Isla

When Isla is at its best, it feels like you’ve somehow managed an early retirement in Portugal. This wood-fired seafood spot from the Crudo e Nudo people has a deck lined with pillows and potted palms waving in the ocean breeze. On a sunny afternoon or a warm night along Main Street in Santa Monica, this wooden shed on the sidewalk becomes an upscale cabana on some fictional Mediterranean coastline. You might even smell the spices and meat wafting out from the kitchen’s big domed oven.

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

When Isla loses its balance, though, it becomes a series of unfortunate events. On busy nights, the intimate dining room becomes an elbow-to-elbow mukbang that’s more uncomfortable than fun. Traffic noise from the street can be a major conversation stealer on the patio. And aside from a few stand-out dishes, the majority of Isla’s wood-fired menu is inoffensive at best.

If you’re in the mood for a nice plate of crudo or just want to sip a great cocktail on Main Street, Isla can deliver. None of the food is downright awful, but given that a full meal here could easily surpass $100+ per person, we suggest sticking to the smaller plates. Will a dinner here be your most memorable dining experience in Santa Monica? Probably not. But in the right light, with the right drink, a snacky date night on the patio at Isla becomes a dupe vacation that won’t require dipping into your PTO.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

The Cocktails

We like Isla as a cocktail spot as much as we do a restaurant (maybe even more so). The bar serves fun riffs on classic recipes, like a gin martini infused with carrots and ranch spice or a lavender mezcal sour. They’re so good, we almost don’t mind their gimmicky names.

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

Sherry Glazed Wings

These smoky wings arrive with charred skin and a sticky-sweet sherry glaze, but the meat is bland and overcooked like a sad party wing. Skip.

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

Calamari

There’s nothing revolutionary about this mountain of fried squid, but you won’t wind up chewing on a piece of squid for 10 minutes. So if you’re craving fried seafood on a hot day, go for it. Our only request is for a little more macadamia aioli on the side.

Charred Black Cod

If you're looking for a complete meal on a plate, take our advice and order this. The miso glaze and smoked paprika add just enough of a salty-spicy lift to bring out the richness of this juicy, seared cod.