0 Followers
Chateau Royale
Master Critic Review
Chateau Royale
8.4
Opened in 2025 by the team behind Libertine, Chateau Royale is a bi-level Greenwich Village townhouse serving updated French classics like duck à l’orange, lobster thermidor, and caviar-stuffed beggar’s purses. Critics and early regulars treat it as a modern special-occasion spot, anchored by theatrical martini carts and a plush, vintage-leaning dining room upstairs.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beggar’s Purse with ossetra caviar, Duck à l’orange, Filet au poivre
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: New-wave French townhouse with throwback dishes, martini carts, and glam.
Who should go: Special-occasion diners wanting indulgent, theatrical French cooking.
When to visit: Evenings for full upstairs dining room experience and martini cart.
What to order: Beggar’s Purse, duck à l’orange, filet au poivre with fries.
Insider tip: Request an upstairs table when booking if you want the most formal, transportive experience.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce in this part of the Village; plan for nearby paid garages on W 3rd or Mercer. No valet service currently.
Dress code: Upscale smart casual—most guests lean dressy. Jackets not required but common; avoid overly casual athletic wear.
Noise level: Moderate upstairs and livelier downstairs—conversation is comfortable at two-tops, with some buzz during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Expect no availability without a reservation; walk-ins are often waitlisted 60–90 minutes or turned away once the list closes.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—Chateau Royale does not serve lunch.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection—several entrées and starters can be made vegetarian, and the kitchen is familiar with accommodating requests.
Vegan options: Limited—French technique makes substitutions difficult, but the kitchen can assemble a vegan-friendly composed dish with advance notice.
Gluten-free options: Many dishes are naturally gluten-free or can be adapted; servers proactively guide guests to safe choices, though no separate prep area exists.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its plush townhouse setting, attentive service, and theatrical touches (like the martini cart) create an impressive but not intimidating atmosphere ideal for a memorable first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possibly early in the evening or very late, but prime hours are typically fully booked. Walk-ins may be offered bar seating downstairs if space opens.
Is it kid-friendly? Best for older teens; the space is formal, the menu rich, and seating tight. No children’s menu or stroller-friendly layout.
Best For
Better for: Chateau Royale excels at high-glam French dining with updated classics and a more theatrical, special-occasion feel than other Village brasseries.
Skip if: Skip if you want a casual neighborhood bistro, quicker service, or lighter, modern French cooking without the celebratory flourishes.