South Congress restaurant closes indefinitely after fire

A seafood and oyster restaurant on South Congress, Austin's popular shopping and restaurant district, is closed indefinitely after a fire over the weekend. Perla's Seafood & Oyster Bar was forced to evacuate Sunday evening around 6:15 p.m. after flames erupted in a kitchen vent hood. The Austin Fire Department quickly contained the fire, and no injuries were reported. However, the seafood restaurant will be closed as the extent of the damage is determined and repairs are made, a Perla's representative told the Austin American-Statesman. The restaurant put on its Instagram story that it was closed Monday "due to unforeseen circumstances." No reopening date has been announced. Perla's previously experienced a fire in the kitchen in January 2016, when the ventilation system caught fire. The Austin Fire Department also contained that fire quickly, and no injuries were reported, though it caused $25,000 in damage. Perla's, located at 1400 S. Congress Avenue, has been open since April 2009. Serving brunch, lunch and dinner, Perla's also features an extensive shaded patio facing South Congress. The seafood restaurant is part of Austin-based MML Hospitality, which operates more than 20 restaurants in Texas, Colorado and California. MML Hospitality opened Clark's Oyster Bar in Houston in 2023. It's not the only fire to sideline an Austin restaurant this summer. In late May, Bar Peached on West Sixth Street caught fire due to a malfunctioning refrigerator, causing significant damage. Bar Peached has not yet announced a reopening date.