★ 5

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★ 5

Excellent local cousine and dessert.

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★ 5

Hands down the best burger in Milwaukee. And let me tell you—it’s not a cheeseburger, it’s a please-burger… because one bite and you’re saying “please, can I get another?”

What made the experience even better was the bartender—who just happens to be the James Beard award-winning chef’s wife. You know what they say: behind every great man is an even greater woman. And that’s totally her. She was welcoming, helpful, and just plain awesome.

The burger? Absolutely lived up to the hype. Juicy, flavorful, stacked to perfection. The Diplomac isn’t just a burger—it’s an experience. And trust me, you’ll be pleased.
Ps. The ketchup is homemade ! And the fries are hand cut !

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★ 5

There's nothing like going to an independent, family owned restaurant from a James Beard Chef award winner who's in the kitchen and his wife is giving you the best service possible! Outstanding, period, end of story.

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★ 5

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★ 3

I’ve been here once before and had an excellent experience, so I was eager to take my son and best friend last night. We had reservations and arrived early, and were seated. I ordered the chicken ($65) and they each ordered the NY Strip ($72). We did order the fries as an appetizer and got it and our drinks right away—started out perfect. After about 50 minutes my chicken came, but not the steaks. Another 40 minutes passed and still no steaks. We asked staff twice and didn’t get a satisfactory answer as if they didn’t know themselves what was taking so long, which was possible. We were getting really annoyed and had run out of patience so we asked for them to go because we had already been there almost 2 hours. We spent almost $400 and felt like the staff didn’t think there was anything wrong with waiting 90 minutes for your dinner. I’m not one to make a scene and I tipped 25% bc I always give the benefit of the doubt (it was a very busy, rainy Saturday night; he said something about a mix-up in the kitchen). The food was amazing, it was the communication and accountability that was sorely lacking. I truly feel they should have offered to pay for one of the steak dinners. I wasn’t going to ask and be an asshole—- it would’ve been nice if it had been offered though.

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★ 5

Absolutely excellent in every aspect. Food was wonderful, service was attentive and friendly. Dane and Anna are exceptional humans, and their establishment reflects that.

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★ 5

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★ 2

Service is VERY slow. Food was OK.

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★ 4

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★ 1

Visited last Saturday when they lost power.

Showed up early for cocktails and had a great time at the bar. Bartender was great, but everything changed when we were seated.

Waitress took our order of 2 small appetizers and a cocktail each and then ignored us for over an hour. She was gone so long I had to ask another waiter for a new jug of water.

Waitress only came back after they lost all power in the restaurant. She came back and told us they will only cook fries and bread, which confused us. The waiter for the table next to us told those diners they were still cooking in the kitchen, so hearing about only fries and bread was disappointing. I asked my girlfriend what she wanted to do and she kind of froze since it was a bizarre situation in the dark.

I decide to order one of each and a bottle of wine since we went for a reason, but that was a mistake. We should have just left.

After I told the waitress, she then proceeds to talk to my girlfriend in such a manner she no longer felt welcome at the restaurant. I forget the exact details, but the gist was the stress they were feeling working there was a lot more the weirdness we were feeling being in a restaurant in the dark. What a bizarre thing to tell a paying customer.

So, my girlfriend leaves to go for a walk and I get the check. Once I pay, I try to bring up to the waitress we were disappointed in the service aspect. She then proceeds to basically blow up on me and said she takes great offense. Turns out, it’s the co-owner and chef’s wife. She then brings the chef over to hear the situation and I try to calmly tell him what I was feeling and he essentially doesn’t listen and kicks me out.

Overall, the most disappointing dining experience I’ve ever had. There are better places in Milwaukee, especially in relation to service.

Source: Google

★ 1

We felt insulted. They were going through a power outage and they called us ahead of time to let us know and we're fine, they said the kitchen was working and just some areas didn't have lighting.
We have watched videos on YouTube about best restaurants in Milwaukee and they were listed, there's a video with the chef too, very pleasant and proud of his food, so we were excited.

At arrival we were promptly seated, waiter was very friendly, everyone very friendly at first.
We ordered two drinks, we were told the bar was functioning normal, I ordered a bourbon on the rocks and my hubs ordered an old fashioned.
It took a very long time for the drinks, the restaurant wasn't packed and there were only 2 people at the bar when we walked in, so I made a comment, in the end is as if I was offending the chefs mother personally, all I said politely was "we are worried about the time food will take if the drinks are taking 30 minutes" we had a commented after.

That's was the end of our night. Not sure which message was conveyed to the chef but he called us in the kitchen to show the conditions they were working under and it was a difficult day. We simply responded politely, again, actually pleasant I gave him a compliment that I was feeling like I got called to VIP since we watched his videos and he looks like such a good chef.
We ordered the pickled eggs, which I will not comment, am cautious about repercussions from the chef.
The fries were the best we had in our history of restaurants, hundreds plus, that's how good it was.

Next thing we know the manager, I think was the manager, came to our table and told us the chef was going to cover our drinks and appetizers, to not worry about it, it wasn't what we were asking for but he insisted.
We didn't feel it was right and we wanted to order more items we would be paying for and the waiter said he was going to ask the chef, and the chef came out of the kitchen so aggressively hitting our table saying that it was paid for and he was done. I don't recall the exact words but he literally kicked us out of the restaurant.

We felt so extremely insulted, it was just so bizarre we couldn't believe it was actually happening. We were not disrespectful in any possible way and the way we were treated was insulting, offensive, disrespectfully and it was almost an assault. It was as if he was releasing all the stress of the day on innocent people, we were hand picked to release anger.

We never asked for free food and never once we were rude or confrontational with any of the staff. We were very pleasant.
We left a 10.00 tip and left baffled as to what had just happened.
Next thing I know, they called me saying they didn't want our tip and was going to find a way to send it back to us. We don't want your money!

We don't want go back ever, I don't even want to drive on the same street anymore, we are so offended, we were never treated with such disrespect anywhere, literally anywhere.

Worst experience we have ever had in a restaurant or any stablishment for that matter, and we have been to 4 countries and hundreds of restaurants.

God bless these people with a drop of decency before they treat another customer the same way. It's an assault.

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★ 5

Clean establishment. Nice aesthetics. Welcoming owner

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★ 5

I’ve been meaning to dine in at The Diplomat for a while now and I’m so glad I finally did. Everything from start to finish was phenomenal. We tried the deviled eggs, tartine, onion salad, the trout, the chocolate mousse and truly loved them all. There’s a lot of intention and care that goes into every little part of the experience. Cant wait to go back!!

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★ 5

Excellent meal at the diplomat! The burger is the best in Milwaukee!

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★ 5

One of my favorite restaurants in Milwaukee for sure! Best date spot! My girlfriend and I have been 3 times and we love trying new things on their menu. We ventured out and got the venison tenderloin last Friday and we were not disappointed! So good! The pickled deviled eggs are must! 5/5 will be back again :)

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★ 5

Andrew almost entirely potato dinner but so satisfied. Although still wishing had gotten the burger that two others were devouring and raving about next to at the bar. Excellent tartar with the salted fish hash brown, and it overall was glad tried. Could have skipped the wedges but we're great non the less. Fantastic cocktails, will be back for more and that burger next time in town

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★ 5

Excellent experience. Can't believe it took so long for us to try the Diplomat. Dishes prepared with care and skill, excellent flavors and wonderful service. Will return for sure, lots of menu items we didn't get to try yet

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★ 1

I’m still kind of baffled. Our waiter took my wife’s order and then walked away. Eventually he asked me if I wanted anything almost 30 minutes later. It was very awkward eating my meal in front of my wife well after she finished her meal. Weirdest dinner night ever.

update … owner called me (creepy) and told me off and hung up. Wow . So professional. The weirdest part of the call was after I told him that I was a waiter for years, and when he asked me what restaurants I worked at I told him the names and indicated that one closed and is no longer around around to which he replied, “I wonder why that is.” In a sarcastic tone. Really? Haha Then he asked me WHY I tipped 20%. Almost like he didn’t know how little he pays his staff. I was a waiter so I knew it was my duty to pay his waiter the money he wasn’t paying him

A strange experience during the meal and hours after when he called me. You should check it out

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★ 5

Delicious! Great service!

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★ 5

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★ 5

All I can say is Wow! Our dinner at the Diplomat was one of the best dinner experiences we have ever had. We made reservations to celebrate our son’s college graduation and Anna, the manager, as well as our server, Nicci, made us feel so welcome and waited on so attentively. The food and drinks were delicious and the overall experience was absolutely delightful!! Highly recommend this restaurant, you will not be disappointed.

Source: Google

★ 5

The Diplomat staff are friendly and welcoming, while providing service that rivals Michelin star restaurants, and providing food that is delightful while still approachable. This has become my favorite stop in Milwaukee, as it hits on every level. Their atmosphere and bar make it a great stop for a drink and apps at the beginning of a night on Brady, while also being perfect for an upscale date night.

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★ 5

The Diplomat serves inventive and well-crafted fare. We tried the lamb cheeks and roasted pork belly for appetizers, and both were excellent. For the main course, we opted for the rainbow trout, which was delicious—the vegetables were fantastic as well.

The ambience is warm and inviting, with a dimly lit setting and a muted color palette, almost Nordic with a Midwest twist. I can see why this place is often ranked among the top restaurants in the Midwest—it also explains why the chef won the prestigious James Beard Award.

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★ 5

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★ 4

The ambiance and the service at The Diplomat were outstanding. The designer of the space truly has a gift for creating spaces that are beautiful and welcoming. The waiter was experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly. We found each item of food to be extra salty yet definitely better than average. The bar and the drinks were balanced and well crafted. A great date night!

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★ 5

Amazing meal!

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★ 5

Carson was a wonderful waiter!!! For my first time here he did a great job of explaining the entire concept. The food was so delicious we tried so many items, don’t let the small menu fool you EVERYTHING we had was so good. Short rib, diplomat fries, lamb cheeks, pretzels, honey butter biscuit, and the dipolmac.

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★ 5

Favorite small plate: Beet Salad
Favorite entree: magret duck, or short rib
All three $9 desserts are fantastic

I've eaten here 20+ times. The menu changes.

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★ 4

Great food and nice selection of wine by the glass

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Well done! Superlative service. Food exceeded my expectations. Desserts are phenomenal. Will absolutely be back.

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★ 3

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★ 5

I really liked the trout

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★ 5

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★ 1

We were excited for a date night here. After waiting 1.5 hours for our entree and watching 3 tables that came in after us get served we left. We shared an onion salad and a pate plate. Asking the waitress when our duck would be ready she couldn't tell us. She was snippy and said they were short staffed. But not short staffed enough that 3 other tables were served before us. We were hungry and our date night was ruined. The service was awful and the wait was too long. We were blamed for not waiting long enough. This place is not not worth it. Expensive,rude staff, and long waits for food.

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★ 5

Outstanding meal…. very well prepared food at reasonable prices for foodie level quality / experience (ceasar salad, beet salad, grits, & Diplomac).

Salads are a bit small, especially for sharing. Wish we would have saved room for desert.

Service was personable and impeccable (thanks Anna).

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★ 5

Our server, Shea, was amazing!
Food, vibes and drinks made my dinner out with my aunt A+

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★ 1

After much anticipation, I finally managed to visit The Diplomat. For those who follow me, you know I rarely leave google reviews, and when I do, it’s typically because an experience is either exceptional or utterly disappointing. My Google reviews,are reserved for places that demand attention—sometimes for the right reasons, sometimes for the wrong ones. Consider this one of the latter.

First attempt: I arrived with a group, unannounced and without a reservation, and was met with what can only be described as performative service. They pretended to “find us a table” but ultimately wasted our time. Add to this the chef was rude to say the least. I won’t comment beyond this. Regardless even thou their demeanor warranted us being upset I gave them the benefit of doubt. They are fairly popular I thought and we came without a reservation.

Second attempt: I gave them another chance, this time as a party of two, at the start of service , thinking a smaller group and not in the height of the night, and not during the weekend, might showcase their ability to handle things better. It didn’t. Same disorganized energy, same lack of effort. For perspective the place was almost empty. Yet they didn’t have a table.

Third attempt: Determined to give them a fair shot, I came with a reservation. Somehow, they still couldn’t locate it. The staff seemed disconnected, the system chaotic, and the overall experience frustratingly unprofessional.

Now, let’s talk about the food: It was fine. Good-quality ingredients, sure, but poorly balanced flavors that failed to justify the buzz. The chef, however, seemed more interested in his own ego than in delivering a memorable dining experience. There’s an air here of unearned superiority—as if the restaurant believes it’s been anointed with a Michelin star when, frankly, it hasn’t earned even a fraction of that distinction.

To conclude: An unfortunate end to a saga—I really was looking forward to the experience and wanted to be fair. But The Diplomat ultimately proved to be all hype and little substance. Wisconsin is home to better restaurants where great food, thoughtful service, and humility come together seamlessly. This? Think slightly elevated chain-restaurant fare—good enough for a casual meal but not worth the effort or pretension. Bartolotta dal 1993 or Margaux brasserie are better options .

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★ 5

Had their New Years meal with wine pairing and everything was amazing. Thank you for a great experience.

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★ 5

First thing my wife said as we sat down was that she loved the vibes.

Last thing we said as we left was that we can't wait to come back.

Food was phenomenal - shout out to trout and also chicken liver mousse. The staff was great in guiding us to the appropriate amount of selections - not always an easy task when dealing with shareable plates.

Top marks also for the cocktail program - i almost never get a Manhattan out because I make them so frequently that I have a very specific taste. But the Diplomanhattan was something I would highly recommend.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Such a great restaurant! Laid back atmosphere and menu but great flavor and service was outstanding! There was also a crowd of jerky people pushing their weight around to get seated, dropping who they know, etc., and I was really impressed with how the ownership handled it.

Beet Salad and Sourdough were great. We also split the Diplomac and while I've never had an actual Big Mac to understand the inspiration, I can imagine. WOW.

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★ 5

Goodness. I’m not sure what took me so long to get here and I’ve been missing out! Beautiful atmosphere. Stuff was excellent. Mocktails made to order while we waited for a cozy table of four. The service was next level! Spotted some famous regulars. Then the food was beyond great. I loved the knife and fork chicken. And the peanut butter cup and bread pudding were tied for the best desserts I’ve had in a very long time. Just awesome. I can’t wait to go back!!

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★ 5

Excellent food, service, and drinks. Amazing atmosphere.

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★ 5

James Beard award winning chef lived up to its name

The overall atmosphere of the restaurant with plants, cookbooks, and low lighting provides a cozy vibe.

We came on a Monday thinking we would not need a reservation. They had to ask the chefs/staff to make sure it was okay that we came as a walk in, so I would highly recommend getting a reservation here ahead of time.

You can tell everything is made fresh as everything came out piping hot. The overall menu is meant for shared plates and they change their menu often so there's always something new to try.

The salt cod hashbrown was perfectly seasoned with a good crunch.

The diplomac - their twist on a Big Mac - was one of the best burgers I have ever had.

I had seen amazing reviews about their peanut butter pie which I'm so glad we ordered. The flavor with the caramelized bananas was melt in your mouth good.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

The NY Strip was genuinely the best thing I have eaten in years. Phenomenal restaurant.

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★ 5

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★ 4

EH…..

Lamb cheeks fabulous as was the cream grits.

Sourdough toasted around the crust a little much for me and pretzels not really special

Banana bread good also

All in all a worthwhile dinner

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★ 5

Had the beet salad, lamb confit, and branzino. Excellent fresh ingredients and a very friendly staff. Cosy atmosphere.

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★ 5

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★ 5

We had a great evening at The Diplomat. I highly recommend trying the pickled deviled eggs, the trout, and the peanut butter pie. The salt cod hashbrown was tasty and the diplomat fries had a nice crispy outside. I wouldn't order the beet salad again. We saw the Mezcalculated Risk cocktail on a menu posted online, and while it wasn't on the menu when we arrived, they were able to make them for us anyways - I recommend this cocktail!

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★ 5

The Diplomat is an exceptional destination if you are out looking for fine dining in Milwaukee. The neighborhood, Service, food and overall experience are absolutely top notch!

Also, we had the Diplomac burgers [went with my son. However they looked so good which they were we ate them too fast without taking a photo first...😂]

Im not sure why my storefront photo of the Restaurant was previously "borrowed" from my facebook and posted here. But this image was taken 2024 at the end of the evening of the Brady street festival!! Great time!

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★ 5

The food was terrific especially our Hamburgers which is why we went as they are already rated so highly for that. Giant thumbs up to Dean, the chef. (be sure to have one of the delicious desserts, too) Anna served us and was so patient and had a happy peaceful presence. Roxanne was just learning and she will make an excellent waitress. She even found out and told us why it is named the Diplomat. Yep, you will have to go to find out.

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★ 5

Some of the best shared plates in town. The pork belly and grits were fantastic. The atmosphere was modern, and the location is just West of the bustling Brady street scene. Definitely worth more hype than it is getting.

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★ 5

The steak was good, but for the price, I did expect a better flavor (seasoning, lacking a hint of salt) and cook (ordered medium rare was more on the well side). Five star price but unfortunately, 4 star quality. Almost there.

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★ 5

Nicci was excellent at her job. Had a great experience. Ambience and decor is warm and inviting.

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★ 5

Very tasty food. appetizers are very food and worth the money. fries especially. steak was good but overpriced. friendly staff. good atmosphere. cute decor.

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★ 5

The knife and fork chicken and cod hashbrowns are some of the best culinary options you can get here in Milwaukee! I highly recommend anyone should go and experience the Diplomat!

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★ 5

One of the best meals I've ever had and the service was impeccable. Roasted beet salad and salt cod hashbrown were amazing..the tarter sauce delicious. The peanut butter pie tasted like a cross between a gourmet pb cup and bananas foster 😋. Highly recommend. Wish I lived in Milwaukee so I could eat there all the time!

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★ 2

“Dinner” took nearly 2 hours with only 4 of the 6 of us getting our entrees and at least 30 mins before getting drinks

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★ 1

The service was awful. Drinks took forever and the order was wrong. We waited over an hour for a steak and eventually cancelled it because everyone else in our party had already eaten. They treated us like we had done something wrong. Terrible restaurant that is coasting on its reputation. Do not indulge them.

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★ 3

Was not impressed. The majority of our dishes were oversalted (the only exception was the bread). The sourdough on its own was amazing bit was sullied by both being grilled and having addition fat drizzled on top. I can maybe forgive this because of the intention to have it served with a dry cocktail that would cut it. Still, everything else was way too salty. The seasoning on the burger was inconsistent with some bites being fine and some being oversalted. The soft shell crab on its own would have been great but there was too much salt in the coating and placing it on top of very oily greens did not help with the grease. Plus placing the greens in so much oil means you either have to consume all of it or forgo the greens. Disappointed since this place was a recommendation, but it was not good enough to warrant coming back. Also fries were limp, oversalted and awful.

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★ 3

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★ 5

We had the steak plate, halibut plate, and the peanut butter pie dessert. The entrees were good, but the dessert was phenomenal!

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★ 5

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★ 5

Delicious food and a great experience.

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★ 5

Always great. Love the atmosphere

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★ 5

Had a great time grabbing a few drinks here. Nice cozy pub vibe.

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★ 5

Great experience and the food was phenomenal!!!!

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★ 5

Everything is perfect. Decorated unique and comfortable, not stuffy. Delicious and unique food. Friendly and responsive staff.

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★ 4

Excellent food, perfect portions. Love the aesthetic. Drinks were great. Will be back.

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★ 5

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★ 5

I grabbed a couple cocktails and a snack after work with a friend. The cozy mid-century aesthetic in this place is one of my favorites.

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★ 5

We had an excellent experience!! All of the dishes we had were plated beautifully and delicious! The trout rillette, cod hash brown, whey risotto, and beet salad and I would highly recommend all.

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★ 5

Flavourful and delicious ! Original and fresh! Highly recommended! Bravo!

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★ 5

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★ 3

The food was delicious but we were not happy with the skimpy plates. We should have been told that a shareable plate would be enough for two people, not four.

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★ 5

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★ 5

We came here for a date night dinner last night and it did not disappoint!

Everything we tried (deviled eggs, diplomat fries, tostones, risotto and burger) was phenomenal. Still thinking about the tostones and burger the next day! Also don't miss the banana bread for dessert, the perfect way to end the meal!

Also tried the mezcalculated risk cocktail and highly recommend. Sad I was driving so I could only have one.

Definitely somewhere we will return to again in the future and recommend to anyone

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★ 5

Stopped in on a whim, specifically to try the pickled deviled eggs, greeted warmly and sat at the bar comfortably. The eggs and sourdough were perfectly executed. Definitely coming back for a full meal soon.

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★ 5

Fantastic meal, can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu.

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★ 5

The Diplomac burger was the best burger I've ever had. The atmosphere is so calm and peaceful. The staff
were soooo nice and charming. Usually I have ANXIETY going out but NOT HERE! ❤️10/10. Love this place!

Source: Google

★ 3

Tostones: nice snack
Onion salad: was just romaine with onions. While tasty, it was misleading
Mac: bun not soft and toasted, and why an out of season tomato?? That meat was incredible, but all I could taste was that terrible sour pink March tomato
Chicken: all that work to de bone a whole chicken to give you this beautiful skin to serve crispy…. Instead, soft with no crisp.
And the sides were un seasoned roasted delicata, mushy potatoes, carrot salad (which was just romaine with carrot shaving on top like a hotel banquet salad) and a decent biscuit. It was odd and menu descriptions were misleading (don’t call a romaine salad an onion salad because it has a few onions on it) It was a disappointing meal

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★ 5

This was our first time at the Diplomat, and we won’t hesitate to return…. But diners need to be prepared to drop a bit of cash, and possibly leave a bit hungry. Food is fabulous, creative and 5 star all the way…. But portions are small for the price. Example: 1 piece of sourdough bread with butter $8. Mind you, it was one of the best pieces of bread I’ve had in a long time, but may also be the generous amount of butter you can slather on it. The ambience is like a 1960’s living room …. Great decor!

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★ 5

Was visiting Milwaukee for a minute and wanted a nice dinner. This was a beautiful experience! Got to talking with some locals at the bar and Hannah as well. Excellent drinks and food and even better service.

Got a couple glasses of wine to pair with the steak I ordered. Delicious and cooked perfectly.

Thanks for a nice night after a gig!

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★ 5

La comida es realmente buena. Los precios son un poco altos eso sí. Considero que para una fecha especial es un lugar adecuado, hay un estacionamiento en la calle de un costado que es público ya que es la vía pública. El personal es demasiado amable y todas sus plantas son lindas por cierto.

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★ 5

Although we only sat at the bar The Diplomat is an amazing hidden treasure. We received 5-star dining service on Brady which is a very energetic neighborhood. Parking was quicker than usual and we were seated immediately. Our waiters and bartenders were exceptional representing this fine establishment. The steak was cooked to perfection the short rib as well. The hash brown fish fry was to die for and the drinks are strong! What more could we ask for, definitely an upscale choice I would consider again!

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★ 5

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★ 5

What wonderful food, ambience, cocktails, and people. A must in MKE.

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★ 4

I just wanted to say that I the burger from The Diplomat was calling my name and didn't disappoint. I don't go here as often as I'd like because frankly, I just can't afford it, but this place has become a Brady Street staple in my eyes. I have lived on Franklin Place for 25 years and appreciate an amazing eatery more than most. Being a chef and a GM for years only highlights how much we need these small businesses in our neighborhood. I was here about a year ago after my mom died and had an amazing meal(you know how food can take your mind off things) and now my dad(a Brady street OG) has recently passed and would be very proud of Dane and family.
Thanks for letting me have my food to take home.

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★ 5

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

Grew up in Milwaukee, have since lived in NY, Denmark, Chicago… lots of foodie places and it was nice to come home for Xmas and be able to take my gf to a place this tasteful. The food’s
quality matches the fanciest restaurants in town without the pretentious atmosphere and outdated menu. 10/10 , will eat here again and again. They rotate the menu often which makes this an easy staple for the neighborhood!

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★ 5

We had a table of 4, and overall, everything was fantastic. Great location and ambiance, full wine list, excellent service, and of course, the food was very good. Everything is tapas or small plates style, and in my opinion, the plates are pretty small for the price. This is the only reason I gave the food 4 instead of 5 stars. For the 4 of us, we shared at least 8 plates plus dessert. The grilled octopus was my favorite - the tenderness and flavor were perfect. The beet salad was also top of my list. The banana bread dessert was much better than I expected - it turned out to be my favorite dessert. The wine list has lots of options. The Annabelle Pinot Noir was a good pick.

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★ 5

I dream of the chicken leg confit. Peanut butter pie is mouthwatering and the diplomat fries and absolutely perfect.

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★ 5

Being that I am a burger junkie I had to try their twist on the iconic Big Mac with their version called The Diplomac. Let me tell you.. it was one of the best burgers I've had. O and those fries. The salt was perfect. I also had a Mezcal Margarita handmade by the bartender. That was on point too. Just enough food. Great atmosphere. I highly recommend this place for the burger. Didn't try the other food.

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★ 4

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★ 5

What a hidden gem as just walking through Brady Street looking for somewhere to eat.

Comfortable setting and hospitable team made us feel at home immediately.

Although we could have ordered anything on the menu...we had to choose.

Some highlights:
- Pretzel
- Vichyssois with smoked clams
- Chicken liver mousse
- Salt cod hashbrown
- Onion salad
- Knife and fork chicken

Please be prepared to share the dishes with the people you like to try lots of things, and absolutely let the menu guide you. Try something outside your comfort zone, and you won't be disappointed.

The entire team was well-mannered and educated on the menu... and wine list.

The wine list is well-valued, well-rounded, and well-curated. Be adventurous with this, too, for amazing food + wine epiphany.

Overall, these guys knocked it out of the park. My only regret is that it isn't closer to my home (in Las Vegas).

All these accolades only are achieved by a team effort starting at the top.

Meal like this in Vegas would have been $400+, only $260 here.

Well done to the team. Keep up the good work.

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★ 5

The scratch ingredients combine to create artistic and vibrant flavors that come to life in an absolutely exquisite way. Small-plate, shareable that leave you appreciative of each bite, it encourages conversation throughout the meal making this an inviting and inventive dinner experience that is well worth the price tag. The atmosphere does get crowded during the dinner rush, as expected; the tighter dining area creates a relatively relaxed yet intimate environment, though it can get loud when busy. Service was attentive, prompt, and friendly despite the crowd.

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★ 2

I’m really sorry, guys. But, meh…

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Food is great..
Atmosphere is great...
Employees are great....
Owners are simply amazing....❤️

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★ 5

Dinner was wonderful, shared plates was great. Wednesday night was pleasantly quiet. Everything has great flavor and was well made. We will definitely be back again!

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★ 4

Overall good. Some dishes were hits. Others misses. But more hits than misses.

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★ 5

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★ 5

5-stars from start to finish; highly recommend. Staff was super attentive, food and drink was great.

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★ 5

Delightful experience with the best banana bread I have ever had!

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★ 5

Our meal at The Diplomat was absolutely phenomenal from the first bite. Definitely James Beard worthy.

I ate:

Onion Salad - a bit on the small side but refreshing and herby

Grits - these were velvety, rich and absolutely sublime!

Knife & Fork Chicken + sides - what else can I say - I would eat this 1x/week if I lived in Milwaukee. Every side was to die for - especially the beans. The chicken was moist, savory, crispy - everything you want chicken to be.

Dessert was peanut butter pie which was comforting and delicious.

PS - they were so kind to my mom who has celiacs! Staff made sure she was safe and she ate as well as I did!

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★ 5

Everything about the diplomat was incredible. Great cocktails and wine selection. Shareable plates that are difficult to choose a favorite, fantastic service and atmosphere. My favorite list in Milwaukee has a new entry

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★ 5

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★ 5

Simply outstanding. The service was excellent. Kat at the bar was incredibly sweet and our server V was very welcoming and friendly. The menu was approachable and had several unique and interesting dishes as well. Flavors were well-balanced. The chocolate mousse was tremendous and I now feel that any chocolate mousses I may have from now on will pale in comparison. I've paid more at high-end French restaurants elsewhere and it was not nearly as good. The meal made me regret moving from Milwaukee to the East coast.

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★ 4

All the food was very good, I just was hoping for a little more wow factor in flavors and techniques. The smoke shallot purée was the star of the show and the banana bread desert was awesome.

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★ 5

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★ 5

So good we ate here twice in our long weekend in Milwaukee. Highly recommend the chicken leg confit. Pictured here is the hash brown and a special.

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★ 5

Both the service and the food were perfectly on point. The staff were incredibly helpful in accommodating our large party for a Saturday evening, and that carried over to the hospitality during dinner. The food was fantastic. Some traditional dishes that were bending but not breaking the mold while giving great flavor profiles. The cod and potato hash, grits, risotto, and ribeye were among the standouts. The desert offerings were equally outstanding, not sure I could pick one over the other except the banana bread isn't easily found anywhere else.

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★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

This place is amazing! We are here once a year for a work trip. We have been here annually for four years. The food, and service is unbeatable. Perfection. It take a lot to be impressive in my food world.
You will feel the dedication/work& love put into your meal.

We have sourdough bread ( best I have ever had)!
Beet salad ( amazing)
Chicken leg confit
Pretzels
Onion salad
peanut butter pie.

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★ 5

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★ 4

After years of living downtown and hearing RAVE reviews of The Diplomat, we finally booked a table to show a relative from out of state some fantastic MKE food. Highlights of the meal include the incredibly tender octopus, super rich and flavorful grits, and the banana bread dessert. The service was also fantastic. Unfortunately, we were only impressed with ~50% of the nine plates of food we ordered. The deviled eggs were a salt lick and the less said about the trumpet mushrooms (the small plate I was most excited to try) the better. Warm atmosphere, delightful people, but ultimately uneven food.

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★ 5

Had an early dinner 4pm so we were the first ones in the restaurant. Staff was excellent. Octopus was the shining star for us.

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★ 5

Now that s how you do a burger! Simple, with good ingredients, and well cooked/seasoned. The tomato slice fell a little out place but I can live with it. The fries also delicious, the most crispy potato wedges I ve ever had. I almost skipped them when I was told they were potato wedges but I m glad I tried them. The chicken with gnocchi also good, simple, no bs, well cooked, good flavor both on the chicken and the gravy, gnocchiis made fresh and you can taste it. The peanut butter pie was very peanuty but to split it s great. Nice bar to sit at, good service.

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★ 5

Sheesh! What a meal. The burger here caught me off guard. Appetizers are extremely creative, unique, and delicious. Don't get me started on this desert either!

I've always walked past this place in favor of going deeper into Brady Street, but The Diplomat is worth the trip.

Especially if you want a more chill date night and don't want to be a part of the madness further down the road 🤣.

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★ 3

Gold stars: ambiance, cocktails

Needs improvement: I am gluten-free, the server made me feel super awkward about it and made it seem like a huge drag to accommodate. Portions are SMALL. We spent $100/person and left hungry.

Unacceptable: two glasses of wine were served with fruit flies in them (multiple in each glass). The co-owner personally apologized to our table but in a restaurant of this caliber, I find this is an huge oversight that the wine was served in the first place. We spotted the flies immediately, they were not hard to see. Also the trout tasted like a dirty fish farm.

Overall: I really wanted to love this place, the ambiance is great, the menu is compelling, and Milwaukee could really use a great neighborhood spot like this. Unfortunately the service missteps left me feeling like they are resting their laurels on the James Beard thing and the experience just didn’t add up.

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★ 2

Highly recommend eating here if you are a baby rabbit or looking to pay hundreds of dollars for what amounts to be an elaborate appetizer for Shwarma King down the road. Service and atmosphere were great, but the amount of food for the price was an absolute disappointment that management should be ashamed of. We left hungry despite ordering 7 dishes between 4 people. We were told the plates were meant to be shared; the asparagus salad was literally one, maybe two stalks of asparagus shaved into slices with a peeler and slapped with a $15 price tag. To be fair, it was tasty, rich and vibrant…all two bites of it. The burger, risotto, and trumpet mushroom dish were also very flavorful and well-prepared, particularly the burger, but the quantity of food for the price was still seriously ridiculous. When the asparagus salad arrived, our table was silent, wondering if we were part of some elaborate joke. You could hear the crickets. We were waiting for the gameshow host to pop out and tell us we were on camera or that the rest of the salad was behind his back. Alas, such comedic relief never came. Even the deviled eggs were appalling in the same way: $6 for one and half eggs—just give us the other half and make it two eggs! Tasty as everything was, I think two stars is more than fair given that we left hungry and upset. I don’t plan to be back.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Delicious and great service.

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★ 5

OMG! I will not give the Diplomat the justice it deserves in my review. If I could give 10 stars I would. First off this is not my type of food by any means. My son brought me here to expand my horizons and that they did. Our server was phenomenal. She makes you feel warm, welcomed and simply as a guest at her table. She recommended the octopus and it was an excellent recommendation. We were going to leave because I was not excited by the choices on the menu. However we changed our minds based on the spectacular job on the octopus…. and am I glad we did! This was by far the best food I have ever tasted. We ordered the Trout, Chicken and New York strip. Each dish was more exquisite than the one before. The flavors of the meat were fabulous. The chefs combination of sides and sauces brought everything together and giving your mouth the best Christmas present with a big red bow. Everything had the perfect crunch and texture with perfection. It was a meal that you smile about the next day because it’s reasonably priced and you most definitely get more than you paid for. I highly recommend trying The Diplomat out because I honestly don’t think you would be disappointed. I guarantee you’ll make this you go to place after you experience the excellent service and exquisite food. Thank you for a phenomenal experience last night and I can’t wait to return. I am definitely in love.🥰

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★ 5

Best New York Strip that I’ve had in my life. It must help that chef/owner, Dane (James Beard winner) worked 6 years as a chef at Carnevor. He’s definitely holding it down on Brady street!

After the NY strip, the ranking after that was the Palmyra-sourced trout (accompanying garnishes/sides change seasonally), the octopus, and the Chicken Leg Confit. ALL dishes were so good. I had their Paloma which was great as well. Excited to try more cocktails here.

You’ll be sure to enjoy the hell out of whatever small plate you choose while loving the atmosphere. They designed the textures of the place great. The cherry wood (?) matched with the navy blue is so cozy and regal feeling.

You’ll definitely love your experience here - whether it’s for a date night, anniversary dinner, dinner or drinks before or show, celebratory dinner, etc. You might just make it an annual thing 😉

Not to mention, the service was stellar. So personable, attentive, and knowledgeable. You don’t get that often these days.

Have to visit in Milwaukee.

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★ 5

Great, inventive and delicious dishes; from the incredible sour dough bread through dessert - each course was memorable and satisfying - we will be back!!

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★ 5

We went for a birthday celebration and it was an amazing experience! Service and food were both incredible. So happy we went!

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★ 4

Our server came to our table no less than five times to see if we were ready to order. Each time, the four of us were engaged in lively conversation and had to stop talking to listen and have her ask if we were ready to order. And each time we said we haven't looked at the menus yet, but we'll let you know. It was not good, attentive service, and it colored the entire evening. It is hard to think about going back there.

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★ 4

I meant to come here several times but something always came up and we changed plans and could not make it. Finally made it last night. I had the chicken leg confit and the risotto and the cheesecake… The chicken leg confit and the risotto were excellent. So was the cheesecake but had more like a panna cotta consistency. Chef Dane Baldwin is going at it with gusto. Definitely worth a visit.

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★ 5

Great atmosphere, food, and amazing, friendly service. Love the decor/vibe. Our meal consisted of the pretzels (fantastic cheese spread), fried crab rolls (needed some spice), The Diplomac burger and bistro fries (yummmm), and New York Strip (wow!). We didn't know ahead of time that everything on the menu is based on sharing, so we were pleasantly surprised with the opportunity to try several things in smaller portions. I also had a Kangaruby cocktail, which was delicious.

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★ 5

Wonderful meal and excellent service! Great spot to have a unique meal in a chill atmosphere

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★ 5

Our first time at The Diplomat! Exquisite food, drink, service. We ordered several items from a succinct menu (9 appetizers, 7 entries with their specialty chicken dish described below, and 4 desserts) with plans for leftovers for later meals.

Appetizer was blue crab rolls, 3 delicious golf ball sized treats with detectible sweet potato sour sauce and crab you could taste!... and two sour dough bread slices, uniquely olive & herb flavored delicately crunchy.... Both were so good we forgot to snap a photo til we were done!!!

Two dinner items included the "Diplomac" a delightful thick hamburger, cheese, etc on a bun, but what stood out were the Bistro Fries for an extra 3 bucks. These were one of the best fries we've EVER experienced. I can't describe their taste other than "other worldly"--perhaps fried in a flavored oil? (See photo).

Next up was their signature "Knife and Fork Chicken". This featured an entire boneless, flattened pan fried chicken with an exquisite sauce ($67, but it can last for 2-4 meals); pop'em-in -your-mouth roasted sunchokes--savory & mildly sweet; rich & creamy mushroom casserole; grilled carrot salad (whaaat?! Grilled?!-- delicate yet awesome!); Biscuit with honey butter which complemented everything else. First experience with chicken prepared this way, and it was "the next level" chicken for our palates.

We both realized that our neighborhood restaurant had a James Beard award winning Chef Dane Baldwin (2022; highest honor attainable by a chef)! An unforgettable meal with attentive and great service, highly recommended.

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★ 5

Swanky cocktails, pleasant staff.

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★ 1

Went for burgers. Not a fan. Tried to mimic Big Boys at $16, but mine was burned. Wanted a decaf coffee.. they didn't have it.

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★ 4

Good, not great. A bit underwhelming, especially for prices.

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★ 5

Our waitress Leah was fantastic, food was incredible if I could leave 10 starts I would

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★ 5

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★ 2

It was ok. My burps tasted like dogfarts afterwards. It was pretty nasty.

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★ 1

First of we call for a reservation and then they say they do not take them. We end up going and they make us wait for 20 minutes after they say they will get a table. Ridiciously bad service

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★ 4

Nice atmosphere on lively Brady St, very good service and delicious food. Portions of beet salad and octopus were ridiculously tiny, but the food itself was great. I would definitely return.

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★ 5

The bar has a great subdued atmosphere. I’m normally not a fan of eating at the bar but the music was quiet and classy, drinks were fantastic, and the food paired perfectly with a nice beer or wine

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★ 5

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★ 5

AMAZING RESTAURANT! I live out of state but I make sure I stop here every chance I get. Since they opened I have been here more times than I can count. Every time I have THE BEST FOOD! The staff is very attentive and polite. The atmosphere is so welcoming and cozy. You can taste the love that this family owed restaurant puts in every dish. Make sure to order a brandy old fashioned! It will be the best you've ever had!

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★ 5

I’d like to shout out Anna and the team at the Diplomat for making such a special night for my now fiancé and I! They were amazing to work with and very accommodating for us. The food was exceptional and everyone at our 13 person table has been raving about it ever since we went there. The chicken, burger, homemade bread, cod hashbrown and crab rolls were phenomenal. We can’t wait to go back and the Diplomat will always hold a special place in our heart!

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★ 5

5-stars for service alone!! Which isn't to say my beet salad was anything less than excellent, alongside a bangin' wine list. I was in at what seemed like a particularly slow time, but Becket, Isaac, and Anna made me feel so warmly welcomed. As a long time member of the service industry, I understand that engaging socially and connecting with customers can be difficult day after day, but I definitely felt seen and heard through my whole experience. Cheers to you all at Diplomat! I will be back ♡

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★ 5

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★ 4

Our server was sort of trying to hurry us out the door (hours before closing time and restaurant was not full). Beyond that the food was delicious and we will come back.

The beet salad should double in size if you're going to charge that much.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Absolute best overall restaurant in Milwaukee. There were 4 of us, and we were able to share everything.

Exceeded our expectations on small plates (sourdough bread, fries, octopus) and entrees / sandwiches (New York strip, whey risotto, chicken leg confit, and diplomac burger). We went with the smaller portion sizes of steak and chicken, perfect for sharing. Peanut Butter Pie for dessert. Yum!

We were so happy with the ambiance, service, quality of food, and prices. Also, excellent beer & cocktail selections. Highly recommended!

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★ 2

My husband and I dined here for our Valentine's dinner. We were so excited and felt confident when making reservations and confirming my restrictions hours before the day of our dinner. Almost instantly after meeting out waiter, we were given a cold impression. That impression was followed by not being checked on, our neighbors who arrived well after us bringing served and finished eating before we received our food, and not receiving ours until an hour after we ordered. I also was served 10 minutes after my husband. Service was poor and the feeling was extremely judgemental and negative.

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★ 5

Impeccable food, good wine, went for small plates. Lovely atmosphere. Delightful.

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★ 5

Great location, amazing food, wonderful staff, and the drinks and desserts are fabulous!

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★ 5

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★ 5

The food, cocktails and experience were top tier when we visited. We had most of the small plates on the menu, all of which were exceptional. Staff was friendly and really attentive and kind during our visit. Definitely recommend The Diplomat for a delicious experience.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Had a super enjoyable meal at the Diplomat. We enjoyed the cocktails and small plate appys. For our entree we did the whole chicken and it fed 4 of us. Of course we finished with the peanut butter pie to share. "V" took excellent care of us all night. Highly recommend.

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★ 5

Wow! What a delicious experience. All the food we had was amazing, the wine was spectacular and the ambiance was perfect. Again, the food was excellent, but what really put it over the top was the hospitality. Lexi really made my experience, with her knowledge and kindness I will be telling everyone in the city about the diplomat!!

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★ 5

The wife and I truly had an awesome dining experience, and Josh our Waiter made the experience even better. We're definitely going back.

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★ 5

Two words.. great experience! My husband and I always love good food and good service, and this place didn't disappoint. Ask for Josh! He was super nice and helpful with picking items from the menu since this was our first time! Can't wait to go back!

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★ 5

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★ 4

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★ 5

If I’m being honest I would put this review at 4.5 stars.. but if I had to tip the scales so much more was awesome than off. First of all I had an 8:30 reservation and showed up very late.. past close even. And they still sat me and my group and welcomed us without the slightest hint of passive aggression (I worked in restaurants 6 years that’s unheard of).

Service and decor are impeccable such helpful and kind serving staff with fantastic suggestions and great personality and they set up such a unique colorful environment

Food was 75% fantastic. Really fresh and well executed flavors for the most part. The trout was my favorite and the tartine was a close second. If I’m being honest the only things that fell a little flat were the fried crab rolls and chicken confit.. Crab rolls felt a little flavorless and one note, pretty similar with the chicken confit, with some slightly mushy gnocchi..

However I was thoroughly impressed with the environment and menu this blooming spot has created; be sure to finish with a peanut butter pie :)

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

So good! We tried several plates and enjoyed them all. The tartine, beet salad, chicken confit, and New York strip were exceptional...and I will be dreaming about the peanut butter pie for a while. Will definitely be back to try the other items on the menu.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

The food and cocktails were absolutely amazing and the staff was extremely kind, accommodating, and knowledgeable in all areas of the menu. I believe most negative reviews are from people who aren't used to shared plate dining. If you have a larger party, then I suggest ordering multiple of certain menu items if you all want to try it, but for two people the portion sizes are more than enough to share. I can't recommend this restaurant enough and I wish I lived in the area so I could come back sooner! I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in town and can't wait to do so! :)

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★ 5

Wonderful flavors that surprised and delighted. Fantastic friendly and unpretentious service.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Always top notch

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★ 5

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★ 4

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★ 5

Amazing. The food..beyond any expectations and lick the plate clean...to the last bite. The atmosphere and the staff were just as great as the staff. Our meal was LIFE CHANGING.

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★ 5

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★ 5

We loved this restaurant! We had a 3-girl reunion here and our meal and time together were both delicious! Owner Anna was so welcoming and lovely, and our server Megan was fantastic - she gave us details about the dishes and never rushed us...and she introduced me to a new Tito's lemonade-like cocktail which I loved. Definitely worth all the stars!

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★ 5

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★ 5

This is my favorite restaurant in Milwaukee- amazing food - fantastic presentation and amazing staff- the food is always perfect and I have yet to choose a menu item that I haven’t wiped the plate clean - looking forward to watching the awards pile up for this team!

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★ 5

Absolutely amazing experience!! We met the owners and they are so down to earth and awesome. The food was seriously delicious and the service was great. Highly recommend you check this one out. Such a perfect birthday meal. Excellent!!

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★ 5

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★ 5

Loved the food, cocktails, professional and friendly waitstaff, and neo-retro atmosphere. One of the best dining experiences in the city based on creativity and flavor of the food, tapas service style,, cocktail and wine combinations.

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★ 5

Second time at The Diplomat and everything was flawless! Food was executed perfectly, the staff goes above and beyond during your experience. Atmosphere is laid back yet excellently appointed. I see why they are James Beard recipient!

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★ 5

My coworker went with her husband and recommended it to me. So I took my best friend for her birthday and I only have great things to say about this place. Definitely recommend this place to anyone. Some places you get quantity for the price, but at the Diplomat, you get quality for the price. They don’t serve your regular course meals but instead have shareable plates, which makes the vibe more intimate as you share the food with your friends and family. Writing this review a day after we went and I’m still thinking how it was such a nice experience. Shout out to our waitress Vera, who was also awesome.

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★ 4

Given its recent James Beard Award, my girlfriend and I were both really excited to give The Diplomat a try. There were many parts that I really enjoyed and I think it was an above average meal, but fell just slightly below my expectations.

The wait staff was very friendly and the restaurant has a cool retro decor. I wasn't terribly impressed by the cocktail list, but fans of dark liquors would probably be satisfied.

The dishes are meant to be shared, so I would plan to order about 2 per person, depending on how hungry you are. Our favorite entree was definitely the beech mushroom - it felt like a playful version of calamari, and the accompanying dip had a great umami flavor. The chicken confit was also very tender and flavorful, and the bed of quinoa and peach porridge complemented the meat well.

In terms of what we felt could have been improved: the octopus had a great blend of flavors, though I felt like it needed a bit more textural variety. I would definitely recommend against the sourdough bread - it was both burnt and pretty boring.

The highlight of the meal was definitely the peanut butter pie. That first bite was just absolute heaven. I would strongly recommend getting it, though all of the desserts looked great.

I live nearby so I'm definitely planning to come back, if nothing else just for that pie. It looks like they change out their menu frequently, so I look forward to trying out whatever new dish they have in store!

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★ 3

The food was good but the slow service and defensiveness from a staff member (not our server) about a a problem with one of the dishes left a stronger flavor behind than the food.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 3

Place was so loud inside. Small portions, limited menu and the food was just okay. Went bc of this place winning midwest James beard award and it was just meh

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