This place is amazing! The oysters are fresh and the entrees are well put together. I had the crab florentine and my fiancé had the tres leches french toast. Everything down to the mimosas were absolutely perfect. Our server was attentive and very sweet! read more

Perla's - Crab florentine - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Hit this place for lunch while in town. Open floor plan, plenty of seating outside. Service is outstanding. Started with the oysters, half from the west and the other from the east. Perfection. So fresh and the presentation was top notch. Shrimp Po'boy was a bit too big, it was so tall you couldn't eat it. I just ate the wonderful shrimp on the inside. I hate wasting food - it you have a large appetite - order it. read more

Only stopped in for a couple of drinks on the patio so I can't review the food, but extra star for this great server who recommended a bunch of cool spots for us tourists. Ok beer selection, but the wine list was extensive. Beautiful interior if you're dining there. read more

Great service & gorgeous ambiance I have been here a few different times over the years & I always have a wonderful experience! Great for groups! read more

Not impressed, not disappointed, kind of meh. Perla's is one of those restaurants I always pass and never tried, so I finally did. Perla's has a prime spot on Soco and lovely a atmosphere. We were seated right away despite it being a busy Friday night. Our waiter came around and explained our menu and was never seen again...We were looking around to put in our orders after waiting about 20mins. A lady (I'm assuming a manager) saw us looking around and came to help us. She was very apologetic about the whole situation and ended up giving us our appetizer on the house. I do appreciate the recovery in service but our original waiter made it very awkward for the rest of the night, walking by and not saying anything and avoiding eye contact, weird. For our appetizer we got the calamari which was a pretty big portion. A little greasy but nice. For my entree I got the potato crusted sea bass and my boyfriend got the grilled Atlantic swordfish and a side of fries. The fries were so salty, our lips were burning after. My fish was very delicate and nice but the bed of chard it was on was not good. The lemon was too sour. My boyfriends swordfish was okay, again the greens were not nice on his plate either. As someone from the northeast who eats a lot of fish and seafood, all of it was a bit underwhelming for that price point. Meh, probably won't revisit. read more

Perla's - Salt and Jalapeno Pepper Fried Calamari - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

I came here from Galveston in 2013 and I don't know where my Yelp review went; this happens a lot...old reviews are just gone?! I had fried shrimp and martinis...can't remember what my friend had but we left impressed! read more

I liked it...the chargrilled oysters were honestly the best I've had in a long time. I would definitely order these and a few fresh as well. The pasta and lobster entree was great, the sauce itself made the entire dish for me. Would definitely come again for one of the coveted brunch resys! It was a nice birthday dinner for me. read more

Perla's - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

We decided to grab some oysters and a couple of cocktails before our bat viewing. First, parking could be difficult during prime time however we were there before 7 and found a close place to park along the side street. We entered and were welcomed right away. She offered us a lounge seat but it is actually low seating behind a high stool counter. We chose not. However, if you wanted to kiss and flirt without total display, this would be the spot! Since we weren't feeing that at the moment, we chose to sit at the inside bar since there was a 30+ min wait. So glad we did. This establishment has a great vibe, nice music and excellent food. I ordered one of the cucumber/vodka special drinks. We knew we wanted oysters and they had 10 kinds to choose from. Jason (has very deep voice) was behind the bar and was attentive. We explained what we liked and his recommendations were spot on. We enjoyed all 12 and decided to split an entree. We went with the crusted halibut which was served with leeks and peas and one of their small salads (Katie salad I think). Our salad came with our dinner which we would have preferred first but we didn't specify !?! The salad was fresh but we both thought the vinaigrette was a bit tart but we did enjoy it. OMFG the halibut was mouthwatering. Let me explain. The fish was fresh and cooked to perfection. We both had an issue with the crust. It was tough and chewy. Sounds weird right? I had 2 bites with the crust and then easily peeled it off and enjoyed the fish. Here's what made it to die for, the sauce. It was incredible; so tasty, perfect consistency, and complimented the entire dish. The peas were plenty and also very fresh. The leeks were charred a bit and also cooked perfect and worked well with the dish. Again, I highly recommend if you come to Austin. read more

With face masks and limited seating capacities in place, Perla's still delivered with flying colors! The crab cakes appetizer and lobster rolls were phenomenal. Twinkling lights on the patio and a several fan misters assisted in making dining outside enjoyable. Yes, there is indoor dining available but we chose to sit outside. If you come to Perla's willing to splurge a little, you will not be disappointed! The food and cocktails are truly mouth watering and top notch. Both the lobster roll and the Alaskan halibut practically melted in your mouth. Cocktails wise, you can't go wrong with the Octopus' Garden; it's similar to a French 76. Even with all that is going on in Austin, Perla's is still delivering Excellent food and great friendly service! read more

The best seafood in Austin. Their lobster pasta dish is one of my favorites and I always have to get it whenever I'm in town. Vibes are great and very open ambiance. It's just a happy refreshing energy every time I come here here. read more

A delicious seafood spot with cute outdoor seating! (Beware of aggressive birds outdoors though!) My friend and I came here for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed our meals and drinks. I ordered fish and chips while she ordered a cheeseburger. With my order, I confirmed that their fish was great- fresh, perfectly crispy, and soft and flakey inside. The fries were perfectly seasoned and generously portioned in my order. My friend enjoyed her cheeseburger as well (also came with fries), so it sounds like Perla's can do meat well too. We ordered drinks with our food as well. I got the Purple Rain (mezcal with lavender and lemon) and my friend got the Hibiscus Breeze (vodka, ginger, hibiscus, lemon, sparkling wine). Both were lovely and tasty, in addition to looking super pretty. The outdoor seating is very aesthetic and great for a nice outdoor brunch/lunch. I can see it being romantic at night with the string lights overhead as well too. My friend and I were seated at the lounge chairs (not at the typical tables with seats) and we liked the vibe, but there seems to be a lot of birds that come around and they get quite aggressive. Either the same bird or two birds stole my fries in two separate instances- it was pretty jarring and distracting, but otherwise the outdoor seating is nice. Overall, great seafood spot and a nice place for brunch/lunch in particular! read more

See all

I can't believe I haven't reviewed Perla's yet. It's one of my favorite restaurants in Austin, and my go-to for showing out-of-town visitors a good time. The seafood is always fresh and delicious. Their oyster selection is always amazing. Being situated right in the middle of South Congress, it feels trendy and very Austin. The service is top notch. The spacious outdoor patio is the perfect place to while away a beautiful Austin evening. Definitely a must for anyone who likes seafood! read more

Good food. Profoundly disappointing table service. I guess if you're booked customer service not a priority. Never brought one dish and had to repeatedly ask for drink order. read more

It's almost not fair to give this review because we didn't explore that much on the menu as we usually would. However, it's still deserving. My girlfriends and I came for "afternoon snacks" aka happy hour, and ordered east side oysters and their Ceviche, with some cocktails (fyi drinks are super tiny and not very strong so I wasn't impressed with only that). When dinner menu came, like a bunch of little girls we ordered a pile of fries, Mac and cheese, and a bottle of wine! All jokes aside, the service was very attentive and great. And every thing we ate was sooo fresh, and impeccably good! I think I hogged most of the Mac because it was THAT delicious. Can't wait to come back and try more dishes. Will probably update this review then! read more

See all

Well, their are moments, and then there are incredible moments! We spent six hours here yesterday, sitting under the canopy of trees in perfect weather. Our friend joined us four hours into the day and said wow, this is a special place. Molly took amazing care of us, and that's because she cares. If I live in Austin, I'd buy this place! Makes me want to move to Austin. Thank you Molly, we will be back. read more

See all

We arrived at transition from afternoon small plates to dinner - Matt our server was calm and cheerful and informative and flexible and managed our requests so nicely. Plus the food and wine were delicious. #catalinawinemixer read more

Perla's... we came here for a birthday dinner and was surprised, but not in awe. Atmosphere: The outside patio was beautiful, but the inside decorations could be updated. I did get the under-the-sea kind of vibe, but then the red/dim lighting in the back made all of us fall asleep. Young waiters, but around mid-20's/our age, which was nice and relatable. I still wish we were sat more in the front with better lighting. We started off with x2 Cosmo's and some beer (not sure on the strength). Appetizer: Fish & Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado & Fresh Fried Tostaditos. Would recommend Main-Course: They were out of the Oak grilled bone-in halibut, so I opted for the Pan Roasted Nova Scotian Halibut w/ Herb Salad, Grilled Lemon, and garlic drawn butter. I would definitely order this one again.. but get a different sauce 2. Oak Grilled Texas Gulf Redfish on the Halfshell 3. Crispy Texas Gulf Snapper w/ Lemon Spinach, Spicy Sofrito 4. Perla's Bouillabaisse w/ Oak Grilled Baguette, Saffron Rouille 5. Lobster Roll, Bibb Lettuce, House Mayo, Drawn Butter* Wouldn't recommend 6. Not sure what else. Sides: 1. Baked shells & cheese Add: Lobster (Not too much lobster) The mac & cheese was on the heavy side. 2. Fries (Usual, but nothing special) Overall, the seafood was delicious, but anything else was nothing special. read more

See all

I'll have to say with this being my second visit, Perla's is shaping up to be one of my favorite restaurants in Austin! I absolutely love the patio with lights, fans, umbrellas, plenty of seating while still allowing for social distancing, and great music. They are so many yummy options for brunch, lunch, and dinner, I suggest you try all 3 menus. For dinner we started out with an app of salt & jalapeño pepper calamari. The kicking green sauce was great; the marina was bland. The lobster roll was great & overflowed with huge lobster chunks! The seared rare ahi tuna with drawn butter was perfect as was the bread & butter Alaskan halibut. Please do yourself a favor and do not sleep on the king crab parmesan grits...stupid delicious! For dessert, we had the 17, yes, 17 layer cake & salted butterscotch pot de creme. The pot de creme took top honors! read more

Every time I eat at Perla's I say the same thing, "This is the best meal that I've ever had". This is the go-to restaurant when hosting my friends on special occasions. Their Crispy Gulf Snapper with lemon spinach and spicy sofrito is a great example how Perla's is able to combine all the right accompaniments to achieve a phenomenal flavor. Everything on their menu is prepared with the same skillfulness of a 5-star chef. But the real surprise is their weekend brunch, OMG! You don't know whether to go with the mouth watering Lobster Omelette with melted leeks, white cheddar and chives or the palate pleasing Crab Florentine, poached eggs on an English muffin topped with lump crab meat, griddled tomato, lemon spinach and Hollandaise - heck, go ahead and order both. Perla's means "pearl" in Spanish and this is definitely a unique pearl indeed. read more

See all

First off- the customer service. Outstanding. We felt like the only ones there in a place full of other people. The food was delicious and fresh! I can't wait to bring family back to eat here. read more

Perla's - Iceberg Wedge , Green Onion , Marinated Tomatoes Homemade thousand island dressing with jumbo lump crab. Ah-mazinggggg - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

Wow, what an amazing dinner! There were nine of us that went for dinner, seating was fast and efficient. It is a seafood-based restaurant, that prints their menus daily so that the choices are all fresh and current. They are known for their oysters, and the people that ate them at our table said they were great. We had raw and we had fried. I am not a huge fan, so I did not have any. I personally had the crusted Seabass, and it was one of the best fish dishes I've ever had. Desserts were also amazing as were the cocktails. Not really a place for kids but you could easily take a work group there, or a romantic dinner for two. They even separated our checks individually for a group. Which was very very nice. read more

See all

Still a 5 star restaurant...tried more things and loved them. Got the creole grilled oysters again and PEI mussels in the Modelo especial for appetizers. For sides, definitely get the lobster Mac and cheese and the corn and Brussel sprouts are also really good. For those who are lazy like me, yes it's off the cob! For the entrees, scallops are delicious, grouper was good. Service by Rachel was great! read more

See all

Perla's manages to live up to most of its hype! Very solid overall, I particularly enjoyed the lobster roll and prickly pear frozen margarita (which wasn't at all syrupy or sickly something I often find happens with flavored margs). Definitely a fun spot to meet friends on south Congress. read more

Perla's - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

We tried perlas for the very fists time and we are completely obsessed. Best food in Austin so far! The calamari and ceviche were delicious not to mention the steak and lobster spaghetti. I will be coming back every time I'm back in Austin!! This place is a must!!!!! Best service, food and drinks! read more

See all

Yummmmmmm! I never turn down a Perla's suggestion, haha. Everything from biscuits to oysters is incredibly good. Great space built into the giant tree there makes for the best ambience and setting. Pro tip the brunch pancake is worth the calories! read more

Great vibes. Great food. Expensive as shit but you pay for the quality. Sit on the patio. Enjoy a drink. You can't go wrong with anything here! Try the things you wouldn't normally try and you will be blown away read more

The food was great and the service was quick! Hunter is a good waiter with nice conversation and knowledgeable of the menu. If tou want seafood, come here read more

Had to come back and bring a first timer- I had been hyping the food up so much and thank goodness, everything we ordered was on point. I was just kinda disappointed in the service- we waited really long stretches in between visits from our waitress...it just stands out when your expectations of a spot (and the price point) are so high. read more

Perla's - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Setting: 2 people, outdoor lounge seating (put down names as "first available"), noon-ish on a Saturday Atmosphere: this place is POPULAR, we were at a loss of where to go for brunch Saturday morning and just went to Perla's as it was mentioned as a good brunch spot. There was an hour and a half wait when we put our names down for 2 first available outside (they have tables, bar seating, and lounge seating), I think we only had an hour of that estimated time. You give your number and they text you when tables ready so you can walk around south Congress. Upscale crowd and menu, definitely not an ideal "hungover brunch" location, more of a typical brunch with fun drinks and more refined meals Drinks: we got a carafe of mimosas which ended up being too much for the two of us, it seemed to be a full bottle of champagne/sparkling wine, can order with a few types of juices which I love Food: we got the Crab Florentine (4/5) and lobster omelet (3/5) with the fries on side. I was really excited for lobster omelet but honestly was a bit dry and the lobster was not distributed well between the omelet. Crab Florentine was delicious Overall: Would come again ideally with reservations and a bigger group so could enjoy to full extent with a table and larger group of friends read more

See all

My husband and I love Austin, Texas. While visiting from Houston this place was recommended by friends on Facebook. I did some research and was Hooke day the photos I found online. So we traveled to the restaurant and I knew it was a great choice before we got to the door. The aroma filled the air as we approached the restaurant. The scenery was inviting and as I around the restaurant, all of the patrons seemed to really enjoy their dishes. We weren't aware of the reservations but the hostess was able to seat us at the bar. The bartender named Cody gave one of the best presentations of the menu I've ever received. I travel well and often, by far Cody's presentation was all that and then some. Let me skip to the oysters.....Lord have mercy. They were so so good. The grilled octopus is as amazing. I almost ordered a second round, but then I remembered I wanna as operating on a middle class budget. So um. i stayed on my lane. For the main course, I chose the crispy fish and my husband chose the ahi tuna. The Mexican street corn was on point. Overall, wonderful place and we will most certainly return. Be warned, it's a bit on the pricey side so grab your wallet. read more

Perla's - Grilled Octopus - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

Was setting up reservations for a group of 14. We were all coming into town from around the country to celebrate 4 birthdays. Called Perla and was told we each had to spend something close to $200 per person to sit next to one another. We just made 3 reservations per 4, 4, and 6... since a portion of our group wasn't drinking. When we arrived the venue was 25% full with plenty of open seating near one another... we didn't ask them to combine tables, or do something to warrant what happens next... we ask for tables close to one another so we can possibly chat across the way and enjoy company and laughs together. Instead, what we received was a cold shoulder and the staff seating us purposefully at all corners of the venue. I was at a table almost in the kitchen, the other at the door behind the welcoming station, and the other group was placed in the remaining corner next to the bar. This was so absurd we decided to eat and leave... had we not been snubbed in what was a 75% empty establishment, we all agreed we would've done what we always do... spend time eating, drinking, desserts and generous tips... instead we ate and left... spent our time giving White Tiger across the street our cash and tips for alcohol and great service and hospitality. Considering Perla, the food wasn't anything but normal... and hospitality was the worst! Thanks for checking this off of our list... we'll stick to Uchi, The Corner, Aba, etc... all of them know how to treat a customer. read more

AMAZING is the Red Snapper Tartare. Its is so flavorfully balanced! Highly recommend this as an appetizer to share or even single dish. read more

Perla's - Red Snapper Tartare - Seafood Near Me - Austin, Texas

Fantastic service! Didn't have a reservation but they were able to seat us right away- the tables are a little cramped for my tall husband. Ordered the Poco platter and it did not disappoint! Everything tasted clean and fresh, great experience and can't wait to come back. read more

Food is mid over priced and mid. Flavor just isn't there and there is nothing creative or interesting about the menu. Nice patio and service though. read more

I'm a little conflicted because I knew ahead of time from browsing the menu that this place was going to be pricey but I don't mind splurging a little more for fantastic food. Unfortunately they did not deliver as some dishes were overly salted or lacked flavor. I went to dinner with my family and we ordered the octopus, calamari, ceviche, tuna tostada, red fish, halibut, and a dozen oysters. The highlights were the oysters and the octopus, while the halibut and ceviche were the most disappointing. Our server was really attentive though, and the inside is really cute with the fish tank but there isn't anything on the menu worth returning for. read more

Probably Austin's most OVERATED restaurant. Food was overpriced, a McGuire Moorman Hospitality specialty, served cold and indifferently. Had to ask twice for a f*cking napkin and fork ( known in common parlance as a set up) and for a dirty glass of water. Crispy snapper? Hardly....more like mushy tilapia drowned in a tomato sauce right out of a Heinz ketchup bottle. Not fresh, warm oysters to your liking at $4 a hit? This is your place! The waitstaff did not give a shit....had to ask non English speaking busboys for water and to clear plates. This snobbish restaurant is lucky to have these hard working folks as the entitled wait staff seemed to have an aversion to providing service to diners who spent $100 each for shitty food right out of a microwave. Perla's, Clark's, Jeffrey's, Pool Burger, Elizabeth Street, Lambert's. June's. Swedish Hill, Sammies, etc and on and on....they all reek of privilege to the point that diners should be honored to pay extravagantly to be underserved by wait staff serving lousy food. The cheese crackers and tap water in the service department were a better repast when the location was a Datsun dealership. It's a shame that such a prime location is a total rip-off. Just another reminder that the new Austin sucks....steer clear, save a lot of money and aggravation. read more

LOVE Perlas!!! just moved to Austin and have been trying as many spots as possible and coming from new york i personally find Austin's food scene overhyped but NOT this place! i've been here twice and i can say it might be my fave Austin restaurant so far. the oysters and the ceviche are delicious. the service is great because they're so accommodation and the location is convenient and cute. but i must say the best part is Cast the bar manager. not only was he engaging and knowledgeable but he genuinely just had great service (which i haven't seen much of in happy old Texas). i've had a few drinks on the menu and they've all been AMAZING. i would give 5 stars but i still need to try more things on the food menu. brought my friends here while they were visiting and they loved it as well. will def be back soon! read more

My husband and I came here for a last minute date night (we rarely get these as parents) and we were delighted to eat here. The service was great and friendly, the food was great. My husband ordered the lobster bucatini and I only had an assortment of oysters. We will absolutely be back as it seems a great place for a group of friends. read more

See all

This place is iconic. If I want fresh seafood, there's no where else I'd go in Austin. That being said, damn that po boy was salty. But I still think best lobster roll and crab cake in Austin. Overall 8/10 read more

See all

This place is so beautiful! It's on South Congress and there are two huge trees on the front patio. I placed the reservation quite ahead of time cause it is not easy to find a spot there. Upon arrival we were taken to our table inside. Wish we could have stayed outside cause the weather was perfect and their patio is really beautiful, but this is a first come, first serve basis and it had a wait time of approximately 1h. So we decided to sit inside, which is also beautiful but it is very dark and noisy. Maybe we are not that young anymore and it is kinda difficult even to see the menu. For apps we decided to go with the shrimp cocktail and octopus. The octopus was soft, but some pieces got chewy. Not every piece had that lovely char that makes it a wonderful dish. For mains we had the beer battered Fish and chips and my husband mentioned that it was really good. Portion wise, it was huge! More than enough fish and a good portion of fries. For me, I went with the potato crusted sea bass. It is very thing slices of potato on top of the sea bass. It provides a great crunch, but it was lacking some seasoning. The lemon butter sauce was really good! Just wish there was more of it. read more

See all