Philadelphia's restaurant scene is booming and it seems like there's a new, trendy place on every block. Many of these restaurants are amazing, while others fall just short of their potential, but there are a few that that truly stand out and make a lasting impression on a neighborhood or the city as a whole. Royal Izakaya (which translates to "stay and drink sake") is a fantastic example of these; this brand new spot fits right into the trendy, unique nature of dining in Philadelphia and dishes up some of the most mouthwatering sushi in the city.
Royal Sushi and Izakaya started as a pop-up in 2010, while the restaurant group behind it waited for the perfect chef to arrive. They found him in Jesse Ito.
Ito's dishes were so well received that Royal Izakaya was able to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in December of 2016.
The tiny eatery doesn't even have a sign - just a red lantern to let you know they're open.
Claim your spot at the quiet 8-seat Sushi Bar beyond the busy, crowded tables for an experience you won't forget.
Each morsel is freshly prepared in front of you and presented individually.
A meal at Royal Izakaya will completely change the way you think about sushi!
There are many other delicious dishes (more than 50!) on the menu, so you might have trouble deciding what to order next.
Don't be afraid to try something new!
Even if you're not quite sure of what you're eating, you can rest assured that it will be expertly prepared, creatively crafted, and served as a culinary work of art.
Come hungry, because you'll want to order yourself round after round of tasty Japanese food.
As if it couldn't get any better, Royal Izakaya has an extensive selection of sake and Japanese whiskey available to complete your meal.
The knowledgeable staff is happy to provide suggestions for fantastic flavor pairings.
Royal Izakaya is more than just a trendy sushi bar, though. It has replaced all notions of pretentiousness with fun, casual features - like projecting silent anime on the brick walls - and you'll feel comfortable at your table or bar seat ordering rounds of unique drinks and fantastic food. In fact, meals are served here until 1 AM, so you can enjoy a feast late into the night!
The restaurant is located at 780-782 S 2nd Street in Philadelphia and is open seven days a week from 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM. Oh, and you'll absolutely need to plan ahead; the sushi bar is reservation only, and if you show up to the front for Izakaya on a weekend, you should expect a wait, as this little restaurant is a popular spot! Call (267) 909-9002 with plenty of notice to reserve your spot.
For a peek at their food and drink menus, check out their website here.
Have you dined at Royal Izakaya? What was your favorite sushi? Did you stick to the classics or go wild with adventurous flavors? Share your tasty tips in the comments below!
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