Pearl Oyster Bar

(212) 691-8211

18 Cornelia St (nr. Bleecker St.)
New York, NY 10014 40.7314 -74.0014

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Neighborhoods: Greenwich Village, Downtown

PEARLOYSTERBAR.COM

Hours:

Mon-Fri 12pm-2:30pm

6pm-11pm

Sat 6pm-11pm

Price:

$$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, People Watching, Lunch Spot, Dine At The Bar

Cuisine:

Seafood

What People Are Saying About Pearl Oyster Bar

Featured Review

Allison Austin

Contributor

The Scene – Thanks to an expansion into the storefront next door, the restaurant is twice the size it was when it opened in 1997. No matter--it's still always packed with happy neighbors, casual daters and friends catching up. Proof of the general conviviality of the place: Seats at the bar are most coveted. – – The Food – Seafood lovers will have a hard time ordering the wrong thing--it's all done just right. Start with fried oysters, served atop a spot of homemade tartar sauce inside the oyster shells. Offered as an entree, perfectly caramelized seared scallops make…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
The restaurant doesn't take reservations and lines are often long, so patience is a virtue you'll need during the busiest times.
What to Drink:
A short list of very affordable wines is available, as well as three draft beers: Guinness and a rotating pilsner and amber.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. Mary's Fish Camp has a terrific lobster roll as well, and a really cool atmosphere.
  2. Although the ambience, the service and the decor was great, the food actually was a bit of a letdown.
  3. Almost fast-food-esque in its ambience and service (we sat at a counter which was fun!)
  4. Having heard great things about this restaurant - "charming", "cozy","friendly", "fabulous seafood", imagine our surprise when we were unceremoniously asked to "hurry up, because people are waiting for a table"!
dessert
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. The Callebaut chocolate mousse for dessert was good, but should have been sweeter, in my opinion, as it seemed a bit heavy.
  2. The sauce in the mussels (cream, scallions, who knows what else) is fantastic and makes you want to order basket after basket of bread to sop it up.
  3. The mussels in the cream broth were great for an appetizer.
  4. Fab, fresh Seafood and amazing desserts
  5. We had a perfect smokey grilled lobster, sweetest scallops I've ever had over these buttery little vegetables, sinful mussels with cream sauce and a Caesar.
  6. Dessert is good too, but my fiance and I've managed to eat dessert here only once or twice in all the years - we're usually too full for dessert after the meal.
  7. We sat at the bar and were constantly bumped by the waitress flying past; had fabulously fresh raw oysters with pieces of shell in every bite; lobsters rolls were tasty but the large pieces of meat were tough; the apple crumble was excellent but the ice c
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. Service was good we sat at the bar stools so the waiter was facing us the whole time.
  2. We sat at the bar and were constantly bumped by the waitress flying past; had fabulously fresh raw oysters with pieces of shell in every bite; lobsters rolls were tasty but the large pieces of meat were tough; the apple crumble was excellent but the ice c
  3. The fries are quite good, the beer and wine are nice, and I understand the seafood is quite delicious.
  4. we (2) sit at the bar (as usual) this evening, order a bottle of wine, we only had 2 apps and shared a lobster roll, whatever.
  5. Definitely start out with their raw bar, the oysters on the half shell are fresh and standout.
  6. like my wine and there wasn't much to choose from.
food quality
91.02999687194824% positive
  1. The salt crusted shrimp and Fish were very good too.
  2. For the best experience I'd recommend going for lunch-- there's no line, the service is relaxed, and the food is just as good.
  3. Fab, fresh Seafood and amazing desserts
  4. The lobster rolls are superb, and so is the grilled fish.
  5. We had a perfect smokey grilled lobster, sweetest scallops I've ever had over these buttery little vegetables, sinful mussels with cream sauce and a Caesar.
  6. the fries are a little annoying (make sure you use vinegar) but the lobster more than makes up for it.
  7. the mussels were superb with their creamy creamy sauce the fries that accompanied the lobster roll were delicious super skinny shoe strings and the oyster were pretty gosh darn good too.
  8. PS-to the sick WVillager, it's too easy to blame a fish joint for your illness.
  9. As long as the food is decent and nothing to write anything negative about, the scene is what makes or breaks the place.
  10. The New England clam chowder and lobster roll are both very authentic and respectable.
  11. Everything was tasty and I'm willing to wager that there was more than one lobster worth of meat in my lobster roll.
  12. Wish there was more room, but the wait is worth it for all the great food and service.
  13. This place isnt pricey and has good food, I can't wait to go again!
  14. Love their food, always the freshest.
  15. You're doing no one a favor by serving excellent food with a bad attitude.
  16. Almost fast-food-esque in its ambience and service (we sat at a counter which was fun!)
  17. My new favorite is a Caesar salad followed by sinfully creamy mussels with a side of fries.
  18. Nestled on a tiny street is this tiny restaurant with amazing food!
  19. I'll be fair and say the food was very good.
  20. The fries are quite good, the beer and wine are nice, and I understand the seafood is quite delicious.
  21. Great, cute little restaurant, the obvious go-to for a sure-to-please lobster roll, as well as many other excellent seafood dishes.
  22. The shoe string fries were great, hot and pefect, but I won't go back for this much praised lobster roll.
  23. Everyone there seems so happy and in to the food.
  24. no frills, a pepperidge farm butter toasted hot dog bun filled with tasty, fresh lobster salad, served alongside yummy frites and the tiniest greensalad ever.
  25. mean - come on - we live in New York City where new, good restaurants sprout up each day - I don't care who they are, they can't treat customers like they should be honored to be allowed to eat their food.
  26. The prices are actually pretty low for a great meal in the city and I've made friends while waiting in line at 5pm for this place to open at 6!
  27. Pearl is far and away our favorite restaurant in New York and still a bargain--where else can you get sublime clam chowder under $10?
  28. this is the best meal I can remember having.
  29. And the food is delicious.
  30. had the Caesar salad - excellent - and this salmon tartare appetizer - also great.
  31. allow people to finish their meal in peace and in good time bcause most of them understand and arent camping out (no pun).
  32. there is a way to run a busy, popular seafood restaurant where you are able to turn tables without making your guests (the people who pay your pricey rent) feel like dirt.
  33. Sometimes it's too crowed that you have to wait on line to get a table, but once you are sitting down the service is good and the food is fresh and delicious.
  34. Dessert is good too, but my fiance and I've managed to eat dessert here only once or twice in all the years - we're usually too full for dessert after the meal.
  35. Next time, I'll definitely be getting the fried oysters, fried oysters, clam chowder, and fresh fish (looked great on other tables so I have to try it) :)
  36. Very tasty seafood, particularly recommend the lobster rolls.
  37. Although the ambience, the service and the decor was great, the food actually was a bit of a letdown.
  38. also tasted a good sea bass and had a bowl of a good-tasting clam chowder (disappointingly there weren't any actual clam pieces in it, though).
  39. They have the best steamers in town, fresh oysters, and delicious lobster rolls.
  40. We sat at the bar and were constantly bumped by the waitress flying past; had fabulously fresh raw oysters with pieces of shell in every bite; lobsters rolls were tasty but the large pieces of meat were tough; the apple crumble was excellent but the ice c
  41. found the Ceaser salad a bit bland, but they were tempered by the totally scrumptious salt-crusted shrimp with the OUTRAGEOUS homemade tarter sauce.
  42. The fries were very thin and crisp and were a big hit for a couple that are not big french fry fans!
  43. The waiter actually won't let us order appertizer first ("all food requests must stay within one order").
  44. We heard the food was good & decided to stay anyway hoping to be seated earlier.
  45. ve been to Pearl Oyster Bar a few times before and have always had a great meal, but I have a big complaint after my last visit.
  46. One bowl of their delicious clam chowder with bacon chunks is not enough for the average person's taste buds, as you'll definitly be craving for more.
  47. know, seafood deliveries typically happen 2 times a week and Mondays are supposed to be one of the worst nights to have seafood, but I had to try it and was not patient enough to wait on one of the busier nights.
  48. His personality made good food that much better.
  49. Price is also decent for fresh seafood.
  50. The lobster roll was to die for full of lobster chunks and a delicious sauce.
  51. Fabulously delicious lobster roll
  52. but for some reason that clam chowder still tastes great!
  53. The seafood is about as good and fresh as you can get it outside of Maine or Cape Cod.
  54. Pearl is a can't miss for a delicious, casual seafood meal.
  55. The food has been consistently good.
  56. Possibly the perfect food.
  57. The lobster was not very fresh or tasty.
  58. I've been to Pearl's several times, and always had outstanding food, good service, and a terrific time.
  59. Pearl used to have great service and great food.
  60. The service was always hurried and a bit rude, but the food was fantastic, so we were always able to overlook that.
  61. friend was able to tear herself away from the lobster roll for one night (and if you can do this, you are rewarded by the other dishes) to have the most delicious, juicy, sweet scallops I have ever tasted.
  62. eat any meat except for fish) which is why seafood places are always a good dinner option when out with friends.
  63. Highly Recommended for fresh seafood at fair prices.
  64. keep up the good food, just allow us time to eat it.
  65. Mussels are also amazing--ask for bread, though.
  66. Went a while ago but i loved how they cooked the fish.
  67. Everything I've had here is good, but I can't seem to separate myself from their tasty lobster roll.
  68. Food came out fast - we started with an unbelievably delicious New England clam chowder (served with bacon!)
  69. The clam chowder was , again, good but nothing memorable.
  70. ok, the clam chowder is yummy.
  71. Having heard great things about this restaurant - "charming", "cozy","friendly", "fabulous seafood", imagine our surprise when we were unceremoniously asked to "hurry up, because people are waiting for a table"!
  72. The sauce in the mussels (cream, scallions, who knows what else) is fantastic and makes you want to order basket after basket of bread to sop it up.
  73. As a lobster lover, I will never complain about having to eat too many tasty chunks of lobster!
  74. the people on line were as nice as the food was succulent!
  75. Great seafood dishes
  76. The other night we had a whole grilled bass that was simply incredible and pan fried skate, sweet, juicy and delicious.
  77. Since they didn't need our business, we went next door the charming Le Gigot- amazing food and lovely service-highly recommended!
  78. Definitely start out with their raw bar, the oysters on the half shell are fresh and standout.
menu variety
50.0% positive
  1. love everything on the menu.
  2. Waitress was nice and friendly--she was knowledgeable & helpful about the menu ingredients & portions.
  3. Disappointing menu selection.
  4. However, when I went last night it was a series of rude encounters with the staff, kicking my bag out of their way and just walking away when we had apparently taken too long considering their menu.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. Pearl is far and away our favorite restaurant in New York and still a bargain--where else can you get sublime clam chowder under $10?
  2. The prices are actually pretty low for a great meal in the city and I've made friends while waiting in line at 5pm for this place to open at 6!
  3. However, if you are like me, and LOVE lobster, and crave a good lobster roll, then this place is The Best.
  4. Having heard great things about this restaurant - "charming", "cozy","friendly", "fabulous seafood", imagine our surprise when we were unceremoniously asked to "hurry up, because people are waiting for a table"!
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. The shoe string fries were great, hot and pefect, but I won't go back for this much praised lobster roll.
service
74.51000213623047% positive
  1. We were greeted by a super RUDE bartendress/waitress who told us to "Just go next door, there's a table in there!
  2. the people on line were as nice as the food was succulent!
  3. The service was always hurried and a bit rude, but the food was fantastic, so we were always able to overlook that.
  4. Almost fast-food-esque in its ambience and service (we sat at a counter which was fun!)
  5. Since they didn't need our business, we went next door the charming Le Gigot- amazing food and lovely service-highly recommended!
  6. For the best experience I'd recommend going for lunch-- there's no line, the service is relaxed, and the food is just as good.
  7. However, when I went last night it was a series of rude encounters with the staff, kicking my bag out of their way and just walking away when we had apparently taken too long considering their menu.
  8. Although the ambience, the service and the decor was great, the food actually was a bit of a letdown.
  9. AMAZING fried oysters and creamy mussels, friendly service, good vibe!
  10. Pearl used to have great service and great food.
  11. Staff was friendly and helpful with suggestions.
  12. We sat at the bar and were constantly bumped by the waitress flying past; had fabulously fresh raw oysters with pieces of shell in every bite; lobsters rolls were tasty but the large pieces of meat were tough; the apple crumble was excellent but the ice c
  13. allow people to finish their meal in peace and in good time bcause most of them understand and arent camping out (no pun).
  14. Service was good we sat at the bar stools so the waiter was facing us the whole time.
  15. there is a way to run a busy, popular seafood restaurant where you are able to turn tables without making your guests (the people who pay your pricey rent) feel like dirt.
  16. Our server was wonderful, she was sweet and charming.
  17. The scene & staff are very nice as well.
  18. Dined here on Saturday, was a bit of a wait, but the staff was incredibly friendly.
  19. I've been to Pearl's several times, and always had outstanding food, good service, and a terrific time.
  20. I've seen comments about rude service but never experienced it myself.
  21. before going i read these reviews and was scared by the number of people who said the staff was rude.
  22. The waiter actually won't let us order appertizer first ("all food requests must stay within one order").
  23. Waitress was nice and friendly--she was knowledgeable & helpful about the menu ingredients & portions.
  24. Considering we were three polite women who just wanted to eat, we were stunned to essentially be told we weren't welcome by a rude and condescending hostess.
  25. Food was decent but service destroyed the evening.
  26. Once we sat down, the same rude waitress came by, spoke at us like an auctioneer at an auction block, her words tumbling out so quickly I had no idea what she said.
  27. The hostess came up behind me and said, "Excuse-me, sir, these people would like to sit down and eat.
  28. Wish there was more room, but the wait is worth it for all the great food and service.
  29. The service is bad; the staff is hurried and rude.
  30. Sometimes it's too crowed that you have to wait on line to get a table, but once you are sitting down the service is good and the food is fresh and delicious.
  31. The hostess was very nice and entertaining and made it seem like we were her top priority.
  32. Having heard great things about this restaurant - "charming", "cozy","friendly", "fabulous seafood", imagine our surprise when we were unceremoniously asked to "hurry up, because people are waiting for a table"!
  33. tive service.
  34. Beyond that the waiter was very helpful, particularly in his specials recommendation.
value
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. If price is no object you'll get a very good lobster roll.
  2. Being a huge fan of the Lobster roll.
  3. The prices are actually pretty low for a great meal in the city and I've made friends while waiting in line at 5pm for this place to open at 6!
  4. Everything was tasty and I'm willing to wager that there was more than one lobster worth of meat in my lobster roll.
  5. My only complaint is the LONG waits and expensive prices, but its worth it!
  6. Wish there was more room, but the wait is worth it for all the great food and service.
  7. With all of the fabulous restaurants in New York, it is absolute arrogance to treat a three person, (three hundred dollar) tab so shabbily!
  8. little restaurant with a huge ego
  9. (We could have done with one more but it was only $22 with a heaping side of vegetables--where do you get scallops that good that cheap, right?)
  10. there is a way to run a busy, popular seafood restaurant where you are able to turn tables without making your guests (the people who pay your pricey rent) feel like dirt.
  11. had heard/read glowing reviews of Pearl, but every time I passed by it (I live in the area), there always seemed to be a huge crowd and a long wait.
  12. This place isnt pricey and has good food, I can't wait to go again!
  13. Compared to cheap lobster roll joints up in New England, here, they use a good roll and good quality mayo, so it is quite good.
  14. Highly Recommended for fresh seafood at fair prices.
  15. Waitress was nice and friendly--she was knowledgeable & helpful about the menu ingredients & portions.
wait time
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. had heard/read glowing reviews of Pearl, but every time I passed by it (I live in the area), there always seemed to be a huge crowd and a long wait.
  2. As long as the food is decent and nothing to write anything negative about, the scene is what makes or breaks the place.
  3. However, when I went last night it was a series of rude encounters with the staff, kicking my bag out of their way and just walking away when we had apparently taken too long considering their menu.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/22/09

Best Lobster Roll

by InThe Road

Being here few times for dinner and becoming a fan of this restaurant...Sometimes it's too crowed that you have to wait on line to get a table, but once you are sitting down the service is good and the food is fresh and delicious....The waiters are very courteous..and the Lobster Roll and the Fried Oyster are the best..the only thing that I will tell the Manager is to lower to use of salt and mayo...sometimes it gets too salty..but overall..I will come here again and again...

  • Pros: Fesh Seafood - Good and Fast Service
  • Cons: Overprized - Too much Mayo & Salt
3 Star Rating: Average

02/07/09

Pearl Mayo

by Tbonedelux

Being a huge fan of the Lobster roll... the search is always on in NYC to get a taste of summer. After being strongly recommended by fans, we decided to drop in. Promptly at 6 pm we thought we would be able to grab a seat at the bar, but instead took cue on the curb. Mildy warm for February, we waited the ten minutes outside for a seat before they opened their doors. The Sav blanc was your average but not a great selection. Crab cake was good but overpowered by the mayo-slaw which was, well mayo. Being rushed by the almost theatrical staf f was a litle stressful, I get it that the entire restaurant was seated in a matter of seconds and they have to turn it over, but it was a little much.... I recommend not going for the early bird as we did (especially when u get stared down by waiting patrons.).. Then-- the highly anticipated LOBSTER ROLL , was good , but sooo much mayo & salt that I felt like I was at McDonalds. The shoe string fries were great, hot and pefect, but I won't go back for this much praised lobster roll.

There are way to many fish in the sea, I'd rather not soak them in mayo....

  • Pros: Seated fast, but waited on line
  • Cons: MAYO & SALT
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/19/08

Best Fish in NYC and a Bargain

by caylowenstein

I don't know what restaurant the previous reviewer went to but it wasn't Pearl Oyster Bar--they don't have any MEAT! LOL! Idiots! Pearl is far and away our favorite restaurant in New York and still a bargain--where else can you get sublime clam chowder under $10? Addicted to the fried oysters; all others are judged by this standard. Mussels are also amazing--ask for bread, though. The other night we had a whole grilled bass that was simply incredible and pan fried skate, sweet, juicy and delicious.

  • Pros: really the best, freshest seafood , GREAT lunch spot
  • Cons: can be cramped in summer but fine in fall/winter
3 Star Rating: Average

11/12/08

average

by kendrickbreeden

I give this place 3.5 stars..

Although the ambience, the service and the decor was great, the food actually was a bit of a letdown.. not that it was bad, but it was just OK and not very memorable surprisingly..

I would've given it 4 stars, but for the price of the dinner, we expected to be blown away.. My friend had fish, which he thought was pretty dry and I had some kind of meat and to be honest, I don't even remember it and this was only a month ago..

  • Pros: service,decor
  • Cons: food
4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/22/08

Oysters on the Half Shell - Oyster Power

by ritzgirl21

This place is as close to Newport, Rhode Island as the West Village can get minus the marinas, boats and water. Definitely start out with their raw bar, the oysters on the half shell are fresh and standout. The New England clam chowder and lobster roll are both very authentic and respectable. My only complaint is with respect to the salt crusted shrimp. I would only advise ordering that small plate if you enjoy eating shrimp shells. At least things ended on a high note - finishing 3 different glasses of Pearl Oyster House's white wines and desserting on their seasonal blackberry and pear pie a la mode - just wow.

  • Pros: Clientele, Oysters on the Half Shell, Chowder, Lobster Roll, Seasonal Pies, Wine List
  • Cons: Tight seating, Salt Crusted Shrimp, I should have ordered the Steamers

The Details on Pearl Oyster Bar

Place Categories:

  • good amazing food
  • good pearl lobster roll
  • fresh tasty seafood
  • very authentic new england clam chowder
  • perfect grilled lobster
  • pricey place
  • rude staff
  • favorite restaurants
  • willing everything
  • amazing creamy mussels
  • great casual seafood meal
  • rude hostess
  • appetizer lobster salad
  • pefect shoe string fries
  • juicy scallops
  • great experience
  • decent price
  • rude waitress
  • nice dining
  • memorable nothing
  • amazing lovely servicehighly
  • sweeter callebaut chocolate mousse
  • great service
  • good fried oyster
  • very good saltcrusted shrimp

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