The Pearl – Tampa

Review summary

1. C

   Cecilia

   Los Angeles15 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Simply delicious! 5 of us ordered raw and N’awlins style oysters. Raw were perfectly shucked, briny and sweet. The N’awlins style were grilled and topped with a spicy sauce and parm. Served with crusty bread for dipping in the spicy garlicky broth. Caesar salads were great heavy on the anchovies. The beet salad was outstanding too, but it arrive after others were done with salads, and only after we asked our server about it. The entrees were presented right after the seated salad arrived, so she did not start on here entree for five minutes or so. The salmon entrees were delicious and cooked nicely. The scallops were superb; nicely seared and tender inside. The Florida snapper was excellent as well, despite sitting until the diner finished her salad. I ordered a side of cheesy grits that normally come as a shrimp and grits entree. Soooo good. No desserts for us-we were full and happy.
   

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2. J

   Julie VIP

   Tampa17 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Entire experience was spectacular. Would highly recommend and we will be back!
   

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3. A

   Aaron

   Tallahassee3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Everything was great! The atmosphere was enjoyable and the food was phenomenal. The service was wonderful as well. The pie was definitely worth it so don’t skip out on it!
   

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4. A

   Alison VIP

   Tampa7 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Absolutely love Pearl and will continue to go there. One of my favorite spots in Tampa. But has gone downhill as prices climb. Do not appreciate random the 1.5% service fee added to the bill - which I have been told each time I go there is "to cover the increase in food expenses." Yet that expense seems to have already been dealt with by reducing portion sizes and creatively adjusting their menu items. The first time I went to Pearl, the server sold us on their amazing fried pickles ... he said "the pickles were made 'in house' and were pickle spears - not chips like most places." The fried pickles are still amazing BUT all of a sudden they are a mix of pickle spears and chips. Since pickle chips are mostly batter, my guess is they are a lot less expensive. Understandably some people are in a rush give to get to a game or concert given Pearl's location next to Amalie Arena. That said, many people do not appreciate having their meal dropped on the table by someone who doesn't even look up at them and is not the person who introduced themselves as their server - 10 MINUTES after it was ordered OR even worse while you are still eating your appetizer. We now do not place our meal order until we are ready for it to be delivered. Which is still rather annoying because the server, continually comes back and asks if we are ready to order. Then we do not see the server again until it is time to see if we want desert. You know from Open Table we eat at Pearl A LOT. So please take this review to heart because we really do love Pearl and because we go often we see the changes that have been made; they have not been for the better.
   

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5. m

   michael VIP

   Tampa28 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   not as good as first visit but pretty good experience
   

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6. L

   Lori

   Nashville1 review

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Our food was amazing. They even made a custom dish because of my allergies
   

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7. S

   Suzanne

   Aberdeen3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Walk ins were told a 40 min wait. We had a reservation and we were seated immediately. We had a great window view. We were there for the weekend brunch menu. Food and service were fantastic. Will definitely go again.
   

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8. S

   Steve VIP

   Tampa28 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   2nd time stoping in This time for brunch w my family of 5 Everyone loved their dishes! Service was on point I had the biscuit and gravy which was delicious and my wife had the hanger steak/rice which she really enjoyed! Keep up the great work!
   

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9. C

   Champaynne VIP

   Atlanta2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   First time here. The vibes and views were nice. The food was just okay.
   

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10. C

    Chris

    Chicago12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    The reviews I read were spot on. The food was excellent, my wife has to eat gluten free and they can prepare every item gluten free although some items need to be modified to avoid gluten. The blackened snapper sandwich was amazing, they need to put it on the menu instead of it being a special. My son hates seafood but he tried a little of it and even he likes it. The Pearl is a must try if you are in the area.
    

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