Isabella's Spot

Burgers, Crepes, Slab Cakes and chimney donuts are the standouts in this little intersection of cafes near the Ritz.   The family vibe behind the counter lures us in since its a family catchup.   $9-$18 for dishes with juices and coffee makes for a great value proposition as its very likely one of us may need more than one meal!

FOOD TYPE 
Italian or Modern Australian with pastas, meat and fish dishes, and a small selection of pizzas and desserts.

FOOD QUALITY

Seven of us dined here midweek on the Australia Day holiday in Jan. We started with two refreshing salads: the scallop and the garden. Both were decent size, with a nice assortment of freshly cut, nutritious ingredients, like tomato, lettuce and onion. The scallops were an interesting addition to one of them. For mains we ordered a selection of dishes including steaks, salmon, barramundi and garlic prawns. I ordered the flame grilled mushroom and thyme steak (only $15) which comes with mashed potato, glazed carrots, sauteed green vegetables and mushroom sauce. It was well cooked just the way I like it but they still managed to keep it tender and brimming with taste and flavour. It was a delicious piece of meat, not overly large, just the right size and perfectly complemented with the fresh vegetables,creamy mash and smooth mushroom sauce. My dining companions were similarly impressed with their food. My wife especially enjoyed her succulent and fresh garlic prawns served with rice and salad. Presentation was simple but neat on classic white crockery. By the time we got to dessert, it was nearly closing time, and all that was left was the bread and butter pudding with ice cream, so we just shared one serve of that. Like everything else, it was lovingly prepared with care and attention to detail. The pud was firm but soft and moist and smothered in a syrupy, sweet butterscotch sauce. Yum. No trouble polishing that off between three of us.

ATMOSPHERE 
There are three choices for seating: outside, downstairs inside or upstairs inside. As there were seven of us, we decided to go upstairs. Normally I wouldn’t choose to sit here as it lacks the atmosphere, the vibe and the outlook you get from downstairs, but since we had a fairly large party, and the rest of the place is small and quite cramped, upstairs it had to be. I’m assuming though that upstairs generally isn’t well patronised and used mainly for “overflow” on busy nights, because we were the only people there. But being seven of us, we made our own atmosphere. The space itself is quite airy and light. It’s been tastefully decorated in red, brown and white colours with lots of floral displays and mod artworks on the wall, giving it a bright and cheery ambience. So despite my trepidation we were quite happy up there. The rest of the place downstairs and outside was fairly full, with a fun and energetic vibe. Doors are flung wide open to the street creating a alfresco, breezy and relaxed feel. Next time, I’d sit downstairs and enjoy watching the passing parade.

SERVICE 
Even though we were upstairs and away from the hustle and bustle of the main action, there was no compromise on the service. Our pretty, young waitresses (and there were quite a few of them) were all attentive, helpful and patient (which they needed to be with seven indecisive people, half of whom came late). Our booked table was ready and waiting for us. Orders were quickly taken as soon as everyone was there and the food came out without delay and in the correct order. These guys are clearly well trained in customer service and they didn’t miss a beat, despite it being a fairly busy eve on a pub holiday.

COMFORT 
As we were the only ones upstairs we were able to spread ourselves out over a few tables, so there was plenty of space to fit everything. The air con kept the place nice and cool although the ladies complained - as they do - that it was too cold, but the helpful maitre d was quick to come to our help and turn it up. Chairs are standard wooden ones, firm, but a tad hard.

MENU 
I just love the menu here. It’s simple and clearly laid out on coloured sheets enclosed in plastic laminate. Dishes are grouped together according to type i.e.pastas, pizzas, chicken, seafood etc and mostly it’s just one price per type, pizzas $12, veal dishes $15, pastas $14, steaks $15, seafood $16, chicken $15 etc. Makes choosing easy.

TOILETS 
Toilets are downstairs, past the kitchen and the waste and storage areas. And to match their location, they’re not the most appetising, with an uneven floor and a chipped door. There are separate male and female ones. The male toilet is oddly configured with a urinal and a toilet in the same cubicle (as you can see from the pic).I don’t quite get the point of that. It’s not as if two are going to share that cubicle!

ACOUSTICS 
We had no trouble conversing, as we were the only ones upstairs. But being fairly open and airy, with high ceilings should generally keep the noise levels down, irrespective of where you decide to sit

COST

We paid a modest $181 for seven of us and that included a single beer, a small bottle of sparkling wine, a soft drink, two salads, seven mains, one dessert and corkage at $3 a head. That’s outstanding value in these awful economic times.

BOOKING

Recommended especially for weekend dining.

PARKING/ACCESS 
You’ll find Isabella’s Mark II (not to be confused with Isabella’s Mark I which is on Alison Rd, near the corner of Belmore Rd) in the heart of The Spot, Randwick’s busy dining and entertainment hub. It’s around the corner from the Ritz Cinema. Parking though is never easy around here. It’s a narrow, cramped and congested little precinct for motorists and best avoided if possible. We normally head straight past and park on Howard Street, where there are no restrictions and usually quite a few places to be had. Just be prepared for a 10-15 minute walk, but that’s better than struggling to find something nearer. 

SUMMARY

I guess the owners of the longstanding and popular Isabella’s Mark I, decided to capitalise on their popularity and open another one at The Spot. That strategy seems to have paid off judging by the midweek turnout. And the formula is the same: a simple menu, modestly priced with basic choices and just a few price bands. Food is well prepared and fresh and tasty. Service is fast and efficient and the ambience is homely, casual and relaxed. Isabella’s Mark II, just like it’s older brother or sister, represents solid value for money and a welcome addition to the Spot’s otherwise rather limited and bland dining choices. You can have a satisfying and filling meal here with a drink, for less than $30 a head. Not too many places in the overpriced eastern suburbs can match that.

Amazing service from the attentive staff that i found knocks bars of many top rated restaurants I've been to. The menu has a large variety of choices that are very well priced!  i had the basic yet perfectly cooked poached eggs on sourdough with a large portion of bacon. Isabella's Spot in Randwick is a must!

Isabella's is famous in Randwick for cheap eats, in fact $7 breakfasts.. who wouldn't love this! Plus, they are much bigger and tastier than some breakfast places in Sydney. Anyway their success has led them to opening a second spot, at 'The Spot' no less 😜 Same menu, $7 breakfasts, HUGE menu, $12 dinners and lunches - pastas, schnitzels, burgers. Not the fanciest place out, but the price is incredible. Also healthy options for a bit more $ - I got the egg white omelette for $12. They are fast and the service was great. They accommodated my friend with a high chair for her young child, plus some food the child could eat. Coffee isn't the greatest, but they also have smoothies and tea. Who wouldn't love the
price here 👍👍