Isa Bistro - Portland

4.9

1383 Reviews

$31 to $50

Bistro

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 5, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 18 times today

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

What 1,383 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 offers an exceptional dining experience with "outstanding food" and "friendly, attentive staff." Guests rave about the creative, locally-inspired menu featuring dishes like the lobster linguine and eggplant lasagna. Despite a bustling atmosphere, the "service is exemplary," making it a must-visit spot for any occasion.

1,383 Reviews

K
Kate
Greater Boston
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined today
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
This is a great neighborhood spot- all the food we had was delicious- special shout out to the salads and the eggplant parmesan. You won't go wrong at this fun, lively place.
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R
Ronnie
VIP
Maine
47 reviews
5.0
47 reviews
Dined today
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We’ve eaten here twice and have loved it both times. The eggplant parmigiana is terrific. The Tres Leches cake was wonderful!
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R
Robert
VIP
Greater Boston
28 reviews
5.0
28 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Absolutely amazing experience. Was delighted to be able to get in for their Friday lunch menu. Menu selections and service were fantastic.
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A
Alyssa
Austin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was fantastic! The lobster tostada was fabulous, and the eggplant lasagna was out of this world. We’re loooking forward to coming back here !
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R
Ralph
VIP
Greater Boston
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
ISA will become your favorite neighborhood bistro with just one visit. When I entertain clients (in NH) I take them to ISA. On a road trip to Portland we always go to ISA. There are not enough nice things I can say about this gem. I have never been disappointed. I have never had a bad experience. Small space. Small staff. Superior attention to detail. There is not a restaurant that compares to ISA.
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D
David
Greater Boston
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic meal, great service. Consistently good, a true Portland gem
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T
Tom
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic experience. We ended up wanting to show up a little earlier than our reservation, and they were very accommodating. The food, atmosphere and people were excellent. If you want something small, intimate, relatively quiet with an outstanding menu, this is your place. This was our third visit. We'll probably go again the next time we're in town, well done!
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C
Craig
Palm Springs
25 reviews
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Very friendly service that included delicious food and drink selections. Sat at the bar just off the open kitchen where food was prepared. One of the very best dining experiences in Portland.
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J
James
Minneapolis
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We've been back to Isa Bistro many times and we've never been disappointed. Our favorite place to eat in Portland!
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S
Sharon
Central Coast
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was fabulous, especially the pork chop dinner (and I don’t even like pork chops) and the dessert, a slice of Buche de Noel, which had nice thick chocolate frosting, delicious cake, creamy filling, and whipped cream.
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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 1383 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 5, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 18 times today

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

Menu

What 1,383 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