Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    La Isla

    2.3 (47 reviews)
    InexpensivePuerto Rican
    Open 10:00 am - 3:00 AM (Next day)

    Order La Isla Takeout or Delivery

    La Isla Photos

    Business Info

    LA ISLA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - La Isla

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    chicken, rice, beans, and rice in tinfoil
    Teresa S.

    I was in the area and wanted some hearty food and saw this spot on the corner. I went in and there were two ladies sitting and eating and honey their food looked goodt! Okay maybe I was just a little hungry but I was excited about trying the food. Mind you I didn't read the reviews because I might haven't tried it due to the poor ratings. However, after checking out the reviews, most of the issues seem to be with their delivery service and/or customer service. The staff were friendly and I didn't have a problem even though I was only in the restaurant for about 5 minutes, lol. I ordered the roasted chicken with rice and beans. I wanted some plantains but I would've had to wait 10 minutes so I skipped them. I got home and feasted because the meal was delicious. The rice wasn't overcooked and the food was very flavorful. The prices were average and most importantly, the portion sizes were big enough to have leftovers for later which I loooove.. LOL If I'm in the area I would return to this spot and check out some other menu items.

    Rotissierie Chicken
    Alexander T.

    3.5 stars. Fast and cheap eats . They give you a good amount of food. Got the red rice , beans and rotisserie chicken. Some parts were dry but satisfying. Got the fried potato and meat as well. Big piece.

    See all

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A W.
    23
    410
    1119

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Stephanie V.
    60
    147
    522

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 3

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marta O.
    103
    20
    3

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Linh V.
    666
    148
    268

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Iris K.
    7
    40
    31

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ildiko H.
    18
    18
    22

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of RH R.
    106
    25
    0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Adam S.
    123
    11
    0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lina A.
    713
    799
    8340

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Worst service I have ever received. The lady in charge of phone orders is extremely disrespectful and does not care about the customer.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emily J.
    26
    221
    304

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Paid 7.50 for rice and 2 small cubes of beef (beef stew. Didn't realised I had ordered rice only

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A S.
    0
    7
    15

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Mike M.
    25
    44
    17

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mo O.
    0
    93
    2

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jane H.
    153
    256
    307

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Debbie O.
    153
    47
    66

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Les M.
    6
    45
    2

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of AJ B.
    246
    196
    3

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chinku G.
    20
    541
    0

    20 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    La Isla Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - La Isla

    Review Highlights - La Isla

    I wanted pasteles with rice and a coco drink, and that's exactly what I got.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Puerto Rican 7,064 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    La Fonda - Avocado Toast w/ Poached eggs, served on Tostones (Plantains - Great for Gluten Free Individuals).

    La Fonda

    3.2(371 reviews)
    0.1 miEast Harlem
    $$

    Alright. So this is my official review for La Fonda -- the restaurant I told y'all is connected to…read moreAbuelita's Desserts. Same location, same love, same culture. First of all, sometimes I don't even realize how Puerto Rican I am until it's time to eat. And then it hits me. Heavy. If you know, you know. My mom and I had been low-key grieving this old Chinito Spanish spot on 116th that we grew up on. That place was a staple. Birthdays, celebrations, random Sundays -- we were there. And the chuletas? Elite. The Spanish food was honestly better than the Chinese food, and it was that beautiful cultural fusion that only East Harlem really understands. Asian families who lived in Puerto Rico, speaking Spanish, cooking with that blend of spices -- it was magic. When it closed, it felt like we lost a piece of home. So ever since, we've been like... where are we getting our chuletas now? And let me explain something very clearly: when it comes to a Rican and her chuletas, we do not play games. Don't tell me you make a good pork chop and then serve me something dry or bland. No ma'am. I'm looking for: * That crisp but tender edge. * The smell that hits you before the plate even lands. * The cebolla on top. * The juices already doing what they need to do so I don't have to add a single thing. * That perfect bite when the rice and chuleta meet on the fork. So when we saw La Fonda attached to Abuelita's, we were curious. A guy inside was recommending dishes, saying he comes all the time for lunch. My mom spots "chuletas" on the menu and immediately says, "Let's try it." And I'm nervous. Because what if it's not right? What if it's breaded? I didn't want breaded. I just wanted it fried. Simple. Classic. Done correctly. Baby. When I tell you I was NOT disappointed? I have found my new chuleta spot. Perfectly fried. Flavorful. Juicy. That bite with the rice? Exactly what I've been missing. You can choose your rice. My mom got yellow rice with red beans. I asked for the rice of the day -- and listen, that rice of the day was a moment. Yellow rice mixed with little pieces of chicharrón, some plátano in there, beans -- just layered with flavor. That's the kind of rice you don't leave behind. My mom also ordered the corn fritters. Did I taste them? No. Because she tore them down before I could blink. And when my mom goes quiet and just wolfs her plate? I already know it's good. The ambiance? Beautiful. The bar area feels very Puerto Rican -- colorful, warm, nostalgic. On the other side, there's spacious seating if you want to dine in properly. It's quaint but roomy. Comfortable. It feels like somewhere you can celebrate something or just come in on a random Tuesday because you need good food. And the food? Delicious. Period. If you're looking for authentic Puerto Rican food in East Harlem that actually hits the way it's supposed to hit, go to La Fonda. Try it. Get the chuletas (trust me). And then come back and tell me what you think. Because these spots? They have my heart.

    Service is slow but the food is excellent. It took too long to just get drinks. They had one waiter…read morefor all the tables.

    Photos
    La Fonda - Our Mimosa Towers - flavors available and bottomless options.

    Our Mimosa Towers - flavors available and bottomless options.

    La Fonda - Shrimp Pinchos served with our serve passion-fruit sauce.

    Shrimp Pinchos served with our serve passion-fruit sauce.

    La Fonda - $10 virgins piña colada in plastic cups!!! This is unacceptable and should not be allowed

    See all

    $10 virgins piña colada in plastic cups!!! This is unacceptable and should not be allowed

    El Rincón Boricua

    El Rincón Boricua

    4.4(10 reviews)
    2.4 miMelrose

    I had family coming to visit and they requested for PR food…read more Then It hit me, there's no more puertorican food places left! If you really think about it the Dominican food has taken over the Bx. I searched, and found this place. The moment you step in you are greeted with the warmest blessings. The 2 beautiful people that worked there made our time there so memorable. The food was out of this world let me tell you. Also, I will say it is AFFORDABLE. portion size was huge and the place was so CLEAN. Food: Pernil: 10/10 flavorful and tender Yellow (arroz con gandules) and Black rice with the beans: 10/10 both were good and couldn't even decide which one was better Pulpo 9/10 : fresh and tangy, cut into small pieces so you can top it on your rice Alcapurrias: 8/10 great and made differently then what I'm used to but it was sooo good I'd come again for this alone Juices: Ask them to try the juices and they will let you. We tried it all. Came home with passion fruit (parcha) and guyaba (guanabana) Delicious 10/10 It was so fresh and they don't add too much ice so you get all the juice taste. All in all I'm coming here from now on. A true BX staple for the community and a true essence of the Bori pride resides here. If you miss PR, come here.

    One of the few real PR restaurants left...food is delicious, workers are very nice. I had the…read moremeatballs (albondigas) with arroz con gandules. Tasted homemade, well seasoned, tender. Rice was the way I like it - soft, not too oily, flavorful. I will go back with my bf who was born and raised in PR to see what he thinks, but I'm already a fan. They also have a lot of variety so I plan on trying something new next time. The lady working there said that sometimes they make guanimes (some people call them guanimos) which I have never been able to find outside of PR. I hope I get to try them at this place. So glad I found this spot and recommend you all check it out.

    Photos
    El Rincón Boricua - Background

    Background

    El Rincón Boricua - Arroz con gandules and plantains

    Arroz con gandules and plantains

    El Rincón Boricua - Dine in or take out

    See all

    Dine in or take out

    Cocotazo - Arroz con gandules peril maduros green salad and potato salad

    Cocotazo

    4.5(75 reviews)
    0.4 miEast Harlem

    Food was great, the service was also great ,the server was fantastic,she was very friendly knew her…read moremenus well explained dishes and specials well. The whole experience for since I was alone my husband could not attend was great ,I felt at home in the surroundings made a few friends ,atmosphere was cozy and family oriented.

    If you want authentic, homemade Puerto Rican food - this is the place to be! I felt like I was at…read moremy tia's house, waiting for food to be prepared. Some of the dishes are named after family members, which I thought was lovely, and there are family portraits all over the restaurant. It really felt like we were transported to someone's living room! I was chatting with a fellow diner at the table next to me, and we were raving about how comfortable and at home we felt. The chef Frances Roman also took the time to check in on each table and the people waiting outside the restaurant to see how they were enjoying the food and if they had any questions. The hospitality here is top tier! I ordered the bacalitos to start, which are cod fish fritters. They were nice and crispy. The sauce it came with really enhanced the flavor! I also ordered the guava and cheese pastelillos. Both pastelillos were also crisped to perfection. For my main dish, I had The Rican sandwich, which is a nice twist on the Cuban sandwich. The sandwich is made with pernil, Swiss, pickled onions, and the chef's own special garlic mayo sauce. It was absolutely delicious!! Cocotazo also has freshly, homemade juices. I recommend the Chi Chi Rodriguez, which is a mix of tamarind and passion fruit. It's not overly sweet. If you'd like to try the main dishes, I do recommend arriving hungry! The portions are super generous, and you will leave with happy and full bellies.

    Photos
    Cocotazo - Paintings for sale.

    Paintings for sale.

    Cocotazo - Rican Sandwich

    Rican Sandwich

    Cocotazo - View of Spanish Harlem

    See all

    View of Spanish Harlem

    The Freakin Rican - Mofongo

    The Freakin Rican

    4.0(491 reviews)
    2.8 miAstoria
    $$

    Ate here today for lunch on a holiday called Eid. This was definitely my first time eating Puerto…read moreRican food that I got the fried fish filets over arroz mamposteao (mixed Puerto Rican fried rice) that comes with pork and beans with Puerto Rican soda. As an overall, it was absolutely delicious and amazing. I couldn't agree more about it and many thanks to my polite and friendliest server named Diego for keeping me company and welcome. Finally, I would definitely eat and come back again next time! :)

    I visited Freakin' Rican on March 20, 2026 during restaurant hopping with my sister, and I really…read morewanted to love this place--but it fell short for me. First, the customer service was excellent--the host was friendly, attentive, and welcoming. The space itself is very small, about 9-10 tables total, but gave you that eating with your family vibe, talking at the table and listening to spanish music. The bathroom was clean but it had a shower, which was definitely... different. Now for the food. I ordered the fried red snapper with yellow rice and pigeon peas, salad and unfortunately it had no flavor at all. The rice was dry and tasted like there was no sofrito or seasoning, which was disappointing for a Puerto Rican spot. My sister's pork chops were actually very good--probably the highlight of the meal. They also don't serve alcohol, so I had a Coco Rico while my sister had water. Overall, while the service was great, the food didn't live up to the hype for me. I expected bold, authentic Puerto Rican flavors, and it just wasn't there. Also, I wish they offered plain Yellow Spanish Rice as well as white rice options. I'm glad I tried it, but I won't be returning. If you go, try the pork chops--that's your best bet. And if you're really looking for authentic Puerto Rican food, you're better off heading to Sofrito in Manhattan or grabbing cuchifritos uptown--they don't miss.

    Photos
    The Freakin Rican
    The Freakin Rican
    The Freakin Rican - House hot sauce. Tasty with a mango tang

    See all

    House hot sauce. Tasty with a mango tang

    The Lexington Social - Lexington Burger

    The Lexington Social

    3.7(229 reviews)
    0.1 miEast Harlem
    $$

    This place is a hole in the wall. I was in the area and hoping this would be a hidden gem but it…read morewas definitely not. The "empanadas" on their menu are nowhere near an actual empanada. The dough was raw and gummy. When you open it up it had zero filling in it. I had hope for the flatbread and it looked pretty decent when it came out but I was quickly disappointed. The dough was again gummy, the cheese was not fully melted and the sun-dried tomatoes were very chewy. The hamburger was overcooked, dry, and the patty was all falling apart like a chop steak instead of a burger. The roasted potatoes on the side actually tasted good but tasted more fried than roasted. The service was not great at all and after seeing we were not happy with the food, they didn't even bother to ask how it was. They were then uncomfortable and afraid to come over to the table. I will never return to this place again and I recommend you find a place much better next time!

    This review is for a Monday happy hour. I arrived and it was pretty empty. I sat at the bar. I…read moreordered a sangria, it was good. I ordered The Lexington Burger. The restaurant had an open kitchen. I requested my burger to be medium well. Watching them cook the burger I was hesitant, but it came out perfect. As time passed the restaurant did get busier. Overall, the service was great, and they do have a good happy hour. I will return.

    Photos
    The Lexington Social
    The Lexington Social - Lexington Burger

    Lexington Burger

    The Lexington Social - Inside

    See all

    Inside

    La Isla - puertorican - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...