Royale Kitchen + Cocktails is perfect for a fun evening filled with great food and drinks and an eccentric retro atmosphere. The restaurant, located just off 7th Avenue in the Melrose district of Phoenix, is affordable and delicious.
The restaurant was previously known as YUMBAR but owners Mark Howard and Rocco Menaguale pivoted the name to better reflect the restaurant’s purpose. Before the name change, Royale was known for its bar and cocktails but its amazing kitchen and expansive menu went under the radar. The name shift is to better reflect everything Royale has to offer.
Royale’s new expanded menu boasts reasonably priced appetizers, entrees and desserts. The kitchen offers sandwiches, burgers, salads, grain bowls and more. The Rocco Spritz, named for the restaurant’s co-owner and mural painter, is a perfect blend of muddled basil, wildberry vodka and champagne. The cocktail menu includes both specialty cocktails and tried-and-true classics like martinis and margaritas.
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The wait staff and bartenders at Royale Kitchen + Cocktails are kind and friendly. Everyone on the staff is attentive and ready to make recommendations at the drop of a hat. One recommendation was the Capitol Martini — a mix of St-Germain, gin, rhubarb bitters and grapefruit. The drink isn’t too fruity nor too strong, landing somewhere in the middle for a perfect sipping drink with your dinner.
The food is nothing short of delicious. Try the sweet potato tots tossed with chili spice or bite into a mac ‘n’ cheese ball before making it to your main course. For dinner, the Yum Burger has a sun-dried tomato and bacon relish, and you can get your burger cooked just the way you like.
Make sure to take in the atmosphere of the restaurant. Colorful murals cover walls and are accompanied by unique light fixtures — setting the mood for a night full of meaningful conversation or lighthearted quips. The restaurant is indoor-outdoor with bars on the patio and inside the main room. The Flamingo Room, named for the flamingo mural inside, constitutes the patio area but can be closed off for private events as well.
Overall the newly named Royale Kitchen + Cocktails has curated a welcoming and eccentric vibe for all crowds. The restaurant is a great place for friends and family alike, whether it’s for quality time or a fun night out.
