The place was packed and there was a wait for seating when we went here on a Saturday night. The seating was very compact and "cost" but the absolutely top notch delicious food was worth the wait and possible discomfort.
The wait staff were very friendly even though they were super busy they were warm and accommodating.
Loved everything I tried. We had the milkfish, Kare kare, lechon kawali and chop suey. The Kare Kare was the standout dish. I have always said if there was a dish that can be adapted for western palates it would be this and I believe Isla Filipina has done it. It had the perfect balance of a sweet savory dish. I don't know how they got that sweetness but I ate this without the standard bagoong accompaniment. Great job! Would visit again when I am in Chicago again.
I was absolutely in heaven with the food here. The seafood express dish was amazing. Full of flavors my mouth is still watering! The adobo was one of the best I've had. I would recommend this place to anybody going to Chicago. Such value for the potions they serve!!
I been eating from this restaurant for 15 years now and it’s the best I have ever had from Filipino food great cook great owners and just over all good deff recommend this place for a great meal !
The best pancit bihon lumpias and tapas. Alot of food and a great price. I do not live close by, but its definitely worth the drive for great food. My new spot.:)
We really enjoy dining here. The food is very good, every time. Very reasonable price. It's a byob (!) seating is limited so you may have to wait. the cooks do a great job, so have a couple of singles (or more) in your pocket for their tip jar when you are paying.
Authentic, always freshly prepared, the real deal. No frills, BYOB, friendly staff. Be prepared to overeat because of generous delicious portions that you can't stop eating. Our favorites: lumpiang shanghai, lechon kawali, dinuguan, kare-kare, pinakbet, garlic fried rice.
If you live in the Lincoln Square/Albany Park area...even if you don't, do yourself a favor and go to this place! The food is AAA+++, staff is great and entertaining, and vibes are killer! I tell everyone about this place! GO!
Wait staff is outstanding - he explain almost every dish on the menu and suggested house favorites. He was spot on! We ordered several dishes and were blown away at how delicious every dish was. The flavors were extraordinary in the Pancit Bihon. The fried pork belly was so good I wished I had brought cold beer to compliment it. (BYOB) We couldn't possibly order everything but let me tell you, we will be returning soon to try more of what we missed. Isla is a small quaint restaurant so make a reservation, it fills up fast. Come hungry and enjoy the Filipino bounty of flavors and freshness. Superb!
this place is FIRE!!! and the people are the best. Best Filipino Restaurant in the City!
Best Filipino restaurant in my opinion. The ambiance is young and funky, good flavors, good combinations and the service is always great. The best interpretation of native Filipino cuisine with reasonable price. A place to bring out of town Filipino friends for a taste of home. Love love love❤️
The 1st time I walked into this restaurant I noticed the AMAZING smell! Smells just like my Lola's house. The food will NOT disappoint! Definitely suggest the menudo and lechon! �
Very good food and excellent service. I highly recommend this to all of my friends.
The place is very cozy , I Love the Crispy paya and the Fish Kinilaw ... I Hope the Owner will consider a little expansion of the place ...
This is one of the best restaurants in all of Chicago! Every dish is absolutely amazing.
Arsenio Butch Ines Odulio
+5
We have been loyal customers of this joint.
Excellent food and excellent customer service. We love the lechon kawali, Kare Kare, BBQ and crispy Pata.
They can turn down the rock music volume a bit.
Went to Isla this weekend in their new location in Urbanspace. We had the opportunity to try out the chef’s counter experience and it did not disappoint. The experience started off nice and light with lumpia (of course 🤤) but as the different courses progressed the chef talent behind isla was expressed in items that aren’t on the regular menu. My favorite was the tempura spinach bc you could still taste the earthiness of the spinach without it being drowned out by the batter. The smoked duck was amazing and melted in your mouth like butter. Portion sizing was good and fair- definitely was full by the fourth course but I managed to find room for the ube milkshake. Was not going to let the cookie on top go to waste. Highly recommend checking out!
Terrific service, family like atmosphere and reasonable portions for a decent price. Wait time for food is a bit long but worth it. Call in ahead to make reservations. The mini Lumpias are delicious and the lechon kawali which is the fried roasted pig is yummy, tender and crispy. Will come back there again to try other dishes!
We had the opportunity to have dinner at Isla while in visiting Chicago from Cleveland and cannot say enough great things about my experience! We were given the opportunity to try the Counter experience! I have not previously had the opportunity to eat much Filipino food and this talented chef has set the bar high! The counter service menu progressed very nicely starting off with the lumpia (which I could eat all day long) and then followed with two courses with vegetables as the main focus followed by mouth watering applewood smoked duck and delicious crispy pata (deep fried pork leg). Then the meal ended with a smooth Ube milkshake. I was so delightfully full I had to delay the milkshake for a little bit so I could fully enjoy it! Strongly urge everyone to check out Isla's new location Urbanspace.
I haven't been to Chicago in 2 years and the last time I was in town I went to Isla for the first time. This time, it is just as good as I remember. I made sure that I made a special trip for this restaurant. Service was friendly and fairly fast even during the Sunday lunch rush. I ordered beef kaldareta and mixed chicken and pork adobo. Both sauce were on point. You get plenty for a very reasonable price. I ended it a halo halo and leche flan. The halo halo was great. The leche flan wasnt bad. But i think they used granular sugar to caramelized the top instead of brown sugar so it was more on the bitter side. Other than that this place is fantastic.
We visited this relatively new location (in Urban Space, Chicago) of the original Isla. At 3:00 pm, there were plenty of indoor dining spots and service was very fast. We had the Chicken Adobo with rice, Lechon with rice, and two (!) orders of lumpia with dipping sauce. It was an absolutely delicious feast. The portions are large but, more importantly, the food is seasoned and cooked very well. Delicious! We can’t wait to go back to try the Filipino hot dogs and other menu items. A real treasure in the Loop.
Excellent food and the friendly service, cozy atmosphere. By far the best Filipino food in Chicago that I have tried. Comparable to "Jeepney & Maharlika in NYC." If you haven't been, this place is a must go. Young, hipper crew. Kudos to Mark, the executive chef at Isla Pilina. Definitely looking forward to try the rest of the menu on my next visit. Thank you Sheila for helping me out with posters and fliers.
This place is awesome. Really good Pilipino food with a modern flare. I can't say enough good things about this place.
Ordered this thru doordash, so far the best filipino restaurant here in chicago. Portion size and food is great and when i got my order it was still hot. Will always come back and order to this place!
Everything about this place is amazing! The atmosphere is relaxed, the music they play is fun, and the people who work there are wonderful. Most importantly, the food is delicious! I'm always happy to be at Isla Pilipina. Thanks!
I wish the lechon was more traditional instead of deep fried. Still a great spot!!!
Food was really good! The chicken BBQ - is amazing! Definitely want to try other menu options
Been going to Isla since it’s days on Lawrence Avenue, and this food court version is just as good. Terrific spot for lunch or dinner. They grill and make everything fresh. Literally every main is good, and it’s worth upgrading to the garlic rice. I come here every week.
Love this spot! The service is bright and friendly each time. Give their recommendations a try-- basically how I arrived to my menu favorites. The lumpia appetizer is the best in the city (or that I've ever had). Large selections and big portions that never lack flavor! Great prices for Chicago dining options.
![5]( "Recensione")
Isla Pilipina was extremely important to me as a cultural demonstration. It was there for me when i needed to show my white friends that I'm not simply a person who can eat literally two to three times more than them at a time. Plates would land at our table at IP and sent them into awe and fear, and me into excitement. Together we'd clean out a mountain of lumpia and a bucket's worth of, without question, the best fried chicken I've ever had.
Flash forward to Isla Filipino recently, it's a serviceable memorial to the glory of the original. It's no longer the go-to spot to be overwhelmed with lumpia, and the menu is limited. But I was going through a lot at the time, and all i could think about was my parents' pancit bihon. It's a simple dish that i never ordered at IP, and i was hesitant to get it here as at home i would eat perhaps pounds of it at a time. The pancit here is a some kind of mixed interpretation of bihon and canton, and the portion size is just right. It comes with a lemon wedge, which is required for me. I think this pancit knocks it out of the park, with crunchy cabbage, saucy noodles, whole peppercorns scattered throughout, and juicy onion and celery pieces; it sent me back to my childhood at Filipino-American parties not really understanding the Taglish hubbub around me so I'd bury my face in their food accompanied by mostly flat Sprite. It tastes like parental and communal love. This dish is resoundingly true to what i know to be Filipino.
Isla Filipino isn't perfect, but i can't give it less than five stars.
Wonderful hidden gem of a restaurant. I have used it to introduce a few people to Filipino food as, unless it is homemade or the restaurant/catering service is tried and true, Filipino food can be hit or miss. This restaurant always delivers on quality. Prices are reasonable and the location is charming and cozy. If one has never gotten the chance to have authentic Filipino food or is simply a lover of delicious food at a good price, come to Isla.
Great authentic Filipino comfort food, big portions, reasonably priced. The grilled pork shoulder was special. The staff is friendly and professional. The art work makes the small space attractive. Wish they’d been here 30 years ago when I lived down the street!
Solid Filipino place for being in a food hall in the Loop. Good for introducing the cuisine to non-filipino friends, but I wouldn't take Filipino relatives here.
By far, my favorite was the lechon. It was unbelievably crispy with every bite. Would come back just for this.
On the other hand, the adobo had surprinsgly little sauce, the lumpia was the smallest and thinnest I've ever seen (order comes with 6 but would only serve 1-2), and the portions are on the small side.
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes