Uniquely prepared and seasoned entrees atypical of the majority of restaurants in Dubuque. Good wine and craft beer selection. Quality and service are benchmarks here. Parmesan cheese salad is lightly dressed and tasty. Bread is served warm and with a cheese spread. Coffee is always freshly brewed. Most recently we enjoyed the Greek lasagna, mussels, grouper, and pork shank entrees with no complaints. Service was impeccable. Keeps us coming back. read more

L May Eatery - Very tasty and savory Greek lasagna and mussel entrees. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Dubuque, Iowa

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Great execution in modern comfort food with knowledgeable friendly service. We really enjoyed a small moody blue pizza as an appetizer - paired with a big blue martini. Wife had the osso bucco - A++ just about as good as it gets. I made a stupid mistake and ordered the night's special which was a stuffed tilapia. I suppose someone might have liked it but L.May should probably stay away from specials that got retired in the 60's with malice. Why did I order that??? I stole from the osso bucco. We were so full that our free dessert coupon seemed like a toss, but they served us small piece of the bread pudding to share - glad we didn't miss it, heavenly. Our server Denise was outstanding throughout. Everything about the room was comfortable and relaxing. Would go again when in Dubuque... but don't order any stuffed fish special! read more

We spent the night in Dubuque and Yelp led us to this place as a great find. And a great find it was! We had a really nice dinner. I love that this place had some wonderful food, was a cozy setting and was nice but still didn't feel stuffy. Where else could you get tuna tartar but also get a "Fiesta Dip!" All of the bottles of wine were 10 dollars off, which made for a great price as well. I had a filet that was cooked really perfectly and was so flavorful. It was a pretty basic plate of food, but melt in your mouth good. My husband had the lobster lasagna, which was really good, full of big lobster hunks, but more of a manicotti, rolled up in a big tube. Two things that irked me: every other table was told that they got 5% off the bill if they paid cash. We were never told this. And I don't need the fanciest plates, but we had some plastic appetizer plate from Target and our entree plates were ones we recognized from there as well. I would say that I would be back next time I am in Dubuque, but I don't really think there will be a next time! read more

We went to Dubuque for the weekend and weren't sure what to expect, but L. May was outstanding! Even though it's in a fairly small town, this place would do well anywhere. The food was amazing and the service was very friendly. I had the Osso Buco and it was as good as I've tried anywhere. Plus, my wife and I had the Crab Stuffed Oysters appetizer and I've never seen that anywhere before, but it was also excellent. They also accommodated us with a special table because we were celebrating our anniversary and treated us to a free dessert. To top it off, our waitress was incredibly friendly. If you're going to be in Dubuque, I'd say L. May is a must! read more

Great service, thanks denise, and great food combine in a fun and funky urban city restaurant . Started with a very dirty martini featuring blue cheese stuffed olives accompanied by the moody blue pizza, sense a theme? Loved the ochre walls and big city interior. Moved on to the osso buco and i suggest you do too! Succulent pork shanks with a sweet cherry sauce and cheddar grits. So much food i had to donate more than half to our innkeepers at the hancock house. You can count on yelpers, visiting an unfamiliar city on a holiday weekend can be deadly but we triumphed by following the yelp stars. Make a reservation, this place is popular and rightly so! read more

I now see why this is one of the best rated restaurants in town. Fantastic atmosphere which, when full of people can lean toward the rambunctious side, that's formal enough to feel like a night on the town, but relaxed enough not to have to worry too much if you're underdressed. An added bonus is their kids menu. While we didn't bring our children along this time around, it's nice to know that the option is there if we want it. Wait staff was courteous and knowledgable. Setting up a reservation through Open Table was painless and worked flawlessly. Lighting was intimate without being too dim to see the menu. I tried the special of the night which was roasted NY strip with a twice baked potato. I highly recommend trying the specials for any given night. They all looked good on their website. A fantastic experience that I will be sure to pass on to friends. Thank you L. May for a wonderful date night with my wife! read more

Stopped while in weekend road trip between Iowa and Illinois. Nice charming atmosphere in old downtown Dubuque. Versitle place - cozy enough to be romantic for a date without being so overly fussy that you could't take kids there. Pasta portions were huge - fresh basil rigatoni with a nice Bolognese sauce. Made for great leftovers. Pizza had great thin crisp. Tried the L May with sausage, peppers, blue cheese and pecans. Yum. If you like sweet dressings the house mango vinegerette is nice. So much better than stopping at chains along the road and worth going a few blocks off the highway after crossing the bridge into Iowa especially if you are a foodie! Has a kids menu. Next time through town we'll stop again. read more

Ok best restaurant in Dubuque by far. Can't say enough about the place. The owner Lea is hands on and makes your stay feel like you are in her home. The wine was fabulous. I took my mother out to dinner while in town for a visit. We shared an Isle of Capri pizza and the winter salad. It was sheer perfection. The salad had the right amount of perfect ingredients and dressing. The pizza was amazing with paper thin crust that was crispy and delicious. The atmosphere was great and not too noisy. Can't wait to get back to DBQ again for some great food. read more

Excellent place. I feel like I'm in a large city's neighborhood! Well prepared food with excellent service. A plus!

Favorite place in Dubuque, hands down. Staff is knowledgeable and prompt, food is always good, and EJ takes pride in his restaurant and genuinely cares about the patrons. Pork shanks are my favorite, with the filet being a close second. And the sangria? More please read more

I dined here two weeks ago. I couldn't remember what I ordered. Turns out I ordered a duck dish. Duck is a favorite of mine. If I can't remember that I had a duck dinner, it must have been meh. For what the place is, and the atmosphere it projects, the food was very predictable and not all that exciting. It all looked great on the menu, but on the plate... it really wasn't anything special. My companion had a pasta dish. She commented the sauce was way too rich, creamy, and heavy. Completely overpowered everything else on the plate. The service was good, just what you'd expect in the Midwest. Friendly, attentive, but not constanly checking in. Overall, L May reminded me of a restaurant in a North Shore suburb of Chicago: 2-star food for 4-star prices. The search continues for a better fine dining option in the Tri-state area. PS, if you go on a weekend, it helps to dress up. This is a "see and be seen" place, especially on Saturday. PPS, if you don't make a reservation they'll offer you a table by the door so you can catch a draft, or make you wait. Even if there are other tables in the place open. read more

My husband and I have been eating here for many years. Spinach artichoke dip and the Isle of Capri pizza is our go to when we eat here! Save room for dessert and you won't be disappointed. read more

So disappointing! Our party arrived a couple of minutes early for our 7:00 pm reservation on a Saturday night. Happily we were greeted and our table was ready. The restaurant was very busy so I thought this a very good omen for the evening but I was wrong. We began our evening by ordering some cocktails. I ordered the Holiday Margarita. I asked the waitress if it was good and she responded by saying yes and that the bartender was a very talented mixologist. Our drinks arrived and three of the four were downright bad. We sent two of them back to be redone but really should have sent all three. The one we didn't send back was my holiday margarita and it was left glass full. All of the three bad drinks tasted like there was no alcohol what so ever. The holiday margarita basically tasted like water and salt/ Yuck. The entrees arrived and I had ordered the lobster lasagna. While my daughter ordered the same dish and liked it, I found it bland, lacking in depth of flavor and overall too rich without any good reason. The husband had the grilled trout and it was fine but not imaginative in any sense. I was so disappointed that even though I was still hungry (the husband ended up eating both my dish and his) I wouldn't give this another shot or any more of our money by gambling on a dessert. read more

Pizza and wine on Sunday nights. Ask for Cathy is she is working. Pizza crust is thin and delicious.

Huge fan of this place, haven't had a bad experience ever. The food is always great! Personally, I'm a huge fan of the sangria here, too.

Stopped here for a nice date with my Wife. A great dining experience! A fun, younger crowd, cozy bar, excellent service, excellent food. (Osso Buco and Filet. The owner even paid a visit to our table. We will be back with friends to try other menu items read more

I came here with my fiancee as we were passing through Dubuque. The ambiance was elegant and comfortable, the hostess was polite, and the server was very accommodating, friendly, and attentive. I was excited to learn that their menu changes seasonally and they were about three weeks into their fall menu. Their portions are very generous, so decide carefully whether you want to do appetizers or leave room for dessert (you probably can't do both but I imagine you won't regret either decision!) We opted for dessert. To start, we had the house salad (served family style) with bread and some very decadent, very delicious honey butter. I had the lobster lasagna as my entrée and my fiancee had the bourbon chicken with pasta. Hers was better than mine but we were both very pleased. We each had desserts; she tried the chocolate brownie with ice cream and I had the apple bread pudding. Both of our desserts were amazing! Over all, L'May has a lot going for it. I was a little skeptical about it at first since the restaurant sits in the middle of a block with a bunch of closed (or closed down) shops. However, both my fiancee and I were pleasantly surprised when we entered. I don't know when we'll ever be in Dubuque again, but if we are, we'll definitely consider dropping by. 4 stars. read more

Great food, yummy cocktails and scrumptious dessert! Our server was great. We had the new fall menu. Scallops and Chilean sea bass. Pumpkin margarita, Moscow mule and brownie for dessert. There was a kids menu with great cheese pizza. Nice outdoor seating. read more

L May Eatery - Kid friendly - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Dubuque, Iowa

Excellent plan on making a reservation the place fills early. The duck was fantastic as well as the service.

One of the top 3 restaurants in town. My Wife and I dine here about once a month. We have never been disappointed! I usually get the steak and it is always cooked to my specifications. The other dishes I have sampled I have enjoyed immensely. The setting is nice, it is quiet, and it is cozy. It's a great place for a date or nice night out for dinner. read more

The only thing better than the food is the service! Probably one of the best dining experiences in Dubuque. "Love it" read more

Excellent!!! The limestone lined basement room is a great venue for group dinners. Invokes a remembrance of Europe. Food is excellent. Filet that melts on the fork. Our group had a limited menu and each choice drew rave reviews from all. An array of tantalizing desserts closed off the event. Service is, with the food, at the top! I'd highly recommend L May! read more

The food is really great; surprising for a blue-collar, union town hell-bent on getting a Red Lobster. The menu is updated seasonally. The wine list is not that extensive, but there are some intermediate level gems on the private list, which you must ask for. The upstairs (street level) is crowded and loud, which lends a bit of a "European" feel to it, to me at least. I like this aspect. The downstairs is much less cramped. The bar has a selection of really good beers, though they tend to be of the ale, stout, and porter variety. read more

Awesome rotating menu with great cocktails. Always take out of town friends and family here.

Service was EXCELLENT! The food is always good, but more spicy in the past couple of years. It seems like the chef must be a smoker so needs the extra hot spices. We love to go there- the atmosphere is great- people are dressed up or very casual. It works either way read more

We reserved the private dining room in the basement for our group of 15 for a birthday party and everything went fantastic! The room was the perfect size to still be able to talk to everyone and not feel too far away. The staff was ready for us when we got there and had our drink and appetizers going in no time. My husband and I's meals were so delicious. I had the shrimp ravioli and he had the filet mignon. I recommend the dessert platter for a group to share. So good! We will definitely be returning to this spot! read more

Came here awhile ago. The place was crazy busy, and my plan to just sit at the bar and order to go was thwarted because it was just packed. I still got to place an order and then went back out to my car to wait. I loved that they had vegan options. They're really hard to find in the Midwest. I got vegan shepherd's pie and it came with salad and bread. I tried the butter they included but I didn't like the flavor they added to it. Note: the butter wasn't the vegan variety so it was definitely the flavoring they added that I didn't like. They also forgot to give me the dressing for the salad. The lettuce looked very fresh. The shepherd's pie was super filling and quite good. If I was in Dubuque again, I'd go again. read more

L. May is a solid entry in small category of casual-but-stylish restaurants in Dubuque. Not quite as pricey as Pepper Sprout, L. May has all the charm and a great menu to boot. Their thin-crust pizza is excellent -- I had a margherita with big chunks of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and drizzled with balsalmic vinegar. Delicious. I was also tempted by their jambalaya which will have to wait until next time. Service was attentive and unobtrusive. The decor is warm and inviting. Black linen adorns each table, matching the black wainscoting. As others have noted, there was a solitary gentleman playing guitar at the entrance -- his repertoire geared for fifty-something baby boomers. About the only drawback is that the restaurant is smallish and gets loud when busy. Overall, L. May is a great choice if you're looking for a contemporary dining option in historic downtown Dubuque. read more

The best attraction on Main street! A wonderful friendly vibe coupled with an excellent menu made me forget about the sheer desolation on Main street on a Sat night. I loved my glorified grilled cheese dish - sunflower bread grilled with a cranberry chutney and smoked gouda - delicious to the last bite, ironically out of place in a crowded diner in a charming sleepy little river town. The hearty tomato soup appeased the comfort food craving on a miserably cold summer night. If you ever find yourself in Dubuque, L May is a sweet escape! read more

While I can't count the number of times I have been to L May, each time has been amazing. The service is exceptional and the staff always have a great recommendations. If you are a late night diner, I would suggest calling ahead if you were interested in the nights special. This speaks highly of the quality of food and chef's ideas. If you are only interested in a cocktail they have the best old fashions in the area. YOU CAN'T MISS OUT ON THIS PLACE! read more

This spot is clean and staff are friendly! Our waitress was so sweet! The food and cocktails are very tasty!

Our first time dining here. We had crab cake appetizer that not only had a beautiful presentation but, was large enough for two to share, fresh and delicious. We also had the shrimp and ravioli dinner and the roasted pork shank dinner. Both entrees were excellent. The wine was good quality and not over priced. Wait staff was attentive but, did not rush service. We will definitely dine there again. Our compliments to owner, chef and staff. Great dining experience at reasonable price. read more

Service and atmosphere was amazing. Food was very bland like the cook didn't know what spices were. When they gave us honey with our appetizer, it barely glazed the bottom of the serving cup. For the money we spent, it was not worth it at all. read more

We just returned from a fabulous meal at L.May Eatery! My husband had the surf & turf special which had scallops that melted in your mouth with a perfect sauce and the turf equal in utter delight to the taste buds with red rice to compliment both. I had the roasted winter vegetables with grilled salmon. They had wonderful texture and flavor. I must also add that I cannot have dairy or soy. This was NO obstacle!!! (Unlike 2 other restaurants we tried to eat at during our visit to Dubuque where one could serve me fruit and the other dry toast) If only we had known sooner! Steve, our waiter was first rate and charming. Our experience  could have only been improved by having a tad of some sorbet for dessert. Kudos L.May!!!! read more

L May Eatery - Surf and Turf and a salad with salmon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Dubuque, Iowa

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Usually have their pizza which is always delicious, but had pork shanks & salmon. Top notch!

Was staying in Galena and drove about 20 minutes for a bite to eat at L May. I'll just say it's definitely worth going. Good food, wine, atmosphere. What actually made me stop and write a review was just to comment how darn nice and good the service was when I dined there. It can turn a good experience into a great one. Only thing - beware of their hours. They aren't open everyday. read more

Great place. The food is great and the staff is very friendly and helpful. I would just recommend reservations most nights. read more

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Food was great, service was good, drinks however are bellow what you would expect at such a nice place. Scotch selection was not good. Then they charge extra for neat. The dram was barley an ounce so why the extra? The other mix drinks where poorly done as well, next time I'll stick to wine with such a great meal. read more

L May Eatery - Salmon , yummy - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Dubuque, Iowa

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly? The GOOD. OK, we ordered the Chicken Crostini: Very generous size, good overall flavors. The fig jam was a bit cloying. House salad: good but not great. "you're in dubuque" pizza: Really very tasty, decent crust, great sausage. Braised pork shanks: very tasty and well cooked. Good mashed taters. Not great but very good. The BAD. The service was far from passable. Our sever took our orders just fine but was rarely seen again. Unfortunately my daughters glass tipped over and shattered, our waitress was nowhere to be seen so another gal cleaned it up. Our food was brought again by someone else, again not our server. We waited patiently to be asked about dessert, after 10-15 minutes we just decided to ask someone else, they said they'd get her. Again she never showed up. Finally the hostess grabbed the dessert tray to show us, but by that time we had enough poor service and just asked for the check. The UGLY? We arrived at 5pm on a Monday, there were maybe 10 people, other than that it was empty. For some reason the hostess, instead of seating us in one of the main front rooms where there were already guests seated but plenty of empty tables, took us all the way to the back of the restaurant. There was a dividing wall there and no other patrons. We thought it was a little unusual but didn't think much on it after that. As we neared 5:30 the place really started to pick up, the seating outside was almost full (we had a window seat), the first front rooms were also very full judging by the sound. Our area had 4 other tables in it, again all behind a partition.........yet no one else was seated there. It was very strange and only added to our disappointment with the service. We had been segregated I guess, but for what reason I couldn't say. I will add that I'm a traditional priest and still wear a cassock (which should not seem so strange in a staunch catholic town like Dubuque), so can only guess maybe this had something to do with it? Needless to say, we felt unwelcome and certainly ill-served. Decent place and decent food tainted by a bad experience. I doubt we will be back.vv read more

Glad we stopped at this place for dinner! Very nice restaurant with great drinks and food selection. Salmon was amazingly delicious. Honey Lavender Martini was so good and service was excellent!!! read more