By Lucille

When you live in Pensacola, you don’t have to go far to feel like you’re on vacation; here, the best adventures are right in your own backyard. Throughout the year, my family and I often slip away to one of my favorite little spots, Perdido Key. Like a pearl, it was once a hidden gem waiting to be discovered, but today it’s a place you can’t wait to tell your friends about. So listen up, friend, you’re gonna wanna hear this! From the moment you ease down Perdido Key Drive, that salty stretch slipping beneath the Theo Baars Bridge, you can already feel the experience that awaits.

Perdido Key might be called the “Lost Key,” but honestly, there’s nothing lost about it. I mean, you may lose track of time, thinking it’s Wednesday when it’s only Tuesday, but isn’t that the best feeling when you’re on vacation? If only that same feeling applied during the work week! It has that island-time magic, if you know what I mean, and if you don’t, let that be reason enough to treat yourself to a little vacation. With miles of sugar-white sand and emerald-green water sparkling in the sun, you might find yourself asking, “Is this heaven?”

Just like the beach, the food scene here will have you coming back for more, with spots like the Salty Pearl Raw Bar serving up gulf-to-table dishes that make you feel like you’ve found your happy place.

The Salty Pearl is a spot that seems like it has been part of Perdido Key forever, even though it only opened its doors in 2023. When it first opened, we drove down, pulled into the gravel lot, and caught sight of the surroundings. I knew right then we were in for something special. The sound of live music spilled out onto the patio, the salty breeze rolled in from the Intracoastal Waterway, and I could practically smell the oysters hitting the grill before we even walked in.

Now, for those of you who don’t know me yet, hey there, nice to meet you! I absolutely love to cook. It’s how I tell my friends and family that I love them. But sometimes, the very best meals are the ones someone else makes, where you can sit back, laugh, and just enjoy the moment. That’s exactly what Lisa and Matt, the husband-and-wife duo behind Salty Pearl, do best. They have created a place that feels like home. They greet you with a smile, hug you with their food, and before long, you feel like part of the family.

When I first met Lisa, she told me a little bit about their journey and how she once worked in food service for the U.S. Coast Guard before sharpening her skills in culinary school. Matt came from years of managing restaurants. Together, they’ve turned their passion into something that feels as natural to Perdido Key as a Bushwhacker does on a sunny day.

On our last visit, we ate dinner like it was our last chance, starting with oysters, both raw and char-grilled, along with Creole BBQ shrimp and fried okra. Outside of our kids, I don’t usually pick favorites, but the Pearl Butter on those char-grilled oysters was unforgettable. My son-in-law and I were practically battling forks for the last one. And let me tell you, you only need one guess to know who won that battle, and she didn’t do it humbly.

For the main course, we ordered their famous steamer plate stacked high with Gulf shrimp, Snow crab, Conecuh sausage, potatoes, and corn. My husband went for the catch of the day, blackened just right, and one of the kids, a self-proclaimed burger connoisseur, ordered the Wagyu smash burger. It disappeared before I even had a chance to steal a bite, but he gave it a solid ten out of ten.

By dessert, I swore I couldn’t eat another bite until the Key lime pie landed on the table. Bright, tangy, and refreshing, it was the perfect ending.

What I loved most, though, wasn’t just the food. It was watching everyone laugh, sharing plates (except for the burger), and making memories in a place that feels like it was made for exactly that. Salty Pearl isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a reminder of why we gather around the table. Food is love, and Lisa and Matt don’t hold back when it comes to telling you how they feel. You can find it in every dish they serve.

Until next time, friends  

For menus, specials, and hours, visit saltypearlrawbar.com

Coming for a visit and need some recommendations? Check out -Because Lucille Said So, my top picks from personal experience.

Stay: Eden Condominiums, incredible views, and the coolest outdoor pool on the coast.

Fish: Book an offshore trip with Entertainer Fishing Charters.

Eat: Bring your fresh catch to the Salty Pearl for their Hook and Cook program.

Play: Dance the night away at Flora-Bama, just down the road.