The Royal is one of my local go-tos! I've been able to walk in successfully on weeknights but recommend reservations for weekends. Most recently went as a party of 4 and got the crab beignets, beef arepa, masa gnocci, and parillada for two. Crab beignets were our favorite - perfectly crispy and great flavor. Masa gnocci was a little overcooked this time but still yummy. Beef arepa is a classic dish to get at the royal; two people can easily share one arepa. Parillada was a hearty entree and probably best for 2-3 people. This amount of food altogether was just nice. We probably could have ordered one more thing to be extra full. I don't typically get Latin American food but love all the flavors at this restaurant. Next time will try their breakfast menu! read more

The Royal - parillada for two - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Yummy. This is my favorite burger in dc. It is toooooooo good. & the fries are fire too. Seasoned so nicely. The burger was cooked to a perfect medium rare. It had a beautiful chew with the classic burger toppings with an amazing pairing of their slaw with a garlicy aioli. The bun was very pillowy and soft with a nice crust. They also never lack on their specialty lattes. I got their carrot cake latte and it was just so fabulous. Extremely smooth espresso and perfectly steamed milk. Syrups made in house of course and you can tell. Just a perfect latte. I usually am an iced latte person but I recommend getting their lattes hot. Hits different. read more

The Royal - Burger - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My friend lives across the street so I wanted to try this place. Very cute atmosphere and nice workers! I had a London fog and my friend had the carrot cake latte. Loved both, but be warned it is a bit pricey, especially for the size of drinks offered. I'll definitely come back when I'm in the area! read more

The Royal - Carrot Cake Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The food was incredible... INCREDIBLE Service was great and the environment was perfect - small and focused read more

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I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Royal, a café that truly lives up to its name. The establishment's food and drink selections are truly outstanding, complemented by a curated selection of music. It added to the quaint atmosphere. I was particularly impressed with the top-notch service delivered by Zenia and Sid. The culinary expertise in the kitchen was evident, and I look forward to returning. Thank you for a wonderful experience. It's nice getting lost in DC from time to time. read more

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This was the first visit for us, but won't be our last. We met friends for drinks and appetizers and were amazed and how good everything was. Best of all, you can't beat the prices for what you get. The waitstaff were all super friendly and accommodating. Thanks for the great time! read more

Great all day eatery, coffee shop, and cocktail bar. The Royal is a versatile space with outdoor patio seating, indoor bar and quieter seating in the back and where people were working, meeting, and eating. Staff were friendly. The food was good with Colombian influence, arepas, sandwiches, and salads. It's received well-deserved Michelin bib gourmand recognition over the years. read more

Where do I begin. This definitely qualifies as one of DCs best hidden gems. Everything on this menu is out of this world scrumptious. The freshest food with blasts of flavor. I could eat this entire menu if I could. It's amazing!! Definitely add this place to any DC food tour list that'll give you amazing eats with no riff raff. read more

The Royal - Pan-Seared Rockfish Citrus Kale Salad Masa Gnocchi - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Started an unplanned mini food tour at the Royal. A place that has been on my list for a while and finally made it, and it didn't disappoint. Walking through the front door you instantly get a feeling of warmth and coziness. The restaurant isn't huge by any means, but it wraps around you like a warm hug. The staff was beyond nice and extremely helpful. If you ever read any of my reviews you know I put a lot of weight into a rating based on the staff. These two gentlemen behind the bar nailed it. The star was the food, we didn't have a whole lot to eat since we were on a food tour but what we had was beyond delicious. Everything was thoughtfully prepared and presented. I would give some recommendations but honestly everything we had was amazing. Truly a pleasure eating at Royal. Highly recommended, and definitely a place I will be going back to. read more

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It's been a while since I've come to the Royal and it's just as good as I remember! I love the cozy ambiance inside and the Latin American inspired menu items are to die for. I was truly obsessed with the masa gnocchi, not just because it's gluten free, but it's one of the most flavorful and scrumptious items I've eaten in a while. The beef arepa was also delicious and brought me back to my time in Colombia. It was too late in the day for coffee but after reading the description for the golden pear cortado I couldn't help myself! One of the best meals I've had in a while. read more

The Royal - Golden Pear Cortado - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Easy 5/5. Easy!!! Their coffee house creations are phenomenal and high quality. Their cold brews are smooth, if you're deciding between the vanilla salted or the coco citrus you can't go wrong. Perfect balance of light sweetness which has been so hard for me to find in DC. Strawberry matcha is an absolutely treat! It's definitely leans on the sweeter side but it's not obnoxiously sweet nor does it taste artificial. They use ceremonial grade matcha which had some nice floral notes. The space itself is so beautiful. They have 2 levels, I've taken work calls here and read some books during the daytime with no problem. Vibe is elevated, social but still casual and community oriented. QR code is at the table and you get to order on your phone and close your tab and pay all on your own which always feels so seamless. Can't speak to their food since I'm always ordering their caffeinated drinks but If it's anything like the coffee then im sure they're a hit. read more

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My favorite spot in DC by a long shot! I have never had a negative experience here and this is always my go to "show off DC" spot for my out of town friends. Have loved everything I've ever eaten here, and I think they have the best matcha in town. The decor is so beautiful and reminds me of a Mexico City cafe. Staff is always super pleasant as well. read more

The Royal - Strawberry Matcha Latte and regular Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The Royal lives up to its name--this place rules! I had a small birthday dinner for a friend here, and it was wonderful. The interior is effortlessly charming, with golden tones, lush greenery, and a Latin-inspired warmth that makes you feel right at home. Design elements like the booth in the back room, which is made from a repurposed wooden church pew, added to the charm. The cocktails were delicious. I enjoyed the Passionfruit Spritz, a bright and bubbly delight, while my friends really enjoyed the Strawberry Fields. Pair that with the must-order dishes--the Grilled Hanger Steak (perfection), Crab Masa Beignets (little bites of heaven), and Crispy Pork Belly (crispy, rich, and indulgent)--and you've got a great meal. The Masa Gnocchi, Pork Empanadas, and Brussels Sprouts were good but I didn't think were anything to write home about. Next time, I'd venture into other menu offerings-- there will definitely be a next time. The service was attentive, the vibe was perfect for a date night or a catch-up with friends, and overall, The Royal is great spot. Can't wait to return! read more

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Made a reservation for two online for Sunday at 1 pm. They require you to put down a card in order to make the reservation. At the restaurant, we got seated immediately on the upper level. We were brought water that we had to refill ourselves and told to order on the QR code menu and also pay the bill on the QR code. When I scanned the QR code, only drinks came up. They told me I have to refresh and wait and it should show up eventually. Call me a boomer but why do I need to use my own cellular device to look at a menu and constantly refresh my screen wasting my time just to view a menu. It showed up eventually and I was able to order what I wanted which placed a temporary hold on my card. The food showed up and it was pretty good. I ordered the masa gnocchi with no mushrooms and it was delicious but it was extremely oily. My strawberry matcha is one of the best I've ever had but was expensive $8. After we got the food, our server never ever showed up again and when we finished it, we paid the tab on our phone and it asked us to tip a default 20% on top of their 4% surcharge. Why would I tip 20% when I did all the work myself? Overall it was a pretty lackluster experience for the price. The chairs were uncomfortable as well. There was also only street parking available. read more

The Royal - Strawberry matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The Royal has a great ambiance! It was bright, well-decorated, and very cozy. The servers were welcoming and accommodating when I arrived and even more so when my friend joined me and we decided to move to a different table. I had a few questions about the drink menu and our server was friendly, patient, and well-informed. Me and my friend shared a house biscuit, a guava pastry and I also had two arequipe lattes. I thoroughly enjoyed everything and the prices were reasonable. We were able to get some work done, catch up and enjoy ourselves in a comfortable environment. read more

The Royal - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I came on a weekend, looking to cozy up and have a meal to eat while getting some work done and I was told by the staff that they don't allow laptop laptops on the weekends??? Then she offered me a seat outside when it's freezing cold like I'm a dog...a complete waste of my time going there read more

Unique and delicious dining experience! My friend wanted to come here for dinner. I had never heard of it so I went in blind, but I was so pleasantly surprised. We made a reservation for 6 pm but it was almost empty when we arrived. We sat down and ordered drinks. I got the kalamasi guandolo which was so refreshing and delicious. The menu is really great and we were debating between a lot of menu options but shared 4 things: cheese arepa, crab and corn beignets, citrus kale salad, and pan seared rockfish. Everything was incredible, I think my favorite item was the salad because it was unique and so well seasoned, and I love a peanut dressing! But every item was amazing, service was great, highly recommend! read more

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Really proud to see a neighborhood restaurant with at least 3 Michelin stars at its doors that pays homage to the community and its founders history. From their website its really clear that although they are offering an elevated menu, they are not disrupting the food space but are a part of the vast immigrant community here in DC and keeping the name of their predecessor. They have taken the specific route of building out a Colombian menu that has a New-American flare that makes it accessible to the general DC public. Each item we received came hot, seasoned, and well throughout. I'm curious about the masa blend they use for the Arepa, it was so crispy and tasted like corn (some generic masa brands don't even taste like corn anymore!). Our cinnamon roll was perfectly moist with a generous dollop of frosting that was not too sweet and had visible specs of vanilla. Even for a small shared brunch, we thought we had a good survey of the menu and what they had to offer so that speaks to their preparation methods being consistent and prominent. However, for a michelin restaurant, we did feel a bit discouraged that there was no table service as dine-in customers. Instead we had to input our information and order via QR code. We were curious about some menu items but didn't know who would be the point of contact to answer those questions, especially since the kitchen and bar is constantly running and busy. The food was so good we stayed longer to enjoy a coffee and that was well made with a foam design, my friend said it brought out the aromas from the bean. read more

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Great fresh food and delicious and unique drink options. The interior is super cute and cozy. We had some user error issues ordering with the QR code and our waiter was very kind and helped us out. Definitely going back. read more

Cute spot and has tons of outdoor seating to enjoy good weather. Ordered a couple of unique coffee drinks off the menu and they were tasty. The cheese arepa looks way better than it tastes. And the fries were pretty good. The waiter barely helped us as we ordered on our mobile device and only saw him bring us water and our order. Likely won't return as it's quite overpriced for the lack of service and UNextraordinary taste of it all. read more

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This review is for dinner/drinks at the bar during happy hour. Very cool atmosphere. It seems to be a coffee shop during the day and a restaurant/bar at night. The old fashioned and margarita were both delicious. The arepitas appetizer was delicious - mini pancakes with an amazing brown butter. The fried avocado (salad with lentils and pickled red onions) was fresh and balanced. The star of the show was the Bird Dog, an amazing sausage served on a New England style roll with great toppings. We stopped here for dinner before a show at the 9:30 Club (just a few blocks away) and would do it again next! read more

The ambiance of this place is both quaint and sophisticated! I came in for brunch and LOVED the guava pastry and speciality Flores del Campo coffee! Service at the bar was really quick, making it a great stop on the weekend! read more

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We came to The Royal to try their special Girl Scout coffee menu! Till 3/12/25 they're serving special Girl Scout cookie themed drinks and selling boxes as well. I got the iced thin mint latte and loved it! I also tried the coconut delight latte which resembled a Samoa. I tasted the caramel but didn't taste much of the toasted coconut. The other drink I tried was a lavender matcha which wasn't part of the specialty drinks, but was still delicious and probably one of the best matcha's I've tried! We came in and sat at the bar initially, but moved to a table once one became available. Everyone was super friendly, and I noticed people working on their laptops as well so this could be a nice working space. Overall we had a great time and hope to come back and try their food as well! read more

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The service was average. The ambience was amazing though. The pork empanadas were great. The empanada shell was masa-based and had a unique flavor and texture. Though I'd have preferred the shell flakier. The vinegar-based sauce was pungent and lovely. It did however take forever to receive the appetizer. The beverages were nothing to write home about. The matcha flavor barely came through in the latte. The open sesame had a unique flavor. Overall, I won't return. read more

The Royal - Matcha Latte and open sesame - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This place is really good! I've always wanted to go. We loved every dish we ordered - lots of gluten free options too! I will definitely be back. read more

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Fantastic Latin American all day eatery in the Shaw neighborhood. Cozy, living-room esque ambiance. It's a phone-menu-and-order restaurant, which may not be everyone's preference, but doesn't come as a surprise in DC. No drink disappointed, from the London fog to the carajillo. Fresh ingredients, and a simple menu. read more

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I love the Royal!! Pictured is the fish + cheese arepas. We got a banana seasonal cocktail. It's always so good. Sat outside with heaters and it was perfect. Great service. read more

i got coffee here and it's really adorable -- a brightly lit venue with plenty of foliage and unique takes on Colombian food. it serves as bar, restaurant, and cafe -- i adopted for a cortado which was cute. the beverages were pricey but the space was nice read more

A solid dining choice with tasty food, generous portions, and smooth service. Minor delays aside, everything felt thoughtfully done, creating a pleasant visit worth recommending to friends and family members. read more

I've never been disappointed when I come by The Royal! The first time I dropped in for lunch with a friend and had the citrus kale salad and more recently had dinner and picked the burger. Both options were delicious and the service was so fast and nice! This is one of my favorite places in the neighborhood because it can fit so many different kinds of vibes for whatever you're looking for read more

The Royal - Salad - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My husband and I came in for our anniversary at the end of June and had such a wonderful experience! We got to sit on the small but adorable patio on a perfect summer evening. The staff were absolutely incredible, so kind and patient. They even gave us free champagne for our special night! My husband and I both ordered seasonal cocktails that were absolutely divine! Honestly choosing a drink was so hard, everything sounded good. We then split the empanadas which were crisp and full of flavor! Pretty large too. For main course I ordered the masa gnocchi which had the most delicious hand made gnocchi! My husband got the crispy pork belly and it tasted amazing! Such a memorable and special meal for us! read more

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We were blown away from the strawberry matcha. The sandwich and potatoes were rlly good. Everything else was good but underwhelming for the price you pay. The service was also nothing crazy. It is a cute spot if you are in the area and looking for somewhere quick but nothing to rave about read more

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The place is very cute but very small, reservations are absolutely recommended. The server came to our table exactly once to talk to us and bring water and tell us to scan the QR code. Then he never talked with us again. We ordered through Toast, and everything we ordered came quickly. The food was good, but I didn't like the slaw with my Cheese Arepa, it was way too sour for me. But the Arepa itself was really tasty. The coffee was as beautiful as the picture and absolutely delicious and came with a caramel on the side, which was a nice touch. read more

The Royal - Cheese Arepa - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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My friend frequents this spot and recommended I check it out! Really loved the vibe in here. Very cozy and comfy. Tons of outlets so it's a great place to work from as well. I really like that you can order thru a QR code and the food will come out when it's ready. Some people like more interaction, but this is fine as well! Drinks were okayyyy, nothing special (maybe I need to try something else). The pork belly was delicious! So flavorful. I loved my cheese arepa as well. Everyone in my group enjoyed their meal, and one is a vegan and had many options!! We will definitely come back and try more things! read more

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I've found my favorite latte in DC! Their sesame latte was so delicious I went back two weekends in a row. The ambience and decor is very cute. I'll have to try some food next time for a more complete review. Highly recommend the sesame latte! read more

The Royal - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The Royal is always a great spot to come enjoy an afternoon pick me up! The indoor and outdoor seating areas are inviting and well decorated. The coffee bar is where The Royal really shines for me. I love being able to come and try something new each time, it incentivizes me to keep coming back and checking out what they have to offer. On this visit I got the seasonal cherry blossom cold brew and I loved it! It was floral, refreshing, and not too sweet. The service was also very friendly and welcoming. Looking forward to my next visit to try their food as well. read more

The Royal - Cherry Blossom Cold Brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I have loved this place and come here often. To be clear, the food is fantastic, and the drinks are great. My last review was a 5-star. I am dropping it to a two-star today due to the lousy service. We called ahead to make reservations for lunch and were told just to walk in. When we arrived, the place was packed, and we had a 45-minute wait to be seated. The waiter was super unfriendly making us feel like we were bothering him whenever we asked a question or tried to engage him. Hopefully this does not happen again, but for now recommend that you be careful with the service. The food is still amazing. read more

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This is our local coffee shop, and we got into coffee because of The Royal. Every coffee we order is perfect. The Tres Leches Cinnamon Roll is heaven sent, and I recommend it to everyone and anyone that will listen. Their margarita is my favorite, but their espresso martini is also 10/10. Their cups are the cutest, and they have fun paper straws! read more

I gave this place two stars because it's nicely decorated, and the people are nice, but everything else about it is just disappointing. To start there are no menus, you must use an app or you can go up to the bar to order. They will deliver to your table, it's a little strange but not terribly so. The food however was awful. Masa Gnocchi was bland, and I kept having this awful feeling I was eating shards of bones. The description says this is crispy yucca, but it was so WEIRD that I could not finish. It was probably some of the worst food I've had in DC. My friend had the fried pork bellies, which he grew up eating, but he didn't finish his because the taste just wasn't good. I refused to even try it. Both of those dishes were quite expensive for what you got, but nothing will compare to the absolute rip off of the alcoholic drinks. For $16 you get basically an 8 ounce mug shaped like a pineapple, filled all the way up with crushed ice, And a ounce of alcohol with a few ounces of juice. Wasn't even that good but I get done with it and I'm like what the hell did I just spend $16 for?! The space is very cozy, they've jammed in as many tables as they can, perhaps a little too cozy. It's a very cute space. Tastefully decorated. The people were very nice, although service lagged a little bit, but absolutely, nothing could have improved the awful food and horrendous pricing. read more

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Service is superb whether you sit at a table or the bar. It is cozy and casual making you feel like you are at home. The cocktails are unique with each sip you take allowing you to have several. read more

The Royal - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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