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. D

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!

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!

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.