Came here with my sister a few weeks ago. They don't take reservation but they had open tables when we arrived. They're also BYOB so we picked up a bottle of wine from the liquor store a few doors down. I got the Camarones Al Ajillo and my sister ordered the Chuletas Encebolladas. Each dish comes with 2 sides and we both got white rice with black beans. Both dishes were good. The white since sauce with my dish was delicious but heavy. I loved it but avoid if you don't like a thick cream sauce. The food is a tad pricey but normal for the area and the portions are a good size. The dessert looked tasty but we were way too full for dessert. The restaurant was narrow but has a decent amount of seating. A cute place for date night. read more

La Isla Restaurant - Camarones Ajillo - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

This spot is incredibly authentic and delicious! The food is outstanding, and they serve huge portions that definitely won't leave you hungry. The service was also top-notch--very attentive and welcoming throughout our meal. One of the best parts is that it's BYOB. We just popped into the market a few doors down to grab a beverage before sitting down, which was super convenient. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for great Cuban food in Hoboken. We will definitely be back whenever we are in the area! read more

Came to La Isla for breakfast, and it did not disappoint! We came right when they opened, so it was fairly empty and decided to grab a seat outdoors. The inside of the restaurant was cute and matched the Hoboken charm. Three of us shared the French toast and huevos rancheros, along with a cubaccino to drink. This was probably the best French toast I've had. There was a light cream cheese filling with a crispy outside. It was the perfect sweet dish for breakfast. The huevos rancheros was the perfect savory pairing. It had eggs inside of a tortilla coated with wet beans and a side of rice. Because we were sitting outside and they had just opened, I felt like service could have been a little better. They barely checked on us, so we had to wait awhile to get a spoon. I would definitely recommend coming here for breakfast! read more

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I've been getting food here for years and the quality never changed . It's the best Cuban food in Hoboken . Their roasted chicken is so good . The empanadas as well as the papa rellena are very good as well. Very small place but worth the wait because they are always packed . That alone should tell you how amazing the food is . THE BEST CUBAN food in Hoboken !! read more

The BEST Cuban sandwich I've ever had!! The staff is pleasant! We also ordered the papa rellena, it was delicious!! So crispy and flavorful!! read more

La Isla Restaurant - Tostones - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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Absolutely love this restaurant. Small, totally unpretentious place, friendly staff. I've been here so many times over the years and am never disappointed. Amazing offerings for breakfast, brunch, and lunch/dinner. Everything is really high quality. We had empanadas...one chicken, one beef. They're big, lots of filling, fried crispy, so good. Then we had an appetizer of fried yuca & chorizo with a sauce on it...sooo delicious . Entrees were all very large and came with 2 large sides and again, everything just great. The standout was the chicken breast in a cream sauce with spinach. Don't miss this place. Amazing food. Good prices. And don't forever to get a Batida to drink! read more

La Isla Restaurant - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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 read more

La Isla Restaurant - Fries and a side of black beans - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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Popped in for lunch with my daughter. We had a lovely lunch. We started with the papa relleno. Highly recommend! Delicious. I had the fish sandwich. OMG! My first bite had all the flavors. Loved it and ate the whole thing. The fries were quite tasty too. My daughter had the roasted chicken thigh special. So good! It was moist and falling off the bone. Would definitely come again. read more

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Service was super quick and food was incredible! Highly recommend the steak and eggs and burrito. This was one of my favorite meals in Hoboken. read more

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I love this place for breakfast or brunch. Very authentic Cuban food. Love their coffee. Everything is delicious. read more

La Isla Restaurant - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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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! read more

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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. read more

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I have a vivid memory of walking through the East Village during the 80s. I was walking down a particular block...maybe around St. Mark's Place...and every few feet, someone would lean forward and whisper loudly, 'Weed?" "Coke?" "Smack?" "Shrooms?" It was like running an illegal but openly visible gauntlet. I remember thinking to myself, "Where is this well-funded War on Drugs I keep hearing about?" When I reached the end of the block, the guy who seemed to be the coordinator of the whole operation yelled out to me, "HEY, MAN!!!" I turned around, bracing myself for a physical confrontation. The belligerent "salesman" looked at me, exasperated, and said, "What you want?" "Nothing," i replied, and walked on. I left him looking bewildered; it was inconceivable to him that someone my age, looking like I did, dressed like I was, would enter the block, looking for "nothing." In some ways, the new Godfather of Lunch where I work is like that. Instead of drugs, we're dealing now with the "addicition" to food. You can live without shrooms, or heroin, but how do you live without food? He knows I'm trying to diet. It's a hard struggle. Invariably, though, the occasion will arise where he says, sotto voce, "You want to order?" If I'm strong, I'll shake my head no, mutter, "I have cottage cheese and lean chicken slices waiting at home. With a rice cake." Sometimes, though, he'll sense weakness, like a predatory shark sensing blood in the water, and continue on with his insidious pitch: "What do you want? Margarita pizza? Mr. Wraps? 50 Burgers? How about Marty's? Or Popeye's?" "POPEYE'S!?! Are you nuts?" Then I remembered when we had considered ordering Cuban food some weeks before, and he had mentioned a "wheat milkshake." He's not Cuban, but I guess they have a version of the "wheat milkshake" throughout South and Central America. That had stuck in my mind. He hadn't mentioned Cuban food on this occasion, but I succumbed finally to the temptation, and said, "How about that Cuban place we talked about?" (The old Godfather of Lunch was MIA that day; he's dieting too, although sometimes his idea of dieting means ordering from the kid's menu, topped off with a healthy dose of black seed oil.) So, we ended up ordering Cuban food to be delivered from La Isla. I'm not always overly enthused by delivery food, even when it's objectively good. Maybe the "sit-down" experience is part of the whole restaurant-eating equation, and when I have to eat my meal out of a glorified pie-tin with a plastic fork in the office, I guess I feel cheated. On this occasion, I ordered from the "Saturday Special" part of the menu. Lechon Asado-- roasted pork. With a plentiful side of rice and beans, and sweet plantains. I exercised enough internal discipline to not order the Tres Leches Cake. But I ultimately couldn't resist the temptation of the Batido...the Cuban Milkshake. Puffed wheat batido. Look, I'm human. I haven't had a drink or a pill or something up the nose in years. But I couldn't resist the compelling allure of that...puffed wheat batido. I don't remember what the (new) Godfather of Lunch ordered, but I had eyes only for what had been set down in front of me. They packed a lot of food into that "glorified pie tin." The roasted pork was melt-in-your-mouth tender, garnished with onion slices. The rice and beans would have presented a heaping mound of deliciousness had I sat down in the restaurant itself and consumed it on a proper plate. And the sweet plantains were a nice, savory touch of additional flavor. It was a fulsome amount of food! Delicious, hearty, soul-satisfying food. And then there was the wheat shake! I can't say it will replace the love I have for the vanilla milkshake in my soul's gluttonous inner core, but it was...unforgettable. I can still taste that shake now, days later. Nothing here is cheap, but...considering the amount of food you get, and the quality of it...it's worth it, even to a penny-pinching, near-indigent wage-slave like me. Highly recommended, if you have a taste for Cuban cuisine. I can still taste that puffed-wheat batido in my dreams! It may not replace my love for the vanilla milkshake, but...well...who knows? Time will tell. read more

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. read more

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Went here for a friends birthday and it did not disappoint. It's byob which is always nice but make sure to be aware before going if you want to drink. It's a small place so we sat at the bar but be aware if going on the weekends. We started off with the empanada and bacalao croquettes. Both were fantastic starters. The empanada was homemade and stuffed with flavorful chicken. The bacalao was fried perfectly and the paprika aoili and arugula salad that came with it was a great addition with it. The porkchops I got were cooked perfectly. There wasn't too much flavor with them but it came with onions and a lime which was enough but they could have been seasoned a bit more. We ended the night with an espresso which was also very good which is not always commonplace. I am excited to come for lunch one day as the sandwiches looked amazing. Definitely stop by if looking for a quick bite to eat that also tastes great. read more

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I came into La Isla in Hoboken to grab a simple empanada, but the experience was terrible. First off, $6 for one empanada is way overpriced, especially since I usually get it with their mojito sauce and expected better service. When I asked about the sauce, the woman behind the counter was extremely rude. She kept brushing me off while I was talking, and at one point even shushed me -- completely unprofessional and out of control. Only after she realized I was upset did she suddenly try to change her attitude, but by then it was too late. I was so upset that after paying for the $6 empanada, I just walked outside and left it on the table in front of the restaurant. That's how bad the service was -- I didn't even want to eat it. The food might be fine, but honestly it's not worth dealing with that kind of attitude. If you want good food and respectful service, avoid this place. There are plenty of other restaurants in Hoboken that actually value their customers. read more

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! read more

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I had Omar's stuffed French toast Egg bread filled with guava cream cheese, dipped in cinnamon batter and coated with corn flakes and almonds. It was delicious. The service was good. The ambience is not much to talk about But I would definitely go back read more

La Isla Restaurant - Omar's French toast - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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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. read more

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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! read more

Chicken with rice and black beans were delicious. Each tasted authentic , flavorful and filling. Quick service too!

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

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. read more

La Isla Restaurant - El Cubano Pressed Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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. read more

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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. read more

La Isla Restaurant - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

I love this place! I come in at least twice a week for dinner. Food is fresh and delicious and service is excellent! You can have a wonderful dinner for 2 for $60. Where in the tri-state is that possible? My son and DIL live in the area and they love the place too! Their spinach salad is amazing and all their chicken dishes are outstanding! read more

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. read more

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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. read more

La Isla Restaurant - Camarones al Ajillo - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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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. read more

La Isla Restaurant - Lechon Asado Sunday Special Arroz Moro Rice Platanos Maduros - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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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, read more

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Awesome Cuban authentic food like granmom used to make. Excellent service friendly family ambiance read more

La Isla Restaurant - Rabo ensendido white rice steamed yucca - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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

La Isla Restaurant - Home Fries & Bacon - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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. read more

La Isla Restaurant - Menu - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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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. read more

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The kitchen delivers on freshness without charging premium prices. Everything ordered has exceeded expectations. The place has a large team of workers who maintain a friendly attitude. They use quality food items, delicious spices, reasonable prices, and friendly employees. I may try this restaurant again. read more

Had the Vaca Frita Brunch Bowl and it was amazing. The food and service both get 5 stars from me. It's nothing fancy, but saddling up to the counter and having brunch here is a great decision. read more

La Isla Restaurant - Vaca Frita Brunch Bowl - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

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! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

La Isla Restaurant - Cuban Near Me - Hoboken, New Jersey

Perfect in every way. Quick service, friendly staff, incredible flavors. Definitely one of my new favorite places to eat. Worth every penny.