Perla Oyster Bar is the brainchild of Matthew Chappina, a Long Island native whose path from pizza joints to culinary director at Calexico shaped his deep-rooted love for food. After years of refining his craft in NYC, Matt brought his talents home to Maplewood. What began as a backyard oysterfest with friends evolved into a full-blown seafood venture. With a specialty oyster truck, sold-out local events, and a clear vision, Matt opened Perla Oyster Bar in 2023. The space—intimate, bustling, and rooted in community—delivers NYC energy with front-row access to fresh seafood, prepared right at the bar.

Early Bird was hired to photograph both the food and lifestyle at Perla, capturing the energy, details, and vibe of the space. The images were also featured in NJ Monthly magazine, giving the bar well-deserved recognition beyond Maplewood.