Austin’s dining scene is about to get a splash of island soul. On September 1, Chef Janelle Romeo will open Twin Isle, a fast casual restaurant rooted in the flavors of her native Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean. The new spot at 1401 Rosewood Avenue is set to bring bold, vibrant dishes and a family-style spirit to one of the city’s most exciting food neighborhoods.
From Food Truck to Full Restaurant
Chef Romeo has already won hearts in East Austin with Shirley’s Trini Cuisine, the beloved food truck that introduced many locals to authentic Caribbean comfort food. With Twin Isle, she takes the next step by planting deeper roots in the community she has been feeding for years.
“Opening Twin Isle is a dream I have carried with me for a long time,” says Romeo. “This restaurant is a love letter to the islands. Each dish tells a story about where I come from, who raised me, and what I want to share with Austin. I want people to feel like they are stepping into my home, with big flavors, warm hospitality, and a little bit of island soul in every bite.”
A Menu Built on Flavor and Tradition
Twin Isle’s menu is fully scratch made and designed to be customizable, whether you want to build your own bowl or share plates around the table.
Starters include the Aloo Pie, a fried pastry stuffed with spiced potatoes and topped with tangy tamarind sauce, and the indulgent Oxtail Fries, loaded with slow-stewed oxtail, cheese, green onions, and garlic sauce. Guests can also grab the Rip and Dip Roti, a flaky paratha roti served with warm yellow dhal, perfect for dipping and sharing.
For heartier bites, the menu features Roti Wraps stuffed with curry chicken, curry goat, coconut curry lobster, or fresh vegetables. Sandwich lovers will find gems like the Oxtail Sandwich with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese on a toasted bolillo, or the classic Bake and Shark, a fried fish sandwich tucked into traditional island bread with crisp toppings and house sauces.
Bowls are another highlight, starting with bases like rice and peas, steamed rice, or macaroni pie, then topped with proteins such as jerk chicken, curry goat, stewed oxtail, or steamed fish. Diners can finish them with an array of island sides like fried plantains, curry potatoes, pineapple chow, and cucumber chutney.
To keep things fresh, seasonal specials will rotate through the menu, featuring favorites like curry crab and dumplings, bake and saltfish, Trini-style Chinese stir fries, and smoky Caribbean barbecue.
A Gathering Place on Rosewood
More than a restaurant, Twin Isle is a celebration of community. The atmosphere is bright, lively, and welcoming, offering a place where neighbors can come together over plates that are rich in tradition and layered with flavor.
Twin Isle officially opens its doors on September 1 in East Austin. For updates, follow @twinisle on social media or visit twinislerestaurant.com.