Pearl

We had brunch here and was amazed at how well their small staff managed the crowd with humor, decisiveness and competence. The food was delicious- we had the shakshuka, the brisket and the frittata. The coffees were also good. BE Patient. The staff seem to keep a lot of balls in the air but deliver with panache. Also no tipping. The prices are higher but you should mentally deflate the values by the amount of tips you would have left.

Love this place. A must visit every time I’m in town. Annette and the whole team are amazing. 10/10. The cold fashioned is the best coffee in California

Met a friend for lunch on a quiet winter Friday. We enjoyed our skillet frittata and meatball tagine— served hot out of the oven, very unique and tasty flavors; we both asked for warm Wild rice horchata which were so amazingly good, my friend had 2! Some unique Persian mini Bundt cake was fun (and slightly too sweet but I no longer crave sweets). With its attractive modern Mediterranean atmosphere, creative dishes that change daily, and timely service that’s why we’ve been coming here for years.

Tips are included in prices. This place is a hidden gem; the menu is more inspired than 99% of the other restaurants in Petaluma and the prices are extremely reasonable. Dishes are cooked to order (waiting twenty minutes for the tagine is certainly worth it) and unlike any other meal you can find in Petaluma. Several restaurants have failed at this location; I hope more people discover this place so it stays! A note about service: the owner’s communication style is not entirely warm and inviting all of the time, but I eat out for the food; not the people, so I don’t mind. I’m including it in the review as feedback and for those who may care.

Food was a little too hoity-toity for me, but my girlfriend love the vegetarian options. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a top-notch culinary experience for the cost, just not for me

I have been coming here with my husband for years. The casual but elevated atmosphere and unique food keep us coming back. The flavors are always nuanced and the “du monde” cappuccino is a special treat! The trout BLT is amazing ! This is a special place !!❤️❤️

Great place, tasty food, but extremely slow service, we stopped for a quick brunch on our way to hot springs and stuck for 1,5 hour eventually.

Scrumptious, unique food. Warm people. Thoughtful, well-designed space and menu with daily changes. We drive from Oakland to eat here!

That was by far the best shakshuka I've had in a long time. In other places, they don't let the flavors meld together enough. But in this one, I thought everything was well incorporated. It was heartier and thicker than most, meaning they let the water from the tomatoes evaporate thus concentrating the flavors. Also I felt it was smokier than usual, which worked. I couldn't tell if there was more cumin than average. Or maybe it was finished in the salamander to get a quick char. I'm not sure but it offered a depth of flavor that I don't find at other restaurants. Paired with the toasted pita, it was very filling. Note that it comes with one pita. I asked for a second pita.

Reliably high-quality, delicious Mediterranean inspired food, very good service, casual, fairly unremarkable ambience, but comfortable...

Fantastic food, middle eastern influenced. I had the best shakshuka I have ever had in the States. The service was excellent. Our server was knowledgable and made excellent recommendations and no tipping. They pay their staff a decent wage. We loved our meal.

Creative menu, interesting flavors. The coffee is FANTASTIC. Not much here for kids but not every place needs to serve chicken tenders and fries. Leave the kids with a sitter, come for brunch, get the Turkish coffee!

My brother and sister and I drove 30 mins to come visit Pearl at recommendations of friends in the area. I was so excited to try them out,because the coffee's seemed unusual and inventive! The lady who made our coffee was so incredibly rude that we are still talking about it 5 mins later. It ruined our day. We spent $15.40 for two coffee's that were half filled. I wouldn't recommend for taste, portion, or service.

We came for Father's Day brunch, and it wasn't too busy. The drinks were unique and quite yummy. I had the waffle, and the only thing I'd say would be to have the compote on the side. The middle of the waffle was very soggy, but otherwise it was very good. One other thing we were told is that they don't do modifications for the plates, so what is on the menu is what you get. So to me, that's a negative. All the other food we got was very tasty, and it was an overall a nice experience. The ambience was very nice, not too loud or crowded. There was plenty of street parking, so we didn't walk more than a block from where we parked.

If you haven't been to Pearl in Petaluma you have to go! The Lamb burger with feta-studded patties, fennel tzatziki and lil' salad is fantastic! Finish with one of their "craft" coffees - I had the Cold Fashioned - cold brew, muddled cherry and orange bitters! You won't be taking a nap after you consume this incredible tincture. Super friendly staff always makes it a pleasure to pop in for a casual lunch!

The restaurant is in downtown Petaluma. It is very close to the river bank. The place is small, recommended to come early on the way to Bodega Bay. There's a small bar with full wine and beer. The staff are nice and efficient. The kitchen is small but the provide the most delicious food. We ordered the cassoulet with the Grenache Syrah , great pairing The dessert was the brioche doughnuts with truffle cheese Prices are affordable no tips included The bar is comfy close to other people

Sadly, we did not enjoy our experience. We came based on a recommendation, so asked quite a few questions about the menu items. Specifically about the Halibut Brandade. Never were we told it is traditionally a very SALTY dish. Once tasted, it was unedible. We informed our server, and that is when he told us about that aspect. He said he should have mentioned that aspect of the dish to us. We asked if we could get the omelet instead, and quickly since the rest of our table had been served. He was A., clearly reluctant to take away the Halibut dish saying he would have to speak with someone and B., it would take the same amount of time to order something else. At this point, it was obvious our complaint was not being received well, so we decided to share one of the other existing dishes on the table. We asked for a second plate to do so. Our server never returned with a second plate. Never came back to check on us for the remainder of our meal. When we were clearly finished, another member of the staff came over with three menus for the table with no explanation as to why and made comment that she understood the Halibut Brandade was not to our taste. When we tried to explain what occurred with the lack of explanation of the didh. she basically shut down the conversation. This restaurant includes TIP, so as a customer, you have no way to acknowledge good or bad service. Menu may be interesting, but for the service alone, I would never recommend going here, when there are so many other places that make you feel that your input is valued and appreciated.

I love this sandwich * . I am all for the thick bacon and fish combo. Bonus! There's a tasty Brussel sprout coleslaw hiding behind the sandwich. Have it for brunch, lunch, save the other half for dinner. Feeling depressed? Have a Turkish coffee or two, feel powerful, take those adult chores by the horns! #pearlpetaluma

Still one of my top 5 restaurants in all of Petaluma. I always want them to add a dinner service, but maybe that would defeat the point -- this is an awesome daytime eatery, and because it has limited hours it feels more special. Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine, with European touches. Everything I've had here is special. Love their coffee drinks, with interesting additions like cumin. Service is included in the price.

Food was excellent. Brisket is heaven on earth. Can't go wrong with anything really. You have to appreciate what goes into these dishes and a foodie to know good food ! Passing thru Petaluma for brunch hit the spot !!! Just what I was looking for.. exotic ethnic brunch

This is the best brunch in Petaluma. The menu always has some unique and always delicious items on it and a very well curated cocktail and coffee list. Service is always great and they compensate their staff well enough to be able to enforce a no tipping policy.

Lovely and creative cooking in this small restaurant with inviting outdoor patio seating , friendly, welcoming staff and a varied menu that will satisfy vegetarians and meat eaters alike. We shared a delicious roasted King salmon plate with beets, roasted potatoes, and crunchy green beans. The poached albacore sandwich in a bun had tasty pickled vegetables and was really perfect. It looks like you can find the menu for the day on their website. Note that the prices include a service fee and no tipping is allowed so their prices are fair for such fresh and delicious food. I want to return. So many good dishes to try!

This place was phenomenal. The food was absolutely delectable. The drinks were perfectly and carefully crafted. Quaint little place. It appears to be a very intimate staff with a direct connection to the area and a history of the foods. Can't wait to go back when I'm in town again.

Pearl truly is a hidden gem in Petaluma. They are only open for lunch/brunch. No tipping allowed! Sometimes you go to a restaurant and they just do everything right, so it is with Pearl. Our neighbors had mentioned them and their bangin' cassoulet and that being one of my favorite dishes I knew I had to go. The restaurant is super cute with maybe 10 tables inside and 5 out in an out of the way, industrial-ish area of Petaluma. They are beer and wine only but they do cool things with them and have a great draft and bottle selection. They also do cool looking coffees but we weren't feeling that. Drinks- Old Caz Porter (amazing) and Henhouse Saison. Better half got the Moroccan Mary, a beer based riff on the traditional Bloody Mary. I was suspicious but it turned out to be amazing, refresh and flavorful but lighter than the original. We also got the spiced sangria, which was basically a Sangria made with mulled wine, interesting but not my fave. Food - might as well start with the cassoulet. Incredible, just simply incredible! It's one of those things that requires time and expertise to get just right. Ranch Gordo white beans that were still whole but totally creamy, Toulouse sausage, sauerkraut, confit duck leg and a poached egg. The flavors were so deep, I couldn't see bottom. Oyster sando - Nice sized fresh oysters, fried to perfection, slaw and fixins on a baguette. Yum! Lamb burger - didn't get to try it but the consumer said it was amazing, Fish stew - With any stew it's all about the stock and clearly they had put in the work. Flavor was complex and rich with ample seafood and a nice whole grain toast on top. Dessert - Usually an Achilles heel of most restaurants, Pearl delivered here too. Buckwheat donuts with a bittersweet chocolate sauce, yes please. The donuts were fresh and hot, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The chocolate sauce was only slightly sweet with hints of coffee, espresso maybe. Wood roasted peaches with granola, hazelnuts and yogurt, plate licking good! The peaches were slightly smoky and lightly caramelized sprinkled with house made granola and blobs of Greek yogurt. One of the bests desserts I have ever had. Service was very friendly and a large jar of water on our table made sure we never ran out. In summary, Pearl is the real deal, in the running for best restaurant in the Northbay. Their menu changes every day so check out their website for the latest but no matter what is on for the day you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to return and probably won't be able to make it more than a couple weeks without their stellar cuisine!

Delicious, comfortable, vibrant, and friendly! I can't believe I waited so long to try this gem of a restaurant! Amazingly flavorful, filling, and creative menu! I ordered the shakshuka which unfortunately I cannot spell, but I can guarantee it tasted out of this world. Love this place! Friendly owners and wait staff.

Love the food here! It was all really good. Deducting a star because the lady working there (maybe the owner?) seemed angry... she made my husband and I sort of uncomfortable. But she was really nice to people she seemed to know. It was surprising to us. Probably wouldn't stop us from coming back.

Stopped here for lunch on our way up north. The place also has a small outside seating area with heat lamps. The inside is small and seating is pretty tight inside. The food was good well flavored and decent portion size. And what do you know this place does not accept tips!

They make the most delicious trout sandwich and interesting drinks. The service was quick and friendly.

This is my go to lunch place in Petaluma. Tasty and inventive dishes, with many choices for all people. Ambiance is nice, can be busy and bustling at times. The service has been very good, not too intrusive and not too much "hovering".

Great spot with a nice outdoor area too. They very nicely squeezed our large group in before a reservation. I had the zhuog trout BLT and while I didn't taste much zhuog, the sandwich was pretty good. The bread does a lot of the work here. I also tried a bit of the waffle and this pork shoulder dish and liked both. I'd initially planned on getting the cassoulet but it just seemed to heavy for a warm august brunch.

Let's start by saying Pearl deserves a 5-star, they just didn't earn one. The food was fresh, unique and enjoyed loads of flavor. Lots of fresh ingredients, fresh vegetables, curated sauces all topped with creativity. The setting is warehouse chic. Killer indoor/outdoor vibe. We sat outside in the sun on a Friday late morning. Babbs had the brisket and eggs. Her initial comment was - " I need to learn how to make a brisket like this." Yummy. I had the French omelet with leaks and cheese. They even made a plate of plain eggs for Thor. Now the 3-star part. We were the first guests to arrive. When my wife asked if we could sit inside the owner responded with "if you can prove you've been vaccinated" in a harsh tone. Excuse me. We are Vax'd and carry proof. Never the less, it was clear we were not welcome inside so we sat outside. Good with me. I love the sun. The owner was super cordial with several of the guests, which was great to see and gives us hope for Pearl. However we were greeted with a sharp edge, and we felt uncomfortable from the start. I know the owner can be nice as she showed some personality to other guests. One older lady and the owner had a great conversation. Note however that particular patron was served and done well before we received our food. And mind you, at that time they had just opened and there were only two tables with guests. A deliver truck then pulled up and kept his engine running next to us for 15 min while he unloaded. No thought for the guests sucking up the exhaust. The owner and waitress must have been used to this as neither noticed or asked the delivery driver to turn off the engine. The owner never visited to say hi or ask where we were from or how the meal went. Simple gesture would have gone a long way. We loved the food and are hoping we had a uncommon experience with the friendliness issue. Providing 4-star even though we had a very poor 3-star social experience here.

Every bite packs a ton of flavor. Every bite probably costs $5. Every bite was delicious. Came here for lunch when I debated whether or not to stay in Petaluma. Definitely recommend you stop by. They're located on a quiet street, nice shade outside, and if you have time to walk around after (I didn't) it seems they're close to the water. Menu was mediterranean. Shakshuka was such a great interpretation of the dish with all sorts of extra goodies like halloumi cheese. The picnic lunch is a great sampler and everything was in season and it showed. I felt like the manager/owner? hated us, so that was mildly uncomfortable - I had 3 kids under 5 with me and my very dependent and confused mother, so it was definitely a circus. But that's why I asked to sit outside as far from everyone else as possible. And somehow most of the food stayed on the table. Waitress was sweet. In short, not sure it is a family oriented place at all but I'm glad I dragged the brood over so at least I got to taste some real, good food.

Stopped on our way further north. Great lunch, creative, tasty food & nice owner at the bar!

Came here for the first time today. Couldn't have been happier. I had the lamb burger, husband had the brisket. Both were delicious and my salad was perfectly dressed. The amount of food was exactly right for lunch. Finished our plates without feeling overly full. When we sat down, the lovely women next to us leaned over and suggested the meatballs and the fish. While dessert was offered, we declined today. The ladies next to us had rice pudding. It looked delicious and they seemed to be enjoying it. Next time, I'll opt in for dessert. The service was also just right - not overly attentive and not inattentive. When our water bottle was emptied, it was quickly and quietly replaced. Staff was friendly with everyone coming and going. The place is small, as others have noted. Having said that, while a bit loud, we were able to easily converse and we didn't feel that the women next to us were so close that we could hear their every word. All in all, today was a great experience and we'll definitely be going back and recommending to others!

This is one of the best spots in Petaluma. The service team was super kind but also efficient and the food was excellent. I also really enjoyed how the silverware and glasses looked. Hard to explain but very cute. I would 100% reccommend to a friend

We randomly selected this spot because I am newly sober, and I was craving a replacement for my standard wedding pregame. Lucky for me Pearl was open and has *delicious* coffee mocktails/creations! I came for coffee drinks and stayed for the excellent service and bomb food that's Eastern Mediterranean-inspired. Here's a rundown of my experience @ Pearl: Pros: * The coffee: My God...their coffee is so good and innovative. My hubby and I have high standards because he's a coffee snob. We tried the minty Black Julep, the Mediterranean Fizz, the creamy Turkish Coffee and Cupp du Monde. Each drink was delectable. * The brunch items: We ordered the fluffy amaranth waffle with fresh ricotta and plum strawberry jam. I thought the ingredients altogether would result in a waffle that was saturated in sugar. I was wrong! The chef knows how to balance delicate ingredients well. We also ordered the french omelet, which has goat cheese, fresh fig and thyme compote. Every single component of this dish -- included the lightly dressed salad and sourdough bread -- are incredible. * All of the food is made onsite (as confirmed by the delightful owner), and most of the ingredients are super fresh and locally sourced. * Tipping is not encouraged because it's already included in pricing. * owned by a woman of color! Cons: * It's located in downtown Petaluma and that's sadly many, many miles away from me!

Returning to Pearl for lunch after a year's hiatus following a mediocre lunch, our disappointment with the food today - frittata and seafood salad - was greater than last time. Vegetarian frittata was insipid; salad had what appeared to be a couple canned sardines and decent-sized shrimps, no "local halibut" as claimed and tasty lettuce. $23-25 per course was exorbitant. Local draft IPA was the high point of the meal. The menu offers little for vegans or even vegetarians. Server was pleasant and competent, although an extended wait for a three-dish order food in nearly empty restaurant was inexplicable.

Fantastic food!! I had the Shakshuka and free form cheesecake. Both amazing! I highly recommend this restaurant.

Overpriced for what you get. I thought I was going to be able to order Middle Eastern food and instead I had no idea what I was eating with the shakatut or whatever it's called, except for the fried eggs. But I did know I there was too much tomato used in the prep. A strange custom was no tips allowed, but a $1 surcharge was attached to the bill.

Hangtown Fry with oysters and lamb sausage. OMG. Good!! And today lemonade was peach. I don't think I've had a daily lemonade that want killer. My bride was two thumbs up on The Picnic Plate. Ahhhh....

Fantastic and creative food served by friendly folk in a casual/industrial neighborhood.

Before I was able to make it to Pearl, I failed miserably like seven or eight times trying to get there at the right time. For some reason I kept thinking they were a breakfast place and I would get my hopes up and then would end up getting there and would remember it was lunch or dinner. Finally the stars aligned and we were able to eat outside at the restaurant before sheltering place. On our first visit, we ate on the deck across from the restaurant on a gorgeous fall afternoon. The weather was a little bit chilly but sunny and we warmed up quickly. The view from the deck overlooked the area including a gorgeous redwood and ended up being nice ambiance despite anything else that could have challenged that. I started off with a mug of the warm ginger cider $6 and he ordered the bittersweet iced coffee drink $6 while we looked over the menu. For our entrees, he ordered the pan fried chicken falafel $20 and I ordered the shakshuka with pita $20. After looking at the photos online we knew we also couldn't make it out there without having a dessert, so we ordered a slice of the cardamom cake $10 for the end of the meal. The warm ginger cider was absolutely decadent. It came out frothy like it was steamed and it was the perfect cup of fall deliciousness that I needed. He loved his coffee drink with a twist and I appreciated their ingenious takes on a crossover between coffee and day cocktails. His entree was beautifully plated with exceptionally spiced falafel patties and a bitter greens salad that nicely complemented the egg and sauce over the top of the falafel patties. My shakshuka was a ton of food but well seasoned and obviously made with a lot of attention to detail and was packed with flavor. The best part of our meal however was the cardamom cake, topped with pistachios and served alongside poached fruit. Initially I thought the cake was going to be too dry but it was a close texture with a wonderful orange/honey/rose/pistachio combo that just rocked my world. On our second time eating at Pearl, we ordered our meals to go and he tried the trout sando $21, I had the falafel $20, and we ordered the rice pudding $10 for dessert. The falafel was as good the first time as it was the second, but the trout sandwich definitely was the winner on this meal with its Moroccan carrot salad packing a punch with immense flavor. The Moroccan rice pudding with poached cranberries and cookie crumbles was deliciously heavy and immersive, and I couldn't eat it fast enough. Initially I thought maybe the prices were too high, however after eating more than one meal here I discovered that everything they charge for they deliver in terms of quality of their food and attention to detail and seasoning. I thought it was interesting that the menu prices also include service and tips are not allowed so that's an interesting way to reflect pricing on menus. All the people that I have had exposure to in terms of over the phone or in person at the restaurant have been friendly and helpful, and before shelter in place, I was there in person and despite not being able to dine indoors I was still able to get a look at the interior. The decor was warm and friendly and I definitely would love to dine indoors with them in the future. In the meantime, I will continue to order to go and support this very delicious and authentic take on Mediterranean food and beyond!

This place is Middle Eastern inspired, not traditional at all, but still has some great flavors. Our group ordered a few different drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, that we felt were watered-down and we would probably not order them again if we went back. We felt that many dishes were criminally overpriced or had portion sizes that did not match their price points. For instance, the Picnic Plate is a vegetarian dish nearly the same price as other dishes that are heavier on the meat/protein, but there was hardly anything on the plate. We felt disappointed, left hungry, and ended up needing to go to another restaurant right after to get more food.

Superb brunch. Gourmet adaptations of Mediterranean classics at incredibly reasonable price. If you only spend one morning on a patio, spend it here.

Stopped in for brunch on a chilly January day with my mom and my pup and had the most wonderful experience. The outdoor heater kept us nice and toasty, alongside some delicious warm ginger cider. The staff was friendly and had great recommendations. I ordered the shakshuka (tasty) and my mom ordered the seafood salad (also great). We shared the rice pudding for dessert, which had interesting flavors and wasn't too sweet or heavy. Will definitely return!

This was my second visit for lunch. Absolutely delicious, inventive cuisine, with innovative flavors. The missing (5th) star is due to the brusque service. No matter. This is one of the best restaurants in the North Bay, and we'll be back.

Great ambiance, friendly service and unbelievable flavor combinations. Highly recommend this place for brunch!

The food is fresh, seasonal and I sense locally sourced. The service is friendly without being too much and the ambiance is great food in a casual, neighborhood comfortable and interesting environment.

Off the beaten path spot with delicious food and friendly service. Menu prices seem high at first but very fair for the excellent quality and the no-tipping policy. I was just past passing through Petaluma but will eagerly look for other opportunities to stop in.

This is a review of a first time experience, but wow what great one! I met up with two friends who I've known for 45 years - they let me pick the restaurant. I chose Pearl because it seemed like they were dancing to the beat of their own delicious drummer. Lunch was great - all upside with not a single flaw. Service was impeccable, friendly and jovial. Food was plated as though it was begging to be photographed - which means nothing if it's not delicious. No worries there: It was yummy as heck. Can't wait to return.

Awesome food and friendly, obliging service! Brought water for the dog. Bocadillo sandwich with porchetta was so yummy!

Last Friday I was walking with my partner and we stumbled upon this brunch spot. The service was great and the food and coffee were delicious. Highly recommend their speciality coffee and any of their food items! They also have a lovely outdoor space right out front in case you want to enjoy the beautiful Petaluma weather while you dine.

Attractive place to sit outside. Cool breeze in shade. Bring a sweater. Pricey for brunch but that's ok. Too much herb on frittata, so scraped off the top crust. Suggest adding Schramsberg as an additional and familiar bubbly. Lamb burger looked good but too rich for my mood. Might try on next visit. I would give another visit. Desserts are meh. The rice pudding could use a touch of honey. Tasted like cold oatmeal with raspberry mash on top. A no tip policy! Good on them. In Europe this is a good job.

This place has wonderful and unusual salads and drinks including interesting coffees flavors.

First time trying this gem in Petaluma! On a cool day, the drinks and dishes we chose warmed us from the inside. Party of 4 got sat right away outside -inside was full for our size. Kids got Warm ginger cider which they both liked and the parents finished for them because it was soooo delicious! One kid ordered the ricotta pancakes, the other ordered a Chicken Ragout dish and the adults ordered the Shakshuka to share. Everything was so flavorful! We will absolutely be going back.

One of the purest and finest expressions of creative and refined food in the north bay. Service was excellent. Wine list was unique and on the edge in spots... staff was well informed and consultative in helping select the right wine. Had the spiced Salmon and a glass of Pinot Gris (Orange- skin soaked for 24hrs) + House-made peach lemonade. Salmon exceeded expectations, my plate was clean. Need I say more. The only downer... why no dinner service Look forward to coming back very soon. Thank you Pearl for an Oasis of culinary adventure in Petaluma

We drove through Petaluma last weekend, and were looking for something to eat. When it comes to food places, I tend to follow Yelp reviews, because I don't want to be disappointed. I need the food to be good, and the atmosphere to be nice. I'd rather pay a little more for a really good meal than getting cheap and crappy food. Even if that means going out less often. So, seeing 5 Yelp stars for Pearl was a no brainer. And we were not disappointed! The food was great; the restaurant is cute; the street really cool; and the staff is super nice and friendly.