The Pearl Tampa
A nautical-themed gastropub on Water Street offering a vibrant atmosphere with an exceptional raw bar and Southern-inspired seafood.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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The Pearl Tampa
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A nautical-themed gastropub on Water Street offering a vibrant atmosphere with an exceptional raw bar and Southern-inspired seafood.
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance, especially for busy times, to ensure a table and avoid waiting.
Outdoor Seating Option
Consider dining outside, but be aware it can be warm; fans are available.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood, Southern
Price
$$$
Phone
(813) 709-7776
Address
823 Water St C100, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Fresh Oysters & Seafood
Enjoy a wide selection of fresh oysters from both coasts, along with other delectable seafood dishes like garlic shrimp.
Unique Southern Flavors
Savor unique twists on Southern comfort food, such as the famous Jalapeño Spoon Bread with whipped honey butter.
Nautical Ambiance
Experience a charming nautical-themed atmosphere with eclectic decor that sparks conversation and enhances the dining experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance, especially for busy times, to ensure a table and avoid waiting.
Outdoor Seating Option
Consider dining outside, but be aware it can be warm; fans are available.
Generous Portions
Dishes like the Harbour salad are large enough to share, offering good value.
Shareable Appetizers
Tater Tots, Fried Pickles, and Devils on Horseback are great for sharing.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance, especially for busy times, to ensure a table and avoid waiting.
Outdoor Seating Option
Consider dining outside, but be aware it can be warm; fans are available.
Generous Portions
Dishes like the Harbour salad are large enough to share, offering good value.
Shareable Appetizers
Tater Tots, Fried Pickles, and Devils on Horseback are great for sharing.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Pearl receives praise for its fresh seafood, particularly oysters, and its unique, flavorful Southern-inspired dishes like Jalapeño Spoon Bread. The nautical atmosphere adds to the dining experience, though some find it a bit noisy for a romantic occasion. Service is generally noted as attentive and friendly.
"Service was great and the fix was fantastic! I ordered the jalapeno spoon bread and it was amazing!! I stopped eating cornbread as a kid but this was the most moist and delicious cornbread I've ever had in my life. The whipped butter with honey was the icing on the cake so to speak. The Harbour salad could be enough for two people depending on how hungry you are. I will definitely go back. I'm a bread head and the garlic bread that came with the garlic shrimp is a bread lovers dream. The right amount of crunch, butter and softness."
Paula Holland
"A lovely dinner spent with friends and great food. We sat outside which was pretty hot even in the shade - I wish there were a few more fans. The Fish and Chips were so tender and it was a lot for one person! The fish was Perch. The Tater Tots and Fried Pickles were fun appetizers to share amongst our table too. The staff were all very nice I just wish we didnt have to box our own leftovers!
I will come back any day, though."
Madeline
"Phenomenal across the board! I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday here for brunch this year! This was my first time ever and it did not disappoint!
From start to finish this place has it together! We had to circle the block to get parking prepare for that but know there are options, street parking( for the lucky ones) some lots are about a block away.
We had reservations we arrived separately the friendly hostess State at our table was ready and we were free to sit down prior to the entire party arriving. They also very thoughtfully had left a table beside us in case more people arrived than we originally thought.!
Promptly greeted by our server appetizers, and drinks were served. The deviled eggs were delicious and adorable the way they were served.
All of the food and entrées came out together. One dish had the wrong protein, and it was promptly corrected and brought to us personally by a manager, who is also very attentive and kind the mimosa buckets were a hit. We enjoyed a few! It’s a great shared option. The seasonal cocktails were great. This is not a place that you’re waiting a long time for those fancy muddled cocktails. They have a great list. The food was fresh. Everything was delicious. The clam chowder is the real deal creamy thick flavorful the best I’ve had in Florida. ( if not anywhere). My entree was the hanger steak I like rare it was perfect and tender do not let it overshadow the kimchi fried rice which was outstanding!
Make sure you save room for this famous pie. We tried several all of them were devoured. I miss getting pictures of the delicious Dutch apple pie and I also had the peach layered pie, which was served in a jar. It was just Everything you want in that peach pie dessert!
All of the staff from the hostess server, and even the bus boy who took our group photo for us went above and beyond in every opportunity they could. We were a large party. We enjoyed the food ambiance and friendship never felt rushed or needing anything the staff did a great job!There was an auto gratuity which I have no problem for the level of professionalism that they exhibit here could inspire our server, politely mention the auto gratuity and upon interaction for Payment with each person in our party repeated it reminded them so no misunderstandings Could occur. She was great!
This was a memorable dining experience that will remain at the very top of my list for some time to come congratulations to those work in that Sunday morning, August 24, 2025 you all did a great job and it was so greatly appreciated. We will be back if you’re reading this review deciding if you should eat here or not don’t skip it. You’ll be sorry and missing out on a great opportunity!"
paula sinclair
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Guests rave about the fresh oysters, Jalapeño Spoon Bread, and seafood entrées like Shrimp and Grits. Don't miss the daily-made pies for dessert.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak hours and busy days, to ensure you secure a table.
Yes, outdoor seating is available. It's a pleasant option, though it can get warm, and fans can be requested.
Yes, The Pearl clearly indicates gluten-free friendly options on their menu.
The restaurant features a nautical-themed gastropub atmosphere. It's lively and can be a bit noisy at times.
Yes, the restaurant is accommodating for groups, with generous portions like the Harbour salad being suitable for sharing.
Yes, The Pearl is known for its extensive raw bar, offering a wide selection of fresh oysters.
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The Pearl works for a swanky meal before a show at the nearby Amalie Arena or on a weeknight when you just want dinner to feel a little special. As the nautical decor (and mermaid mural) suggests, seafood is the star—raw or baked oysters served with cajun seasoning, Thai curry mussels floating in a coconut and sake broth, and a two-tiered shellfish tower. The egg-topped hanger steak, marinated in pineapple juice for 40 hours until it’s ultra tender and slightly sweet, is also a standout.
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The Pearl is a subway-tiled oyster room with an epic raw bar and extensive seafood menu. And, of course, no trip to Tampa is complete without a dinner at Bern’s, Florida’s most famous steakhouse where your chops still come with a side salad and the dessert room is to die for.
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And the more wallet-friendly and utterly delicious Pearl, across the street, serves Southern comfort fare like chicken wings confit and jalapeño spoon bread that’s great for sharing.
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Just a short walk from Amalie Arena after a Tampa Bay Lightning game or a concert, The Pearl on Water Street offers lunch and dinner throughout the week, and brunch for the weekend warriors!. Our recommendation: Sip on a mojito, a Moscow Mule, or even a “Duke of Pearls” cocktail, which consists of Old Forester, Dry Vermouth, lemon, Early Grey, and black pepper. Enjoy some Jalapeno Corn Spoon Bread, nosh on hot or cold oysters, and finish with a piece of fresh pie made daily at The Pearl.
Where to eat and drink at Tampa’s Water Street development
The Pearl is a nice option when you find yourself on Water Street but still want something relatively casual. The nautical-themed gastropub from restaurateur Cameron Mitchell has a wide seafood selection and raw bar, plus a tavern-style menu that elevates some classic dishes. Start off with plump raw oysters or get a salty-sweet fix with the Devils on Horseback — dates stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon and topped with chimichurri.
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The Pearl is a dynamic restaurant and oyster bar located in the vibrant Water Street district, making it the perfect pre-event dining spot for Amalie Arena goers. Known for its lively atmosphere and diverse menu, including favorites like Grilled Cheese and Beet Salad, The Pearl invites diners to enjoy both the flavor and the fun of Tampa’s food scene. L earn more at The Pearl’s website or contact them at (813) 555-1234.
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_The Pearl’s only Florida location, this Water Street establishment combines a restaurant, tavern and oyster room all under one roof. Guests can savor made-from-scratch entrees such as the pork piri piri or the pineapple-marinated hanger steak after one-of-a-kind appetizers like the jaleneño corn spoon bread or the Thai curry mussels.
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One of my most recommended romantic restaurants in Tampa is The Pearl where you can find foodie eats of all sorts of cuisines. Their top-notch seafood earned them a mention on the Michelin Guide, so do not miss the oysters here if you are a fan. For those in the mood for brunch, the options here are quite scrumptious as well!
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I first visited The Pearl for brunch, and after that experience, I need to go back for lunch or dinner. Their oysters are fresh and flavorful, and the huevos rancheros were hearty, satisfying, and packed with flavor. But The Pearl isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a tavern and oyster bar with a cozy, welcoming vibe.
Pearl restaurant now open in Water Street Tampa
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, owners of the award-winning Ocean Prime Tampa, have introduced The Pearl to Water Street Tampa. Cameron Mitchell Restaurants celebrated the grand opening on March 7 at 823 Water Street. Reservations are live and can be made on The Pearl’s website.
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The Pearl Water Street Tampa (@ thepearlwaterstreet) • Instagram photos and videos. Location: Downtown TampaWebsite: The Pearl. Overview:The Pearl is a fine dining establishment that offers a dedicated gluten-free menu, making it a go-to spot for special occasions.
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The food and drinks at The Pearl on Water St is just two of the many reasons we love this spot. Their staff will always go above and beyond. If you plan on celebrating with a big party, this might be the best spot for you
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You can tell this is a restaurant that has a lot of fun with their food. They feature dishes and flavors from all over the world from chorizo clam chowder to Thai curry mussels to chicken and waffles.
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The Pearl: After a long wait, I am happy to report that The Pearl finally launched a happy hour menu from Monday to Thursday from 2 p.m.
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