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Le Diplomate

4.3 (5.8k reviews)
Closed • 9:30 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

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LE DIPLOMATE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Loud
Trendy
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Le Diplomate

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Maddy F.

Le Diplomate was packed for lunch, but it's a huge space with plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating, so it still felt manageable. I had the warm shrimp salad with an espresso martini, and my mom got the curry chicken salad sandwich. We both kept commenting on how good everything was. I especially loved the lemon sauce with the shrimp salad. Service was excellent -- our waitress was really friendly and attentive throughout the meal. I also appreciated that they were able to check our bags in the back, which made things much easier. We were too full for dessert, but everything we did have was delicious. Definitely a great spot.

Black Bass Grenobloise ($34)
Calder S.

Le Diplomate... it doesn't need another review, but here's my 2 cents. It's a solid, approachable, crowd-pleasing mainstay of the DC dining scene. I've been a few times over the years, and here are some notes from my most recent visit. I got a last minute reservation for 4 people at 7 PM on a Sunday, thanks to Resy notifications. They sat us in the back, which is not the best seating area, but sometimes you take what you can get. The back area is not the most spacious or prettiest area. I sampled a carafe of red wine, a cheese plate, the delicious (free) bread basket, the black bass grenobloise, and trout amandine. The carafe was perfectly fine; I'm not into wine enough to judge. The cheese plate ($6.5 per piece) was an okay size and came with some honey, jam, marcona almonds, and four slices of bread -- the bread was different from the white and cranberry-walnut in the main bread basket; this one was a smaller loaf, sliced thin, with some grains and apricot (?) in it. There are apparently 11 different cheeses to pick from, which the waiter had to recite to us. A small, printed cheese menu would be welcome here. We only heard about 5 of the cheeses before we decided to just pick some, because who wants to listen -- and remember -- the spiels about 11 different cheeses? The Black Bass Grenobloise ($34) had pomme puree, capers, and lemon. It was ok but I preferred the trout. The Trout Amandine ($36) had toasted almonds (lots), haricots verts, lemon brown butter. It was a classic rendition and it was great. Service was friendly, if a little slow.

Beef Bourguignon
Jordan N.

PSA: I was solely influenced by a picture of the Burger and yes it was the best Burger I have had in DC! First off - went there to close out my birthday celebration, and was not disappointed! From the service to the seating - 10/10. Super cute/ Aesthetically pleasing vibe perfect for photos! Let's talk about the burger. The bun breathtaking. The burger itself- perfection. I truly don't have much more to say other than that if you don't see anything else on the menu, you might like go for the burger you won't be disappointed! Everything else was also amazing, great oysters and the appetizers were on point! But again / just go get that cheeseburger !

Mac and cheese
Aztry B.

Great meal! My only con is since we sat outside it was very loud with street parking and a busy intersection not the restaurants fault at all

Onion Soup
Eddie C.

This was a the best [French] Onion Soup I've ever eaten. It was delicious. Plenty of cheese inside and out and it was the perfect consistency of melted and charred. It was perfect for a rainy and cold October Sunday. Well done!

Bar and dining area. The Fresh Breads display is amazing.
James A.

A DC institution for brunch or, any other occasion. Well trained staff means, good service. The variations on Benedict's is wide ranging. Oven potatoes w/hollandaise sauce is a must. The vibe is Old School and never know who are seated next to.

Diana P.

The waiter was very knowledgeable about gluten free items on the menu and what could be modified. We had the escargot, which was excellent. We split the Beef Bourguignon and they plated it individually, it was totally enough to share. Rich, tender beef with light and creamy mashed potatoes and carrots. For dessert we ordered the vanilla bean crème brûlée, which was very good, and they gave my bf a scoop of delicious raspberry sorbet for his birthday. Would definitely return to try more from this iconic restaurant.

Tracy F.

Had a delicious lunch on a beautiful day! The service was excellent and the food was so good. We started with a cappuccino and an espresso martini, both were perfectly prepared. For lunch we tried the curry chicken salad sandwich on cranberry walnut bread, and the warm shrimp salad. Both were 5 stars!

Steak frites
Michael M.

I was visiting Washington DC with my son and my clients recommended this place. We came on Wednesday evening not knowing we need a reservation. Restaurant was full and we had to wait to get a table for about 20-25 minutes which was not a big deal. It was so worth it because food and service was excellent. They bake their own bread and it was delicious!

Frozen Rose
Carla R.

Le Diplomate always goes above and beyond. The service was top tier, and very responsive. I sat on the patio, so I was able to enjoy outdoor festivities on 14th Street while Al's drinking a frozen rose. The Ricotta Ravioli was so delicious, I only wish that more than four was provided. Will definitely return. A must visit if you find yourself near U Street or 14th Street.

French Onion Soup
Erica W K.

One of the famous establishments in Washington D.C. so I had to try it! I booked a reservation and got seated immediately. The restaurant is lively and the decor is very welcoming. The waiters and staff are attentive and it made the experience good. Food: - The bread was delicious. Soft, pillowy, and they offered three different varieties. - French onion soup: 4/5, the soup is really close to what I've had in France so this was a good start! The cheese is thick and the bread soaks up all of the flavor of the soup. The soup was very warming and cozy. - Steak frites: 3/5, the steak was overcooked unfortunately. But the flavor was great. The frites were great.

Flor P.

Grabbed a late night "snack" and wine, walked in and were sat almost immediately. Staff was great, very helpful and knowledgeable. The food was so fresh and tasteful, we had the steak tartare, pate champagne and half dozen oysters (very fresh). Good bottle of wine, fairly priced ($55). The restaurant is beautiful, great music and way bigger than expected. It doesn't feel crowded, honestly even with so many people it still felt very intimate. I would say this is great for a girls night or date night.

French Onion Soup
Marty T.

The French onion soup was most excellent and the bread pieces inside soaked in the best flavors. The salmon tartare was great and the crisp greens accompanying it were a perfect serving vessel for it. The crème brûlée was perfect and the scallop risotto came with large scallops quartered to make it more bite sized and manageable. So glad I returned to this spot I had a chance to check out in March.

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Le Diplomate Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Le Diplomate

Is there a dress code?

No Very eclectic DC vrowd

Social distancing in place for outside seating?

No masking is required in DC. Required social distancing is highly unlikely.

I know it says no dogs allowed, but I see pictures from years ago with dogs on the patios. Do they still allow that?

I believe that all dogs are still allowed outside, but only service dogs inside. Suggest calling 1st to prevent any problems.

Is this a restaurant we'd have to dress up for?

The best of both worlds-You can dress up or dress casual. My boyfriend and I have done it both ways the two times we've been there. It's always a nice mix.

Is this restaurant kid-friendly?

During my visit there were a few families and the children were all prob 10ish and up.

I would be traveling from a distance and parking is an anxiety trigger. Is there a nearby deck or paid parking lot?

There's a public parking lot on S & 14th Street NW that you can pay to park at. There is also a Whole Foods parking garage at P & 15th Street NW that you can pay to park in.

Is the steak vendor from creekstone farms?

Are the outside stalls heated?

Yes

What is the attire for dinner?

Hello we do not have any specific dress code enforced

Can you eat dinner at the bar?

yes

Could someone post a photo of the pate campagne, please?

There are at least 8 photos of the Pate de Campagne among the Yelp reviews that have already been posted, so just search the photos. However, please be warned: You will notice that the portion size in the older photos is more than double the portion… 

Do I need to make reservations if I am coming solo? Is this a good place to eat alone?

Make s reservation

Is it best to have reservations?

yes during prime times. im sure you can go early or eat at the bar

Is it open for lunch?

Yes. Reservations required.

Do they have bottomless brunch?

No, they don't have it

Is it ok to bring a 13 yrs and 8 yrs old kids?

Yes

Which steak entree is better? Frites or au Poivre?

90% sure it was au poivre

I can't get a table for Saturday night, is it worthwhile to go with a date and eat at the bar? Do many people do that? I haven't been to the restaurant before...

I think that there's no guarantee that you'll find a seat, but if you are willing to try go for it. Otherwise, just make a reservation nearby like at Matchbox as Plan B.

Can I get a table for saturday brunch without reservation?

You can but it will be difficult and there will be a wait!

Kind of similar to another question but what's the dress code for a 7pm reservation? Coming here for a birthday dinner this week.

It's as fancy or as casual as you want to be!

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CR NoMa

4.4(223 reviews)
1.5 mi•NoMa
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Went here for a work dinner and didn't know what to expect. Just followed the usual Yelp protocol…read moreand sent it. The place was pretty packed with everything from business to a bridal shower party. I really enjoyed how simple and inviting the place was for conversation. Being with other co-workers, I didn't want that place that I was screaming over everyone to have a conversation. More importantly, it wasn't that 20 year old vibe of being 4 deep at a bar begging for a drink. It was an elevated crowd that wanted a drink after work or a place to decompress. Oddly enough, there was even a guy there who whipped his laptop out to work while drinking and eat at the bar. Kinda different but hey, to each their own. Overall, this was a total win for me as it was still a weekday and exactly what I was looking for. Service at the bar was spot on and overall a secret win that Yelp help guide me towards. If you're in the area and need a post-work venue, I can vouch for this place 100% Food Taste: 5 Overall Service: 5 Value of service/food to cost: 4 Facility: 5 Ambiance: Pretty modern feel with that same take on food and value. Definitely fits the food vibe in the area. Repeat customer: yes Dog Friendly: no

I came here with a friend on a random Friday. It used to be open somewhere else in dc although this…read moreis a new location. It was quite loud when we came in, probably because it was Friday night. The service was great though. They were prompt and open to change, as needed. I ordered the pastrami sandwich, my friend got the flatbread and we shared the cigars. Everything was outstanding. I would definitely come back here again for more items.

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CR NoMa - Seating area near the front of the restaurant

Seating area near the front of the restaurant

CR NoMa - Chicken Kebab

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Flight Club D.C - At Flight Club Social Darts, cutting-edge tech meets an elevated menu of shareable snacks, cocktails, and curated beers.

Flight Club D.C

4.5(62 reviews)
0.8 mi
•$$
Free WiFi
Vegetarian friendly

I booked reservations on line for two people Saturday 1:30 which was $15pp. the time slots after…read morethat were $17pp. We took a little longer then expected to find a parking spot so we arrived 10 mins late to our booking time. The staff was so nice they slid our time slot by 15 mins so we could keep to the 90min total duration. We were quickly taken to our bay and was provided instructions on logging in to the system and selecting the games etc. the games were sooo fun! It really showed our competitive spirit! There were lines on the ground denoting your level of expertise so it's customizable to your skill level. We order a few drinks which were delivered quickly and tasted fantastic! The decor and vibe was so awesome!! There was so much to see and surprises at every turn. No spoilers but check it out! Of course we will be back!!

Well, this was my first time playing darts. Apparently at Flight Club, it's more than throwing…read moredarts at a board and hoping you hit the center. There are a variety of games that test your accuracy and precision. The club is intimate with it's Victorian decor. All the games are played and scored electronically. Food was okay. I got the beef sliders and parmesan fries. Items were pricey as the sliders did not include the fries. The patties were a tad too salty as well. Oh, and you get videos of your time there the next day if you enter your email at the start of the game.

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Flight Club D.C - Flight Club is a high-energy, upscale spot where tech-powered, fast-paced darts meet elevated small plates, craft beer, and a...

Flight Club is a high-energy, upscale spot where tech-powered, fast-paced darts meet elevated small plates, craft beer, and a...

Flight Club D.C - Flight Club Social Darts is a chic hangout offering immersive, technology-driven dart games alongside upgraded pub bites and ...

Flight Club Social Darts is a chic hangout offering immersive, technology-driven dart games alongside upgraded pub bites and ...

Flight Club D.C - Flight Club Social Darts is a nightlife destination.

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Flight Club Social Darts is a nightlife destination.

Free State - Hazy IPA

Free State

4.3(151 reviews)
1.1 mi
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Not to be confused with Free State Distillery in Upper Marlboro (though many also call it Arthur…read moreWheeler Spirits haha), this place is located just off of the main street in chinatown, and it's surprisingly lowkey. It's a basement bar with a bit of a dive vibe, but it's hard to ignore the nautical, blue crab theme throughout. Turns out that one of the owners is a Marylander, which is cool to see reflected in the decor in a place in dc, even though it is next door. They have a happy hour and they have a great variety of drinks in general. It's bring-your-own-food (BYOF) and there are a bunch of delicious looking Asian spots nearby, including upstairs. It didn't start getting crowded until closer to 10, which, as I said, is surprising for this part of town to me. Everywhere in Chinatown is not going to be packed and busy, and this place is here to remind you of that. Stop by if you're looking for a more chill vibe. Staff are pretty cool.

Free State is perfect for a chill bar in the Downtown area. It's exactly the kind of place you want…read moreto share a few drinks and be able to hear the person in front of you. I had a delicious orange crush drink and my friend had a sangria. The bartenders are extremely chill and nice; they only come up when you need it which is nice for good conversation. I'll easily be back when I want to catch up with friends without a speaker blaring in our ears. Great place to introduce to more people!

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Free State - Spiked chocolate

Spiked chocolate

Free State - Bar

Bar

Free State - Small glasses

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Chadol Korean BBQ

Chadol Korean BBQ

4.5(138 reviews)
2.0 mi
•$$$
All you can eat
Full bar

Chadol Korean BBQ was such a fun pick for our monthly dinner series! My friends and I had a great…read moretime and honestly left fullllll. For $45 per person, the all-you-can-eat experience feels like a really solid deal considering how many protein options and side dishes you get. They start you off with a variety of banchan (side dishes), including a salad with this super tasty dressing that had the perfect little spicy kick. For the BBQ, we kicked things off with the spicy bulgogi and butter garlic shrimp, while the others tried the pork belly (I don't eat pork). Later we ordered the steak, spicy brisket, and grilled squid, which were all delicious. The spicy brisket especially was a standout for me. The guys also ordered two rounds of fried dumplings that looked amazing, but since they contain pork, I had to sit those out. I'd love to see Chadol add a veggie dumpling option to the menu! As for the sides, the kimchi and cold glass noodles were both hits at our table, and of course we all added white rice. The "mashed potatoes" though? Definitely more like potato salad and unfortunately very bland. On the other hand, the cheese corn costs extra but is 1000% worth adding. For drinks, the guys enjoyed the Woody Old Fashioned while I had a mezcal margarita-style cocktail that was smoky and refreshing. We also ordered one of the chicken options but never received it and eventually just gave up on it. One of the coolest parts of the experience is the ordering system. Most meats are ordered directly from a machine at your table, and the food comes out quickly on this conveyor belt-style setup which was honestly so fun. Drinks and side dishes are ordered through the servers. The atmosphere was lively and energetic without feeling overwhelming. The restaurant is actually much larger inside than I expected, with a modern setup that works well for smaller groups. That said, I didn't really notice tables for larger parties, so I'm not sure how they accommodate groups bigger than 6 people. Service started off a little rough because our server wasn't very attentive, but after I called it out, he definitely stepped it up and things improved. Overall, Chadol was a really good experience and absolutely worth the price. The 1.5-hour seating limit makes sense too, both to keep things moving and give others a chance to enjoy the experience. I'd definitely go back!

I ate here around a year ago and reviewed them on google. The food is not good, service is slow,…read morefor some reason you can't order certain things with the tablet, and it's really easy to miss the little automated train thing that brings out your food. This place has negative reviews deleted on Google. Spend your money elsewhere, there's better Korean food in DC.

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Chadol Korean BBQ
Chadol Korean BBQ
Chadol Korean BBQ

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Ciel Capitol Hill

Ciel Capitol Hill

4.1(14 reviews)
1.5 mi•NoMa

Omg!! The food was delicious. This was my first time patronizing this restaurant and I was blown…read moreaway. Interestingly enough they have two locations which I did not know. The food at this location was great. The red snapper with the rice and tomatoes was very flavorful. The red snapper could have been cooked a little harder. However, other than that it was great. My friend order the same dish except with salmon. She enjoyed the dish as well but also mentioned that the fish could be cooked harder. We sat at the bar so we didn't get service from the waiter. However, the service from the bartender as great. He was very knowledgeable on the drinks and the food. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the drinks. But I ordered a smoked margarita which had a great taste. The ambiance was wonderful. It was very aesthetically please. From the flowers on the ceiling to the rooftop overlooking the Capitol it was great. The roof top provided a chill vibe with low music. It could be a great place for a date night or just a place to go to meet up with friends. I 100% recommend.

Finding a spot open past 10 PM in this area can be tough, so I was glad this rooftop restaurant at…read morethe Marriott Capitol Hill was open until 11 PM. However, the experience started on a rough note. When checking in at the Marriott, the front desk agent was quite rude and incorrectly insisted the restaurant was already closed. The African American guy behind the counter definitely needs some etiquette lessons or at least needs to be trained if he is supposed to be the face of Marriott Capitol Hill. Fortunately, we went up to the rooftop anyway. They seemed short-staffed, but the bartender stepped in to serve us and was absolutely wonderful. Lighting could be better, IMO it's a little too dark for my liking. The food was also a bit hit-or-miss. The sweet chili shrimp appetizer was fabulous, hot, and featured a great portion size. For the entree, I had the Trout a lo Macho. The presentation was beautiful and it arrived piping hot, but unfortunately, the mussels were not cleaned properly and still had dirt in them. For the price, the food could have been a bit more polished, though the portions were appropriate. Pros: Great rooftop views, excellent bartender service, and reasonable on-site parking ($8/hr or $12 for 2 hours, which is great for DC).

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Ciel Capitol Hill
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Bar Betsie - Back area

Bar Betsie

4.4(74 reviews)
1.8 mi

Stopped into Bar Betsie for drinks and snacks and really liked the place. The whole bar has a cool…read moreretro vibe with neon, a disco ball, dark booths, and a long bar that was packed by the time we were there. We grabbed a couple drinks and ordered some snacks while we hung out. The soft pretzel with mustard was good, but the buffalo chicken dip with Cheetos was the winner. It was exactly the kind of over-the-top bar food that works after a couple drinks. The atmosphere is really what makes the place. It was busy and energetic without feeling like a club, and we could still sit, have a drink, and actually talk. Cool spot for cocktails, snacks, and hanging out for a while. Definitely somewhere we'd come back to.

I love the ambiance and service here. I've been a couple times and it's been very consistent. The…read moreinside is dark and moody with a fantastic playlist. I always leave with new songs on my playlist. It is on the smaller side so I wouldn't suggest for a huge group. But if you're looking to grab a cocktail with a few friends or by yourself I definitely recommend. I ordered the Gold Rush! The drink was perfectly sweet and a good intro to bourbon, which I typically don't drink. I can't remember the second drink I got but it was equally delicious. I will note my friend was not a fan of her dirty martini. Overall great experiences.

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Quick view of options

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Frozen hibiscus pina colada

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The Alchemist DC - Killer Sally

The Alchemist DC

4.2(124 reviews)
0.4 mi•U Street Corridor

When we walked in around 6:45p it was empty. But around 7-7:40pm it started filling up. It's been a…read morelong time since I was back at a true cocktail bar. Cocktails have become trendy and mostly a lazy combination of a spirit, simple syrup and a fancy-sounding ingredient. Not here. Each combination is crafted and tastes delicious. One sign of a good cocktail to me is that it has balanced flavors that somehow combine well together to create complexity that works. It did here. Our bartender was knowledgeable and guided me well after I shared my preferred spirit and flavor profile. The martini I had was off-menu and well prepared. Nostalgia for days of yore when only a handful of places in NYC were known for "cocktails" - not every happy hour menu in town. We did get the happy hour pricing ($12/drink) and yes, 20% gratuity was included. The service was stellar so I would've done that anyways and had no problem with it being mandatory. I will add - someone complained about the incense smells and when I first walked in, it did smell odd. Over time, I saw our bartender switch it out and the second fragrance was more inviting.

Very cool speakeasy type bar with skilled bartenders. They do fun themes such as house of the…read moredragon with smoke bubbles on the drinks. Good place for a one and done drink because they are very expensive... but it is DC so it's expected.

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Le Diplomate - french - Updated October 2026

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