Isla Restaurant

448 San Mateo Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066, United States
+1 650-872-5008
$$$ Filipino restaurant
(969 Reviews)

Welcome to Isla Restaurant, a vibrant haven for Filipino cuisine nestled in San Bruno, California. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this culinary gem beckons you to indulge in an authentic feast that captures the essence of Filipino flavors.

The heart of Isla Restaurant lies in its diverse menu that showcases the rich tapestry of Filipino dishes. Dive into the sensational Seafood Reunion, a luxuriant medley of prawns, squid, and mussels cooked in creamy coconut milk—perfect for seafood lovers seeking comfort and joy in every bite, priced at $41.98. If you’re craving bold flavors, do not miss the Adobong Pusit, where tender squid is smothered in a rich black ink sauce, delivering taste and storytelling with a price tag of $28.98.

For those who enjoy sharing a feast, the Sulit Bilao options are perfect for larger gatherings, with choices like Sulit Bilao #1 at $116.98 offering an abundant sampling of beloved dishes that will surely satisfy the hungriest of appetites.

The atmosphere at Isla is warm and inviting, making it an excellent spot for family gatherings or a casual meet-up with friends. The restaurant features comfortable seating with a vibrant decor that celebrates Filipino culture, complementing the lovely aromas wafting from the kitchen. Reviews from customers highlight the wonderful service, with praises for staff members like Ate Dolly, who creates a welcoming environment, ensuring that every guest feels attended to and valued.

The flavors at Isla transcend mere taste; they evoke memories and create connections. One patron reminisced about the crispy pata—golden and crunchy, revealing juicy, flavorful meat within. Another customer raved about the authenticity of dishes like Lumpia Shanghai and Sisig, asserting that each bite is a journey through the Philippines.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply satisfying a craving for home-cooked Filipino fare, Isla Restaurant is a destination not to be missed. With their delightful menu and welcoming atmosphere, it promises to deliver an unforgettable culinary experience that beckons you to return. So come on over, gather your loved ones, and make some delicious memories!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves small plates
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

969 Reviews
Lynna Nix

21 Sep 2025

We visited this spot eager for a Filipino feast, and while the food delivered on many fronts, the overall experience had some room for improvement. The crispy pata was a standout—golden and crunchy on the outside, with juicy, flavorful meat inside. The sinigang had a nice tangy broth with fresh vegetables, though a bit more depth in flavor would have made it even better. The kare-kare had that signature rich, nutty taste, though the peanut sauce was slightly thinner than expected. The pancit palabok was well-balanced, generously topped, and packed with comforting flavors. The sisig arrived sizzling hot, though it was on the milder side compared to others we've had. The lumpia were delightfully crispy, and the calamares were well-fried, though a crunchier batter would have taken them to the next level. Service, unfortunately, fell a bit short. We had difficulty finding a server twice—once to order drinks and again when we needed takeout boxes and the check. Given that it wasn’t particularly busy, this stood out. On the bright side, the decor had a rustic, homey charm with wooden tables and traditional-style serving pans, adding an authentic touch. However, the ambiance felt somewhat neutral rather than warm and inviting. Overall, we'd rate our experience 4 out of 5 stars. The food was satisfying and well-executed, making it a solid choice for Filipino comfort food. While the service could use improvement, if you’re in the area and craving classic Filipino flavors, it’s definitely worth a visit!

Alvie Aguilar

12 Aug 2025

Shoutout to Ate Dolly. Her service was fantastic. She knows how to entertain us and provide our needs. Thank you ate for taking our picture. Food was great and my family enjoyed it.

Oneill Mclean

09 Aug 2025

This place definitely has an authentic Lumpia Shanghai, Sisig, Pinakbet and Binagoongan are all must-trys. Also highly recommend finishing with the two Halo Halo choices (traditional and mango). I would say overall a fantastic choice for traditional Filipino fare.

S Chin

20 Jul 2025

We felt like having Filipino food and we wanted a location where it’s easy to look for parking. (Parking lot in the back and side of the restaurant) We ordered: set menu #2 and added lechon kawali and beef brisket kare kare. My favorite was the fried chicken and the lechon kawali. We also ordered their San Miguel beer. It’s was very good. And for dessert: Halo Halo and leche flan. It was ok. The leche flan is very dense but good. I like it lighter but it was ok. I would definitely come back especially when the service was very good. I wouldn’t order the set menu but perhaps something that is not part of a set menu. But the best part was ringing the bell on the way out if you were satisfied with their food.

Liann Amagan

12 Jul 2025

Kampangpangan style Filipino restaurant and great for large parties and groups. Came here on a late afternoon on a Saturday and we all got silogs- I got longsilog, my friends got bangus and Sisig. If it’s someone’s birthday you get a choice of a free pancit or dessert! My friend chose pancit palabok and we got lumpia and lechon kawali all to share. They have unlimited rice and the silogs come with a fountain drink. Service was very quick and all of the workers for friendly and were checking in on our table.

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