Tonight was a destination. A journey in culinary excellence. 15 tables and gracious, welcoming unpretentious service. If you're in Key West, and a big foodie, this place is not to be missed. The portions were perfectly sized to feed, not fill; leaving room for each successive course and not having you uncomfortable when stepping from the table. Each course built on the last in balance of flavor and execution. In a word (or more) exacting, beautifully executed and exceptional. Painted Scars Côtes Catalanes Stone Crab Claws Cauliflower Bisque Scallops Crudo Octopus with Burrata Crispy Oxtail Nigiri Wagyu Dumpling Lasagna Striped Bass, Spicy Piccata Sorbetto Del Giorno - Blaid Orange Guava Cheese Plate Tawny Port and Muscato Tonight was a destination. A journey in culinary excellence. 15 tables and gracious, welcoming unpretentious service. If you're in Key West, and a big foodie, this place is not to be missed. The portions were perfectly sized to feed, not fill; leaving room for each successive course and not having you uncomfortable when stepping from the table. Each course built on the last in balance of flavor and execution. In a word (or more) exacting, beautifully executed and exceptional. Painted Scars Côtes Catalanes Stone Crab Claws Cauliflower Bisque Scallops Crudo Octopus with Burrata Crispy Oxtail Nigiri Wagyu Dumpling Lasagna Striped Bass, Spicy Piccata Sorbetto Del Giorno - Blaid Orange Guava Cheese Plate Tawny Port and Muscato read more

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Tucked away in a quiet historical neighborhood of Key West is the Little Pearl wine bar restaurant. We made a reservation in advance for a pre-fixe tasting menu as they offer three seatings per night at 5 PM 7 PM and 9 PM.. We chose to select wine by the glass to pair with our courses, and the Wine selection was awesome. We added on the ceviche of the day, which was not only beautiful in its presentation, but so fresh , clean and delicate it was just a joy to eat. For our tasting menu selections, we enjoyed : Hamachi Crudo with fried shallots, Wontons with duck bacon, corn in a plum sauce, yum! Steamed mussels with ginger in a coconut green curry sauce so good you could drink it & topped unfortunately with some rather overpowering / overcooked fried udon noodles. The Finned Fare of the night, which was a beautiful piece of fresh grouper served in a sea of the best polenta I think I've ever tasted. The New Zealand venison strip loin served with a potato pancake in a black garlic sauce. Perfectly prepared For dessert, we chose the cheese plate and the brownie served with a salted caramel gelato. Perfection! The service was incredible and I only wish that they had had more patrons at 5 PM when we dined. This is truly a little neighborhood gem in Key West and I would highly recommend it if you want a intimate romantic and fabulous dinner out. The chef here is so very talented and he deserves all the love. read more

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We had such an amazing date night at Little Pearl. My bf made a reservation for the two of us to go out and have a nice dinner. This restaurant had a tasting menu, which was awesome because we wanted to try what the chef came up with. Each dish we tried was delicious and interesting! We actually left pretty full, which is funny because the portions themselves are not large. Everything was priced very reasonably. These were my impressions from what I had: Add ons: raw local ceviche - shrimp, micro greens, fresh veggies. Light taste, refreshing. **one of the add on options was raw oysters which we love, but they said they were from Newport, RI which was funny because that's where we're from. It's pretty far from the keys so it makes me wonder about their freshness... haha** First course: butternut squash velouté (curry, ginger, toasted coconut). Warm, frothy/bubbly, creamy and strong ginger flavor. Second course: gochujang maple salmon (savory seafood pancake) slightly sweet from the maple, a bit spicy. Soft pancake pairs well with raw salmon. Third course: seared scallops (golden beetroot, risotto, chili crisp cream) risotto was so creamy and rich, scallops cooked well. My favorite dish probably. Fourth course: pistachio gelatto (just what I needed to end the meal! Nothing crazy or unique but it tasted nice.) Little pearl is remembered fondly by my bf and I as our favorite meal we had on our vacation to the keys. The dishes were really creative and fun! The ambience was perfect for a date, and our waiter was so nice and thoughtful. Thank you Little Pearl chefs for making such tasty food. read more

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We stopped in for a glass of wine & ended up staying for their 5pm tasting menu dinner service. What a charming, beautifully decorated, tiny restaurant. The wine was flowing, service was exceptional, every dish we had was carefully curated and decorated. We enjoyed stone crabs as an appetizer, octopus empanadas, sauté calamari was exceptional. Followed by beef belly & salmon, seared scallops, red snapper. Finished off with a cheese plate, espresso & pistachio Gelato to die for. It's an experience for a special occasion. Highly recommended. read more

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What a great experience at the little pearl. Our server was fantastic and she explained all the available dishes of the 4 course tasting menu. The courses that we selected were fantastic. What we found exceptional was the add on of the BAO BUNS 2 per order with the sweet chili jerk shrimp. I would've been just happy eating three orders of those with the Sake I chose. The restaurant had a very cool rustic vibe nestled off the beaten path in old town. We were not disappointed in the option we chose. read more

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Tiny gem of a restaurant. Warm inviting local favorite type, clean and nicely appointed. Wine bar with extraordinary food and service! We came for the chefs tasting menu and it exceeded my expectations. Couldn't select just one from each category ended up adding on a few dishes and it was absolutely worth it! For our mains we had the venison steak and the crispy skinned barramundi. They were exceptional! Executed to perfection and so delicious! So good I didn't get pics. For dessert we had the chocolate brownie with salted caramel ice cream and the sorbetto. Could not have been better. The meal was delicious each dish stood on its own merit. Major foodie not easily impressed and this one was a 10/10. Will be back. Lovely staff as well! read more

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Stumbled upon this place when I first arrived. It was our first stop simply because we were walking by and what it treat it turned out to be. We sat at the bar as we didn't have reservations and didn't feel appropriately dressed for the experience this place leads itself to. Four course meal $85 per person. If I was hungry I would have indulgences bc the menu was inviting but I didn't have the appetite for it. However, you could enjoy items from the add on menu at the bar along with the drink so opted for that. Ordered the stone crab claws and the ceviche. They have a nice sake selection as well. The staff was so friendly and helpful. We were informed the owners of this location have a few other restaurants in key west so we made it a point to visit them as well. Thank you to the wonderful staff at little Pearl for such a welcoming experience to key west. Cheers until next time. read more

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For a decidedly different experience in Key West, adventurous diners should head here. It's a tiny space, only about a dozen tables plus four seats at a bar that does four-course fixed-price menus. There are three choices for each course, and the offerings vary fairly widely, though seafood is featured. The menu changes regularly it seems, so individual dishes will likely be gone before long. However, I will never forget the pineapple and cucumber crudo with chili oil. All the items I had were similarly imaginative, and served by an attentive staff of knowledgeable folks who were also quite friendly. It's upscale, but not stuffy. Decor is minimalist, but the room feels nice and cozy, even though it's on a street corner with 180 degrees of windows. read more

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Service is phenomenal and the food is some of the best on the island. Portions are small for the cost of the tasting menu though. Wine list is top notch! read more

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A Key West MUST!!!! When on bachelorette it is obligatory to have at least one upscale-dress up dinner out. And Little Pearl met every state of making our time special. Loved the exclusivity of having only a few seatings, in the restaurant being so quaint. It's intimate, quirky and total fancy beach. Our waitress was so nice and exceptionally knowledgeable about Little Pearl and Key West. We sat for the early tasting menu, which was a wonderful option having at discount. What can I say about this food- EXQUISITE! Iconic. Inspirational. (Once home I broke out my sous vide to even attempt the Octodog and my try was pale to the Pearl). Even my bridesmaid who is the pickiest eater decided to lean in and cleared all her plates without modification. The presentation of the food made it even more exciting to eat. One critique would be to have an expanded cocktail menu. But besides- food perfection. Chef's Kiss. I could go on for paragraphs and paragraphs about the taste, portion, technique and originality of these dishes- but it is most elegantly displayed in picture. I will post so you can drool. EVERYONE in Key West or hell, near Key West HAS TO experience Little Pearl!!! Amazing, bravo! read more

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Such a delightful find. Love the cozy environment as well as the beautiful food. Service was excellent.

A disappointment! We had high expectations based on the ratings. If all you are interested in is how the food looks, then this is the place for you. I had the butternut squash veloute'. The ginger in this dish was like shredded paper. The salmon had a fresh texture but was covered in gochujang maple sauce (think Thai chili sauce from a jar) that was so spicy that it overpowered the salmon. It really didn't matter if the salmon was fresh -I could not taste the salmon. My partner's red snapper was over cooked and had an unpleasant taste. The apple tart was fine, but nothing special. We did appreciate that the chef used salt liberally. The dishes looked beautiful. The service was great. The restaurant is beautifully appointed but very loud. read more

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An absolutely outstanding experience in every way. Incredibly inventive & diverse menu, impeccable service, and a very comfortable & modern dining room. Make sure you check the "add ons"... and don't be afraid to go deep on the wine list! Well worth it... read more

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A lovely little place in a quiet neighborhood near-but-away-from the tourist craziness. You feel welcome and part of a community from the moment you walk in the door. (Definitely make a reservation for one of their three seatings!) The staff is the perfect balance of professional, fun and warm. I would detail all of the fabulous choices we made from the menu -- but I now know that they completely change it up every 45 days! Needless to say, every bite was perfection. (Oyster stew and Italian "sushi" were among our many favorites!) Even the choices of plates and bowls enhances each course. We hope our server's son is still loving sailing school! We'll be back in October and look forward to sharing an evening at Little Pearl once again! read more

Little Pearl - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Beautiful intimate dining room with servers who are very knowledgeable of the menu. But if I'm being completely honest, the food was not what I expected it to be for being so well-known. The menu we experienced was beautifully plated. Seafood offerings were incredible fresh, however lacked in flavor. Unfortunately, I would skip this dining experience during my next trip to Key West. read more

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Wonderful experience. Dan the owner and one of the servers was very helpful and pleasant. We came with our three young children who typically don't care for such upscale food, that wasn't the case here. LP has three seatings (5,7,9) in this charming setting. Probably holds 25 people. You enjoy a 4 course meal. Each course has 3-4 choices and you can't go wrong. I started with the butternut squash, next to a stir fry, then to local sea food and finally an apple tart with vanilla ice cream. This review doesn't give justice to the level of detail each meal served provided. We made each course a shareable event. Great service and excellent staff. Highly recommend, a foodie paradise. read more

Almost the only thing I can remember is how slow it was. The spacing between courses was incredibly long. The food was ok. The brownie dessert was probably the best thing we got. Not a good value and not a great experience overall. read more

This was the most incredible way to treat myself on my first night in Key West. The service, food, and overall experience was fabulous and comparable to Michelin starred tasting menu experiences. I absolutely loved it! My table for 7pm was available early so I arrived around 6:30pm and was one of maybe two tables. It is a small space which is decorated with a classy, coastal vibe and stayed pretty quiet for most of the night despite all tables filling up. For the tasting menu, they ask that you select all of your options up front and there are some add-ons that can be included as well. I opted to add three oysters to start which had a flavorful, Asian zing to them and did not disappoint. Highly recommend adding them! I also chose to pair the meal with a bottle Sake since they have Japanese influence and it seemed to a good choice to compliment the menu. The server kindly told me that it is considered bad luck to pour your own Sake and made sure she kept my glass full all night! For my courses I selected the scallop poke (loved the wasabi in this!), hamachi tostada, red snapper (the special of the night), and the green tea tiramisu. Every dish was amazing and had the best combination of flavors. To end, I paired my dessert with a cup of tea that they provided a wide selection to choose from which was nice. As a regular diner at fancy Michelin star restaurants, I thought Little Pearl was such a deal for $85 a person. I would definitely return on my next visit to Key West and try other dishes! read more

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If you're a tiny menehune with a huge wallet this place may be for you. Had high hopes for Little Pearl, but the actual experience didn't live up to the hype at all. In fact I had my least enjoyable yet most expensive dinner there during my stay in Key West. Little Pearl offers a 4-course $85 tasting menu with weekly rotation of choices, 3 seatings per evening to maximize revenue. The room is woody and dimly lit with very nice rustic decor. Hamachi crudo appetizer consisted of four thin slices of fish, tasty but paltry (a theme that ran throughout the entire repast). As if $85 weren't enough to justify a nice meal, our server kept pushing pricey add-ons. For example she said the udon second course would be "very bland" without a $25 black truffle add-on, which I declined. Trout roe on the udon was sparse. I chose the shio koji tuna as my main course, which our server assured me was sashimi grade bluefin tuna. So I was unpleasantly surprised to receive a plate of uneven chunks of tough fishy tuna with lots of disgusting white sinew so I couldn't chew it (see pic). Tuna was resting on icky brown bland mush. I am very familiar with sashimi grade fish and this wasn't it! I politely asked to exchange the tuna for another dish but was turned down by haughty server who said "that's the only way our expert chef prepares it, try some more." Ugh no thank you I left it. Two fried soft shell crab bao buns were delicious, but another $22 add-on. The cheese plate consisted of three miniscule cubes of cheese with a few berries and a small pastry. Two slim four inch ice cream cones for my partner. Good taste but again, very tiny. Unfriendly service, ridiculously small portions at high prices and refusal to exchange an inedible entree? Three stars is on the generous side if you ask me. read more

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Tasting menu was out of this world. Very chill spot with awesome decor, the service was spectacular. It's a bit expensive but not for what you get, don't sleep on this spot! The chef changes the menu every few weeks. read more

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Allergy Caution Advised I chose Little Pearl for a special evening with my team of 14, relying on its strong reviews and reputation. Unfortunately, our experience fell short--particularly in an area that can't be overlooked: food allergies. When we arrived, I informed the staff of my allergy and made it clear I'd completely understand if accommodations weren't possible--I simply wanted to enjoy a safe, simple meal while my team celebrated. Our waiter was wonderful and assured me that the Chef was aware and had it covered. He was attentive and removed items I couldn't have, and I genuinely felt confident in the kitchen's care. However, the service breakdown came when 2 food runners began delivering dishes. In their rush to serve, one seemed focused on speed rather than accuracy. She had multiple bowls in her hands & didn't seem to have a second thought in questioning who should get which bowls & placed them quickly in front of our group. I assumed, based on prior reassurances, that mine was safe. Unfortunately, it wasn't. After finishing the serving, Brussels Sprouts from the second course, I began experiencing a reaction: racing heart, sweating, difficulty thinking clearly, turning stomach, aches, & more. I stopped eating immediately and tried to remain composed so I wouldn't disrupt the evening, but things worsened as time went on. The waiter brought me a cup of ice to keep my body temp down, however, I spent the rest of the dinner silently struggling, unable to eat or engage in the conversations around me. Aa my evening went on, I ended up very sick. As someone with chefs in the family, I know the level of care that goes into safe preparation--but if communication between the kitchen and front of house breaks down, the risk is just too high. If you have any allergies, I cannot recommend dining here. On a lesser note, be aware: this restaurant is very loud. I had chosen it partly because I was told it's not a party atmosphere and had even relayed this to my team, encouraging a quieter, food-focused evening. However, a nearby group was so loud we couldn't hear each other at our own table--or even the waiter explaining menu items. My team indicated that they really enjoyed the food, but for guests with allergies or dietary restrictions or even those seeking an intimate dining experience, Little Pearl may not be the right fit. read more

Boyfriend and I went for a nice date night during our first trip to the Keys. We absolutely loved our meal at Little Pearl! The ambiance is very inviting and everyone was very friendly. This is a great place to try new things, celebrate an occasion, or find some quiet not too far from the Duval festivities! read more

An excellent 4- course chef's tasting menu at this intimate, three seating, high end restaurant. Everything was cooked optimally with a few noteworthy dishes that left a memorable impression. First course was the Pink Shrimp Tiradito. Highlight was the sweet chili that still has enough noticeable flavor even when it sits under the kick of the spicy wakame. The shrimp texture and temperature allowed the components of the sauces to have good contrast, allowing you to identify the ingredients with each bite. The second course was their preparation of octopus and polenta.This dish left my mouth singing praises to the staff. As a general non-enjoyer of octopus, the combination of the perfectly cooked meat with the sweetness of what almost tasted like teriyaki left me craving for a bigger dish of it hours after leaving the restaurant. My favorite dish of the night! The third course was what the restaurant dubbed "pig wings". This tender meat slid right off the bone into some Japanese sweet potato puree of excellent consistency. The meat alone was good and cooked to perfection but it really got its full flavor profile when mixed with the sweet potato puree. And the final course was a cheese dish. While the cheese was pretty good, I felt like I would have gotten a more unique taste from the matcha cannolis my family ordered. Not much else to say about it. The waiter and staff were very accommodating for someone in our party with serious health restrictions. While they weren't able to alter the menu, they were very knowledgeable about the ingredients, preparation and sensitivities of each dish and how it might affect said guest. We really appreciated their patience and help. If you're willing to throw down the money on this pricier, limited seating restaurant then I highly recommend a visit. read more

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I am allergic to fish and seafood. The chef was totally unaccommodating. I was given vegetarian options that were meager at best. I asked for noodles that were on the menu and was told that I couldn't have them. We paid a lot of money and was still hungry!!! I would never go back! It was a total ripoff! read more

This gem was our favorite restaurant in key west. Each dish was so thoughtfully made and fresh. My favorite was the sushi waffle, so fun and unique! read more

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The food and service are amazing. Chef is always coming up with incredible ideas and matching flavors with not commonly matched ingredients. All set in a small quaint environment. Will eat here again over and over. read more

Little Pearl - GRILLED OYSTERS - 'NDUJA BUTTER - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

Great atmosphere, great wine selection & the food was excellent!!!! Be sure to make reservations as this is a smaller, cozy, romantic restaurant with a great atmosphere. I would not bring children, adults only. read more

Friendly staff , excellent meal choices as well as wine A must stop when in Key West read more

Lovely, lovely experience. Small, intimate. Timed seatings, reservations need. Prix fix 4 courses that rotates every 45 days I think. Service is the best I have ever reviewed. read more

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OMG. YUM. Honestly, Little Pearl rivals some of the Michelin star restaurants I've eaten at! With a pre-set menu, where you get choices, they specialize in seafood, but have options for those that don't love seafood as well. Between my husband and I, we did try a large portion of the menu. We started with oysters from the raw bar - they came with balsamic vinegar pearls and were to die for. So so good. For the first course, we loved the salmon and the carrots (they were surprisingly so so good!). For the second course, we had the pork belly and the bao buns - I wish the bao buns had more flavor - but you could tell the fish was incredibly fresh. For the third course, I adored my halibut! The edamame puree was divine! My husband enjoyed his pork chop, but did mention it was more on the dry side. For dessert we ended with the cheese plate - which came with such a variety of cheese, fruit and textures - and the churro cheesecake - YUM. read more

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Still loving this place, year after year! The 5:00 seating was a little quiet, so we were able to get seats at the bar. Dan is simply a wonderful server. Friendly, attentive, great sense of humor and a pleasure to chat with. Although the next seating was at 7pm, we were never rushed. If you've never been here, it is a preset menu: 4 courses, 3 choices for each course. The menu is posted on the website. There are also raw bar options you can add. Each portion is perfectly cooked, sized and beautifully presented. I never leave hungry. As the seatings are every 2 hours, this is not a place to hang out before/after for a drink. You can also ask your server to slow down a particular course if you need a bit more time to savor the one you are currently eating. Just be aware your table is likely needed in a couple hours. read more

We came back to Key West for our 1 year anniversary. For our special night out, we chose the Little Pearl since we had such a great experience the last visit! All I can say is this was seriously THE BEST MEAL I have EVER had. From start to finish everything was outstanding. I wish the portions were bigger since it's all so delicious and I just wanted more more more!! No question, we will be back again!! read more

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Little Pearl is a constant for us every time we visit Key West. Service is amazing and the chefs tasting menu is always delightful. Lovely wine list. read more

A charming room if you like sound levels of 98db! While service was prompt the overall experience was so marred by the noise that the food really became secondary to the affair. While the food rates a solid good it was not curated well. The tasting menu (only option) just didn't flow well read more

Little Pearl in Key West is a four-course 5-star culinary experience sure to satisfy your inner foodie. This trip was our third visit, and it surely won't be our last. What we love about this restaurant is that the menu changes often, so it's always a new adventure. The menu is globally inspired and focuses on fresh local seafood. Little Pearl offers a four-course chef's table every night with additional add-ons that change as the menu does. They have several different seatings each night, and reservations are required. If you find yourself visiting Key West, Little Pearl is an elevated dining venture you won't soon forget. The price is $75 per person. Parking is available outside for no charge along the street. They have beer, wine, and sake only read more

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Amazing little gem we found in key west. We were looking for a place to celebrate my birthday. Walked 20 minutes from where I parked but totally worth it. Note: Peking might be available close by but we had parked to watch the sunset at Mallory square so decided to have a walk. We were seated without a reservation Saturday at 8 pm, they close at 9, but the place is small so I recommend you have a reservation. They serve a 4 course menu. $75 per person. With option of three choices for fours courses of meals. The food was amazing and very unique. Plates are small so definitely perfect for any occasion. We had: 1. Hearts of Palms- crispy rice, soy amazing coke like in egg roll shape, extremely delicious and salmon was super fresh Ora king salmon in yuzu olive oil- I consider it being a blend of Thai and Japanese in a light and flavorful bite- 4 small pieces 2. Wagyu corn dogs- great but they come in very hot, I burnt myself. - [ ] Grilled octopus, celery cucumber- octopus was good but when reading the plate on the menu I was expecting a hot dish, it's like a salad with sliced octopus, about 10 small slices mixed with celery cucumber 3. Day boat- chefs preparation- this plate on this day was a grouper. Delicious and perfect size considering we're having a tasting menu - [ ] Short rib tortellini - this was one of my favourites- a must order! Dessert 1. Matcha green tea crepe cake- one of the best desserts I've tried in my life, perfect balance of sweetness and freshness 2. Yuzu meringue tartlet- really good, too sweet on my taste but my wife loved it. Amy was our server, great service and always checking in in us to se if we needed anything. She even gave us a little book with recommendations of places to visits in the keys. We tried a Japanese beer but i unfortunately forgot the name. Really refreshing. They only have one beer; however they do have a huge wine list. Ambience is low light, perfect for a date or special ocasión. They close at 9 on Saturday so we barely made it. This is a must go place in the keys! read more

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Absolutely fabulous! Worth the price! I enjoyed every course! Will visit again ! Beautiful presentation and flavor! read more

Little Pearl - New American Near Me - Key West, Florida

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First time visit to Key West and this place was My favorite ! I live in Los Angeles and enjoy many great restaurants. This place is amazing!! Loved the food! Had this white asparagus soup that was so delicious! I'm still thinking about it. The service was excellent and its a very cute and cozy atmosphere. Perfect place for a romantic evening. We also went to two other places owned by the same Owners, The little Mermaid and Natalie's. Those places were also great but Little Pearl was extra special!! read more

The little pearl is a must for the foodie in you. Our 2nd visit, the 4 course menu was awesome. The artful presentation the amazing flavors and great service. Off the beaten path is worthy of your effort to find it read more

What a disappointment! We went there for our 35th wedding anniversary and noted that in the reservation. Our server didn't mention it until we brought it up and only said "yes, I saw that". The food overall was only ok. First course snapper ceviche was so over spiced that both of our lips were burning. All serving sizes were extremely small. At one point a guest accidentally broke a glass. The servers were complaining to each other audibly that there was glass everywhere. Wait staff was very snooty overall and definitely not attentive nor kind. After we paid our bill we got a "happy anniversary/good night ". Will not be wasting money there again. read more