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La Royal

$31 to $50

Peruvian

Make a booking

2 people

15 Mar 2025

21:30

Booked 25 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Neighbourhood gem
Great for creative cocktails
Vegetarian-friendly

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.

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

Location
221 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone number
(617) 823-1595
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
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Experiences

Live Jazz Thursdays at La Royal
Multiple dates available
Please join us to listen to live Jazz while you dine at La Royal Mathew Berlin Trio from 6:30-8:30pm every Thursday.

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 73 people are saying

La Royal reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.5Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

La Royal offers a delightful dining experience with "delicious food" and "amazing service." The modern Peruvian cuisine features standout appetizers and "fantastic drinks." Guests enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and "stunning presentation." Despite a few seating challenges, the restaurant remains a "great neighborhood gem" with "wonderful" and "unexpected flavors."

73 Reviews

Z
Zhiwei
Montreal3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It’s very great. Very nice experience. We’ll return!
Is this helpful?
T
Teni VIP
New York City3 reviews
2.0
Dined on 2 March 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
If you don't loooove onions - don't come here. Honestly, I was expecting more. It was crowded and fairly loud. The food was okay, but not as great as I was expecting. The beers were great though and the service was courteous. If you like a scene and you love peruvian food, great, if not, this may not be for you.
Is this helpful?
L
Linda
Greater Boston4 reviews
4.0
Dined on 1 March 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
The food was very good. A bit loud due to small space but over it was a pleasant time.
Is this helpful?
HC
HannahC
Greater Boston11 reviews
4.0
Dined on 1 March 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Unique food. Delicious and nicely presented. Service was very swift.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner VIP
Greater Boston1 review
5.0
Dined on 28 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Valeria provided amazing service and a friendly presence throughout the meal—it was our first visit, and we cannot wait to go again. Delicious on multiple levels, food and drinks alike!
Is this helpful?
M
Marc
Mexico City1 review
5.0
Dined on 21 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Súper bueno todo!!!! Nos ha gustado mucho todo! :)
Is this helpful?
J
Jeffrey
Greater Boston4 reviews
3.0
Dined on 17 February 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The appetizers, polenta with olives, feta and raisins, and a ceviche, were very good. But the entrées were disappointing. At about $33 each, I expected more. I had duck breast on cilantro rice. The pieces of duck, which were mostly fat, were tiny: a few little bites arranged on a mountain of rice. This was the second time I’ve been to this restaurant, and now that the novelty is worn off, I have to say, I don’t think I’ll be going again.
Is this helpful?
A
Adam
San Francisco6 reviews
5.0
Dined on 16 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was great. Drinks were great. Service was perfect. Will definitely be back!
Is this helpful?
R
Renate
Greater Boston1 review
5.0
Dined on 11 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great neighborhood gem. Very friendly and accommodating service. This is a more modern Peruvian cuisine with complex flavors. We loved every dish we ordered.
Is this helpful?
J
James
Greater Boston1 review
5.0
Dined on 8 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Extraordinary meal- great atmosphere. Drinks were fantastic as well
Is this helpful?

FAQs

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

La Royal is rated 4.6 stars by 73 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

15 Mar 2025

21:30

Booked 25 times today

Experiences are available.

221 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Dining areas

Additional information

Phone number
(617) 823-1595
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
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

La Royal

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Why they're an Icon

Dining areas

Additional information

Experiences

Live Jazz Thursdays at La Royal

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 73 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

Dining areas

Additional information