Isla, the ground-floor restaurant at The Standard, London, is entering a new chapter this spring, relaunching as a neighbourhood wine bar with a fresh Mediterranean-inspired menu and a wine list built around organic and biodynamic producers.
The King’s Cross restaurant has shifted towards a more relaxed, evening-focused format, with seasonal sharing plates, an expanded by-the-glass offering and a renewed emphasis on its tucked-away garden terrace. The idea is simple: somewhere to stop for a glass after work that can just as easily turn into dinner.
Wine takes centre stage. The list focuses largely on organic, biodynamic and low-intervention producers sourced through specialist importers including Dynamic Wines, Vine Trail and Renegade. Familiar varieties such as Riesling, Chenin Blanc and Gamay sit alongside lesser-known grapes including Jacquère, Listán Negro and Niellucciu, giving drinkers plenty of opportunity to venture beyond the obvious.
Sparkling options range from Champagne to pét-nat and French artisanal cider, while premium wines are also available in 75ml Coravin pours, making it easier to sample bottles that might otherwise stay reserved for special occasions.
The food follows the same philosophy: seasonal, unfussy and designed for sharing. Smaller plates include pumpkin fritti with kumquat, stracciatella on anchovy toast, beef tartare with potato rösti and grilled Scottish langoustines.
Larger dishes move between seafood and meat, with Flying Fish lemon sole served with brown butter and blood orange, alongside HG Walter Scottish beef sirloin to share. Elsewhere, lamb ragout calamarata offers something more comforting, while sides such as spring greens, potato frites and tardivo salad with Cashel Blue round out the menu.
Desserts continue the seasonal theme, with Yorkshire rhubarb paired with stem ginger ice cream and almond tuile, alongside apricot jam doughnuts and a pistachio éclair finished with dark chocolate.
With its combination of a thoughtful wine programme, generous Mediterranean-inspired cooking and one of King’s Cross’ quieter terraces, Isla’s new direction feels less like a restaurant relaunch and more like an invitation to become a regular neighbourhood haunt.
Isla is open daily, serving breakfast from 7am and its à la carte menu from midday.