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    Isabella's

    3.9 (544 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Isabella's Photos

    ISABELLA'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Isabella's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Wagyu Sliders
    Ryan V.

    I've been wanting to try this place ever since I moved to Frederick. This is my first experience trying a Tapas restaurant. My girlfriend and I went after doing some shopping in downtown Frederick and walked in on a Thursday night around 6:30. It was pretty slow, so this was a good night to go. First, the menu is massive. They also have a separate menu with the daily specials. We got a little bit of everything. The peach Sangria was really good and I would highly recommend. The empanadas were awesome and not deep fried. However, a little pricey at $16 for two of them. The asparagus was interesting. It's breaded and deep fried with a really good tomato aioli. I don't think they cooked or blanched the asparagus long enough though, it was very stringy and needed a knife to cut it and eat. The wagyu sliders were awesome. They had plenty of cheese and a nice crispy bun. They were juicy and cooked to a perfect temperature. I also got a cranberry mule that was pretty good. The ribeye special wasn't bad. The steak was cooked to a good temperature, but it lacked any seasoning and had a charred taste to the outside. Not sure, but it may have been cooked on a really hot flame which caused the charring. For $42, it was not worth it. The service was just okay. After we placed our order I didn't see the server until we were almost done and asking for the check. I was trying to get a condiment and couldn't since she never checked on our food. The inside is very nice , but there isn't a ton of seating. I can see this place getting very busy on a weekend. I would certainly come back for the drinks and appetizers! There is some outdoor seating along the street and they appear to be dog friendly in that seating area.

    Valencia paella
    Ann V.

    We had a great Valentine's Day dinner. We ordered the cauliflower tapas, stuffed eggplant tapas and the sautéed mushrooms tapas. Along with the Valencia paella. Everything was delicious and I highly recommend this establishment.

    Queso, Chicken Skewers, Sangria
    Joevi F.

    Tapas bar in Frederick, MD. Great great bar. I've only been twice but I've had great experiences both times. The Sangria offered here is worth visiting for, which is also adequately priced. The food is good as well. I highly recommend the Queso Al Horno (Goat Cheese Queso), it comes with its own chips cut and cooked in house and it's amazing. The Happy Hour here is priced very well, with a range of drinks being discounted (Sangria and Margaritas only $5) and food being discounted as well. The service at the bar both times was great as well. I was checked on frequently. I would highly recommend this tapas bar!

    Erin W.

    Great night after seeing the Nutcracker we searched downtown places that are open post 9pm and thank goodness Isabella's was still open. We got to sit right next to the fireplace and enjoyed our tapas. This is a favorite place for sure.

    Fried chicken and waffles

    The food was amazing and the location is dog friendly! We ate outside and brought our dog. We asked for a burger patty for her and it was the most beautiful burger for a dog I have ever seen! I had salmon on toast and it was exceptional. Try their house made hot sauce--flavorful, hot and tangy.

    Main dining area and bar.
    Monamae L.

    Our group of 10 stopped in for Sunday brunch before a show at the nearby Weinberg Center. Even though the restaurant was busy, our reserved table was ready, and we were seated in a quieter side room that worked perfectly for us. The décor is colorful and warm, with Spanish-inspired art. On this brisk cold afternoon there was also a cozy brick fireplace in full working mode located in the back of the main dining area that adds to the charm. Our server was excellent--friendly, organized, and very mindful of our need to finish in time for the show. She handled separate checks, kept drinks filled, and made sure everything ran smoothly. The food was the highlight. We ordered full brunch meals, and everyone enjoyed their dishes. The house-made chorizo, flavorful sauces, and Eggs Benedict (with the option of a fresh biscuit instead of an English muffin) were especially good. Overall, we had a great experience. The menu is large, the atmosphere is inviting, and we'd happily return the next time we're in Frederick.

    Brunch specials
    Craig F.

    We stopped by Isabellas's for breakfast on a Saturday morning since they had a nice menu and opened early for breakfast. Very cool atmosphere and pub environment and an amazing bar! We were quickly seated as they were not very busy at the time. After that, things seem to slow down significantly. It took about an hour to get our food from the time we ordered.  When we did get our meals the presentation was nice, but the flavors were not what we expected. We tried the Tortilla de Patatas, which was ok, but nothing special. My wife ordered the biscuits with sausage gravy (and 2 eggs). The biscuits were very tough and gravy was ok.   While breakfast was not the best, I would definitely try Isabellas for dinner because the plates of food being served to people on the patio looked amazing.

    Alice J.

    Nearly five star setting and food (nice patio on a sunny Sunday; only drawback was the exceptionally loud car and motorcycle noise), good tapas choices, but unfortunately 3 star service (long long wait; spotty; inattentive; once ordered our food we waited for an hour, even for a simple two eggs, standard breakfast plate). Mussels are good (spicy sauce, special) Crab cake on artichoke is artfully presented, delicious Prosciutto e Melone is refreshing and tasty

    Fried manchego cheese
    Farah K.

    Came back to Isabellas after yeaaaars this time for tapas/dinner and not disappointed at all. We came in on a Tuesday night and there was ample space. We ordered a few different things to share amongst 3 people. I got the Flirtini drink which I enjoyed a lot. We got the fried manchego cheese, fried asparagus spears, brussel sprouts with capers and walnuts, papas fritas,albondigas(beef meatballs) and bacon wrapped dates (this one I did not try). Everything was delicious but surprisingly my favorite thing was the fried manchego which went so well with the fig jam it came with. Service was nice, they were good to let us know when the kitchen would be closing in case we wanted to get some last minute items in.

    Andrea O.

    Everything went well, so well I'd give it 6 s!! We walked in the door, seated promptly, water at the table almost before we sat down! Jared, our waiter, was engaging, friendly, offered tips about the menu! He, and a co-worker, compliment one another well! They back one another and there wasn't a gap in our service! Nor were we rushed! Food was amazing, with wonderful traditional tapas flavors and generous portions. The restaurant, in a historic area of Fredrick, has beautiful exposed brick walls solid wood floors, beautiful old bar, and great vibe for any time of day! My only regret, we don't live close enough to frequent weekly! Excellent, Isabella's!

    Eating some amazing tapas at Isabella's
    Bill G.

    While visiting Frederick a friend recommended Isabella's for dinner and we are so thankful for the recommendation. Isabella's is a vibrant restaurant that serves Spanish tapas, amazing sangria and a variety of paellas. We were glad we made reservations because the restaurant was busy in the dining area and the bar. Isabella's has evolving menus based on the season so there is always new and inventive food and drink choices. We started the evening we ordered a carafe of spiced pear sangria and a pumpkin spiced martini. Both were very tasty. We ordered the Paella a la Valenciana (shrimp, chicken, mussels, chorizo, and clams), Remolacha (roasted beets, feta and greens) and Datiles Rellenos (bacon wrapped dates stuffed with chorizo). The paella was amazing, full of seafood and enough to share between two people. Don't forget to try the the Datiles Rellenos which were three beautifully prepared and tastebud tantalizers that nearly cause us to order another round. The only thing that could have made this better would have been sitting at the bar and taking advantage of their $6 tapas happy hour. Well, there will be another trip to Isabella's in the near future!

    Drinks

    I have been to Isabella's multiple times, whether it's friends or family, and am pleased every time! The servers are friendly, the food is good, and the restaurant is clean. This is a safe and fun restaurant to go to if you are searching for new places to try. Nothing but positives!

    Pan con costilla de ternera. Short rib, goat cheese, onions, honey truffle aioli, toasted brioche

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    4 months ago

    Delicious happy hour selections! The meatballs were sooooo good! Will definitely go back for more!

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    1 month ago

    Food & service were wonderful even though it was a busy Mother's Day! We will go back!

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    Page 1 of 14

    Ask the Community - Isabella's

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes, and the food was excellent!

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    Sabor De Cuba

    Sabor De Cuba

    4.3
    (657 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    It's been years since I've had some good homestyle Cuban food. Visited on my last night in town. It…read morewas a really refreshing meal. I love a good grilled chicken breast. It was very flavorful with the citrus notes. I substituted the plantains for yucca, I'm a sucker for yucca. This meal was quite large and gave me plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day. The drink menu is extensive and they also offer mocktails. I included the bill which shows our 3 dinners, 2 drinks and an app. Extreme fair pricing for our current day.

    My wife and I had a very enjoyable experience at Sabor de Cuba. The service was one of the…read morehighlights of our visit. Our server was attentive throughout the meal, and other staff members also checked in regularly to make sure we had everything we needed. We started with the Fried Yuca with mojo sauce, which was cooked very well - crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The accompanying dipping sauce wasn't really to our taste, as it appeared to be oil-based, but that's more of a personal preference than a criticism of the dish itself. For our entrée, we ordered the Seafood Paella with tostones for two. The quality of the seafood was good, and the dish was flavorful overall. My only criticism is that the paella seemed a bit heavy on the rice compared to the amount of seafood and protein. There was certainly plenty of food to share, but I would have preferred a slightly better balance between the rice and seafood. The atmosphere was also enjoyable. We visited around 5 PM and were seated in the front corner of the restaurant by the windows. The ambiance was relaxed and comfortable, while still feeling lively enough to create a nice dining experience. Background Latin music played throughout our meal, which complemented the restaurant's vibe without being overwhelming. Overall, we had a positive experience thanks to the quality of the food, attentive service, and pleasant atmosphere. I'd be happy to return and try more of the menu in the future.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Pan Con Lechón
    Pan Con Lechón
    Sabor De Cuba

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    Cacique

    Cacique

    3.4
    (334 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    Excellent service! All food and drinks were on point…read more Will definitely return when in Frederick.

    Platanos Maduros- Fried sweet ripe plantains served with…read moresour cream Nice combination of the sweet and sour. The plantains could have been cooked a little softer for me Gambas al ajillo- Six jumbo shrimp sautéed in olive oil, garlic, white wine, and parsely Deliciously flavorful, however, the salt was heavy handed. Paella valencia- Scallops cooked perfectly, however, I prefer the "coral" of the scallop to be removed as it takes away from the silky texture of the scallop itself. Having said that, it does add flavor to the scallop. It's a texture thing for me. Sometimes it's removed before hitting the US. I had a glass of Albariño. Its citrusy, stone fruit notes, high acidity, and salinity cut through richness, complement seafood flavors, and balance saffron/spice with freshness, making it a classic match for the vibrant, savory dish. Serve it well-chilled to enhance its palate-cleansing effect, creating a refreshing contrast to the hearty rice and ingredients.  Chips were lackluster. Tasted like they were not made in house. Salsa was good though. Portions were good. Ratio of rice to everything else in paella was too much. Rice is cheap. No need to be overwhelming on plate to give the visual experience of being a generous portion, while making a profit. Oh, and I had to ask our server to get another chair because the one I sat in was imbalanced and wobbly, a potential customer disaster. All in all, Cacique's food offerings are very tasty. As an experienced diner, my intention is to provide culinary observations that can help elevate a place of eating, not just for the sake of providing critique.

    Photos
    Cacique
    PAELLA VALENCIANA
    PAELLA VALENCIANA
    Cacique

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    Mariachi

    Mariachi

    3.7
    (189 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    I really wanted to find a place that doesn't get enough praise and give it the spotlight…read morebut...there are just too many other better options. First impression - the space is large and inviting. And the staff- one of the most attentive and friendliest places I've been to in Frederick. Not just our server ... but everyone greeted us and saw us to the door. The food was good. I ordered steak and shrimp fajitas and both were buttery tender ( just needed some more spices?) A little pricey in comparison to a few of the other Mexican places we tried. The big miss of the lunch was Valencia Orange margarita... it tasted like tequila on ice. Again, no flavors. I ordered the mango frozen marg and it was the consistency of baby food and really sweet. Even the house chips and salsa - very plain.

    Was in Frederick,MD for the day and decided to try again lunch here. Our last time was not good…read more This time I had the creamy crab soup and chicken tamales. My partner had carne asada. I absolutely had an amazing experience with the creamy crab soup! It was indeed creamy and full of crab and the flavor was of fresh crab with spiciness and that comforted creaminess. The tamales were also fresh tasting, a great portion and very flavorful. My partner was not too happy about the flavor of the carne asada. I did notice that it used to come with a dollop of crema fresca and guacamole but this time none were on the plate. I think this maybe the reason my partner didn't find it as appealing as other times. I also noticed we weren't asked if we wanted more chips and salsa. The restaurant did smell cleaner from that last review and the service was good.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Chips and salsa
    Chips and salsa
    Menu

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    Menu
    Santa Rosa Restaurant

    Santa Rosa Restaurant

    4.1
    (155 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    The food at this restaurant is absolutely fantastic. The…read moreEnchiladas we soft and so flavorful. It was more food than I could eat. I saved the rice and beans afterwards because it was so good. And the Tacos al Carbon were amazing!! Literally the best we've ever had - including at some of the best NY restaurants. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is that it took almost an hour to get our food. We came New Year's eve for lunch so it became busy, but I wish the management had planned better and not just had one server (later they added a second). Def eat here!

    Found this restaurant being blocked by the WaWa. Immediately when we entered, we were greeted ands…read moreseated immediately. It was right when they had opened so that's the main reason for the little traffic. The decorations were nice and colorful and the music was perfect. It was a good mix of classical and modern day music. Everything was very clean. The food was fresh and delicious. My wife liked the idea that the lengua was cooked then grilled. The ceviche was very fresh. The cheese stayed melted and the "cheese pull" was a 9 out of 10. The steak was perfectly seasoned and super tender. The burrito filling was a good balance and stuffed with meat. This restaurant ensures that the protein out-weighs the veggies and not too many places do that. This was highly awesome and, not to mention, filling. We had a couple of cervesas but they didn't have it in a draft; bottle only. I also ordered the margarita w/ cononita and a passion fruit Mojito. The mojito was freshly made and strong . Just gotta drink it fast because of the paper straw . Overall, I will definitely be coming back for the amazing food... AND THE DRINKS!

    Photos
    Santa Rosa Restaurant
    Grilled steak Burrito
    Grilled steak Burrito
    Margarita

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    Margarita
    Crisp & Juicy

    Crisp & Juicy

    3.3
    (65 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    So, let's get to it: very good chicken, but not as moist and well-seasoned (that is,…read moreflavoriscious) as Sardis. BUT: pretty doggone close. As an admitted meat freak, it's hard to pass up a sausage. The Argentinian chorizo here was excellent - full of flavor, well seasoned (but with no real heat) and grilled mariposa (butterfly) style. Didn't try it with chimmichurr I, but will do so next time and update this review. Sides were good, although the plantains were really, really banana-sweet (they made for a great dessert, especially because they were crispy on the edges and oh-so-happily gooey in the middle. Rice was, well, rice - but the beans were really tasty. Bottom line for me: I really, really like Sardi's, but it's not as convenient to get to. When I have time, I will still run there - but I'll be happily heading to C&J for my routine pollo fix.

    Wasn't juicy. Crisp skin. Nice smoky flavor. It just was not the moist flavorful meat that…read morePeruvian chicken should have. Dry. Hate to compare it, but Sardi's chicken is ALWAYS juicy. That said, the green sauce was great! It was actually spicy. Every place doesn't have such nice spicy green sauce. Rice/beans were okay. Veggies were average. (Not fresh) Very clean inside. Fast friendly service. $15.50 pre-tax for a half chicken meal. I'm used to a half chicken meal being bigger. Have chickens gotten smaller? Didn't seem ovresized. A 1/4 meal would have been barely enough food.

    Photos
    Outside
    Outside
    Seemed like a small half bird for $16
    Seemed like a small half bird for $16
    Crisp & Juicy

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    Isabella's - tapasmallplates - Updated June 2026

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