Royal Hen

As someone who lives locally and has had multiple good experiences with the hen I want to put in a good word for the restaurant. The foods great and pretty much every dish is on the money. Service is personal and they pay you attention to your dining experience as an individual. Ambiance is cute and has a little bit of charm that feels inviting yet elevated. There's a reason that the locals say it's the best restaurant on the island.

They were so kind when it unexpectedly started to rain on us. Very quickly moved us under cover so we could finish our meal, which was delicious. The burger was super good, cooked excellently. We were here to celebrate Christmas since we couldn’t be together on the actual day and they made it a night to remember. We will definitely be coming back in the future

My wife and I have been looking for a place like this for a long time. Nowadays, it's impossible to find a truly original place where the food will be interesting and delicious at the same time. Unfortunately, such restaurants are only present in Europe and large cities in the United States. But the food here, it's a revelation. Thank you, we'll be your regular customers.

great service and high quality food. my husband got the burger and loved it. the brussel sprouts were cooked to perfection. the server and owner cynthia were so welcoming and kind, and made it feel like home. can’t wait to go back!

Really cozy restaurant with a great menu and pleasant servers.
I love the ambience. Perfect for date night or a family dinner. Tiger Prawns are extremely tasty.
I had the Zucchini pesto noodles and mussels

Nothing is better as a traveler than walking into a bar full of locals who welcome you with open arms. TY for the incredible food and ideal place to wind down from our long day of conference center life.

Can we just talk about how great this place is? We had great food and wonderful service! We will be back again!

From the moment we entered until the minute we left it was nothing short off amazing. Our greeting, service, food etc. was nothing short of wonderful.

Asparagus wrap & bread were great starters. And Cheeseburger was solid. Cinthia was a great host to us.

This cute place became my favorite restaurant in Balboa Island last night. Nice selection of wines by the glass, delicious food, cool vibes, great service and amazing staff. We’ll definitely be back.

Partner and I were visiting from out of town and found this place via google maps. Had several glasses of wine, the shishito peppers, zucchini blossoms, salmon, and the short rib fettuccini. Everything was delicious. Highly recommend. Owner was lovely to chat to. We’ll be back next time we’re in town.

Went here with family for a drink and some appetizers and we all really enjoyed the atmosphere and friendly staff. If you order the bread, be sure to ask for a side of curry for dipping! It was recommended to us by a regular, and it proved to be the right move. We will be back.

Amazing experience! It was a busy night during the holidays. They originally couldn’t accommodate our reservation but they texted a couple hours after when something freed up. It’s a level of customer engagement you never see in SoCal. It was the perfect night for our family visiting from out of town and I can’t say enough about our experience. Highly recommend.

Wife and I flew out from Austin to p meet her family in Balboa area and were blessed to find this place on a lucky search. Owner is outstanding and the service is superb, wait until you eat. Mind blown. Would recommend to anyone!!! Must visit.

This cozy bistro is like a warm hug. There is a positive vibe that resonates. The three of us had different entrees; pasta, fish and juicy burger. All beautifully served and delicious.

Had an amazing night here! The food is amazing and creative and the hospitality was off the charts! 100% will recommend and go back.

By far my favorite spot in all of Orange County. I’ve been coming here for a year and a half now and Cynthia and the entire staff have always treated me like I was a long lost loved one! I thought I was special but it turns out, after witnessing it over countless evenings here, that they treat everyone like that! The food and the wine is beyond expectation as well. (Don’t pass on the chicken pot pie!!) When I asked about holding a private event there, it was so easy and was a massive hit. Thank you so much Cynthia and the entire crew there at the Royal Hen! A must go for Newport and all of OC.

Let's go to Europe. No let's stay on the island. Well enjoy both, go for dinner at Royal Hen.
Great food, cosy atmosphere, Cynthia is the absolute best hostess.

The food here was totally worth it and affordable for the quality! Service was wonderful and I enjoyed the experience all in all.

Even if there is a wait to get in, it's worth it. The environment is fantastic. The staff is friendly. The food is delicious. I wish I had eaten here for years before I came across it. The area is great to walk around, so if you're from out of town, plan on walking through the sights. See the beach. And then we back to Royal Hen to eat. You won't regret it.