Easily the best cocktail / wine bar in Branford. Service is amazing, everyone is friendly, and great vibes all around. Outside patio is one of a kind. Great for dates, parties, and gappy hour. They have music, trivia and all sorts of events throughout the week. Dont miss out!! read more

Horrible food and completely unacceptable quality for the high prices charged. While the waitress was nice, the kitchen is a total disaster--cold, foam-like bread, and old, burnt, cold fries that taste like they've been sitting out for hours. The kitchen staff needs to be replaced, and management urgently needs to step up quality control. read more

This place is a cute little spot in town, and they were kind enough to make space for our party of seven outside, which I appreciated. The menu had a nice variety, but overall, I wasn't very impressed. It seemed like our large group may have put some stress on the kitchen. One friend ordered wine that didn't smell or taste fresh -- the staff did open a new bottle and replace it, which was handled well. However, our meals took over 30 minutes to arrive, and when they did, they were warm at best. I ordered the steak frites with a side of spinach. The steak was undercooked, the fries seemed like leftovers, and the spinach was drenched in oil to the point that I couldn't eat it. Overall, it's an okay spot, but the experience felt off. Maybe it was just an off night for them. read more

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Located on the Main Street of a cute little town, the resturant looked promising. Super small inside but they had a great patio area that could accommodate our group of nine. It had an outdoor bar, fire pits, TVs, and even a live band the night we were there. The problem was they seemed to be severely understaffed. Our waitress was not only serving all the people on the patio but it seemed like she was also working inside and behind the bar. As you can imagine this delayed pretty much everything we ordered. And when some items came out incorrect, it meant even longer wait times. My wife ordered steak tips (or something like that) and ordered it medium. Most pieces were RARE so instead of asking to have it warmed up we took it home to cook because we knew everyone else would be done w dinner by the time it came back out. Overall, everything I tried was just ok. Nothing really stood out as far as the food went. The barrel aged mezcal Negroni was delicious tho!! Would come for a game to hang out on the patio and have drinks if I was in the area. Overall it was just ok, nothing exceptional and nothing that has me want to recommend this resturant to others. read more

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This is a really charming place with good service and tasty food, offering a wide selection of wines and beverages. We stopped in for a quick bite and a drink. We started with the house chips--they were so good! Just the right amount. I ordered the scallops, and the sauce was the perfect mix of sweet and spicy (low). The halibut was also cooked perfectly and was quite enjoyable. We finished with coffee and crème brûlée, which was so good we couldn't resist and finished it all! We will definitely be back. read more

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Very very cute little wine bar. They have made it so cozy inside, which is an ambiance I love in a wine bar. Did not get any food but the drinks were very good. My husband and I each got a seasonal cocktail and they were very tasty. Strong, knocked me on my ass a bit. I also had a glass of wine which was smooth and full bodied. My husband had an NA espresso martini that was also quite good. The service was a little variable in the beginning but was very good but the end. read more

Pearl Wine Bar - Street view - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

Small portion for the price for the southwest bowl. The food didn't have enough seasoning, the burgers were bland. There was a very rowdy group and the entire place had to listen to them yell, and while that doesn't have anything to do with the restaurant itself, a manager or someone should have asked them to be more conscious of others. We came for Mother's Day with a reservation at 1:00 and didn't get food until 2:20. We had to ask for water refills, and no one came to apologize or let us know the kitchen was running behind. There must have been one cook for the whole restaurant. Unfortunately I would not recommend, the food quality didn't make up for the poor service. Three groups left before getting their food as a result. read more

Pearl Wine Bar - Southwest Bowl - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

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While the local food seen in Branford is somewhat lacking Pearl stands out and really shines..well like a Pearl! The ambience, service and meals were unexpectedly amazing. Much thought was given to each dish and the chef provided big city vibes and tastes to each. Don't miss the cocktails which were delicious and priced so reasonably. This is now our newest go to restaurant in Branford! Reserve the window seat for 4-6 if you can! read more

Absolutely wonderful experience at Pearl Wine Bar! Thank you so much for your attentiveness and kindness during our visit. We sincerely appreciate the quality wine pairings with the excellent food. Lovely atmosphere in a cozy warm environment. Will return soon! read more

It's true, we haven't been to Pearls in a while. It was our go to place for a glass of wine and some small plates. Last night we were very disappointed. The Malbec I ordered was corked. They took it back but the bartender didn't care. The waitress never asked if I wanted something else - I had to get her and ordered a different wine. The food - there was virtually no crab in the previously frozen crab cakes. The short rib poutine with tater tots was too salty and mushy. Not a good night. read more

After a morning of shopping with my daughter, we were both feeling hungry but craving something light and satisfying. As we strolled through downtown Branford, we happened upon a charming bistro and wine bar called Pearl, nestled right in the heart Branford near the Green. Drawn in by its cozy yet elegant ambiance, we decided to give it a try--and what a fabulous choice it turned out to be! Pearl's menu, crafted by the talented Chef Eric Bond, is nothing short of dynamic. It's clear that the dishes are inspired by the finest seasonal ingredients, offering a delightful array of options that cater to a wide variety of tastes. Whether you're in the mood for succulent steak, perfectly cooked pasta, or a fresh, crisp salad, there's something here for everyone. We were particularly impressed by the thoughtful inclusion of vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, making it easy for all diners to find something they'll love. For lunch, we decided to share a few appetizers, and we were glad we did. The Street Corn Brussels Sprouts were a standout--crispy Brussels sprouts paired beautifully with street corn and a zesty lemon aioli that tied all the flavors together perfectly. The Balsamic Honey Burrata was equally delightful, featuring fresh burrata that melted in your mouth, served with grilled crostini, and topped with a honey balsamic reduction that added just the right amount of sweetness, balanced by the fresh greens. And as a first for me, it definitely won't be my last. My first time having Burrata and I'm still in awe! Lastly the truffle fries were amazing with chipotle dip to add to the yumminess. Our meal was nothing short of delightful. The freshness of the ingredients really shone through in every bite, and the presentation was just as exquisite as the flavors. The light fare we were seeking was perfectly delivered, leaving us feeling satisfied but not overly full, which was exactly what we needed after a busy morning. Pearl in Branford is truly a gem. Whether you're looking for a casual lunch, a light bite, or a leisurely dinner with a glass of wine, this bistro and wine bar should be at the top of your list. We'll definitely be back to explore more of what Chef Bond has to offer! I give Pearl a 10 out of 5 stars! ********** read more

Very cute and cozy wine bar perfect for a double date. The wine selection was great and we loved the ravioli. So delicious

I love this wine bar it is the perfect addition to Branford downtown! The ambiance is chic but cozy. The service is excellent with offering great recommendations & being personable and attentive. My server recommended the Crispy Salmon Bowl and it did not disappoint! The flavors were excellent, savory and sweet and the fried Brussels were so so yummy! read more

Pearl Wine Bar - Crispy salmon bowl - 10/10 SO SO GOOD - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

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I have been to Pearl Wine Bar a couple times now and definitely think it is a great dinner place to get together with friends or family and enjoy some delicious food and drinks. I got the scallops and thought it was delicious and a phenomenal deal! The service was pretty slow, but it is a more relaxed slow-paced dining experience. I went a night where there was live music and it was a very fun time! I'd definitely recommend. For further review, check out @gbennieats on Instagram. read more

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Outstanding wine selection and full bar. Staff was very knowledgeable and put care into making every drink. Food menu was delicious. We had a mix of appetizers that did not disappoint! Stuffed mushrooms and cheese plate were a big hit. read more

Pearl Wine Bar - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

Went for dinner on a Friday night, made reservations, glad we did the place was busy. Sat outside on the gorgeous patio! The food was delicious! The wine was even better! Ended up ordering a bottle after a couple glasses of wine. Beautiful restaurant, perfect for date night or drinks with the gals! read more

Pearl Wine Bar - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

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Cool vibe and small plates that are very tasty and diverse Drinks beyond wine are available read more

Pearl Wine Bar - Cocktails - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

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Great new place! We arrived at 5pm on a Friday night w/o a reservation and nabbed the last table. We were told we could have it until 6:30pm when a reservation was coming in. Not a prob for us, this place is pretty small so plan accordingly. Our group ordered four cocktails before switching to wine: Laura Palmer (earl grey vodka/lemonade), negroni, blueberry bourbon smash (the best of the four), spicy strawberry mezcal margarita all good and nicely presented. Food-wise we tried charcuterie (pork rillets, gin & juice salami (excellent), dried brasciole with pickled daikon and whole grain mustard. Fish tacos (delish), korean beef skewers (yummy), fried chicken and assorted pickled veggies (our favorite). Dessert we had the peach nectarine ricotta with olive oil polenta cake. Overall food and drinks solid but on the spendy side, service was great and attentive. A nice addition to downtown but make a res this place is going to be super popular. read more

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Finally got a chance to check out Pearl with my bestie. We made reservations and were promptly seated. The place is super cute! Just loved the decor and my friend gushed over the bathroom! The place is small and we found the acoustics were not great, it was a little hard to hear each other, but not that big of a deal. Our server was ahhhhmazing. They were out of many of the rose wines but she was able to suggest a perfect one. I like mine pale and dry and her recommendation was perfect. Very similar to whispering angel as she mentioned. My friend loves her margaritas so had the spicy strawberry one which she gushed over and said it was perfect. Her second drink was a glass of sparkling wine. I think the empire one which again was recommended by our server which she also loved. For food we got a bunch of plates. Started with bread. Delicious! Who doesn't love good bread and butter?!? Salmon Tartar, Brussels Salad, Chicken, and the corn. They were all good (although a little small of a portion considering price), and I really liked the chicken! The hot honey was delicious! My friend didn't like the chicken as much as I did but think that was attributed to the tiny side plates we were eating off. Would be great to have some larger side plates when sharing. The only dish which we didn't really like was the corn. It was a bit confusing and probably would have came across better off the Cobb and in a bowl to soak up all the sauces and cheese. All in all we had a great time and are so excited we have Pearl in town to go to! The drink program is SOLID. Looking forward to seeing how Pearl evolves in the coming months. read more

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Great food and service! Had an amazing meal here and the service was great too! Fairly new to Branford, will definitely be back! read more

Pearl Wine Bar - Salmon - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

Food very good, but small and no garnishes. It adds up but the quality is there. Service was friendly but slow last time. Nice ambiance. read more

We found ourselves in Branford on a sunny, early fall Sunday afternoon and we noticed Pearl Wine Bar! The bar area was empty but we were told the crowd is on the deck out back. We were fine with the quiet interior and were given a great table in the window! Our server gave us great wine suggestions--we enjoy thoroughly and for lunch we enjoyed three apps---a tasty crab cake, delicous mussels and a fun Mexican street corn interpretation of Brussels sprouts. What a fun and unexpected lunch. Presentation was great, server was personable. Quite good! read more

Pearl Wine Bar presents a serious late night noise problem in Branford Center. They blast music outside affecting everyone in the area. Last night a group of about 15 motorcyclists/customers disrupted the entire neighborhood with their engines revving, mulling around in the parking lot, and racing out onto Main Street. This type of customer activity is totally unwelcome. Pearl Wine Bar needs to rethink their late night offerings to respect the neighborhood. It is a shame to be a loved wine bar in the day and early evening and an unwelcome and disturbing hangout place in the late night. read more

The food was alright, it wasn't anything to write home about. We ordered the street corn Brussels sprouts and they seemed to lack flavor. We also had the Caesar salad and the dressing didn't taste fresh. The wine was good and the service was alright. I wouldn't go back but it wasn't the worst. read more

Our waitress was amazing! So attentive- gave great recommendations on what to order. She checked in on us and was friendly and pleasant. The other staff there was great too! Food was great! Loved the back patio! Music early in the night-Zach Bryan, Mt Joy was great(more hip hop as night went on but fun vibe). Would definitely go back! read more

The restaurant was very loud and crowded with people standing at the bar. The service was good but it was odd to see the entire staff taking shots at 7:30pm. Food is definitely overpriced for what you get. Probably wouldn't return. read more

Was looking forward to trying Pearl Wine Bar for a while and was disappointed. We arrived and although they had our reserved table set for inside, they kindly moved us to the nice back outdoor patio area which included various seating arrangements, with tables, couches, & fire pits, very nice. Everything was going well, drinks, calamari, charcuterie, and then dinner happened. We had 5 people in our party, 4 of us received our meals in a timely manner, but the 5th dinner was forgotten, & our waiter never verified that we had everything. After 10 minutes, I tracked down the manager on duty, and they finally put the order in, but it took a total of at least 25 minutes to get the order for our guest. The rest of our food cooled down, and although they deducted the cost of her dinner, the entree food review is marginal based on the missing entree, the wait, & an additional wait for the check. Although we didn't let this experience affect our night, it wasn't handled well, and we will not be returning. read more

Pearl Wine Bar is a very pretty place. We walked in and were impressed with the atmosphere. The bar area and tables are nice. It's a small place inside and they also have a nice outdoor patio area. I ordered a glass of wine which was great. My husband had a spiked cider bourbon cocktail which was really good as well! What a great combination of flavors. Pearl offers a 'small plates' menu which we love. It's great to be able to go somewhere, grab a drink or two, and not have to ordered a huge dinner. It was perfect for us. We shared mahi mahi tacos and a gnocchi dish. Both had great flavors and we enjoyed them. Staff and service was on point and accommodating. No complaints. Very nice place for a date night, something quick, or even to stop in a have a drink at their gorgeous bar. read more

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This place is a gem! New to Branford as of early July 2022, Pearl Wine Bar is fun, chic, and a massively great addition to the restaurants and night spots on the green. The decor is fun and contemporary, with cool touches like mixed media tables (poured resin and wood), comfy leather barstools with backs, and huge wood and resin bar. We saw online that that they were opening and ended up coming by on opening night! We sat at the bar and had fast, friendly service as we sampled several wines from across their list, (all were excellent and priced competitively). We came for the wine, but the food was also terrific. The menu is mostly small bites and sharable items, so we had a chance to sample several. The scallops were simply excellent, cooked perfectly with an amazingly savory light sauce. The beef skewers were equally good, and they came on a bed of caramelized onions that would have been delicious on their own. We also sampled a few desserts--all excellent, though if you're only having one, consider the pecharines (halfway between a peach and a nectarine), over the olive oil polenta cake. It sounds a bit savory, but if you find that many desserts are just too sugary, you'll love how lightly sweet it is with the complex layering of flavors. They've managed to make a place where you can either start your night with a glass of wine and a light snack before heading elsewhere, or where you can buckle down for a bottle and a series of plates to make a whole night of it. I can't wait to go back! read more

Pearl wine bar is a staple of Branford. The owner, Emily is one of the most down to earth amazing people I have ever met. food is 10/10, service even better. Such a warm feeling the second you walk in the door with great drinks, food and management. I cannot recommend this place more. read more

If I could give zero stars I would. This place was an absolute s*it show. When I picture a wine bar advertising itself as a quiet classy place, I don't expect to walk into a deafeningly loud, crazy situation. The staff was all over the place, drinking and mingling way too closely with the patrons. When a severely intoxicated young group came in, and we legitimately felt unsafe, a staff member saw our concerned faces and said 'don't worry, I'm making them mocktails.' How about kick them out and cut them off before someone gets hurt or drives? The wine was atrocious on top of it. While a diverse menu, the quality was extremely lacking. We absolutely will never be back. read more

Food- Excellent presentation , poor taste . We ordered the shrimp tacos and the Pork taco's. Both lacked any flavor . Service - Bartender was very nice , but very slow and not attentive to her small bar . Too busy dancing and chatting to , acknowledge receipt, a timely fashion. She gave us menus and walk away without asking if it was like anything to drink.. once she took our drink order. and delivered them. She never came back to take her food order. We had to flag down the bar back to put in our food . We were never offered a .2nd drink dispute empty glasses . And more importantly. We were never asked how our dinner was . E would have loved to inform her that there was a sizable bone in our pulled pork tacos . We had our half eaten plates sitting in front of us. Clearly indicating we were finished . She never looked our way . A young girl noticed and came bye to rage away our dishes . Ambiance - terrific - great music - great vibe , pretty restaurant . Just needs a good bartender . Pretty women behind the bar only goes so far . read more

Small intimate location. I sat at the bar and it appeared to be a local spot. I had mussels and French fries both are highly recommended. The staff were nice but not very interactive. read more

We were in Branford and wanted an early dinner. We hit the jackpot with Pearl. There was another couple at the bar having drinks with us having dinner-it felt like a private dining experience. The bartender and bus person and owner all were at our table making our dinner exceptional. It is a warm inviting restaurant with service and food to match. We had the Butternut Squash soup of the day which was rich and creamy. The Caesar was good. Mussels were plump and sauce was very good, but could have been a little lighter. The street corn and brussel sprouts were amazing. Wish Branford wasn't over an hour from our house. read more

Pearl is beautiful! The staff is wonderful, detailed and passionate! The food and drinks are delicious, I can't wait to go back

Best new spot in town. The atmosphere is so comfortable. Quite an extensive selection of wine. I do love their Flirtini as well. Last time I was there i tried the hamburger. Get ready for the best hamburger you have ever had. Seriously!! The wait staff is very friendly. We had Alisha. She was delightful and very helpful with suggestions. This place is a great addition to Branford. read more

Pearl Wine Bar - The holiday lights and subtle decorations were magical. - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

Food, drinks, service, ambiance and playlists are always amazing. One of my favorite places to go, even when standing room only, it's worth it to spend time here. Grateful for this business, it's always a fantastic experience to come here. read more

Went for date night with hubby and was very impressed. Atmosphere and food quality are both very important to me and Pearl comfortably checked all boxes. The menu is very concise and well curated to accommodate most needs yet I still had four very different options that I couldn't decide between because they all Sounded do delicious. Luckily our server was able to help narrow it down to two and I landed on the butternut squash ravioli. I know any of the options would have been perfect but seasonally this was the best choice. It was a perfect balance of sweetness from the poached pears and savory from browned butter. The textures also complimented each other well. The ravioli was a little al dente but not chewy; structurally important to balance the smooth squash inside and then the shaved Brussels sprouts had a nice crunch. My husband had the chicken tacos. Simple and delicious. Only suggestion he made was the salsa should have been less chilled or room temp for the flavors to come out a bit more. Definitely recommend for any occasion. Will be back to try the other options I couldn't have this time. read more

A small jewel on Main Street in Branford. The menu is limited, but the food is extraordinary. Our group ordered the Salmon and butternut Squash ravioli as our entrees. We tried the mussels appetizer and a Caesar Salad. The Mussels were served in a red wine broth. While we prefer the garlic, white wine, butter and lemon broth, but we found the Mussels very fresh and spiced right with pepper. Regrettably the Caesar Salad never arrived. Deducted a star for that. The Salmon was wild and served with quinoa. The Salmon was cooked just right as was the quinoa. We highly recommend this dish. The butternut squash Ravioli was the highlight of the night. The portion was generous and it was accompanied by a wonderful combination of cranberries, brussel sprouts and goat cheese. If we could have gotten a side bowl of this delightful combo we would have ordered it. Service was efficient with the only glitch being the ordered Caesar salad never arrived. The ambiance was a disappointment. The Pearl is small and has a room length bar with high top tables against the wall behind seating area of the bar and a couple of tables in alcoves facing the bustling sidewalk. There was a group of young men at the bar speaking in extremely loud tones which caused everyone else in the dining area to shout to be heard. We were located in the alcove facing the sidewalk and had to shout across the table to be heard. A huge red flag if you are seeking a more intimate and quiet dinner. This was our first time at the Pearl Wine Bar and as good as the food was we probably won't return due to the noise factor. If you are ok shouting across the table while sharing good food I would recommend the Pearl, but if you are seeking a place with good food and an environment conducive to holding a conversation across the table speaking in normal voice I recommend you go somewhere else. read more

What a nice surprise! This is a cozy space, not much more than a very nice bar and table seating for maybe 30. (It was too cold for outdoor seating.) We had cocktails, selected cheese and meat for a well-appointed charcuterie board that came with delicious spreads, nuts and other items, and for entrees we had the burger and wedge salad. The wedge salad was delish and the burger was very good (it was a burger after all) and it came with fries that my wife could not leave alone. Since we were late making reservations we were early but it was already pretty crowded when we arrived and full when we left, so reservations - at least on the weekends - are a must. We felt the service was attentive, the food came at the right time, and the value was good. We'll be back read more