Isla Cafe

- 1859 Westchester Ave, Bronx, NY 10472

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In the vibrant and culturally rich landscape of The Bronx, New Yorkers are constantly searching for dining spots that offer both authentic flavor and an engaging atmosphere. **Isla Cafe**, located on Westchester Avenue, steps up to meet this demand, distinguishing itself as a dynamic venue that is part Puerto Rican restaurant, part lively bar, and part casual cafe. It is a true local destination where the spirit of the island is brought to life through its food, drinks, and decor. Far from being a simple cafe, Isla Cafe is recognized for its comprehensive offering of a full dining experience, from brunch through late-night service. This establishment provides a relaxed, yet trendy, setting that is popular with college students, groups, and solo diners alike.

The primary draw of Isla Cafe is its dedication to serving authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, making it a culinary anchor for the neighborhood. It offers everything from classic 'frituras'—a taste of the island's street food culture—to hearty, traditional entrees like 'Pernil' (Roasted Pork) and 'Mofongo De Isla' (Mashed Fried Plantains). But the experience doesn't stop at the food. Isla Cafe boasts a bar onsite, complete with a great selection of beer, an excellent wine list, and a highly creative menu of signature cocktails. This dual identity as both a serious restaurant and a popular hangout spot makes it a multi-faceted location perfect for a quick, comforting lunch, a festive dinner gathering, or a casual happy hour meeting. The cafe atmosphere is described as casual, cozy, and trendy, providing a welcoming backdrop for New Yorkers looking for a genuine taste of Puerto Rico in The Bronx.

The diverse menu also speaks to its flexibility, offering options from small tapas and shareables to full family combo meals, ensuring it can cater to any dining scenario. With its strong focus on comfort food and local specialties, Isla Cafe has carved out a special place in the community, providing an authentic, high-quality, and enjoyable slice of island life right here in New York City.

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**Isla Cafe** is strategically located at **1859 Westchester Ave, Bronx, NY 10472, USA**. This address places it in a highly accessible and busy commercial section of The Bronx, making it a convenient spot for local residents and visitors traveling to the area. For New York users, the location on Westchester Avenue is well-served by local transportation, ensuring ease of access via bus routes and proximity to subway stations that connect it to the wider borough and beyond. The area is bustling, placing the cafe near other local businesses and community hubs.

In terms of physical accessibility, the venue is committed to inclusivity, noting that it features a **Wheelchair accessible entrance** and **Wheelchair accessible seating**. This is a crucial amenity for ensuring that all members of the community can comfortably enjoy the dining and social experience that Isla Cafe offers. Furthermore, the modern amenities and service options enhance its accessibility. The cafe accepts multiple forms of payment, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, catering to all modern transaction preferences. It also offers the full spectrum of service options that New Yorkers rely on: **Delivery**, **Takeout**, and **Dine-in** with comfortable **Table service** and **Seating**. This comprehensive approach to location and access ensures that Isla Cafe is a welcoming and practical choice for anyone in the New York metropolitan area.

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Isla Cafe provides a comprehensive range of services and dining options to accommodate the diverse needs and schedules of its New York clientele:

• Full-Service Dining: Offering table service and comfortable seating for Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner.
• Convenient Ordering: Provides Delivery and Takeout options for quick meals at home or on the go.
• Reservation Acceptance: The restaurant Accepts reservations, which is ideal for groups or for planning special occasions.
• Bar Service: Features a Bar onsite with Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Hard liquor, and Wine available, complemented by a Great wine list and Great beer selection.
• Happy Hour Specials: Offers popular Happy hour drinks and Happy hour food to draw in the after-work or social crowd.
• Event and Group Meals: Provides Catering services and Family Combo Meals designed to feed large groups affordably.
• Diverse Dietary Offerings: The menu includes Coffee, Comfort food, Late-night food, Quick bite, and Small plates, covering a wide range of needs from a quick espresso to a full, hearty meal.
• Family Amenities: High chairs are available, making it a friendly option for families dining with children.

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Isla Cafe stands out in the Bronx dining scene due to a distinctive combination of culinary and social features:

• Authentic Puerto Rican and Latin Cuisine: The menu is a major highlight, featuring authentic local specialties like the renowned **Mofongo De Isla** (Mashed Fried Plantains), **Pernil** (Roasted Pork), and a wide selection of Taste of P.R. Frituras (traditional fried snacks) such as Bacalaitos and Alcapurrias.
• Signature Cocktail Program: The bar is celebrated for its creative drink menu, boasting Great cocktails and unique signature drinks like the Love In Isla, Lemon Drop Twist, and Blue Isla, creating a lively bar atmosphere distinct from a traditional cafe.
• Vibrant and Versatile Atmosphere: The space is described as Casual, Cozy, and Trendy. It's designed to appeal to a broad Crowd including College students, Groups, and Tourists, making it suitable for both a relaxed afternoon coffee and a bustling evening dinner.
• Shareable and Group-Friendly Options: The Tapas & Shareables menu, especially the **Isla Sampler Combo** and **Carne Picadera** (Sampler Meat Platter) which feeds 4-6 people, makes it an ideal spot for social gatherings and large groups.
• Service Speed and Availability: Highlighted for its Fast service, the restaurant is equipped to handle quick meals while also offering Late-night food options, ensuring satisfying meals are available even during off-peak hours.
• High-Quality Entree Selection: The entree menu features premium items like **Churrasco** (Grilled Skirt Steak), **Langosta** (Lobster Linguine), and a **16Oz Prime Rib Eye Steak**, confirming its status as a full-fledged restaurant capable of providing high-end dining options.

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For New Yorkers planning a visit, seeking to make a reservation, or looking to inquire about catering, here is the essential contact information for **Isla Cafe**:

**Address:** 1859 Westchester Ave, Bronx, NY 10472, USA

**Phone:** (718) 828-3800

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When visiting a place as rich in culinary offerings as Isla Cafe, the best choices are those that highlight the establishment's unique Puerto Rican heritage and its popular bar culture. The menu's sweet spot lies in its blend of traditional comfort food, savory shareables, and inventive drinks.

For food, the absolute must-try choice is the **Mofongo De Isla (Mashed Fried Plantains)**. This is a classic, hearty Puerto Rican staple, and trying a venue's version of this dish is a definitive test of its authenticity. A superb pairing would be the **Pernil Combo (Roasted Pork Combo)** or the **Chuletas Frita Combo (Fried Pork Chops Combo)**, which offer a complete and generous meal that includes a side and soda, providing excellent value for a group or a very hungry individual. The **Taste of P.R. Frituras**, particularly the **Alcapurria (Cassava Fritter Stuffed W/ Beef)** or the **Pastelillos** (pastries with various fillings), are perfect for a Quick bite or as an appetizer to share.

On the drink front, the signature cocktails are highly worth choosing. The **Blue Isla** and the **Love In Isla** are great selections for those looking for a flavorful and visually appealing experience that captures the festive, island mood. For a truly authentic taste of the holiday season, or simply a decadent treat, the traditional **Coquito** is an excellent choice when available. These cocktails, combined with the **Happy hour drinks and food** specials, make Isla Cafe a premier location to unwind.

The combination of a traditional, flavorful main course like the Mofongo or Pernil, an appetizer from the frituras list, and a unique signature cocktail encapsulates the best of the Isla Cafe experience—a flavorful journey to Puerto Rico, right here in The Bronx. While some customer experiences highlight slow service and occasional issues with food quality or bill transparency, the enduring popularity and the menu's authentic core suggest that focusing on these highlighted specialties will likely yield the most satisfying visit.

Isla Cafe

1859 Westchester Ave, Bronx, NY 10472, USA