Neighborhood: Wicker Park

Vegetarian Options Rating: ★★★★★

Pescatarian Options Rating: ★★★★★

Affordability: ★★★

Ambience: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★

Food Quality: ★★★★★

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Pub Royale is a true favorite of mine as someone who loves Indian food but enjoys their creative approach to it.  They have amazing brunch and dinner and have delivered excellent food consistently.  I first had an issue with the whole British Pub with Indian food theme given the context of British colonization and I still think it’s a questionable theme.

The ambience is really delightful though and the food/drinks are stellar.  They have a unique aesthetic and the lighting is perfect for a Friday night with friends or a date.  The cocktails are affordable for Chicago (around $9) and are absolutely refreshing.

Their Gobi Manchurian is heavenly with a sweet and sour flavor that is well-balanced.  It is one of the best Gobi’s I have had in the city.  I love the sweet and sour balance and they are generous with the sauce.  I am also a big fan of their butter paneer.  It’s sweeter than the traditional one but it tastes delicious and there is a generous portion of paneer dispersed with peppers.  The paneer is kind of minced up throughout the sauce and they serve it with delicious paratha bread on the side.

Their curry mussels are stellar as well. I want to drink the coconut curry sauce out of the bowl.  It’s just a perfect balance of flavors and it’s so well seasoned.  I have also had their eggplant curry and it is very unique.  There are fried shallots on top and the eggplant is served in chunks over rice.  The sauce is absolutely delicious, it’s a nice balance of tomato and curry.  The basmati rice is also made well and is served on the bottom of the eggplant curry to soak up the sauce.  But it’s not drowning in rice so you still get that amazing sauce.

This is also a must for brunch!  Their avocado paratha is a spectacular secret.  The avocado is drizzled with chili oil and is a huge portion for brunch.  I have also tried their disco fries (which are no longer on the menu) and they were phenomenal.  There was squash in there with paneer and an amazing tomato-butter sauce.

Their fries by themselves are delicious too and are served with a tasty aioli.  And please have their bloody mary cocktail because it is one of the best Bloody Marys I have ever had!  Just wow! It’s spicy but not too intense for someone that is accustomed to spices.