Royal Restaurant - 730 N. Asaph St. (Courtesy Alexandria Restaurant Partners)

This month, Old Town North welcomed the return of a beloved Alexandria institution: the Royal Restaurant.

Originally owned and operated by Gus and Richard Pikrallidas, the restaurant first opened its doors on Royal Street in 1904 as the Royal Cafe. It moved to its current location on St. Asaph Street in 1964, and was renamed the Royal Restaurant. Gus and Richard’s nephew Charlie Euripides joined the business in the 1950’s and eventually took over operations until his passing in 2022. Much like the Royal itself, Charlie Euripides was an Alexandria institution and was named an Alexandria Living Legend in 2018.

The Euripides and Pikrallidas families sold the restaurant to a partnership of Alexandria Restaurant Partners (“ARP”) and Sloan Hospitality (“Sloan”) in October 2023. Following months of lengthy negotiations, the ARP/Sloan partnership earned the confidence of the family that the Royal’s legacy would be well-preserved under their ownership. ARP’s thoughtful and successful transitions of other Alexandria institutions - The Majestic and Joe Theismann’s - offered further confirmation that the Royal would be in good hands.

The ARP/Sloan partnership has demonstrated its understanding of just how much the Royal means to the community. Scott Shaw of ARP expressed that he and his partners were “honored to take over the stewardship of this restaurant,” noting its status as a “fixture in the community for generations.”

Royal Restaurant re-opened its doors on April 11th, after a three month renovation. Designed by architect David Anthony Chenault, the Royal’s new interior reflects modern touches like the sleek stainless steel top of the bar, while staying true to the restaurant’s history with elements like upholstered booths.

The new bar at Royal Restaurant (Courtesy Alexandria Restaurant Partners)

Renovated interior of Royal Restaurant (Courtesy Alexandria Restaurant Partners)

In keeping with its commitment to respect the legacy of the Royal, the ARP/Sloan partnership retained many staff members who worked for the Royal prior to the change in ownership. So don’t be surprised to see some familiar faces when you visit!

The renovation also included the addition of an inviting 56-seat patio with a retractable awning - the perfect spot to enjoy the beautiful weather in Old Town North this time of year.

Newly built patio at Royal Restaurant (Courtesy Alexandria Restaurant Partners)

Whether you are seeking the comfort of old favorites, or the excitement of trying something new, Royal Restaurant’s menu, with options for all-day dining, truly offers something for everyone.

Crispy chicken thigh with chorizo gravy, mashed potatoes, roasted pearl onions, and sweet peas (Courtesy Rich Kessler Photography)

The “All Day Brunch” menu, served from 7am - 3pm, is divided into four sections: 1) “1904 Classics,” 2) “All Day Brunch,” 3) “Starters and Salads,” and 4) “Sandwiches.” “1904 Classics” offers a nod to the past with traditional breakfast options like Royal Buttermilk Pancakes, Eggs Benedict, and a Greek omelet. The other three sections offer an assortment of enticing new dishes including: crispy chicken thighs with chorizo gravy, oatmeal pancakes with cinnamon-molasses butter (gluten-free), a house-smoked brisket hash with roasted green chilis, fried red bean “hummus,” beet salad with a mix of roasted and pickled beets, and a Royal Smashburger.

Royal Smashburger featuring double smashed patties, white cooper cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, “secret sauce,” and a brioche bun (Courtesy Rich Kessler Photography)

The “Dinner” menu, served from 3pm - close, largely mirrors the “All-Day Brunch” menu. However, instead of the “1904 Classics,” the “Dinner” menu offers a selection of appetizing “Mains” ranging from grilled salmon with mole manchamanteles to guajillo marinated skirt steak to roasted cauliflower with salsa macha (vegetarian).

Guajillo marinated skirt steak with crispy potatoes, rajas, & suiza sauce (Courtesy Rich Kessler Photography)

A tempting dessert list rounds out the culinary offerings - once again featuring a blend of old favorites and new dishes - from ice cream and banana cream pie to ancho chili chocolate mousse and roasted apple chimichangas.

And that’s not all! Royal Restaurant offers a daily happy hour from 4pm to 7pm. In addition to beer and wine, the Royal bar serves a full range of spirits including lists of signature spirit cocktails and spirit free mocktails.

Royal Restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 7am - 10pm and Friday and Saturday from 7am - 11pm. 730 N. St. Asaph St. Alexandria, VA 22314.

For more information on The Royal, visit https://www.royalrestaurantva.com/

The Return of the Royal Restaurant: A Renovation with Reverence for the Past