Visited on a beautiful Sunday and sat outside on the patio, which was such a nice experience. The ambiance was great, the service was attentive, and everything we ordered tasted fresh and flavorful. One thing that stood out was the ceviche. The flavors were good, but it felt a little heavy on the cucumbers, avocado, and greens, and a little light on the seafood itself. For the price, I was hoping for a bit more fish. Overall, it was a really enjoyable meal in a beautiful setting, and I'd definitely come back to enjoy the patio and try more dishes. read more

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Growing up in Austin I couldn't believe I had yet to go to Perla's. It was a perfect spring night and the weather was great for sitting outside. We had an 8:30 reservation and they were about to seat us inside but when we asked for an outdoor table, they worked their magic and got us a great spot on the patio under the twinkle lights. I ordered a glass of wine and the lobster pasta dish. It was fantastic but oh so rich. I could only eat half and I was completely full. Took the rest for later. I get the hype of this place from the vibe to the food. read more

Perla's - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

Want to give a huge shoutout to Monique (OG Austinite) who took care of us this weekend. Not only was she extremely knowledgeable about the menu. She was very accommodating and demonstrated a wonderful customer experience. This wasn't our first time to Perlas, but hope we get to work with her again soon. Holmes O read more

Haven't been for a hot minute and the vibe was def a bit different. Had a reservation for 6:45, arrived around 6:50 and was sat right away. The restaurant was busy and the energy very high. Elias was the person who assisted me and the service was fine just a couple of missed opportunities. I asked for recommendation between the shells and cheese or the crab grits, Elias immediately recommended the shells and cheese. There was an add on for Crab that I forgot to ask about and I totally would have gone for it. Missed opportunity number one. Second was for dessert, that wasn't recommended at all. I love me a good dessert so was a bit disappointed. Follow up after the meal arrived was delayed almost as an after thought when the table next to me wrapped up. Anyhoo got the sea bass and the shells and cheese both were and that ma. And cheese is to die for. Soooo damn good. Overall still a solid place jservixe could have used a bit of improvement. read more

Perla's - Baked Shells & Cheese - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Our last day in Austin 6/6/26 and the wife and I couldn't have picked a better place to end our week. We had a great server named Jacob he just made the visit the best. Great cocktails to go with grits w/crab, a meat lover's omelette, best gumbo, deviled eggs and best biscuits in Texas. We will be back to this place if its the only place we eat at in Austin period! read more

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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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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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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All home cooked meals full of flavor. My favorite meal is breakfast. Go early to get the freshest pastries! read more

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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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

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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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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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

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

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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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

We love this place so much - Jackson was incredible!!! We come all the time and this has been one of our favorite experiences. Food was incredible as always and Jackson had great recs read more

Five stars isn't enough for Perla's. A week ago, I was having one of those days where nothing seemed to be going right. The man I've been seeing decided the best cure was dinner at Perla's, and what started as an attempt to cheer me up turned into one of the most memorable nights I've had in a long time. From the moment we walked in, we felt genuinely welcomed. We started with raw oysters, grilled oysters, the wedge salad, Spanish octopus, and the cheeseburger. Every dish was exceptional. We paired everything with a couple of dirty gin martinis and, of course, the crème brûlée martini, which was every bit as delicious as it sounds. What truly made the evening special, though, wasn't just the food. It was the people. Cassidy and Colby behind the bar went above and beyond to make us feel taken care of. Their warmth, attention to detail, and ability to create a personalized experience transformed a great meal into an unforgettable night. They have that rare gift of making guests feel seen, welcomed, and valued. The manager was equally impressive. He stopped by our table several times throughout the evening to make sure everything was perfect and that we were enjoying ourselves. It wasn't the quick, routine check-in you often get at restaurants. It felt genuine and sincere, and it reflected the culture of hospitality that seems to run throughout the entire team. In fact, the night turned out so perfectly that by the end of dinner, my date asked me to be his girlfriend. Two nights later, we returned with his brother and sister-in-law, who were visiting from out of town. Once again, Perla's delivered an exceptional experience. This time we enjoyed the New York strip, ahi tuna, redfish, grits, a few cocktails, and the salted butterscotch pot de crème, which was the perfect ending to another incredible meal. While the food at Perla's is undeniably delicious, what truly sets this place apart is its people. Great restaurants can serve great food. Exceptional restaurants create moments people remember. The team at Perla's does exactly that. Their genuine hospitality, attention to detail, and personalized service are the restaurant's greatest asset. Thank you to Cassidy, Colby, the manager, and everyone at Perla's for helping turn a difficult day into a beautiful memory and for making us eager to come back just days later. Some restaurants serve meals. Perla's creates experiences that stay with you long after you've left. 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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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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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

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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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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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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The ambiance was great. I forgot my phone at the vacation rental house so I didn't get a photo of the app my husband and I shared recommended by our server when we said we really just wanted a cold drink/cocktail/beer and something very light to share. She told us the taco on the app menu was really delicious and light and she was right. They were perfect, came 2 one for each with salmon crunch greens and pickled red onions on a crispy tortilla was amazing and satisfying as a snack. I had a blood Mary which was super filling and my husband had an IPA I also ordered a ginger beer which was so nice and refreshing. I've noticed ginger beer is much more popular in Austin than ginger ale, I love it so thats great. Perla had a beautiful patio facing the main road with great people watching on S Congress. It's in the heart of the area and truly feels special to sit there with beautiful striped umbrellas and the city going on around it. So nice. read more

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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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

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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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

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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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

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