Isa Bistro - Portland

4.9

1399 Reviews

$31 to $50

Bistro

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 25, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 13 times today

Experiences are available.

Neighborhood gem
Charming
Good for special occasions

Isa is a small neighborhood bistro serving eclectic and seasonally driven menu. Reservations are available inside the dining room up to 30 days out, with a maximum of 8 guests. Our private outdoor patio is open seasonally with same day reservations available only, as it is uncovered and weather permitting (not dog friendly). Please provide 24 hours notice for cancellations or a late cancellation fee may apply.
Friday lunch available 11:30-4pm. Dinner daily 4-9pm, except closed on Tuesdays.
A husband and wife duo! A 2023 James Beard nominated chef, Isaul Perez brings his experience cooking French and Italian food in NYC to life with a splash of his Mexican heritage. His wife Suzie is a certified sommelier and face of the front. They showcase local farms and purveyors, offer craft beers and house specialty cocktails. The dining room is cozy and quaint with an original black tin ceiling. Be sure to order any of the Mexican dishes, whatever they may be!

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Bistro, Italian, Mexican
Hours of operation
Mon, Wed–Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm
Phone number
(207) 808-8533
Website
http://isaportlandme.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Isaul Perez

Location
79 Portland St, Portland, ME 04101
Neighborhood
Portland
Cross street
Portland Street and Brattle Street
Parking details
Private lot behind the building on Brattle Street and street parking.
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Valentine's Day Prix
$95.00 per person
Feb 14, 2025 only
Join us Valentine's Day for a $95 prix fix menu to celebrate! Choose one dish from each of the three courses that suits your liking. Optional wine pairings with each dish. Cheers to date night!

What 1,399 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.9Service
4.7Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Maine
Best Overall
Maine
Best Food
Maine
Best Service
Maine
Best Value
Maine
Neighborhood gem
Greater Portland
Best Overall
Greater Portland
Best Food
Greater Portland
Best Service
Greater Portland
Best Ambiance
Greater Portland
Best Value
Greater Portland
Innovative
Greater Portland
Neighborhood gem
Greater Portland
Great for fine wines

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Isa Bistro in Portland consistently wows diners with its "reliably delicious" offerings and "warm, lovely" service. The "cozy, intimate" ambiance complements standout dishes like eggplant parmigiana and lobster tostada. Guests appreciate the "fantastic service," "amazing" cocktails, and thoughtfully plated meals. A "true Portland gem," Isa is beloved for its consistency and welcoming vibe.

1,399 Reviews

W
William
VIP
Greater Boston
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined today
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always stellar. Terrific service, great vibe, good value, and the food and drinks are consistently spectacular. Isa is our #1 place to dine in the Portland area and we are grateful for their presence.
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M
Mary
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined today
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was fantastic Service friendly and helped make our birthday celebration perfect.
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T
Tania
Montreal
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food at Isa Restaurant was absolutely amazing, every dish was bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. The service was outstanding, with attentive staff who went above and beyond to make the experience truly delightful. The ambiance was warm and inviting, creating the perfect setting for a memorable meal. Be sure to try their homemade focaccia, shrimp pasta, Caesar salad, and the sole, they’re absolutely exceptional! Isa Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates great food and excellent service. Highly recommended!
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S
Susan
VIP
Greater Boston
26 reviews
5.0
26 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
On a bitter cold and snowy night, we treated ourselves to delicious offerings on Mexican Monday at Isa Bistro. Fabulous halibut taco on tender blue corn tortilla with amazing salsa, followed by filet of grey sole on mashed potatoes with tomatillo and avocado sauce. Hibiscus margarita was delish also. My hubby loved his garlicky ajillo shrimp on house-made pasta. We topped it off by sharing coconut cream pie…so good! Nice staff too. One of Portland’s best😋
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P
Pete
VIP
Charleston
25 reviews
5.0
25 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wow! Five-star food in a casual setting, it doesn't get any better than this! You can taste every ingredient, then they all come together and you don't want it to end. Lots of great restaurants in Portland, but Isa stands alone
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E
Elyse
VIP
New York City
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful night out. The service and food are always top notch.
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C
Cynthia
Maine
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food, service and ambience were all excellent as always.
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n
nancy
Greater Boston
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 17, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Food was just not that good for price. Lobster app tostado was not very flavorful, bistro steak was not tender. It did have a tasty sauce. The coconut cream pie did not have real cream, seemed like it was frozen from a box and not tasty at all. Would not go back.
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GB
GeorgiaB
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 17, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Isa absolutely NEVER disappoints us. The quality of food, service and price point are wonderful. Creative menu, inviting atmosphere and friendliness of staff are outstanding.
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S
Suzanne
VIP
Dallas
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on January 11, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great dining experience -- creative dishes that mix French, Mexican and Italian; wonderful presentation; and a comfortable, warm and welcoming atmosphere. I especially appreciate a small yet thoughtful menu. Enjoyed sitting at the bar and talking with our fantastic bartender and serving Brian. Looking forward to going back.
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FAQs

Isa Bistro - Portland offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (207) 808-8533.

Isa Bistro - Portland is rated 4.9 stars by 1399 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 25, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 13 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

79 Portland St, Portland, ME 04101

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Portland Street and Brattle Street
Neighborhood
Portland
Hours of operation
Mon, Wed–Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Bistro, Italian, Mexican
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Private lot behind the building on Brattle Street and street parking.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Isaul Perez
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://isaportlandme.com/
Phone number
(207) 808-8533

Isa Bistro - Portland

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Experiences

Valentine's Day Prix

Menu

What 1,399 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Isa Bistro - Portland offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Isa Bistro - Portland restaurant rated?

Is Isa Bistro - Portland currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information