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Isabel's Cantina Reviews List
Isabel's Cantina
At Isabel's Cantina, Chef Isabel Cruz fuses Latin and Asian cuisine
into sensual and creative concoctions that are both remarkably addictive and surprisingly healthy. By incorporating ingredients from spicy pork carnitas to tofu, Chef Cruz creates a vegetarian's haven as well as a meat-lover's paradise. The exotic dining space is at once dramatic and hip, with accents such as an enormous 15-foot Buddha statue staring down at the dining room. Casual booths, stark lines, and warm colors create an atmosphere not found elsewhere in Pacific Beach, attracting crowds for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
See more Isabel's Cantina details
into sensual and creative concoctions that are both remarkably addictive and surprisingly healthy. By incorporating ingredients from spicy pork carnitas to tofu, Chef Cruz creates a vegetarian's haven as well as a meat-lover's paradise. The exotic dining space is at once dramatic and hip, with accents such as an enormous 15-foot Buddha statue staring down at the dining room. Casual booths, stark lines, and warm colors create an atmosphere not found elsewhere in Pacific Beach, attracting crowds for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
42 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 42 reviews
5 stars
(14)
4 stars
(16)
3 stars
(9)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(26)
- fit for foodies(19)
- good for groups(16)
- kid-friendly(9)
- romantic(8)
- special occasion(8)
Isabel's Cantina Reviews List
Review 1 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Great for brunch, not for dinner
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We usually go here for brunch and cannot rave more about the food, so we decided to try out their dinner menu. Unfortunately the food fell flat. The meat in the lettuce wraps were dry, the accompanying veggies were lacking, and the sauce was flavorful but thin. The fish on special was also dry and precut in half for some reason. We will probably only return here for breakfast."
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: great for brunch
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Review 2 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great neighborhood food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My wife loves the combination of flavor s and ingredients and while I find relatively few things of culinary interest to me, we invariably enjoy the evenings and are well satisfied. The wines by the glass are excellent choices and reasonably priced and the Latina style roasted half chicken is always more that I can eat. The flat iron steak done Isabel Yale is excellent. Their double chocolate cake dessert is a must have at least once. The staff are very friendly and remember returning guest s. All in all a good meal at reasonable prices and quite convenient to our neighborhood."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 3 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Our server, Bri, was very
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Our server, Bri, was very friendly, attentive and had great suggestions. This was our second time for dinner (we're ususally for breakfast) and really enjoyed the midweek scene. We'll be back for sure!"
Dined on 04/16/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 4 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Deafening
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The "energetic" rating (the loudest option available) for noise, doesn't quite capture what we'd like to say. What should have been a perfectly enjoyable meal was completely destroyed by the unbearable acoustics of this otherwise attractive place. When teenage diners, offered dessert, opt to skip it in order just to get out of a room where the noise went beyond stifling conversation to actually causing discomfort, you know you've got a problem.
Food was tasty, and the menu suggests tremendous variety, but the appearance of chipotle cream sauce on four very different items--including a seared ahi that in name and appearance suggested Asian, rather than Latino, influences--left us feeling the kitchen was favoring efficiency over originality."
Food was tasty, and the menu suggests tremendous variety, but the appearance of chipotle cream sauce on four very different items--including a seared ahi that in name and appearance suggested Asian, rather than Latino, influences--left us feeling the kitchen was favoring efficiency over originality."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2012
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Review 5 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Exceptional service
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great service by an energetic and busy server"
Dined on 03/29/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 6 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Food Couldn't Live Up To The
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food Couldn't Live Up To The Menu description"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2013
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Review 7 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was tasty. Great options
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was tasty. Great options for the vegans and gluten free folks in our group. Only wish the service had been a bit more prompt."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2011
Special Features: kid-friendly
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Review 8 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good food. Nice menu with
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good food. Nice menu with healthy options. The noise level is so high that it interfers with conversation and mars the experience."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2004
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Review 9 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We usually go for breakfast,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We usually go for breakfast, but this time we had dinner. Boyfriend loved the Double Happiness Lettuce Wraps, and I enjoyed the seared ahi special of the day...very fresh & tasty! Our server was great, although food took a while."
Dined on 03/26/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 10 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Was surprised to find Mexican
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Was surprised to find Mexican food so unique. The perfect amount of flavor and spice. Our server was extremely knowledgeable about preparation of the food. The three of us had the Chile Rellenos and we moaned with every bite. The building had great character and loved being able to walk on the beach after dinner. Can't wait to bring my husband!"
Dined on 03/25/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 11 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Overall i enjoyed it. There
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Overall i enjoyed it. There were a few hiccups though. The menu is pretty limited. I would add some more items. Notable drink list but they were out of everything but jalapeno tequila. Food was good i got the lettuce wraps. Friendly service and i lived the ambiance."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 12 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Give your review a title
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Where to start? Why do people rave about the food here? And why all the raves about the restaurant in general? No one to greet us upon our arrival, incredibly poor service, cocktails and food took forever to arrive and when the food arrived it was cold and dry. On top of everything, they didn't note that we honored our Open Table reservation. Fortunately, it wasn't very expensive."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2008
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Review 13 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Love it here!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I cannot say enough great things about this special little find. One of the best meals I have had in a long time. And the service was genuinely warm."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 14 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great healthy food, friendly
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great healthy food, friendly casual service. We love this place.
Sounds crazy but find an excuse to get the chocolate milk!"
Sounds crazy but find an excuse to get the chocolate milk!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 15 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great and pleasant place.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"My wife loves Isabel's Cantina for its unique blend of Latin and Asian food concepts and the Cantina reflects this mixture in the ambiance of the place. The service is friendly and efficient, and the wines by the glass are fairly priced and tasty. I always have the same dish Cicken Diablo , Latina style. The roast chicken is juicy with crisp skin and the rice and beans make fora very filling dish."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem
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Review 16 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The 14th was just not one
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The 14th was just not one of our better Cantina moments - food wise, but we love it almost always."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: hot spot
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Review 17 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Disappointing Valentines Dinner
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I've been to this restaurant a few times before, the first couple times everything was perfect and I kept going back. This last time I went with my husband for our first valentines day as a married couple. Every high on the special menu sounded so good that we decided to order different things so we can try each others food. My husband got the cod fish & I got the steak, his cod was overcooked and the green salsa on top wasn't a very good fit for it. My steak, I asked for a medium term and I got an overcooked dry meat. I was disappointed and since this was the second time in a row having a bad experience here, we have decided not to go back."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 18 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Overall ambiance was nice.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Overall ambiance was nice. Nice decor. We were greeted nicely at the door. The host was accommodating to our request to not sit too close to the door. Servers were attentive. There was a Prix-fix menu that my wife and I split. Nice creative thoughts went into the choices. The soup came out promptly and was delicious with the right amount of bite from the pepper. Salad was nicely dressed. For the fish it was nicely cooked and presented although slightly cool by the time it hit the table. Unfortunately, my steak dish was considerably overcooked (almost burnt) and although plated nicely over a bed of dressed greens was pretty poorly executed. The desert was tasty. We will go back again. My gut tell me the tacos will be great"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
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Review 19 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
They very willingly changed
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"They very willingly changed the salmon from a teriyaki merinade to a rub and switched out the coconut rice for the brown rice. Food was excellent!"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 20 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Healthy, creative delicious
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Healthy, creative delicious dishes with friendly service."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 21 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
delicious food, artfully presented.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"delicious food, artfully presented. fantastic vegetarian options. what a wonderful evening with a well paced and very yummy meal."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 22 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Favorite spot in PB! Great
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Favorite spot in PB! Great food, great atmosphere, great service!"
Dined on 01/23/2013
2012
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Review 23 for Isabel's Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Gem!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"Great everything and the service still was great even though it was clear they were short staffed that night. Everyone there made up for it and we even got out good ahead of schedule!"
Dined on 01/21/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Isabel's Cantina
Based on the average of (19) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
1 out of 1 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic