Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Islander

    3.9 (220 reviews)

    The Islander Photos

    THE ISLANDER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Islander

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Fish & chips
    Cindy C.

    The Islander was a fun restaurant. Service was excellent and fast. Food was amazing! The Wagyu smash burger was juicy and delicious. The fries were very fresh. Fish and chips were also yummy. Portion size was huge! The drinks were also fun, but didn't care for the coconut mai tai. We also had the spiked mango lemonade and hibiscus margarita which were very good. Enjoy! Highly recommend!!

    Stephanie W.

    How this place has 4 stars is beyond me. I came here with my parents and aunt and everyone was shocked at how awful this place was. Like my mom said, you wouldn't expect this from how it looked on the outside. Not only was the food super expensive. (Burger was $23) But all the food came out cold!! My dad eats anything and he didn't eat his food! They even saw his burger get placed on someone else's table and the guy said it wasn't his, and then the waiter just took it back and brought it to him so late and cold. The bathrooms, both men and women were extremely disgusting. It shows how much they take care of their place. My family had an awful time. I'm so sad they picked this place and weren't able to enjoy a good restaurant in San Diego. Do not come here. Anywhere else would have been better.

    Menu
    Julio S.

    Chill sports bar in Coronado. Super friendly staff. Several TVs. Reggae music in background. Incredible weather while hanging out with friends. Several fish and Mexican menu options. I had the chilaquiles and the poke tacos. Friends also ordered a California burger, fried chicken sandwich, and Kailua pork plate. All were good. Beer list filled with local beers. Street parking only. I'd recommend this place when in town.

    Big Trouble in Little Watermelon
    Andrea R.

    The vibes, the food, the music... eating here feels like vacation. It truly transports you to a laidback tropical destination (I've never been to Hawaii so I can't compare it to there). It even slightly bothered me because our dining experience there made me wish I was on vacation, but it was only an average weekend Saturday . We had a warm and sunny Saturday for one of the first times in a while in San Diego, so my boyfriend and I decided to split a meal here and started off with the Big Trouble in Little Watermelon drink. Such a fun presentation and very refreshing. I'm obsessed with anything watermelon, however the tequila was a bit strong for my liking, but my boyfriend really loved it and said he could've ordered another all to himself. The Kalua Pork Sliders were tender and the perfect balance of tangy and sweet. My wish is that there were more... since there were only 3 we were fighting over the last one. The Ahi Poké was fresh and FILLING! I'll be the first to say that poke never really satisfies my hunger, but this portion size was actually perfect for 2. Every single ingredient in it just made it better, just total flavor burst in every bite. Last but definitely the star of the show... Hula Bula Pie. I have been dreaming about this since the first bite. Apparently it's made by their nextdoor neighbor (which the waitress actually let us know that The Islander owns them) MooTime! So you already know the ice cream is to die for. The salty of the macadamia nut ice cream in contrast with the Oreo crust and decadent fudge surrounding it set fireworks on my tastebuds. An absolute must! Especially now that the warmth is returning to SD. Will be back and cannot wait!

    Wings & Mai tai!
    Claire J.

    Okay - a definite go-to for us in Coronado!! The classic Mai-Tai is greatttttt, as well as the other drinks. The bartenders are great to chat with and fun to sit at the bar. Now WHY did they take the wings off their menu !! They were fab... especially the chili oil ones. Hoping they bring them back. Overall a nice place, and they are pretty quick to get you your orders even when it's pretty busy.

    Nyssa B.

    Not gonna lie this place wasn't my first choice, the restaurant I wanted to go to had over an hour wait and your girl was hungry. We weren't going to be waiting that long. And it's not very often you stumble across a new restaurant in this area. So you know I had to give it a try! It's got a cute little tiki bar vibe which I'm a sucker for. I didn't have a cocktail this time but when the waitress passed by them they looked super cute and yummy (will definitely get one next time) hehe. Staff was super friendly and attentive. Food was freaking great! This place definitely has potential to be around for a while. I'll be a returning customer for sure. Keep up the great work! :)

    Crab Rangoon Dip
    John T.

    We stopped by here for a little "something-something" during our day in Coronado. Like my wife said, "best crab dip she had ever had" here at the Islander. The Crab Rangoon dip was outstanding and second to none. Also had the Stone Buenavista Salt and Lime Lager. It was ice cold and refreshing. Ambiance is obviously "island like" but would also say it's warm and welcoming. Great service from the bar was provided by Taylor. Recommend you sit at the bar if she is tending it. PS - We had the Hawaiian Poke too, just as good at the Crab Rangoon.

    Poke bowl
    Kelly L.

    Came for a quick dinner before heading out to see the Coronado Christmas lights. The portion sizes are pretty generous. The Hulu Hulu chicken tasted more like bbq chicken, not the traditional Hawaiian bbq flavor. The poke bowl had good flavors. The garlic shrimp tacos were just ok, not too much garlic flavor, mostly just the cream sauce flavor.

    Huli huli chicken
    Kevin T.

    TL;DR: Relaxed vibe and decent food. Good service and pet-friendly. Came for a bite while walking the doggo and was pleasantly surprised with the food Ordered: - Hanalei Hippie - added tuna and it was definitely the move despite the upcharge. Fresh seafood on top of a bed of crisp greens. Not much more to ask for - Huli Huli Chicken - the chicken entree took a little longer (server let us know beforehand which we appreciated) but totally worth it. The skin was flavorful and crispy. Balanced out the juiciness of the chicken. The Mac salad was alright - wish it was a little more balanced (too sweet for me). All in all, a good meal and a huge plus that they're pet-friendly! Will definitely be back - cheers, Islander!

    Did not take a photo of the food
    Cydney M.

    THE SERVICE WAS GOOD ==================== I have decided I really need to stop listening to my husband when he has a food craving. He wanted some kind of fried chicken within walking distance and this place popped up. My husband ordered some kind of fried chicken tacos. I ended up with fish tacos. We weren't thrilled with either. Maybe trying to find a good restaurant on Coronado wasn't my best idea. We should have gone to Little Italy instead. The Islander was cute with lots of surfboards on the ceiling. It definitely has potential, but the food wasn't good.

    Bacon smash burger and fries
    Kimberly E.

    Ok first time here and it has a tiki vibe with a bar and tables and lots of TVs to watch sports. Now it was hot and they should have had the air on better than what it was . Flies were a problem once our food arrived but it was hot so what can you do. Food was good my only complaint would be if you give ketchup let the consumer know it's spicy and not just regular ketchup. They give you a glass pitcher of water for your table which was nice. Price seemed a little high but the area of town and near the bay it's understandable. I had fish n chips which was good and my son had a bacon smash burger . He usually eats all of his hamburgers but he said the bun was soggy so he only had less than half. Their lemonade is 8.00 and no free refills. But server was nice and place is clean. Parking is bad because there are so many shops. Not much else to say.

    The care and quality into doing prep work, repurposing the pineapple, even saving the prawns to put in drinks just so much quality care
    Loretta Lola S.

    Server Karen is exceptional. I hope she gets recognized for all her hard work. She is very kind and attentive.

    Lea D.

    This place was so good, my coworkers and I wound up coming back multiple times! The vibe was very cool, very island-y. I loved the decor and the overall style. The service was great. The servers were all really friendly and offered suggestions on what to get. The food came in big portions and the presentation was perfect. Everyone really enjoyed their options. The drinks were strong, tasty and large. We, of course, had to do the big volcano bowl drink one night (dangerous!). 10/10 would come back if I was in town!

    Pineapple rice

    See all

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Maridel A.
    1975
    1381
    2726

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 5
    Love this 18
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 1
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lea D.
    232
    588
    1706

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan J.
    157
    132
    1047

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lucy A.
    1
    73
    94

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marla M.
    108
    261
    113

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 33
    Thanks 0
    Love this 26
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris L.
    178
    628
    11866

    4 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jay H.
    160
    381
    1251

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 55
    Thanks 12
    Love this 41
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liz Z.
    458
    264
    1392

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - The Islander

    Are dogs allowed?

    I think they would allow them in the outdoor seating area.

    Are you open this weekend and can zi make a reservation for 2 people?

    They are open on the weekends and I think it's first come first serve, but try calling to make reservations.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Tacos El Gordo

    Tacos El Gordo

    4.1
    (1.6k reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    A friend took me here while I was visiting and they swore these tacos are the best. After a 25…read moremins wait to get inside to order at the counter I got a variety of tacos which included carne, chorizo, tripe, and a adobada. I will say not only was I impressed, I would dare to say this may have been the best tasting food I ever had. The seasoning and taste was literally heaven! So many flavors in your mouth that I wish I ordered more. There's no other way to describe it besides you haven't lived till you tried these tacos. This is my first restaurant that'd I've ever given a 10/10 in the food iteself. A must try no matter the wait. Food(50%): 10.0 Staff/service(25%): 8.0 Value(25%): 8.0 Overall: 9.0/10

    This is a classic stop for anyone who loves good food visiting San Diego. This location is almost…read morelike a taco emporium since it's so large and has many different stations. The tacos here are so delicious. I love the adobada and the cabeza the best. In particular, the cabeza is very "meaty" and tender, which is exactly how I like it unlike how some other places prepare it. What makes Tacos El Gordo stand out too compare to other places is that the tortillas and the salsas themselves are so delicious as well. This isn't a meat-forward taco spot but rather every aspect of it is quite good. Of course, given the popularity, the experience itself may not be for everyone. The lines can be long and the fast pace can be overwhelming for some, but the staff are all very nice. The dining areas too are very minimal, and often a bit dirty because of the fast turnover. Nevertheless, the experience is well worth it!

    Photos
    Great Service!
    Great Service!
    Carne asada fries
    Carne asada fries
    Adobada tacos

    See all

    Adobada tacos
    Tacos El Gordo

    Tacos El Gordo

    4.3
    (7k reviews)
    6.5 mi
    $$

    Tacos El Gordo never disappoints…read more Craving for tacos and ended up here for our quick lunch. Be prepared for long line during lunch hours. Ordered out usual favorites! Taco de Tripa Taco de Lengua Taco de Cabeza Taco de Asada Tried numerous taco shops and were always ending coming back here. Highly recommended!

    Tacos El Gordo offers classic Baja California street food and is run with an efficiency that is…read moreadmirable, though I left feeling a bit mixed on the overall taste. Each meat type has its own line and because I am a sucker for Adobada, I was not wavered by the very long line. And though the classic rich guacamole topping was delicious, the actual meat was dry and disappointing. The tacos de lengua, were AMAZING, with the meat cooked perfectly. My husband also loved his buche tacos. The carne asada was cooked well, though meat was under seasoned . I ordered with all toppings which unfortunately made the taco soggy. The tomato salsa might have been the culprit, so I suggest to skip on that topping or consider just sticking to cilantro and onion, with a squeeze of lime as a topping. I also ordered the Azteca and though the cactus was delicious, I would have preferred it cut into small pieces rather than long slices so that it mixed better with the carne asada. The Azteca was also soggy from the loaded toppings. I can see why Tacos El Gordo is a favorite among locals and I would be willing to try again with some modifications on my order.

    Photos
    Saturday night (around 9:00 pm)
    Saturday night (around 9:00 pm)
    Crispy!
    Crispy!
    Adobada

    See all

    Adobada
    Miguel's Cocina

    Miguel's Cocina

    3.9
    (2.6k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    A favorite spot to visit while in Coronado. Miguel's swordfish tacos never disappoint but during…read morelast visit I discovered their fajitas and do not think I will go back to tacos!!! Fajitas came out sizzling in smoke with bell peppers and onions plus tacos on the side. Queso that comes with comp chips and salsa is also top notch and was a huge hit for our group. Drinks are on the sweeter side (especially passion fruit margarita) so be aware if you do not have a sweet tooth. On a separate note, I found seasonal drink (kiwi strawberry less sweet and more refreshing). In terms of wait time, it can get long but generally they try to sit you in less than quoted time. Last Sunday we were told it would be 40 minutes wait but got seated under 20 minutes.

    We were walking around and got hungry! We checked Yelp for nearby eateries and decided on Miguel's…read moreCocina! We must have came the wrong way because we ended up in the back where their patio dining is under construction. ;) As we entered the front entrance, it was very lively. A bar to the left, a to go order/pickup straight ahead. We were quickly greeted by everyone and quickly seated. Just as we were seated, the waters came with chips and salsa! OMGOODNESS!! It was crispy and the salsa was flavorful. I had ordered a shredded beef chimichanga! It was delicious! The rest of the party ordered tacos, soup, carne asada plate, and nachos. We all enjoyed our meals. Overall, all the employees were very friendly and helpful. The restaurant was beautiful and clean. We enjoyed our visit.

    Photos
    Family friendly!
    Family friendly!
    Shrimp burrito
    Shrimp burrito
    Mangorita mocktail

    See all

    Mangorita mocktail
    Blanco Cocina + Cantina

    Blanco Cocina + Cantina

    4.4
    (272 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$
    Catering service
    Takes reservations

    tldr: going to think about this place for the next year until i can return again…read more we stopped in for some appetizers and drinks after walking for a few miles visiting coronado. we needed some fuel for the drive back to the city. it wasn't a planned stop, but we happened to walk past it and decided to turn back around for a quick snack/drink (best decision) service: so friendly! from the hostess, to our server (the receipt might've said his name was angel?). he was so kind and checked up on us several times, but wasn't "pestering". whenever i started to get low on my water, he would come refill it. i watched him take care of his other tables and he was so attentive!! bathrooms: super clean! multiple stalls. the individual doors showed if they were occupied or not. and finally, the food: i told the waiter i would be dreaming about the flautas and i was not lying. he told us they just recently changed the menu and there were taquitos, but those were removed and they recently brought in these flautas and holy moly. they hit the spot. so delicious!! i almost cried. if we didn't already have plans for dinner later that night, i would've ordered 2-3 more plates of these. the salsa was amazing. not chunky, not watery. just perfect!!! had some spice but not uncomfortable. the queso was soo good too! everything tasted so fresh. food came out quickly but not suspiciously so. drinks: refreshing! i got an aloha tea and my sister got the poolside pop margarita. overall, would absolutely come back. in fact, i would come back to coronado for only this meal. 10/10.

    We were visiting Coronado and looking for a place to watch the FIFA games. The food was delicious,…read morebut I wouldn't consider it authentic Mexican cuisine. It's more of a modern, Americanized take on Mexican food. That said, the cheese balls on my salad were absolutely delicious! The restaurant is beautifully decorated with a great atmosphere, making it a nice spot to relax and enjoy a drink. The service, however, could have been more attentive. We had several different servers during our visit, so I never really knew who our main waiter was. We even had to flag someone down just to get our bill. Overall, the food was good, the ambiance was enjoyable, and it's a great place to grab drinks and watch a game. With more attentive service, it would have been an even better experience.

    Photos
    Blanco Cocina + Cantina
    Blanco Cocina + Cantina
    Blanco Cocina + Cantina

    See all

    The Waves Taco Club

    The Waves Taco Club

    4.7
    (380 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    Wanted to try some tacos while out here and this one had good reviews. It was also near our hotel…read morewe were staying at in Gaslamp. They have drawings all over their walls which was fun to look at. They have a few specials which are a good deal if you're going to get a drink anyway. I love c that c they had a self serve salsa bar. Must get the chipotle shrimp taco! 10/10 with flavor. Battered fish taco was ah ok.... Salmon taco was great too 10/10. Service was prompt. We had chips and salsa while we waited so it was cool. Overall, I recommend checking this out and trying the chipotle shrimp and salmon taco!

    I stopped by on a Wednesday after a fútbol game and found it to be a great late-night option…read more Ordering is simple. You walk in, place your order at the counter, and find a seat. There were a couple of groups dining in and someone picking up a to-go order, but there was still plenty of seating available. The employee working the counter was friendly. They also serve alcohol, and during my visit drinks were 20% off. Options included Pacifico, Modelo, Blue Moon, hard seltzers, and a selection of canned craft beers. I ordered: * Mahi Mahi Taco: the fish tasted fresh, and I liked the crispy onions on top. There was quite a bit of sauce, which made it pretty messy to eat. While the fish was good, it felt like a very heavy taco overall. * Surf & Turf Taco: this was loaded with steak and topped with two flavorful shrimp. The shrimp had an amazing flavor, and this taco was much more enjoyable and balanced. Overall, the service was great, the prices were very reasonable, and the protein quality was excellent. My only critique is that the tacos felt a little overdone with toppings and sauces when the quality of the protein could easily stand on its own. Still, it's a solid spot for an affordable late-night bite. One thing to note: there are no restrooms available inside the restaurant.

    Photos
    The Waves Taco Club
    Shrimp Burrito
    Shrimp Burrito
    Surf Turf Burrito

    See all

    Surf Turf Burrito

    The Islander - tikibars - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...