Islander Restaurant Bar - Mercer Island

The French fries are amazing, the ambiance is clean and inviting, and the staff is friendly, though they can be hard to track down at times. They offer bottomless Mimosas and a well-organized Bloody Mary bar. Plus, it never feels overcrowded, which is a nice bonus.

That said, one thing I must mention about The Islander is that service can be slow. I completely understand why some people feel it takes forever to be served; I’m one of those who will wait patiently. However, considering how busy the place can get with a small staff and kitchen, I think it’s best to keep that in mind. The good news is that the food surprisingly comes out quite fast. Even during peak times, we usually only wait about 10 to 15 minutes after placing our order.

I absolutely love this restaurant! It was one of the few places I visited in person during the COVID-19 pandemic when they reopened. I usually sit at the back, mainly because of their great hours. The menu has been updated in recent months, and the tacos are fantastic. The tables are well spaced out, and patrons are responsible about wearing masks.