Isola Italian Trattoria — Restaurant in Long Beach Township

Avoid this place if you value your time and a decent dining experience. I made a reservation at Isola five days in advance, for 8:30pm on a Saturday. We arrived 10 minutes early, but sat in lawn chairs waiting for our table in the parking lot for an HOUR to finally be seated at 9:30pm, at which point we were informed the kitchen was closing and that we would probably be better off just leaving and trying again another time. But we were dressed, a whole bottle of wine in from our wait, starving, and without another option for food.

Once we were finally seated, we were rushed to spit out our orders without even being given menus, seated at the worst table in the restaurant, and rushed through our meal. As we left (obviously the last ones in the restaurant and the reason the staff had to stay so late) we had to walk through the entire staff sitting in the dining room glaring at us, clearly annoyed we were still there.

Nothing was done to address this terrible experience. I called Dylan, the manager the next morning to explain my frustration but all he did was promise to make it up to me “next time”, which didn’t happen. I am extremely disappointed and frustrated with the lack of customer care. This is supposed to be a very nice restaurant and I had probably the worst dining...

We had an absolutely incredible dining experience at Isola Italian Trattoria! From start to finish, every aspect of the restaurant exceeded our expectations.

The ambiance was inviting, with a rustic decor that set the perfect mood for a memorable evening. The attentive and friendly staff made us feel welcomed throughout the meal.

Now, let's talk about the food! The menu is full of creativity as is the use of fresh, seasonal yet classical ingredients. Each dish was beautifully presented, perfectly portioned, and bursting with flavor. The octopus and zucchini flower appetizers were to die for, and the yellowfin tuna entre were perfectly cooked! We felt like we were dining on the Amalfi coast. Lastly, make sure you leave room for the cheesecake. You won't be disappointed!

The service was impeccable and the courses were served with just the right timing, allowing us to savor each dish fully.

The prices were well worth it for the top-notch quality and dining experience. Compliments to the chef!

Overall, our visit to Isola Italian Trattoria was simply outstanding. We can't wait to return and indulge in their menu once more. This restaurant truly deserves its five-star rating and is now at the top of our list of favorite dining...

Tight quarters at this Italian BYOB (though they do have a winery’s wine available for purchase) but the food is as good as advertised.

The octopus appetizer was tender (not chewy) and the brussels sprouts were crisp with a slightly spicy sauce (the only critique being there may have been a little too much sauce). I had the Sunday supper special, which included the classic pasta with several meats as well as a salad and cannoli. The meal tasted like it had been simmering all day, with a portion size like your Italian grandma would give you. My wife’s short rib pasta was just as excellent. We did not try the pizzas but the ones we saw were big enough for multiple people.

Service was great - our server impressively described several dishes and she was able to easily list gluten free dishes to another diner near us.

Prices are high (though where aren’t they?) but the portions are hearty and there is a true cash discount (the listed prices are the credit card prices), which is a refreshing departure from all the credit card surcharges appearing on the island.

I think we found our new special occasion...