Royal Tavern is home to the city’s best bar food. At the Queen Village spot, you can have it all: great drinks and memorable dishes, all while wearing something as casual as a South Philly High t-shirt. Every night of the week, they offer a menu of wings, sandwiches, and hearty comfort mains that are all made for ravenous consumption. The low-lit, wood-filled space is the kind of spot you’d like to meet friends and make new ones over a beer. Originally opened in 2002, the beloved neighborhood spot finally re-opened following a Covid shutdown. Old regulars who prayed to a lawn chair-shaped candle for Royal to reopen share their darkest secrets with new devotees. There might be a family movie playing on one TV and a Sixers game on the other. It’s a laidback, effortless neighborhood experience in a place with a menu that requires a lot of effort. The kitchen, which closes at 1am, is a saving grace for anyone who deserves more than a Wawa hoagie after midnight. Yes, there’s a fantastically juicy burger with smoked gouda, bacon, and pickled long hots, and wings that are satisfyingly crispy. But there are also some items you wouldn’t expect from a place with 12 beers on tap. There are freakishly delicate pastry puffs filled with lump crab, grilled short rib with a chimichurri we’d like some alone time with, and a number of vegan dishes. The excellent, hefty sandwiches are meals unto themselves, and better than you’ll find at any other bar in the city. Head here on a casual weeknight, late night, or when you’re craving a beer and house-smoked bologna while listening to Elton John. Royal’s a great bar—the food just happens to be more important than the booze.