Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Order The Pearl Takeout or Delivery

    The Pearl Photos

    Business Info

    THE PEARL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    DJ
    Live music
    Moderate noise
    Casual

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Pearl

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Wrinkled, stained menus. A QR codes menu or laminated sheet would be much more impressive.
    Lesley W.

    Cute spot - smaller than I expected but very welcoming vibe. I had the BBD. Which is a blackberry, whiskey drink made with Uncle Nearest. It was yummy! The wings were delicious - well seasoned and flavorful. My only "issue" was the menus. It's not expensive to laminate a sheet of paper. What they presented cheapened the place. Server was pleasant.

    Jenny R.

    The Pearl South Bay is so cool, I almost applied for a job while eating dinner. The whole place has that perfect blend of style and soul--modern, polished, but still full of warmth. The lighting, the music, the layout--it's giving upscale but never uptight. I came in just expecting a nice meal, but everything from the staff's energy to the menu made me feel like I stumbled into a hidden gem. The food? Delicious. Every dish looked like it belonged in a magazine spread, and tasted even better. The cocktails were on point too--crafted, not poured. It felt like the kind of spot where the kitchen cares and the vibe is intentional. Honestly, I caught myself mid-meal thinking, "I wonder if they're hiring." That's how good it was. If you're looking for a place that hits all the marks--great service, food, and a space you want to linger in--The Pearl is it.

    Nequel B.

    Another great experience. I've been to Boston twice and I've been to the pearl 4 times. Each time the staff has been kind, the food and the vibe has been chill. A black owned spot, I wish it was a little bigger to accommodate more people.

    Lobster roll with truffle fries
    Leah L.

    We visited this place while in Boston, we had an 11 am reservation and arrived 15 minutes early, it was freezing cold out side we had a party of 12 they allowed us to sit inside until they were ready. That was everything to use because we had some elderly in our party. Okay the food was delicious, I had the lobster rolls with the truffle fried everything was served fresh and hot. We plan to visit again next year and will be back.

    Tracey S.

    It's ALWAYS a pleasure to visit the Pearl - South Bay! This time I went for a private event for the METCO Alumni Association Mix & Mingle and had the most amazing time. The space allows for intimacy and 1:1 conversations at the bar, but still worked perfectly for mingling and chatting with friends at the hightop tables. My favorite things about this restaurant are the food and the amazing owners who are so down to earth and truly care about their patrons. The seafood is always so fresh and I could have eaten 1,000 of their fresh oysters with onion vinegar and lemon! The shrimp were also very delicious. All of the hot food was delicious and well seasoned as usual. Another fun feature is the fact that the best music always "rains down" on you from a DJ who is situated in a perch high above the restaurant area. This small detail makes the experience feel like a supper club vibe for grown folks. I have plans to check out their second location in Allston/Brighton very soon!

    Oysters
    Genna C.

    Our experience was interesting here. I made reservations and the restaurant was not full when we arrived or after we did. We were sat right by the front door in a hallway so I never got to see the actual restaurant. My husband used the bathroom and said the restaurant was not full and uncertain why we were sat here. We asked to move but they said we could not. We ordered drinks and an appetizer. The appetizer came before our drinks (we had salmon bites and they were very yummy). Our drinks took about 20 mins to get to our table. We then had oysters which were also very yummy. The music that was playing was very loud to be honest. I'm not a crotchety old lady, and usually leave 5 stars for everywhere. But this experience was just a bit off. Our wait or was nice but he also just seemed off too. I do not think we will be back. But hope things get better for others.

    Boston Bramble drink and Boston sidecar Circa
    Marni M.

    My friend and I came here on a Thursday afternoon. It's a pretty small establishment with a few tables wrapped around the bar which is the center of the room. As such, depending on the time and group size, I would suggest reservations for future reference. For drinks we tried their Boston Bramble drink and Boston sidecar Circa both of which were not overly sweet or strong tasting. We shared the spicy crab dip and mussels as appetizers. The dip was creamy and salty with the toasted but still chewy pita chips. I was even able to use the pita to absorb some of the flavorful broth of the mussels, great combination. Mussels were cleaned and seasoned well. We shared the shrimp scampi as an entree since we were fairly full from the prior meals. The pasta was slightly overcooked but the sauce and shrimp were yummy especially with the layer of freshly grated and melted cheese over the top. Overall, we had a good experience in terms of food and service. Our waiter was super friendly and happy to provide suggestions when warranted. Would come again!

    Delicious drinks and wonderful place

    Beautiful spot, with very fun vibWe came for lunch got a few house cocktails, a few appetizers and split an entree. The food all came out hot, flavorful and delicious! The service was great, we will be back! Thank you Lorraine!

    Warm lobster roll & truffle frites
    Kassie L.

    Warm lobster roll lacked flavor and was a big disappointment, however the bang bang shrimp was absolutely BANGING so that it's bringing the rating back up to 4 stars. Loved the outside seating area and decent service; menu also has many other options so would go back to try something new. Would 1000% get the shrimp again.

    Mojito

    The mojito didn't taste like mojito at all, the shrimp scampi was salty, I think they fried the calamari for too long, the wings didn't have any taste except for the sauce that was added on it, the salmon was mostly salmon, broccolini with a few pieces of potatoes. They didn't have any options for my picky daughter. The best thing out of this was the bang bang shrimp. It's a good place if you just want to listen to music, get some appetizers and drinks. Not a great place to get dinner. I ordered two bang bang shrimp and they only have 4 pieces each.

    DJ N.

    The food is mostly good. When they hit the mark, it's actually very good. Unfortunately, their second biggest issue is lack of consistency. I've eaten here numerous times since they opened and they lack consistency when it comes to execution of their food. They charge a premium (above average and pricey for the neighborhood), and I don't like feeling uncertain about the quality of the food because they lack consistency in the kitchen. I've told you what their second biggest issue is. Let me share the first. This place may be one of the worst establishments in the entire Boston area when it comes to hospitality and service. They are extremely slow, they lack attention to their customers, the management team doesn't know how to handle situations when a customer may not be pleased with their food or experience, and they lack the ability to take constructive feedback. Did I mention they were slow? I've waited over an hour for a salad more than once. Prices are high for the neighborhood. They seem to have made a few price adjustments in a relatively short period of time. Their trend has been to go from average to higher pricing. The shrimp scampi with linguine dish was under $20 when they opened. It was very good then. Now, it's disgustingly watery and lacks flavor. They've increased the price while the quality has decreased significantly. This simple dish is now closer to $30. Shame on them. The worst lobster roll I've ever had in my entire life was served to me at The Pearl. Not only did they burn the lobster, someone must've accidentally poured a third of the bottle of Old Bay seasoning onto it before adding butter. it was completely inedible. When I expressed my dissatisfaction to the manager he shrugged and walked away. $36 wasted. The burger here is very good. The chargrilled oysters are also good. The steak tips are excellent, butoverpriced. I paid over $40 to have a Caesar salad with 4 mid to small size steak tips on it. That includes tax and tip. How ridiculous! The drinks are hit or miss. It depends on which bartender is making your cocktail. Quite frankly, none of the bartenders are that great. They specialize in sugary drinks with alcohol in them and 2 ingredient drinks (i.e. vodka soda). I would stay away from the classics (old fashioned, martini, Negroni, etc.) here. You will be disappointed. The wine list is ok. The bathroom is very clean. The space is tight, but comfortable. If you require a table for more than two people, you are likely going to be out of luck without a reservation. They have two top tables inside that can accommodate more than three people comfortably. They cannot seat more than 4 people at any one table. Parking is available nearby. They also have outdoor seating in the summertime. The patio scene is nice during warm weather months. They also offer theme nights, as well as a DJ on occasion. Management seems to be busy on their cell phones a lot. Also, not sure how the kitchen is being managed, but I've waited more than one hour for simple dishes, like a Caesar salad, to come out to the table on multiple occasions. This restaurant received a lot of local promotion and hype when they opened. At the time, it was well-deserved. Many people were rooting for them. Fast forward to today and they are on the decline. They claim that a second restaurant will be opening in the future. It's incredible that they would open a second location when they can't get the fundamentals together at the first location. I wish them well, but they lack the business, service, and operational execution skills to stay in business long-term. I really wanted this place to win, but they don't deserve it. A major disappointment on every level.

    D. K. C.

    I stumbled across The Pearl on Instagram when a friend was attending an R&B Brunch one Sunday. By chance, it happened that I was heading home a few weeks later, causing me to add this to my Things To Do list. I called my Bestfriends and told them we had to do a Bestfriend Brunch at The Pearl. We made reservations for 6 for Sunday afternoon. By the time we arrived, due to scheduling, it was only 3 of us. The hostess at the door was very understanding and was able to adjust our seating. Huge Thank You to her! The venue is quaint and trendy. It presents an All-American bar aesthetic while making a great use of the space and keeping clean lines. There is outdoor seating as well which allows for the expansion of the seating area when the weather is good. Once seated, our waitress came over to take our drink order. As always I ordered a Sweet Tea which to my delight, though I was in Boston, it had the Southern Charm that I have grown to enjoy. The ambiance was fun and upbeat. The music selection was spot on and blended old school jams with some of today's top hits. The vibe the establishment sets are infectious forcing you to think nothing but happy thoughts as you enjoy all The Pearl has to offer. Our theme was Friends, Fun, and Food! We ordered from the Brunch Menu which is styled with Shareable options. We decided to just order from all over the menu to maximize our taste options. To note, the food is made to order so please be patient and know that everything most likely will not come out at the same time. The great thing is that the waitress set our expectations for this in advance. Once our food came, not only was it pleasing to the eye but it was a mesmerizing, taste bud tingling, good for the soul experience. The flavor variations provided in each dish play off one another allowing for maximum enjoyment. The Bacon (you know I love bacon) is a perfect cut that is made to perfect crispness. The potato bowl is a medley of hidden pleasures combined into a dish of delight and rave. The salmon is meaty and perfectly cooked. The tenderness of the fish selection adds to the perfect grill of the outside. The French toast, oh my goodness. The French toast is an experience all by itself and leaves you speechless... Yes! It's that good. The Pearl is a great option for any meal and any occasion. This is one to add to the Must Visit list as it is an experience that is needed any day of the week. -Happy Eating!

    Bang bang shrimp
    Court S.

    I had a wonderful dining experience here. We came to dinner on Tuesday evening and had a delicious meal of bang bang shrimp, grilled salmon salad & warm lobster roll w/ truffle fries. For dessert- toffee pound cake; warm & delicious garnished w/ fresh berries. Everything was cooked perfectly- fresh and hot (so many restaurants hit below standard on this) ready for my fork and knife to get disrespectful. Our espresso & pistachio martinis were great choices and crafted so well. Natasha provided excellent service and was very kind and polite. Luther, the owner greeted our table and checked on us throughout dinner, which was lovely. If I still lived in Boston, I would definitely frequent this place regularly. It's so refreshing to see Black businesses thriving throughout the neighborhood.

    Crispy calamari

    See all

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jenny R.
    97
    213
    329

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Michael D.
    24
    586
    2210

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M L.
    0
    14
    1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marni M.
    386
    1565
    3643

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    11 months ago

    Some of the best seafood I've had in the city and the service was excellent. Can't wait to go back. Loved the vibe too!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 3
    Love this 0
    Oh no 5
    Photo of DJ N.
    120
    229
    191

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mika W.

    Mika W.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D. K. C.
    5000
    611
    3394

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Court S.
    1054
    1043
    2279

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mika W.

    Mika W.

    Thank you Ansia, Have a happy holiday season!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 3
    Love this 1
    Oh no 5
    Photo of Thalia L.
    210
    13
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Kris J.
    2
    55
    382

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mika W.

    Mika W.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dee C.
    4
    52
    200

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 2

    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - The Pearl

    You might also consider

    Moon Bar - Tuna escabeche

    Moon Bar

    4.8(40 reviews)
    1.8 miBack Bay

    I am over the MOON with Moon Bar!…read more If I could live here I would! :) Another excellent experience here and it just happened to be restaurant week. We also spent an hour at the King Tut exhibit across the street! This restaurant/bar always seems packed. And, with reservations for 645pm (highly recommend) the bar was quite busy. The buzz from this high-end cocktail bar is exactly what you want on a Friday evening; From girlfriends sipping their wine to couples laughing and swirling their cocktails, Moon Bar is for the classy and sexy. Abby our server is excellent! A mixologist who knows all the cocktails and can recommend based on your preference. I tried one of their new cocktails with bourbon and did not care for it. Abby made me my mezcal drink that I have ordered before...its the 305 cowboy, an extremely popular drink. A must try for sure! Note: Some bartenders make you feel guilty for saying something about a drink you ordered and did not like. But, here at Moon Bar, Abby was so gracious to make me something that I will enjoy. Hats off to her:) Food: Since it was restaurant week we just shared everything. For starters we ordered the Tuna Tartare that was excellent. Then, we had Piri-Piri Chicken Thighs that were also good but quite spicy. For dessert, we shared the Caribbean Tiramisu, which was great. It was a tough choice between this and the Guava Cheesecake. We were so full that we ended up bringing home leftovers. Oh, I also forgot to mention we always order their Curry Fries - a must try when coming here Trust Me. My husband doesn't love curry but he loves these fries and you will too. #friesaretodiefor Moon Bar, thanks for being amazing in every way. Thanks for your splendid service, crafty cocktails, delicious wine (try the Pinot Noir from Germany), and your amazing food ---Love those Curry Fries! "Alexa, make reservations for 2 at Moon Bar for tonight." Cheers~

    Had some incredible post dinner drinks at Moon Bar! The ambiance of the space is great and the…read moreservice was impeccable. The ladies shared a bottle of wine and we had a few cocktails. The cocktails were refreshing, creative and fun. Since we had just eaten we didn't have any food but will be back to try something soon.

    Photos
    Moon Bar - Interior

    Interior

    Moon Bar - Banana leaf wrapped black bass

    Banana leaf wrapped black bass

    Moon Bar - Green mango salad

    See all

    Green mango salad

    The Street Bar - The Street Bar | The Newbury Boston

    The Street Bar

    3.6(71 reviews)
    2.0 miBack Bay

    Excellent views and ambience. Friendly professional staff, and very nice menu. Great drinks…read more Conversations with other patrons is very knowledgeable and enjoyable. Everything is done "top notch ". Whether you are a traveler or a local, it can be either a special night out, or a regular place to frequent. Extra munchies are an added plus. Everything is slightly higher priced, but sometimes, you get what you pay for. I have been coming here for decades...since the old Ritz Carlton days, and still appreciate the revolution of this lovely spot.

    We visited on January 11th, a few weeks prior to my wedding. This was a day I had planned for…read moremonths with my daughter and future stepdaughter, an important and meaningful occasion, and the experience fell significantly below expectations. In advance, I stopped into the hotel to confirm that a gluten-free guest could be accommodated and was assured this would be handled. In reality, the accommodation was inadequate and, at times, unacceptable. While the rest of us were served scones, my stepdaughter was given cut fruit in their place, and told that was all they had to accommodate.The dessert course consisted of what appeared to be basic gluten-free cookies, misrepresented as something more gourmet - egg nog cookies??? This lack of preparation was both disappointing, upsetting and avoidable. The broader experience was equally concerning. We were subjected to an unsolicited and uncomfortable "lesson" on tea service, which detracted from what should have been a relaxed and celebratory occasion. While trying to enjoy the time with the girls, being a lifelong tea drinker and someone who has been to many times at your establishment and its various incarnations, this is something I have never experienced. The food quality was poor (scones were clearly reheated and stuck to the cloth napkin they were wrapped in), and there were notable service lapses, including being served water in a visibly shattered glass. Additionally, when hot water was added to refresh the tea, my stepdaughter's pot curdled and had to be replaced. It was especially disappointing, as I mentioned that I had stopped in and spoken with the concierge, and was assured, as they had called the kitchen while I stood there that they readily accommodated gluten-free. There are numerous places in the city that could have done this, and if you had just told me that you could not do so, I would have booked us elsewhere. I chose not to raise the multiple issues in the moment so as not to disrupt what was meant to be a special day for the girls and me. However, the total cost exceeded $500, and the experience did not come close to justifying that price point! Do not recommend.

    Photos
    The Street Bar - Bartender | The Street Bar

    Bartender | The Street Bar

    The Street Bar - The Street Bar | The Newbury Boston

    The Street Bar | The Newbury Boston

    The Street Bar - The Street Bar | The Newbury Boston

    See all

    The Street Bar | The Newbury Boston

    The Pearl - seafood - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...