Island Soul has gotten a lot of ink since it moved last summer from Judkins Park to Columbia City. The brick-walled entry of this cheery Caribbean eatery teems with framed press clippings. Owners Theo and Gaelyn Martin are proud, but modest about all the attention. "We make the same food here. But suddenly everyone has discovered us. It's been a blessing," he says.

With mango-colored walls and big, bold, tropical canvasses, Island Soul hooks you from the sidewalk. Inside, the welcome is as warm as the pecan stain on the bare wood floor.
A woman with a dazzling smile, a mischievous twinkle in her eye and a bounce in her step plays the role of hostess, waitress and mistress of ceremonies, belting out a foot-stomping, hand-clapping birthday song when the occasion demands it — as it frequently does.

by Providence Cicero courtesy of Seattle Times

Inside our façade of old San Juan, you’ll find fresh, wild caught seafood (which by the way, has won 2 first place awards at the Ballard Seafood Festival), vegan and vegetarian dishes, flavors you can’t find anywhere else, and you can wash them all down with what our reviewers say, ’Some of the best, unique and STRONG tropical drinks in town!