We enjoyed our dinner at Isabella's, a friendly place with good food and excellent service. After we celebrated Mother's Day 2017 there, however, we were dismayed to discover that the restaurant closed permanently -- with no warning to any customers -- the very next day.

Cod was amazing. Waiter was great with our 3 yr old. Great spot after a day at the AMNH

Always amazing service and food. Love the ambience as well.

The restaurant was not crowded yet they had the 2 tops set all right next to each other in a perfectly straight line down the middle of the restaurant and seated people right next to us even though there were numerous empty 2 tops available. The straight line seating makes the space look very sterile.

We love Isabella's for brunch, lunch, and dinner. It can get crowded on weekends but I think it's worth the wait.

Over all a great time. The only down side was the amount of salt used in the food....extremely salty!

We brought a party of ten people to Isabella's, and the restaurant could not have been more accommodating. Servers were attentive without being overbearing; the food was wonderful; the volume level in the restaurant was refreshingly low (our guest of honor was hard of hearing); and we were never rushed. The restaurant is beautiful and prices, while not cheap, are not high for the Upper West Side. Highly recommended for both dates and celebrations!

A lovely spot for al fresco dining for a late lunch/early dinner when the sun shines on the patio (there's an awning for shade). The backdrop of the natural history museum is great, UWS people watching fun, though the boom box from the playground across the street detracted. When it got chilly after sunset, We went inside for coffee and dessert at the bar. The staff was very accommodating and seemlessly relocated us.
The food we ordered was delicious and nicely presented, especially the fig turnovers with prosciutto and Gorgonzola and a Grouper special cooked to perfection. One critique is that the menu is a bit limited and all over the place gastronomically from middle eastern to Italian to American. Our server was very well informed about the menu and mostly attentive. Our entrees arrived when we were still enjoying our appetizers, so the timing could have been better.
Overall, I would come back to this iconic UWS restaurant for the combination of ambiance, location and food.

We usually find the food very good, but not this time. It was just fair. A disappointment since we took friends who had never been to Isabella's. Although the service was friendly it was unimpressive.

The Black Mission Fig Turnover was extraordinary and very innovative

Reliable neighborhood restaurant with a touch of elegance. Lovely dining room with tablecloths and flowers accenting the room. It just feels special. It's my go-to spot with a friend who loves their grilled octopus. Yummy, fresh, well prepared. That and a glass of wine and beet/goat cheese salad hit the spot.

Isabella's is my favorite "go to" when I'm on the upper west side. The food is dependably good and fresh with healthy choices and lots of veggies. Prices are reasonable and the service is above average. We unfortunately had a loud group next to us this time but that's not the restaurant's fault.

Service was inconsistent. Food came out at all different times. No coordination between servers and runners. Had to ask several times for a wedge of lemon. The special fish was so awful. It was overcooked and fishy. All 7 diners thought the food was "meh" at best. Good location, but stick to a lousy egg brunch. Dinner service and food on a weekend is not worth the price tag.

Isabellas is a very pretty restaurant right around the corner from the Museum of Natural History. The menu is short but the dishes are well prepared. Standouts were the fig appetizer, the seafood linguine and the lasagna. Do not miss the Chocolate Bag dessert.

Classic NYC in spot. Great for people watching good light fare. Service great.

We have loved Isabella's for the family friendly atmosphere. We were making it a tradition to take our kids there for their birthdays. However, we just went to have dinner for our twins' 1st birthday and we noticed changes for the kids. The menu no longer has activities on it and the bendy sticks they use to give the kids are no longer provided. I specifically asked about these and they said they no longer have them. I got one set of crayons for three kids.

I hope they bring them back. It was the only place in the city where I felt like kids were really welcomed.

Situated directly across the street from the iconic Museum of Natural History, great ambience and Location.
Wine or cocktails at the bar and then outdoor dining along Columbus Ave in the heart of premier Upper West Side, recommended.
The entrees we ordered were good enough and reasonably priced, the service staff exceptionally friendly.

Excellent, as always. Our go-to place on the UWS when friends come from out of town.

I eat here a lot because it is very convenient to the American Museum of Natural History where I work. It's nice to take visiting colleagues here for lunch. Everyone likes it. The menu does get a little monotonous, though, after a while. It's becoming a little pricey. Service is uneven.

Across the open spaces and wide street from the Natural History Museum at 77th street and Columbus Avenue, the subdued atmosphere and excellent menu get your attention right away. The tables are a little close, but there is enough room for staff to maneuver around you without contact. The wine list is fairly long and varied and the prices not exorbitant - for New York City! From homey lasagna to encrusted fish, the food was properly prepared, nicely plated and tasty. No one seemed pushy or even upset at our enjoying dinner and having great - and somewhat prolonged - conversation. A delightful venue for small groups of friends or an intimate date.

Great food, great service. Pretty place but bathroom needs to be updated.

It was our anniversary and they pulled out all the stops. Perfect seating and a free dessert and champagne. It was amazing!

Tables are too close together. Food so-so. Not a great selection.

I have travelled to NYC 15-20 times since 1985, and each trip have made a point to dine at Isabella's. I've also recommended it to many people over the years. I was disappointed to say that it's really lost its "wow" factor. The service was good, the food was mediocre, and it's dated. I had asked the hostess and then the server for a birthday dessert for my husband as we sat down. We then changed tables due to our first table being squished against a wall in a throughway. The message wasn't communicated to our new server, despite me having mentioned it to both the hostess and our first server. The food presentation wasn't creative, and something has definitely been lost in the sale of Isabella's from the old chain to the Landry group.

I really want to give Isabella's a great review. We've been there twice for dinner and the food is great, but there was an issue with timing of the food both evenings. First time our entrees came before we were even half done with appetizers, and the second time our side of broccoli came when we were done with our meals. Also, we had 7:00 dinner reservations, and the waiter told us they were out of bread. It was obvious that he was embarrassed to even have to say it. Eventually he did bring a basket of warm pita bread. The food is always good, but they need to figure out the timing issue.

The service was excellent

I absolutely loved it!!! Great food! Great drinks! Just perfect...

My review is based on sitting in their outdoor area. Inside, while very lovely, has a higher noise level. The food was very good- my friend and I both had the salmon on the lunch menu and it was prepared to perfection. The service was excellent as far as bringing out the food however our table was a little rickety and the waiter never came back to address that issue even though he said he would. Overall, Isabella's has a lovely decor inside and a very nice outdoor area and their food is quite good.

Food was
Good. Atmosphere was
Good.
The wait staff rushed us, clearing some of ours plates, while others were
Still
Eating.

Terrible service. They strike me as the type of restaurant that is only good to the regulars.

This a go-to neighborhood restaurant for birthdays, out-of-town guests, and other occasions. Their bar area is small but lovely. The drinks are good. The food is always fresh, clean, and interesting. Lots of fish but something for everyone. Fun desserts (the Bag!). Excellent service. We keep returning and will continue to do so.

Very disappointed. Food fine but service awful! Such a shame as it is a nice location. Will think twice before going again.

While the food and service are good, there are FAR too many tables jammed into FAR too small a place, making it a noisy, claustrophobic, uncomfortable environment. I could only recommend it to a friend who intended to dine out at an odd hour rather than during prime lunch or dinner hours.

Have been to Isabella's three times in the last few months and every time it has been great. Food is consistent, service is excellent and they do not rush you. Would highly recommend.

I ordered a $17. Salad and asked to substitute the grilled chicken for shrimp. I was not told of any additional charges and was charged $12.00 extra. For 4 small shrimps. Ridiculous. I have eaten there many times and its just mediocre.

Consistently very good food. Gracious servers and pleasant ambiance.
My client from Monaco loved it!

We had such a lovely time. Our waitress was so welcoming. The chicken was outstanding, the in house made mozzarella with arugula pesto was out of this world. Loved their chocolate "bag" dessert. We will be back!

We had a lovely meal after visiting the museum of natural history my friend had food issues no milk, gluten free and the waitress insured she was delivered only the safe ingredients. we were very impressed and meal was delicious.

Service was excellent. Food was good but not excellent. The soups were not hot.

This was my first time at Isabella's and suggested by a friend. Fabulous place and delicious food. Our server Drew is a gem and she was attentive and lovely.
Will definitely go back and my new favorite spot on the UWS!!