Service was great! Wasn't too hungry so I ordered the New Orleans barbecue shrimp from the appetizer menu. Large appetizer and very fresh. I was NOT disappointed!

We LOVED Perla’s! My boyfriend and I did brunch while staying for a quick weekend getaway. The staff, the food, the ambiance blew us away. Upon sitting down, we were greeted with a sweet happy anniversary card from the staff. Our server was so friendly and great with his recommendations. The oysters were 🤌🏻 chefs kiss. As an east coast girlie, it’s hard to find fresh and quality oysters in Texas.. and these did not disappoint! The crab omelet was delectable and perfect blend of flavors. The lobster roll was just as good as some of the best spots in Boston. The Strawberry tart was a perfect sweet ending to a wonderful meal. 12/10. Will be back for sure!

Wow! Our first experience at Perla’s and look forward to our next. Food was excellent, the staff were very knowledgeable and helpful with making selections including the types of oysters to select, mains and best sides right down to the wine selection. Denise made our evening a success! It’s a little loud but a fun place to be.

The parking garage is great. It’s behind the restaurant down an alley of W Gibson Street. Don’t pay upon arrival even tho the signs will stress you out. When you get in the restaurant they have a device on the counter with validation for 2 hours of parking. Just make sure you have your license plate number. The restaurant is great. Higher end seafood ambiance. Part of the outdoor seating is screened. They have nice lighting and beautiful trees. Gabby knew her wines and helped me pick a Chardonnay with both oak and butter notes. They were able to accommodate gluten and dairy allergies. Confirmed it upon delivery. They have a Cotes du Rhône Grenache that my friend is a fan of. If you love Grenache the Cotes du Rhône region has a nice spicy herbal dry taste. The sea bass had crispy skin and tasted amazing. The peppers were sometimes spicy. All on top of hummus decoratively placed. My friend enjoyed the scallops and the calamari appetizer. Thank you for a nice experience.

I honestly have no complaints about Perla’s. From the moment we arrived, the experience was seamless. The front desk was warm, welcoming, and organized. We had a reservation, didn’t have to wait, and they even called to check on us when we were running a little behind, which was such a thoughtful touch. The aesthetic was perfect, the space felt intentional, and the bathrooms were very clean. The food was excellent, the drinks were great, and everything felt well executed. The service was phenomenal across the board. Our server was fantastic, and even the staff delivering food to the table were attentive, friendly, and professional. You could really feel the teamwork. This is such a Gemini Austin spot, and I’m genuinely glad it’s there. Keep doing exactly what you’re doing. No notes.

Maxann Wanamaker

Everything was delicious! The sauces, guacamole and chips… bueno. The chicken tinga tacos were the most amazing. The flavors blended so well. We sat outside on a warm December day. Great experience.

Lily Gill

Big Tex Mex restaurant with a big menu and a big seating area. On a busy day we had to wait 30 minutes for a table. My black bean tamales were only $2.75 each, because of the price I ordered 4 as I assumed they were snack sized. I only needed 2. My husband loved his taco selector especially the chicken tinga. The refil salsa bar was excellent and all the salsa we tried were fantastic. They brought chips to our table. Service was fast and friendly.

+2

Matt O'Neill

Great tacos in a nice part of town, quick and simple food that’s made well. Friendly service, good quality, well recommended. The Mexican influence in Texas is very strong and this taco bar is the perfect place for a lunchtime snack in a casual environment.

Ray Ray

I like Mexican restaurants where they have a free salsa bar. Hands down The tacos were simply great. But the guacamole was so uplifting. The salsa bar served adequately and everything was so fresh.

Jennifer Reffner

I got the tacos al pastor (just 2, no sides) and was delish. There is a free salsa bar so I got more of the red sauce and pickled jalapeños. There is a escabeche is just shredded white onions, which I found bland. But the tacos were well seasoned and with the complimentary chips it was enough food. I ‘m trying to cut carbs. It came with a small side salad/raw veggies to go on the tacos.

Devan Williams

We came by to try and the food was so good! I got the El Jade taco plate & it was very fresh & flavorful! The salsa bar was good too!

kamila ventura

I came here for lunch with my best friend and I was not disappointed! The servers are friendly and welcoming. The chips are SO good and the salsas are even better! They have some of the best enchiladas I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to come back and try the rest of their menu!

Gigi Morris

Went here back in July for my birthday and it did not disappoint!!!! The food was incredible and the margs even BETTER! Erin, our waitress, was very nice and helpful when it came to picking food and drinks! I cannot wait to go back!! For reference, I had brisket tacos, a tamale, and the queso (fabulous)!!! Plus STRAWBERRY MARG!!!

Nat Ca

First time here and they didn’t disappoint! We tried the breakfast tacos to go and its was delicious! We will definitely dine the next time then we visit SoCo. I would definitely recommend this amazing historic restaurant! *They serve breakfast tacos all day so that’s a huge plus! 🌮 *Nice patio area *Great location and parking area

+17

Marc Kleinmaier

Great live music outside on the weekend! Didn't have food or service. Just enjoyed the ambiance, fans, and misters over a couple of drinks while listening to the great Blues music.

Marsha Russell

This place is an Austin institution, and it deserves its fame. Six of us descended on Guero’s about 5:00 on a Wednesday, and while it was busy, we were able to be seated immediately. Our excellent server took and delivered our drink orders, which came just enough later that we were ready to order. We munched on the complimentary chips and salsa until our food arrived. And the food was outstanding! We had everything from brisket enchiladas with mole to beef tacos queso to tamales to open face enchiladas with green sauce and more. Every single one of us loved every bite! The atmosphere is fun and lively, with lots of tables of happy diners all around. Whether you live in Austin or are just visiting, this is a great place to have your taste of the city!

+4

Deepty Murty (13)

VIBE check and it’s perfect.. happy, eclectic, full house and the best salsa .. the food was good. I loved the service, they were kind enough to suggest great vegetarian options. The live music is scheduled few days a week and it’s must. Drink options are great especially margaritas..

+2

Güero's Taco Bar ended up being a great surprise. We started with a house margarita on the rocks and a piña colada--both were solid and easy to enjoy. For food, we ordered a variety of street tacos: …

Güero's taco Bar ended up being a great surprise. We started with a house margarita on the rocks and a piña colada--both were solid and easy to enjoy. For food, we ordered a variety of street taco…

Güero's Taco Bar ended up being a great surprise. We started with a house margarita on the rocks and a piña colada--both were solid and easy to enjoy. For food, we ordered a variety of street tacos…

Loved this place! My husband and I came for drinks and queso. We both had delish margs and their salsa bar was to die for. In my husband's words, the queso had "no notes

This place was awesome. We had the tortilla soup. The queso and they're warm chips are awesome. I would come back here daily if I could.

We went to Guero's on Saturday night after the UT football game and the Christmas Affair downtown. The restaurant was packed but luckily we were all able to get seated at the taco bar! It was reall…

The margaritas on the rocks were just delicious. A great Happy Hour to take advantage of! The street tacos were just the right choice. The service was very attentive and the vibe here is free and e…

service was top notch super fast on top of drinks and refills\nFood was awesome. Highly recommend and we got the recommendation from some locals. They were spot on!

Service was top notch super fast on top of drinks and refills\nFood was awesome. Highly recommend and we got the recommendation from some locals. They were spot on!

Good food and not all long wait to get it! Causal and cozy atmosphere with good music!

Love love love! Very yummy and great price. Very relaxed and has something for everyone. Quick service. Great vibes for casual dining on soco.

Great spot on South Congress between the must see boot, hat and high fashion stores. Staff are great, prices fair. Food sensational

Great spot on South Congress between the must see boot, hat and high fashion stores. Staff are great, prices fair. food sensational

Great spot on South Congress between the must see boot, hat and high fashion stores. staff are great, prices fair. Food sensational

Great spot on South Congress between the must see boot, hat and high fashion stores. Staff are great, prices fair. Food sensational

If you are traveling through Austin, this restaurant is an absolute must go. The food is so good and the staff are super friendly.

If you are traveling through Austin, this restaurant is an absolute must go. The food is so good and the staff are super friendly.

If you are traveling through Austin, this restaurant is an absolute must go. The food is so good and the staff are super friendly.

Excellent margaritas if you don’t like them sweet. Beef brisket and chicken enchiladas and steak tacos were delicious. Three complimentary salsas came with tortilla chips and each was delicious. Fr…

Excellent margaritas if you don’t like them sweet. Beef brisket and chicken enchiladas and steak tacos were delicious. Three complimentary salsas came with tortilla chips and each was delicious. Fr…

We went for lunch and definitely went on the early side which I think was a good call. Restaurant was quite large but did get filled up and relatively loud. Complementary chips and different kinds …

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit - two adults and two college students. Great atmosphere, wonderful service, good food, and good prices. Would definitely recommend.

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.

Brunch at Perla’s is a seaside-escape in the heart of Austin. The oak-shaded patio invites a slow afternoon, and the menu doesn’t disappoint: oysters, ceviche, maybe a lobster roll or an egg white frittata if you’re feeling indulgent. Service felt warm and attentive it’s that kind of spot where they know the vibe and meet it. My only caveat: it leans upscale, and the buzz around the patio means it’s not the quietest table in town. But for a brunch that nails both food and setting, this hits 💕

YL

The shrimp enchiladas were salty, but that helped you eat a lot of rice. The tamale was the driest I’ve ever had… worse than store-bought ones. the self-serve sauce bar helped make up for some of that.

Melinda Nguyen

I took some time to review other reviews before allocating my stars. I thought it was a good place! We came here in a group of 15 people FIFTEEN PEOPLE. Our ONE server handled our order perfectly with no mistakes and food came out pretty much at the same time. We arrived to a table with the crunchiest chips and 3 types of salsas to much on. We ordered queso, which my coworkers thought was ok, I don't eat liquid cheese, so I'll take their word for it. Our drinks were good, how can you mess up margaritas? They served it like 50 different ways, how can you complain when you can literally find your favorite version? I tried the chicken de mole and thought the chicken was moist and the mole was very delicious. I don't crave Tex Mex so this place was delicious to me. My co workers like their enchiladas, tamales, tacos. I wish the charro beans were a little spicier and swam in more a soup but it was still really good. I didn't pay so I don't know if that's the gripe. It's on South Congress so prices are going to be more, but they sell tamales for $2.45! My entree was less than $20. My margarita with lalo tequila was $12 and I got a small buzz, if i ordered another one, I would have felt nice.

Laura G

We ate at Güero’s on South Congress and really enjoyed the atmosphere—great old-school Mexican cantina vibe with a lively bar. The chips come with three types of salsa, which was a nice touch. I had the Chicken Suiza enchiladas Santa Fe–style (stacked with a fried egg), and they were delicious. My mom ordered the tostadas and was not impressed. There were hardly any beans, and the sparse cheese was sprinkled on top of the lettuce instead of melted onto the tostada itself. The lettuce completely overwhelmed the dish and made it hard to even find the tostada underneath. We also tried the tamales, and they were very masa-heavy—more dough than filling. On the plus side, the margaritas were very good and definitely not from a mix. Prices are on the higher end for standard Mexican food, but that’s the South Congress premium. Overall, amazing atmosphere and great drinks, but the food was hit-or-miss for us.

Chantal Jacobs

We went to Güero’s Taco Bar and instantly knew we’d stumbled into one of those cozy little hole-in-the-wall gems. We got seated right away — no waiting, no chaos, just good vibes. We ordered the queso and the street tacos, and they were exactly what you hope for in a spot like this: simple, flavorful, and the kind of food that makes you smile after the first bite. I grabbed a Ranch Water to go with it, and it fit the whole laid-back vibe perfectly.

BullionTooth

Good spot for some good Tex-Mex. It was pretty busy Sunday at lunch hour but there wasn’t a wait. They have an unlimited salsa/green sauce/pico bar that you can use for the chips they provide- the salsa was my favorite. I ordered the gringo omelette which was quite good- the potatoes were my favorite part and nothing disappointed. Would recommend stopping by.

Leandro Agrò

I was here during SXSW25. Great vibes, especially in the outside where you have a view of the street - inside seemed crowded and a bit confusing, but still nice. We come here for their famous Migas, which is a Mexican plate with scrambled eggs and crumbled nachos, with a cream made of black beans on a side, potatoes and served with flour tortillas. At start, as appetizer, they served a free big plate of nachos with three kind of salsa. Service was quick even if the place was a bit crowded. The Migas was very good but it was the first time ever we tried that, so I don’t know if it was the best. Prices are just right. I can’t give five stars cause I didn’t had the chance to try other items, but the experience was overall pretty great!

Today was my day off, and I specifically thought to myself... "Why don't I go to Güero's? I haven't been there since 2017." I remember it being just fine. Things started out well. I got sat outside i…

Waiter was super kind. Ambiance is super cute. Food isn't great honestly. chips and salsa is good but salsa cup is TINY ! Why? Now the servers have to keep up more often filling them up. Had a part…

Waiter was super kind. Ambiance is super cute. Food isn't great honestly. Chips and salsa is good but salsa cup is TINY ! Why? Now the servers have to keep up more often filling them up. Had a party …

Waiter was super kind. Ambiance is super cute. food isn't great honestly. chips and salsa is good but salsa cup is TINY ! Why? Now the servers have to keep up more often filling them up. Had a pa…

Waiter was super kind. ambiance is super cute. Food isn't great honestly. Chips and salsa is good but salsa cup is TINY ! Why? Now the servers have to keep up more often filling them up. Had a part…

waiter was super kind. Ambiance is super cute. Food isn't great honestly. Chips and salsa is good but salsa cup is TINY ! Why? Now the servers have to keep up more often filling them up. Had a part…

An average taco spot. 3.8 to be more accurate. price is okay for where it is. I would say the sides are not really worth it in terms of price and quality. Ala cart seemed like it would have been …

An average taco spot. 3.8 to be more accurate. Price is okay for where it is. I would say the sides are not really worth it in terms of price and quality. Ala cart seemed like it would have been a …

Good spot for some good Tex-Mex. It was pretty busy Sunday at lunch hour but there wasn't a wait. \n\nThey have an unlimited salsa/green sauce/pico bar that you can use for the chips they provide- …

Great vibe friendly people and an Austin icon. Good is solid but not amazing. Location and atmosphere are fun and relaxing.

Consistenly good if you order tacos or enchiladas. Chips come with a variety of salsas, and the rice and beans are flavorful. The fajitas are not worth the money - tiny portions of protein, not ser…

Service was fast and done well. That will be the last good thing said. The margs were really bad. Bitter and watered down. Not even sure how you mess them up this bad. Then comes the food. Tamale was…

service was fast and done well. That will be the last good thing said. The margs were really bad. Bitter and watered down. Not even sure how you mess them up this bad. Then comes the food. Tamale w…

Upon entrance we were promptly attended. Our waiter brought us chips and salsa, took our orders and in minutes, food was on the table. Tasty and plentiful.

Upon entrance we were promptly attended. Our waiter brought us chips and salsa, took our orders and in minutes, food was on the table. Tasty and plentiful.

Great tacos , great salad, and other sauces. Friendly and helpful staff, fast service and great location in Soco area. Outside covered seating. beer is cold, perfect - enjoy

Great tacos , great salad, and other sauces. Friendly and helpful staff, fast service and great location in Soco area. Outside covered seating. Beer is cold, perfect - enjoy

We ate here mid afternoon and enjoyed the tacos. Generous helpings and tasty too. Special thanks to the hostess who helped us Irish 60 somethings out when our taxi app failed and our phone died.

Very good food. Huge portions. Good salsas. Enough to take home for dinner. We had 2 Hughes portions for around $45. All good. parking tight on Congress. May have to walk a few blocks.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 Stars) 9/13/2025 We went to Perla’s Oyster Bar and the place itself is nice, with a good atmosphere. Our server Paige B did a wonderful job checking on us and giving great service. I ordered the Fish and Chips and my wife had the Sea Bass a la Plancha. The food looked good on the plate, but the taste just wasn’t there. My fish didn’t have the flavor I’ve had at other seafood spots, and my wife’s dish had a fishy taste she didn’t enjoy. For the cost, I expected better taste and quality. We spent about $107 with tip, and honestly, it wasn’t worth it. The portions weren’t very filling, and we actually ended up going to Pluckers afterward because I was still hungry. We only had water, so if you order drinks here, the bill will be even higher. The restaurant was packed, but it seemed like most people were there for the drinks and the social scene more than the food. It’s a nice place, but I can’t recommend it because I love good-tasting food, and this just didn’t deliver.

Foodie Jo

A decent place to check out if you are in the area. They give you free chips and salsa at every table which is a plus and both the cocktails and mocktails are good. It is also a spacious place and can host large groups too. But the main cuisine- the tacos per se are bang average. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing great with it either. Check it out if you are a taco fan and like the Mexican cuisine.

Visiting the area on a Sunday afternoon, Had to park in a parking garage and it ended up costing $25.00! Had stopped to go check out a candle store which is two blocks from the restaurant, then dec…

This was very close to one of the stops on the Hop On/Off so we jumped off for lunch. Slow service, but we were not in a rush. Very small drinks (old time bar glasses for $8). I had the two taco…

Went for dinner. My food ratings were below: Casa margarita: 1.2/10 (literally the worst margarita I have ever had) Flamengo cheese with chorizo: 7.3/10 Salsa: 7.5/10 Pastor Taco: 8.1/10 Brisket …

The first time we have eaten here and we were looking forward to it. Had a reservation for 8:45 p.m. and asked to sit outside. I am adding a picture of the two top that was there when we arrived and was still empty when we left. The woman at the reception desk said if we wanted to sit outside we would need to wait, even though I pointed out this table. Just know, clearly, if you make a reservation and want to sit outside, even if there is room, you will be penalized and completely kept from sitting there. For this one reason, I would never return. They care not for the customer but only for their convenience. The food was good, and our service inside was good, but being FORCED to sit inside when clearly there was room outside and it simply was the restaurants unwillingness to allow it, makes me never want to return. There are many places to eat on South Congress. Try them out, and leave this place alone. Or better yet, don’t make a reservation, and just walk in. Seafood belongs on the coasts anyway. I have found the others on South Congress actually care about repeat business and the customers, they will take better care of you than they do those who actually make reservations. Really poor customer relations and they would do well to let the woman at the front go. She is not a help to your establishment.

Beware! The parking garage next to Gueros is not only expensive with an on site attendant but my vehicle was broken into. The alarm went off for a full minute and the attendant claimed they heard…

Beware! The parking garage next to Gueros is not only expensive with an on site attendant but my vehicle was broken into. The alarm went off for a full minute and the attendant claimed they heard…

Food was terrible and overpriced. We ordered 3 appetizers and 2 entrees. 4 out of 5 tasted burnt! Grilled octopus; the bread that came with the mussels; swordfish; crab cake (was also burnt and didn’t have any crab lumps, probably crab crumbs?). The only decent dish was the sea bass. The server guy (Jake A?) was being quite condescending towards me, which I think I should call him out. I asked him if it was Chilean sea bass and he said yes. It was not! He didn’t know Chilean sea bass vs sea bass. Then he went like “no it’s not Chilean style”. Dude, that’s not a cooking style but a type of toothfish from Patagonia. Me: could you get me the menu when you get a chance? Him(again with the attitude): I don’t have a chance yet but I will(!??). It was not until he gave me the check that I realized it was because they already included 20% tips in the total, which is absurd for such horrible CS! I came here once a while ago and didn’t want to go back, but my niece wanted to try this place which was why I went here again. Regardless, I will never be coming back. I don’t get why they have so good reviews. The bad reviews were true to my experience. The ONLY nice thing is the location. Everything else is subpar!

Andrea

I hadn’t been here in 5 years and was surprised the enchiladas are now $20, which has nearly doubled. I get it is a trendy place for tourists but I’m from Austin, the food isn’t anything worth the new prices. The service was bad which started with the host starting to seat a couple who obviously cut in front of me. The waitress messed up our order, never apologized and never came to the table to check on us. We definitely will stick to Chuys next or for those prices, Manuel’s.