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    Rex at the Royal

    4.2 (628 reviews)
    Open • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Rex at the Royal Photos

    Business Info

    REX AT THE ROYAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Rex at the Royal

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    Near entrance
    Stan H.

    Very classy place. The peach cobbler my friend had looked really good but I was overwhelmed eating other food. The waiter we had suggested I try the mocktail I had. When I heard the ingredients compared to the menu ones, I personally agreed. He really could read my vibe from just looking at me. I did like what they had on the menu, but for me, I do like vanilla and honey like type things more. I would choose this over a chocolate one even though I like chocolate too. I would be open to coming back here even on my own. 1000-2000 South used to be much more residential and just off the radar but it seems to have gentrified with 100-1000 South gentrifying too. 100-1000 South has lost that artsy vibe that you still can see in Tattooed Moms and arguably, even Condom Kingdom for just still being there from the beginning lol. If there is going to be anything to replace that more gritty vibe, Rex at the Royal is definitely a wonderful transition to get in to.

    Linette S.

    The aesthetic of the place is nice and they had good music playing. We came for Valentine's Day and they definitely raised the prices for the occasion. We paid $4 more for the fried chicken dinner. Service was not good. The server had a very low voice so it was hard to hear him at times. He was also not very attentive to our table. I had to flag him down to get some utensils. Food was just okay. The biscuit and the cinnamon butter was the best thing I had. The chicken had a nice crisp to it, however the skin has all the flavor.

    Chris T.

    The ambiance of this place is dope, upscale looking, not a fan of the tables as opposed to the booths. This place reminded of a restaurant I visited in Chicago called the whale in terms of ambiance. The cornbread was my favorite thing from followed by the lamb chops. Everything else was below what it was valued at. Our waiter seemed to forget us or what we requested a few times, but it wasn't just us because the table next to us also made a comment. I'd definitely recommend going for the experience of going but I wouldn't go out of my way to go again.

    Jody S.

    This is one of my favorite sit down restaurants in center city and even Philadelphia. I'm a seafood fan and they have a good amount of options. The restaurant is on a beautiful block with a nice entrance and a friendly upbeat staff. I've been there for restaurant week as well as other dining opportunities and I really enjoyed my meals and experiences. I had the fried green tomatoes and seafood main entrees but my absolute favorite is their key lime pie! It is sooo good and I think about it often. Awesome dining establishment.

    Fried tomatoes- skip them!
    Jess D.

    We enjoyed happy hour a Rex Royale. Our burgers were just the right size (not sliders but not huge) and very flavorful. The wings were supper yummy and the coating was quite unique. We did not care for the fried tomatoes and I wish they had some nice veggies or salads to help balance the greasy southern food on the menu. We liked our cocktails by they were crazy small (maybe the smallest I have seen in Philly?) and still $16 which was not great. Service was solid and the ambiance was nice. We will return next time we are craving wings and burgers!

    Catfish and waffle
    Syreeta B.

    I recently had the pleasure of visiting this restaurant for a date night. There is not a lot of parking in downtown Philadelphia so we decided to Uber over. The restaurant was lively and had lots of patron in the bar when you first walked in. I love the colors and style of this restaurant. The bright blue and orange that greet you in the door is very inviting. We ordered drinks and small plates to start with. Our server Kayla was very nice and gave recommendations on menu items. We ordered smoked chicken, wings, and mac & cheese topped with crab meat. Both were really good. For entrées, we ordered catfish and waffles and frog more stew. The catfish and waffles came with a meat piece of catfish that was well seasoned. A twist to the waffles was that it included trout row on the waffle. the frog more stew was filled with delicious seafood. It had a wonderful flavor and the seafood inside the stew was cooked perfectly. We had a seasonal peach cobbler topped with ice cream. It was really good as well. I can't wait to return to sit in their main dining room after it is renovated. I'd love to try other items from their menu, especially if it changes seasonally.

    Alyse J.

    My friends and I had a great time at Rex at the Royal! The food was really good! It was pricey but affordable for an upscale brunch. I will say that the service could have been better, but we still overall had a great time and enjoyed the food and drinks!

    Shrimp & Grits
    Ashlee S.

    Full of flavor! I was in town on business travel during restaurant week so I decided to meet a friend for dinner at Rex at the Royal for dinner. We both went with the restaurant week menu but got different things. I went with the tempura vegetables, chicken with kale & street corn fish, and the key lime pie. My friend got the Caesar salad, shrimp & grits, and bread pudding. We both loved our food and also loved each other's meals. If I visit Philly again, I'd definitely visit Rex on the Royal again!

    Oysters, wings, and FRENCH FRIES with cheese sauce
    Lexi F.

    Rex at the Royal is my new favorite happy hour spot in the city. Not only is the bar huge so you're almost guaranteed a seat, but the menu is so so good. The Groundbreaking cocktail was like a lavender spritz, and such a deal at $9. The jalapeño cucumber ice was the most incredible accompaniment I've ever been served with oysters. And the cheese sauce for the fries?? Addicting! I believe they put old bay seasoning in there but whatever it is it's so tasty and worth the $2 extra. The bartenders were friendly and attentive and my drink was never empty. The bar is open before dinner service, which brings a nice mix of crowd that helps the restaurant come alive. And the peach cobbler is probably one of my new favorite desserts in the city. Can't wait to come back and try the whole menu!

    Joy H.

    I can't get over how good the shrimp and grits here is. After trying the dish for the first time in New Orleans, I thought I knew what shrimp and grits is supposed to taste like. After going to Rex and Royal, however, I must say that my expectation is calibrated to a different level of standard. The meaty jumbo shrimps were cooked just right, in that they were still juicy and not rubbery. The lumps of crab meat on the dish were a pleasant surprise along with the tangy tomatoes that added a citrusy aroma to the otherwise starchy dish. Everything on it was just delectable. I'll still be on a prowl for a place that serves shrimp and grits as good (or even better) than the one here, but it'll be a high bar for any other establishments to meet/beat. Aside from their noteworthy culinary offerings, their service and ambience were also grand. Our waitress checked up on us frequent enough to make sure our dishes and beverages were sufficiently served to meet our needs. Overall, dining at Rex is highly recommended experience.

    Crawfish Pot Pie

    The food is delicious!! Try the fried chicken dinner available on the weekends. The Crawfish pot pie is decadent.

    Ritesh S.

    Its giving NOLA in good ole Philly. Rex is sorta newish - I think they just celebrated their 1 year being open. It looks like a pandemic venture that's offering something comfortable, different, and served in style. We came for a late night dinner and it was an easy find on South Street - and also got nearby street parking! We were seated in the downstairs main dining space which was very comfortable. Inside it's dimly lit creating a lounge type environment. There was some calming jazz music being played as well adding to the effect. We ordered some small plates - the green tomatoes, Mac and cheese, and the "hoppin' John" - which was this rice based dish with okra, carrots, onions, celery, and black eye peas. We really enjoyed everything really well! Things came out as they were readied and the portions were perfect for two! Great service as well - we were checked in on plenty and all of our requests were well attended towards. Would def recommend - enjoy your time!!

    Makel D.

    My colleague and I met up here while on a work trip. I was excited to learn that it was a historical landmark --black owned theater! I was also excited to try the food. Food: 8/10 - Don't get me wrong, the food was pretty good! The wings, oysters and cornbread was a hit! The Mac and cheese wasn't bad, however not the best I've had. The oxtails were ok. They could've used a bit more flavor. My colleague said hers were on the fatty side and mine were in between but more meatier for me. Service- 8/10 - no complaints about the service. Our server was nice and welcoming. She explained the historical aspect of the venue and assisted with any questions about the menu. Ambiance- 9/10 - The ambiance is definitely a vibe. It gives a nice Philly vibe and would definitely come back for a live band. Overall it was great experience. Next time, I'll be sure to try more of the menu and their specialty cocktails. The cocktails seemed to look really good!

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    Ask the Community - Rex at the Royal

    Is there a dress code?

    I would agree with the other answers, nothing official but it is a nice place. I wore dress jeans and a nice top. Jackets are not required for guys, but leave the t shirt from your favorite concert at home!

    Does this place have bottomless brunch?

    No it does not.

    Are the city special burgers only available that week or can I order any special burger and day( like at regular price)?

    they always have burgers on the menu

    View All 8 Questions

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    We went to a house show until 5 a.m. the night before and woke up late. Our reso was at 1:30, but…read morewe called and pushed it to 2:30. The hostess said no problem. Great phone voice, by the way. We walked to the restaurant during the purported "heat dome" weekend. Fortunately, the air conditioning is pristine. We sat at the oyster bar and recommend you do so too. Our waiter was great. We should have caught his name but didn't. Either way, he was a real one. P spotted some absolute babe across the bar and asked our waiter what she was drinking. Important side note: attractive people dine here, but not in an intimidating way if you're a normie. Turns out it was a mocktail from the Zero Proof menu. We don't judge. Our waiter then turned us on to an OG move: order a mocktail and add booze. P got the Pink Drink and added vodka. J ordered a Bee's Knees and a Firing Squad. All above average. Anyway, we created an oyster flight and got two of each, working our way across the Eastern Seaboard. The house sauce was fantastic and incorporated some sort of onion and horseradish combination. We don't pretend to understand what that sorcery was, but keep doing it. Create your own GD oyster flight. You won't regret it. We also ordered some shrimp cocktail and shared the lobster roll sandwich. We forgot to take pics, but the generic photo attached is actually how it looks. Not a bad bite. This was the perfect amount of food for two hungover people who took IR Adderall before the walk. We lingered for a while and they don't push you out. Ended up ordering a couple IPAs. They started shucking oysters to prepare for the dinner crowd, which is neat to watch when you're on the spectrum like us. Also, the walls are covered in different oyster plates. We spent about 20 minutes discussing which one was our favorite. We landed on a green one. It's a real vibe lifter of a joint. Brought us back to life. 10/10.

    After walking around downtown, we were craving some seafood and decided to stop in…read more We started with the calamari and fries. Both were good, but the aiolis were a little overpowering when having them together. I'd probably choose one appetizer or the other next time rather than getting both--it gives your palate a little more of a chance to enjoy each flavor. For our entrée, we had the roasted oysters. They had a great mixture of flavors and were cooked perfectly. We finished with the key lime pie, which had a subtle, refreshing flavor, and I loved the coconut flakes on top. Our waiter was efficient and attentive, and the atmosphere made you feel like you could be sitting somewhere right beside the beach. I especially loved all the oyster plates covering the walls--such a fun touch that added to the coastal feel.

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    At only $120 per person and BYOB, this tasting menu is an absolute steal. From the first bite of…read morewarm bread and butter, I knew this place wasn't going to disappoint. The place was cozy and relaxing, with a nice view of the open kitchen. Our server was very attentive and all of our courses were paced perfectly. It's hard to choose a favorite dish, but I did love the cape cod oysters (and even had to order another two each!). The scallop toast was another standout, and I can completely understand why this is a staple on their ever-changing menu. All of the courses were fantastic, and I left feeling perfectly full. As the menu is seasonal, I'm sure I will be back sometime soon!

    I have been in Philly most of my life and this restaurant has been around a while. (Definitely not…read moreas long as me) but I remember coming here at its first location and being blown away by the food and atmosphere, years ago. It seemed to be on the forefront of the dining scene in Philadelphia and felt so special. It's still special. The location has changed and the concept has changed, but it still delivers the intimate setting and mind-blowing innovative, fresh food. I came here with two friends for a belated birthday meal and everything was delicious! This is a pre-set tasting menu so one gets to sit back, relax and relish in each dish that is placed on the table. The Prince Edward Island mussels were so fresh and delicious and I also loved the grilled mountain trout! But truly, all dishes were carefully crafted and were a delight! Bring wine and enjoy this place. Service is professional and elegant and the food is some of the best this city offers. (Still!)

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    Rex at the Royal - southern - Updated September 2026

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