TASTE THE TIDE: Perla Raw Bar’s Signature Oysters and the Farmers Behind Them

At Perla Raw Bar, oysters aren’t just a menu item—they are a craft, a celebration of coastal waters, and a tribute to the farmers who pull them from tide to table. Known for elevating the region’s most exceptional oysters with both classic and creative preparations, Perla has earned its place as one of the Cape Fear’s premier oyster destinations. From raw selections dressed with refined, delicate accents to warm, comforting cooked bites layered with Southern flavor, each dish reflects a thoughtful balance of technique and terroir. In this Q&A, Perla Raw Bar gives us an inside look at their signature offerings, the passionate farmers who supply them, and how they celebrate oyster season year-round.

Tell us about your signature oyster dishes at Perla Raw Bar.

Our signature presentation is the Oyster Sampler, which offers guests a complete tasting of our three favorite preparations—Perla, Baked, and Crispy—two of each.

Perla Oyster (Raw): Our most elegant and refined presentation. We start with a pristine, locally sourced raw oyster and elevate it with caviar, rosé mignonette, crème fraîche, and crisp pear. The combination is bright, briny, and luxurious, allowing the oyster’s natural flavor to shine while adding just the right amount of texture and acidity.

Baked Oyster:

A warm, Southern-inspired take. Our baked variety features a local oyster topped with house-made pimento cheese, a pickled dilly bean, and a drizzle of traditional BBQ sauce. It’s a nostalgic, comforting bite—creamy, tangy, and lightly smoky.

Crispy Oyster:

This preparation brings together crunch, salt, and spice. We top a perfectly cooked local oyster with country ham butter, pickled celery, and Creole aioli. It’s savory, punchy, and incredibly satisfying, offering a heartier contrast to the raw and baked options.

Where do you source your oysters, and what makes them unique?

We source oysters both locally and throughout the region, choosing farms based on what’s freshest and at peak quality. A few of the growers you’ll often see represented at Perla include:

• Little Star Oyster Farm (Spencer Bay) – “Little Stars”

• Marsh Hippie Oyster Farm (Topsail Sound) – “Marsh Hippies”

• Three Little Spats Oyster Farm (Stump Sound) – “Carolina Sweets”

• N.Sea. Oyster Company (South Topsail) – “Dukes of Topsail”

• SeWee Shellfish (New River) – “Sea Hogs”

• Jim Fortunato (North Topsail) – “Topsail Salties”

• Big Cypress Oyster Farm (Alligator Bay) – “Dune Billies”

• Soundside Oyster Company (Stump Sound) – “Stump Sound Rosé”

• Clear Watters Clams (Middle Sound)

Each of these farms offers oysters with distinct flavour profiles, ranging from sweet and silky to briny and bold, all based on their unique waters. But what truly sets them apart is the people behind them. Every farmer we work with is deeply passionate, dedicated, and meticulous about their craft. Their commitment to quality, sustainability, and consistency is a primary reason we’re so proud to showcase their oysters at Perla Raw Bar.

Do you have a signature cocktail that pairs beautifully with oysters?

Absolutely. On our wine list, the Paul Buisse Crémant de Loire Rosé is a guest favorite for pairing with raw oysters—its effervescence and crisp acidity complement the brininess perfectly.

For those who prefer a cocktail, we offer a playful option: the Oyster Shooter. It combines a raw oyster with our house-made Bloody Mary mix, cucumber, and vodka. It’s refreshing, savory, and essentially a sip-and-slurp experience in one.

Anything readers should know about oyster season at Perla?

At Perla Raw Bar, oysters are celebrated year-round, and there’s always something for every preference—raw, cooked, or somewhere in between.

For lunch, served Tuesday through Saturday, guests can enjoy our Crispy Oyster Sandwich with southern slaw, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and creole aioli, or add Fried Oysters to any of our fresh salads and bowls.

At dinner, many guests like to start with an Oyster Shooter before moving on to the Oyster Sampler or the Seafood Tower, which offers all three oyster preparations along with a selection of other raw bar favorites. Whether it’s peak oyster season or a warm summer evening, we’re proud to serve the very best of our coastal waters every day.