The Black Pearl, Fine Dining Restaurant in Dunedin, Florida
Fine Dining · Downtown Dunedin · Since 1994
Twelve tables on Main Street, a seasonal French and New American menu, and the kind of evening you plan your year around.
Recognition
- Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in AmericaOpenTable, 2025
- Best All-Around ChefCreative Loafing, 2025 and 2026
- Best French RestaurantCreative Loafing, 2024 and 2025
- #1 Most Romantic Restaurant in Tampa BayYelp
The Experience
Fine dining, the way it should feel
The Black Pearl is Dunedin's fine dining restaurant. Just twelve tables, so every guest gets the full attention of the kitchen and the dining room. The menu follows the seasons, built on local seafood, meats, and produce and cooked with classic French technique. Thoughtful wine, polished service, and nothing rushed.
It's a dinner for people who love food, and for the nights that deserve something more than dinner.
Celebrate Here
Birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, and the big nights
OpenTable named The Black Pearl one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America, Yelp ranks us the most romantic restaurant in Tampa Bay, and Creative Loafing readers voted us Best Date Restaurant. Tell us what you're celebrating when you book, and we'll take it from there.
The Kitchen
Chef Partner Christopher Artrip
When we took over The Black Pearl in 2014, Chris was the sous chef, and it was obvious from day one that he was the star of the show. We promoted him to executive chef, and in 2021 he became our chef partner.
Chris also led culinary for all of The Feinstein Group. In 2021 he stepped back from that role to pour everything into one thing: relentless excellence at The Pearl. It shows on every plate. Creative Loafing's critics named him Best Chef in 2018, and its readers voted him Best All-Around Chef in 2025 and again in 2026.
We're lucky to have him, and we think you'll taste why.
Our Story
A Main Street landmark since 1994
The Black Pearl opened in 1994 inside a downtown Dunedin building that dates to 1904. The Feinstein Group took the reins in 2014, renovated the dining room in 2020, and restored the storefront to its original 1904 look in 2024. Three decades in, it's still the room Dunedin saves for its most important dinners.
In the Press
What they're saying
“Chef Christopher Artrip's autobiography in 14 courses.”Laura Reiley, Tampa Bay Times
Awards and honors
- 2026 Best All-Around Chef, Chris Artrip Creative Loafing Best of the Bay
- 2025 Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America OpenTable
- 2025 Best All-Around Chef, Best All-Around Restaurant, Best Date Restaurant, Best French Restaurant Creative Loafing Best of the Bay
- 2025 #1 Most Romantic Restaurant in Tampa Bay Yelp
- 2024 Best French Restaurant Creative Loafing Best of the Bay
- 2023 Best Dunedin Restaurant Creative Loafing Best of the Bay
- 2022 Best Splurge Restaurant, Best Date Restaurant Creative Loafing Best of the Bay
- 2021 Best Splurge Restaurant Creative Loafing Best of the Bay
- 2020 Best Dunedin Restaurant Creative Loafing Best of the Bay
- 2020 #1 Most Romantic Restaurant in Tampa Bay Yelp
- 2019 No. 6 of Tampa Bay's 50 Best Restaurants Creative Loafing critic Jon Palmer Claridge
- 2018 Best Chef, Critics Pick, Chris Artrip Creative Loafing Best of the Bay
- 2018 Top 50 Places to Eat in Tampa Bay Yelp
- 2016 Top 50 Restaurants, No. 1 French Tampa Bay Times
Features
- Dunedin gem in OpenTable's Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants list I Love the Burg, 2025
- 6 FL Restaurants Among 100 Most Romantic in America Patch, 2025
- 6 Florida restaurants among the best for romance FOX 35, 2025
- Tampa Bay's best restaurants, food and drink of 2025 Creative Loafing, 2025
- The Black Pearl unveils stunning renovation Dunedin Daily, 2024
- Eighteen must-stop spots in the darling town of Dunedin Flamingo Magazine, 2024
- A fine dining treasure in Dunedin Tampa Bay Business & Wealth, 2021
- Tampa Bay's 50 best restaurants of 2019 Creative Loafing, 2019
- 25 essential restaurants in Dunedin Creative Loafing, 2019
- The Black Pearl: A Tampa Bay Treasure Tampa Bay Date Night Guide, 2018
- Date Night: Fine-Dining Restaurants Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
Private Events
The whole restaurant, yours for the night
Rehearsal dinners, milestone birthdays, business dinners, and proposals. A full buyout gives your group all twelve tables, our team, and a menu built with Chef Artrip. Buyouts carry a food and beverage minimum that reflects a full evening of service.
Good to Know
Frequently asked questions
What kind of restaurant is The Black Pearl?
A fine dining restaurant in downtown Dunedin, Florida, serving a seasonal French and New American menu led by chef partner Christopher Artrip. With only twelve tables, it's an intimate, chef-driven experience.
Where is The Black Pearl?
315 Main Street in downtown Dunedin, Florida 34698, in a restored building that dates to 1904.
What are your hours?
Dinner nightly. Sunday to Thursday 5PM to 10PM, Friday and Saturday 5PM to 11PM.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes, we strongly recommend one. With only twelve tables, we book up fast, especially on weekends and holidays. Reserve on OpenTable or call (727) 734-3463.
Do you require a credit card to book?
Yes. With only twelve tables and most nights booked well ahead, every reservation is held with a credit card. You can cancel or change your reservation free of charge up to 24 hours before your time. Cancellations inside 24 hours and no-shows are charged $25 per guest. If an emergency comes up, just call us at (727) 734-3463 and keep us in the loop.
Is The Black Pearl good for a birthday or anniversary?
It's what we're known for. OpenTable named The Black Pearl one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America in 2025, Yelp ranks it the most romantic restaurant in Tampa Bay, and Creative Loafing readers voted it Best Date Restaurant in 2022 and 2025. Let us know what you're celebrating when you book.
Is there a service charge?
Yes. A 20% service charge is added to every check.
Can I rent out the whole restaurant?
Yes. Full buyouts are available with a food and beverage minimum. Email events@theblackpearldunedin.com or call (727) 734-3463.
Do you sell gift cards?
Yes. Digital gift cards are available online, and they make a great gift for anyone who loves fine dining.
Who owns The Black Pearl?
The Black Pearl is part of The Feinstein Group, the Dunedin hospitality group behind The Living Room, Sonder Social Club, and Highland House. Chef Christopher Artrip is our chef partner.
Hours
Sunday to Thursday
5PM to 10PM
Friday and Saturday
5PM to 11PM
Plan Your Night