Mother of Pearl

What’s not to love about a vegan tiki bar?
I got stuck in traffic and was a whole hour late for my Wednesday night reservation (I called to explain my dilemma) and the hostess was so nice and accommodating once I finally arrived. She’d given my table away but seated me at a different table as soon as she could.
Not sure if my waitress was having a bad night or just hates people in general, but she seemed put out when we ordered anything. She was downright frosty to us. It was… odd. Service was definitely slow, too. I know the place was packed, but we probably would have eaten more or had more to drink if we’d been asked if we wanted anything else.
The drinks were ok. I’ve had better and I’ve had worse. The food was pretty decent. The standout to me was the fried guacamole. I want to try to figure out how to make that at home.
Definitely worth checking out for the novelty factor, but this wouldn’t be a place I’d frequent.

Dear Mother of Pearl:
You have delicious drinks, a beautiful space, and generally an awesome concept for a bar.
Each time I have visited, the service has been atrociously slow. Please hire more staff.
Your bar stools are like medieval torture devices and are impossible to sit comfortably on. They’re nice looking, but please get rid of them.
That’s all.

First time eating at this lovely establishment today and let me just say, I will be returning! The choices are plentiful and everything looks and sounds so scrumptious, choosing was difficult. I finally went for their famous avocado french toast. Amazing! The combination of sweet, savory, crispy, and creamy is perfect. I was there for brunch with a large group so I got to see everyone’s dishes. I want them all! Hash browns, fried rice, tofu scramble, steamed buns, … but everything has a special twist to it. Also worth mentioning is the beautiful décor. The space really transports you to a place far away from the city, it’s so light and airy with some very unique installations like the mechanical palm leaves that fan you from above! Go for the food. Go for the gorgeous cocktails. Go for the ambience. Just go!

Fun atmosphere here, Hawaiian tiki themed! The table we were seated at was really small for four people and very uncomfortable. Despite that, service was really friendly and it is a fun vibe. Tried out their shark drink, check out pic! Was more fun looking than good! My hubby had a cashew drink which he really enjoyed! My sister and her bf enjoyed their drinks as well I believe. Don’t be fooled at how fruity the drinks look, they are VERY strong, I was feeling it after one! We did not get to try food here however I believe it is a vegan spot which is not my thing. Would probably come back to try some additional drinks if I was in the area but would not make a special trip! Still fun option to go to with some friends!

Stumbled upon this by accident while roaming the east village. Places like these are why i love NYC. So many distinct and cool places within the same area. Just across the street Sidewalk bar gives you a totally different experience. Mother of Pearl Restaurant has a really cool vibe and décor. It makes you feel like you are in a bar by the beach. I really like this tiki bar with all their aqua colored decorations. Nice spot for a date, casual drinks or gossip with your most gossipiest friends. This is one worth checking it out. They close at 2am, which is why i ended up finishing my night at the bar across the street. Definitely check out if you are in this area. Cute décor, petite, and upscaly if you want to avoid the usual dive bars in the area. Will come back with a larger party and to try the food.

Prior to a recent trip to NYC, I was researching tiki bars for my girlfriend. This one popped up and, to my surprise, indicated that it had recently gone all vegan! There is only one other vegan tiki-​themed bar/​restaurant that I know of in the country, so we made a point to stop by our last day in the city.
As we walked up to the restaurant, the sign said «tiki» right on it so we were hoping for the best. Once you walk in, though, you realize this is more tiki-​influenced at best. The main restaurant area is pretty bland but the back area has a cool design. The stools are tiki gods and the overall feel of the room is on the tropical side.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try the food as we got there late and the kitchen had already shutdown. Not a big deal, as we were just looking for something small to eat but the bar menu did look appetizing. We got a few different drinks and they were a bit all over the place. The first drink my girlfriend got was on the strong side (a good thing) but not particularly unique. I got a tropicalish Avery beer that I had never had before (which was great.) The last drink we shared — the Shark eye. We had to get this for the novelty, and weren’t disappointed on that front. You can find many photos of the gory drink on Unilocal and our drink lived up to this. However, the drink (to me) didn’t seem that strong. Made me think the drink is more about the experience and less about the alcohol.
Not sure if I would go out of my way to try the food next time I’m in town but it’s good to know this is an option (not that there’s a deficit of vegan options around.) For a more legit tiki experience, I would recommend Otto’s.

Came here for vegan brunch and it was delicious! The brunch menu itself isnt so expansive, but I literally wanted to try everything on it. The kalua jack fruit + shiitake mushroom buns were delicious as was the mushroom fried rice. Apparently jack fruit is rich in vitamins, including the b complex group. Also tried 2 nonalcoholic cocktails — forbidden fruit (4 citrus blend + ginger + oregano) and the greenhouse (cucumber water, lime, mint coconut sugar). Nice presentation overall.
The restaurant was a bit empty when we came in here on a Saturday (long weekend), so we were seated immediately. One thing that happened during our brunch was that there was some miscommunication in the kitchen and one of our orders was not placed! The restaurant dealt with this error in a classy manner — they comp’ed the dish, gave us a complimentary sample drink, and apologized profusely.
This is definitely a fun place to eat — creative menu and fun tiki bar vibe.

My boyfriend and I, attracted by their new vegan menu, stopped in for a late Valentines celebration.
It was crowded, so we were seated at the communal table, which we didn’t mind. It’s been a while so I don’t remember everything we ate, but the fried rice and the piña colada type drink (can’t recall the name exactly) really sticks out in my memory. Best piña colada type drink I’ve ever had!
A star off for some spotty service, but we’ll certainly be back!

LOVE this place! I stopped in early on a Friday evening, around 5:30 and the bartender was still prepping so the very sweet Hostess offered me a seat in the front by the window. I like the fact that at least at that time, the staff is completely accommodating as far as seating if you’re there for just drinks. We had dinner reservations around the corner at their sister place so we were just looking for a few fun cocktails beforehand. We definitely came to the right place! Everyone orders the Sharkeye because how couldn’t you? I mean have you seen how darn cute it is? I also tacked on a glass of the Gruet sparkling and was given a very generous pour. Everyone that works here is super friendly as well… can’t wait to return and try some different pretty drinks!

To me, the name sounded kind of fancy, but it’s actually a really cool tiki bar. The décor was island inspired and pretty unique. There were moving leaf fans, which I thought were pretty cool. The drinks came with flowers. The shark eye cocktail comes in a ceramic shark head and the waiter splashes it with red dye (or something?) at your table, so it looks all bloody. Again, very cool and unique.

My friend and I stopped by to grab drinks while we were waiting for our dinner reservation, otherwise I would have totally loved to grab food here.
I forgot the name but I ordered the drink most comparable to a Piña Colada. When our drinks arrived, we kind of chuckled because we’re used to classic drinks, an old fashioned, nice glass of wine, etc., not pretty drinks with crushed ice, orchids, and crazy straws. I have to say, my drink was unlike any other Piña Colada I’ve had. It was so aromatic. I can picture myself sipping that thing on a beach somewhere. My friend had the Tide is High– it was pretty good, but I liked mind better.
I’m not into foo foo drinks, with umbrellas and or orchids in this case, but the restaurant was very charming, with a really young and friendly staff. I might come back for another round when I’m in town, $ 40 for 2 drinks is kind of steep, but that WAS the best Piña Colada I’ve had to date. :)

In the EV hood where cocktail/​app bars are plentiful, Mother of Pearl gets major points for originality. Wacky décor, odd (but tasty) cocktail concoctions and innovative dishes all make for a fun «drinks with friends after work» experience.
I loved the cashew based cocktail as well as the rye one!

A modern Tiki bar by the Amar y Amargo guy. What could be better than everything this guy touches?! Super fun, playful and cool Tiki bar with über friendly staff. We ordered A Shark Eye (unbelievably bloody presentation) and a Sound of Silver. So much detail went in to both. Even my ice was etched! A perfect bar. Go get some modern Tiki!

This place is so nice.
Pro: the drinks are great and trendy. The food is yummy
Con: the size of the place is alil small. Also it is vegan.
I came here in a Thursday and the place was semi packed. We got a sit at a table but wanted the bar. Once seats opened up the waiter graciously moved us. The staff was very friendly the décor is great.

Amazing drinks! Very good cocktails and great ambientation! Love the theme of the bar, makes you feel in a tropical place like Bali or any other south asian island. They take care very well of the details! Even the straws go with the theme.
Last time that I went it was a wednesday night and it was pretty empty, such a shame

I visited Mother of Pearl after a recent dinner at Avant Garden (same owners). I was greeted with all smiles by a server wearing a flowered shirt and pineapple apron. I took a seat at the bar while I waited on my friends for our dinner reservation.
Oscar the bartender was super nice. I asked for his favorite cocktail. He whipped up a mezcal, cashew coconut milk beverage that was spectacular! He entertained me with fun conversation while I waited on my crew.
The décor make me feel as though I was in a tiki bar back in 70s. Felt as though I was in a movie. Def not in NYC. They even had big banana fans on the wall slowly moving back and forth to add to the ambience and pink flamingo string lightening.
Once my friends arrived, we were sat and ready to get down to biz. The plates are share, so we ordered the servers top dishes. All were out of this world! The curry was probably the tables favorite.
I’ll be back sooner than later!
Pop in for a drink with Oscar and a snack or have a full meal to share. Was so fun!!!
Ps — it’s all Vegan! Woohoo!

I have walked by Mother of Pearl a million times, and was lured by its fine décor and mystical tiki ambiance. Plus, I’m all about the tiki bar revival — so was excited to check it out.
Made a reservation on Open Table for two for a Tuesday night, but it wasn’t necessary as there was plenty of seating. We were kindly offered a large booth near the front of the restaurant — so plenty of space, but I’m sure it gets packed.
We both went with the Shark Eye cocktail — a solid choice because it was not only delivered in a shark glass fully marked by red food coloring ‘blood’, but was also a bourbon cocktail which is my favorite. This novelty beverage came at a cool cost of $ 15.
We ordered the lychee potstickers (6 pieces) and the edamame spring rolls (4 pieces) which were generous in size. Not to mention tasty! Note: the menu is vegetarian.
They have a fun round table in the middle of the restaurant that holds maybe 6 – 8 people, so grab a few buds and enjoy super fun drinks and delicious veggie food!

Really interesting spot. The décor itself is worth checking out and their cocktail list is remarkable.
However, I skipped the cocktails (but had a sip of 2 of my friends’ drinks) and grabbed a few glasses of vino. it was Monday, after all. Try the rum fried rice, as it’s delish. Also liked the edamame pot stickers. Also had a few other dishes… and barely noticed that we were eating vegan (as someone who is truly averse to most vegetables, this is usually highly noticeable to me).
Would definitely come back.

I can’t lie, I came here purely to try the Instagram worthy shark cocktail! I was pleasantly surprised, as from the street it is a bit unclear what this place is all about. However upon entering and being led through to the bar at the rear of the restaurant I relaxed! The Hawaiian style décor is a really mood booster, I loved the wallpaper, the fans, even the straws!
My friend and I both went for the shark cocktail and enjoyed watching the barman serve it up and then squirt ‘blood’ all around the teeth of the shark. The cocktail tasted great and I got my money shot for Instagram.
I don’t feel a need to return. Not because it was bad, but more as I feel I’ve ticked this one off and so, onto the next. I am slightly intrigued to see what the food would be like. I didn’t look at the menu, so I don’t know what they have available. I found it to be a perfect drink stop.

This place is amazing!
I came here on a Friday night and ordered the Shark Eye. It looked so fun and different compared to any other bars I’ve been to. The decorations in this place is intense too! You literally feel like your in summer when you know it’s freezing outside. The bartender was also great. He was attentive, talkative and kind. This place is on the expensive side for the drinks but it’s worth it. Totally recommend this place!