We love Isa! The chef and staff provide a lovely dining experience. It is our go-to choice!
Lyndon
Wonderful small neighborhood Bistro with excellent food. The salads are wonderful, the appetizers delicious and always excellent entrees. Cozy fun environment, not too loud and eating at the bar is always fun. One of Portland's best !!!
Emily
We had an amazing experience with a fantastic waiter who catered to our every need. Will be back!
Kristen
Absolutely delicious. We were so surprised on the night of a blizzard the restaurant was open & kept our reservation. Everything we tasted was another level; not just a beet salad, but the best beet salad. Their Black Forest Cake, it really deserves to be part of an entirely different category. The ambience is sweet & comfortable, easy to chat. We loved every aspect of our evening at Isa.
Lucinda
The octopus was fantastic, extremely tender and the chick peas were an unexpectedly good accompaniment. Salad special of burrata with citrus, arugula and pistachios does not sound like it would work but it was sublime! Branzino with lentils was perfectly cooked with crispy skin and meltingly tender flesh; lentils and sauce were complementary and not overwhelming. Finally, the short rib ragu special was superb, with incredible depth of flavor. extremely good service in a relaxed, warm atmosphere. Would definitely recommend, and we will be going back!
Christopher
Always a wonderful experience. Food and service are consistently excellent. Been coming here for years and they haven't let us down yet.
Eileen
Loved this little restaurant! The drink menu had myriad choices. The appetizers (grilled octopus, short rib poutine and citrus salad special) were all so delicious! Our entrees (short rib pasta specisl, branzino and bolognese) were all very, very good. Portions are not too small, but not too large. The hostess, waiter and bartender were all very friendly and funny. Will definitely come here again!
Mark
The food exceeds the “Bistro” definition. Highly attentive to detail and flavors woven into a perfect fabric. Service was exemplary and perfectly timed. Could have used a bit more lobster. Desert was over the top.
Philip
ISA is a terrific place for delicious dishes and a friendly atmosphere . The owners are always in the house and pay good attention to their diners,food choices, and service ! We love to travel from Saco for this restaurant gem.
Miranda S
I love food, and have spent many years exploring culinary greatness across major food meccas, including years spent living in New York and LA, and travels across Rome, Copenhagen, Paris, London, Melbourne, and the US, trying many different meals along the way, and was grateful to have one of the best meals of my life at this spot in Portland (not my first time in the city, but my first time here).
I ordered an excellently seasoned pork chop, and my dinner companion had the tagliatelle. Don't skip dessert, they clearly know what they're doing on that side of things as well. Perfect textures and flavors, with nothing overdone. I can't wait to come back.
Isa Bistro truly does my hometown proud. The food and drinks were exceptional. Particular props for the braised short rib ragu, which was among the best dishes I’ve had in Portland. Tremendously friendly, down to earth service and a beautiful bar in a relatively intimate setting. Very well done overall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jack Lawson
Isa Bistro never disappoints, and our most recent visit was no exception. We enjoyed some incredible dishes starting with the lobster tostada, which was fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced.
The shaved fennel salad and Brussels sprouts were standouts as well, each prepared with the kind of thoughtful flavors and textures that keep us coming back. The burrata was creamy and refreshing, the perfect complement to the rest of the meal.
For entrées, the halibut was cooked to absolute perfection! tender, flavorful, and plated with care. The gnocchi was rich, comforting, and wonderfully executed, easily one of our favorites of the night. Every dish felt crafted with intention, and the attention to detail shows. We love coming to Isa Bistro, not only for the consistently delicious food but also for the warm, welcoming atmosphere. Each visit feels special, and this one reminded us exactly why it’s one of our go-to spots. Highly recommend!
I love Isa. The food is so good. The vibe is relaxed. Its where I go when I have a fantastic meal in mind . Eggplant lasagna and Caesar salad for the home run !
Robert French
Our favorite restraunt when we want a good meal. We look at it as a treat for a long work week. The food is always consistant. The avacado beet salad and mango cheescake are my favorite items. The bolognese is also great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Peter Eyermann
Great family run restaurant. Atmosphere is terrific and service is excellent. Great options for drinks and food selections. Highly recommended.
We love Isa! The chef and staff provide a lovely dining experience. It is our go-to choice!
Wonderful small neighborhood Bistro with excellent food. The salads are wonderful, the appetizers delicious and always excellent entrees. Cozy fun environment, not too loud and eating at the bar is always fun. One of Portland's best !!!
We had an amazing experience with a fantastic waiter who catered to our every need. Will be back!
Absolutely delicious. We were so surprised on the night of a blizzard the restaurant was open & kept our reservation. Everything we tasted was another level; not just a beet salad, but the best beet salad. Their Black Forest Cake, it really deserves to be part of an entirely different category. The ambience is sweet & comfortable, easy to chat. We loved every aspect of our evening at Isa.
The octopus was fantastic, extremely tender and the chick peas were an unexpectedly good accompaniment. Salad special of burrata with citrus, arugula and pistachios does not sound like it would work but it was sublime! Branzino with lentils was perfectly cooked with crispy skin and meltingly tender flesh; lentils and sauce were complementary and not overwhelming. Finally, the short rib ragu special was superb, with incredible depth of flavor. extremely good service in a relaxed, warm atmosphere. Would definitely recommend, and we will be going back!
Always a wonderful experience. Food and service are consistently excellent. Been coming here for years and they haven't let us down yet.
Loved this little restaurant! The drink menu had myriad choices. The appetizers (grilled octopus, short rib poutine and citrus salad special) were all so delicious! Our entrees (short rib pasta specisl, branzino and bolognese) were all very, very good. Portions are not too small, but not too large. The hostess, waiter and bartender were all very friendly and funny. Will definitely come here again!
The food exceeds the “Bistro” definition. Highly attentive to detail and flavors woven into a perfect fabric. Service was exemplary and perfectly timed. Could have used a bit more lobster. Desert was over the top.
ISA is a terrific place for delicious dishes and a friendly atmosphere . The owners are always in the house and pay good attention to their diners,food choices, and service ! We love to travel from Saco for this restaurant gem.
I love food, and have spent many years exploring culinary greatness across major food meccas, including years spent living in New York and LA, and travels across Rome, Copenhagen, Paris, London, Melbourne, and the US, trying many different meals along the way, and was grateful to have one of the best meals of my life at this spot in Portland (not my first time in the city, but my first time here).
I ordered an excellently seasoned pork chop, and my dinner companion had the tagliatelle. Don't skip dessert, they clearly know what they're doing on that side of things as well. Perfect textures and flavors, with nothing overdone. I can't wait to come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Isa Bistro truly does my hometown proud. The food and drinks were exceptional. Particular props for the braised short rib ragu, which was among the best dishes I’ve had in Portland. Tremendously friendly, down to earth service and a beautiful bar in a relatively intimate setting. Very well done overall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Isa Bistro never disappoints, and our most recent visit was no exception. We enjoyed some incredible dishes starting with the lobster tostada, which was fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced.
The shaved fennel salad and Brussels sprouts were standouts as well, each prepared with the kind of thoughtful flavors and textures that keep us coming back. The burrata was creamy and refreshing, the perfect complement to the rest of the meal.
For entrées, the halibut was cooked to absolute perfection! tender, flavorful, and plated with care. The gnocchi was rich, comforting, and wonderfully executed, easily one of our favorites of the night. Every dish felt crafted with intention, and the attention to detail shows.
We love coming to Isa Bistro, not only for the consistently delicious food but also for the warm, welcoming atmosphere. Each visit feels special, and this one reminded us exactly why it’s one of our go-to spots. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Tostada, Tagliatelle Bolognese, Grilled Bistro Steak, Shaved Fennel Salad
I love Isa. The food is so good. The vibe is relaxed. Its where I go when I have a fantastic meal in mind . Eggplant lasagna and Caesar salad for the home run !
Our favorite restraunt when we want a good meal. We look at it as a treat for a long work week. The food is always consistant. The avacado beet salad and mango cheescake are my favorite items. The bolognese is also great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great family run restaurant. Atmosphere is terrific and service is excellent.
Great options for drinks and food selections.
Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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