This is by far my wife and I's favorite restaurant. We don't see them that often other than for very special dates. For fine diing in Missoula this is the best place by far. Everything we have had here has been fantastic. Elk steak last time we were there as well as the cheese platters were amazing. The servers are extremely knowledgable and are very helpful with questions one might have.
(5)
Tanya P.
Found this place on yelp and we weren't disappointed. The service was great and the food was good. It might be pricey for the area but well worth the cost. We had (at our table) the French onion soup which was good. A tomato soup which you could taste the homemade freshness. There was rabbit which I we told was wonderful, but I did not try. I did however have the filet minion with port wine and cheese sauce which was delicious. It came with mashed potatoes (great) and broccoli (okay). We also had their complimentary bread and butter. The bread was soft and very good. I wouldn't be surprised if it was homemade. For a starter we had their cheese plate which no one had any complaints over. The blue cheese was smooth and soft as was their bree. The other 2 cheeses I don't remember the names but they were great and of course they had pairings of green apple, dates, nuts and bread to eat with the cheeses. If we end up back in town we will be back!
(5)
Andrei M.
The crab cakes are fantastic, as is the filet in the port reduction sauce. The restaurant has a solid wine list, and the service staff is knowledgeable and attentive.
(5)
Emily D.
The Pearl Cafe is simply amazing. First, the atmosphere is cozy and quaint with a hint of sophistication. They have a small front bar area with seating and the restaurant continues to the back and upstairs with tables and booth seating. The wine list is extensive and it's hard to choose...but whatever you choose, you can be assured it won't disappoint. We had a cheese plate, escargot stuffed mushrooms, and Indian - style spring rolls in addition to their bread basket for appetizers...so delicious and every flavor was distinct yet complimentary to to the others on the plate. Their french onion soup is amazing and I had the French seafood stew for dinner...I will definitely return and cannot wait to eat everything they have to offer! This place is without a doubt a little piece of France in Missoula!
(5)
Sue C.
Wonderful staff! Charming atmosphere and within walking distance of Holiday Inn. Nice bonus with the Dram Shop next door! I Will definitely recommend to friends. Charcuterie is a fun selection!
(4)
Jennifer T.
I really wanted to give this a higher rating but I cant. Ever since I moved to Missoula, everyone has told me that "the place to go for a special occasion dinner" was Pearl Cafe. Ummm I disagree. My first issue was making reservations on a Friday. We were told there were no openings at 6 or 630 so we were "squeezed" in at 615. That damn restaurant was empty until 730. So lady, please tell me why we couldn't get in at our requested times??? That was really just a minor glitch, no real biggie other than it makes them look a tad silly. Really though guys, the food is overpriced for the quality. My french onion soup was watery and flavorless. My corn polenta was so salty that I couldn't eat it and requested something different. To top it off, my steak was really fatty. So maybe it was just an off night...because I'm typically easy to please, but I was really fussy about my food tonight Missoula has so many cute and unique places to eat that even the environment can't save it from my above rating.. My suggestion is try it once to say you did, but honestly, just save your money and go somewhere like plonk, the depot, or silk road and have a really good meal (for that price) with a unique dining experience. They get bonus points for our friendly server :)
(3)
Madison B.
Disappointing. My husband and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary and wanted to treat ourselves. We arrived when the restaurant was closing for seating (their closing hour isn't listed on their website or outside their doors). When the hostess did a double take at the time, making sure we knew they had stopped seating two minutes ago, we asked if she was sure she could seat us- she reiterated the time again and said it was ok, before briskly walking past us to seat us at the two-top nearest to the kitchen despite several tables being fully dressed nearby. We waited 10 minutes for our server- during which time my husband and I contemplated leaving because I felt so unwelcome- but our server arrived and turned out lovely as did our food (why this is a 3 star review instead of a 2) -but we won't be returning again. We would have received much better treatment somewhere for much less than the 100+ we spent.
(3)
C Marie M.
REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE bar stools! Good wine selection and attentive (very) service. Plenty of food options, I ordered the Mexican shrimp special. Reservations are recommended. Ask for a table upstairs :)
(3)
Don H.
Great restaurant. Consistently really tasty food, excellent service and beautiful ambiance. One of us had trout and the other had seafood Provencal, both excellent! This our favorite restaurant in Missoula.
(5)
Kathy B.
Have always had an extraordinary dining experience at the Pearl. In a city that excells at mediocre food, the Pearl is truly a find. The meals are done to perfection, the service is attentive without being overbearing, and they are not snobby in their dress code or attitude.....luv it
(5)
Jay M.
Always great food and exceptional service. Put a request in the reservation comments and they go out of the way to cover the request. The curry spring rolls for appetizer were so good! Trout and crab dinner done perfectly. Deserts so good you wish you could secretly lick out the last bits. The wait staff are very professional yet personable - a hard balance at times but they nail it. Pick a special occasion and The Pearl is fine dining without being stuffy. Just what you want.
(5)
Patty W.
The ambiance is just lovely. The service was polite and not intrusive. The food was excellent. The courses came out at a nice pace and the restaurant was packed. Everything was well seasoned and served at an appropriate temperature.
(5)
John M.
The food was fantastic. I was here two weeks ago, the food was so good, I came back again. I travel for work and eat in restaurants over 400 meals per year. This is as good as, or maybe even better then some of the best the country has to offer. An extra thanks to Ryan, the runner, who helped me feel comfortable. Considering I eat most meals alone, a little bit of kindness is very appreciated.
(5)
Curtis H.
If you live in or find yourself in Missoula, RUN, don't walk, to the Pearl Cafe. We went to dinner here Friday night. The dining room was quiet, but we were early. My dining companion has Gluten issues, so she told the waiter and he was careful to make sure she ordered the right things. We started with an order of Escargot which had just the right amount of garlic and a great texture, which is important with snails. We then had the rack of lamb (without breadcrumbs) and the rabbit. The rabbit was fabulous. Breaded just enough to be interesting, roasted and served on a bed of wild mushrooms in a red wine reduction. Accompanied by a cake of crispy polenta and Parmesan. We had some great wines by the glass as well. There are few places in Missoula where you would spend this much on dinner, but it is worth every penny and the staff was excellent.
(5)
ginger t.
lovely! we had no reservations and yet they made us feel welcomed. Our server was very attentive and the meal was delicious. Would definitely go there again.
(5)
Jason H.
Best of France for Missoula. Great service! Making my special some one feel priceless was truly worth every penny and more! Matter a fact I think that their prices are a little low for the food and service!
(5)
Anthony L.
You will not be disappointed by anything. Everything is what one may come to expect in a high end gourmet restaurant in the middle of Montana. Great food, drink, staff, location, and atmosphere. Bottom line. I will eat here again! In fact, I may even bring a friend!
(5)
Adam S.
A wonderful spot! The moment you walk in, you feel at home in the warm, wood-lined interior. The servers are experts on the menu, and describe the dishes with genuine enthusiasm, that is helpful and not over the top. I have enjoyed the clams, seafood stew, and filet here. All were delicious, but the steak stands out as the best filet I've tasted in Missoula!
(4)
Elliott N.
I've been here twice now, and both were fantastic experiences. My first time at the Pearl was for a late dinner; the food and wine were both excellent, and, considering the ambiance and cuisine, I think their wine list is remarkably fairly priced. I also really appreciated that our waitress didn't run us out of the place, even though we were one of, if not the very, last tables in the cafe that evening. In Missoula I often feel that I can't have dinner at 9pm without being chased out, wine glass in hand, but that was certainly not the case at the Pearl. The second time I just sat at the bar with a book for a glass of wine or two. It was a nice quiet place to sit, and despite the fact that my tab was probably the smallest of the evening, and it was a busy Friday night, the waitstaff behind the bar were friendly and generous, offering me a basket of bread even though I was just having a glass of wine, and chatting without making me feel that I was pulling them away from more lucrative tabs on their plate. In short, great food, great service, and a good, fairly priced wine list. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Benjamin C.
My wife and I went here for a valentines meal. As always, service was very professional. They dress very well, know their product, and give you plenary of space to enjoy the atmosphere. They are always paying attention though to meet your needs. Great job.
(5)
D R.
My wife and I visited The Pearl and were blown away by the wonderful ambiance, delightful service and fantastic food. This place is a true Missoula gem, and the city could use a few more spots like this one. We'll be back without hesitation!
(5)
Sierra D.
What a wonderful find. Everything was perfect. The owner was so welcoming. Thank you for making our stay in you town great.
(5)
Christine O.
I found Pearl Cafe on Yelp and tried it, based on the reviews. I was not disappointed. The homemade bread was hearty and moist, the trout with Dungeness crab was nicely peppered and attractively and deliciously garnished. The dark German chocolate cake was a new twist on an old favorite as the cocoanut topping was salted, had burnt sugar ice cream and a burnt sugar hard crack decoration. Nice attention to detail and the service was good, maybe a little quick between courses, but overall, a very pleasant dining experience.
(4)
Rich B.
"Lamb. Cheese plate. Champagne. Bison with huckleberries." Those are my notes. The bison, if they still have it, is pretty stupendous. The lamb was also tasty, but it came in a broth that seemed oddly overly watery. "Add some flour or something, yo!" is what I wanted to yell to the chef. Someone at our table also had a shrimp dish. It looked lovely, but was pretty skippable as far as taste. Stay with the meat. Great service. Fine decor. I'd go back (assuming I was in Montana).
Ambience, decor, presentation - all wonderful. My sea bass special was like a party in the mouth. His club steak was a flavor explosion. Altogether a great experience and worth the $$$.
(5)
Mitch K.
Truly one, if not the only, gourmet, fine dining restaurant in Missoula. It is elegant, serves wonderfully different and uniquely prepared dishes, has a pretty darn good wine list and inpecable service. And it is very expensive, especially so for Montana. But for a special occasion or if you want a break from steak, the Pearl Cafe is a gem (!). Although casual is Montana, I might dress up a bit for the Pearl. Ladies like the elegance and outright classiness of this place, so it is a great place to impress a date or to propose marriage. Lots of class. Read the other reviews as I would just be repeating much of what has been said. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
Barb S.
We were in town for two nights and had a quiet relaxing dinner at Pearl. I had the soup of the day--a curried carrot--and the rabbit. Both were excellent. My husband enjoyed the house salad and the pork tenderloin special on the fresh sheet. Also excellent. A perfect find on a snowy night after a frenzied day of travel. Professional, courteous service. I would love to go back!!
(5)
Andrew R.
Almost everything was fantastic, but there were a couple of major missteps. 1) the lobster tail (warmwater) that came with my surf and turf (PERFECT shortribs) was like eating a mouthful of sand, really. It was uncleaned and full of grit. 2) We were comped our dessert, a butterscotch pudding, but it, too, was grainy, rather than smooth, due to recrystallizing sugar. Good effort, but poor form. The apps could have been "deconstructed" a bit less, for a better melding of elements, but the chard ravioli was fantastic. I'll be back, on a less-busy night, with clearer expectations and higher standards.
(3)
Mark K.
Definitely the best Missoula has to offer. Ambience is friendly and attractive. Everything I have tried on the menu was fantastic. I would have given Pearl Cafe 5 stars but the host was a bit pompous. I don't think he or the owners realize how he diminishes the wonderful dining experience. Red bird was a lot more welcoming.
(4)
Pat S.
Our meal was fantastic, from that starting salad to the delicious dessert it was everything you could want. The wine selection was excellent and the service was very good !
(5)
Daniel F.
Went to Pearl on a recommendation form trusted friends and it was very good, however since we had just been at the Red Bird 2 nights before the Pearl was not quite in the same league. The food was very good but nothing that blew us away. Also the atmosphere was was nothing special; a mix of industrial and rustic wood surfaces. The service was competent but not extraordinary. Many local items on the menu were a welcome surprise for a Nov. dinner. My wife and I would definitely go back but it would be second on a 2 or 3 day visit.
(3)
Cindy L.
Top notch service. My husband and I went here for our anniversary and had a most memorable night. Every detail was taken care of. The food was amazing, the wine was amazing. You can't go wrong if you want to have a perfect, romantic, intimate and scrumptous evening that you will not forget.
(5)
Tim O.
Just had my third great experience at the Pearl Cafe while visiting Missoula. This time a large group of us sat outside and enjoyed a wonderful sunset. The service was great - the food was innovative and wonderful - they were featuring a "Julia Child" menu that most of the group had. I come from the food mecca of Portland, and this restaurant would compare favorably to some of our best - but at half the price. A great find!
(4)
Alex C.
I've been here twice five years apart, and have found it very good both times. The food is high quality and excellently prepared. Compared to its main fine dining rival, Red Bird, Pearl Cafe has more traditional decor and a French style of food preparation. If you're looking for a special occasion restaurant, this is the place.
(4)
Veronica M.
I can't tell you if the food is good here, what I can tell you is their hostess is seriously rude. When I called to make a reservation he was short and seemed to be bothered I was calling. When my party and I arrived (5 minutes early), he walked us to our table and glared at the clock on the wall. Sorry if I like to arrive a little early. When he sat us our at our table, my husband asked if we could sit in a booth he took one step toward that booth then said that table was set up for two. He then said it would be silly to sit two people in the table he sat us in. Now, these comments are not that terrible, it's just how the guy said it. By this time my family and I felt uncomfortable and decided to leave. We wrote the restaurant to tell them of our experience, but they never responded. I guess a rude hostess is not Important to them.
(1)
Robert H.
I loved everything about this place Appetizers -Prosciutto wrapped shrimp (awesome) -Rock shrimp ceviche (fresh and light) -House salad (dressing was light and refreshing) Entree -Peppercorn crusted Filet with mustard sauce (i was in heaven) -Smoked Bison (gf ordered it and fell in love. it was amazing) I visit Montana at least 6 times a year. I guess that means ill be visiting this place at least that many times. It was awesome.
(4)
Alice S.
This was a really wonderful find in Missoula. Thank you Yelpers!! The street is a construction zone, so be sure you have the address, but it's well worth the bother. Beautiful, warm atmosphere. Absolutely delicious food, with wait staff suggestions very helpful. Choose locally farmed and fished and you can't go wrong!!
(5)
Roy M.
What a find! A lovely little restaurant. Local Montana cuisine with a French flair. Excellent quality beef. Delicious. Try the bacon wrapped filet mignon or the Tuscan flat iron steak. Great seafood, too -- not always easy to find when you're in Montana. Serving staff is very professional. One of my friends was on a gluten-free diet and they were very accomodating. Sit upstairs for a more private experience.
(5)
Blake P.
Atmosphere here is astonishing. Feels very warm and inviting. The only bad experience I've had here was with ordering the duck. It was very rich and quite distasteful. But overall this is a very great and highly recommended place to dine.
(4)
Pat D.
I must just say that is is everything positive that everyone else has already posted. Make a point of going there.
(5)
Richard L.
Simply the best restaurant in Missoula! Get the filet mignon with port reduction. The downside is it will ruin every other filet you try in the future. Amazing!
(5)
Mo B.
Sorry. This place is incredibly pretentious for Montana and the food is mediocre. I'm not coming back here anytime soon.
(1)
Tom M.
The Pearl is in downtown Missoula Montana in a two story older building. The interior is carpeted and has lots of exposed wood beams, especially the upstairs. For this reason the restaurant is almost unique compared to modern, trendy places - It is quiet even when it is crowded. Another feature is that the menu has choices "you can't get at home." I had a delicious Elk osso bucco. (out west this means a braised shank) The food is very good and the service is intelligent, informed and experienced - not hired last week. The locals think The Pearl is the best or second best restaurant in town. Prices are about what you would pay in a big city - top entrees are in the $30 range. Decent wine. Uses Open Table. Typical Rocky Mountain ultra casual dress code.
(4)
Brenda R.
Expensive menu, tiny portions and honestly it didn't taste that fantastic. I would not go back.
(2)
Thomas B.
We were very disappointed with our meal. The salad was a hunk of bad green lettuce. The appetizers were small. The cervieche tasted like a big lime. Our dinners were small in proportion, which was egregious considering how much we were charged. Our waitress disappeared between dinner and desert. In total, our dinner cost us $175 and we did not get enough to eat and the service was terrible.
(1)
Nicole F.
Go Missoula. Came here for a lovely anniversary dinner on Saturday w/ my mom and grandparents and again was very impressed!! It seems as though the thing to order is the duck. Not being a duck person I passed, however I did try this feathery pal and it was delicious. What most impresses me about the dish was the shitake chevre compote which was creamy and delicious. I could have had 5 of these for dinner. I had the special which was the seared ahi, and truly delicious!! The southwestern squash soup was good, yet really spicy as in smoldering heat. I like hot, yet not what I was expecting. If you do not like spicy heat, then you might want to pass. The onion soup, yummy yet I would have liked more gooey cheese yummyness as it was about to snow out. All and all delicious and I would for sure go back!
(4)
Jillian S.
I've had remarkable meals here and I've had so-so meals as well. After the last so-so experience (my anniversary dinner) I have trouble convincing myself to go back. We made reservations well in advance, but for a later meal. The two of us were seated next to a noisy group of 12 (not the intimate setting we'd hoped for) and most of the entrees we would have been interested in ordering were sold out - we were informed of this after the bottle of chateau montelena had been corked. A shame, because I'd love to return here again and again - but not if there's a risk of my paying $40 for an oversauced steak because my top three choices are all sold out.
Probably the best French food Missoula has to offer.
(5)
Toby V.
Best restraunt in Missoula, hands down.
(5)
James K.
The best country French meal we have had in memory! Exquisite in every aspect, from decor, menu, service, to ambience. We cannot wait to get back for another delicious dining adventure.
(5)
Craig M.
The Pearl Cafe has been, and continues to be, the finest restaurant in Missoula, perhaps Montana. My family and I have traveled across the United States and the Pearl ranks amongst our favorite places to eat. Time after time we leave extremely satisfied with the food, the service, and the dining environment. We have yet to have a bad meal at the pearl, every course is delicious and the plates are wiped clean. My most recent visit did not have the service we have become accustomed to (saturday nights are busy) but the waiter apologized and served us a free appetizer. Perfection for the Pearl is achieved with the setting. In a beautiful building, the Pearl has wonderful wooden beams and brick walls. The Pearl is hands down the best place to eat in Missoula. Finn and Porter is alright and the Red Bird was downright disgusting. Want wonderful food? The Pearl is the place to go.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Quiet Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Coat Check : Yes Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
D S.
Delicious food in an attractive old brick building downtown. Warm atmosphere and good service.
(5)Sassy W.
Talk about a "Class Act" in Missoula Montana, you have come to the right place. I am in LOVE! The staff was AMAZING, everyone was so friendly, knowledgeable, fun..... I was very impressed with the Wine list, and our dinner was TERRIFIC, prepared perfectly! This is my first stop every time I visit. Not only is this place delightful & charming, you have to make sure to come here for the "experience".. Cheers to The Pearl Café! Salut!! :) :)
(5)Brian B.
This is by far my wife and I's favorite restaurant. We don't see them that often other than for very special dates. For fine diing in Missoula this is the best place by far. Everything we have had here has been fantastic. Elk steak last time we were there as well as the cheese platters were amazing. The servers are extremely knowledgable and are very helpful with questions one might have.
(5)Tanya P.
Found this place on yelp and we weren't disappointed. The service was great and the food was good. It might be pricey for the area but well worth the cost. We had (at our table) the French onion soup which was good. A tomato soup which you could taste the homemade freshness. There was rabbit which I we told was wonderful, but I did not try. I did however have the filet minion with port wine and cheese sauce which was delicious. It came with mashed potatoes (great) and broccoli (okay). We also had their complimentary bread and butter. The bread was soft and very good. I wouldn't be surprised if it was homemade. For a starter we had their cheese plate which no one had any complaints over. The blue cheese was smooth and soft as was their bree. The other 2 cheeses I don't remember the names but they were great and of course they had pairings of green apple, dates, nuts and bread to eat with the cheeses. If we end up back in town we will be back!
(5)Andrei M.
The crab cakes are fantastic, as is the filet in the port reduction sauce. The restaurant has a solid wine list, and the service staff is knowledgeable and attentive.
(5)Emily D.
The Pearl Cafe is simply amazing. First, the atmosphere is cozy and quaint with a hint of sophistication. They have a small front bar area with seating and the restaurant continues to the back and upstairs with tables and booth seating. The wine list is extensive and it's hard to choose...but whatever you choose, you can be assured it won't disappoint. We had a cheese plate, escargot stuffed mushrooms, and Indian - style spring rolls in addition to their bread basket for appetizers...so delicious and every flavor was distinct yet complimentary to to the others on the plate. Their french onion soup is amazing and I had the French seafood stew for dinner...I will definitely return and cannot wait to eat everything they have to offer! This place is without a doubt a little piece of France in Missoula!
(5)Sue C.
Wonderful staff! Charming atmosphere and within walking distance of Holiday Inn. Nice bonus with the Dram Shop next door! I Will definitely recommend to friends. Charcuterie is a fun selection!
(4)Jennifer T.
I really wanted to give this a higher rating but I cant. Ever since I moved to Missoula, everyone has told me that "the place to go for a special occasion dinner" was Pearl Cafe. Ummm I disagree. My first issue was making reservations on a Friday. We were told there were no openings at 6 or 630 so we were "squeezed" in at 615. That damn restaurant was empty until 730. So lady, please tell me why we couldn't get in at our requested times??? That was really just a minor glitch, no real biggie other than it makes them look a tad silly. Really though guys, the food is overpriced for the quality. My french onion soup was watery and flavorless. My corn polenta was so salty that I couldn't eat it and requested something different. To top it off, my steak was really fatty. So maybe it was just an off night...because I'm typically easy to please, but I was really fussy about my food tonight Missoula has so many cute and unique places to eat that even the environment can't save it from my above rating.. My suggestion is try it once to say you did, but honestly, just save your money and go somewhere like plonk, the depot, or silk road and have a really good meal (for that price) with a unique dining experience. They get bonus points for our friendly server :)
(3)Madison B.
Disappointing. My husband and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary and wanted to treat ourselves. We arrived when the restaurant was closing for seating (their closing hour isn't listed on their website or outside their doors). When the hostess did a double take at the time, making sure we knew they had stopped seating two minutes ago, we asked if she was sure she could seat us- she reiterated the time again and said it was ok, before briskly walking past us to seat us at the two-top nearest to the kitchen despite several tables being fully dressed nearby. We waited 10 minutes for our server- during which time my husband and I contemplated leaving because I felt so unwelcome- but our server arrived and turned out lovely as did our food (why this is a 3 star review instead of a 2) -but we won't be returning again. We would have received much better treatment somewhere for much less than the 100+ we spent.
(3)C Marie M.
REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE bar stools! Good wine selection and attentive (very) service. Plenty of food options, I ordered the Mexican shrimp special. Reservations are recommended. Ask for a table upstairs :)
(3)Don H.
Great restaurant. Consistently really tasty food, excellent service and beautiful ambiance. One of us had trout and the other had seafood Provencal, both excellent! This our favorite restaurant in Missoula.
(5)Kathy B.
Have always had an extraordinary dining experience at the Pearl. In a city that excells at mediocre food, the Pearl is truly a find. The meals are done to perfection, the service is attentive without being overbearing, and they are not snobby in their dress code or attitude.....luv it
(5)Jay M.
Always great food and exceptional service. Put a request in the reservation comments and they go out of the way to cover the request. The curry spring rolls for appetizer were so good! Trout and crab dinner done perfectly. Deserts so good you wish you could secretly lick out the last bits. The wait staff are very professional yet personable - a hard balance at times but they nail it. Pick a special occasion and The Pearl is fine dining without being stuffy. Just what you want.
(5)Patty W.
The ambiance is just lovely. The service was polite and not intrusive. The food was excellent. The courses came out at a nice pace and the restaurant was packed. Everything was well seasoned and served at an appropriate temperature.
(5)John M.
The food was fantastic. I was here two weeks ago, the food was so good, I came back again. I travel for work and eat in restaurants over 400 meals per year. This is as good as, or maybe even better then some of the best the country has to offer. An extra thanks to Ryan, the runner, who helped me feel comfortable. Considering I eat most meals alone, a little bit of kindness is very appreciated.
(5)Curtis H.
If you live in or find yourself in Missoula, RUN, don't walk, to the Pearl Cafe. We went to dinner here Friday night. The dining room was quiet, but we were early. My dining companion has Gluten issues, so she told the waiter and he was careful to make sure she ordered the right things. We started with an order of Escargot which had just the right amount of garlic and a great texture, which is important with snails. We then had the rack of lamb (without breadcrumbs) and the rabbit. The rabbit was fabulous. Breaded just enough to be interesting, roasted and served on a bed of wild mushrooms in a red wine reduction. Accompanied by a cake of crispy polenta and Parmesan. We had some great wines by the glass as well. There are few places in Missoula where you would spend this much on dinner, but it is worth every penny and the staff was excellent.
(5)ginger t.
lovely! we had no reservations and yet they made us feel welcomed. Our server was very attentive and the meal was delicious. Would definitely go there again.
(5)Jason H.
Best of France for Missoula. Great service! Making my special some one feel priceless was truly worth every penny and more! Matter a fact I think that their prices are a little low for the food and service!
(5)Anthony L.
You will not be disappointed by anything. Everything is what one may come to expect in a high end gourmet restaurant in the middle of Montana. Great food, drink, staff, location, and atmosphere. Bottom line. I will eat here again! In fact, I may even bring a friend!
(5)Adam S.
A wonderful spot! The moment you walk in, you feel at home in the warm, wood-lined interior. The servers are experts on the menu, and describe the dishes with genuine enthusiasm, that is helpful and not over the top. I have enjoyed the clams, seafood stew, and filet here. All were delicious, but the steak stands out as the best filet I've tasted in Missoula!
(4)Elliott N.
I've been here twice now, and both were fantastic experiences. My first time at the Pearl was for a late dinner; the food and wine were both excellent, and, considering the ambiance and cuisine, I think their wine list is remarkably fairly priced. I also really appreciated that our waitress didn't run us out of the place, even though we were one of, if not the very, last tables in the cafe that evening. In Missoula I often feel that I can't have dinner at 9pm without being chased out, wine glass in hand, but that was certainly not the case at the Pearl. The second time I just sat at the bar with a book for a glass of wine or two. It was a nice quiet place to sit, and despite the fact that my tab was probably the smallest of the evening, and it was a busy Friday night, the waitstaff behind the bar were friendly and generous, offering me a basket of bread even though I was just having a glass of wine, and chatting without making me feel that I was pulling them away from more lucrative tabs on their plate. In short, great food, great service, and a good, fairly priced wine list. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Benjamin C.
My wife and I went here for a valentines meal. As always, service was very professional. They dress very well, know their product, and give you plenary of space to enjoy the atmosphere. They are always paying attention though to meet your needs. Great job.
(5)D R.
My wife and I visited The Pearl and were blown away by the wonderful ambiance, delightful service and fantastic food. This place is a true Missoula gem, and the city could use a few more spots like this one. We'll be back without hesitation!
(5)Sierra D.
What a wonderful find. Everything was perfect. The owner was so welcoming. Thank you for making our stay in you town great.
(5)Christine O.
I found Pearl Cafe on Yelp and tried it, based on the reviews. I was not disappointed. The homemade bread was hearty and moist, the trout with Dungeness crab was nicely peppered and attractively and deliciously garnished. The dark German chocolate cake was a new twist on an old favorite as the cocoanut topping was salted, had burnt sugar ice cream and a burnt sugar hard crack decoration. Nice attention to detail and the service was good, maybe a little quick between courses, but overall, a very pleasant dining experience.
(4)Rich B.
"Lamb. Cheese plate. Champagne. Bison with huckleberries." Those are my notes. The bison, if they still have it, is pretty stupendous. The lamb was also tasty, but it came in a broth that seemed oddly overly watery. "Add some flour or something, yo!" is what I wanted to yell to the chef. Someone at our table also had a shrimp dish. It looked lovely, but was pretty skippable as far as taste. Stay with the meat. Great service. Fine decor. I'd go back (assuming I was in Montana).
(4)D. S. K.
On this return visit to the Pearl Café, we found everything as wonderful as we had previously. We had the recommended white wine (Roccafiore Grechetto di Todi Fiorfiore) and the charcuterie plate for starters--both exquisite. In addition to a good French loaf, the bread basket had some of the best sourdough we'd tasted. Our entrées (chicken and steaks) were perfection. Overall, we found the flavors subtle and the food comforting. We left feeling we'd been well taken care of in a warm, calm atmosphere.
(5)Julie S.
Ambience, decor, presentation - all wonderful. My sea bass special was like a party in the mouth. His club steak was a flavor explosion. Altogether a great experience and worth the $$$.
(5)Mitch K.
Truly one, if not the only, gourmet, fine dining restaurant in Missoula. It is elegant, serves wonderfully different and uniquely prepared dishes, has a pretty darn good wine list and inpecable service. And it is very expensive, especially so for Montana. But for a special occasion or if you want a break from steak, the Pearl Cafe is a gem (!). Although casual is Montana, I might dress up a bit for the Pearl. Ladies like the elegance and outright classiness of this place, so it is a great place to impress a date or to propose marriage. Lots of class. Read the other reviews as I would just be repeating much of what has been said. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Barb S.
We were in town for two nights and had a quiet relaxing dinner at Pearl. I had the soup of the day--a curried carrot--and the rabbit. Both were excellent. My husband enjoyed the house salad and the pork tenderloin special on the fresh sheet. Also excellent. A perfect find on a snowy night after a frenzied day of travel. Professional, courteous service. I would love to go back!!
(5)Andrew R.
Almost everything was fantastic, but there were a couple of major missteps. 1) the lobster tail (warmwater) that came with my surf and turf (PERFECT shortribs) was like eating a mouthful of sand, really. It was uncleaned and full of grit. 2) We were comped our dessert, a butterscotch pudding, but it, too, was grainy, rather than smooth, due to recrystallizing sugar. Good effort, but poor form. The apps could have been "deconstructed" a bit less, for a better melding of elements, but the chard ravioli was fantastic. I'll be back, on a less-busy night, with clearer expectations and higher standards.
(3)Mark K.
Definitely the best Missoula has to offer. Ambience is friendly and attractive. Everything I have tried on the menu was fantastic. I would have given Pearl Cafe 5 stars but the host was a bit pompous. I don't think he or the owners realize how he diminishes the wonderful dining experience. Red bird was a lot more welcoming.
(4)Pat S.
Our meal was fantastic, from that starting salad to the delicious dessert it was everything you could want. The wine selection was excellent and the service was very good !
(5)Daniel F.
Went to Pearl on a recommendation form trusted friends and it was very good, however since we had just been at the Red Bird 2 nights before the Pearl was not quite in the same league. The food was very good but nothing that blew us away. Also the atmosphere was was nothing special; a mix of industrial and rustic wood surfaces. The service was competent but not extraordinary. Many local items on the menu were a welcome surprise for a Nov. dinner. My wife and I would definitely go back but it would be second on a 2 or 3 day visit.
(3)Cindy L.
Top notch service. My husband and I went here for our anniversary and had a most memorable night. Every detail was taken care of. The food was amazing, the wine was amazing. You can't go wrong if you want to have a perfect, romantic, intimate and scrumptous evening that you will not forget.
(5)Tim O.
Just had my third great experience at the Pearl Cafe while visiting Missoula. This time a large group of us sat outside and enjoyed a wonderful sunset. The service was great - the food was innovative and wonderful - they were featuring a "Julia Child" menu that most of the group had. I come from the food mecca of Portland, and this restaurant would compare favorably to some of our best - but at half the price. A great find!
(4)Alex C.
I've been here twice five years apart, and have found it very good both times. The food is high quality and excellently prepared. Compared to its main fine dining rival, Red Bird, Pearl Cafe has more traditional decor and a French style of food preparation. If you're looking for a special occasion restaurant, this is the place.
(4)Veronica M.
I can't tell you if the food is good here, what I can tell you is their hostess is seriously rude. When I called to make a reservation he was short and seemed to be bothered I was calling. When my party and I arrived (5 minutes early), he walked us to our table and glared at the clock on the wall. Sorry if I like to arrive a little early. When he sat us our at our table, my husband asked if we could sit in a booth he took one step toward that booth then said that table was set up for two. He then said it would be silly to sit two people in the table he sat us in. Now, these comments are not that terrible, it's just how the guy said it. By this time my family and I felt uncomfortable and decided to leave. We wrote the restaurant to tell them of our experience, but they never responded. I guess a rude hostess is not Important to them.
(1)Robert H.
I loved everything about this place Appetizers -Prosciutto wrapped shrimp (awesome) -Rock shrimp ceviche (fresh and light) -House salad (dressing was light and refreshing) Entree -Peppercorn crusted Filet with mustard sauce (i was in heaven) -Smoked Bison (gf ordered it and fell in love. it was amazing) I visit Montana at least 6 times a year. I guess that means ill be visiting this place at least that many times. It was awesome.
(4)Alice S.
This was a really wonderful find in Missoula. Thank you Yelpers!! The street is a construction zone, so be sure you have the address, but it's well worth the bother. Beautiful, warm atmosphere. Absolutely delicious food, with wait staff suggestions very helpful. Choose locally farmed and fished and you can't go wrong!!
(5)Roy M.
What a find! A lovely little restaurant. Local Montana cuisine with a French flair. Excellent quality beef. Delicious. Try the bacon wrapped filet mignon or the Tuscan flat iron steak. Great seafood, too -- not always easy to find when you're in Montana. Serving staff is very professional. One of my friends was on a gluten-free diet and they were very accomodating. Sit upstairs for a more private experience.
(5)Blake P.
Atmosphere here is astonishing. Feels very warm and inviting. The only bad experience I've had here was with ordering the duck. It was very rich and quite distasteful. But overall this is a very great and highly recommended place to dine.
(4)Pat D.
I must just say that is is everything positive that everyone else has already posted. Make a point of going there.
(5)Richard L.
Simply the best restaurant in Missoula! Get the filet mignon with port reduction. The downside is it will ruin every other filet you try in the future. Amazing!
(5)Mo B.
Sorry. This place is incredibly pretentious for Montana and the food is mediocre. I'm not coming back here anytime soon.
(1)Tom M.
The Pearl is in downtown Missoula Montana in a two story older building. The interior is carpeted and has lots of exposed wood beams, especially the upstairs. For this reason the restaurant is almost unique compared to modern, trendy places - It is quiet even when it is crowded. Another feature is that the menu has choices "you can't get at home." I had a delicious Elk osso bucco. (out west this means a braised shank) The food is very good and the service is intelligent, informed and experienced - not hired last week. The locals think The Pearl is the best or second best restaurant in town. Prices are about what you would pay in a big city - top entrees are in the $30 range. Decent wine. Uses Open Table. Typical Rocky Mountain ultra casual dress code.
(4)Brenda R.
Expensive menu, tiny portions and honestly it didn't taste that fantastic. I would not go back.
(2)Thomas B.
We were very disappointed with our meal. The salad was a hunk of bad green lettuce. The appetizers were small. The cervieche tasted like a big lime. Our dinners were small in proportion, which was egregious considering how much we were charged. Our waitress disappeared between dinner and desert. In total, our dinner cost us $175 and we did not get enough to eat and the service was terrible.
(1)Nicole F.
Go Missoula. Came here for a lovely anniversary dinner on Saturday w/ my mom and grandparents and again was very impressed!! It seems as though the thing to order is the duck. Not being a duck person I passed, however I did try this feathery pal and it was delicious. What most impresses me about the dish was the shitake chevre compote which was creamy and delicious. I could have had 5 of these for dinner. I had the special which was the seared ahi, and truly delicious!! The southwestern squash soup was good, yet really spicy as in smoldering heat. I like hot, yet not what I was expecting. If you do not like spicy heat, then you might want to pass. The onion soup, yummy yet I would have liked more gooey cheese yummyness as it was about to snow out. All and all delicious and I would for sure go back!
(4)Jillian S.
I've had remarkable meals here and I've had so-so meals as well. After the last so-so experience (my anniversary dinner) I have trouble convincing myself to go back. We made reservations well in advance, but for a later meal. The two of us were seated next to a noisy group of 12 (not the intimate setting we'd hoped for) and most of the entrees we would have been interested in ordering were sold out - we were informed of this after the bottle of chateau montelena had been corked. A shame, because I'd love to return here again and again - but not if there's a risk of my paying $40 for an oversauced steak because my top three choices are all sold out.
(3)Paco d.
Another super meal in Missoula - this town really delivers for foodies. Pearl Café has some local specialties, like elk ossobuco, bison steak, and the ubiquitous super brews that are being crafted here. Service and atmosphere are super.
(5)Ben K.
Probably the best French food Missoula has to offer.
(5)Toby V.
Best restraunt in Missoula, hands down.
(5)James K.
The best country French meal we have had in memory! Exquisite in every aspect, from decor, menu, service, to ambience. We cannot wait to get back for another delicious dining adventure.
(5)Craig M.
The Pearl Cafe has been, and continues to be, the finest restaurant in Missoula, perhaps Montana. My family and I have traveled across the United States and the Pearl ranks amongst our favorite places to eat. Time after time we leave extremely satisfied with the food, the service, and the dining environment. We have yet to have a bad meal at the pearl, every course is delicious and the plates are wiped clean. My most recent visit did not have the service we have become accustomed to (saturday nights are busy) but the waiter apologized and served us a free appetizer. Perfection for the Pearl is achieved with the setting. In a beautiful building, the Pearl has wonderful wooden beams and brick walls. The Pearl is hands down the best place to eat in Missoula. Finn and Porter is alright and the Red Bird was downright disgusting. Want wonderful food? The Pearl is the place to go.
(5)