La Isla (Hoboken)

Since 1970, the original La Isla Restaurant at 104 Washington Street has been a downtown Hoboken tradition. It was taken over by the Luis and Giner families in 1996 and has since grown into a local cult, providing "excellent Cuban food morning, noon, and night," with Sunday brunch "being a divine cause to skip church," according to Zagat. They are committed to delivering traditional Cuban food cooked from the freshest and most genuine ingredients in ample amounts at cheap pricing in a friendly and unpretentious neighborhood ambiance, with Chef Omar Giner at the helm.

La Isla's original Washington Street site served a taste of Havana to downtown Hoboken for more than two decades, and the restaurant became so popular that chef and owner Omar Giner added a newer, sleeker uptown location. The growth came with a broader menu, but Giner made sure that the Cuban classics he ate as a kid, including croqueta de jamon (ham croquettes), empanadas, and, of course, the Cubano sandwich, stayed. Always inquire about the daily specials, which include everything from bacalao (a codfish and potato stew) to ropa vieja (shredded, stewed beef), one of Cuba's national meals.

Dining at the restaurant: La Isla is accepting reservations for limited indoor dining at the uptown location, and walk-in indoor dining at the downtown location.

Takeout: Takeout and delivery are available from both locations and can be ordered via the restaurant’s website.

Address: 104 Washington Street Hoboken, NJ 07030

Phone: (201) 659-8197

Website: https://laislarestaurant.com/