Café Royale

Café Royale is a Paris-style café and bar at The Exchange in Midtown Raleigh, east of North Hills. It opened on October 5, 2026, in the ground-floor space WRK by The Optimist once used, and it runs from morning coffee to late-night Champagne.

Patrick Shanahan and Robby Opperman own the café, and Frederique Leonard is the general manager. The menu covers espresso, croissants, macarons, salads, onion soup and caviar, with the Croque Monsieur as the signature sandwich. The drink list leans on Champagne, Cognac and gin cocktails. A bright arch at The Exchange marks the spot.

What to know

• The owners also run Capulet Cocktail Club next door and Rosebud downtown.
• Peregrine chef Saif Rahman helped guide the menu.
• Blinis and caviar to share cost $48.
• The café shares an outdoor patio with Capulet Cocktail Club.
• Coffee and afternoon tea come from Illy.