Amazing cocktails - especially the Diplomat Sour Authentic Mediterranean food food Love the owners - Joey & Lucy read more

The Diplomat was a great find. The drinks were excellent, and the filet nestled in the hummus was outstanding tender, rich, and perfectly seasoned. The outside curbside seating made the evening even better. Golden hour settled over the street, the sunset reflecting off everything just right. Across the table, that warm light caught her face for a moment... and honestly, it might have been the highlight of the night. Great food, great drinks, and the kind of atmosphere that turns a simple dinner into a memory. read more

The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern - fillet Hummus, - Mediterranean Near Me - Monrovia, California

We love going to The Diplomat and it's easily one of our favorite restaurants to come back to. The atmosphere is dimly lit and relaxed, with a casual feel that still has a touch of elegance. Even when it's busy, it feels lively rather than chaotic, and you can tell it's a spot that locals love! The staff are always friendly and welcoming. When we visited again on Valentine's Day they had live music, which was a beautiful touch to our evening. The food is incredible and we honestly haven't had a dish here that we didn't like. The portions are also so generous so you definitely get what you pay for! It's a place we happily recommend to all our friends and family. read more

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Came here after my girlfriend has been raving about this Mediterranean restaurant for months and honestly, the fact that she's been coming here for years with her family already said a lot. We finally made it a girls outing after a Pilates class, and I'm so glad we did. The restaurant itself is simple, a decent size, and very minimalistic. The food, though, was way better than I anticipated. My only regret? Not listening to my friend and ordering what she got. She had the beef kabob, and I ordered the gyro. Don't get me wrong, the gyro was delicious, but her meat was absolutely mouthwatering. I also ordered a tequila mule... mmm, so tasty. The salad and hummus were super fresh, and the service was great, very friendly and genuinely helpful when it came to deciding what to order. That always makes such a difference. Safe to say this spot has officially been added to my list of favorite restaurants in Monrovia. Will definitely be back and next time, I'm ordering the beef kabob. read more

The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern - Dinner - Mediterranean Near Me - Monrovia, California

The Diplomat never disappoints! I wanted to celebrate my birthday with a place I knew would definitely have good food and Im beyond happy with my choice. The hummus is always delicious along with the rice. Service is always friendly and I love that there is an option for indoor and outdoor seating available. Will definitely be back :) read more

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Joey and Brynn were the best employees I've encountered here. They were very welcoming, kind, and checked in regularly on my solo dinner date with myself. I also got a nice pastry dessert on the house! The rice on the chicken kebab plate was soooo good. I highly recommend dining in here! read more

Every plate was just spectacular. Service was top notch. My group requested off the menu drinks specalized drinks and they made it so delicious. They did it with a smile and did a fantastic job. Great pricing for the quality of food. Definitely recommend read more

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We recently visited the Diplomat restaurant for lunch on a Thursday around 12, and since it was raining, it wasn't busy at all. The food itself was pretty good -- flavorful, fresh, and nicely presented. Overall, we were happy with what we ordered. Unfortunately, the service was very mediocre. It was difficult to get someone to come by our table to check on us, even though the restaurant wasn't crowded. We had to wait longer than expected for simple things and didn't feel very attended to during our meal. We were also charged for a small container of sauce, which was not discussed or disclosed. read more

This spot was pretty good. I ordered a mixed plate and a chicken kebab plate. The star of the show was the chicken and I also really enjoyed the pickled cabbage. The hummus fine, not as smooth of a texture as I prefer but still tasty. I did not dine in but the interior is really beautiful and has a very nice bar. Would love to dine in at some point. read more

The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern - Mediterranean Near Me - Monrovia, California

I came here for a birthday celebration. Decor was nice however tables seemed a bit plain. Like they needed some linens or flowers. Not sure! Anyway, food was tasty. I was missing some garlic sauce or something . I like eating my chicken with garlic but I guess they don't have that here. Rice was ok and portions were ok too. Service was ok, she could have been better. The restaurant was basically empty. So having to ask for napkins 3 times wasn't ok. I do think it's worth coming back though. lamb chops were so tasty! read more

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Love the vibes. Great bar area and drinks. Service was great. Food was just average. The rice is different. Hummus was ok. I would just come to have some drinks. read more

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I went to The Diplomat in Monrovia because people kept telling me to. Simple as that. When enough folks say the same thing, you eventually listen. I wasn't planning on writing a review, but the food ended up being good enough that I felt like I should. Joey, the guy running the place, is cool and easygoing. You can tell he's been around restaurants his whole life. I was looking at the menu thinking I'd get a lule kabob (I like kabobs, never had a bad one anywhere), but Joey walked over, took the menu out of my hands and said, "You're getting the lamb chops." So I went with it. Good call. The lamb chops were really good -- not dry, not tough, just juicy and full of flavor. I don't pretend to be a food expert, but you know when something is done right, and these were. I had them with a side of eggplant and rice and honestly didn't need anything else. The place itself is kind of interesting. It's not one of those spots with flags and pictures all over the walls trying to look "Mediterranean." It feels more like a modern bar and restaurant, but with food that's actually worth eating. I liked that. The drink menu is serious. Tons of bourbon and gin if you're into that. I wasn't drinking because of Dry January, but I noticed Coors Light was only five bucks, which is cheap these days. Most places charge almost double. I didn't try everything, but from what I saw coming out of the kitchen, there's a lot more than just kabobs. Steaks, chicken, other stuff that looked good. It's not a one-item kind of place. Is it the best restaurant in Monrovia? I don't know. I haven't been everywhere. But I do know I left full, happy, and thinking about when I'd come back. read more

The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern - Mediterranean Near Me - Monrovia, California

It was my first time coming to this place. My old co workers often go here so I've definitely heard of the place. The food is pretty good. We went during lunch and my friend and I both got the wrap. She got a side of fries and I got a side of baba ganoush. Service was okay except for the fact that she was hesitant in giving us more to go containers and almost lost my friend's credit card. Come at lunch as it isn't that busy (I heard this place is poppin at night though). We sat next to the cabinets of alcohol and whisky (I heard they have a really good whiskey selection for all the whiskey lovers out there). read more

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Meh. This is how I feel about the food. I got the salmon. I was kind of disappointed that they didn't have salmon kebabs, but nonetheless.... another reviewer said the salmon was "well done". I use this phrase when I mean something is done well - like, it's good - like, "Well done on your class presentation!" In this case, I mean...cooked well done salmon. Not delicious, juicy, tender, medium rare salmon like salmon should be cooked.....but well done, hard-ish, dry-ish, having all of the soul and joy sucked out of it salmon. For $22. *sobs dramatically* The rice that it sat on was pretty delicious though. And our friends had gotten the 2 person combo to share - which comes with chicken, beef, and lule kebabs. They seemed to like it very much. We also got the hummus (good), the moroccan eggplant (very good), a lentil and chard soup (we were sort of wondering where the chard was in the soup), and the spinach boreg (this was like a fried wonton with spinach inside - I was sort of hoping for a denser packet here - there was a lot of air). Oh, and the pitas were the flat boring ones that you can get at the grocery market. I think we have been spoiled by pitas the likes of Zaatar's in Fresno, Ammatoli in Long Beach, and Mazal in LA, where they are fluffy and freshly made. They do give you pita refills if you need. Service was good, and we enjoyed time with our friends. Just wish the actual food was a bit better, especially at the prices these were at. $14 for a bowl of soup? $12 for a small serving of hummus? *Sigh* Bathrooms are gendered and multi-stalled....and of course, the women's bathroom is the one that has the diaper changing station. *sigh* Street and lot parking aplenty in Monrovia. read more

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Indoor and outdoor seating available. High tops and low tops and bar seating, too. Started with fried cauliflower. Yum! Had the chicken kabob plate. The chicken was seasoned well...but a bit dry. The rice was fabulous. It also came with pita bread (no humus). Brewed iced tea to drink and followed up with the baklava. There are 2 small bite sized pieces. Order your own because one bite won't be enough. It was good. Server was attentive and great at refills. Parking available on the street or the free parking lot. read more

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Went here on a Sunday afternoon, the place were pretty empty when we arrived. My friend and I shared the hummus with beef appetizer and the combo for 2 platter. We can definitely taste the authenticity of the food served, especially the hummus. One thing is that we wished that the platter would be served warmer, that would make it more enjoyable for us. Server was very nice, she actively went to our table to see how we're doing. Thank you so much! Overall a great Mediterranean spot in Monrovia (with happy hours too!) read more

The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern - Hummus with beef - Mediterranean Near Me - Monrovia, California

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Great spot serving Mediterranean food and great drinks too. Came with a group, our server was attentive. The apps were delicious- olives and hummus with beef, shareable for a group of 6. I ordered the Greek chicken salad, I enjoyed the dressing. I had a bite of the gyro wrap- it was yum! Love the decor inside read more

The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern - Greek salad with chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Monrovia, California

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My wife and I were in the mood for some Mediterranean food and stumbled upon this fun restaurant. It was a nice surprise that they were a whiskey bar and also had beer on tap. The restaurant had a cool, chill, and fun atmosphere. We came in with our stroller and the waitress/hostess was very nice and accommodating. They provided a seat where we could park our baby right next to us. We browsed the menu and noticed they had happy hours and specials on certain days, so we definitely want to come back for those! We ordered the Baba-Ghanouj (grilled smoked eggplant with sesame paste) and the Combo for Two (Chicken, Beef and Lule Kebabs). For drinks, we got the Dilomat Pilsner and the Trumer German Pilsner. The Baba-Ghanouj was good and flavorful. It came with pita bread and my wife really enjoyed it. The Combo for Two was a good first time order that allowed us to try the chicken, beef, and the lule kebab (lean ground fillet beef mixed with onions and spices). It also came with rice pilaf and pita bread. The chicken was a bit dry but the beef and lule kebab were delicious. We will probably just order the beef kebab and lule kebab next time. The beers were refreshing. Both were good but we enjoyed the Trumer more. The Trumer was more flavorful and it also comes in its own special glass. Overall, we would return and look forward to experiencing their happy hour menu! read more

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The falafel entree was delicious and very filling. The entree comes with 3 falafels. Each one is dense, fried and well seasoned. It tastes good with the creamy hummus. The bed of lettuce and tomatoes add freshness to the overall dish and I couldn't be more satisfied with the healthy food here. The place is clean and spacious. Great for large or smaller intimate groups. There's also a bar if you want to hangout there. I didn't order alcohol so I don't know if it's good. The staff is bubbly and would always refill our beverage at our table. read more

The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern - Falafel entree for lunch - Mediterranean Near Me - Monrovia, California

I really enjoyed this restaurant. Parking along the street or in a nearby parking lot was plentiful. Our server was super nice. The portions were larger than expected. I got the falafel plate (vegetarian friendly) and my boyfriend got the chicken schwarma plate. He raved about the rice all night and said the chicken was a little spicey for him but he doesn't tolerate heat well hahah the falafel was perfectly crispy but moist and well seasoned with herbs on the inside. They also gave a generous serving of hummus which I really liked! The only thing is I wish they had the garlic sauce!! read more

The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern - Chicken schwarma and falafel plate. Delicious!! - Mediterranean Near Me - Monrovia, California

Excellent food. I've tried many Mediterranean restaurants around Los Angeles, and while most are pretty good, The Diplomat really stood out. The hummus alone was enough to tell me the rest of the meal was going to be great--and it absolutely was. The quality of the meats is excellent, and the flavors are rich and well balanced without feeling heavy or overwhelming. Everything tasted fresh and well prepared. The portions are generous, and the service was friendly and attentive. I highly recommend the hummus with sautéed beef--so good. The lula, beef shawarma, and lentil soup were all delicious as well. Honestly, I loved everything we tried. I'll definitely be coming back soon. read more

Not very often do well made drinks go with great Mediterranean food... they did it well. Will definitely be going back!

Disappointment and irritated is how I felt while walking out the doors of this restaurant. Unfortunately, my experience here did not meet my expectations. My family and I were recommended to this Mediterranean restaurant by a bunch of people. But the hype did not match expectations. We came on a Saturday night at 6:00 pm and were seated almost instantly in the corner table on the right side of the restaurant. Probably the most unlucky spot to be seated because it seems as if we were invisible to all the servers, waiters, and even the host. Multiple times we had to raise our hands for long periods of time or shout "excuse me!" across the room to be heard. Our server explained that she had to step away for a moment to use the restroom but this is no excuse for the rest of the restaurant. It was as if our appearance did not matter, whether we sat there eating or if it was an empty table. Sadly the food did not meet the expectations we had. Very dry cuts of beef and chicken. I'm not sure if that's just the way Mediterranean food is like but it just dampened the atmosphere. Plus the constant ignoring attitude from everyone, completely brought the vibes to an all town low. I honestly expected more but it was just a disappointing experience. 1 server shouldn't have to be blamed for the whole experience. Everyone else collectively ignored our group even though they walked into the room multiple times. We shouldn't have to yell across the room or shout loudly to get a servers attention. Not once did the servers turn their heads left or right to look and see if anyone else but their own table needed assistance. The food was alright overall. I'll give it a 2 star but overwhelmingly dry. The food doesn't seem to be my pick but service also did not appeal to me either. read more

The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern - Mediterranean Near Me - Monrovia, California

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The servers are friendly and like to socialize, and it's peaceful and quiet.Finally, the food was super yummy with homemade garlic sauce and juicy meats, and a memory I'll remember! read more

The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern - Kids plate Beef and rice (Beat mixed in with beef, garlic sauce and rice) - Mediterranean Near Me - Monrovia, California

One of the very best Mediterranean restaurants around. The beef kebab was the most tender and juicy one I have ever had. The Lule and chicken was also very tasty and not dry at all. The portions were large and had great value. The interior is mainly a bar and there are lots of drink options, with plenty of seats and beautiful design. The staff are very friendly and helpful. read more

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We were looking for a place to watch the game and we came across this place The ambience really cute laid back open concept, and they did have a couple of tvs and the game was on, the bartender Mike was Attentive and friendly.He suggested a black Manhattan for my husband which he enjoyed.We also ordered the lamb chops we also got a garden salad with Chicken While the salad was good, the lamb chops were amazing!!! Compliments to the Chef! We will be back! Thank you to The Diplomat! read more

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I ate here recently and I highly recommend it. The beef kebob and rice are Delicious! The chicken kabob is just ok, needs better spices and the pita bread should be warmed up and served with hummus. They need to improve the grilled zucchini since it was overly burnt and bland. They should add olive oil and grill for less time. Nice atmosphere and friendly service. read more

Always has the best food and great customer service. Their beef kabob a d greek salads are so delicious!! I always order extra vegetables and extra olives for salad. Absolutely the best quality food. Authentic Medditereanean food!! read more

The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern - Mediterranean Near Me - Monrovia, California

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Loved coming here with a fellow couple for a parents night out. All of the Mediterranean fare was tasty and the portions were generous. Lots of options for all diets including vegetarian and vegan. They also have a great selection of wines and beverages. read more

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This used to be one of my go-to spots in Monrovia for dinner. Unfortunately, my most recent visit was an extreme disappointment. While our server did her best to be pleasant, she forgot to bring waters, and at times it felt like she had disappeared altogether. When the food arrived, things didn't improve. The falafel was so overcooked it was nearly burnt. To her credit, she brought another order, but it turned out to be the driest, most tasteless falafel I've ever had. The hummus was equally underwhelming--certainly not what I've come to expect from this restaurant. Two people for dinner, with two cocktails each, came to $173. For that price, the food and service should have been far better. Adding insult to injury, the bottom of the bill noted that if we had paid in cash, we would have saved $4.56--a not-so-subtle way of passing credit card fees onto the customer. Personally, I don't think that's fair. If you accept credit cards as part of doing business, you should absorb the fee, not your guests. All around, this was a poor experience. Sadly, this will be my last visit to The Diplomat. I would encourage others to think twice before dining here, read more

Anyone craving good Mediterranean food in Monrovia wont go wrong with the Diplomat. The food is great and you'll be supporting a family run business. read more

We stopped by after a dinner for a nightcap, post valentines. What a great little spot. Surprised it is not busier, but it will be and should be. Dinners looked fantastic coming out of the kitchen. A great selection of higher-end whiskey's, which is a nice change from the average levels. Next trip moving to the Boss Hog or Pappy (yes those are available). Bartender was super helpful and kind of had premonitions of the next round. (He made sure we're not dry at any point). Great location across the street from parking, so simple in and out from parking lot. Stop by for a great evening. Crowd seemed equally as friendly as the staff. read more

Best Mediterranean Restaurant in the area. The food is clean and full of flavor. Best lamb chops I've had at a restaurant. The seasoning is on point. Highly recommend the Beef skewer. The hummus is my new standard for hummus. Service is good and it has a nice relaxing vibe. It is also a whiskey bar. The fact is if you were thinking about trying it, you should. You will not be disappointed. read more

I love Mediterranean food and this spot is soooo yummy and delicious! Literally can order food from here everyday. Chicken Sharma wrap is my go to & their Arugula salad is so yummy and refreshing! Def. A must try! Parking: street metered parking / parking lots around the area. read more

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Authentic Lebanese food with great atmosphere!! Every dish we ordered was absolutely delicious and our waitress Kat was fantastic. A must try restaurant! We will definitely be back. read more

The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern - Appetizer sampler - Mediterranean Near Me - Monrovia, California

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Very good food. Love the flavors and spice. Ordered the Red Lentil Soup and Garlic Fries. Service was good lots of tables inside and a few outside. Cute inside lots of liquor. Street parking. read more

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Came back here to celebrate a birthday and they gave a small baklava with a candle for the birthday boy. Service and food is great as always. Feel price is reasonable here and meats were juicy and tender. We got tons of appetizers to share but these are the notable ones. Jajike Tzatziki - Yogurt and pita bread this is delicious and refreshing. (4.5/5) Garlic Fries - Fries loaded with spices and garlic. Simple and delicious. (4.5/5) Grape leaves - Some people enjoyed this and some didn't. I like it, was like mushy rice. (4/5) Makanek - Little sausages packed with flavor. If you like sausages you'd prob like this. (4.5/5) Combo for 2 - Comes with good portion of meat to share. Good value for $32. Meat was all tender and juicy. (4.5/5) Overall great experience for any occasion. Food here seemed healthy and also the drinks looked good. Only negative I'd say was there was a bunch of flies coming in but that's just because the door kept being swung open. Had a reservation for large party (7) on Sunday but don't think it was needed, the restaurant had plenty of seats. Parking is easy with many nearby lots and street parking. read more

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There are quite a few Mediterranean restaurants in the SGV and have tried majority if not all. We tend to choose based on mood for the day as different price points, value, location, time they close, and how much time we have to eat. Diplomat is a "treat" without paying $$$$ (fine dining). Initially had Seasoning Alley in mind (also lamb shops and whole chicken - cafe pricing and quick, but they were closing and only taking to go orders. X2O was another option slightly away from DT Monrovia. Another great spot similar to Seasoning Alley is Massis at Santa Anita mall. *** love the fact that each have something unique to keep us coming back when we crave *** Service by Carmen our sweet and attentive waitress as expected and appreciated. The ambiance and friendliness on par. The Octo chandelier is an art piece (museum quality). Abundance of cocktail options (added updated menu photos as I didn't s that on Yelp), along with vast food selection. They are the ONLY MID place that offered Salmon which my son order and absolutely recommend. Dishes we ordered to share amongst 5 adult eaters: - Salmon as indicated above - Combo for 2 (could extend to more depending) - Lamb chops (must have even for those not really a fan - no gaminess) - Beef shawarma Overall great experience and would highly recommend. read more

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We had an early Mother's Day celebration at the Diplomat. The vibe is laid lack, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating available. I ordered the filet Greek salad. The filet was flavorful and really tender. I also had an old fashioned and it was strong. Service was good. Plenty of parking around the area. I love the old town Monrovia area. read more

The Diplomat Eatery and Tavern - Mediterranean Near Me - Monrovia, California

Great Mediterranean food and cocktails in Old Town Monrovia! Our favorite dishes are the chicken shawarma platter, fried cauliflower, halloumi, baba ganoush, and hummus. Service can be a little on the slower side, but it's worth the wait. Decent amount of indoor and outdoor seating available, and street/public parking is usually ample nearby. One of our favorite places to go in the area. read more