The space is larger than it looks from the outside and it's lovely! Love the decor and layout of the space. Our server was very nice and attentive to our table and gave great menu suggestions. We really enjoyed our meal and were pleasantly surprised. Our favorites were the Salted Cod Hashbrown, Roasted Beet Salad and the Trout. The trout was definitely the star of the night. The carrot puree that came with it was the best ever! read more

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this place gives fine dining crossing into supper club vibes. everything here is meant to be shared which I love!!! our server was great but the staff as a whole could've done a better job clearing off our dirty/done dishes from the table. they would bring out the next dish and then we would have to clear out old plate to make space for the new one -- I just expected more from a nice establishment my favorite dishes in order of preference: (all of this was shared between 2 people) - salty cod hash brown: crispy, the dill sauce was great to pair with the cod - brussels sprouts: refreshing and light, with this peanut based sauce. so unique!! would highly recommend - peanut butter pie: so rich in flavor, great way to end dinner - sourdough: butter was saltier than I liked but the toast was perfect. comes out quickly to satiate your initial hunger - trout: the orange sauce was so airy and complimented the trout well - diplomac: not bad by any means but we were disappointed. wouldn't get again probably the drinks were honestly just ok, probably my biggest knock of this place. would've liked some tastier cocktail options here! read more

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The Diplomat has been on our list of places to try, so when our friends suggested a night out and picked this spot, it felt like a bonus. One of the reasons I was especially excited was all the hype surrounding the Diplomac Burger. Ironically, it wasn't the best thing we had that night. Food: We started with craft cocktails. The Diplomanhattan for her and the Wisconsin Old Fashioned for me. Both had great flavor profiles, generous pours, and easily lasted the entire meal. The menu is entirely tapas-style, so we ordered items meant for sharing. We chose a mix of starters and entrees, which arrived in a typical staggered order. Our selections were the Haystack Parsnips, Sourdough Bread, Onion Salad, Diplomac Burger, and the Knife & Fork Chicken. Everything was excellent with one small exception, the Diplomac Burger. It may have been because we cut it into four pieces, so you lose the satisfaction of picking it up and taking a big bite. For me, it also came down to the meat-to-bread ratio. I've had many excellent Milwaukee burgers without the extra middle bun, and I'm also not a big fan of shredded lettuce on a burger. That said, the item that completely stole the show was the Knife & Fork Chicken. It's fully deboned, spatchcocked, and pan fried in cast iron. Absolutely fantastic. I wish I had left more room, because the portion was generous and I would have happily eaten more. The accompanying sides were all noteworthy as well, especially the biscuits with honey butter. You would think we were completely stuffed, but then we saw Peanut Butter Pie being served to another table. That sealed it. We ordered one to share between three of us. Just enough to satisfy our sweet tooth. Service: Service throughout the evening was excellent. We were seated promptly and set up with waters. Our server checked in early, walked us through the menu, and patiently answered our many questions. The pacing between courses was spot on, and the two-plus-hour meal flew by. Thanks to Anna and the rest of the team for taking such good care of us. Atmosphere: It's not a large space. You enter into the bar area, where the bartender was quick to greet us. The bar itself is spacious enough to comfortably enjoy a full meal. The dining room is through a separate doorway. Lighting was subdued without being dark. The restaurant was about half full, and the noise level stayed reasonable. The interior design leans European, with dark wood, intimate seating, and distinctive wall art. An excellent experience overall. This one is definitely on our list to return to. Next time, I would start with the Knife & Fork Chicken and take it from there. read more

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So, we had a gift card for the Diplomat and went on a Friday night. I really liked the place. Service was good, food was excellently prepared, and the place had an eclectically cozy vibe. Dishes are not huge so you can order a few things and share. We tried the roasted beet salad, salt cod hash brown, The Diplomac, and oeuf en meurette. Looking forward to going again to try other items on the menu. read more

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The food is great here. But I find the seating not the most comfortable. Service is good. I don't know why but I feel like the burger this time wasn't as good. read more

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This is a common refrain in my reviews about how long I've planned to visit a restaurant, bar, or brewery. Surprising to me. The Diplomat is directly across the attest from my hairdresser. Naturally this was a sign from the gods for me to finally pay a visit. The bartender was incredibly helpful and friendly. I sat at the bar and took in the beauty of the space. I had a phenomenal gin and tonic, but nothing to eat this time. I will definitely visit again and again. And bring some friends along! read more

The Diplomat - Finally made it to this lovely spot! - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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We had a large party at this restaurant. The food and drink came out fast, everything is shareable. I like the chicken liver mousse. The fork and knife chicken is a whole chicken, very large for 4 people which is slightly on the expensive side. The beet salad tastes good but I am not sure it is decorated in a way that it only occupies 1/3 of the dish while the other salad is a full plate dish. If you want to offer a smaller dish, please use a smaller plate. We thought it was leftover. Drinks are great. Ambience: 10/10 Food: 9/10 Pricing: 9/10 Service: 10/10 read more

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What? I've never reviewed The Diplomat?!?! Are you serious?! You can see from the photos that I've been here several times, which means I like it, duh! Most recently, I ordered the Lamb Cheeks, which were super tender and delicious, served with shallots, radish, and casteltrevano (say that 5 times really fast) olives over a creamy tahini sauce. Yum! I also ordered the Diplomac and added fries because both are always a good idea, and I had their Banana Bread for dessert because I've already had their amazing Peanut Butter Pie and Chocolate Mousse, and the banana bread was equally amazing! Maybe next time I'll just come in for all three desserts and a bottle of wine! I also enjoyed a glass of vino de naranja from Rodico and great service from Shea! Surely, you've been here, right? If not, just do it already! read more

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We were a group of 9, for dinner on March 18. The food was outstanding, and beautifully presented. Our servers were excellent, well informed and attentive. Great ambiance. Everyone in our group plans to return. We can see why Chef Baldwin got the James Beard nomination. read more

Came to The Diplomat for dinner one night and was able to try the New Glarus Brewing Co Spotted Cow beer. I wish you could get this outside of Wisconsin! I also tried the octopus appetizer on fregola and the grits main with pork belly. Both were tasty and the octopus was tender. Service was super friendly and helpful but very slow. I was dining solo and sat at a high top but would opt for the main dining area! read more

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Yum! Intimate setting, rotating seasonal menu and many plates designed for sharing. With the sharing concept in mind, my table split the diplomat fries and daikon salad. Both were excellent! We also had a variety of cocktails ranging from wine to margaritas. Rating this a 4 as the service to obtain our drinks was a little backed up and when I had inquired if my burger could be cooked well done, the staff had to check with the chef to make sure "there was enough time." I would easily bump this up to a 5 with improvements on time and how a patron would like their meat cooked. Thank you! read more

The Diplomat - Cheeseburger Diplomac May 2025 - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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We tried The Diplomat for the first time on my hubby's birthday with good friends. Seated right at reservation time, loved the speakeasy type interior vibe. Cocktails were outstanding. 4 of us shared the whole chicken, one burger, two salads and the sourdough bread. Then split one dessert. We had a sizable portion of chicken to bring home. Wow! Best restaurant meal I've had in a very long time! Server was attentive and fun. Would go back tonight if we could!!! Book a reservation and look forward to a treat! read more

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. read more

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We wandered in without a reservation and had an amazing meal and more than that an amazing experience. We had wanted to try the Diplomat for a long time and everything fell into place today. It is a great space, comfortable and inviting, the servers were knowledgeable and friendly, and the food was great -- and all three desserts were outstanding. Can't wait to go back. read more

Service was a bit slow, got our food before we got our drinks. However once we got both, they were really good. Good ambiance! read more

The Diplomat - Burger - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Diplomat continues to be one of my favorite spots in Milwaukee. The restaurant is cozy and well appointed, a welcome change from some of the other trendy spots nearby. We consistently have great service and our waitresses have been incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and numerous dietary restrictions and allergies. Finally, the food is awesome. The salt cod hashbrown is not to be missed and I would vote The Diplomac as one of the best burgers in Milwaukee. read more

The Diplomat - Burgers and fries - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I can see why the Diplomat is considered one of the best places to eat in the Midwest! I have some temporary food allergies and have been unable to eat out as usual for the past couple of months, and I mentioned it to the staff not expecting them to accommodate or go out of their way. I figured if anything, I could enjoy a few drinks and probably a salad. The staff and chef were so accommodating--it was unexpected and so sweet of them to work around some of the ingredients. Aside from that, the food was also delicious! I had the trout dish and my husband had the Diplomac (pictured). He said it was tasty and the hand cut fries were a real treat. I love supporting local businesses, and I can't believe it took me so long to make it in for dinner. I look forward to coming by again for a drink and food in the future. Once I am able to eat more items, I look forward to exploring more of their menu. Definitely check them out! You will see why Chef Dane is considered a gem in the Midwest. read more

The Diplomat - Mocktail - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Me and my wife had the Chicken Liver Pate which was excellent. We had the Knife and Fork Chicken which was also excellent. Also nice atmosphere and attentive staff. Oh, I forgot to mention, the peanut butter pie dessert was also excellent! Overall it was a very enjoyable night out. Bob from Milwaukee read more

Went to The Diplomat for dinner on a recent visit to Milwaukee. Once we managed to find parking in the very congested neighborhood (no on-site parking) we had a good dinner. Service was attentive, food was good, and the overall experience was nice. read more

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I recently tried the diplomat with a group of friends and it was incredible! Sadly my phone wasn't able to eat first so I have no pictures. One thing id note right away is that the menu online isn't exactly what you'll be given in the restaurant. But we tried a variety of items on the menu - my favorite part of the restaurant is how everything is meant to be shared and comes out one at a time to truly enjoy what you're getting. I was told the cocktails were delicious and they have a wide variety of wines. I really enjoyed the apple N.A. cocktail as it was a good balance of sweet and tart. The sourdough bread and olive oil butter was somehow the best bread I've ever had and I'd definitely recommend it! I usually consider bread a filler, but this was absolutely not that! The pretzels were soft and chewy but the cheese with it was quite strong. I'd recommend trying the salt cod hashbrown as it was deliciously crispy and had a nice cod taste afterwards with the fresh tartar sauce. The onion salad was also great! The roasted beet salad was fresh but I'm not sure if it had a ton of flavor aside from the fresh good quality beets they used. I imagine that was intentional but not sure if I'd order that one again. The pork chop was a large portion and cooked incredibly well and the stuffing that came with it was a really great compliment. We also tried the lamb cheeks that were very soft and the meat literally just broke apart with your fork. The pork belly was cooked well also and came with a fresh salad for balance to the fatty meat. I usually don't order chicken when I go out cause I feel like I can cook it well at home BUT I'd 10000% order the knife and fork chicken everytime I come back. It's a whole chicken (no bones) prepared beautifully and is quite literally perfect. The sides are all delicious. It makes a lot of sense now why the chicken is more expensive than the steak. We finished this massive meal with the chocolate mousse and peanut butter pie, which were both great! Highly recommend trying this place and I'll definitely be back. Some of the prices are a bit high for the portions, but overall worth it for the quality! read more

We visited this restaurant while in town celebrating our anniversary. The table before us took a bit longer and so they asked us to sit at the bar and have a drink while we waited. Our waitress (who we later learned was one of the owners) came by to personally apologize for the wait and that it would just be a few minutes. We were seated quickly, but I thought it was nice of her to come over. We ordered a ton of items on the menu. The sourdough bread made in house was amazing. The burger was great. The chicken was wonderful too. I'd come back next time we are in MKE! read more

Amazing! Great kind chef and the ambiance was homey. Knife and fork chicken was delicious read more

The Diplomat - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Mediocre at best and dangerous. The chef is rude and a diva. He will insult you without reason if he is having a bad day. Assault, plain and simple. Who wants to pay 80.00 for a chicken along with the worst old fashion in history. We had the worst experience and our car was vandalized, entire passenger side keyed from end to end, brand new Tacoma. it will cost a fortune to fix. Bad neighborhood, unpredictable rude and with an ego of big chefs in a little mediocre place. 80.00 for chicken and worst cocktails you ever had. read more

Excellent restaurant. Very friendly service. Well curated specialty entrees and some reliable comforting go-to's you can count on. Top flight chef in an unpretentious atmosphere. read more

Had a great time dining out last night! The food was delicious and the atmosphere was on point. Portion sizes were a tad small for the price, though. Would I go back? Maybe for a special occasion! read more

Amazing spot Great food and service with incredible atmosphere Wonderful small plates read more

My fiancé and I got a gift card to the diplomat for Christmas and we're so excited to use it! After I engagement, we decided to use it to treat ourselves. I have to say the rainbow trout really made me want to come back and order it again. It was perfectly crispy and flakey and the grapefruit added a perfect pop of frThe cod hash brown is a MUST order, I've never seen or tasted anything like it. The drinks were great and the waitstaff was friendly and helpful. Overall a great experience. The interior decorating made you feel like comfortable and intrigued. read more

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Located near the end of Brady Street, the Diplomat offers a comfortable, high quality dining experience that will have you leaving satisfied and unwound. On a Saturday evening, we were greeted and immediately sat down at the full service bar. The bartender was quick with his assistance and knowledgeable with his drinks. He even took time to craft something original to help with my indecision. The Diplomat's menu is styled to be shareable. My partner and I ventured with the Diplomat Fries, the Lamb Cheeks, and their Trout. The Diplomat fries were a great starter as they reminded me of Yuca fries based on their cut and taste. Served with a lemon aioli, they were a great way to begin! The Lamb Cheeks were flavorful and tender. Probably not as shareable as we had hoped, but we had a full trout coming our way, so we enjoyed the lamb nonetheless! The Trout was nothing short of top-tier. It was paired with this citrus-green mixture that made the entire dish balanced and complex. Before I forget, we ended the night with the Chocolate Mousse and it was rich and decadent in the most positive sense possible. Highly recommend a visit to the Diplomat soon! You won't regret it! read more

Food was excellent, service was wonderful, ambience was great portions were lacking. Four of us shared multiple dishes and left hungry. read more

The Diplomat - How many orders of this would it take to share this? - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Yup. 5 stars. It exceeded expectations. Friend and I got a table outside in the evening sun- delightful. Service was prompt and friendly. Food was fantastic. Beet salad- yum. The trout was the star- crispy skin and lentils on the side. Wowzers. The short rib was very close to being as good as my husband's- which is saying a LOT read more

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Great service! The food is incredible. I liked what my companions ordered more than my own dishes but you really can't go wrong considering how well everything is prepared. The decor and ambiance is also on point. read more

My wife and I recently had the misfortune of dining at your restaurant on March 14th. Amazingly, for a Friday at 5pm, there was only one other table occupied with two diners. Not a good sign. We started with the caeser salad that was overdressed with burnt croutons. Next came the $9 plate of 8 fries that were undercooked or uncooked and we asked for them to be sent back. This was followed with multiple visits to our table by kitchen staff. They first informed us that the chef would be investigating. When they returned to our table we were told that the chef had investigated and determined that the fries were up to their standards. We were told that they would be "purchasing" our fries. They never did bring us new fries. Our burger showed up well done and not medium rare as ordered. Had the kitchen staff stayed in the kitchen perhaps our burger would have been cooked correctly. read more

Had dinner at The Diplomat last evening. Shared lots of appetizers and the chicken dinner. It was the best meal I have eaten in recent memory! Everything we tried was outstanding, especially the chicken, the onion salad and the whey risotto. The service was great, ambiance perfect (lots of tables, but it did not feel over crowded) and a very accommodating waiter, Sam. Kudos to the chef! Five stars! read more

The Diplomat is absolutely one of the better dining experiences available in Milwaukee. The dining room is a retro upscale ambiance that was perfect for either a group of friends who are getting together or for date night. The service was prompt and extremely friendly throughout the entire night, and we were there for a few hours without feeling rushed at all--very accommodating. A group of eight of us ordered an assortment of appetizers, entrees and desserts and the portions were large enough for everyone to share a part of each dish. The food was amazing as expected with unique flavors! They also had a great bar with an assortment of mixed drinks on their menu. Definitely a must try in Milwaukee! read more

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Had a short stay in Milwaukee and was able to have a great meal at The Diplomat. Sourdough - comes out toasted with olive oil and soft butter, very good. Caesar Salad - very good. The Diplomac - an excellent burger. It's their take on the Big Mac - two patties, tomato, lettuce, American cheese, pickles, red onions, 1000 island dressing. I also added the fries which were golden and crispy. Highly recommend getting this on the table. The staff were wonderful, very friendly and accommodating. If in Milwaukee this is a place to go to. read more

The Diplomat - The Diplomac with fries. - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This was one of the best dining experiences we've had in awhile. Delicious before dinner cocktails at the bar (the Rhubarbie World is GOOD) and the bartenders were both fun to chat with. Our server was charming and competent as well. It was relatively casual and easy, but still felt like a nice night out which can be a hard balance to find. On to the food. GET THE KNIFE AND FORK CHICKEN. I rarely order chicken when out for dinner but this was fantastic. The sides were all perfection, especially the collards with bacon and the biscuit, but the radishes as the seasonal veggie were a great, unusual touch. We ordered it just for the two of us and finished almost all of it but we were seriously starving and didn't do any apps. With an app, it would be perfect for 3 people. Will definitely be back - I can't believe it took us this long to make it here. read more

never do I write reviews but this place was different than most, tried about 10 different plates from appetizers to desserts. Every plate being perfectly balanced not lacking flavor. On top of it chef Dane took time to explain a dish & gave the us not 1 but 2 desserts on the house, our server was a 10/10. Great vibes, great people, great food read more

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Service EXTREMELY slow. Food was OK. Recommend the trout. Darling place but won't return

My husband and I shared fries and a burger-both way tasty! We were able to sit in bar area without a reservation on a Saturday night. Only four stars because we seemed to be forgotten often by our server. read more

The Diplomat - Diplomatic burger - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Great and attentive service. The vibe in there's is upscale and retro. Really enjoyed it! Would be perfect for a date night or meeting with friends. Not a ton of room so I'm not sure they could accommodate big parties. I would definitely go just to grab a drink too. The bar top was very nice. Everything is tapas which was a little pricey but everything was very high quality. I would recommend the beet salad and crab balls. We had the trout which lacked seasoning but overall prepared well. The banana bread was good but the mousse on top was very sweet. Overall would definitely go back. I'd like to try the steak and chicken full menu items. read more

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