I found this restaurant on yelp by typing in "Italian restaurants" since I had been wanting to find an authentic Italian spot in Fort Lauderdale. I went through the reviews and pictures extensively! Let me just say, not a single lie was told about the greatness that is La Perla! This is going to be a long review! Let's start with the service since that's a huge dealbreaker for me regardless of food taste. We had one main server, but another was assisting as well. I hate that I didn't ask their names again to include it in this review. Both women were extremely helpful, they checked on us the perfect amount, made sure we were satisfied, and even helped in our decision making. Not only were they extremely professional but they were super kind and honestly, both of them were very funny and made the night quite enjoyable without even trying; I could tell it was just their natural personality shining through their commendable service. Now on to the food. We ordered appetizers, entree, and dessert. We wanted help choosing our wine, and based off a couple questions, the selections of red our server recommended was very nice. The bruschetta was the absolute best I have EVER had! I am talking about an explosion of flavor that I didn't expect! I don't like fried foods but I did still enjoy my boyfriend's calamari/zucchini appetizer. He himself devoured it and said it was amazing. Our entree's were delicious and the ingredients were so fresh. Dessert was fantastic! I ordered the cannolis since they're a favorite of mine, however it is my birthday so they also brought out a cream puff and to my absolute surprise I loved it more than the cannoli (which was still super tasty). The restaurant is small and intimate. I saw a review saying it was noisy, but honestly you can't go to an Italian restaurant and expect it to be quiet. They foster an atmosphere where you want to eat, chat, and be merry. The "noise" was sounds of happy patrons enjoying their meals and their company. Nothing to complain about at all! As we ate I noticed that the staff turned over the tables very quickly. That was actually interesting to witness; as a group leaves, the staff ensures to promptly clean the table and reset it and as soon as you turn your head it's as if no one had dined there yet. Loved that, because who wants to be seated next to someone's leftovers? Haha. Overall, I loved my time here as well as my meal. I would 100% recommend this restaurant to others and I want to thank the staff for the amazing dinner experience! read more

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La Perla was a great find, and I would definitely return. The restaurant is charming and feels very authentic, with several standout dishes. The bruschetta was excellent, honestly some of the best I've had, and the molten lava cake was absolutely to die for. The flounder special was also loved by everyone at our table who ordered it. That said, there were a few misses. My mom had called a week ahead to let them know her husband was vegan, and the person she spoke with was very kind and said they would speak with the chef and be prepared. When we arrived, the waitress acknowledged they knew we had a vegan guest, but the option offered was simply spaghetti with vegetables. When it came out, it was just plain pasta without vegetables. They apologized and corrected it, but after the advance call, we expected something a bit more thoughtful. The restaurant was also very loud and crowded, and with our larger table, people on opposite ends had to practically yell to hear each other. The staff seemed stretched thin, so service was not as attentive as it could have been, though we did appreciate that we never felt rushed. Food-wise, the bruschetta and desserts were excellent, the meatballs were just okay, and while my mom loved the rack of lamb, I found mine a bit overdone and overpowered by the sauce. We were also disappointed they were out of branzino, since several people in our party had planned to order it. Overall, La Perla has a lot of charm, very good food, and a warm, authentic feel. I'd happily go back, but probably with a smaller party and maybe on a less busy night. read more

A true dining experience! Food is excellent, service is superb. Our waiter Salvatore besides being a great server, makes you feel special ( as if you were part of his family). From apps to desert and coffee it's top notch. Arnold C read more

Beautiful restaurant with excellent service and delicious food. It's a great intimate spot with a lovely atmosphere.

While I thought the food here was good, the service and ambiance was just ok. The beets carpaccio was very tasty and fresh and the calamari, shrimp and zucchini were light and crispy. While the restaurant wasn't very busy it seemed that our appetizers took forever and we weren't checked on or given water refills. The wine selection wasn't the best either which was disappointing. I think the most disappointing thing was that as we were getting the check they were taking all the table clothes off and that showed such a lack of hospitality! read more

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Went on Christmas Eve. Place was packed and a little louder than usually would be. Loved that you could order from the regular menu and bit a special holiday one. We both had a soup to start. I had the stracciatella and my wife had the pasta e fagioli. Both were in big bowls and were wonderful. My main course meal was the tagliatelle nere all a pescatore and wife had a special, the Flounder Amalfi. Both were big servings and wonderful. Both were a meal the next night. For a packed house, the service could not have been better. Experienced waitstaff met all of our needs and we never felt rushed. Just a wonderful experience. Our 6th time here and will be back read more

La Perla Di Pompano - Short ribs and homemade gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Pompano Beach, Florida

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Authentic Italian! Delish food ! Amazing service by Salvatore who is fantastic , friendly, and professional . Ambiance is quaint .

Wow! Authentic, delicious and beautiful food! The food and the vibe are second to none for an authentic Italian experience! Only a couple waiters who were stretched thin and making the best of it read more

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Tireless hospitality, fresh pasta, and outstanding desserts made my experience at La Perla an objective five stars. The Old World ambiance and attentive, gracious service set the tone. While I do wish their wines by the glass were fruitier and less acidic, the fresh caprese starter was the first hit of the night. Liquid burrata, and with a perfect ratio of greens to tomato to cheese. For my main, I went with the pappardelle with porcini mushroom cream sauce. I do wish the noodles had been firmer. I sampled my friend's gnocchi bolognese and its consistency was better: firmer and with more bite. When they rolled out the dessert cart it was already obvious that we had to try it. I could have eaten that fluffy, moist, creamy tiramisu in 90 seconds. The Nutella lava cake, served with ice cream, raspberry, and a gorgeous dusting of powdered sugar, coated my tongue with chocolate and Nutella spread. It was so balanced. read more

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This is absolutely the best Italian food I've had since being in Italy. The service we had from Salvatore was exceptional. The restaurant itself transports you to a little Italy mom and pop restaurant. This is an exceptional Italian restaurant. The grilled octopus, risotto, and lobster ravioli are a must. read more

La Perla Di Pompano - Grilled Octopus and Bruschetta - Italian Near Me - Pompano Beach, Florida

Ah it has been a while since we visited our favorite Italian. Wow, a whole new dining room. Romantic, perfect lighting, upscale. The Wines, our favorite' Luisa' a light and delicate Cab Franc. Entrees OMG. Upgraded menu. Veal chop parm. To die for. Porcini Wide noodles, Amazing. Afagoto to finish. This isn't on the menu, order it Impeccable Service. You so must go here read more

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I made an impromptu visit to La Perla today with my son for dinner. Walking, we felt underdressed! But I already made a reservation on the drive over. All of the staff was incredibly friendly , attentive, and kind. We tried some of their delicious homemade bread . And shared the homemade papardelle Bossciola. The pasta was cooked to perfection, the sauce needed a little bit of salt and pepper, which was on the table for us. For dessert we had the cream puffs which were beautifully served. All in all this is a very pleasant experience! The ambience is charming, and the restaurant is beautifully lit, I love the touch of the dessert cart which brings another level of elegance to the experience. This would be an ideal place for a romantic, first date or to celebrate a special occasion.. The only suggestion I would make would be to make it more accessible friendly. They they have the back gate and door locked which Access is the back parking lot so no one is able to walk into the restaurant from the handicap parking space next to their back door ; instead you need to walk down a dark alley along the side of the building, past another restaurant to get to the front door of la perla. The restaurant next-door seems to have it down. They have a ramp and a back door you can enter their restaurant through. read more

Wonderful High end Italian restaurant The food is so fresh and delicious. The service is above and beyond from the waiter Salvatore read more

Cozy italian place! Loved our waiter and waitress, the food was so fresh and their wine selection was great! read more

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This place is super worthy of the five star reviews! It's definitely a hidden gem in the area. Parking was tricky to find, you park behind the building, turn on the street before the building. Our server was amazing and took care of us all night long. We ordered a variety of items, including a seafood appetizer with red sauce, gnocchi burrata, and the flounder. The highlight was the gnocchi burrata, I wish I would've gotten two. The flounder was the only item that wasn't that great which was a little disappointing because it was the special. Everything was priced at a good price point. This would definitely be a restaurant for a special occasion especially because this wait staff takes great care of you. read more

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I rarely leave reviews anymore but felt compelled to after dining here. Yelp did not disappoint. Maybe the best lobster ravioli I've ever had. The pepper cream sauce had saffron and was clearly cooked with a lobster stock. Amazing. The pasta also tasted homemade like they claim. The filling was a healthy amount of ricotta and lobster. I will definitely return here when I visit again in the future. Service was also great too. read more

La Perla Di Pompano - Lobster ravioli - Italian Near Me - Pompano Beach, Florida

This place has it all-- great homemade pasta, service, and ambiance. We came here to celebrate a person in our family and, La Perla Di Pompano did not disappoint! Having read all the wonderful Yelp reviews, I knew to make a reservation in advance. We parked in the back, and when we entered, we were warmly greeted and taken to our table. The restaurant is small with artwork of pretty flowers on the walls. The tables have individual lights and white linens. La Perla was busy and a tad loud, but the service was phenomenal. Our waitress told us about all the specials and was very attentive. Our waitress brought over a lovely bread basket filled with deliciously, seasoned breadsticks and slices of fresh cut bread. They bake their own bread, and it was absolutely fantastic. We cleared out the basket and they offered more, but we didn't want to be too full for when our entrées came. They had a special octopus appetizer. It came in a small cast-iron pan and had chunks of deliciously grilled octopus, along with potatoes, capers, and tomatoes. We devoured it right away, it was so good. My daughter opted for the Pollo Alla Tuscano, and my husband had their homemade pasta with clams. They were very pleased with their meals. I find it rare to see black squid ink pasta on menus these days., so when my husband pointed it out on the menu, I knew what I had to have. It came with a delicious red sauce and was chock full of mussels, clams, calamari, and large shrimp. It was fantastic, and I had more than enough to take home for a second meal the next day. While we did not order dessert, I did see samples of their desserts on a cart. They looked quite enticing! Our waitress knew we were celebrating a dessert, and she brought to our table a lovely custard-filled pastry drizzled with chocolate sauce. It was so good. Next time we go here, we will have to save room to share one of their desserts. La Perla is a small little gem of a restaurant. It's very authentically Italian and so nice to have in the neighborhood. They truly made a birthday celebration even better! read more

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Best Italian food in all of south Florida! Quality food and ingredients with tons of homemade pastas and entrees. Service is always outstanding and the ambiance is like being in grandmas house. Truly an awesome experience and very time! read more

La Perla Di Pompano - a glass of red wine - Italian Near Me - Pompano Beach, Florida

Italian quaint. Not a lot of tables but what a great atmosphere! We decided to go here for our anniversary. Our server Salvatore was full of life and very attentive. They have a few gf options but the bread they brought me was literally sliced sandwich bread toasted (ick) and the pasta is spaghetti noodles no matter which pasta you order. I got the seafood pasta. It was good not great. Way too much sauce and the seafood was way over cooked. My hubs got the chicken toscana. Same. He said it was good but not great. They do give you a hefty portion but their prices definitely reflect it. I did love the octopus but not what I expected. I liked the way it was sliced but not expecting an entire salad.. it was supposed to be an appetizer.. hmm. So many Italian restaurants to choose from. They need to up their gf bread and pasta game. read more

Really nice and intimate restaurant. It's seems to be pretty authentic Italian food. We had the calamari, which was really good. I couldn't find anything on the menu to interest me and I was craving Alfredo, so I just asked them to make me an Alfredo pasta with shrimp and broccoli and they didn't disappoint! Yes, it's pricey, but you get what you pay for. Service was great too. read more

La Perla Di Pompano - Alfredo with shrimp and broccoli - Italian Near Me - Pompano Beach, Florida

If you're looking for a classic Italian Bistro, this is it. Great homemade food, they even bring out every dish as it's ready instead of waiting as it should be. I had the Tagliatelle Pescatore in real squid ink, hard to find that nowadays. Great night out. Good wine as well. read more

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Hidden gem catering to a wealthy clientele in a quiet fancy Italian restaurant setting . Not at all cheap, but the food quality was very high and so is the service. A couple of choices my friend and I made didn't suit us, but I gathered that those choices were on us and not on the restaurant. Pasta could've been slightly more al dente /firm and was maybe slightly overcooked , but clearly freshly made . Dessert is a highlight and tiramisu is fluffy and delicious. Not bad espresso either. read more

Still my favorite Italian Restaurant. Truly authentic Italian food. When I asked my son where he wanted to go for dinner his last night before going back to college he said La Perla. I called a week ahead and was lucky to get a reservation. It's a small restaurant and during season it books up. When we walked in we noticed Lino, the owner wasn't there. We were told he retired, there are new owners but Manuela is still cooking. Well, they haven't missed a beat. Food is still fabulous and all the original waiters are still there. Lobster Ravioli was unbelievable. Plump lobster filled homemade raviolis tossed in a delicious light saffron sauce with big pieces of lobster. Pollo Toscana- tender chicken sautéed in White wine topped with artichoke hearts, capers, olives and fresh tomatoes. Tagliatelle - fresh black squid pasta topped with clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari and salmon in a spicy marinara sauce. Food was excellent as always. read more

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Unbelievably awesome! The food, the service and the ambiance. All amazing... Owner came to over to our table and was so helpful. Our waiter was excellent. I love this place read more

Being from DC, and having great Italian restaurants here, I have to say this is one of the best Italian restaurants in the country! We not only visited it once during our vacation, but we went back a second time to bring our friends. Everything you order is cooked to perfection. The pastas are homemade and amazing. I ordered the first time the seafood in ink squid pasta. The sauce is flavorful, and there was a generous portion of fish, clams, muscles, etc. The eggplant rotini is a nice appetizer. We also ordered the pappadelli with the sausage tomato sauce as a half portion for an appetizer and it was to die for. The veal for my fiancé was cooked perfectly no knife needed. the second time we went back we ordered the wedding soup. it was flavorful and a large portion. The desserts are nice. We ordered the crème brûlée and the cannolis. Our friends really enjoyed the salad and ordered one to take home. The staff specifically Giovanni is exceptional. He was friendly provided great suggestions and is also a chef so could provide what ingredients were included. The other staff members were equally as friendly, and would say hi to you, as they walked past. Vanessa was wonderful, and took our reservations, accommodating us, so we could come back a second time. This restaurant should be Michelin rated and truly is a hidden gem. read more

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The Food the service the restaurant and the atmosphere Well cook and well given Have to make a reservation it's a small place but wow! read more

Service from Salvatore was great. Comfortable, small, yet elegant restaurant with very good food. Look forward to visiting again when I stay at Pompano again. read more

I would give this place a solid 3.8, it was very delish but nothing I haven't had before. We started with the gnocchi burratino, it was good but once again nothing that was a show stopper. I ordered the special which was a grouper w artichokes, capers, sun dried tomatoes in a lemon butter sauce and this was SPECTACULAR. This dish is what is giving this place 4 stars, it melted in my mouth, like butttaaa. Soooooo good. I got a side of pasta w pink sauce and it was below average, needed some salt! But the fish was truly incredible! read more

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Ambiance, food, service was wonderful. La Perla offers the freshest of fish and seafood. Everything is prepared in house from the breads to desserts. It is small so a reservation is highly recommended. read more

Great local gem after looking for a new Italian dining experience. Lets start with the atmosphere, small, intimate and inviting. The food was amazing and authentic... we had lamb and my friend had veal... we both enjoyed our dishes. The service was impressive and attentive, great waiter! Thank you Will definitely be back on our next Italian food outing. read more

This is a very small restaurant and reservations are absolutely necessary to get a table. The pasta is homemade and delicious! The portions are quite ample and most people will probably have leftovers to take home. The dessert tray looked amazing, but I was too full to try one of the delicious treats. Would definitely recommend! read more

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The food and service were both terrific. We shared the veal parm and it was so tender. Our friends also loved their veal dish The staff is caring and extremely knowledgable We can't wait to do back. read more

The food was great, and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. I liked the space and will definitely go back.

My family came here while on vacation she we were not disappointed. The staff was beyond friendly and the food was delicious. We enjoyed the decorations in the restaurant and recommend it for anyone looking for a nice dinner out! read more

An absolute hidden gem! All of the food exceeded our expectations! Phenomenal service! Our waiter was not only attentive he was personable - it felt like we had been lifelong friends! How often does THAT happen? Walk into "little Italy" right here in Pompano! read more

First time with this establishment. Finding your way into the parking lot is a little difficult. We landed going around the block and coming in the back way, which is a lot easier. Very nice inside way different than this which you see here onYelp, especially the menu. The wait staff were informed, attentive, and very available. Food was excellent two of us had the chicken Milanese, one had the flat pasta, with a cream sauce, sorry can't remember the name and the other person had pasta with red sauce. All the main courses were great. Dessert was awesome, apple tart with ice cream, yeah, Lemoncello pie and piña cotta. Cool decor was very nice white table clothes, low lighting but not too dark. All around great experience. read more

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Food & service were excellent. Nice ambience & tastefully decorated. Not a large restaurant, which made it more personal.

We (Clarissa K and Joan L) were here to jointly celebrate our birthdays with an emphasis on Clarissa, who was nearing her special milestone. :-) Our table was decorated with a birthday balloon-which was such a thoughtful gesture. The vibe is slightly upscale without being pretentious. The dining room is on the small side with a warm and inviting vibe. Complimentary bruschetta and garlic bread were delicious, but the star of the show was the Burrata and Prosciutto platter that included grilled pineapple and peaches, lightly drizzled with a very good balsamic. This was truly amazing and enjoyed by all of us. For our mains, Joan had the Tuna, Clarissa ordered Veal Marsala and I went with one of the nightly specials~ Short Rib Ravioli. I wanted to try a pasta dish since everything is made in-house. The Ravioli were sinful, stuffed with plenty of short rib meat. I was pleasantly surprised to find a large short rib (on the bone) placed on top of the ravioli. The meat was a bit chewy, and the sauce lacked sufficient seasoning. I wasn't at all upset because those Ravioli were outrageous and nearly six months later, I am still thinking about them. We were treated to three small cannolis and a birthday candle for Clarissa. Delicious! We were also treated to a round of house-made Limoncello. This was a bit strong for me but my girlfriends really liked it. We shared a nice sized slice of Limoncello Cake that was to die for. The cake was just fabulous. This was the perfect restaurant for our celebration dinner. Service was attentive, prices were reasonable and the food was good. I see Veal Marsala on my next visit, or Lobster Ravioli, maybe both if someone will share with me. There is a small parking lot directly behind the restaurant and additional parking located at the bank next door. We all found a space without any problem. They don't serve liquor, only beer and wine and reservations are highly recommended. Our leisurely dinner lasted three hours, which was great because we weren't rushed. We left in a good mood-happy and full. Wonderful restaurant! ***photo credit goes to Joan as I couldn't figure out how to use my new phone *** read more

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La Perla is truly a gem in the Pompano / Fort Lauderdale area. My husband and I discovered it by accident a few years ago and it has been on our list of favorite restaurants ever since. The ambiance of the restaurant is warm and cozy. There aren't many tables so would definitely recommend making a reservation. The service is absolutely amazing. Last night we had the pleasure of being served by Jonny and he was just fabulous. So professional, kind and always willing to crack a joke and a smile. The other server Salvatore is also great! No matter who we end up with, we always leave feeling taken care of and extremely satisfied as everyone is knowledgeable and charming. In terms of the food, it is authentic Italian, so fresh, and absolutely delicious. Last night we started with the appetizer special which was a focaccia with prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, arugula, burrata, and a balsamic glaze. It was seasonal and very yummy. I ordered the Gnocchi Burratina and my husband ordered the seafood special which was Flounder with vegetables and a delicious sauce. We both were head over heels for our entrees and couldn't recommend them enough. For dessert we had the Lemoncello Cake and the Apple Rose. Both were light and the perfect way to wrap up the meal. We also enjoyed an Italian wine off their extensive wine menu. Overall, we truly enjoyed our visit and couldn't recommend La Perla enough! read more

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The food was tasty, and the service was friendly. The staff made us feel really welcome, and the atmosphere was relaxed and inviting. Unfortunately, the only bad thing was a strong mildew smell in the space, and it was also a bit cold inside. I hope they can address these issues, because everything else was great! read more