan, or from any of the beautiful islands, you understand how important cook up rice is. Simply explained, it's where peas and rice comes together and it can be prepared with fresh coconut milk (not to be confused with the one people might drink). Every island prepares it differently, but this chef used coconut tea, a milky substance which I imagined was used to help boil the Carolina gold rice. Having just learned about the origins of the Carolina gold rice, read "High on the Hog". I loved seeing Afro-Caribbean excellence on a plate. This rice was remarkable and I wanted to keep eating scoops of if. Dessert: Miss Paula's Carrot Cake- DIVINE! Order it! Rum Raisin ice cream- If you aren't a rum drinker, don't try. I love good Caribbean rum and this ice cream wasn't shy of it. Creamy with a buzz. Drinks: Trini sour: perfect if you understand bitters and are looking for something that isn't sweet. I also had a couple glasses of crisp sauvignon blanc. . Prices are what you'd paid for exquisite services such as this, so be ready to pay and tip! Remember tipping is important and they didn't add it to the bill. I heard that they are preparing to launch brunch and happy hour soon, so count me in for both! Cannot wait to return here! Definitely a beautiful date night experience and it wasn't crowded when we went.

Private dinner for 13 and a private room upstairs. everything was savory and delicious. the chef came in to speak to us. really pleased with the offerings here all dishes were authentic strong flavors

From the moment I stepped into ISLA, I felt surrounded by warmth and elegance. The restaurant's atmosphere truly reflects its philosophy -- a blend of island soul and global sophistication. I started with the Oyster topped with hibiscus granita and scotch bonnet mignonette -- absolutely incredible! The balance of floral, spicy, and ocean-fresh flavors was unlike anything I've tasted before. It perfectly captured the "island through a global lens" theme. The service was attentive and friendly, the bartender Kristina and Alex did the best to serve us going through the menu itams and I can tell every dish that followed carried a story and a sense of creativity. The presentation was stunning, and the flavors were bold yet refined. ISLA is not just a restaurant -- it's a culinary journey. Whether you come for the artistry, the flavors, or the atmosphere, you'll leave inspired and satisfied.

This was quite an experience. So new they didn't have signs up, but we were lead in through a velvet roped door. So fun and unique. The peanut butter twist on espresso martini was one of the best cocktails I have ever had. The snapper crudo was to die for... but personally some of the other food options, like the rock shrimp, left much to be desired. Our waiter was so kind and service was great. I would say try it for yourself but not if you aren't an adventurous eater.

First, shout out to ChimaEats for his great restaurant content and style!! If it's woman led top tier carribean inspired fine dining food experience, I'm there!! Where do i begin?? Salute to a great Shef and her amazing staff. What an experience curated by her awesome, Experience Manager Nikki Murdoch!! Brava!! Dreamy, super classy dining spaces, the bar staff was phenomenal, cocktail acumen is stellar (hey Chrissy and Pablo) and the FOOD!?!?!? Outstanding!! Scallion bread, snapper crudo, goat, waygu patties and the oysters slapped!! The sorrel granita is genius!! It was a dinner with a dear friend that turned into 3 hours of joy with the whole staff and restaurant. Go for the food and cocktails, stay for the LOVE!! Brava!! -- aka Oyafemi

This restaurant is giving great gowns, beautiful gowns. The restaurant is aesthetically, beautiful, the interior is stunning. However, the food is lacking a wow factor, that's why I say it gives great gowns, beautiful gowns. To be fair, I went here one week after it opened and I hope they make adjustments and improvements to the food in the coming months. I had the red snapper and it was underwhelming, especially for a caribbean-inspired restaurant. It lacked seasoning and was a bit dry. My friend was underwhelmed by the wagyu oxtail patties and mentioned that they also lacked flavor. The service was the best part of our meal! Our server, Marcus, was great. We also chatted with the general manager, Michael and he was very helpful and friendly! They gave us each a mango sorbet to celebrate our birthdays, and that was very nice and thoughtful. If you want a pretty meal that looks nice, this is a place to go, but if you want to eat food that has flavor and leaves you full afterwards, I wouldn't put this at the top of your list.

Joined several friends for dinner here on a Friday night. It was a great atmosphere and energy in the restaurant. We received great service from our server - we enjoyed the drinks, split some small plates, and each got a larger dish. The channa bara was delicious and I loved the cook up rice and the plantain. The mushroom patty was also a table favorite among dishes we shared. The manager stopped by the table and kindly chatted with us about our experience. The service was seamless so I was surprised they had only recently opened. I would recommend Isla for a group outing - especially if you are a fan of excellent Caribbean cuisine.

Their food is amazing but service leaves much to be desired. The waiter literally spilled two glasses of the courtesy champagne on the birthday girl (shocking and sad accident) and then they comped us ONE DRINK. Pure insanity. Her shirt was soaked. The service is very slow (every step of the process was slow). They need to get this part together. I would not recommend based on the the experience overall.

I have been to Isla twice and have thoroughly enjoyed each visit. As a Jamaican, it has been hard to find authentic Jamaican food . Isla does just that with an ingenious twist on flavors and presentation. Service has always been excellent and Chef Lonie is a gem who cares that all customers have a tailored experience of true fine dining . My tastebuds have been thanking me . 10 outta 10 !

I recently visited Isla with my friends & family and this was hands down one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. The food is extremely overhyped and honestly not good (red snapper,bbq greens, crab patties, shrimp cocktail, ox tail patties, mashed potatoes, all bland to me and needs more flavor. (Only the steak was good to me), Nothing matched the price, the quality, or the hype this restaurant tries to live off of. I originally ordered the snapper and had to return it because it was not edible to me. The manager, Nicole, came over afterward, but instead of being helpful or professional, her tone was dismissive and condescending. Later, when I decided to order the chicken, what I wanted from the beginning, she made it clear nothing would be adjusted or comped, even though when she came over the first time that is what she offered, the situation started with her attitude. Good management sets the tone, and she set a terrible one. Because of that interaction alone, our table decided not to leave a tip. The restaurant also only allows the entire table to split the check, which is outdated and inconvenient. But the worst part of the night happened as we were leaving. Our server, Matthew, chased us toward the door, shaking the bill in his hand, visibly angry and even turning red, demanding to know why we didn't tip. His hands were shaking, his voice was raised, and his coworker had to intervene and tell him to calm down. It was aggressive, unprofessional, and genuinely threatening. I have never in my life had a server approach me like that. We were scared and considered calling the police. No one should ever feel unsafe walking out of a restaurant. Tips are NOT mandatory. Even the receipt lists them as "suggested." Nothing about the service we received warranted one. And to be completely honest, based on how we were spoken to, we strongly felt that we were treated differently because we are women of color. That's unacceptable on every level. This restaurant failed in every single category, food, management, and basic professionalism. I will never return, and I will absolutely be sharing this experience with others. The food is overhyped, the service is disrespectful, and no one deserves to be treated the way we were. I do not recommend Isla to anyone.

I'm extremely disappointed with the customer service at Isla. I first contacted the restaurant on November 24th to arrange a birthday dinner for a party of nine on December 6th. The hostess told me I needed to email someone named Nikki for large-party reservations. I emailed her that same night and never received a response. Since then, I've called the restaurant on at least three separate occasions. Each time, I'm told the manager is "unavailable," I'm redirected to contact the same person who never replies, or the staff takes my information with the promise that someone will follow up. No one ever has. If you're planning to celebrate a birthday or bring a large group here, be warned: they do not follow up, they do not communicate, and they seem completely uninterested in earning your business. It's extremely frustrating to be ignored after multiple attempts to book a reservation. I would not recommend relying on this establishment for any special event.

I celebrated my mom's birthday at Isla DC, and the experience was exceptional from start to finish. The contemporary Caribbean menu shines--highlights included the scallion bread with yuzu honey butter, flavorful wagyu oxtail patties, perfectly smoked jerk chicken, and beautifully crisp fried snapper. Cocktails and wine were balanced and thoughtfully paired with the dishes. The service was outstanding; our server Ceasar was warm, knowledgeable, and attentive, and Chef/Owner Jonie Murduck personally stopping by made the evening feel truly special. With its stylish art-deco design, lively atmosphere, and genuine hospitality, Isla DC is a standout addition to the city and a place I look forward to returning to.

Food was bad. Service at bar was terrible. Tyler. I would not recommend eating here as you can get the same food from a Jamaican spot

excellent service, great presence, but unfortunately the menu is lacking in vegetarian options, I had the brazino which was as good as it gets, but my partner had few choices as she is a vegetarian- she ended up ordering appetizers - disappointing. - if the manager recognizes that many people are vegetarians and adds a few choices to the entrees - we would come back, but until then - this is DC lots of options-