Perla’s was founded in the Spring of 2009 by chefs Larry McGuire and Tom Moorman with the goal of establishing a great oyster bar & seafood joint on beloved South Congress Avenue. Perla’s offers fresh fish and oysters flown in daily from both coasts with an emphasis on sourcing from the Gulf of Mexico and simple, clean preparations. The bar makes delicious coastal cocktails and the wine list is stocked with fun sparkling, rosé & white wines.
Fish, oysters & surf ‘n’ turf are dished at this laid-back spot with an open kitchen & shaded patio.
Tonia Roddy
I’m in love with this plzce
place. My cousin took me here for my birthday. We had a beautiful brunch. The entire staff is AMAZING, AWESOME and provide EXCELLENT SETVICE!! Oysters, on point!!! Gabby our server was a perfect delight. In speaking throughout brunch, I found out we are bith from the same state. It was like catching up with an old friend. Mahi Mahi sandwich was perfect and my cousin had the brunch bugar which he loved. This is my now go to place for sure when visiting Austin. My French 75 was lovely. Thank you Perla’s for giving me an amazingly beautiful birthday
… moreRachel Gray
We found this spot on a casual stroll on Congress and decided it was too cute not to try – and we weren’t disappointed! We got seated immediately at the bar section and enjoyed a couple beverages and some bites (I forgot to snag some photos of the dishes… but we got the BBQ shrimp (deshelled) and the ahi tuna tostada) honestly, I highly recommend these bites! 10/10! The service was awesome and the ambience was perfect for a Saturday night!
… moreMICHAEL MORGAN
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.
… moreChristy Gatchell
We have ate hair several times and absolutely love it. We took our family there for a celebration dinner last week. they always have a great variety of oysters and yummy. The cocktails are spot on the tuna tostadas are our favorite. My son had the lobster pasta, which was very tasty and a huge portion, my daughter had the cheeseburger and my husband had a warm lobster roll. Great service, the servers help each other out and i love that! we sat outside and the covered dining area, which was awesome because the mosquitoes did not get my husband, but the ambience is so fun and it just has a cool vibe about it!!!!! Highly Recommend!
… moreTif Hwang (JJ)
Food was terrible and overpriced. We ordered 3 appetizers and 2 entrees. 4 out of 5 tasted burnt! Grilled octopus; the bread that came with the mussels; swordfish; crab cake (was also burnt and didn’t have any crab lumps, probably crab crumbs?). The only decent dish was the sea bass. The server guy (Jake A?) was being quite condescending towards me, which I think I should call him out. I asked him if it was Chilean sea bass and he said yes. It was not! He didn’t know Chilean sea bass vs sea bass. Then he went like “no it’s not Chilean style”. Dude, that’s not a cooking style but a type of toothfish from Patagonia. Me: could you get me the menu when you get a chance? Him(again with the attitude): I don’t have a chance yet but I will(!??). It was not until he gave me the check that I realized it was because they already included 20% tips in the total, which is absurd for such horrible CS! I came here once a while ago and didn’t want to go back, but my niece wanted to try this place which was why I went here again. Regardless, I will never be coming back. I don’t get why they have so good reviews. The bad reviews were true to my experience. The ONLY nice thing is the location. Everything else is subpar!
… moreJay
Came here with my partner for our anniversary dinner, and we thoroughly enjoyed the food, service, and ambiance of the establishment. We made dinner reservations on a Friday evening and were seated in the patio, which was well-lit and elegantly decorated. We particularly enjoyed the ahí tuna and mussels, which were equally delectable. We extend our sincere gratitude for making our evening truly delightful.
… moreFunmi S
Brunch at Perla’s is a seaside-escape in the heart of Austin. The oak-shaded patio invites a slow afternoon, and the menu doesn’t disappoint: oysters, ceviche, maybe a lobster roll or an egg white frittata if you’re feeling indulgent.
Service felt warm and attentive it’s that kind of spot where they know the vibe and meet it. My only caveat: it leans upscale, and the buzz around the patio means it’s not the quietest table in town. But for a brunch that nails both food and setting, this hits
… moreNathaniel Kubacak
Definitely a spot to try if you’re in the mood for some delicious seafood! We visited around 5 so they hadn’t put out dinner yet, but our server Emma was so great guiding us through our choice of oysters. The shrimp po boy was perfect to split between us, the lobster Bisque was on point, and lastly the muscles we had were top notch! We will be back soon, shout out the Chef and his team. Worth it!!!
… moreJeanie Y
Used to come here on business years ago. The quality, service and atmosphere remain top notch. Wonderful seafood and brunch. Dog friendly patio. Kind and attentive service. I highly recommend!
… moreBilly Roberts
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 Stars) 9/13/2025
We went to Perla’s Oyster Bar and the place itself is nice, with a good atmosphere. Our server Paige B did a wonderful job checking on us and giving great service.
I ordered the Fish and Chips and my wife had the Sea Bass a la Plancha. The food looked good on the plate, but the taste just wasn’t there. My fish didn’t have the flavor I’ve had at other seafood spots, and my wife’s dish had a fishy taste she didn’t enjoy. For the cost, I expected better taste and quality.
We spent about $107 with tip, and honestly, it wasn’t worth it. The portions weren’t very filling, and we actually ended up going to Pluckers afterward because I was still hungry. We only had water, so if you order drinks here, the bill will be even higher.
The restaurant was packed, but it seemed like most people were there for the drinks and the social scene more than the food. It’s a nice place, but I can’t recommend it because I love good-tasting food, and this just didn’t deliver.
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