La Isla Downtown

Food was appetizing here 😋 we ordered the chicken in garlic sauce and the chicken Milanese. The garlic chicken was savory and super flavorful with the garlic not being overpowering to the taste buds. The chicken Milanese had a lot topped on which didn’t really make the plate better or worse. For an appetizer, I tried a croqueta which was made perfectly. 👌🏼they give big portions of the protein and small sides of rice - 🍚 good ratio to allow more room for the delicious food. 😌 service was efficient, prompt, & friendly. Ambiance was nicely decorated for a Cuban restaurant although the establishment is a little in the small side. Street parking can be difficult depending on the time. Overall great dining experience and will come be coming back.

I've been a loyal customer of La Isla Downtown for two decades, and it remains one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Hoboken. The quality and taste have been consistently amazing all these years. The food is always fantastic. They offer daily specials, and while you might see some repeat during the week, you can always count on fresh vegetables and delicious, high-quality meat. My personal, all-time favorite is the oxtail – it's simply a must-try! The shrimp is also always incredibly fresh and perfectly cooked. The staff is consistently friendly and welcoming. The outdoor seating consists of about six 4-person tables set up right on the street. It's not a private patio but a more casual, open space, meaning people walking by are right there and can easily see what you're enjoying. Despite it being windy sometimes, it's a good option for outdoor dining, and the fact that it's dog-friendly is a huge plus for us! A couple of tips for new visitors: The restaurant is BYOB, so you can bring your favorite bottle of wine or beer to enjoy with your meal. Also, they don't take reservations, so I recommend timing your visit to avoid a wait, as it's a popular spot. After 20 years, La Isla continues to be a place I highly recommend for authentic, delicious food and a wonderful dining experience.

Their chicken noodle soup is heaven in a deli container. I have been so sick and the spices and rich broth was truly heavenly for my throat. La Isla’s food is always delicious but I had to make a post about their soup!

Fun diner atmosphere, excellent Cuban food. For appetizers, we split the shrimp ceviche and montaditos, which is a surf and turf like combo of chorizo, spinach and shrimp on top of a crispy tostone. The montadito was unique and really hit the spot as I was starving. For mains, we had churrasco, pescado frito and ropa veija. All the dishes were delicious and filling, with plenty of fried plantains and arroz leftover. Service was amazing too, made it a special evening out for a birthday celebration.

Fantastic cuban restaurant with amazing sauces, delicious tender meat and fresh flavorful vegetables. I have loved this place every time I come here! Service is fast and friendly too.

Who would have thought you could find a delicious Cuban diner in the midst of Hoboken? Not me! So this is such a pleasant surprise. The food is good, and the vibe is better! I love the traditional diner vibe indoors with so many Cuban decorations!

Delicious! Came here for brunch over the weekend, and it did not disappoint. Frankly, the food tasted much better than I expected based on the reviews and other photos. It’s a small restaurant, so make sure you come early to get a table. With that said, the service is very quick so you likely would not have a long wait for a table. The staff were not particularly friendly, but the food was delicious and very hearty. So, you will definitely leave full.

Came here for breakfast while staying in Hoboken. It’s a small spot but great vibes and music. We sat at the counter and were greeted quickly. We didn’t try the coffee as we had some beforehand, but ordered some entrees. I had the tortilla española, which was delicious and full of potato and chorizo. My friend had huevos rancheros which came out looking great, but unfortunately it wasn’t very warm. Still had good flavor. The pecan wood smoked bacon is must! Would come back, especially for a Cuban coffee!

Came here for an early Saturday dinner (5pm) and my friend and I were lucky to get a seat without a reservation! The authentic Cuban food here was delicious! Ambiance: slightly dim lighting for dinner, small space with a few tables and counter seating. Service: Waiter was attentive and recommended me the pineapple soda( which I loved!), food came quickly to the table Food: Ropa vieja- I've wanted to try this dish for so long since I've heard such great things about it! This dish is only offered on Saturdays! The beef was tender, and packed with onion, tomato and bell pepper flavor. The rice was fluffy and the black beans was one of the best I've ever had! I'd love to come back here again! Fries: well fried, seasoned and perfectly shareable

Great spot with prompt service and comfortable outdoor seating! There are many menu options, whether you want a large filling dish or sides to make up a meal like empanadas. The Cubano was packed with lots of pork with a good balance of crunchy and soft with the inside fillings. Would love to visit again for other specialties!

Amazing - haven't done a rating in a long time and I have very good food all the time. I wanted to call out this place - the associates were awesome I had cafe con leche and a Churasco sandwich- simple and very good. Highly recommend.

$7 For Overcooked/Burnt Bacon Potato's Were Undercooked Had 2 Recook Myself Will Not Be Returning

This Cuban restaurant was featured on Food Network and Diners Drive-ins and Dives. It's a narrow restaurant but has outdoor seating. They served brunch so we decided to try it out. I tried Omar's stuffed French toast, the Cubaccino, and the papa rellena. The Cubaccino was pretty good, it was a cappuccino with cinnamon and whipped cream. The papa rellena was a ball of mashed potato with beef stuffed into it and fried. It was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I thought it was okay, it didn't have much flavor and was slightly cold on the inside. It came quite quickly so I think they're pre made and then heated when ordered. For my main meal I tried the French toast. This was so delicious and the reason why I rated this place 4 stars instead of 3. It's 2 pieces of thick toast with almond and corn flake breading, stuffed with strawberry and guava cream cheese and topped with powdered sugar and guava sauce. It's just so unique and flavorful. If you have a sweet tooth I'd recommend trying this. The service was not the best, we didn't get any side plates even though we were clearly sharing. The server wasn't the kindest. They also didn't have any high chairs. The place was a little bit unclean as well. These minor things will definitely improve their score!

This was my first time visiting the original location. I had gone to the one they opened Uptown which is now closed and that was great. I came for a quick lunch and got a stuffed potato that I took home and while there I had a ham croquette and only half of the Cuban sandwich since it was so large. This is one of the best sandwiches I've had in years. The stuffed potato and croquette were also delicious. Definitely want to come back and have a full meal one day.

The food here is amazing! Super flavorful even though the dishes are simple. I ordered a steak sandwich, empanadas, croquettes, chips and guacamole. Everything was made very well and the prices are great too. I also can't say enough good things about their staff. The waiters and waitresses were super friendly, helpful, and attentive. I can't wait to go back and try more of their menu items.

Great local spot in Hoboken, must have a reservation if you are going on a weekend evening as they are packed. First off they are BYOB which we did not know but was not an issue. We sat at the bar and ordered the Churrasco Sandwich which had grilled sliced skirt steak, caramelized onions, chimichurri sauce, potato sticks a solid 9/10 and a must try. I ordered the Camarones al Ajillo which was sautéed jumbo shrimp, white wine garlic sauce. For the price of $26 I was expecting more than 4 small shrimp that with needed to search for in the excessive amount of sauce given. The Maduros were okay and unfortunately were not made fresh to order. The yuca was great as it was steamed and not fried. Our service was outstanding and the ambiance is a bit crowded but a cozy feel for a Cuban spot. I would definitely like to come back and try more of their menu.

Laid back cafeteria style Cuban food in downtown Hoboken with delicious food. It's a cafeteria style meaning they prep their food in large quantity Parking can be tricky as it's located on the main street in Hoboken (Washington St.) but not as bad as larger cities. It's small with a bar area seating and about 5-6 small tables. We started with the brussel sprouts which I loved, a bit too oily but they were fried well and tasted yummy, that drizzle of chipotle mayo was delicious! I had the pollo asado with arroz Moro and plátano maduros which was so tasty, a bit on the saltier side but I prefer that over bland. We ended the night with the tres leche that had a nice presentation and good flavor but not my favorite, the cake is a bit on the denser/heavier side. Service was fine; the man helping us was attentive and polite. Overall, nice experience we're definitely coming back to try more!

I visited La Isla on Sunday, Feb. 4th and just narrowly missed Sunday brunch crowd rushing in. It's clear by the line that formed quickly that this place is liked by locals. Seeing the local support and being a Latina myself makes it difficult to admit that the food I had here was not great. Let's start with the good: I came here with my mother after doing some shopping. Despite the space's small size, we were comfortably seated at the bar with our shopping bags. The staff were very nice. They spoke in Spanish with my mother and answered all her questions about the menu. My mother's plate, the churrasco looked much better than what I ordered. She confirmed it tasted as good as it looked. And now the bad: My dish was the lechón asado. It was very dry or overheated instead of cooked fresh. We were seated towards the kitchen and saw that a few dishes on the menu were prepared, kept warm, and then served. I am a very big fan of Cuban food especially arroz Moro and the rice was so disappointing. I didn't want to ruin my mom's experience so I continued eating my food and didn't say anything to her. I didn't enjoy my meal because it wasn't good and I've tasted better. I think for this area I can understand why this food is a hit because there are not that many Hispanic food options otherwise. For anyone who is actually Cuban or has had quality Cuban food, they will find this place disappointing and pricey. The novelty of finding this kind of food in the area and kind staff is likely why it's been a success with locals. If the food were to improve, I would come back or be willing to give this place another chance as I do think they are still helping the community by introducing people to Cuban cuisine.

Took a chance and stopped in for breakfast. Decorated for the holidays with a homey feel. Food was good, music selection was on point and service was wonderful. Definitely want to return for more.

Authentic delicious Cuban food ! Excellent service ! Tropical upbeat atmosphere!! We love the breakfasts !

Tiny Cuban restaurant, seems family owned. Limited seating with additional counter seating. Their staff was pleasant and attentive. I ordered El Cubano Pressed Sandwich and was not impressed. The sandwich was lukewarm and lacked flavor. I could not taste the garlic mojo. I did not think it was worth $15.

Thursday night date night at La Isla in Hoboken, NJ is the perfect ending to a busy day. La Isla is one of those places that no matter what you get, you're going to enjoy. Whether it be their famous empanada de guayaba y queso, cubano sándwich, Thursday night paella, or their infamous stuffed guayaba French toast; your mouth will be watering and your belly will be full. Yum! La Isla Restaurant at 104 Washington Street has been an institution in downtown Hoboken since 1970. Check Them Out. You won't be disappointed.

La Isla was a truly authentic Spanish restaurant that was very pleasant to experience out here in Jersey. Me and my partner went to try it out after a workout class and loved the taste of food and services as great as well. They do not serve alcohol beverages but can bring your own bottle which was fine with us. We cleaned our plates and left very fulfilled. The place is also buzzing with people to this local restaurant the reviews did not lie about this great neighborhood gem,

Chicken empanadas and guava empanadas were both good. Papa rellena was ok -- probably would not order again. The ropa vieja was very good. $17 special on Saturday and Sunday with two side dishes included. Service was attentive. They requested cash payment when we tried to pay with credit card -- strongly preferred. Casual vibe. Like a Cuban diner. Limited table seating with counter seating also available. Takeout also popular.

Authentic cuban restaurant with outside and inside seating. I ordered the Pan Con Bistec (steak sandwich) with an ice cafe con leche but there was so much more to choose from, including the rotating daily specials. Background latin music was a great touch as well, definitely will be coming back.

Went to La Isla to grab brunch on a Saturday and were seated promptly. Despite this, it took 15-20 minutes for our orders to be taken (which only happened after flagging 2 servers down); during those 15-20 minutes, we watched other parties seated after us have their orders taken before us and get their food... Kind of felt like our table was being overlooked but ‍ Food was ok? I had the churrasco with rice, eggs and beans. The churrasco and rice were good, but the eggs were overdone (ordered sunny side up and the yolk was not yolking) and I ended up finding a piece of paper or a film of some sort in my beans? We also got the tortilla española, which was actually pleasant experience compared to my meal LOL. Good balance in the dish, overall. Place was buzzing for Saturday brunch; kind of wished they also provided us with lunch menus as well. When we were seated it was before 12 (brunch menu), but by the time we actually were able to get our orders taken, people seated were already getting lunch menus, which my mom would've preferred to order from because she picked the restaurant thinking she would be able to order something from that menu. Despite this tepid first dining experience here, would I come back again? Honestly, yes. My family and I are fans of Cuban cuisine and I am holding out hope that next time will be better.

The restaurant is on the smaller side but it is very family friendly and has a good vibe. I ordered the huevos rancheros which was good. Just personally has a bit too many means.

Food is more of a 3.5 star for me, but I enjoyed my night and it's quite good value. ~ Camarones al Ajillo ~ [Sautee jumbo shrimp w/ white wine garlic sauce] It comes with 2 side, so I picked the black bean and rice and the yuca fries (i forgot to take a picture tho lol). The jumbo shrimps are of good size and with a bit of a bounce to it, but they're a tad bit hard, slightly overcooked. The white wine garlic sauce is very smooth, creamy and flavourful, not too garlicky though, but I really enjoyed it as it went so well with the black bean rice! The grains are distinct, mixed with just the right amount of black bean giving it an extra fragrant and texture, it is so delicious together with the sauce! The portion is quite big, and I couldn't finish the rice as I ate all the yuca fries! ~ Churrasco con Chimichurri ~ The exterior of the steak is well caramalised and crispy, with a slightly pink center that's quite juicy. It's not very tender, but still easily chewable. Doesn't look like medium rare though, more like a medium. It's very flavourful, with a hint of smokiness from the grill, and the chimichurri sauce adds a very nice herby, citrusy taste to the taste, and I also really enjoy the diced onion on top giving it extra texture and flavours. We picked french fries & vegetables as sides. The french fries are not bad, pretty ordinary, the veges are simply boiled that fried and tasted pretty bland. ~ Yuca Fries ~ I like these! They are fried to crispy golden perfection and a soft middle. It's also soaked in some olive oil (but still able to retain the crispy skin!!) giving it an extra aroma and flavours. Will I be back? Yes Wanted to try the appetisers and other main dishes! Quite good value for money as the portion are generous, we left the restaurant really stuffed.

The Cuban sandwich was not so good, but the steak sandwich was very good The waitress was incredibly rude multiple times. Terrible service. She rushed us to order and never offered drinks. Then brought a handwritten bill that was $15 overpriced claiming that was the credit card charge, but never bother asking if we were paying cash which we were. She then brought another bill removing the credit card charge but added 20% tip claiming that was Policy since there were six people in our group. we had five sandwiches with only water to drink and the bill came out to $120 including a $19 tip for terrible service Will not return and will not recommend

Very average or even below. I prided Cuban pernil as superior to their Caribbean counterparts. Not here. Their pernil tasted boiled/flavorless and just another meat selection in their Piccadilly buffet. The service was 50/50. Almost felt like we were a bother to the server. Never a good feeling. Wife enjoyed her fried chicken, but not enough for me to leave an average review. The price was high too. So I figure, if you're not in Hoboken and compare Dominican food to this, you're better off going to a joint in Jersey City and have a better meal and pay a 1/3 the price. Hoboken is way overpriced. Travel 2 miles to Jersey City and have a better quality/priced meal.

Amazing food came for lunch -- the specials are great and the service is on point. Would recommend

Service was friendly and accommodating and they have a great variety of options to pick from on the menu. The guava y queso stuffed french toast is very dense and sweet, so I recommend pairing this with a savory side or dish and sharing. Someone in our party ordered chorizo with eggs and fries but was disappointed to only see a few pieces of chorizo considering the portion size of fries. Their outdoor seating area is really nice too when it isn't too hot out.

Great local family owned Cuban restaurant that has been a staple in town since the 70s. Food is good and staff is friendly

I've been looking for a Cuban restaurant that had a decent amount of vegetarian options and I finally found La Isla! When you walk in, it's this hole in the wall joint where automatically you are transported by the smell of empanadas and tostones. Everyone is extremely welcoming and nice and you could tell there were people at the restaurant who were definitely regulars. I ordered the vegetarian Cuban sandwich which had this Swiss cheese that brought out the flavor of the mojo sauce and grilled mushroom that was an amazing substitute for the usual meat. I also tried the vegan empanadas which had great flavor, the tostones were fried and tasted really good with the guava sauce. Strongly recommend getting the guacamole with plaintain chips!

Good food,fabulous friendly service. Comforting atmosphere. Usually crowded, worth a 10 min wait.

I met a few friends here for Brunch on a Sunday early afternoon. My friend had been here for dinner before, and knew it was a great place to go. Their new location downtown is so close to the train station, so it is very easy to get to. Most of their seating is outside on the sidewalk, with a few bar stools and small tables inside. When we arrived, we were able to sit down immediately. They allow BYOB for Sunday Brunch, so we brought our own champagne and ordered orange juice for mimosas. They were happy to provide glasses, ice, and a champagne bucket. The server seemed bothered by us to be at work, he was short with his interactions and didn't give us a chance to ask questions. Regardless, the food was great and the server was efficient. I ordered an empanada to start and the Huevos al Gusto con Papas y Tostada to eat. Everything was great! Overall I would recommend and return.

Delicious food, good service, great ambiance. Reminded me of being in a Cuban restaurant in Miami. Will definitely be back.

Our wonderful GO-TO spot on Mondays for lunch!! We love the food - so fresh and delicious! I always order soup. I love the Papa rellena. And, I always try something new. The service is outstanding, too. Eat outside while the weather is good or get cozy inside.

Food here is absolutely delicious. High quality Cuban food. Can't wait to be back. I highly recommend.

Real Cuban food near the Hoboken Path station Family style service, non-pretentious, entertaining, attentive. This little place in the heart of downtown Hoboken is an oasis for real Cuban food. A short train ride from Manhattan, this "off island" spot is well worth the trip. Don't forget to BYOB, but leave the rest to the team at La Isla. Ño, que sabroso! Nos vemos pronto.

The food was delicious and beautiful displayed on the plate. It is a small restaurant but a great place. The employees were very friendly and helpful. If we visit this area again we will definitely return to this restaurant.

I've gotten take out sandwiches here before as well as dinner dining in and the food is always really good! Not to mention, pretty affordable, which can be a rarity in these parts. My favorite sandwiches are the havana club and the classic cuban. but the havana club definitely takes first place. The chicken is grilled perfectly and I love the added avocado. Oh, and that multigrain bread is pretty fantastic! Get extra mustard for the Cuban. Some dinner favorites are the Camarones al Ajillo (shrimp in a white wine garlic sauce) and the Pescado con Chutney de Piña y Mango (salmon with mango chutney). Anything seafood is always my go to and these have been great! The shrimp is served almost in a soup (it's the sauce) so I recommend getting the rice as one of your sides. They have tables inside and out and they have a second location uptown that I haven't been to, but it looks a little more upscale where this loc is very casual. They are BYOB and I hear they do a great brunch! That will hopefully be my next visit.

Byob with indoor and outdoor dining. This place always seems to have plenty of patrons who get well fed here. I shared the Cubano and it was great! Nice flat, crisp bread. All the ingredients were great for a sandwich. We came here on a Sunday so had to get their special of ropa vieja. There was plenty of food. We got side of rice and beans as the specials come with two sides. The entire meal was very filling. The meat was super tender. Would definitely come again.

I had the veggie Cubano sandwich, which was alright, but overall fairly mild in flavor. The prices were reasonable. I just wish there were a few more exciting vegetarian options to choose from.

Such great cuban cuisine authentic. Space is a little tight so I wouldn't recommend for more than a party of 4. Service was a bit slow but they were short staffed the food more than makes up for it though. Definitely will come back next time I'm in Hoboken.

You will find great authentic Cuban food here. The service is fast and kind. The food is really good. I suggest the chicken sandwich. The garlic chicken is decent but I prefer the grilled chicken sandwich, if I had to make a choice. They have an amazing relleno de papa, which is a huge fried stuff potato with beef, don't forget to order a size of sauce. They have tiny indoor seating and roomer outdoor seating. They also have a great lunch special. Go give it a shot!

This was by the clinic my parents went to. We were quickly seated outside for lunch. I had the chance to go inside, which smelled wonderfully of deliciously cooked meals. We shared some yuca fries with shaved cheese on top. They were crunchy and soft at the same time. I'm usually not a fan as yucca fries tend to be on the dryer side, but these ones were really good. They even gave me pure chopped garlic in oil as the dipping sauce. My dad had the fried chicken sandwich, which came with a side of plantain chips. The chicken sandwich was good, but nothing extraordinary. These chips were very thin and crispy with a perfect amount of salt. My mom got the chicken lunch special, which she devoured. I got the ropa vieja, which was very good as well. The prices were pretty good for lunch. I would come back again! Not quite a 5 star because no one came to refill our water. Oh and the coffee was really good! Not sure if they do refills, but I would've definitely gotten another if it offered free refills!

Great spot for brunch. We had the juevos rancheros, French toast, and egg sandwich. All were great.... Friendly courteous staff. La Isla has a great vibe!!!!!

What can I write about that hasn't already been said: A family owned business which was featured on Diners, Drive ins and Dives and making incredible Cuban food in the heart of Hoboken. Did I nail it? This was a cute diner a long time ago, now it's decorated for a casual Cuban eatery. I would have loved to sit and had the French Toast but I gotta go with the staple, El Cubano. I've had Cubano sandwiches years ago in Miami, where can you get one in New York, Havana Central? It's okkkk but I want the real deal. Well it's being served right here at La Isla Restaurant. My El Cubano was perfect. I'm sure they're adding lard to the dough, That spongy, classic bread. The marinated pork roast. Now grill and press it with ham, cheese, and pickles. La Isla Restaurant, I thank you for keeping the tradition alive and making authentic Cuban delicacies.

Went in to order takeout, and the woman behind the counter was very rude. I asked for the empanadas to be placed in a tin and in Spanish, she said to her coworker what does he want a plate with a knife and a fork too, not knowing that I understood Spanish. This would be the last time I would ever set foot in a place with such rude behavior.

If I could leave zero I would. Came in around 3 for DINE IN and was told they were closed even though there were several people sitting down and eating and 4 open table and more people who literally just got seated outside when we walked up. They are racist asf and denied us service as soon as we walked in the door. Completely unacceptable and demeaning experience I'm truly lost for words right now.

Cuban food. Better than any place in the city that I've tried. Worth the path ride and the short walk from Hoboken station. Go to the website if you're wondering what's good. All of it; that's the answer. BYOB saves you a few bob. There's a liquor store a few doors down. Ambiance? It's a narrow shotgun with a diner counter. But the vibe is warm and the place is spick and span. Unpretentious, like the delicious Cuban cooking.

Have been meaning to try this spot for the longest time and finally stopped in for dinner on a Friday night. I have been to the uptown location once. The outside was decorated nicely with lights for the holidays and the inside was warm and cozy. Not a fancy place, so I didn't feel undressed in jeans and a sweater. I ordered two guayaba y queso empanadas and the tamale app. Considering the similarity of these empanadas to those you can find at other local Latin spots... *cough cough* *la casa* *cough* I was disappointed to find these were double the cost. While the filling and the guava jam were delicious I found that the dough was chewy and possibly a bit undercooked. Disappointed considering the cost. The tamale was also a bit disappointing. It lacked flavor and desperately required the chipotle mayo that was served on the side. Overall, this is a cozy Cuban spot with great service and a fun atmosphere. However I believe there are superior places for Cuban food in the area for a better price.

A cute, family-owned Cuban restaurant situated on bustling and lively Washington St! Outdoor seating first-come first-serve with indoor open for takeout and restrooms. This was my first time here and the menu had so many options. I decided to go with the Saturday daily special ($14) which was roasted pork with two sides: yellow rice and maduro! The maduro was super delicious and probably my favorite part. Wanted to try the empanadas but they looked a bit pricey. If I go again, I'll try it next time though! Waiters aren't super talkative but pretty friendly. Food comes out really fast. Overall, a great and quiet place to eat in Hoboken if you don't want to sit in the noisy bar areas.

First time at la Isla and we chose it for the byob option - so glad we did. The food was delicious. The Wednesday special Lechon Asada was plentiful and the perfect introduction for a first timer at la isla. Rice was well cooked and the service was speedy. Restaurant is on the smaller side which is part of the charm, we're just happy we snagged the last table on a busy Wednesday night. Can't wait to go back and try another daily special.

This is a tiny Cuban place which makes some really nice dishes Their French toasts area really good and we have been ordering here for some years now They open really early in the morning so great options for breakfast/brunch Cuba chino is really good too Yet to try lunch/dinner items... Their phone operators can be a little better-- ordering online is better..

Phenomenal Cuban food honestly I was extremely impressed. I will say the shrimp to stone is it something you have to have no questions asked. It's also BYOB which is nice since their uptown location does not do that. I have the salmon as well as the oxtails and both were phenomenally cooked. And I didn't get a chance to have dessert but apparently the guava Cheesecake is to die for so I would highly recommend that we were just so full by then.