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La Royal

$31 to $50

Peruvian

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2 people

23 Nov 2024

20:30

Booked 25 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Great for creative cocktails
Good for special occasions

Maria Rondeau and JuanMa Calderón of Boston's award-winning Celeste (Eater Boston's 2018 Restaurant of the Year and Esquire Best New Restaurant) and Esmeralda in Vermont (Esquire's 2021 list of Best New Restaurant in America), open La Royal, their newest Peruvian restaurant down the block from their Cambridge home. While at Celeste, JuanMa recreates his mother’s rustic home-cooking that he grew up with in Lima, his menu at La Royal explores the varied cuisines throughout Peru, offering original takes on dishes from the country’s different regions. They also bringing the same spirit of curation and collaboration from both Celeste and Esmeralda to this project… at La Royal, they've collaborated with professor and award-winning cookbook author Darra Goldstein on a selection of macerated liquors. Maria, a trained architect, has designed the space to create an inviting, lived-in feel, with the kitchen at the heart of the whole project.

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Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Chef JuanMa Calderon

From the OpenTable editors: You know the food at this Cambridge spot is going to rule because it's from the hitmakers behind beloved Peruvian restaurant Celeste—La Royal has a 2022 best new restaurant crown from Boston Magazine to back it up. Chef JuanMa Calderon's menu is a little more ambitious here, leaning into other cuisines in Peru like Chifa or Chinese-Peruvian food. Choose from dishes like Chinese-Peruvian-style stir-fried noodles with seafood and Nikkei-style portobello mushroom sashimi all while seated in the light and airy dining room or the spacious patio adorned with string lights. Either way, you have to get the pisco martini—Esquire dubbed it one of the best martinis in America in 2023.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Peruvian, Seafood, Home cooking
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Dinner Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(617) 823-1595
Website
http://www.laroyalcambridge.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual

Location
221 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Area
Cambridge
Cross Street
We are located on Concord Avenue, about half a block from Huron Avenue
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
For parking, there is ample availability on Concord Avenue in the evenings, and meter parking on Huron Avenue half a block away. Walking or biking, of course, are highly encouraged! We're about a 15 minute walk from Harvard Square up Concord if you're connecting on the Red line, or many bus lines stop on our corner. We look forward to seeing you at La Royal!
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Leche de tigre / tiger’s milk (essence of ceviche)*US$22.00
Ceviche mixto / blue cod, squid and shrimp ceviche*US$21.00
Ceviche pescado / blue cod ceviche*US$20.00
Tiradito de hongo / portobello sashimi nikkei styleUS$18.00
Pastel de choclo / peruvian corn polenta, cheese + aji (vegetarian or ground sirloin)
- -US$16.00
- -US$17.00
Causa de aguacate y tomate / potato terrine with avocado and tomatoUS$16.00
Causa de cangrejo / potato terrine with crab saladUS$19.00
Causa de tuna tartare / potato terrine with tuna tartareUS$18.00
Arugula + watercress salad, lime + black pepper vinaigretteUS$15.00

PLATO FUERTE

arroz con seared duck / cilantro rice, seared duck breast + salsa criolla US$35.00
patarashca / whole branzino grilled in plantain leaves, amazonic condimentsUS$39.00
tacu tacu de pallares a lo macho O verduras / lima bean risotto, panca sauce, mussels, shrimp, squid OR vegetables: mushrooms, scallions, snow peas, bok choy (veg)
- -US$32.00
- -US$25.00
*pescado con verduras / steamed blue cod, XO peruvian-chinese sauce, aji, bok choy, snow peas, onions, mushroom, peppersUS$28.00
*sudado de berenjena / steamed eggplant chinese-peruvian styleUS$25.00
*lomo saltado / stir-fried sirloin (8oz), tomato, onion, soy sauceUS$32.00
*tallarin saltado de mariscos O de verduras / peruvian-chinese stir fried noodles, shrimp, squid, mussels
*tallarin saltado de mariscos O de verduras / peruvian-chinese stir fried noodles with vegetables
v) 32 / 25 *CHIFA: Peruvian-Chinese fusion cuisine developed in the 19th century from the influx of Chinese immigrants brought to Peru as indentured laborers (including Chef JuanMa’s great-great grandfather), using Chinese condiments + Peruvian peppers

What 42 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.5Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

La Royal is a delightful neighborhood gem offering "delicious and unusual" Peruvian-Chinese fusion dishes paired with "creative cocktails" like pisco martinis. Guests appreciate the "excellent and friendly service" in a "relaxed, casual, friendly atmosphere." Perfect for special occasions or a casual night out, La Royal promises a memorable dining experience.

42 Reviews

L
Linnea
Greater Boston
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Excellent Pisco based cocktails, ceviche and Gus main dishes. Loved the light mousse for dessert
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E
Enrique
New York City
9 reviews
3.0
9 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Food was okay, really expected something more delicious to match the price, felt like food was bland and unremarkable overall, expected better similar to their other restaurant Celeste which I’ve had great experiences at. Drinks were great and the highlight of the evening. Ambience of the space is all over the place I will say, didn’t get a cohesive vibe of the interior design. Had beautiful exposed bricks and beautiful planters, but the rest of the space was all over the place like the random disco balls. I’d come back and give it another chance but underwhelming
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Pleasantly surprised by this restaurant we didn’t know about until I did a restaurant search online for Cambridge. It was excellent! I was looking for something that was different from the usual and found the menu quite diverse and full of great options. We enjoyed the cocktails/wine and there were many gluten free options for me. We’ll go back. Pricy but worth every cent
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M
Mel
New York City
62 reviews
vip
5.0
62 reviews
Dined on 13 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Having visited Peru this past summer, we were delighted to learn of this restaurant. Peru has indeed become a gastronome destination. This restaurant did not disappoint. The server told us dishes were meant for sharing: we ordered one crevice appetizer and two entrees (duck and sliced steak), plus two Pisca based drinks (the ones with the ginger beer). The meal was as filling as it was appetizing. With tax and tip, the bill came to $150. Be advised this is not a large restaurant. The main dining room accommodates about 20 diners. There are several tables opposite the bar and seats at the bar.
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D
Danit
Greater Boston
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on 11 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Just loved the atmosphere and food! Great place. Will definitely be going back!
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J
Jesse
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 2 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Nice foodie experience. Not the absolute best but better than average. Worth checking out
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S
Sebastian
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 25 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and very friendly service. Authentic Peruvian in stylish atmosphere.
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R
Rohit
Greater Boston
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on 25 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Love this place. Gotta support a wife husband team!!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on 25 October 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 4
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
I visited La Royale with a friend for a long-overdue catch-up, hoping for a relaxed evening. We ordered a glass of wine each and a couple of appetizers, planning to take our time and enjoy the atmosphere. However, within the first hour, our server checked in on us four times, pushing us to order more. While we understood they might be busy, we felt rushed and uncomfortable. Around 95 minutes in, another server came over and unexpectedly asked us to move to another table due to a “two-hour limit”—something we were never informed of when we sat down. This was disappointing and disrupted our evening. We decided to settle our check and leave. We ended up next door at Trattoria Pulcinella, a charming family-owned Italian spot, where the staff welcomed us warmly. They let us enjoy our time without any rush and even offered a complimentary glass of port as a gesture when the restaurant got a bit lively. Although the food at La Royale was enjoyable, the rushed service left a bad impression. I don’t think I’ll be returning soon; there are plenty of other places that value their guests’ experience more.
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V
Victoria
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 19 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food, beverages, and service were all so fantastic!!
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FAQs

You can order delivery directly from La Royal using the Order Online button.

La Royal is rated 4.7 stars by 42 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

23 Nov 2024

20:30

Booked 25 times today

Order delivery or takeout

221 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
We are located on Concord Avenue, about half a block from Huron Avenue
Area
Cambridge
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Dinner Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Peruvian, Seafood, Home cooking
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
For parking, there is ample availability on Concord Avenue in the evenings, and meter parking on Huron Avenue half a block away. Walking or biking, of course, are highly encouraged! We're about a 15 minute walk from Harvard Square up Concord if you're connecting on the Red line, or many bus lines stop on our corner. We look forward to seeing you at La Royal!
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Website
http://www.laroyalcambridge.com/
Phone number
(617) 823-1595

La Royal

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Why they're an Icon

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

DINNER

APPETIZERS

Leche de tigre / tiger’s milk (essence of ceviche)*US$22.00

Ceviche mixto / blue cod, squid and shrimp ceviche*US$21.00

Ceviche pescado / blue cod ceviche*US$20.00

Tiradito de hongo / portobello sashimi nikkei styleUS$18.00

Pastel de choclo / peruvian corn polenta, cheese + aji (vegetarian or ground sirloin)

Causa de aguacate y tomate / potato terrine with avocado and tomatoUS$16.00

Causa de cangrejo / potato terrine with crab saladUS$19.00

Causa de tuna tartare / potato terrine with tuna tartareUS$18.00

Arugula + watercress salad, lime + black pepper vinaigretteUS$15.00

PLATO FUERTE

arroz con seared duck / cilantro rice, seared duck breast + salsa criolla US$35.00

patarashca / whole branzino grilled in plantain leaves, amazonic condimentsUS$39.00

tacu tacu de pallares a lo macho O verduras / lima bean risotto, panca sauce, mussels, shrimp, squid OR vegetables: mushrooms, scallions, snow peas, bok choy (veg)

*pescado con verduras / steamed blue cod, XO peruvian-chinese sauce, aji, bok choy, snow peas, onions, mushroom, peppersUS$28.00

*sudado de berenjena / steamed eggplant chinese-peruvian styleUS$25.00

*lomo saltado / stir-fried sirloin (8oz), tomato, onion, soy sauceUS$32.00

*tallarin saltado de mariscos O de verduras / peruvian-chinese stir fried noodles, shrimp, squid, mussels

*tallarin saltado de mariscos O de verduras / peruvian-chinese stir fried noodles with vegetables

v) 32 / 25 *CHIFA: Peruvian-Chinese fusion cuisine developed in the 19th century from the influx of Chinese immigrants brought to Peru as indentured laborers (including Chef JuanMa’s great-great grandfather), using Chinese condiments + Peruvian peppers

What 42 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does La Royal offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is La Royal restaurant rated?

Is La Royal currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information