Came on a Saturday evening during SXSW with a party of 4. Wait time was quoted an hour which was reasonable given the time and amount of people on south congress. You are given are complimentary hush puppies. Can't comment on those as hush puppies aren't my personal favorite regardless. We ordered the grilled oysters and calamari as a starter. The oysters were nice and had a small kick with the pepper. The calamari was a bit underwhelming, I've had better else where. I ordered the potato crusted sea bass and a side of brussel sprouts. The dish was buttery and well cooked. The sprouts had a nice flavor and cook to them as well. I would definitely reorder that. The table has shared some Mac and cheese which I enjoyed and tasted the red snapper entree which had a more mild, tomato based flavor that wasn't bad but wasn't life changing. Overall, a lot of the dishes sound appetizing and for the most part were. At this price point I'd want all dishes to be equally as good and that's where one star was taken. read more

If there's a birthday occasion, they put this cuuUute postcard with handwritten notes. That's a nice gesture. Service is really nice, patient, and helpful! My boyfriend and I ordered the Poco Platter, which was a good choice to try the oyster, clam ceviche, lobster, crab leg, and scallops. The scallop they have is sooo good. We also got the grilled oyster, which was really good. For entrees, we got the lobster bucatini and the sea bass, which both were SOOO good. Highly recommend! I'm a huge dessert person, and we got the butterscotch pot de creme, which is basically a really good butterscotch pudding thing. SooOooO good!! You need to try their desserts!! read more

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Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! The food here is top class. Fresh seafood and ingredients coupled with unique flavors make this a must do. We started with the lobster roll which was perfection. Stacked high with lobster meat in a delicious mayo based sauce. Drizzle it with melted butter and it's heaven. The Swordfish skewers basted in a curry sauce were delicious. Just bursting with flavor. Service was excellent and friendly. read more

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Great food, service, ambience. The snapper collar came with 2 huge collars and was amazing. The chimichirri is loaded with cilantro so be careful if you don't like it. Great meal. read more

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Met a couple of friends for brunch at Perla's last weekend prior to boot and shoe shopping. A couple of us split a bottle of prosecco for mimosas. Our other friend is doing dry January. I loved my dish with sausage, egg in the hole, and oysters. Great flavors and variety! My other friends like their sandwiches/po-boys. I'm glad my friend made a reservation because the place was really busy. We parked in the nearby garage and had it validated at the restaurant, which was useful because I'm not great at back in parking! It had been a long time since I'd been to Perla's. It's a great location to eat before or after walking around SoCo! read more

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Love Perla's. Tuna tostada is sooo good and fresh. It was crowded but everyone was attentive and friendly. They have alot of fun shareable appetizers too which I love. read more

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Ambiance: great for people watching on the patio along South Congress. Literally a Waymo stopping on the corner every other 2-3 minutes or cruising along for those who are interested. Tables aren't spaced too tightly inside, but you can hear the next table's conversation if you care. The high ceiling helps to diffuse the noise without feeling stuffy. Service: just right without being annoying Self check-in type of parking with your car plate number with the tablet up front, I think within 15 mins of parking. Two hour validated parking at Premium Parking in the back. Food: paying top $$$$ for seafood. Lobster roll is $41. Po boy / shrimp / fish roll is $25 with fries which seem like a better deal. Didn't skimp on anything but yea, $41 kinda hurts but satisfies the lack of good seafood in Austin. Baguette on the roll was lightly toasted and it was a fresh baguette. Pretty expansive food and beverage menu to satisfy everyone. read more

Perla's - Oyster Po-Boy - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Perla's patio is so pretty. The food was good and they have lots of fun cocktails. However they are busy so service is very slow. I liked the lobster roll but it didn't blow me away. Don't forget to make a reservation! read more

Perla's - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

Hubs made reservations for my birthday. Just two of us. It was a Friday early dinner. We were seated inside very quickly. Loved the card they had there for me. Here's my review. Service 5 stars. Hostess was great. Our server was kind, patient, answered our questions and made great suggestions. Food runners and bar were top notch. Ambience 5 stars. All the details at the table, cleanliness, decor, aquarium were wonderful. Drinks 4 stars! We had a few of their special drinks and later a bday tequila shot! Food 3 stars. I was disappointed. I had really high expectations. Started with New Orleans BBQ shrimp. I was excited because I love NOLA BBQ shrimp. The focaccia it came with was lovely but besides butter and heat, there wasn't anything NOLA about it. Looked pretty. Our entrees were crispy snapper, fried Gulf prawns and herb fries. Husband loves snapper but said it was okay. Prawns were good but the tartar tasted like plain mayo. The remoulade sauce was good though. Fries were meh. We only ate a few each. We didn't have dessert. Overall, I enjoyed the visit but wished my food was better. It was fine. For the price and ambience, my expectations of flavor were let down. Maybe I'll give it another go someday. read more

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Last night Halloween) we ate at Perla's for the first time and sat on the outdoor patio. Was a fantastic night, watching people dressed up, walking up and down South Congress. But it could've been any night. The wedge salad with lump crab meat, and thousand island dressing was different than most traditional wedge salads. But I found it refreshing and different. I wish it came with croutons or some bread. I felt like I needed some starch with the salad. But it was quite good. Now the Seabass was fantastic. The sauce was lemony and buttery and absolutely delicious and the crunchy potato scallops as a crust was a great touch. They actually look like little tiny scales. It was a pretty thin cut of meat however it was just delicious. I highly recommend. Service was top-notch and everyone was great read more

Perla's - Mediterranean Sea Bass a la Plancha - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

Wonderful place inside and out. Reservation for one and got the option of inside or outside dining. Inside as I dresses for a/c. lol. Yusuf (sorry on spelling) and Joel were great and very attentive. Yusuf gave several recommendations and if I had others to share with easily could have tried more things. Got the redfish and Brussel sprouts and the peach tart for dessert. Everything was amazing, the fish melted in your mouth. The Brussel sprout sauce was to die for and the tart very tasty. Want a fan of the honey comb on the tart as it was similar to toffee which stuck to my teeth. Otherwise the ambiance was relaxed and loved the wall of doggies! They will take a Polaroid of doggies that visit the patio and stick them to the wall. So clever and nice to see all the friendly furry faces. read more

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Perla's is a great spot to visit on Soco! The decorated oysters are delish, I love grabbing a few snack items and sitting on the patio to people watch! read more

The salt & jalapeño fried calamari is light, crispy, and just spicy enough to keep you reaching for more. The Hokkaido scallops risotto was nicely seared. The real star was the lobster bucatini with plenty of lobster and perfectly cooked pasta. Overall, an easy choice for a relaxed but elevated seafood meal. read more

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My wife and I had an amazing experience at Perla's. I love the ambiance and the outdoor seating, especially when it's a nice day outside in Austin. The food was absolutely delicious. We ordered the ceviche, po boy, and gumbo. Everything was phenomenal. I liked the addition of a fried egg in the gumbo, which I've never seen before. The drinks were great. I tried the Banana Boat. It was very spirit forward, which I enjoyed. Overall, a great experience and we will definitely return. read more

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You really can't beat Perla's location on Congress. After a little walking and shopping, this is the perfect place to stop for a cold drink and some light, fresh seafood. The atmosphere feels classic Austin--easygoing, lively, and right in the middle of everything. The drinks are excellent, and their weekend mimosas are a standout. Brunch here is always on point, whether you're going all in or just grabbing a small plate and enjoying the scene. Even if you're only in the mood for a little seafood and a drink, Perla's hits the spot. Service is quick and professional, but it does get busy--wait times can be long, so I definitely recommend making a reservation if you can. Perfect location, great drinks, and consistently good seafood. Perla's is an easy win downtown read more

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If you're looking for legit seafood in Austin, this is the place. It's pretty expensive, so don't go in expecting the best bang for your buck. We really enjoyed our seabass and scallops. So it's worth the money if you're willing to spend it! We sat inside due to weather but the outside patio is an absolute dream. Try to sit out there if you can! read more

Curren and Rachel gave my friends and I the most incredible service and experience for our group girls dinner in Austin. I've been to Perla's several times and it's always a great time, food, and atmosphere, but what made this visit stick out was the thoughtful care and personable touch that was put into our dinner. Rachel went out of our way to make sure we were enjoying our dinner without interruption, Curren was friendly, helpful, and fun. We have all discussed how it's one of the most memorable experiences we've had in a bit and would love to come back together! Thanks for making our trip! read more

I haven't had a lobster roll in so long, so the one at Perla's hit the spot. Vibes were cute, service was great! Make a reservation though, walk in is not guaranteed. read more

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I visited Perla's a few weeks ago with my partner. We did not have a reservation, but walked in and were seated shortly after. The host(s) sat us at the bar to wait for a table, which was finishing up and needed to be cleaned. We maybe sat for 5-10 minutes and then got to our table. We tried to order a drink at the bar (which the hosts told us to do there) but could not get anyone's attention. We were able to order once we sat at our table, of course. Once sat, our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. Our food came out quickly. I ordered a crab salad, and my partner got the lobster roll. Both were pretty expensive. I'm from New York, and these challenged New York prices. The food was tasty, but not exactly worth the price tag. read more

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Came here for a brunch with family. It was busy but thankfully we had reservations. Service was friendly and prompt. Our server had excellent recommendations on the raw oysters-- I enjoyed them all. We also got the grilled oysters, which were good but honestly, next time I'll just order more raw oysters. We also got lobster rolls and the red fish on a half shell and everything was really good. The lobster roll was filled with lobster meet. Definitely worth it. The red fish was one of the best we've had and will be back just for the red fish. I also like how they have a few options for NA drinks including beers. We've gone to Perla's throughout the years in the past 15 years and have enjoyed it each time. It's really busy now so make a reservation. Their menu changes so that keeps things interesting. They validate parking for 2 hours in the garage behind it. Remember your license plate number as you will need that to validate your parking via the tablet at the hostess stand. We came for a casual brunch but Perla's is also great for birthdays, celebrations, etc. read more

Food: our table ordered oysters, the biscuits, the mahi sandwich, calamari, the lobster roll and a burger with bacon. Recommendations here are get the biscuits! They come with a whipped strawberry butter and they were sooooo delicious. The lobster roll was our second favorite. The presentation alone was enough to make you drool. The mahi we ordered blackened and it was decent. I am a harsh critic if Mahi being a Miami resident for years. The bed was soft and slightly toasted but it needed a sauce other than the tartar sauce. Service: our waiter answered all of our questions and we had plenty. He suggested certain oysters when they didn't have the original style we wanted. I wish I could remember his name but it was delightful and patient and I even told him he deserved a raise. Ambiance: patio was cute. Right on Congress so people watching was worth it. We sat inside and that was feeling coastal or Greek. Deep blues and clean linen. Chefs kiss read more

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We did get seated almost immediately on a really busy game day. But I have to say we were underwhelmed by the food. The brioche French toast was delicious with toasted coconut and berries, but the other dish we got was the lobster egg white frittata, and that dish was sad. The lobster was beyond chewy, the egg was unseasoned, and overall it lacked any type of texture. Ultimately we didn't even finish it, which is sad because it was really quite expensive. I do have to say, our waitress was so kind, we were on a time crunch and she made sure we got our food and were able to pay super quickly. The place is cute and the idea is nice, it is really loud when busy, with lots of indoor and outside seating, read more

The menu has changed a bit since my previous visit. I thoroughly enjoyed the fish po-boy. The bread was perfection, flaky outside and soft/buttery inside. I do wish they had tobacco sauce but the Louisiana was suitable. read more

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Always Outstanding!!! From service, to food to ambiance, this place is top tier! Go see Louisa, Curran & Kas at the bar!

Perla's remains a fave for seafood. Great food and service - thanks Emma for fantastic service and the fried okra suggestion read more

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I've passed by Perla's a million times within the 10 years I've lived here and had never dined with them until this week. The pricing of their menu and lack of available reservations served as a deterrent. Well, I'm happy to say I had the best first visit I could've imagined. I opted to go during their "Afternoon Snack" hours (window between their lunch and dinner menus) and grabbed a bar seat right away. I didn't get to order from their full menu but, it wasn't an issue since I went there for the oysters. I loved the variety of oyster options (FOURTEEN) and enjoyed the cocktails I ordered (margarita, paloma and Mexican martini). Their bartender, Cass, was amazing and very accommodating. He hooked us up with some complimentary hush puppies and chatted with our group in his downtime. I have no doubt I'll return to try their full menu! read more

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I'm frequently in Austin and this is one of my go-tos. The food: excellent. I just ate a life changing swordfish skewer that's marinated in a magical cilantro situation and with a little dollop of some kind of Thai curry aioli. Comes with sumptuous crab fried rice deliciousness. I might come back for it again tomorrow. Bar: mixed cocktails are on point Vibe: upscale, romantic, low lighting, but modern and chill. Music is loud enough to hear but not so loud you can't carry on a convo. Personally, I like sitting at the bar and talking to the mixologists and the guys shocking oysters but outside is also great as are indoor tables. I love everything about Perla's. Also: you can hop across the street and see amazing music at Continental Club , no matter the act. I live in the NYC area and this is as a good , if not better than most places - hands down. read more

Did some shopping on the SoCo strip and stopped here to cool off with cocktails and a few bites. The outside patio is definitely the place to sit (they have outside fans). Staff were friendly and accommodated us easily even though we did not have a resy. Will definitely be back the next time I'm in ATX. read more

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This review is for Gabby, who served our family & infant earlier this week. You win Server of the Year. We can't put into words how awesome & knowledgeable you were to us. Your recommendations were great and the level of service you provided was second to none. Keep shining and we can't wait to join you again for dinner. - Holmes read more

Perla's on Congress was the perfect spot for a birthday dinner. From the moment we walked in the ambiance set the tone warm lively and upscale without feeling stuffy. The food was absolutely amazing fresh flavorful and beautifully presented and every dish we tried exceeded expectations. The service truly stood out. It was attentive friendly and thoughtful especially for a special occasion and made the night feel celebratory without being overbearing. If you are looking for a place with incredible food excellent service and a great atmosphere for a birthday or special night out Perla's is a must and we will definitely be back. read more

Perla's... one of the true loves of my life. This is a phenomenal restaurant, and it's remained that way over the years. The service is always spectacular, the food never misses, and the atmosphere is upscale coastal without being stuffy. You can't go wrong with their fresh oysters, lobster roll, and their gumbo and grits (for brunch only). Probably our top spot in Austin! read more

Perla's is my new favorite seafood place in Austin! They have an amazing ambiance and I love how expansive the front patio is. Definitely book a reservation ahead of time outside if you're able. I highly recommend the ceviche and avocado starter. It's very refreshing and pairs well with the main courses. They also validate your parking if you park in the garage behind, which is greatly appreciated since parking on South Congress can be very tough. Highly recommend coming here on a nice summer day sitting on the patio. read more

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Jake was a fantastic server and pointed me to all the right options for oysters and appetizers. 10/10

We were looking forward to our visit to Perla's, but ultimately underwhelmed. The ambiance is that of a more casual nature, which is to be expected as a SoCo restaurant, however, the food was quite disappointing considering the price. I had the Lobster Thermidor, which was very pedestrian, and my wife had the Sea Bass, which was quite dry, and telling that my wife didn't finish it. We also had a Chocolate Layer Cake for dessert, which was quite well presented. The service was pretty good, friendly, and quite competent, without being overbearing. Over all we didn't feel that the experience warranted the price, it's maybe a better choice to drop in for a drink and a few appetizers, other's perception may vary. read more

Perla's has one of the best patios on South Congress, offering a breezy, shaded escape under oak trees with a laid-back yet upscale vibe. Their grilled oysters are charred and buttery, pairing beautifully with a crisp drink. Get in before the weather gets too hot, and be sure to make a reservation.... the patio fills up fast!! read more

Perla's - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

Went to see the bats on south congress and ended up hungrier than expected for dinner so we stopped by Perlas and luckily, they had some open tables and was able to seat us. We did not get any seafood this time. We got the two steak options, NY strip and Ribeye and wow. Some of the best steak I've ever had. We got the herb butter and the bernaise sauce on the side and let me tell you, the bernaise sauce dish plate was licked clean, i've never had such a yummy sauce! I drenched every bite of my steak in that sauce. We sat outside and loved the atmosphere, the sparkly string lights and the table set up. I definitely will be back to get some fresh seafood! read more

Perla's - Steak - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

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We almost passed this restaurant by based on the 3.5 star rating. Thank the god of the cornucopia that we stayed! Forget the standard bread basket. Perla's features unlimited hush puppies in a basket. A hint of jalapeño, infused with actual corn and buttery soft on the inside. Chef's kiss. Perhaps the highlight is the homemade tartar! Just the right amount of lemon zing. While our waitress was perhaps A *wee bit* distracted, that didn't take away from our experience. The little gems salad was perfect. (Added shrimp) The dressing was the highlight! Speaking of highlights, the blue ribbon goes to the ever loving French Toast. My my my. Get you one for the table. read more

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We met a friendly person in Houston who insisted this was the spot, so we stopped by. It was Saturday brunch time on Congress Ave, so the place was packed, but we were able to snag a table near the kitchen. With the caveat that we had to eat quickly, we sure did. The selection of fresh oysters were great and we got to try some new ones. We also had the world grilled oysters that were so-so. I had the shrimp and grits which was very tasty but light on shrimp and heavy on spice. read more

This place sure is popular! The wait time was less than they quoted on a Friday evening. We got to sit outside which is more than perfect on a warm evening - the lights are super cute! Our waitress was really helpful with cocktail recommendations- I loved the frozé! For food we shared the calamari and the lobster roll. The calamari was perfectly cooked - not soggy or super chewy and even tho it was fried it still felt super light and airy. The lobster roll was more than amazing and an easy sharing portion. The bun is super buttery and the lobster was plentiful I would 10/10 get this again. I can't wait to come back and explore more of the menu! read more

Perla's - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

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If you're looking for a catch of the day type of restaurant, this is it. They change their menu daily based on what fresh seafood they have picked for the day. They do have staples that they keep on the menu also. We started with fresh raw oysters from the East Coast. Hubby and I split 1/2 dozen Sandspit, MA oysters and 1/2 dozen Big Gulp, FL oysters. They were a pretty good size and tasted great. I liked the Sandspit ones were a tad bigger and thicker in size. For my entree I had the butter poached halibut and ordered a side of the blue crab grits. I really enjoyed the crust on the fish and it was light. The sauce paired really well with it. The crab grits made a really good side and it tasted good together. I would have wanted to see more crab in the grits but they were creamy and flavorful. Our server was excellent. He was the one that suggested we try the halibut since it was one of those daily catch of the day options. FYI, they do have a parking garage behind the restaurant and they validate for two hours. We did not know this and had already paid for street parking. We say the sign for the validation when we walked in to get a table. It is an expensive restaurant and sides are not included with your dish. The food is great, but in pricey side. read more

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