Brunch may be the headline act at The Royale Eatery, but to stop there would be a mistake. Beneath the buzz of waffles and cocktails lies a menu inspired by global travel, cultural fusion, and a deep commitment to delivering a memorable dining experience—one plate at a time.
Having been highly touted by Robin Wood, a Contra Costa County Foodie, after months of fabulous photographs of dishes I caved and opted to give it a try after receiving an invite. The experience was top notch and definitely secured future plans with family and friends.
Located at 2190 Contra Costa Boulevard in Pleasant Hill, The Royale opened its doors in February and is the brainchild of Bo and Ed Jantaradejduangdee, alongside Nikki Thepsayuwan. Together, the trio set out to create something the area didn’t yet have: a Thai- and Asian-inspired menu with a global fusion twist, pulling flavors and techniques from across the world.
The name itself—The Royale—is intentional. It reflects their belief that every guest who walks through the doors should be treated like royalty. More than branding, it’s a motto that drives how they approach hospitality, service, and food.
A Concept Years in the Making
The three partners have known one another for more than a decade. Thepsayuwan owns two restaurants in San Francisco, while Jantaradejduangdee comes from a marketing and internet background. Their shared love of food and travel eventually evolved into a restaurant concept that had been brewing for years.
“I live here in Pleasant Hill,” Ed explained. “The idea and concepts had been in the works for a long time. It came from collecting experiences from dining around the world and trying amazing food.”
Committed to the community he calls home, Ed chose Pleasant Hill as the location for their vision. Construction and permitting took nearly a year, and while the team planned to ease into opening, demand had other ideas.
“We tried to go slow at first so we could train and get our processes worked out,” he said. “But we couldn’t control it—people loved it and kept coming. We just want every dish to be perfect and create an experience people will remember.”
Many of the dishes served at The Royale are inspired by meals the owners enjoyed abroad—foods they couldn’t find locally and wanted to recreate in a familiar yet accessible way. That isn’t always easy.
“Sometimes ingredients that make the dish aren’t readily available,” Ed said. “So we have to plan around that. That’s why it’s an experience—it’s hard to find some of these dishes, and we want everyone to be able to enjoy great food at a reasonable price.”
Filling a Gap in Contra Costa County
While fusion cuisine is common throughout much of the Bay Area, Thepsayuwan noticed a gap closer to home.
“Most other areas in the Bay Area have fusion-style restaurants, but not Contra Costa County,” she explained. “We wanted to offer something this area didn’t have.”
That novelty initially caused some confusion. The concept—described as a “fusion breakfast” with influences from Spain, Asia, and Japan—was unfamiliar to many locals.
“At first, people didn’t really understand it,” she said. “But once they try it, they get it.”
Everything at The Royale is made from scratch using fresh ingredients, with careful attention paid to each dish.
“There’s a lot of effort behind everything we do,” the team shared. “We fuse cultures together. We love what we do and want everyone to leave happy—and come back.”
Chicken Waffle: Belgian waffle, home friend chicken thigh, mixed berries, warmed butter maple syrup
Chef-Driven Creativity
The menu is constantly evolving, shaped by seasonality, ingredient availability, and creativity. Bo credits much of the execution to their chef, who takes ideas from the trio and turns them into standout dishes.
“We talk about it, and he uses his magic to make it amazing,” Bo said. “I’m picky, so we try many versions before something makes the menu.”
One dish was non-negotiable from the start: chicken and waffles.
Thankful for Community Support
The biggest challenge, the owners admit, was educating diners about the concept. Word of mouth became their strongest ally, bolstered by social media and local Pleasant Hill Facebook groups that shared photos, reviews, and personal experiences.
“What’s really nice is when people give feedback—good or bad—others now defend us,” they said. “We appreciate that support. Everything helps us be better.”
L to R: Fiery Spaghetti & Tom Yum Paella
Chef Recommendations
For first-time visitors overwhelmed by choices, The Royale often suggests starting with four signature dishes:
- Chicken and Waffles – Belgian waffle, home friend chicken thigh, mixed berries, warmed butter maple syrup
- The Majestic – braised short rib or lamb neck, garlic mashed potatoes, grilled broccolini, roasted French baby carrots and red wine sauce
- Tom Yum Paella – lobster tail, red shrimps, mussels, calamari, short-grain rice, lemongrass, kiffar lime leaves, galangal, chill paste, chill-lime citrus sauce, tried shallots
- Holy Chili Bomb Omurice w/Sirloin Steak – basil fried rice, black angus premium choice, French omelet, crispy basil, spicy red wine sauce
Travel continues to influence the menu. On a recent trip to London, the team discovered duck confit which they loved so much they recreated it back home for Pleasant Hill diners.
“The challenge is always ingredient availability and supply chain issues,” Nikki noted. “We work hard to reserve ingredients year-round so the flavor doesn’t change.”
Their ultimate goal is simple: bring global diversity into one space and serve food that reminds people of home—wherever that may be.
L to R: Winter Wonderland & Iced Ube Latte
Editor’s Experience
While the menu takes time to explore, the hardest decision is simply what to order. The drink menu is equally compelling.
The Excalibur, The Royale’s take on an Old Fashioned, is a standout. Seasonal favorites like Winter Wonderland—with vodka, eggnog liqueur, crème de cacao, egg white, and caramel—deliver festive flair, while the Iced Ube Latte offers something playful and unexpected.
I’ll admit, I’m not typically a chicken-and-waffles person—but this dish changed my mind entirely. The waffle practically melts in your mouth, and the chicken is exceptional. It may very well be the best chicken and waffles in Contra Costa County–yea, I said it, best in Contra Costa County.
The Tom Yum Paella was a home run. Generous, beautifully cooked, and packed with seafood, it’s a dish I’d order nine times out of ten. No offense to the rest of the menu—this one is just my style.
For pure visual drama, the Smoked Atlantic Salmon Benedict is a must-try. Watching the golden yolk spill over the salmon and English muffin is half the experience.
The Fiery Spaghetti delivers exactly what the name promises. It’s bold, spicy, and packed with seafood. While I could only manage a few bites after everything else, they were absolutely worth it.
A Royal Addition to Pleasant Hill
The Royale Eatery lives up to its name, its motto, and its mission. It’s far more than a brunch spot—it’s a destination. Central County may have had this gem mostly to itself in 2025, but my hope for 2026 is that the rest of the Bay Area catches on.
This is one of the good ones—a huge win for Pleasant Hill and for food lovers everywhere.
More info:
- Website: The Royale – Breakfast & Brunch | Pleasant Hill, CA
- Location: 2190 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
- Phone: (925) 483-2219
- Instagram: Click Here
