Phenomenal. We celebrated my wife’s birthday. Out of the 3 courses and I ate 7 different dishes. We each had something different, so closer to 10 dishes we experienced. The portions are spot on. Sitting at the chef’s counter made it more than an experience, it was a journey. Seeing the dishes plated and served was like being taken to an unknown place, in an unknown route, and we did not care. Every culinary destination blew my mind. If life was like P&P, there would be world peace.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brian Connett
Dinner for two came to $940. That felt like the accepted price point for a restaurant with Michelin-star history, so my expectations sat high. I’ve wanted to try this place for years.
Parking was easy. The neon pineapple sign is iconic and I planned to grab a photo, but part of it was burned out, which set an odd tone right out of the gate.
The greeting was warm. The first “gift” of the night arrived immediately, a nicely presented drink with apricot liqueur and absinthe. Balanced and enjoyable.
Almost immediately, I felt rushed. That feeling never really went away.
We chose the full dining experience at the bar instead of a table. I don’t recommend the bar. One patron was drunk, loudly singing, and on her phone the entire time. It was disruptive and unchecked.
The two bartenders launched straight into upselling. Drink pairing. Gnocchi add-on. Neither included in the base price. Their enthusiasm was obvious until I asked them to pause briefly while my dining companion stepped away. Their posture shifted. When I declined both add-ons, their engagement disappeared. From that point on, their attention went almost entirely to the other guests.
Ordering felt hurried. Courses moved quickly. Dessert options were not offered as a choice. One attendant repeatedly used a made-up word instead of “entrée,” which became distracting. She discussed the menu while mixing drinks and chatting with her coworker, rarely focusing fully on us. The experience felt impersonal.
The food itself was very good. Presentations were beautiful and deliberate. Sauces were the highlight across the board.
The onion truffle tartare, lobster dip, and pork with pineapple all delivered strong, thoughtful flavors. The pork and pineapple stood out as my favorite. That said, the repeated presentation of the same charred pineapple being brought to multiple tables was off-putting.
Each course arrived with a different server. I liked that. Each brought their own style and energy, and those interactions elevated the experience.
Desserts were excellent. The popcorn ice cream clearly won the night.
The take-home box with the wagyu burger for a midnight snack was a nice closing touch.
Then the evening ended abruptly. As the second seating approached, our coats were handed to us without discussion and we were ushered out the door.
Overall, this was a fun and unique experience. The flavors were interesting and enjoyable, though nothing truly surprised me. The bar staff detracted from the night, while the broader service team improved it.
For me, the experience did not match the price. I felt rushed. I’m glad I went. I don’t feel a need to return.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Anna Bennett
The service was outstanding, but the food didn't quite meet my expectations. Overall, I found it to be overrated. I would definitely prefer Mini Bar any day!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 5
Liya Fouse
We are currently dining here and couldn't wait to share my experiances. Pineapples and Pearls will forever live in our hearts. We chose to celebrate our after wedding Celebration here, and I honestly don’t even know how to put into words what this experience meant to us. From the moment we walked in, it felt like we weren’t just guests we were truly cared for. Every single person on the staff, from the hostess to the sommelier to every server we encountered, was extraordinary. The warmth, joy, and genuine love they showed us made the night feel magical. They knew it was our wedding celebration and somehow made every moment feel intentional, personal, and full of heart. There were multiple moments where I genuinely felt like I might cry—not because of the food (though that alone could do it), but because of how deeply seen and celebrated we felt. The service was flawless without ever feeling stiff or rehearsed. The sommelier guided us with such passion and care, the servers anticipated every need before we even realized it, and the hospitality was on a level that felt rare and unforgettable. You could feel how much pride and love the entire team has for what they do. And the food—simply breathtaking. Each course was a work of art, playful, thoughtful, and absolutely delicious. It felt like a celebration in every bite, the perfect backdrop for one of the most meaningful nights of our lives. Thank you, Pineapples and Pearls, for giving us a wedding celebration we will never, ever forget. This wasn’t just a meal—it was an experience that touched our hearts. We will cherish it forever. 🍍✨
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ani
I just ate the burger from last night's meal and died - it's THAT good
The dinner itself was great, one course was too salty but they fixed it immediately with an alternative dish and most of the dishes were very good! Definitely worth one michelin star - great vibes, love the concept and great night
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
K T
We booked a couple seats at the bar but the diners before us took a very long time to clear. We had a complimentary cocktail while we waited. After about 15 minutes we were offered seats at the chef's counter instead. It was a very nice upgrade to the experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amy Sullivan
This was an experience! Highly recommend! Stunned by everything we ate and the presentation. Staff was white glove service from the moment we walked in. 100/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Baydoun Baydoun
Pineapple and Pearls is arguably D.C.’s most finely choreographed dining experience. Every detail—from the minimalistic plating to the highly polished service—is executed like a performance.
The uniqueness is in its purity: dishes are stripped down to their essential flavors while still feeling luxurious. It is a masterclass in contemporary American fine dining.
Dish I liked: The Fruit & Fermentation Course — a sequence of perfectly matured fruits paired with subtle fermented accompaniments that highlight sweetness, acidity, and texture.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Saminda Wijegunawardena
Lively atmosphere, excellent and inventive menu gorgeously presented and plated, and friendly and engaged service combined to make P&P a unique and highly enjoyable experience.
My only issue was that I waited about 35 mins past my reservation time to be seated, and the foyer backed up quite a bit with dozens of people as they ran later and later. This I found very odd and disappointing for this caliber of a restaurant, there should be much better pacing to avoid this type of an issue. Further, beyond the complimentary cocktail when you arrive, there was no accomodation provided to the patient but increasingly hungry guests, a snack would have been a nice gesture and offering to make up for the significant inconvenience. My reservation was at 815pm and I didn't have any food in front of me until well past 9pm. I trust this was an anomaly and look forward to returning another time in hopes they have remedied the situation.
Once I sat down, the servers and chefs were excellent in providing a wonderful dining experience. When I said I could not decide between the two choices for the second course and left it up to them, they brought me both. Really superb experience overall, the start did not mar it for me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Patrice Griffin
Worth the wait!! I missed the mark last year trying to book Pineapples & Pearls for my birthday, but this year I hit bulls eye. I had Such a time on my birthday! Cosmo and the staff at Pineapples & Pearls found a way to make me feel as though I was the only patron in the restaurant. The surprises nor the exquisite service never stopped from the time I arrived to the time I left.
Cosmo is such a class act and deserves all the recognition that follows— he hands made me feel as though we were besties and had known each other for forever. Such a great person and values the experience he bestow to guests.
Tonight, I never once felt like a solo diner and for that I’ll forever be grateful.
I have dined at many Michelin star restaurants, so I feel that I have the vantage point to provide this review. I understand why there have been no stars awarded in 2 years. The service was sub-par and slow, and the food was mediocre for a Michelin recognized restaurant. The servers were awkward and seemed not to like their jobs (just my own opinion). We waited 25 minutes to order our drinks, and 20 more minutes before we got the drinks. We waited more than 20 minutes between each course (after the previous was cleared). The food was overly salty, which is ok, but rare for a Michelin star restaurant. Portions and taste were perfectly acceptable. The celebratory environment that is promised is underwhelming for a metropolitan restaurant. The bathrooms were the best part based on decor and style. We were begging to go home at the end because it dragged on so awfully. Not worth the money ($600 per person) or time. I was very excited about this - to find a Michelin restaurant that was not stuffy and more celebratory. It just didn’t deliver.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Kelly Schuit
Entering into this nondescript building transports you immediately to a world of old school Hollywood Glam Style Hospitality and fun. We were greeted for our 17th wedding anniversary with a cocktail and tour of the restaurant as we made our way back to the chef's counter, where over the span of 2 hours we were able to watch the creation of our dishes unfold in front of us. Each plate was equally beautiful and delicious and the wine pairings were on point. Everyone made us feel comfortable and genuinely helped us enjoy our time. Many surprises and small touches happened throughout the evening. It was an episode of The Bear and a chapter out of Unreasonable Hospitality mashed together for a truly unforgettable evening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
arlene blake
This was my fiancée and I’s first ever experience with a Michelin starred restaurant and for the $1,000 price point, we left feeling underwhelmed. The food didn’t blow us away. We felt like everything had way too much sauce/very salty and that each dish felt like a soup with a tiny piece of protein. We both didn’t care for our desserts (strange pairings and flavors). We were given confetti pancakes as a surprise for my birthday but they were dry and hard as a rock. Honestly, the burger they gave us for a midnight treat was the best tasting thing we had all night. The restaurant is beautiful and the staff are really nice. Though, our waiter kept having nose bleeds when serving us, which was a bit concerning. So much money for such a mediocre experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
A Google User
The restaurant combines excellent food with a comfortable and stylish setting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lenwood Ryan
Super fun experience and definitely outside the box of traditional tasting menu - open kitchen restaurants. Highly recommend.
Phenomenal. We celebrated my wife’s birthday. Out of the 3 courses and I ate 7 different dishes. We each had something different, so closer to 10 dishes we experienced. The portions are spot on. Sitting at the chef’s counter made it more than an experience, it was a journey. Seeing the dishes plated and served was like being taken to an unknown place, in an unknown route, and we did not care. Every culinary destination blew my mind. If life was like P&P, there would be world peace.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dinner for two came to $940.
That felt like the accepted price point for a restaurant with Michelin-star history, so my expectations sat high. I’ve wanted to try this place for years.
Parking was easy.
The neon pineapple sign is iconic and I planned to grab a photo, but part of it was burned out, which set an odd tone right out of the gate.
The greeting was warm.
The first “gift” of the night arrived immediately, a nicely presented drink with apricot liqueur and absinthe. Balanced and enjoyable.
Almost immediately, I felt rushed.
That feeling never really went away.
We chose the full dining experience at the bar instead of a table. I don’t recommend the bar.
One patron was drunk, loudly singing, and on her phone the entire time. It was disruptive and unchecked.
The two bartenders launched straight into upselling.
Drink pairing. Gnocchi add-on. Neither included in the base price. Their enthusiasm was obvious until I asked them to pause briefly while my dining companion stepped away. Their posture shifted. When I declined both add-ons, their engagement disappeared. From that point on, their attention went almost entirely to the other guests.
Ordering felt hurried.
Courses moved quickly. Dessert options were not offered as a choice. One attendant repeatedly used a made-up word instead of “entrée,” which became distracting. She discussed the menu while mixing drinks and chatting with her coworker, rarely focusing fully on us. The experience felt impersonal.
The food itself was very good.
Presentations were beautiful and deliberate. Sauces were the highlight across the board.
The onion truffle tartare, lobster dip, and pork with pineapple all delivered strong, thoughtful flavors.
The pork and pineapple stood out as my favorite. That said, the repeated presentation of the same charred pineapple being brought to multiple tables was off-putting.
Each course arrived with a different server.
I liked that. Each brought their own style and energy, and those interactions elevated the experience.
Desserts were excellent.
The popcorn ice cream clearly won the night.
The take-home box with the wagyu burger for a midnight snack was a nice closing touch.
Then the evening ended abruptly.
As the second seating approached, our coats were handed to us without discussion and we were ushered out the door.
Overall, this was a fun and unique experience.
The flavors were interesting and enjoyable, though nothing truly surprised me. The bar staff detracted from the night, while the broader service team improved it.
For me, the experience did not match the price.
I felt rushed. I’m glad I went. I don’t feel a need to return.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
The service was outstanding, but the food didn't quite meet my expectations. Overall, I found it to be overrated. I would definitely prefer Mini Bar any day!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 5
We are currently dining here and couldn't wait to share my experiances. Pineapples and Pearls will forever live in our hearts. We chose to celebrate our after wedding Celebration here, and I honestly don’t even know how to put into words what this experience meant to us. From the moment we walked in, it felt like we weren’t just guests we were truly cared for.
Every single person on the staff, from the hostess to the sommelier to every server we encountered, was extraordinary. The warmth, joy, and genuine love they showed us made the night feel magical. They knew it was our wedding celebration and somehow made every moment feel intentional, personal, and full of heart. There were multiple moments where I genuinely felt like I might cry—not because of the food (though that alone could do it), but because of how deeply seen and celebrated we felt.
The service was flawless without ever feeling stiff or rehearsed. The sommelier guided us with such passion and care, the servers anticipated every need before we even realized it, and the hospitality was on a level that felt rare and unforgettable. You could feel how much pride and love the entire team has for what they do.
And the food—simply breathtaking. Each course was a work of art, playful, thoughtful, and absolutely delicious. It felt like a celebration in every bite, the perfect backdrop for one of the most meaningful nights of our lives.
Thank you, Pineapples and Pearls, for giving us a wedding celebration we will never, ever forget. This wasn’t just a meal—it was an experience that touched our hearts. We will cherish it forever. 🍍✨
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I just ate the burger from last night's meal and died - it's THAT good
The dinner itself was great, one course was too salty but they fixed it immediately with an alternative dish and most of the dishes were very good! Definitely worth one michelin star - great vibes, love the concept and great night
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We booked a couple seats at the bar but the diners before us took a very long time to clear. We had a complimentary cocktail while we waited. After about 15 minutes we were offered seats at the chef's counter instead. It was a very nice upgrade to the experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was an experience! Highly recommend! Stunned by everything we ate and the presentation. Staff was white glove service from the moment we walked in. 100/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pineapple and Pearls is arguably D.C.’s most finely choreographed dining experience. Every detail—from the minimalistic plating to the highly polished service—is executed like a performance.
The uniqueness is in its purity: dishes are stripped down to their essential flavors while still feeling luxurious. It is a masterclass in contemporary American fine dining.
Dish I liked: The Fruit & Fermentation Course — a sequence of perfectly matured fruits paired with subtle fermented accompaniments that highlight sweetness, acidity, and texture.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lively atmosphere, excellent and inventive menu gorgeously presented and plated, and friendly and engaged service combined to make P&P a unique and highly enjoyable experience.
My only issue was that I waited about 35 mins past my reservation time to be seated, and the foyer backed up quite a bit with dozens of people as they ran later and later. This I found very odd and disappointing for this caliber of a restaurant, there should be much better pacing to avoid this type of an issue. Further, beyond the complimentary cocktail when you arrive, there was no accomodation provided to the patient but increasingly hungry guests, a snack would have been a nice gesture and offering to make up for the significant inconvenience. My reservation was at 815pm and I didn't have any food in front of me until well past 9pm. I trust this was an anomaly and look forward to returning another time in hopes they have remedied the situation.
Once I sat down, the servers and chefs were excellent in providing a wonderful dining experience. When I said I could not decide between the two choices for the second course and left it up to them, they brought me both. Really superb experience overall, the start did not mar it for me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Worth the wait!! I missed the mark last year trying to book Pineapples & Pearls for my birthday, but this year I hit bulls eye. I had Such a time on my birthday! Cosmo and the staff at Pineapples & Pearls found a way to make me feel as though I was the only patron in the restaurant. The surprises nor the exquisite service never stopped from the time I arrived to the time I left.
Cosmo is such a class act and deserves all the recognition that follows— he hands made me feel as though we were besties and had known each other for forever. Such a great person and values the experience he bestow to guests.
Tonight, I never once felt like a solo diner and for that I’ll forever be grateful.
Thank you for such an amazing experience.
Until next time,
One satisfied guest.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I have dined at many Michelin star restaurants, so I feel that I have the vantage point to provide this review. I understand why there have been no stars awarded in 2 years. The service was sub-par and slow, and the food was mediocre for a Michelin recognized restaurant. The servers were awkward and seemed not to like their jobs (just my own opinion). We waited 25 minutes to order our drinks, and 20 more minutes before we got the drinks. We waited more than 20 minutes between each course (after the previous was cleared). The food was overly salty, which is ok, but rare for a Michelin star restaurant. Portions and taste were perfectly acceptable. The celebratory environment that is promised is underwhelming for a metropolitan restaurant. The bathrooms were the best part based on decor and style. We were begging to go home at the end because it dragged on so awfully. Not worth the money ($600 per person) or time. I was very excited about this - to find a Michelin restaurant that was not stuffy and more celebratory. It just didn’t deliver.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Entering into this nondescript building transports you immediately to a world of old school Hollywood Glam Style Hospitality and fun. We were greeted for our 17th wedding anniversary with a cocktail and tour of the restaurant as we made our way back to the chef's counter, where over the span of 2 hours we were able to watch the creation of our dishes unfold in front of us. Each plate was equally beautiful and delicious and the wine pairings were on point. Everyone made us feel comfortable and genuinely helped us enjoy our time. Many surprises and small touches happened throughout the evening. It was an episode of The Bear and a chapter out of Unreasonable Hospitality mashed together for a truly unforgettable evening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was my fiancée and I’s first ever experience with a Michelin starred restaurant and for the $1,000 price point, we left feeling underwhelmed. The food didn’t blow us away. We felt like everything had way too much sauce/very salty and that each dish felt like a soup with a tiny piece of protein. We both didn’t care for our desserts (strange pairings and flavors). We were given confetti pancakes as a surprise for my birthday but they were dry and hard as a rock. Honestly, the burger they gave us for a midnight treat was the best tasting thing we had all night. The restaurant is beautiful and the staff are really nice. Though, our waiter kept having nose bleeds when serving us, which was a bit concerning. So much money for such a mediocre experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
The restaurant combines excellent food with a comfortable and stylish setting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super fun experience and definitely outside the box of traditional tasting menu - open kitchen restaurants. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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