Royal Sushi & Izakaya

Royal Sushi & Izakaya

780 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, United States

+1 267-909-9002

Japanese restaurant, Restaurant, Sushi restaurant
(1085)
Share Your Experience
About Full Menu Hours Map Contact Reviews

About This Place

Royal Sushi & Izakaya, nestled in the heart of Philadelphia’s Old City, stands out as a premier destination for Japanese cuisine enthusiasts seeking an authentic yet innovative dining experience. Specializing in sushi and izakaya-style dishes, this vibrant restaurant offers a menu that delights the senses and caters to both adventurous palates and traditional tastes alike.

From the moment you step inside, the lively yet intimate atmosphere sets the stage for a memorable meal. Whether seated at the bustling sushi bar or at one of the warmly lit tables, guests are treated to attentive service that reflects the passion and care behind every dish. The restaurant’s distinct Japanese izakaya vibe—energetic and inviting—strikes a perfect balance between casual fun and refined dining.

Royal Sushi & Izakaya’s menu is a treasure trove of beautifully crafted offerings bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. Start your journey with the Aburi Sake Nigiri, where lightly seared salmon elevates the traditional nigiri experience with a smoky richness that melts effortlessly on the tongue. The Chirashi Bowl presents a colorful medley of premium sashimi laid atop perfectly seasoned rice, each bite offering an exquisite balance of textures and freshness.

For those who crave inventive combinations, the Tuna GuacChashu BunsOmakase Sashimi

On the side, the crisp and refreshing Seaweed SaladUni CaviarUni Toro TemakiWarm Sake, perfect for savoring the subtle flavors of each dish while enhancing the overall harmony of your dining experience.

Regular diners like Megan Cunningham rave about the “amazing dining experience” with attentive bartenders and perfectly executed dishes at every visit. Frequent guest RJ captures the essence of the place perfectly, describing it as their “favorite Japanese restaurant ever,” praising both the electric vibe and the consistently incredible food. Meanwhile, Joshua Fields appreciates the opportunity to share diverse plates — particularly spotlighting the fresh Tuna Guacamole and the crave-worthy Chicken Katsu Sando.

Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a night out, Royal Sushi & Izakaya’s expansive and thoughtfully crafted menu ensures there is a perfect dish for every craving. As Ben Conrad succinctly puts it, this establishment is “probably one of the best Japanese restaurants in the US” — a high compliment from someone seasoned in Japan’s culinary scene.

At Royal Sushi & Izakaya, every meal is an artful exploration of Japanese flavors balanced with contemporary twists, set within a space that feels both dynamic and personal. It’s a must-visit for anyone looking to experience an unmatched blend of taste, atmosphere, and genuine hospitality in Philadelphia.

Service options
Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service Great beer selection Great cocktails Great tea selection Great wine list
Popular for
Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Happy-hour drinks Healthy options Late-night food Small plates Spirits Vegan options Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Dinner Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Lively Romantic Trendy
Crowd
Locals Tourists
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended Accepts reservations Usually a wait
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    Closed
  • Tuesday
    05:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    05:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Thursday
    Closed
  • Friday
    05:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Saturday
    05:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Sunday
    Closed

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Megan Cunningham
    2 week ago

    Amazing dining experience! We have been looking forward to trying this place and it definitely didn’t disappoint. We sat at the bar and had a very attentive and friendly bartender. All of the food (and we ordered a lot) was perfect. We can’t wait to go back!

  • Roxanne Cojocariu
    1 month ago

    My honest review of Royal Sushi and Izakaya in Old City. I was eager to try some of their a La carte items because getting a reservation for their omakase seems almost impossible to get one of their limited 8 seats! My friend and I were happy to find that there was only a 15 minute wait before we were seated. Our waitress recommended 3-4 items per person, and including our tasty dessert, we left feeling cozy and pleasantly full! We ordered the spinach gomaee (first photo & second photo, top-right) which was amazing - black sesame is such a decadent flavor and paired so well with the spinach. We also got their tuna guac (second picture, bottom) and the tuna was so fresh and soft, it practically melted in my mouth and meshed so well with the tasty guacamole. We also ordered one of their kitchen specials, grilled trumpet mushrooms (second picture, top-left). The mushrooms were tender, but we needed a knife to make bite-sized pieces because it just wasn’t easy to bite into, but they were marinated in this savory sauce and it was absolutely delicious! We got their uni cream pasta (photos 3 & 4) which was incredible. The sauce had this Parmesan mascarpone taste with a hint of some kind of acidic lemon flavor; and it was such a perfect blend of flavors. Best of all, to our total surprise, it was topped with gold leaves! First time eating gold and it was a bougie and magnificent treat Their agedashi nasu tofu (photo 5) came in a very tasty but simple broth. It almost tasted like chicken broth but it was a perfect balance for the tofu and all the green onion-type garnishes. I’ve also never had saba shioyaki (salt-broiled mackerel, photo 6) and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I kept coming back for more. The fish was so fresh and perfectly salted. With a bite of rice in between every few mackerel bites, you just can’t go wrong. Their karaage wings (photo 7) were cooked to actual perfection. The skin was super crispy with the meat being so tender and juicy inside. Sadly, not pictured was one of the stars of the evening which was the kamo rosu (duck breast). This was another first for me and it was incredible. The duck was so soft and the tare sauce had an umami element to it that really elevated the dish. It also came with karashi which is a Japanese hot mustard and was such an excellent dipping sauce, it tasted like a well-balanced blend of mustard and horseradish. To finish things off, for dessert, we got their royal sundae (photo 8) which was a super tasty sweet corn ice cream with actual corn throughout, and topped with a salty caramel sauce and dollops of mascarpone. It also had these really tasty cookie bites that seemed familiar but we just couldn’t place the flavor. We also ordered their yuzu cake (photo 9) that came with the most amazing sauce that had a slight taste reminiscent to lemon curd. The spongy cake was baked just right and the light sauce was the perfect touch to a delectable treat.

  • Joshua Fields
    1 month ago

    Royal Izakaya is a fun dining experience for sharing and trying many cool dishes. The Tuna guacamole was super fresh and their Chicken Katsu Sando was my favorite of the meal. The Duck was good, kinda like a cold cut platter but imo the Mustard was extremely overpowering. All affordable and inside a nice dining space, this spot is very legit and is worth the try.

  • Ben Conrad
    3 month ago

    My favorite restaurant in the city. Probably one of the best Japanese restaurants in the US. I've been to Japan several times so I don't say that lightly. Expansive menu with plenty of choices for a special occasion or must a regular night out. Amazing staff as well.

  • RJ
    4 month ago

    We’ve been to Royal Sushi & Izakaya more times than we can count and not once have we had anything less than an incredible experience. This place has become a personal favorite for my wife and I, and honestly, it might just be our favorite Japanese restaurant ever. The vibe are always spot-on; lively and fun on the izakaya side, with incredible energy, yet still intimate enough to enjoy a thoughtful meal. Every dish we’ve ordered, from small plates to sushi, is packed with bold flavors and precise execution. The fish is consistently fresh and expertly prepared, and even the cooked dishes never feel like filler — everything has intention. We’ve even ordered takeout multiple times, and the quality never slips. Pickup is a breeze, there’s a small window on the side of the restaurant where you just give them your name, and within seconds, the staff brings out your order. My wife is completely obsessed with this place and especially with Chef Jesse Ito. She follows his every move on social media, and it’s become a bit of a tradition for us to talk about one day finally scoring seats at his legendary omakase. It’s at the top of our culinary bucket list, and until then, the izakaya keeps us more than satisfied. Royal Sushi & Izakaya isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a temple of culinary excellence. Every meal here is a reminder that food can be art, ritual, and joy all at once. The precision, the passion, and the soul that go into every bite put Royal in a league of its own. If you have the chance to go, don’t hesitate. Just go. Again and again.

Share Your Experience

Your Rating

Discover What Travelers Love About This Place

Real experiences, honest impressions, and insights shared by the Wherevi community to help you explore with confidence.