Royal Restaurant
Updated Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023
In recent years, Alexandria Restaurant Partners has opened new and innovative restaurants, including Mia's, Ada's on the River and BARCA.
This fall, the restaurant group took a historic turn and purchased an Alexandria restaurant that has been around for almost 120 years — Royal Restaurant. The purchase was made in partnership with Sloan Hospitality.
The Royal is the second partnership between ARP and Sloan, who first announced their joint venture in March of 2022 with the opening of Matt & Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar in Del Ray.
“We are honored to take over stewardship of this restaurant,” said Scott Shaw, Partner, ARP. “The Royal has been a fixture in our community for generations. Matt’s community-first approach as a hands-on owner is what this restaurant deserves, and we are thrilled to be partnering with him once again.”
One change that could be coming: The new owners are interested in adding 90 outdoor seats where there are now about 10 parking spaces. There is free street parking in the neighborhood, and parking is available in a garage across the street. The restaurant would still have 12 of its own parking spaces.
Royal Restaurant opened in 1904 and was originally called Royal Cafe. It was located next to city hall, but moved to its current location at 730 N. St. Asaph St. in 1964 after the city took its property to build the current city-hall building and plaza.
For decades, the restaurant was owned and operated by Gus and Richard Pikrallidas along with their nephew, Charlie Euripides. "Later joined by his wife, Barbara, Charlie expanded catering and continued operating the Royal until his passing in 2022," according to the restaurant. His children continued operating the restaurant after he passed away. (Charlie was named an Alexandria Living Legend in 2018. Read more about him here.)
“It’s never easy to let go, but we know The Royal, its long-time employees, and our valued guests will be in good hands,” said Demetrios Pikrallidas, a member of the the Euripides family and the advising attorney on the sale. “We were witness to how ARP handled the takeover of The Majestic and Joe Theismann’s, two other Alexandria institutions. They were thoughtful to preserve each brands history and celebrate what these historic concepts meant — and continue to mean — to the community.”
The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sundays, serving breakfast during all hours as well as a variety of lunch, dinner and dessert options.
