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    Perla's

    3.9 (2.1k reviews)
    PriceySeafood, Bars
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Perla's Photos

    Business Info

    PERLA'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Perla's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Fried shrimp
    Rolando N.

    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.

    Shrimp cocktail
    Jay L.

    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.

    Lobster
    Sylvia N.

    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!!

    mimosa
    Aruni G.

    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!

    Oysters
    Quincy A.

    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.

    Oyster Po-Boy
    Sophie C.

    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.

    Lobster roll
    Caitlin A.

    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!

    Snapper
    Anita C.

    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.

    Mediterranean Sea Bass a la Plancha
    Dan F.

    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

    Tia V.

    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.

    Fish & Shrimp Ceviche
    Michael M.

    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.

    Oyster or Shrimp Po-Boy
    William T.

    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

    Menu as of 9/21/2025
    Eileen O.

    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.

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    Food was too expensive for the value. Best option on the menu is the side of Mac and cheese. Trust me.

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    Page 5 of 52

    Perla's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Perla's

    How is parking?

    Street parking mostly...which will depend based on day and time you go. There is a lot nearby I think across the side street. It's timed parking.

    Are there any vegan optiona?

    Are walk ins available?

    Yes! On peak hours or party of 4+ I would recommend a reservation. You can always call ahead of time that day to see if there were cancellations too. There are plenty of restaurants walking distance so you can pivot and easily go somewhere else if… Read more

    Is there a kids menu available?

    Yes!

    Do they have gluten free options?

    Absolutely. I've been here several times while on Keto.

    Trying to make a reservation via phone and Opentable? Phone keeps ringing then goes to an error tone. Opentable completely blacked out for Perla for August then picks back up in Sept (yet there are still spaces the next few days)? What's up?

    I think they have a limited number of reservations through Opentable and their phone system is terrible or reservations. It's very difficult to get someone on the line, but calling repeatedly I managed to get someone on the phone (took at least 30… Read more

    I know Perlas and Clark's are owned by the same group. They both offer the yummy lobster rolls. The fries at Clark's are skinny and don't even taste like fries. Are the fries at Perla's the same? If so, what a disappointment that will be...

    No they are not the super skinny ones. They are still shoestring but not the skinny skinny ones. They are closer to a regular fry.

    View All 9 Questions

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    The Roosevelt Room

    The Roosevelt Room

    4.4(921 reviews)
    1.2 miWarehouse District, Downtown
    $$$
    Full bar
    Takes reservations

    Upscale yet fun cocktail bar with great staff and drinks…read more Food: 4 Service: 4.5 Atmosphere: 4.5 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Opentableable: yes Return worthiness: yes Highlights - Classy atmosphere - Upstairs has a few tables and a quieter smaller bar - Downstairs has booths tables and a long bar which is a bit more lively - Isaac: skilled bartender that was fun to watch him make the drinks - Great temperature controlled drinks super cold classes--it's the little extra things that make a differene - Some cocktails have very cool glasses: one with a very long stem, a skull, etc. - Martinis: unique shisho and solid vesper - Grilled cheese: looked basic but the gouda and cheddar mix garlic rosemary oil on the sourdough bread, and crispy cheese on edges were great. 4.5 stars - Looks nice but no dress code where the FAQ said come in what you are comfortable in which which I appreciate - Can make reservation on open table and choose upstairs or down Midlights - Downstairs has a different menu than upstairs : down more simple by time period, up more upscale detailed - Pretzels for dessert were just simple tiny crispy choc covered - For the grilled cheese might have been able to go with an upgraded chip from Ruffles--maybe even a Kettle chip Lowlights - Even in quieter upstairs can't hear the bartender when right in front of him - Special board featuring drinks but they were out of the one I wanted

    My boyfriend and I came in for happy hour without a reservation and were seated immediately. The…read morebar had a dark, cozy, and intimate atmosphere. We ordered the Espresso Martini, Vodkadora, French 75, and Pisco Sour. All of the drinks were strong and delicious! The service was fantastic as well. The staff was attentive and friendly throughout our visit. Definitely check this place out if you're in the area! We'll definitely be back to try more drinks.

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    The Roosevelt Room
    The Roosevelt Room - BUCK TO THE FUTURE
 rye whiskey, manzanilla sherry, strawberry-basil purée, nardini amaro, ginger syrup, lemon, barrel smoked black pepper

    BUCK TO THE FUTURE rye whiskey, manzanilla sherry, strawberry-basil purée, nardini amaro, ginger syrup, lemon, barrel smoked black pepper

    The Roosevelt Room - ZOMBIE
 rr tiki rum blend, donn's mix, falernum, lime,
 grenadine, angostura, flamed absinthe, served in a skull with flamed cinnamon powder

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    Powder Room - Craft Cocktail Bar

    Powder Room

    4.0(135 reviews)
    1.3 miWarehouse District, Downtown

    Upon stepping in I felt like I was transported to Miami in the 70s or 80s. Once you enter you turn…read morein your phones making it easy to lose time in connecting with your company. The staff was super nice and attentive our waitress came by multiple times and drinks were good and quick. They have a fun magazine style menu and plenty of options including mocktails. The mocktails were well balanced and not too sweet and my husband enjoyed every drink he tried. We ordered the French fries which were so good the perfect blend of freshness and salt. Would definitely come back for the ambiance and the no phones was a great reminder to connect to who your with and be present.

    The vibes are great, but I'm not sure they are worth the wait. There are two lines: one for…read morewalk-ins and one for those with reservations. We waited maybe 15 minutes at the walk-in line as others progressively started to pile on behind us. Then again, even people in the reservation line were waiting. This is definitely the kind of place that wants you to wait. The kind of place that wants to build a line outdoors to intrigue onlookers. We were treated nicely, but we definitely could have gotten in right away. By the time we walked in, the place was probably at 60% capacity. It was standing room only at the bar, but not overcrowded by any means. There is a dress code, but it's not entirely clear what it is. Some guy dressed to the 9s got turned away for not having sleeves whereas I got in with sneakers and a t-shirt. They ask for your cellphones upon entering and give you a key in exchange, but there doesn't seem to be any security to enforce it if you don't want to give them up. I have no problem with their policy, but I bet a lot of customers do. Interestingly, their little social experiment seemed to have a positive effect, where we ended up talking to strangers and vice versa. The Powder Room may be making America social again.

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    Powder Room - Spicy margarita

    Spicy margarita

    Powder Room - Leaving Powder Room

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    Powder Room - Craft Cocktail Lounge

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    Craft Cocktail Lounge

    Whisler's - Left On Read - Delicious! (Tequila, Amaro, Bitters, Strawberry, Citrus, Spice, Egg White )

    Whisler's

    4.3(675 reviews)
    1.8 miEast Austin
    $$

    These are moments I think why do I live in San Antonio ( and often work in Austin ) when I can just…read morelive here and enjoy great restaurants, bars and weird gothic haunts like this with weird dark goth decor, a scent of palo santo , superb music, a great crowd and amazing drinks! College me would have lived here !! Enjoyed a French 75, my husband enjoyed a smoked Old Fashioned and it was a great place to grab a drink prior to seeing Springsteen at the Moody seated amongst candles , a weird alter of sorts while enjoying some Stevie Wonder as is playing now though some weird NIN or Type O might have been more appropriate

    I went to Whisler's and had one of the worst bar experiences I've ever had…read more I had one drink. I was completely sober for all intents and purposes. The bartender claimed I was drunk and cut me off anyway. I was at the bar talking to a girl while waiting to get a drink (the wait was long because the service is very slow, despite the bar not being very busy at all). She was clearly into me, and the bartender kept jumping in trying to talk to her too (instead of doing his job making drinks). He was doing all sorts of things to try and flirt with her and make her laugh: pulling out and showing her buckets of pre mixed cocktails, running and sliding under the bar, etc. She was engaging with both of us , and right in the middle of that, I get cut off out of nowhere. No explanation other than claiming I looked drunk, which I very clearly wasn't. It felt very clear what was going on--he wanted me out of the way. I left and asked the bouncer on my way out if I seemed drunk. This was literally two minutes later. He said no, not at all, and asked me why I would even ask that. I then told him exactly what happened and asked him to let the owner or whoever was in charge know about this extremely unprofessional conduct so they can discipline the bartender. His response was that the bartender has discretion to cut anyone off, and let me know the bartender is supposedly married so he couldn't have been flirting with any of the customers. Well, sounds like his logic is flawed--not only COULD he flirt with his customers, he WAS, and was therefore cheating. I hope his wife finds out. This is perfectly representative of Austin customer service lately and not normal in other places. I was in Tampa for an entire month earlier this year and this would've been unthinkable there. I'm not coming back.

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    Whisler's - Side bar

    Side bar

    Whisler's - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Whisler's - Main bar

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    Main bar

    Sign Bar - More booths and sitting areas

    Sign Bar

    4.3(131 reviews)
    7.5 mi

    I always see this bar on social media and I finally decided to give it a try. This bar exceeded my…read moreexpectations with the drinks, the size, events, games, and shops. The actual bar is to the left of the entrance. I love that they have a variety of drink specials as well as nonalcoholic beverages. I was hoping to get a taste of the food, but the kitchen doesn't open until 4pm. I would also suggest coming later if you want to catch a show from the live band or explore their seasonal mazes. There's plenty of photo ops, jenga, corn hole, pool, foosball, connect four, pacman, and a few other arcade games. This place is completely filled with 80s, 90s, and early 2000s' nostalgia. It's the perfect spot of tourist and for native austinites. There also a lot of vintage signs from old stores and restaurants that were local to austin as well. I would say this spot is worth the hype! I also give bonus points for the shops & food trucks outside of the bar. The perfect place to hang out with friends and have some fun.

    This place has showed on my Social Media feeds several times and while we were in the area on…read moreSunday we stopped by. Really great assortment of old signs, like walking through the Neon museum in Vegas but filled with old Austin haunts. We took a bunch of pictures and really liked the layout of the place, we gotta come back at night, as I am sure its even better.

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    Sign Bar - Entrance

    Entrance

    Sign Bar - Entrance to the Sign Bar

    Entrance to the Sign Bar

    Sign Bar - Entrance

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    Entrance

    Edge Rooftop

    Edge Rooftop

    4.3(215 reviews)
    1.1 miDowntown
    $$

    I found this via search of rooftop bars near downtown and I was pleasantly surprised at this…read morelocation and the venue itself. Arrived around 5:45-6 PM on a Thursday. This is gonna be located on the fifth floor in the JW Marriott. You have to walk through the pool area as this is on the west side of the building. Well, we didn't have a reservation and we were able to get sat right away. I forget the name of the individual who assisted us by placing our order. I ended up getting the espresso martini, and then my other person got an old-fashioned. I was asked if I wanted a shot of Bailey's with the espresso martini and that to me would've been way too much. The martini itself was almost kind of smoky. Not your typical kind of very crisp espresso martini had a nice foam on top of it. We also ended up ordering the sliders to go along as we had dinner reservations, and that bacon jam on there is magnificent. The sliders were all juicy and very well put together bun was very soft and the flavor of everything was really good. I would totally go back just for the sliders. Overall the service was great. The views were also quite stunning of downtown and the ambience overall which is very chill. The front part of the bar was actually closed due to a private event so I can imagine getting to take photos on that corner would be really pretty to see.

    My friends and I had a FABULOUS time here. The ambiance is beautiful and so cozy! Without a res on…read morea Friday evening (around 6:30/7) we were able to get a nice, big cabana area. The couches were so comfortable and the ambiance was so pretty. In terms of the drinks and food, it was okay! Got the job done, but nothing to rave about. I enjoyed the sliders the most. I enjoyed my drink as well (5th Floor Cooldown) once we added the extra sweetener we requested. Without it, I wasn't a huge fan (wasn't sweet, despite being told that it was). Valet parking is only $15 (for 2 hours) with validation. I appreciated that, as it made parking not a headache.

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    Edge Rooftop
    Edge Rooftop
    Edge Rooftop - Views of Lady Bird Lake from Edge Rooftop + Bar

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    Views of Lady Bird Lake from Edge Rooftop + Bar

    Perla's - seafood - Updated June 2026

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