Our party was so excited to try this new place out -- but after making reservations, being seated 1 hour after those reservations, and average food, was very disappointed by the whole experience. Drinks started out tasty and the highlight our night was the lucuma mousse and ceviche, but I'd avoid the causa and cau cau de choros which lacked flavor. The causa's base tasted like unsalted mashed potatoes, missing its distinctive lime and aji amarillo taste. It did have fresh crab on top despite there being 2 shell fragments. This place has potential but I'd wait until they get their bearings. read more

La Royal - Causa de cangrejo - Peruvian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

We had wanted to try La Royal after eating at Celeste. They both have a similar vibe inside and very similar menus. The pisco sours are very good. They taste great and are strong, great combination. We stuck with ordering a variety of their apps. Both causas, leche de tigre, ceviche, tiradito and conchitas. The food was great, all apps are high quality. The restaurant is expensive for what you get, but the quality of fish is high. Celeste might have a slight edge but overall a great spot. read more

Flavors - 3.2/5 Textures - 4/5 Presentation - 4/5 Value for Money - 3.5/5 Would return? No Must-try: Tuna Tartare Causa Review based on food only! Overall this place has decent food and prices, especially for seafood. However, I found it unbelievable that a restaurant with such a hype made some very basic mistakes. - The Leche de Tigre Ceviche was pretty good, although it needed a touch more of acid. The texture of the fish was perfect, but the fried shrimp on top was super soggy and cold, like it had been cooked hours ago. 3.8/5 - The Tuna Tartare Causa was amazing! Great balance of fish to pure, and the pure was silky and bright. The sauce on top was a bit excessive and I didn't understand the purpose of the olive. Although good quality olive! 4.5/5 - Pastel de Choclo con Carne had a good crispy, cheesy broil on top, but the level of sweetness completely through me (and this dish) off balance! It was dessert-level sweet. It would have been much better with a more savory beef filling. 2.5/5 - Anticucho de Camarones (shrimp skewers) were well seasoned. The combination with the fried yuka and sauces was good but felt very heavy, and it desperately needed a touch of freshness. My biggest complaint though was that most of the shrimp was completely overcooked... maybe it was an off shrimp day? 3/5 The service was nice and they were able to squeeze me in last minute. The ambiance is a little loud! read more

See all

Bottom line: this place is really cool/hip/dope (whatever the kids are saying nowadays). La Royal is simply an incredibly fun time, and totally unique. The spicy maracuya pisco sour is quite possibly the best cocktail I've ever had in my life. I think/dream/yearn over it multiple times a week. Both ceviches we had were stellar, as was the tamal (which are hard to come by around these parts). The branzino was also nicely charred and succulently cooked. The service was an absolute travesty. It took about 20mins for someone to even come over to us, and we were seated at the kitchen's bar counter. The drinks were incredibly slow, which was to be expected since we could see there was only one woman making them for the entire restaurant (again, best drink I've ever had and everything was scratch-made, but please figure out a better process). But worse than all that was the fact that they absolutely butchered the pace of the meal. We were forced to order everything all at once, which is fine if you course it out. Spoiler alert: they did not. Therefore, all 5 dishes my wife and I ordered came at once, which included two raw fish dishes and a cooked fish dish. Now how the hell does that make any sense, in terms of meal progression. Not to mention the counter we were sitting at was absolutely overloaded. Just abysmal execution. That said, I am hoping they've figured this out for my next visit, as I need that pisco sour in my life. read more

I was torn between a 3 and a 4 because in reality my rating is a 3.5. The pros about this place was the location and service. Despite making the reservations wrong, they were able to accommodate which was kind because I know they do tend to fill up quick for dinner time. I thought that because it was in Cambridge parking would be a nightmare but there is sufficient street parking. It's in a very nice area too with different stores about a mile out. The cons include the flavor of the food and prices (!). I will mention that the presentation of the food here was spot on-everything looked pretty. I ordered the leche de Tigre and arroz con pato. The leche de Tigre was one of the better dishes with a lime and salt flavor, fresh fish without a fishy taste, and canchas to help contrast the flavors. I thought it was maybe missing a bit of salt, or maybe I just love salt too much. I liked the fried shrimp and calamari but my suggestion would be to place those fried items in a little bowl on the side so it doesn't get cold and soggy like the calamari did. Next, the rice for the arroz con pato was very bland. My friend who I went with mentioned she's used to it being much more flavorful based on prior experience so I might have just gotten an unlucky batch. I wish the onions were left in like an salt longer so they'd be more acidic to contrast the flavor of the rice and duck. The duck was cooked well but I thought it was bland as well. It was juicy and tender but just missing taste. Not pictured is lomo saltado. It's a bit sweeter than I would have thought it would be so keep that in mind while ordering. However, the meat was tender. The reason why I chose 3 as my rating was because I thought it was really expensive for the taste. read more

See all

Ordered an entrée and 2 small plates (as an entrée) for 2 people. The server asked if we wanted it all at once, we replied yes. Sadly the 2 small plates came out a full 20 minutes (!) ahead of the entrée. Oddly, there's no manager on sight to acknowledge and explain - which makes a lousy situation a LOT worse. They comped the entree - but we had to flag the server down after waaaaaaaaiting and seeing at least 20 other plates leave the kitchen. Also had to convince him of the error, which was annoying. Service is suffering as a result of staffing issues. So what's going to make a customer come back after bad service? A manager acknowledging the issue. A nice space. Really good food. In this case there was no manager apologizing, and the food was good but not great. Seafood and heavy starch is predominant. My dish was supposed to have sautéed cod, instead it was deep fried! Ugh. The staff was working very hard. It's not enough. Summer Shack, fresh, delicious and so consistent, with easy parking, is right around the corner. read more

Food is good but the management of this place is the worst we have ever experienced... I want to be clear, most of the waiters/waitresses were kind and helpful, and the chef lady was really nice. However, we did not communicate well with one of the waiters, and when we requested that we didn't want that person (our right as a customer), a young man came (some kind of manager?) and he in a very arrogant manner started arguing with us, simply because we didn't want a specific waiter. Needless to say, after we realized that in this restaurant 'the customer is not right', even for a reasonable request, my wife and I left immediately. It is probably not fair to give one start to this place just because of two people, and I hope I have the chance to contact the actual owner (JuanMA Calderon) to tell him firsthand about our very unpleasant experience. read more

Absolutely incredible! La Royal is the real deal. Imagine a colorful, lofty space with Selena hits playing in the background and some of the most flavorful and tangy cocktails/mocktails you'll try. (The passionfruit mocktail is a cultural experience). Each item we tried was stunning to look at, and so, so flavorful! I had the pesto noodles with chicken - loved it! I'm serious when I say that I've never had a chicken with so much flavor! Also, you must get one of their ceviches! The leche del tigre was our favorite. La Royal is cool and elegant, modern but very authentic! 10/10. read more

Food amazing... but that's not the only reason why one chooses a restaurant... the hospitality and ambiance is just as important. The restaurant was nice in decor... no wow factor, but that's least important to me. The hospitality is what drove me to rate this restaurant 3 stars. As a diner I want to feel welcomed and that it matters that I return... the only hospitality came from a sous chef as I was leaving... the waiter and hostess dry... disconnected from the main dining room and instead fraternizing among themselves. Will try other Peruvian restaurants in hopes of getting a well rounded experience... Did I mention the total for the night was $173 for 2... 2 drinks, 2 entrees, 1 salad and 1 appetizer... Did I mention that I got duped? Did not realize that the tip was already included in my total? Who does that?! Yes for parties of 6 and more but 2?!?! Double tipped for lousy hospitality read more

Food was good for Boston but fine for other cities. Favorite dishes were the crispy duck with rice , the seafood noodles, and the lomo saltado. The reason the review is for three stars and not four is because they include 20% gratuity as part of the meal, but the receipt also includes a large section for suggested tip as well as checkboxes to easily add additional tip starting at 20%. This seems a little shady because it is easy to miss that they already included tip, so I'm sure many people accidentally tip double. read more

I really wanted to like the place but was disappointed with the veggies featuring eggplant that was undercooked. I love creamy eggplant. Maybe it was a bad batch. The tuna tartare was good. I think I'll try next time other vegetarian items on the menu. In case you care about this, the place plays loud music. read more

Came here because we love Celeste in Somerville - some notes start to finish: the door is ridiculously heavy. I watched multiple people brace themselves to open it; I can't imagine that will go well in the winter. We had a rez for three and they said it was only for two. In under 5 min they were able to fit us in but it was a bit off putting to not have a table ready with the right seats. The host told us "it's the table in the corner" and handed us menus, without the cocktail menu, without walking us back. It was a few minutes before someone came to see us. The bread was stale so we sent it back for fresh pieces. The drinks were amazing, as was the ceviche and tartare but the tamale was just mush. Atmosphere is great. Did not have dessert as we were stuffed. Will come back. read more

Hidden gem! The food was extraordinary and the service espectacular. Every single item we had was just perfect, authentic and full of flavor. read more

La Royal - Maracuya Sour - Peruvian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Heads up that this places tacks on an **automatic 25% gratuity** (5% of which is a 'Kitchen Appreciation Fee'). The prices here are already quite steep so missing this fact on your bill could easily lead to leaving an unintentional $100 or so if you're a group of 4+. Almost feels predatory given we didn't see it mentioned on the menu and the waitress certainly didn't call it out. Bummer because we love Celeste and were really eager to love this place too but I don't think we'll be back. read more

Very excited to have a new restaurant in the neighborhood! We stopped in around 5 on a Saturday and decided to sit at the bar. My fiancé and I each had a few cocktails and shared two appetizers. The service was excellent and the namesake drinks were really tasty. We could see all the entrees coming out of the kitchen and they looked amazing. We cannot wait to go back and are so glad this sparse portion of Concord Ave has a new hot spot! I would imagine reservations are going to be tough to get going forward. An early dinner or some drinks and apps seems to be a good move. read more

Really awesome new restaurant! The ambiance is fun, the drinks are delicious, and the food is flavorful. A fun spot for a date or small group. We ended up sharing 2 apps and 2 entrees. read more

La Royal - Causa de cangrejo (potato base with crab) - Peruvian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

This was amazingly delicious with wonderful service. I particularly enjoyed the shrimp and pineapple skewers and my cocktail! Great music in addition!!! read more

Simply excellent: great food, gorgeous space, lovely ambiance.

If you choose to dine/drink here, make sure you read your bill carefully. My party of four was presented with a bill with 20% gratuity included. When the cards were processed, the slip brought to the table to be signed included three lines suggesting gratuity of 20%, 22%, or 25%. The original itemized bill was not returned after the cards were taken. Sketchy behavior? Standard practice since Covid? Up to interpretation, I guess. read more

Finally scored a reservation! Great atmosphere, beautiful space with a lively bar and great cocktail assortment. Even though it was a busy Saturday night the service was attentive and friendly. We started with the blue cod ceviche and pastel de chocio. For Plato Fuerte the grilled shrimp is a must, the seared duck was perfectly cooked and the stir fried noodles with seafood was amazing. Definitely will be back to try everything else on the menu. read more

Came here because it was on a list of women owned restaurants in Cambridge. PHENOMENAL. Scallop and blue cod ceviche - out of this world fresh, tender, unlike any ceviche or aguachille I've had before. Shrimp and pineapple skewer appetizer was juicy but had a nice char from the grill. The duck was so succulent and I'm not usually a duck fan. The sirloin was super tender as well. For drinks we did the La Royal sour, la Lima Capitan, the Maracuya sour, la Morado Margarita - not a bad cocktail in the bunch. Great service at the bar with an entertaining view of the grill/kitchen. Will definitely come back. read more

La Royal - Arroz seared duck and le royal sour - Peruvian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

So. So. So. Good! Drinks, food, ambiance, all A+. We had the duck entree, prepared so well. The grilled shrimp with pineapple and yuca - amazing. There were some smaller apps we got that were good but not my favorite compared to the other things, still fun to try. We tried many of their cocktails and all were delicious and worth it. Our server seemed a little new or overwhelmed, but very attentive. read more

A beautiful space and the service was good. But the food we tried was average, not what I'd expect from this caliber of restaurant. We had the tomato avocado causa, which was good. But the stir fry noodles dish was quite bland and boring. The sirloin with tomato was better but still nothing special. read more

We really enjoyed the food at La Royal, especially the tuna crudo and seafood with Chinese noodles. However, we can only give it three stars due to the poor service. During my third visit, we waited for nearly 15 minutes before being able to order a glass of wine. We had to flag down the host to place our order, and it took an additional 7-8 minutes to receive our wine. We had similar experiences on our first two visits. Plus, when we first arrived, we were left standing at the host stand much longer than we should have (several minutes) before the host finally appeared. All this occurred when the restaurant was less than half full. I can only imagine how long it would take when they're busy. While we appreciate the delicious food, the slow and inattentive service set a bad tone for the overall dining experience. As a result, I'm not sure if I will be returning for a fourth visit. I think La Royal needs a visit from Bar Rescue's Jon Taffer. read more

We were disappointed at the poor service. We had reserved a table for 3 and on arrival we we're placed at a tiny table for 2. When we politely asked for a table to accommodate us we were blown off by the manager who refused to take our concern seriously, even though a solution was easily at hand. Inflexible, he was unwilling to accommodate us. In the end, we left for another restaurant with a welcoming host who was pleased to have our business and made us feel welcome. The foolish manager at La Royal lost our business that evening and any future visits. read more

I had high expectations going into the meal. Everything was yummy and the quality of the fish in the ceviche was amazing. However, it was lacking some acidity. The shrimp skewers were also lacking some acidity as well. The two sauces it came with tasted quite similar and neither had more flavor. The duck entree was yummy and the rice that came with it was my favorite part of the meal. The noodles with vegetables were mediocre. The dessert we ordered was completely premade, it came out of a fridge in the kitchen and was brought to us in less than a minute. Although tasting decent, it was quite one note. Service was good, but the meal left much to be desired. read more

Told us after the meal that they violated a food allergy. Had to run to the pharmacy immediately after to get meds for my fiance. Really annoying experience. read more

We absolutely loved our meal here. I typically really enjoy Peruvian food, and this is very reminiscent of the progressive restaurant scene in Lima. Great flavors, unique combinations, and well prepared. The pisco sours are on point, and our service was great. Some of the combinations can be a little intimidating, but that's what makes this place interesting and worth trying! read more

After walking by when La Royal was setting up my boyfriend and I decided that we would need to try it one day. That one day came. We made reservations for a Thursday and there was a decent sized crowd. We were seated at their bar. The restaurant itself is a little cramped, but not a big deal at all. It was nice to be able to watch our food being prepared in front of us, although on a warm day the heat from the kitchen is not extremely enjoyable. When we were seated we were given warm water that was sitting in their window sill. I would suggest they move those bottles to a fridge! We ordered a round of drinks, and they were different. Very bitter tasting in my opinion. For dinner itself the leche de Tigre was PHENOMENAL. Would highly recommend as an app. For dinner my boyfriend got the burger and I got the Jalea La Royal. Both were ok. Nothing crazy or over the top. Overall, service was ok, but when we wanted second drinks nobody seemed to pay attention to us. Definitely a one time visit. read more

See all

Best restaurant in the area.. good food, great service and perfect ambiance. Worth trying the pisco sour. If your looking for something nonalcoholic and refreshing ask for the chicha. Amazing drink. Food wise all is great. I would go for any ceviche (leche de Tigre). read more

Yes. So. Much. Yes. As big fans of Celeste, we were excited to try La Royal and boy, we're we impressed! Ambiance: ON POINT. The space is beautiful, the music just right, and seating comfortable. Recommend bar seats so you can watch the team cook and serve all things on the menu, though it will make it hard for you to decide what to order! Service: Warm and welcoming, similar to Celeste. Food: BANANAS good. We didn't think anything could beat Celeste but La Royal very much might. Our appetizers were amazing - tamilito and crab causa - and I'd say both are a must. For dinner I had the steamed cod and it was great as well and a very generous portion. Hubs got the burger which I didn't try but the yucca fries that came with were delicious. Price: I found it very reasonable given the quality of the food and size of the portions. Part of me doesn't want to tell you this since I want to be able to get a seat but you should run - not walk - to try La Royal, the epitome of a neighborhood gem. read more

My first time to La Royal, everything we had was great. I wished we was living in the neighborhood.

Fantastic food. Even better than Celeste which is a high bar. 4 stars because service is still a bit amateurish. There were two mistakes with our order and our server was friendly but unfamiliar with the menu. One main came out 10 minutes after the first. They should train better before sending servers on the floor. read more

I see why this place has been written up as a Top 50 restaurant in the US. It's the real deal--charming, authentic, delicious, and the service was amazing. The staff is so nice, it felt like we walked into their home for dinner. And we only stopped in to have some drinks and apps at the bar. No snobbishness here, though they could be if they wanted to be. The food was that flavorful. The cocktails are super unique. 5 stars all the way. We'll be back for dinner! read more

We went to Peru in 2022 and were so excited to try this restaurant with the friends we made while in Peru! Having had some really amazing food in Peru - our expectations were high - but La Royal did not disappoint. Our server was efficient and provided helpful recommendations. We shared the Pastel de choclo with ground sirloin as an appetizer. It was very tasty with polenta and cheese. For our main entrees - we chose the Peruvian-Chinese stir fried noodles with seafood, the lomo saltado and the risotto. Everything was delicious! The sirloin in the lomo saltado was extremely tender and reminded us of the version we had in Peru! We also splurged on two rounds of the Maracuya Sour which was absolutely delightful!! The space is nicely decorated - although a bit noisy and hard to have a conversation over dinner. Overall - we loved our dinner here and would definitely go again! read more

Great flavors for food, cocktails and quality service. Really enjoyed our meal, everything we ate was delicious. Very cool restaurant, would recommend. read more

I just had lunch a few days ago and it is so good! The service is fast and everyone is really nice. I am so glad you guys opened up for lunch read more

Amazing food and service!! I love your lomo saltado! I only wish you guys would put more Peruvian music such as festejo to represent our country. read more

Wonderful food with complex Peruvian flavors. The atmosphere is cozy and lively at the same time. Service is attentive and friendly... cheerful and fun even. I recommend this place to friends all the time. read more

Food was good . Ambience is not that great . Seats were bad for $$$....iron chairs and wooden benches for the expense for the dishes . Service was good . Owner should spend on at least on good chairs. read more