Le Diplomate

Our waitress was excellent and attentive but the food was hit and miss. Oysters and Mussels were good but the steak was very, very chewy. It was cooked medium but we found it like shoe leather and ate less than half

We suspect it had been pre-cooked as it was brought out very fast (within a few minutes or ordering). The fries were very very dry and overly salty, again indicating they may have been pre-cooked and kept warm. We asked the waitress as she said it MAY have been pre-cooked but she wasn’t sure.

We also had issues with our arrival - we arrived early and asked if we could sit and take a drink at one of the hug3 number of empty walk-up tables. We were quite prepared to order a snack to go with it and pay on the table before leaving.

Although many tables were available we were told we would have to relinquish our booking if we took a table now.

Eventually my partner asked for a walk-up table in his name and then we switched to the table in my name at our appointment time. Which was apparently fine - even though it took us 20 minutes to get the door staff to accommodate such a reasonable request.

In fact our table was 15 minutes late so it made the whole issue seem like a caprice. It was unnecessarily bureaucratic and small minded. The process of paying out one table and moving took seconds and we could not understand why they made such a massive deal over it - most restaurants can accommodate such a request even during Covid. The manager just said that it make the staff’s job more difficult - but didn’t explain why. It was not a busy night.

Overall we found the experience to be very underwhelming and disappointing. Had it just been the issue with the check-in I probably would have not given a poor review - but the food was so below par that it we left much of it uneaten.

The staff is great but due to COVID they are really strict with the two hour table limit. They are rushing to clear the tables as soon as you finish a plate.

The service was immaculate. When we arrived, we were seated right away and were serviced by a delightful waitress. The food came in a timely manner and was nothing short of delectable. They even brought out these cute little cakes for my birthday. All in all, a wonderful experience.

Kevin did an excellent job at hosting, serving and accommodating. We were celebrating my husband's birthday, and I included a short note in our reservation, and I was pleasantly surprised that the restaurant honored this and helped us celebrate with cookies and a candle. Great first experience at a Washington staple!

celebrating life again with good friends and my husband’s bday

Everything was great with the exception of pan handlers approaching our table multiple times for food or money- VERY disturbing - no manager was seen - SHAME

They could find my open table reservation and I had to wait 1 hour

It was our first visit to a restaurant in over a year and I'm glad we went to Le Diplomate for lunch. They really handled the outdoor dining protocol very well and of course, the food was delicious. There were four of us, all had been vaccinated. Two of us had the warm shrimp salad with beurre blanc sauce, preceded by the spring pea soup flavored with just a touch of mint. Excellent. Another had the king crab cocktail to start and the salmon for the main course. The fourth person's entree was the beef bourguignon. All of us ordered well and were pleased with our choices. Looking forward to our next meal there!

This restaurant is to be highly recommended. The food is delicious and the outside patio is wonderful. Service is excellent.

Had a great dinner late dinner here. Absolutely one of the best meals I've had in DC. Great food and great service.

Came during me and my boyfriend’s birthdays. Food (macaroni au gratin, mushroom tart, and steak frites) was amazing. Such a beautiful restaurant, they even did a great job with the outdoor spaces. Service was prompt and friendly.

Brought my partner here for him to try Le Dip out. First time getting the mushroom tart which was very good, got the charcuterie and 3 cheese board and two froses. We were stuffed. Everything was delicious, fresh and service was great as always.

Dinning here was on my DC bucket list, and Le Dip did not disappoint. The food felt very authentically French down to the banquettes and pastries. I had the Croque Madame off the brunch menu, and the portion was just about right with incredible sauce. The wait staff was also very personable even with pandemic limitations. This was a great experience, and I’ll be back. I also now want to check out the dinner menu.

Great brunch. Almost like getting to Paris

As always the food delicious space and service was impeccable

It was fab - felt very safe with Covid protocols

The food, service, drinks everything was amazing. I can’t wait to go back.

A classic DC restaurant. Go for the bistro foot (steak frites, etc) and return for the specials.

The outside seating gave us the perfect venue and quiet for an intimate Birthday celebration for 4- we even brought a few of our own decorations to spice it up. Oysters and all the food was marvelous....and spring was here!

Everything was phenomenal. Service, food, drinks.. everything. Highly recommend.

Excellent service as always - thank you Jeremae. We've had Le Diplomate hanger steak several times and this was better than ever. The green salad with haricots verts and thin, colorful sliced radishes had a vinaigrette that brought it all together for a perfect spring complement to the entrees.
Bonus: it was our anniversary and we were pleasantly surprised with a lovely dessert treat.

The food was delicious, the ambiance is fantastic, definitely recommended if you want a good french meal.

We went for my mom’s bday, and had a great time. Great food, service, outdoor seating. We love coming here every time and we will be back!

Great food, love coming here many times, both for business lunch or with friends in the evening. Downside: they started getting aggressively on their '90 minutes only'-policy. This is super unpleasant and needs to be looked into, ideally being revised. You feel pressured and stressed before even arriving at the restaurant. They are not getting tired of reminding of their 90 minutes limit for a table for 2 prior to the actual reservation day (will call you to re-confirm the reservation), then again when checking your temperature, then again the service person, and again on their tables they put a note recently. Le Dip is really losing its great ambience and client satisfaction thus way. I am disappointed.

Food & Service was wonderful as per usual.

We didn’t like our outdoor table very much but with great food and friendly service, we got over it.

Everything was wonderful, from our private semi-enclosed outdoor booth to the sublime food (totally love the Salade Verte and Trout Almandine). And our charming waiter added the perfect touch.

Le Diplomate has done an excellent job organizing itself for outdoor dining with 4-person booths that seem very solid and downright charming. Service was excellent and the food was too. The view on to 14th Street was less than ideal but it’s what’s there.

Amazing experience! Loved the food and service was fantastic!

Consistently our favorite restaurant in DC. The service, food, and ambiance never disappoints!!!

We loved our food, our table and our server David. The warm shrimp salad was amazing, and the trout amandine the best as always. The only thing that was a fly in the ointment was the price of our wine: $83. When we got home, we checked our app for its cost, and it was $14.95. Ugh.

This restaurant never fails to deliver! The food is always amazing and the service impeccable! They’ve done a great job adapting to Covid protocols.

Everything was perfectly prepared
Best first dining out experience possible

Our first night out after getting vaccinated turned out to be a wondaful night in DC at Le Diplomate.

We got kicked out after 60min at the table. Our main dish wasn’t even half way done and we had to leave

First time for our guests and it was charming.

Food was really good, worth its value, but service was incredibly bad for such an iconic restaurant.

Loved it all of it

Staff fantastic and knowledgeable about wine pairings. Food as fantastic as usual and expected!

My favorite go to spot in the city