Worth the Wait: A Bestie Date Night at Isla DC

I’m late… well, kinda.

Isla, the self-proclaimed global soul with island roots, has been on my list for weeks. I had many plans to go, and somehow, none of them actually happened. Life. But I finally made it, and bestie date night at Isla turned out to be a really good time. I’d heard mixed reviews, so consider this a firsthand take on my experience.

The Location… Isla sits in a great spot—right in the heart of downtown DC, near familiar favorites like Shōtō and Grazie Nonna. The address is 1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, but I’ll be honest: it’s a bit tucked away. Depending on which direction you’re coming from, it’s either easy to spot or mildly confusing. I actually called the restaurant for directions before arriving, which helped a lot.

The Vibes… The vibes were hands down my favorite part of the night.

And yes, I know, “I don’t go to restaurants for the vibes.” But listen, I love good aesthetics. If the food is just okay but the vibe is A1, I’ll absolutely come back for drinks. (GAIA immediately comes to mind with that philosophy.)

Isla delivered. The space feels intentional and stylish, and there’s an upstairs area that I need to learn more about. It looks like the perfect setting for a few ideas I have brewing.

The Drinks… I stuck with my usual: a Tito’s dirty martini, filthy and it did not disappoint. No notes. My best friend ordered an espresso martini, and again, no complaints. I’d happily come back to Isla just for a solid martini moment.

The Food… Alright, let’s get into the food.

I’ve seen videos suggesting Isla is a Jamaican restaurant catering to American taste buds. Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with that but I’m also not convinced that’s exactly what Isla is. I read that the Canadian chef has Jamaican roots, but I never went in expecting a traditional Jamaican restaurant.

That said… I loved everything we ordered. Everything.

• Scallion Bread with yuzu kosho honey butter 5/5

This was accidentally brought to our table and we gladly accepted. The bread reminded me of cocoa bread: soft, pillowy, buttery, with a slight sweetness. The honey butter was the perfect pairing, with subtle citrus notes (almost orange). So good.

• Snapper Crudo with passionfruit ponzu, wakame, cilantro oil 5/5

I love a good crudo, and this one delivered. Fresh, balanced, and bright. If you’re a crudo fan, this is a must-try.

• Wagyu oxtail pattie with spiced ground beef and fermented mango 3/5

The pastry itself was flaky and buttery, absolutely delicious. I do wish the wagyu had a bit more seasoning, but I’d definitely try their other pattie options.

• BBQ Greens with pot liquor, chicken skin chicharron

As a Black American, ordering the collard greens is non-negotiable for me. And these? I loved them. Perfectly vinegary with just the right touch of sweetness and a smoky finish. The flavor was bold, balanced, and comforting in all the right ways. Highly recommend.

• Fried Snapper with fish spice and escovitch vegetables 5/5

This was the star of the show for me. I love escovitch fish, and Isla did it right. The snapper was fried beautifully, with just enough escovitch flavor, and the accompanying vegetables really sealed the deal. I’d go back just for this dish.

Final Thoughts

I always say, try a place for yourself. If Isla is for you, great. If not… well, that sucks.

Because it’s definitely for me. I’ll be back.