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The food was really good, especially the chips and salsa, which were incredible, and the chicken tinga enchiladas, which were easily my favorite. I was really excited about the drinks because the menu sounded so good, but the one I got felt a bit uninspired since it was poured from a premade bottle. Still, the food definitely made this a solid spot, and I'd come back for the enchiladas & chips alone.
Sweet Caroline! Bump!bump!!bump! Yes!!! Thank you girl for your service. It's nights out for the ladies. We are a party of 5. We all got our own SALSA! It is delicious with a lil kick!!! I opted in on the crispy fish tacos! So good! Even warmed up. It comes with rice and beans. Now this is my first time having cold rice and beans. The rice so spicy it seems intentional. I can handle it. Overall, it's the Ambiance. This place is beautiful. We sat in the garden for the rest of the night, until the owner let us know he was locking the door, but stay as long as we like. What?!! I can't wait to go back.
Really cool vibe and good location. We went for a birthday dinner and had a great time!!!! However, the prices were high to me for what we got. I had 2 drinks and 2 appetizers and my meal cost $100! I got the firecracker shrimp and the tortilla soup. My friend got the fire margarita and it was cool!! Our server was very friendly and helpful
Came for a bday celebration/girls night. They recently stopped doing the red salsa and salsa verde with chips for the appetizer. Only red salsa now for the summer. Chips were too salty but still crisp and thin. I get the same thing each time because other dishes I've tried are a little too spicy for my taste. The Birria was a touch tough. It was not that pull apart slow Cooked meat that I am used to here. The rice was a bit hard. Beans were great as always. Service was great. Margs were great! Got a pitcher on the rocks with pineapple flavor. I will still come back and continue to support this restaurant because overall it's a nicer upscale place to get great drinks and appetizers. The bar is great to sit at and the vibe of the place you can't beat! Still 5/5!
El Royale is a fabulous restaurant for any occasion. The inside has an amazing vibe and the staff is nice and attentive. For food, definitely start with the El Royale dip - it's a great twist on queso. Our table ordered a few items and everyone loved their food. Enchiladas Suizas, fish tacos, and fajitas were a hit. Can't wait to return to El Royale!
Even though it seems that establishments don't last long in this space, I've always thought it was one of the most multifunctional and beautiful restaurant spaces around. And El Royale definitely takes advantage of its possibilities. Very trendy! The indoor and outdoor space is great for solos, dates, friends, families, or even special events. I wasn't too hungry so I ordered the taco salad, but OMG, it was huge!!! To be honest, I was expecting it to be pretty bland but I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of flavor of the dish. The chips and salsa are also a slam dunk. Although the massive pieces of tomato in the salsa were at times a bit too chunky for me. As has been noted, prepare to pay a premium price for tex mex. They don't take cash and there is a service fee for credit cards. Also, many of the servers are a bit cold and standoffish, but I at least had a pleasant interaction with one!
The space itself is beautifully decorated and very unique. The food was not that great and overpriced. I got a combination plate (birria and fish taco with a chicken tinga enchilada) The enchilada was not good but the other tacos saved the dish. The rice was undercooked with a few hard pieces. For the price I was expecting more but the ambiance saved the experience for me.
We came here for a lunch during the week and first of all, I guess it's just me, but I can't believe no one else has mentioned how odd the location and entrance to this restaurant is. We parked on the street and as I was following my coworker in (who already knew where she was going), I remarked, "There's no way I could've found where to go." It was just odd. You walk through the parking lot (valet only), then turn left into this patio, then look left for the door. It's like it's completely hidden from the street and I never saw any sign outside. If you know where you're going, it's fine. Once again, I was thankful I rode with someone else. As the other reviewers noted, it's a unique, jungle vibe, but kinda upscale. Service was friendly. We ordered the Dip Trio for an appetizer and it was really good. The standard chips and salsa were excellent too. Because we were there at lunch during the week, the noise was not bad at all. I ordered the Grouper and not only was it beautiful, it was also delicious. I ate every bite, it was so good. Also, it seemed to be a smaller portion compared to what everyone else at my table got and definitely healthier. I took pictures of their plates and I'm sure one was Barry's Plate and I think the other was Jolene's Plate, but I'm not certain. I didn't get a picture of my 4th coworker's plate, but 2 of the 3 got boxes to take home what they didn't finish, so apparently they really liked it. I would definitely be willing to come back, especially since I know where to go now!
Finally tried El Royale last night and we were disappointed. We had a reservation for 7:30 but weren't seated until after 7:45. The space was festooned for Christmas, which obscured the decor quite a bit, but the whole place was a weird mashup of English Pub, French bistro, and garden tea room. It doesn't have an ounce of Mexican restaurant as far as ambiance goes, but everyone seemed to be having a good time. We started off with the worst house margarita I've ever had. It was pure bad tequila with ne'er an ounce of lime in it. It sat on the table untouched, and our waitress asked if it was okay. I told her I wasn't a fan and ordered a coke (no fountains here, I got a can), but she took the drink back to the bar to have it remade. She confessed to trying a dropper of it and knew it needed lime. The second cocktail was no better. The chips and salsa were wonderful. We were offered two styles, red and green, and I loved both. We took our waitress' recommendation of the ribeye fajitas and the enchiladas suizas for our entrees. The enchiladas were very dry. The shredded chicken inside was moist, but the whole point of enchiladas suizas is the delicious sauce, but there was more melted cheese on the enchiladas than there was sauce. Very disappointing. The fajitas fared better. The order came with three small, weirdly translucent flour (?) tortillas. Maybe the weird texture and shape was meant to make sure you knew these were made in-house, but they looked awful. Thankfully, filled to the brim, you couldn't taste them at all. The steak was very tender and delicious, and it was a good portion. The peppers and onions were lightly grilled but very over-seasoned. All in, El Royale is a vibe. If you're looking for a boisterous, noisy crowd where folks appear to be having a great time, then it's fine. But the food doesn't live up to the hype.
This restaurant has absolutely beautiful decor. From the moment you walk in, the vibrant colors and thoughtful design create a warm, inviting atmosphere that really sets the tone for the experience. I felt like I was at a resort restaurant. It's a great place to enjoy a meal visually and would be perfect for photos, a casual night out, or date night. While the ambiance truly stands out, the food itself was just average. We sat at the bar and Gage was our waiter. The dishes were fine and nicely presented, but nothing particularly memorable or standout in terms of flavor. I had the flaming Royale to drink ($17) and the fish tacos ($22) to eat. The grouper was seasoned well. Overall, it's a lovely spot for the atmosphere.
Had to see what all the buzz was about! The moment you step inside, the lush greenery and stunning interior design transport you to an entirely different world--beautiful enough on its own to make you want to come back again and again. The chips were notably thin and extra salty and served with salsa and salsa verde. We added on queso ($12) and thought it was a great touch. We each had margs. I started with prickly pear and thought it was fine but just tasted like normal lime. Then got a peach and it was delicious. These are on the smaller side but delicious nonetheless. ($15) I got the enchiladas suizas - chicken, Monterey Jack, cheddar, Tomatillo sauce, onion and cilantro. The tomatillo sauce was bright and tangy and made the whole dish. ($24) My friend, Julia, got the chimichanga ($20) and said it was delightful. Our server was very kind, helpful and made great suggestions. Parking is valet with the option to tip. There is some street parking but was full when I got there. It is on the pricier side, in my opinion, and was equivalent to other, more economical, restaurants with similar style dishes. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our night here and will be back! It felt like a mini trip somewhere. The atmosphere and ambiance (and margs) alone are worth the trip! The post cards with your receipt are an adorable touch!
Absolutely a 10/10. I think I have found my favorite New Mexican spot in Birmingham. First off - our server Christina was so pleasant. She shared with us her favorite dishes and the most popular dishes. Front hosts were friendly and greeted us pleasantly as soon as we got in. On to the food and drink - We don't drink so we opted for the two mocktails on the menu. The cucumber one was very refreshing which is up my alley. My bestie got the little dove and added pineapple juice which gave her the fruity taste she wanted. All of the appetizers were simply delicious. Best elote I have ever had!!!! The entrees were hot, flavorful and at a great price. I had never had grouper and I enjoyed it. My bestie had the most meat-filled birria and the best "motor oil" consommé I loved the decor in the restaurant, I felt like I was in an upscale jungle with all the green - little different than what I'm used to for Mexican restaurants. Upbeat and friendly was the overall vibe. They had it decorated for Christmas which was cute! Will be back every chance I get.
El Royale is definitely a favorite of my husband and I's. We've probably been here upwards of 10 times. Our go-to's are the ribeye fajitas, sour cream enchiladas, corn elote & (of course) the house margaritas. The restaurant and bar are gorgeous and give off a very New Orleans vibe. However, I knocked off a star for the prices and the notoriously slower service. Overall, we really enjoy El Royale and think it brings a great new atmosphere to Bham! Definitely a great spot to try out, but make sure to get a reservation!
We've heard a lot of hype and mixed reviews and I just have to say go see for yourself. The decor is beautiful and definitely gives upscale old school diner/vegas vibes to me. The chips and salsa were fabulous. I got a taco salad and though it was delicious and also two meals. The house margs were fantastic. I feel like this is a higher quality Tex-mex but also offers a few other options to those who may not want that. The staff were friendly but not constantly checking in which I greatly appreciate. We were celebrating a birthday and they threw in a bday ice cream which was a sweet surprise! We will be back. read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
We had been waiting to try El Royale for a few weeks, as it hit the Birmingham restaurant scene hot, and reservations were scarce. We were welcomed by a couple of the team. They were polite and friendly. Once seared, our server, Sean, was attentive and professional. The ambiance is old-school Mexico, overflowing with palms and bananas trees, colorful decor, good energy, and a vibe that makes you want to order a margarita and stay a while! Chips and salsa came out first, Chips were crispy, salsa tasty and the salsa verde added a nice touch. We ordered our entrees and they were out in minutes. I had the taco salad, which was ok, but for me , a bit salty. My partner had the birria tacos. Good, but the tortillas had lost their crispiness. Beans and rice, sides, were unremarkable and went uneaten. Of course, we had to try the margarita, so we opted for the pitcher for some savings. Flavor was decent, not legendary, but they did the job and completed the experience. We will be back, to try some other things on the menu, the dreamy outside patio, and maybe one of the fancier cocktails that El Royale is becoming known for. read more
2 months ago
The decor and ambiance is one of the best in town both in and outside. Unfortunately, the food leaves much to be desired and the service the same. I have been a few times each time trying something else and each time disappointed in our bill compared to food quality. This place needs a management overall- to offer better food and better service. You can tell when a place is poorly run as the workers aren't happy and it shows. With better management this place will stay crowded. Pretty much every person I've talked to says the same thing. Great vibe. Food mediocre at best and unhappy staff. Too expensive for what it's serving. read more
4 months ago
I've heard so much about this place since it opened. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get drinks on this occasion but I've seen and heard great things abt them aswell as what I got from the waiter. On a side note the food was great and the service was also great aswell. It's not something to change your life or anything but it's a very good place with an awesome atmosphere and you should definitely give it a shot! 84/100 read more
4 months ago
One of THE cutest restaurants in Birmingham! We sat on the patio and this felt more like a big city restaurant where there are both groups sitting down to eat but also groups there to hang out at the bar. The food was amazing - especially the firecracker shrimp and the chips and guacamole. El Royale uses different chips for the chips and salsa (very thin chip) and guacamole (thicker chip, almost like pita, that comes out warm and melts in your mouth). Only negative was that the group sat prior to our reservation did not leave the table for 30 minutes past our reservation (would have liked our waiter to politely let them know the next reservation had arrived), however, we were given complimentary snacks and shots for the inconvenience. Would definitely go here again! read more
As the stars say "Could've been better". The official Yelp label for a 2 star review is "Could've been better" and that appropriately sums up my experience last night at El Royale. The other word that comes to mind would be "hectic". Hectic for various reasons but mainly because it was a Thursday night and they are the new flavor in town. Thursday evenings always seem to be the popular night of the week to meet with friends and colleagues after work for drinks and this night was no different. Having only been opened a few months, El Royale's reputation is trying to carve it's mark into the Birmingham food scene. Located downtown just a few blocks from UAB St. Vincents, parking can be a challenge but they offer valet parking. Having previously been a nursery and greenhouse, the aesthetics is unique and impressive. The decorative walkway was filled with beautiful greenery and bushes opening up to a covered patio with benches and tables for outdoor dining. The main dining room is speckled with nostalgic tiles and memorabilia that exudes a good home cooked sit down meal. Centered in the room was a large three-sided bar that was quite busy. Kenny had to make a reservation for our six top a few weeks ago so we had a table waiting for us on this bustling evening. When questioned about our table, the maitre d seemed very disinterested in helping us find our friends or table and just motioned us to look in the back. Our six top round table was almost centered in the back dining room surrounded by tables and small booths. There wasn't an open seat to be seen, but there were certainly loud conversations to be heard. Above this dining room was the remnants of what appeared to be the ceiling of an old greenhouse. With this remarkably tall ceiling space you would hope that it would accommodate the noise, but you would be incorrect. It was incredibly difficult to have any conversation even with the six of us leaning on our elbows. Our server Andrew did his best checking on us, but he was swamped with other tables and eventually got our drinks to us. The Little Dove mocktail with large slice of grapefruit, lemon and lychee was refreshing. Tammy didn't have much to say about her margarita. When Andrew finally had a chance to take our order, we had to wait what I would consider a longer than usual time for our entrees to arrive. In the meantime, keeping us pacified with chips and salsa helped, but our server wasn't really exceptional in that endeavor either. At the conclusion of our meal, our table sat uncleared as well reminding us that they were short staffed. Linh tried the Jolene combination. Her opinion of its mediocrity was apparent. Paul and Tammy ordered the Blackened Grouper. My sampling of it was that it was in desperate need of seasoning. Renee chose the Fish Tacos which appeared to be large portions of grouper fried with heavy batter. As a lover of everything seafood, I wanted to try their house special Prawns Royale. Just the name of the dish exemplified magnificence, unfortunately it fell short of it's intended mark. There's not much you can do with plating 5 shrimp with the head on so it was a blessing that they kept the lighting dim and to a minimum. I mentioned shrimp because the only thing resembling "prawns" was the grilled heads. The paltry sizes of the shrimp left much to be desired considering the attached pricing. I'm glad I ordered the additional beans and rice since the shrimp did not come with any sides. The saving grace was the sauce. The cilantro and parsley added a very nice flavor to the butter infused sauce. A good dining experience is not always just about the meal. It is often a collective experience. Would my opinion be different if we had been here on a Wednesday evening with a kitchen that wasn't backed up? Would I return in 12 months when it's not as hectic and the "newness" has subsided? Perhaps, but when you pitch an elevated Tex-Mex dining experience at this price point, it's paramount to make that good impression on the very first encounter. This night was memorable for its wonderful fellowship, but dining expectations unquestionably fell short. read more
1 month ago
1 year ago
ElRoyale does not disappoint! Cute, garden-like ambiance whether you sit inside or out, delicious food (everything we tried was phenomenal), and perfect for happy hour or a date -- easily in my top five restaurants in Birmingham! Tip: Make reservations several weeks in advance. read more
The service was very good but everything is pricey for what it actually is. I did not think the food was any better than your average Mexican restaurant. The drinks were super expensive and not as flavorful as they should have been. It's a great venue but I don't see myself being a regular patron. read more
Last night we visited El Royale for the 2nd time. The first was at an inside table which was lovely. But last night we could only get a patio table and it was just too hot to dine outside. Food is great. Both times I had chicken fajitas. I love that they are served with a head of roasted garlic and melted butter. My family had fish tacos which they also enjoyed. The drink menu is great. The frozen sangria is delicious. My only complaints - 1. If you're waiting for a table outside skip the outside bar. I paid $15 for the margarita pictured that's practically Dixie cup sized. 2. Get bottled/sparkling water. We ordered tap and it tasted like sugar water. The server told us it's kept in iced tea urns and the sweet tea must not have been cleaned out. read more
My first visit for lunch with friends. My first attempt we didn't have a reservation (a Sunday afternoon) but this time we did. Friendly reception. Ordered a drink from the bar before being seated. I tried the peach margarita and they did not hold back on the alcohol (yay!). Once seated we ordered the dip trio appetizer with guacamole, queso and the el royale. All were good and shareable with three people. I am a sucker for ribs so I ordered the Honey Chipotle ribs with fries and slaw. The fries and slaw were okay and the ribs were delicious! Tender and almost fall off the bone. I would definitely order that again. Nice ambiance and decor. read more
1 year ago
First time here and like everyone has said the atmosphere is so nice! We ordered a cocktail and waiter seemed pushy about ordering quickly. We didn't want a ton of food so we split fajitas and the prawns. Very good but it came out so fast. In and out in 1 1/2. Definitely will go back. Place was packed! read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
The vibe is great. Really good design and interior. The food is pretty good. A little over priced. But the experience makes up for it I guess. My main issue- the bar. This is the only place where it is the most difficult thing in the world to get a drink while you wait for your reservation. The bar tenders actively ignore you. There isn't a designated places for people to grab a drink without disturbing the people who are seated at the bar. And the attitude of the bar tenders towards people who are getting a drink while they wait is terrible. read more
8 months ago
Went here recently with friends and I was very impressed! The atmosphere is perfect for late night dining with friends. I could see how the low lighting might make it hard for some to read the menu but it wasn't a problem for us. I'm very impressed with how they renovated the dining space--especially the bar! The cheese dip was great and the Birria tacos were the best I've had in bham! My one critique is that the chips were a little too thin for how thick the cheese dip was which made it a little difficult to eat. Will definitely be going again! read more
The food and service were good. I ordered the crispy beef tacos for $17 and the party vixen drinks for $15. It's a new Mexican cuisine restaurant with valet parking. They have indoor and outdoor seating. I highly recommend reservations because it's new, and everyone is checking it out. It has a nice ambience with dim lighting. Perfect for all occasions: date night, girls night, or just a night with friends. Check out their website too! read more
4 months ago
10 months ago
The decorations were fun & festive. The staff were very friendly! My enchiladas plate & drinks were good. But the RIBS were AWFUL (too salty, I couldn't swallow it), the food prices for Texmex were too pricey, and we made a reservation for 8:30PM but had to wait 20 mins with no waiting area. They directed us to wait at the bar where seating was limited so we awkwardly stood in the way of the staff running around us. The overall dining experience did not match the price. read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
This is definitely the hot spot right now. I was surprised at how fast reservations book up, but have been able to get in twice. The earlier the better. Both times I went around 5p. By 530-6,they are packed. The atmosphere is definitely upscale, but loud. I love the decor- so bougie! We had the same waitress for both visits. She was very nice and knowledgeable about the wine. Yes I said wine. Although this is a Mexican restaurant, it is upscale and has things like grouper on the menu! Which, I will have to say was absolutely delicious and served with drawn butter, guacamole, rice and a little pico. The grouper was grilled perfectly - nice and charred on the outside, moist and flaky inside with a delicious flavor. The cheese dip has a dollop of cilantro and jalapeños on top- yummy! The chips were light and crisp, just like I like them. They were served with two salsas, a red and verde. The verde was delish! The chicken suiza was also yummy. The chicken was tender and flavorful. I tried the Verde wine. It was lite and crisp. We had a small vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and sprinkles birthday Sunday which was complimentary. Overall both visits were great. read more
I really enjoyed my visit here. I met up with a friend of mine for lunch. I was concerned about parking since we had a 12:45 reservation. However, they had valet, which I absolutely loved. So that alleviated any parking concerns. When we arrived, our table wasn't quite ready, but the staff kept us updated, and we didn't have a super long wait. The whole ambience of the place made me love it even more. We had a great server who explained menu options really well, and they were great about taking allergy precautions, as I am allergic to shellfish. We got the dip trio as the appetizer. I have to say that their tortilla chips are so good, and the dips were good as well. My favorite dip was the queso, although I did find the el royale dip to be tasty as well. I ordered the Golden Spritz for my drink, and I loved it. My friend ordered the flaming royale, and I really liked the concept of the drink. I ordered the Jolene plate for my entree. They really give you a nice portion of food. The enchiladas on the plate were easily my favorite. With this plate, I liked the variety because it included a taco as well. So it really was a nice treat. I plan to visit again, as the place and service were both great. read more
8 months ago
I am obsessed with this place! The ambience is amazing and it's gorgeous inside the restaurant. We started with the delicious beef tallow chips and salsa, along with the brisket flautas as our app. I can't stop thinking about the flautas and the consume to dip them in! My main was the sourcream enchiladas with creamy chicken and cheese inside, along with rice and beans. Our server was amazing and we will definitely be back! read more
1 year ago
This restaurant is absolutely beautiful and the food & service are good. However, the wooden chairs are TERRIBLE! I'm 5'11 & weigh 170 & think those are the most uncomfortable chairs I have ever sat in at a restaurant. read more
3 months ago
One of the most beautiful restaurants in Birmingham. We were told that staff may be a little slow that day, and I always appreciate the honesty. The caramelized hot cakes topped with butter for brunch were delicious and came with sides of strawberry, syrup and whipped creme. The taco trio was excellent. The chorizo had excellent flavor and paired deliciously with their amazing flour tortilla. The birria taco was phenomenal. It's rare to find one that is actually crispy and cheesy. It had a crunch when I bit into it. They use double tortillas and put lots of cheese in between them. The chicken tinga wasn't as flavorful as the others but was good when you add their very fresh guacamole, pico and sour creme. The beans were also delicious! The only thing that was average was the rice, but since it's meant to be eaten with the very flavorful beans, it works. Had an excellent experience and will definitely be back! read more
1 year ago
What a gorgeous place, inside and out! It is very bright and clean, and the restaurant gives an outdoor feel. Our service was quick and friendly, with a knowledge of the menu. The food and drinks were truly phenomenal! read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
The atmosphere is AMAZING!! The food was okay! But the mocktails and drinks you def need to try it out! This place is beautiful! read more
1 year ago
We finally got the chance to eat at El Royale & it did not disappoint. The space is beautiful & welcoming. The service was friendly and spot on. The food, there's so much to say, we had surf & turf fajitas that was enough to feed 2. The steak was cooked to perfection & an entire lobster tail sat on top, also cooked perfectly. We also had the taco trio, a chorizo, a chicken tinga, & birria. It was so so good! The red salsa so smokey & full of flavor, it was my favorite. Even our most picky little eater said that was the best food he's ever eaten. We will definitely be back to try different food! read more
1 year ago
Had lunch with some girlfriends and got seated fast as we had a reservation. Environment was great; beautiful and reminded me of Italy. We got complimentary chips and salsa which was delicious as you can tell the salsa was fresh! I ordered the Chipotle Ribs and they were cooked too much as the bottom of the ribs were charcoal black and I couldn't eat but the sauce was delicious and everything else tasted amazing. Overall, I would go again but I would order something different. read more
1 year ago
Food was delicious I enjoyed everything I ordered. My steak was cooked perfectly seasoned well and very tender. My first time having chimichurri and now I want more! read more
More info about El Royale
2910 6th Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35233
Directions
(205) 961-3345
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Visit Website
http://www.elroyalecafe.com
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