The sign in the door says, "closed indefinitely." I always wanted to try this place but I guess it's not to be, unless they're relocating.
Andy N.
One of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz? For freakin' sure. I'm so glad that I finally got to experience Pearl of the Ocean after so long. I learned about this restaurant after going plant-based (the best health decisions I've ever made) during the pandemic, but they weren't open for dine-in until recently. I knew I had to try them in-person to get the real experience and am ever glad that I did. Sri Lankan food and Santa Cruz don't seem to fit in the same sentence, but they have it mastered here at Pearl. In the few years I've lived here, no restaurant experience has come close to what I enjoyed here. * Sri Lankan Coconut Roti ($10.50) - amazing baked bread with coconut, peppers, and onions. Just flaky enough and piping hot on delivery. Their vegan dip is coconut based but they also have a butter garlic dip for non-vegans. Absolutely try this out. * Sri Lankan Vegetable Plate - 3 items ($22.50) - love being able to enjoy a hearty vegan plate full of flavors. I loved their Spicy Potato, their sautéed kale "Mallam," and the eggplant "Moju." Everything was cooked so decadently and the plate presentation was everything. It even includes a side of daal which was very much appreciated - gotta have your plant based protein! This dish really reminded me of Ethiopian cuisine so if you love variety, definitely get the veggie plate. Service here was very friendly too. Ayoma, the owner was very hospitable and ensured that we were taken care of. I will admit there were moments where we wanted to be left alone to enjoy the food, or we would need her and she'd be hard to grab, but overall the staff here were amazingly friendly and sweet. They answered all my questions and concerns about dietary needs and pointed out everything I needed for a satisfying meal. Because it is on the pricer side, it does prevent me from coming back here more often. However, you truly are paying for an experience with a wonderful home cooked meal with amazing flavors and care put into your plate. I also highly recommend you try the vegan friendly items - most of which are 'accidentally' vegan and do not take away from what your taste buds will surely enjoy. Thanks Pearl of the Ocean for a wonderful meal. I look forward to returning one day on a special occasion since my wallet can't afford your wonderful foods more often, but keep doing what you are doing!
Daniella D.
1. Really strange unappealing smell inside. 2. When they started cooking in the kitchen guests in a dining area started coughing from the amount of spicy food they were frying. I assume there are no vents. 3. To be just, for the most part flavors are on point. However, portions are small for the prices, that (!) on the actual menu are higher than here on yelp - in most cases x2 higher! So, BE AWARE... 4. Not sure what does "Ayurvedic healing foods" advertised on the front of the restaurant has to do with their foods... So heavily oily and sugary, stomach feels quiet heavy afterwards :( 5. When we ordered pakora dish for 14+$ at this place, we didn't expect a barely shareable portion of extremely greasy pakora in a little basket. Conclusion: not a pleasant, overpriced dine-in experience :/ Would maybe give it a second chance IF prices returned to the yelp one's and ONLY as a take out option, simply because there aren't many vegan friendly places in town...
Kris H.
100% Ayurvedic and 100% organic ingredients. Variety of flavors in every dish. Loved the salad rolls, cauliflower curry, Dahl, eggplant side dish and spicy potatoes. Felt super good and light after the meal as only light and heathy oils are used. No dish is heavy with oils and no cheap or canola oil used. Highly recommend this restaurant and we'll definitely be back.
Emily Faith
Ayurvedic healing food. Pearl of the Ocean is our favorite restaurant in the world. Each dish is prepared with Love and Intention. Exceptional quality of food. If you get an opportunity to feed your body and spirit a meal here, you have been blessed.
Ishraq A.
Read the reviews and was excited to grab take out from here. Called to place an order and was told very abruptly the menu items we're asking for is from a super old menu (I used the one linked in yelp) and to check grubhub for the latest then call back. She then hung up. I get it if the restaurant is busy, but the way the team interacts with me as a customer informs my experience. Also a little sloppy if they haven't updated their information online. I tried the mushroom curry and a Mango almond dish, both tasted good, with the Mango a bit spicy. Given my lukewarm experience on the phone, i likely won't return.
Bill B.
We searched for a restaurant with a healthy menu. Pearl of the Ocean is a Sri Lankan kitchen. We have never had a more pleasant experience. The food is perfect, the interaction with Ayoma, the owner, created a lasting memory. We will go each time we are in town.
Cali Chirico
Such great food! Went there for the vegan options and it was just amazing. All the veggies are vegan and so many vegan options! Definitely will be back!
Jaime Bloom
Only way to describe this is culinary perfection! We wanted a special dinner, with real vegan options and so excited to find this gem. The wall of awards and recognitions are definitely earned.
Jaime B.
Only way to describe this is culinary perfection! We wanted a special dinner, with real vegan options and so excited to find this gem. The wall of awards and recognitions are definitely earned. The collection of flavors in every dish is prepared by a true artist with the most generous soul. Thrilled to have met the owner and so grateful she spent so much quality time with us. Would love to keep it a secret but after 13 years it's too late. So highly recommend and can't wait to return!
Three of us ate at Pearl of the Ocean in September, 2021, and the food was outstanding! Two of us eat Vegan and we were not disappointed. Our friend who was not Vegan had Shrimp & Eggplant, and it was an amazing looking meal which she raved about afterwards. If you are in Santa Cruz, definitely give them a try!
Carola B.
We have been to Pearl of the Ocean many times, but last night was the first since COVID, and it has sadly changed, with a new, reduced menu and undoubtedly a new chef. The food was not good at all - the four of us ordered different dishes, plus 3 appetizers, all of which were overcooked and many were mushy, at greatly increased prices. Even our server was grouchy and grumbled when we asked for knives, after being given just forks. The one acceptable item was naan, which is available and better at many other places. We will never go back.
Michael K.
Pearl of the Ocean has best vegan food I've ever tasted. It's delicious ayurvedic cooking, that feels healthy, flavorful, and made with love. My girlfriend and I would go out of our way to eat there each time we visited the Santa Cruz area for surf trips.
Lyrinda S.
This delightful Sri Lankan restaurant was chosen because it has vegan selections. It turned out it also had exquisite presentation, wonderful variety and delicious food! We had a thoroughly wonderful time! It was a bit expensive, but we are happy to help struggling independent restaurants in these hard COVID times.
Brian A.
I was looking for something different to eat in Santa Cruz. I decided upon this quaint place. The staff was amazing and gave me suggestions. The food was flavorful. I highly recommend it.
The sign in the door says, "closed indefinitely." I always wanted to try this place but I guess it's not to be, unless they're relocating.
One of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz? For freakin' sure. I'm so glad that I finally got to experience Pearl of the Ocean after so long. I learned about this restaurant after going plant-based (the best health decisions I've ever made) during the pandemic, but they weren't open for dine-in until recently. I knew I had to try them in-person to get the real experience and am ever glad that I did. Sri Lankan food and Santa Cruz don't seem to fit in the same sentence, but they have it mastered here at Pearl. In the few years I've lived here, no restaurant experience has come close to what I enjoyed here. * Sri Lankan Coconut Roti ($10.50) - amazing baked bread with coconut, peppers, and onions. Just flaky enough and piping hot on delivery. Their vegan dip is coconut based but they also have a butter garlic dip for non-vegans. Absolutely try this out. * Sri Lankan Vegetable Plate - 3 items ($22.50) - love being able to enjoy a hearty vegan plate full of flavors. I loved their Spicy Potato, their sautéed kale "Mallam," and the eggplant "Moju." Everything was cooked so decadently and the plate presentation was everything. It even includes a side of daal which was very much appreciated - gotta have your plant based protein! This dish really reminded me of Ethiopian cuisine so if you love variety, definitely get the veggie plate. Service here was very friendly too. Ayoma, the owner was very hospitable and ensured that we were taken care of. I will admit there were moments where we wanted to be left alone to enjoy the food, or we would need her and she'd be hard to grab, but overall the staff here were amazingly friendly and sweet. They answered all my questions and concerns about dietary needs and pointed out everything I needed for a satisfying meal. Because it is on the pricer side, it does prevent me from coming back here more often. However, you truly are paying for an experience with a wonderful home cooked meal with amazing flavors and care put into your plate. I also highly recommend you try the vegan friendly items - most of which are 'accidentally' vegan and do not take away from what your taste buds will surely enjoy. Thanks Pearl of the Ocean for a wonderful meal. I look forward to returning one day on a special occasion since my wallet can't afford your wonderful foods more often, but keep doing what you are doing!
1. Really strange unappealing smell inside. 2. When they started cooking in the kitchen guests in a dining area started coughing from the amount of spicy food they were frying. I assume there are no vents. 3. To be just, for the most part flavors are on point. However, portions are small for the prices, that (!) on the actual menu are higher than here on yelp - in most cases x2 higher! So, BE AWARE... 4. Not sure what does "Ayurvedic healing foods" advertised on the front of the restaurant has to do with their foods... So heavily oily and sugary, stomach feels quiet heavy afterwards :( 5. When we ordered pakora dish for 14+$ at this place, we didn't expect a barely shareable portion of extremely greasy pakora in a little basket. Conclusion: not a pleasant, overpriced dine-in experience :/ Would maybe give it a second chance IF prices returned to the yelp one's and ONLY as a take out option, simply because there aren't many vegan friendly places in town...
100% Ayurvedic and 100% organic ingredients. Variety of flavors in every dish. Loved the salad rolls, cauliflower curry, Dahl, eggplant side dish and spicy potatoes. Felt super good and light after the meal as only light and heathy oils are used. No dish is heavy with oils and no cheap or canola oil used. Highly recommend this restaurant and we'll definitely be back.
Ayurvedic healing food. Pearl of the Ocean is our favorite restaurant in the world. Each dish is prepared with Love and Intention. Exceptional quality of food. If you get an opportunity to feed your body and spirit a meal here, you have been blessed.
Read the reviews and was excited to grab take out from here. Called to place an order and was told very abruptly the menu items we're asking for is from a super old menu (I used the one linked in yelp) and to check grubhub for the latest then call back. She then hung up. I get it if the restaurant is busy, but the way the team interacts with me as a customer informs my experience. Also a little sloppy if they haven't updated their information online. I tried the mushroom curry and a Mango almond dish, both tasted good, with the Mango a bit spicy. Given my lukewarm experience on the phone, i likely won't return.
We searched for a restaurant with a healthy menu. Pearl of the Ocean is a Sri Lankan kitchen. We have never had a more pleasant experience. The food is perfect, the interaction with Ayoma, the owner, created a lasting memory. We will go each time we are in town.
Such great food! Went there for the vegan options and it was just amazing. All the veggies are vegan and so many vegan options! Definitely will be back!
Only way to describe this is culinary perfection! We wanted a special dinner, with real vegan options and so excited to find this gem. The wall of awards and recognitions are definitely earned.
Only way to describe this is culinary perfection! We wanted a special dinner, with real vegan options and so excited to find this gem. The wall of awards and recognitions are definitely earned. The collection of flavors in every dish is prepared by a true artist with the most generous soul. Thrilled to have met the owner and so grateful she spent so much quality time with us. Would love to keep it a secret but after 13 years it's too late. So highly recommend and can't wait to return!
Restaurantji Recommends
Three of us ate at Pearl of the Ocean in September, 2021, and the food was outstanding! Two of us eat Vegan and we were not disappointed. Our friend who was not Vegan had Shrimp & Eggplant, and it was an amazing looking meal which she raved about afterwards. If you are in Santa Cruz, definitely give them a try!
We have been to Pearl of the Ocean many times, but last night was the first since COVID, and it has sadly changed, with a new, reduced menu and undoubtedly a new chef. The food was not good at all - the four of us ordered different dishes, plus 3 appetizers, all of which were overcooked and many were mushy, at greatly increased prices. Even our server was grouchy and grumbled when we asked for knives, after being given just forks. The one acceptable item was naan, which is available and better at many other places. We will never go back.
Pearl of the Ocean has best vegan food I've ever tasted. It's delicious ayurvedic cooking, that feels healthy, flavorful, and made with love. My girlfriend and I would go out of our way to eat there each time we visited the Santa Cruz area for surf trips.
This delightful Sri Lankan restaurant was chosen because it has vegan selections. It turned out it also had exquisite presentation, wonderful variety and delicious food! We had a thoroughly wonderful time! It was a bit expensive, but we are happy to help struggling independent restaurants in these hard COVID times.
I was looking for something different to eat in Santa Cruz. I decided upon this quaint place. The staff was amazing and gave me suggestions. The food was flavorful. I highly recommend it.