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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!
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.
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.
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.
I love the Royal! It can be a great spot to have a cup of coffee and do some reading or to go for cocktails and a nice dinner. Inside it feels cozy and the staff is very friendly and welcoming. For breakfast I enjoy the arepas. If you're here for dinner I'd recommend the steak frites with the yuca fries for a nice Latin American twist.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
5 months ago
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
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
26 days ago
The food, drink, and atmosphere at Royal make it a MUST visit! If you are in DC, GO!! You can thank me later!! read more
21 days ago
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
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
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
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
I love the Royal! It can be a great spot to have a cup of coffee and do some reading or to go for cocktails and a nice dinner. Inside it feels cozy and the staff is very friendly and welcoming. For breakfast I enjoy the arepas. If you're here for dinner I'd recommend the steak frites with the yuca fries for a nice Latin American twist. read more
8 months ago
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
1 year ago
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
2 months ago
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 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
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 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
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
1 year ago
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
4 months ago
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
5 months ago
2 months ago
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
2 years ago
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
2 years ago
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
6 months ago
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2 years ago
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
8 months ago
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
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
8 months ago
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
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
1 year ago
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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More info about The Royal
501 Florida Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
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(202) 332-7777
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http://www.theroyaldc.com/
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Ask the Community - The Royal
Is the cinnamon roll available every day or only weekends? Answering my own question by dropping in! No it's not every day but I got lucky on this Thursday :)
Looking for a cute girls night out spot and this place was recommended. I see a HH menu on their website, but are they currently doing HH? Also is there a limit for # of guests being enforced?
Hi Raven! Yes, we're offering happy hour Monday through Friday from 3-6pm! The happy hour menu on our website is accurate. Also, DC legally caps all dining groups at a maximum of 6, so we welcome tables of up to 6 guests. You can book a table via…
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