We have been here twice and both times the service has been shocking. Sadly there will be no third time.

The Royale Review - 27 May 2018 My review of the The Royale on 19 November 2017 is retracted in its entirely and replaced with the following review (made on 27 May 2018). After making the 19 November 2017 review and having visited again on two or three occasions since, The Royale took active steps to engage me about that particular experience. This engagement was positive and imbued with a deep sense of wanting to improve albeit that on every occasion I visited, the restaurant was filled to capacity (with Jozi’s most loyal scene-sters!). There was really no need at all for The Royale to pay any attention to me and the 19 November 2017 review at all. And yet they did and that’s why my experience and affection towards the restaurant, not only as place of food and drink but as business with a great culture. Food: We had the Cuban sandwich, the ceviche and the squid. Whatever Cuban is or isn’t, it’s irrelevant. The Royale does not claim to be a Cuban restaurant anyway. It’s Cuban and the restaurant makes no secret about the fact that Cuban food (whatever it may be) is not the most heavenly experience. Hence why they’ve gone further by creating dishes that Cuban people would likely prefer over their own. The squid was fresh and fried in tasty, light batter. The ceviche stopped one corn kernel short of tasting like any good ceviche in Colombia (the only other place I’ve eaten ceviche in abundance - albeit a traditional Peruvian dish). A much more authentic version than the salmon-based dish served at Big Mouth (weirdly along with some sort of nachos and guacamole). And the sandwich - the best of the lot. Salty and soft, meaty and saucy and warm and large enough to think about ordering a second. In brief, all the food needed to do was show up and the rest I could do quite easily. And it did and it was delicious. Service: far too attentive - but that might have something to do with The Royale wanting to engage me in the 19 November 2017 review. I am not complaining. Ambience: Listen. I can’t hate on the neon palm tree on the wall. It works and I’m sure there are thousands of Instagram posts with the neon palm tree in the background, a couple of basics with flower crowns with those giant “30” or giant wedding ring balloons afloat. And this can’t hurt The Royale’s popularity. I’m happy to report that the music extends well beyond the Chef soundtrack (and who am I to hate on Chef. That’s a dope movie and a dope soundtrack). There was also classic salsa that inspired me to create dance floor for me to show off my partners amazing salsa skills. My only criticism is that the music should be louder and longer lasting. At least to drive out the patrons who would rather listen to whatever plays at Hells Kitchen these days. Bottom line is that the Royale (and he knows I’m takingy about him), is going from strength to strength and excited to see what’s next. I’m also excited to return for the special occasion involving my loud and eccentric friends - who are all welcomed with open arms at the Royale. I recommend the Royale for any group of friends who want a space to celebrate - from a bat mitzvah to an engagement party. You can be basic or the most self-absorbed hipster and feel quite welcome. Disclaimer: The above is purely my perspective.

We were very excited when The Royale opened up almost next door. I've been there for a photoshoot or two, and it's been widely popular on Insta, so it seemed worth a proper visit. My partner and I went there a few weeks ago. As many of the reviews reveal, there's nothing Cuban about The Royale. There are a bunch of guys in tropical shirts, some cool lighting on the walls, but no Cuban rum or any Cuban cuisine. This also had a negative impact on my prospect of a proper Mojito. Service was not warm and welcoming, and we were far from feeling Warm & Glad. We struggled to get our waitress' attention, as she befriended someone at a table nearby (and spent most of her time there). Our request for a menu was also received with snark. Now, I'm from Cape Town, so I understand when waitresses aren't so friendly, or like to make you feel out of place, but there's no need for that in Jozi. The menu is fairly simple, and fairly priced. I ordered the prawn curry, which came with rice. There was nothing wrong with the prawn curry, but the rice was undercooked. It's a nice place to meet your film industry/ad agency/model/creative/musically inclined friends for a drink, but the food is bang-average, at best.

This is by far the best new restaurant opening in Johannesburg. In a city that has limited fine dining options and typical either our options are franchise food like Tasha's or Life Grande. This spot is a touch above the ordinary food is great , service is warm and friendly although sometimes a little slow. But atmosphere is what really makes this place you feel transported to another place. Everything from the plants to the colors to the music make this the best restaurant Jo'burg has seen in a very long time and what I like pherhaps most is how diverse the crowd is from young to old (Mainly young) and all ethnic cultures and backgrounds. I met a guy from Korea and Angola here. That's what going out in South Africa's biggest city should be like. Lastly this Resturant doesn't rest on it's laurels their not too cool to work harder and get better. I've been at least six times since it opened and they keep improving little things and adding new ones. If you haven't go treat yourself but call ahead the place is usually packed.

Food: I had the rump steak, cuban chicken, cheese croquettes and chorizo rice. My first impression of the food was, "what makes this Cuban?" - on the assumption that this was a Cuban restuarant and that meant there would be Cuban food on the menu. So without critiquing what constitutes Cuban food at all, I can only comment on the quality of food served. To this end, I don't believe anything I ate constituted restaurant quality food. There was generally a dearth of flavour and imagination. Each dish reminded me of what I could have easily made as a student, especially the chicken which I couldn't help but feel was previously frozen solid. The food certainly did not justify the price I paid. Service: I guess there were people to bring you your food. As far as any knowledge of the menu or any underlying ingredients, there was none and the guys aren't shy to admit that. You'll also need to forage on the restaurant floor for your the one or two salt and pepper shakers that the restaurant has. Ambience: I think the price of the food prices in the guarantee of a stylish neon light wall, quite obviously designed for the purposes of instagrammers and ultimately a marketing springboard. I think the cost of the food prices in the guarantee of being in the same place as Johannesburg's most enthusiastic scene-sters. My impression is generally that it provides a space for people to easily transition towards Melville, Hell's Kitchen in particular - and I think that's a good function for the restaurant. As for any Cuban atmosphere, I swear the soundtrack of the movie Chef was playing on repeat, either that or Putumayo's "sounds of Cuba" or something else generically Latin American. So I would say, it's a bar first, with stuff on the menu to eat later. Disclaimer: It goes without saying that this review is from my perspective alone.