Once again Isola did not disappoint! The food, service and ambiance were exceptional! If you have not tried the stuffed olives for an appetizer, they are a MUST! We also shared the fig pizza which was done to perfection! For dinner, my one cousin and I had the Spaghettini a la Arrabbiata ( a new item on the men) and was DELICIOUS! The rest of my family had the Branzino and short ribs which were out of this world! From entering the restaurant, my family and I were greeted enthusiastically ( and with a big smile!) by Bella at the front desk, we were seated promptly and our server Maureen, continued that warm and enthusiastic hospitality once we were seated and that same level of hospitality continued throughout our time dining. This is by far my favorite restaurant on the island! Thank you so much for another fabulous dining experience with exceptional food and service!! We will be back soon!
AimWM
Isola is a fabulous little restaurant. It is a hidden gem. We are so lucky to have this special place in our neighborhood. The food, the service and the charm is second to none.
michelle gourley
A little Italian place with a very nice menu. The prices are a bit high but worth it. I can see myself going back because there were other choices i would like to try. I like that its open all year so us locals can dine off season. Its also nice that its a bYOB as well.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Meatballs
Enrique Cafaro
One of the nice things about being on the Jersey shore in Winter is that you get to tryout restaurants that you would never think of going to in the high season. Isola Italian Trattoria on LBI is one of those. On a cold late February night we were easily seated with warm hospitality and service. We started with a delicious and fresh burrata served with whole artichoke quarters on top of homemade pesto spread and roasted red peppers. The appetizers were served with slices of toasted italian bread that we couldn’t get enough of. For dinner we had the uniquely rolled lasagna that was abundant and flavorful and recommended by many, I had an order of the cavatelli with sausage and broccoli rabe draped with a Calabrian pepper sauce, I enjoyed every bit of it. Save room for their wonderful desserts, we had the apple crisp with cinnamon gelato, outstanding. The only negative I would have are the prices but that seems par for the course wherever you go these days.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrata, Lasagna
The food (meatball app and pasta dishes )was amazing and our server, Nick, was friendly and attentive. The seating is a little bit tight but quite bearable when the food is so good. Looking forward to going back to try the pizza and Caesar salad. And will definitely order the meatballs again!!
GaryK
Lasagna and Cavatelli with sausage and hot oil is excellent as is apple crisp. Can't go wrong with any of the pizzas. Seating is very tight, no good if near sneezing leppers or simiiar.
Jennifer Wolfschmidt
Best cheesecake I’ve ever eaten! The entire meal was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Cake
Joseph C.
Authentic, it could pass for Sunday afternoon meal at my mom's. Which means any criticism is what we would do at mom's,,,, IE How was the sauce , ahh OK the lasagna was fantastico pasta was more a crape then pasta outstanding, meatballs, cavatelli and brocolli rabe were solid, salads were solid we shred all they offered,,, if you don't like the noise take it home and eat in the silence of an authentic non- Italian atmosphere. I will be making an egg omelet with the left over pasta just like mom did on a Sunday morning when we all went to bed late the night before, wake up late sans hangover and smelled Sunday Gravy simmering on the stove, grazie
GeorgeS
The wait staff is very accomadating and friendly. They will offer recommendations if you cant decide. The food is very good. We split the calamari which was excellent and very tasty. My stuffed shrimp was cooked to perfection and came with mixed vegetables. We also had bronzino which was enough for two meals and tasted wonderful.
Nancy Ward
We were six people seated at a table barely large enough for four. When asked if there was a more suitable table available, we were told our table was the largest. Waiter was unfriendly and tossed plate on table in front of guest that requested that his salad not include ingredient he couldn’t eat. Food was highly overrated. Just okay.
We had another wonderful experience. Service, food and setting were all very good. Reason for not giving an outstanding rating were two things: limited off season menu (no specials, but all our dishes were very well prepared) and limited gluten free options. This was our fourth visit and Isola is highly consistent, well managed and a great venue.
JohnB
A Pizzeria disguised as an Italian restaurant. Trying to be upscale by charging NYC prices, for a LBI location, for average food. Reservation was for inside table seating but they tried to squeeze us into the pizza bar. No seats inside so seated us at a table on the porch which was cold and the table of 8 was so loud we couldn't enjoy a quiet evening Probably never return and certainly will not recommend.
This restaurant has gotten better with age. This is the place I want to eat at when I go out. Think in advance because it very hard.to get in. Menu just changed so you can sample new foods.this is the gem of the island!
GaryB
This is definitely one of the finest restaurants around. We have been there a few times and the food has always been exemplary and the service is just as great as the food. Highly recommended. Definitely 5 Stars.
Litlmo
First time at the restaurant. Food was excellent. It was very busy since it was restaurant week. We did have to wait about 15 minutes after the reservation time but it was an 8:15 reservation so it wasn't unexpected. Service was very good. Loved my pear salad. We both had the shrimp with crabmeat. The apple dessert was good. Definitely would go back again.
Once again Isola did not disappoint! The food, service and ambiance were exceptional! If you have not tried the stuffed olives for an appetizer, they are a MUST! We also shared the fig pizza which was done to perfection! For dinner, my one cousin and I had the Spaghettini a la Arrabbiata ( a new item on the men) and was DELICIOUS! The rest of my family had the Branzino and short ribs which were out of this world! From entering the restaurant, my family and I were greeted enthusiastically ( and with a big smile!) by Bella at the front desk, we were seated promptly and our server Maureen, continued that warm and enthusiastic hospitality once we were seated and that same level of hospitality continued throughout our time dining. This is by far my favorite restaurant on the island! Thank you so much for another fabulous dining experience with exceptional food and service!! We will be back soon!
Isola is a fabulous little restaurant. It is a hidden gem. We are so lucky to have this special place in our neighborhood. The food, the service and the charm is second to none.
A little Italian place with a very nice menu. The prices are a bit high but worth it. I can see myself going back because there were other choices i would like to try. I like that its open all year so us locals can dine off season. Its also nice that its a bYOB as well.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Meatballs
One of the nice things about being on the Jersey shore in Winter is that you get to tryout restaurants that you would never think of going to in the high season. Isola Italian Trattoria on LBI is one of those. On a cold late February night we were easily seated with warm hospitality and service. We started with a delicious and fresh burrata served with whole artichoke quarters on top of homemade pesto spread and roasted red peppers. The appetizers were served with slices of toasted italian bread that we couldn’t get enough of. For dinner we had the uniquely rolled lasagna that was abundant and flavorful and recommended by many, I had an order of the cavatelli with sausage and broccoli rabe draped with a Calabrian pepper sauce, I enjoyed every bit of it. Save room for their wonderful desserts, we had the apple crisp with cinnamon gelato, outstanding. The only negative I would have are the prices but that seems par for the course wherever you go these days.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrata, Lasagna
The food (meatball app and pasta dishes )was amazing and our server, Nick, was friendly and attentive. The seating is a little bit tight but quite bearable when the food is so good. Looking forward to going back to try the pizza and Caesar salad. And will definitely order the meatballs again!!
Lasagna and Cavatelli with sausage and hot oil is excellent as is apple crisp. Can't go wrong with any of the pizzas. Seating is very tight, no good if near sneezing leppers or simiiar.
Best cheesecake I’ve ever eaten! The entire meal was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Cake
Authentic, it could pass for Sunday afternoon meal at my mom's. Which means any criticism is what we would do at mom's,,,, IE How was the sauce , ahh OK the lasagna was fantastico pasta was more a crape then pasta outstanding, meatballs, cavatelli and brocolli rabe were solid, salads were solid we shred all they offered,,, if you don't like the noise take it home and eat in the silence of an authentic non- Italian atmosphere. I will be making an egg omelet with the left over pasta just like mom did on a Sunday morning when we all went to bed late the night before, wake up late sans hangover and smelled Sunday Gravy simmering on the stove, grazie
The wait staff is very accomadating and friendly. They will offer recommendations if you cant decide. The food is very good. We split the calamari which was excellent and very tasty. My stuffed shrimp was cooked to perfection and came with mixed vegetables. We also had bronzino which was enough for two meals and tasted wonderful.
We were six people seated at a table barely large enough for four. When asked if there was a more suitable table available, we were told our table was the largest. Waiter was unfriendly and tossed plate on table in front of guest that requested that his salad not include ingredient he couldn’t eat. Food was highly overrated. Just okay.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
We had another wonderful experience. Service, food and setting were all very good. Reason for not giving an outstanding rating were two things: limited off season menu (no specials, but all our dishes were very well prepared) and limited gluten free options. This was our fourth visit and Isola is highly consistent, well managed and a great venue.
A Pizzeria disguised as an Italian restaurant. Trying to be upscale by charging NYC prices, for a LBI location, for average food. Reservation was for inside table seating but they tried to squeeze us into the pizza bar. No seats inside so seated us at a table on the porch which was cold and the table of 8 was so loud we couldn't enjoy a quiet evening Probably never return and certainly will not recommend.
This restaurant has gotten better with age. This is the place I want to eat at when I go out. Think in advance because it very hard.to get in. Menu just changed so you can sample new foods.this is the gem of the island!
This is definitely one of the finest restaurants around. We have been there a few times and the food has always been exemplary and the service is just as great as the food. Highly recommended. Definitely 5 Stars.
First time at the restaurant. Food was excellent. It was very busy since it was restaurant week. We did have to wait about 15 minutes after the reservation time but it was an 8:15 reservation so it wasn't unexpected. Service was very good. Loved my pear salad. We both had the shrimp with crabmeat. The apple dessert was good. Definitely would go back again.