Totally recommend. Great food, drinks, desserts, service and ambience. Definitely worth it

El Royale was 9/10 experience! I really enjoyed the freshness of the food and drinks. The service was great but also they weren't as crowded. The aesthetics are picture worthy so come dressed to snap photos! I was not a fan of the Side Hustle but I switched it out for a Mambo Taxi. Mambo Taxi was FIRE! Tip: Make reservations! read more

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The ambiance and visual appeal transport you to Europe upon entry. Every detail is perfection! To start, my boyfriend and I ordered the Paloma and the flaming Royale. The Paloma was perfectly sweet, fresh, and you could definitely taste the spirit. The flaming Royale came with a fun presentation and gave a strong peach flavor. We heard the food was mid, but we were not disappointed with any of the dishes we ordered! The dip trio was fun way to try each dip! We preferred the chips that came with the complementary salsas to the thicker chips that came with the dip trio. We ordered the carne asada and it was 1000/10. Perfectly cooked and came with a nice crisp on the outside. It came with a delicious crema on the side, but the steak was seasoned so well that we did not use it. We ended with the caramel filled churros which were crunchy, sweet, and came with a chocolate, dulce de leche, and creme dipping sauce. Parker was our server and was attentive, knowledgeable, and super pleasant. We enjoyed it and will be back for another fun date night! read more

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Drinks amazing! The queso is the best I've ever had and also staff is so nice! Can't wait to be back in the city to go again

Great food the spicy Margarita was good. Our server Bradley was very helpful. We will return

Upon our early arrival to our reservation, we had margaritas at the outside bar while we waited for our table to be ready. We ordered 4 spicy margaritas and asked that no agave be included. Unfortunately, the outdoor bar only offers premade cocktails, with no room for custom changes. Instead, any custom cocktail requests must be placed with the restaurant once the table was ready. Because of this, our cocktails were far too sweet and the manager was kind enough to accept our refund request. Once we received the text message that our table was ready, we were sat at a table with chips and salsa upon arrival. After 15 minutes of snacking on the chips and spicy salsa duo's, no waiter greeted us nor offered us water. Finally, we flagged down a server who had a full pitcher in her hand and asked if we may be able to get some water. She frantically responded that she was tending to a private event, and would be unable to assist us with that, and scurried away. Approximately two minutes to follow, she came back out of no where, reached over a guest at our table, SLAMMED the pitcher down in front of her so aggressively that the table shook while exclaiming, "JUST TAKE IT," then disappeared. We were all left astonished with our mouths wide open- speechless. After rationing off the one pitcher amongst our party of 6, a server came to ask us if we needed anything. While lacking an official greeting of our party and introduction of himself, we placed an order of drinks and the dip trio. The greeting did not include an apology for the delay. We received our drinks moments later, and amongst the 2 items ordered, one was incorrect- a Dos Equis rather than a Corona. We waited for the correct beer before toasting and reviewing the menu. Continuing to snack on the chips and pass the basket across the table- we finally received another one for accessibility purposes so we could stop passing the same basket amongst each other. Finally, the server returned to ask us what we would like for dinner. Following submitting our orders, we waited for the food to arrive. Enough time had passed between placing appetizers and ordering dinner that one of our guests was too full to order a main dish. However, across the table, we enjoyed chicken tinga tacos, birria tacos, and enchiladas. All contained excellent flavor and were delicious- just slow to come out. We were rarely checked on throughout our meal, but the food itself was positively delicious. We will definitely enjoy this food again, but via takeout. read more

Very disappointing dinner at El Royale tonight. My wife had dined there once before and gave it a glowing review. My first time tonight completely failed to meet expectations. Sunday night and the restaurant was pretty full (good sign) with a warm and energetic vibe (good sign). Seated promptly and quickly met by our server with complimentary chips/salsa and for drink orders (good sign). Drinks promptly delivered and placed our orders for appetizer (brisket flautas) and entrees (sour cream enchiladas for my wife; triple taco combination for me). All good so far. After 15-20 minutes nibbling on chips and salsa our entrees were delivered. I explained that we hadn't yet received our appetizer so the entrees went back and shortly thereafter our appetizer was delivered. We had just started on the flautas (very good) when our entrees reappeared. When I told the server that we did not want our entrees until we finished our appetizers, she said "well they told me to bring these out now." I politely, but firmly, requested she take entrees back until we were ready for them, which she reluctantly did. After we finished the appetizer, they brought our entrees which had clearly been sitting in some kitchen purgatory all that time. The tacos were lukewarm and the shells were soggy. Basically inedible. Likewise my wife's enchiladas were well past prime.we consumed less than half our entrees. Given the sequence it failure, they should have trashed the entrees and prepared them anew. But no. All this is basic restaurant blocking and tackling. Not complicated and not something you would dream of experiencing at an establishment that bills itself as "fine dining". So disappointed that we passed on dessert. Insult to injury was our server asking if we wanted to take our leftovers home! Maybe just an outlier, but hard to see myself returning. read more

Amazing service and even better food. 10/10 recommend. The ambiance was beautiful and the food was hot and delicious! read more

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The ambiance at El Royale is top notch. Beautiful space and decoration, service was good not great. The chips and salsa were amazing, perfectly salted and hard to stop eating. The Dip Trio was also great, and I loved the thicker chips with the trio that had a doughy quality to them. Steak Quesadillas were light on steak which is probably why they were listed in the appetizer section. Definitely a fun spot and will be coming back to try some new dishes. read more

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There was great atmosphere and service and the food was really good. This is a very unique restaurant for a date night or a family dinner out on the town. I would recommend this restaurant and look forward to returning for another great experience. read more

If you like paying too much for food that is meh, this is your kinda spot. Service, meh, food, meh, TikTok girls all over taking pics but not actually eating... read more

Good food, tasty cocktails, and great service! All around awesome experience! Would def come back read more

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Loved everything about El Royale! The outdoor patio is gorgeous, indoor ambiance is inviting, the drinks and food were flavorful and curious. I have been on the hunt in Birmingham for the best chicken enchiladas, and I found them here with their "Sour Cream Enchiladas." The service was timely and friendly. All around a great vibe; will visit again! read more

El Royale - garden entrance - Tex-Mex Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Good: the steak was solid. Nothing too much to complain about. Bad: salsa were both okay. Menu has 0 customizing for customers. To go order took dip trio home and the chips were 1. Different than what was given at the bar and 2. Had hair pieces in there. So wasn't ideal. I know it happens. Was disappointing I couldn't change out chili con carne for different dip as wife doesn't eat beef for just another queso or guac order. Can't mix and match tacos or order à la carte which stinks as well. May go back. May not. But I'll have to think about it or really want something. The bone in ribeye and fajitas may be promising. Owner seemed nice. Wait staff was fine. Probably a 3.5/5 overall. read more

It's tough to enjoy dinner when the table next to you is practically touching yours. The table we were given was way too small for two drinks, a candle, chips, dips, and a bottle of water. Honestly, the guacamole was the best thing! I probably wouldn't return unless it's just for appetizers. :( Hopefully they spread out the tables so it's more enjoyable for future guest. read more

I was so excited to try this new spot in bham! Pros- such a cool space. I loved the vibe and bham really doesn't have anywhere else like this! The margs and ambience get a 10/10! Cons- food and service were not great sadly :( My boyfriend ordered a second spicy marg and it was a completely different drink than the first spicy marg he ordered. I ordered the Jolene's plate and he ordered the Barry's plate. They were both ok! We were also kind of looking around for our waiter at times. I'm keeping in mind that we went one day after the opening. We plan to go back once they have been open for a bit and have hopefully worked out some of the kinks! read more

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The first time I came here I didn't realize how expensive it was and I don't even care. The first bite of skirt steak made me see stars. The avocado crema and garlic that came with it made it somehow even better. I wouldve continued eating the royale dip for forever. Came back again and the queso was phenomenal. I'm broke but I'd go back just because it's amazing. read more

Lack luster food, mediocre service. The only good things were how accommodating they were, to our needs which was due to them being over 30 minutes late to seat us for our reservation, and the guacamole and drinks were good. Other than that, the waitress, was rude, gave snarky responses multiple times, the worst one being when another person on the waitstaff dropped salsa on top of one of the members in our party. She made a remark telling him not to be a hero (over the mistake he'd made) and then walked out. When she came back the person who'd been involved in the incident brought it up, she lied and said she did not see it happen, and was not helpful at all. Overall, none of the guests in our party will be back and neither will I. This place is more for the aesthetic than food or hospitality. read more

This place is NOT celiac friendly in anyway! I can't complain about the drinks or service. I had on my reservation about my allergy, but once we sat down we were served chips and salsa. I ate the chips assuming they are normal tortilla chips, but once I had to inform my server about my allergy she said, " I hope you haven't eaten these chips because they are fried in the same fryer as everything else" she then proceeded, " all of our food has some sort of cross contamination so I cannot safely suggest a food item for you." This was extremely disappointing since I had been dying to try this place! I WISH they would have read my note about the allergy and informed me about the chips before I sat down. I find this unacceptable for a restaurant. Again, the drinks were great and my sever was fantastic. read more

Amazing atmosphere, drinks are great, food was great and bartenders were very friendly. Can't wait to return!

Ambience was top notch!!! Friendly staff. Food was delicious but a little spicy for my liking but will visit again.

The food was immaculate! The service was just as great. We had Travis and he made the experience so great. It's so beautiful in there as well. Will definitely be back. read more

El Royale - Carne asada - Tex-Mex Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

First visit to this restaurant. Very busy for a Sunday night. Food and selections very good. However, when entering the restaurant a very prominent sign indicating it is a Cashless Restaurant. That's fine. However, when the check came, there was a 3% Credit Card surcharge! Sorry, this is unacceptable when use of CC is not optional. Spoke to manager on duty-he indicated he's received this complaint often. Well, evidently owners don't care and want to keep gouging customers. So we are one and done until this policy is changed! Too bad cuz food is great! read more

Had a reservation and ate here on a Saturday night with a group of 4 ladies. The restaurant is BEAUTIFUL!!! Has lots plants and leather booths and is great looking. They provide valet parking & has lots of outside seating. Our table was not ready when we arrived & we had to wait about 15 minutes. We could have gotten a drink at the bar but it was too crowded. I ordered a Chile relleno and it was so spicy that I had to send it back. We all ordered margaritas which were tasty but I don't feel that they were very strong. They gave me a quesadilla and it was one of the worse ones I've ever had. My friends that got the fish tacos were not happy with their meals either. Bottom line for me... it is VERY pretty but the food isn't good . Now I forgot ... the chips were delicious. read more

It's still new so you have to give them some grace. Physical location is amazing. Great vibe. Decor is great. Outdoor patio area is very nice. The food is good. Not great. Queso is sub par. Nachos were excellent. Tacos were good not great. Churros were not good at all. Service needs a ton of work. Took us 4 requests to get chips and salsa. Waitstaff was hectic and distracted. Never asked if we wanted another round of drinks. Ran out of water numerous times. It has great potential and could be a great addition to bham. Just needs to be managed properly read more

Contrary to several mixed or negative reviews floating around about El Royale--comments about bland food, cold plates, or unfriendly service--our experience was the complete opposite in every way, and honestly, one of the best taco nights we've had in Birmingham. Let's start with the ambience: absolutely stunning. The interior strikes the perfect balance between trendy and cozy. Lush greenery, warm dim lighting, and an effortlessly cool vibe made it perfect for both a date night or a relaxed dinner with friends. You walk in and immediately feel like you're in for something good. Service? Impeccable. Kristin, our waitress, was top-tier. She was warm, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, even steering us toward a few standout items we might've otherwise missed. We kicked things off with the brisket flautas, and they were a killer start--super crispy, well-seasoned, and paired with a rich consommé that tied it all together. Then came the crispy fish tacos--a standout dish. The fish was fresh and fried just right, keeping its crunch without feeling heavy, and the flavors were clean, bright, and balanced. But the star of the night was hands-down the Deluxe Taco Trio. The birria taco was arguably one of the best tacos I've ever had. Seriously. Perfectly juicy, bold flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The chorizo was full of smoky, spiced goodness, and the tinga chicken had a great slow-simmered depth. Sides? The refried beans were fantastic--creamy, well-seasoned, and comforting. The rice was just okay--fine as a filler, but not the highlight. We ended on a sweet note with the churros, and I have to say it again--truly, truly, truly remarkable. Perfectly fried with a crisp exterior, soft inside, and paired with rich dipping sauces that elevated the whole dessert. El Royale defied expectations. Beautiful space, outstanding service, and food that genuinely impressed. Definitely worth a visit. And we WILL be back! read more

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Definitely worth the wait for our reservation! Sooo delicious! Everything we had was amazing!

Food is pretty good. Service however, is less than par if seated in the dining room. Sat at the bar once and service was awesome. We had a party of 6 recently, and it's an automatic 20% tip, ok, no worries. But you would expect the waiter to earn it. We would've drank more and tipped more, if given good service and the opportunity. Oh, the Margaritas are good, but they are the smallest you'll find in Birmingham read more

The vibes and decor 10/10 The queso 7/10 The salsa 9.5/10 The drinks 9/10 The tacos 10/10 What I really came here to say was I'm so happy to find a trendy restaurant with good food that I can also take my young children to. Kids menu isn't on website but there is one, $9 a kids meal (chicken tenders and fries, cheese quesadilla, chicken quesadilla or chicken taco). Kids menu is a coloring sheet with crayons. I was happy to see a nice changing table in bathroom and booster seat style high chairs which allowed them to be strapped in while sitting in a booth. These extra touches to accommodate families make this place we will be sure to be back! read more

Service - wait staff and hostess were very rude. The red head hostess acted as if she was doing "us" a favor by seating us after we had reservations. Overall, she was extremely rude. The carne asada tacos and guacamole were great. The Beef Tacos were great too. Jolene platter very good. Rice & beans not good - they have a strange spice. Margarita was marginal. Overall good food but not worth the price tag given the nasty hostess. read more

This is one of the best restaurants I've been to in a while. They are doing everything right. The drinks are completely balanced and on point. Some are very creative and some are just extremely well made classics. The food is fantastic. There is a lot of flavor in everything. The food to price ratio is very well balanced as well. I would recommend this place to everyone. The bar service is great! Haven't gotten a table yet! read more

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Great atmosphere and delicious food. Drinks were unique and tasty. A new staple on our list of places to eat!

I came back with my girlfriend and her parents as they wanted to go here and after being a little hesitant I am super excited that I came back as they redeemed theirselves with amazing food and service. Hannah, our waitress, was phenomenal and made our Sunday lunch a great time to relax and have great food and fellowship. read more

Had to wait 15 minutes AFTER our reservation time to be seated. At a table that was clear when we arrived. And was right by the front door. So we never saw the rest of the restaurant as we had to stand outside while we were waiting for said table. Once seated we waited another ten minutes before our server arrived. Not the best start to our visit. Once the server did arrive he was attentive, though he made a snarky comment about one in our party not wanting tomato on the burger. Otherwise the food was good, it was a festive/loud environment, and we were happy to spend time together but we likely won't return. read more

Excellent service, top-tier food, and standout drinks. Based on previous reviews, i'd say they have worked out a lot of the "just opened" kinks. The staff at El Royale are both friendly and knowledgeable, creating a welcoming and well-informed dining experience. The food was exceptional from start to finish. Our group sampled nearly every cocktail on the menu--"sweet," "spicy," "smooth," and "refreshing" were the most commonly shared reactions. El Royale offers the classics but also introduces unique spins that feel both thoughtful and exciting. The cuisine leans classy Tex-Mex, with the enchiladas stealing the show. Special mention goes to the roasted tomatillo verde salsa--easily one of the best salsas I've ever had. You won't find a better ambiance in Birmingham. I'd recommend coming for an earlier dinner to fully enjoy the greenhouse aesthetic (thankfully, with A/C). Between the stylish patio and the Garden Bar, El Royale is shaping up to be a year-round go-to. The Garden Bar also works great as a standalone stop if you're hopping around for the evening. Thank you for creating a space in a location that continues to bridge Birmingham communities together! read more

In a culture obsessed with aesthetics, this place nails the visual appeal. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful--ambiance on point. It gives off strong retro '60s Latin America/Cuba/South Florida vibes. The interior and exterior are truly stunning. Unfortunately, that's where the good mostly ends. We arrived about 20 minutes before our reservation and were told we would need to wait, which was expected and totally fine. There is ample space outside to sit and enjoy the patio and courtyard with big fans blowing for comfort. My husband grabbed a drink in the courtyard, and we were actually seated a bit early--great start! However, our table left much to be desired: pressed against a wall on one side and connected via booth to another party on the other. From there, service took a nosedive. We didn't see our waitress for 15 minutes. When she finally came by, we ordered drinks and queso. It took another 10 minutes just to receive chips and salsa--mostly broken chips, unfortunately. The red salsa was bland, while the salsa verde was the only standout-but still not the best I've ever had. The queso took another 15 months to come out and was...interesting. On the front end, it lacked flavor, though it had a pleasant kick on the back end. The texture, however, was gritty and congealed quickly. I understand real cheese behaves differently than processed queso, but this texture wasn't quite right. We'd seen negative reviews from people who ordered basics like tacos or fajitas, so we thought we'd go with the house specials, assuming those would represent the kitchen's best. My husband ordered the grouper, and I went with the prawns. I asked the waitress how big the prawns were and whether the dish came with any sides. She told me they were not jumbo and came as a set of five. So, I ordered a side of rice and beans just in case. Drinks took a long time to arrive. When our entrees finally came, we were shocked. My house special was five small shrimp--literally just that--on a tiny plate. No sides, just some greens on top. It honestly looked like an appetizer. My husband's fish came on a scoop of rice with some salsa and guac, and it was gone in three bites. Flavor was lacking for his fish. The shrimp tasted fresh enough and had decent flavor and sauce, but nothing remarkable. When I asked for the rice and beans I had ordered, they were brought out late--and I quickly regretted it. The beans tasted like burnt plastic, and the cheese on top had a strong, off-putting flavor. The rice was bland with a strange green-tea-like aftertaste. To her credit, the waitress did take the rice and beans off the bill without me asking, which I appreciated. She was kind, professional, and clearly doing her best with what she was working with. But if you're aiming for high-end dining, the service must match the prices and atmosphere. Overall, this place is perfect if you want to eat with your eyes--but don't come expecting much from the kitchen or service. It has so much potential, and I genuinely hope they rework the menu. I might give it another try in a few months, but for now, you're honestly better off at your local taco truck. read more

Five star atmosphere. One star service. This is the first bar I've encountered in the western world that refuses to serve customers a drink. The check-in girl at the front desk told us we could go to the bar, but we should not expect to be served a drink within 30 minutes. Because everyone seated at the bar is dining and they take priority. There is a nice outdoor seating area with an empty bar that is not staffed. So you can sit at the tables outside with no drink The wait staff behaves as if they're doing a favor for serving you. It's a very strange place. I can't comment on the food because after spending an hour there we gave up, decided to leave and go somewhere else. I realize every business will have some startup issues but I've seen teenagers run restaurants better than this one. read more

Gorgeous bar but food is overpriced imo for the quality, I rather have good from the taco truck next to Mayawell honestly. Hope they get their food together cause the vibe at El Royale is definitely cool read more

As soon as you walk through the front, the ambiance is wonderful! Lots of plants everywhere. The service is wonderful and looking to make your experience unique. The food is absolutely delicious with lots of clean eating options! Overall a wonderful experience! read more

El Royale - Indoor seating - Tex-Mex Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The restaurant was very nicely decorated, the food was outstanding, the drinks were underwhelming, and it was very hot inside the restaurant. My wife and I have been wanting to try this new restaurant so we went for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon. We were seated and served promptly and the food was a good size serving and was excellent and was reasonably priced. The drinks were nothing special and were pricey compared to other comparable restaurants. Our biggest complaint was that it was very hot in the restaurant. It was a hot June afternoon in Alabama and the skylights in the restaurant certainly reflected the weather outside. This made it very difficult to enjoy the meal. This might not be an issue at night but if the restaurant is going to be open for lunch they need to do something to correct this issue. read more