My birthday was on Friday, and to celebrate, I took the day off work and did all of my favorite things. I went to Soul Cycle, got my nails done, and went to out to margaritas with my friends—it was the best birthday yet. I also went to lunch at Le Diplomate here in DC with my mom, which is one of my all-time favorite restaurants. The atmosphere is unbeatable, and the burger is the best in town. Despite living just a few blocks away from Le Dip and eating there often—including last NYE!—I realized I have never done a dinner club recap of this institution, so we’re fixing that today.

Located on 14th Street, one thing that’s really striking about Le Diplomate is that it’s one of, if not the only, one-story structure on the street. The building is historic, so a developer couldn’t tear it down and build housing or office space over the ground-floor retail. Both the inside and outside invoke a Parisian brasserie, and the atmosphere is welcoming and warm, despite the level of sophistication the restaurant espouses.

I’ve never had a bad meal at Le Dip—it’s one of those places where the food and service is reliably great. It’s also one of those restaurants that is perfect for any occasion—a birthday, a holiday, a goodbye dinner, or just because. But regardless of when you go, I’d recommend having a reservation—this spot is popular for good reason.

Everything I’ve ever had at Le Dip is great—including the bread basket they bring to your table right when you sit down. My go-to for my entree is usually—okay, almost always—is the burger. It’s two thin patties with an amazing sauce, cheese, onions, and pickles. The fries are amazing, too! Over the years, I’ve also ordered the steak frites, the French onion soup, and the mussels—all of which are equally amazing.

Oh, and don’t forget to grab a matchbook on your way out! x