I was pleasantly surprised, everything was so tasty! Kawali could be crispier. But the pinakbet was 5/5 for me, the charelevated the vegetable flavors up a notch. Dessert was so rich, perfect way to end the meal.
Albert Truong
First time eating here with group of colleagues. Was enjoyable! We came during a day where it was a fixed menu literal table spread. We had the choice to eat with fingers or with utensils and we all opted to eat with our fingers. There's something enjoyable about being encouraged to eat our food with our hands. Obviously a messy meal but worth it. A garlic fried rice was laid on the table topped with vegetables and Proteins were chicken, pork and fish.Parking: 6pm Weeknight parking in South Philly. Enough said. I feel like if you're willing to park, say, 10 minute walk away versus being super close you will have better luck with parking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Robert Gallante
Everything was so delicious and beautifully arranged. I can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Briana Marmelstein
Incredible dining experience matched with delicious Fillipino cusinie. The meats and fish had incredible flavors, the lumpia were crispy, and the sauces were great accompaniments. You can crequest forks, but I have to say eating with hands was fun, just make sure you go with people you're comfortable with!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Irina
Everything we ate was INCREDIBLE, and such a fun set up for a big group!! Will definitely be
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Priyanka Goonetilleke
Perhaps a little bit too much food (if that can be considered a complaint). They offer boxes to take home all the left overs though so that reduces waste. The staff was very friendly and the food was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dan
Fantastic dinning experience, been a while since I only use my hands to eat. Foods amazing! There was so much food!!! Abundance of rice and vegetables leftover after our meal. Can’t believe what I’m gonna say, but the fish is the true star, and I barely eat fishes with bones. Lechon was good, but I’m not into fatty meats lol the chicken was great too, just slightly too salty for my taste. Lumpia was amazing!! They’re so addicting that you can eat them all day, non stop. Only complain is the rice tastes a bit under cooked. Overall, will definitely return to have this experience again.
I took my sister here last night, and we loved the idea of eating food on top of the banana leaves. Everything was delicious, especially the milk bun, lumpia, and veggies on top of the rice. I really wanted to like the crispy pork, but it was so tough that even our steak knife couldn’t cut through it. Plus, it was mostly fat and very little actual meat. Chicken was very moist and flavorful, and the pompano fish was delicious. The dipping sauces made the meal tastier. Loved all three of them. Service was fantastic, and everyone is super attentive and warm. We had lots of leftovers, which my family happily devoured when I got home! They kept commenting on how delicious everything was. I will definitely go back with my husband.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Samantha Elisabeth
Friggin love Perla. Taking a friend there this Dec for her visit and went with other friends earlier this year. The food is so good and is approved by my friend who grew up in the Philippines and is a huge foodie.It’s very much family style so know your guest count 24 hours in advance (says it right on Resy)!! Otherwise it’s pretty rude to walk in missing people of your party and NOT expect to be charged for food that’s already likely been prepared in anticipation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Prim M.
We were greeted with a nice smile and hello as soon as we walked in.Even when the staff is busy with their work, they always recognize your presence with a grin and seem to be pleased to be there.The passion is evident in their service and their food, which was simply fantastic. Amazing things; I will surely return and invite others to share this great little area.
Alissa A.
This is an experience that you should have at least once in your life, especially since this isn't a meal that you'll find in very many places either (prior reservations are required though). I had heard about Perla a long time ago and only recently got the chance to go, and it did not disappoint. Service was amazing, and our waitress was very patient and explained what exactly the different foods were and how best to enjoy it all. The food was so delicious and nothing like the Filipino food I've tried before; it was a feast of massive proportion (we had a lot of leftovers) consisting of garlic fried rice, mixed veggies, 2 legs of chicken, 4 super juicy pork belly strips, 1 fried fish, and a lot of lumpia with a variety of different sauces like banana ketchup and chili vinegar. Dessert was a creamy chocolate almond mousse that wasn't too sweet and was surprisingly light. Every aspect of the meal was outstanding (more than worth the money ~$60 including tax and tip), and I would love the chance to go back.
Lisa Z.
We did the kamayan feast which consisted of garlic fried rice, mixed veggies, chicken, pork, duck, and fish on banana leaves. It is typically eaten with your hands so be prepared to get messy. This was a unique experience that I would recommend everyone to try. Not only was the experience great but the food was spectacular. Everything was seasoned well and the proteins were all tender. The service was great, explained everything that we were eating and got the food out rather quickly. The restaurant is on the smaller side but it makes the environment feel more homey, like you're at a friend's house. A standout restaurant!
So good!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Enjoyable experience, good food and atmosphere. Worth giving this place a shot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurant week dinner was excellent, best Pinoy food my wife and I had. Simple cozy atmosphere and service were great!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Berkshire Pork Belly, Whole Fried Pompano, Sweet Milk Bread, Chocolate Coconut Budino
I was pleasantly surprised, everything was so tasty! Kawali could be crispier. But the pinakbet was 5/5 for me, the charelevated the vegetable flavors up a notch. Dessert was so rich, perfect way to end the meal.
First time eating here with group of colleagues. Was enjoyable! We came during a day where it was a fixed menu literal table spread. We had the choice to eat with fingers or with utensils and we all opted to eat with our fingers. There's something enjoyable about being encouraged to eat our food with our hands. Obviously a messy meal but worth it. A garlic fried rice was laid on the table topped with vegetables and Proteins were chicken, pork and fish.Parking: 6pm Weeknight parking in South Philly. Enough said. I feel like if you're willing to park, say, 10 minute walk away versus being super close you will have better luck with parking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Everything was so delicious and beautifully arranged. I can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Incredible dining experience matched with delicious Fillipino cusinie. The meats and fish had incredible flavors, the lumpia were crispy, and the sauces were great accompaniments. You can crequest forks, but I have to say eating with hands was fun, just make sure you go with people you're comfortable with!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything we ate was INCREDIBLE, and such a fun set up for a big group!! Will definitely be
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Perhaps a little bit too much food (if that can be considered a complaint). They offer boxes to take home all the left overs though so that reduces waste. The staff was very friendly and the food was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic dinning experience, been a while since I only use my hands to eat. Foods amazing! There was so much food!!! Abundance of rice and vegetables leftover after our meal. Can’t believe what I’m gonna say, but the fish is the true star, and I barely eat fishes with bones. Lechon was good, but I’m not into fatty meats lol the chicken was great too, just slightly too salty for my taste. Lumpia was amazing!! They’re so addicting that you can eat them all day, non stop. Only complain is the rice tastes a bit under cooked. Overall, will definitely return to have this experience again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I took my sister here last night, and we loved the idea of eating food on top of the banana leaves. Everything was delicious, especially the milk bun, lumpia, and veggies on top of the rice. I really wanted to like the crispy pork, but it was so tough that even our steak knife couldn’t cut through it. Plus, it was mostly fat and very little actual meat. Chicken was very moist and flavorful, and the pompano fish was delicious. The dipping sauces made the meal tastier. Loved all three of them. Service was fantastic, and everyone is super attentive and warm. We had lots of leftovers, which my family happily devoured when I got home! They kept commenting on how delicious everything was. I will definitely go back with my husband.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Friggin love Perla. Taking a friend there this Dec for her visit and went with other friends earlier this year. The food is so good and is approved by my friend who grew up in the Philippines and is a huge foodie.It’s very much family style so know your guest count 24 hours in advance (says it right on Resy)!! Otherwise it’s pretty rude to walk in missing people of your party and NOT expect to be charged for food that’s already likely been prepared in anticipation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were greeted with a nice smile and hello as soon as we walked in.Even when the staff is busy with their work, they always recognize your presence with a grin and seem to be pleased to be there.The passion is evident in their service and their food, which was simply fantastic. Amazing things; I will surely return and invite others to share this great little area.
This is an experience that you should have at least once in your life, especially since this isn't a meal that you'll find in very many places either (prior reservations are required though). I had heard about Perla a long time ago and only recently got the chance to go, and it did not disappoint. Service was amazing, and our waitress was very patient and explained what exactly the different foods were and how best to enjoy it all. The food was so delicious and nothing like the Filipino food I've tried before; it was a feast of massive proportion (we had a lot of leftovers) consisting of garlic fried rice, mixed veggies, 2 legs of chicken, 4 super juicy pork belly strips, 1 fried fish, and a lot of lumpia with a variety of different sauces like banana ketchup and chili vinegar. Dessert was a creamy chocolate almond mousse that wasn't too sweet and was surprisingly light. Every aspect of the meal was outstanding (more than worth the money ~$60 including tax and tip), and I would love the chance to go back.
We did the kamayan feast which consisted of garlic fried rice, mixed veggies, chicken, pork, duck, and fish on banana leaves. It is typically eaten with your hands so be prepared to get messy. This was a unique experience that I would recommend everyone to try. Not only was the experience great but the food was spectacular. Everything was seasoned well and the proteins were all tender. The service was great, explained everything that we were eating and got the food out rather quickly. The restaurant is on the smaller side but it makes the environment feel more homey, like you're at a friend's house. A standout restaurant!