A currated embrace.

These words come to mind when I think of Perla’s. It is the kind of place that quietly resets your expectations. From the moment you step inside, it becomes clear that this is not just a pizza spot or a bar but a thoughtfully composed experience where food, sound, light, and pacing work together to create something immersive.

Tucked along Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park near where Austin’s Coffee once anchored a creative corner of the neighborhood, Perla’s feels like a bridge between eras. It carries the spirit of independent culture while introducing a refined, contemporary sensibility. Walking in, it felt less like Central Florida and more like being dropped into a listening lounge in Greenwich or a tucked-away spot in Brooklyn where everything has intention and restraint.

A curated experience from the inside out

Perla’s describes itself as a vinyl record pizza bar, and that description is accurate but incomplete. Yes, there are turntables. Yes, there is a DJ presence. But what stands out is how integrated the sound is into the experience. The room is tuned. The volume is confident but controlled. You notice the depth and clarity without it overpowering conversation or the rhythm of the evening.

It is the kind of sound design that invites you to settle in rather than rush through a meal. You become aware of how rarely spaces are designed to be heard as thoughtfully as they are seen.

The interior supports that feeling. The lighting is warm and moody without being dark. The layout encourages lingering. There is an ease to the room that makes it feel social without being performative.

Food and drink that feel considered

The cocktail I ordered is still on my mind. Blue flower cocktail infused with butterly pea flower tea. Balanced and aromatic rather than overly sweet. It felt like a drink designed to be experienced slowly, not rushed or photographed and forgotten.

The pizza followed suite. A pestachio pesto pie layered with truffle roasted mushrooms, a freshness that stood out immediately. It was flavorful without being heavy, creative without feeling forced. The combinations felt intentional, as though someone tested and refined them until they felt right.

Perla’s menu leans into originality and playfulness while maintaining restraint. You sense a willingness to experiment paired with respect for balance.

A place that feels rare

What makes Perla’s a Central Florida Treasure is not just the food or the drinks. It is the fact that the concept feels whole. Nothing feels accidental. Nothing feels added on later.

This is a place that understands atmosphere as part of hospitality. A place where you can feel transported without being removed from your surroundings. It fits Winter Park while quietly expanding it.

Perla’s also hosts regular DJ-led evenings and events, reinforcing that this is not a static restaurant but a living, breathing and evolving space. One that responds to culture rather than chasing it.

Why places like anchor a city

Cities are shaped as much by their third places as they are by their landmarks. The rooms where people gather without an agenda. Where creativity and conversation coexist. Where you can arrive without expectations and leave feeling inspired.

Perla’s is one of those places.

It is a reminder that Central Florida continues to grow not just outward, but inward. That there is room here for thoughtfully designed experiences that feel global yet grounded. That you do not always have to travel far to feel somewhere else.

If you go, go with time. Sit. Listen. Try something unfamiliar. Let the space do what it was designed to do.

That is what makes it a treasure.

Sources and Links

1. Official Website — Perla’s Pizza (Menu, Concept, Location)
   https://perlaspizzafl.com/ Perla's Pizza
2. Official Menu Page — Perla’s Pizza
   https://perlaspizzafl.com/menu Perla's Pizza
3. Instagram — Perla’s Pizza / Vinyl Record Bar (Event Posts & Visuals)
   https://www.instagram.com/perlaspizza/ instagram.com
4. Facebook — Perla’s Pizza Videos & Announcements
   https://www.facebook.com/perlaspizzafl/ facebook.com
5. Yelp — Reviews and Photos for Perla’s Pizza (Atmosphere & Guest Feedback)
   https://www.yelp.com/biz/perlas-pizza-winter-park Yelp
6. Orlando Weekly Review — Perla’s Pizza Thin-Crust & Vinyl Sound Vibe
   https://www.orlandoweekly.com/food-drink/perlas-pizza-brings-thin-crust-florida-man-pies-and-a-thumping-soundtrack-to-winter-park/ Orlando Weekly
7. Orlando Weekly Coverage — Perla’s Pizza Reopening in Winter Park
   https://www.orlandoweekly.com/food-drink/perlas-pizza-is-now-open-in-winter-park/ Orlando Weekly
8. Park Ave Magazine — Perla’s Pizza Bold Flavors & Concept Details
   https://parkavemagazine.com/perlas-pizza-brings-bold-new-flavors-to-winter-park/ Park Ave Magazine | Winter Park Florida
9. Bungalower — Perla’s Pizza Winter Park Opening Report
   https://bungalower.com/2025/09/20/perlas-pizza-spins-back-into-winter-park-this-time-for-good/ Bungalower

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Whether you are exploring listings in Winter Park, thinking about a move, or simply wanting to better understand what makes this area feel so lived in and layered, feel free to reach out. I am always happy to connect and help you explore what living here could look like.

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Dionne Aiken
‍REALTOR® | Coldwell Banker Realty
📍 Central Florida
‍legacymoves.com

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