The 17 best spots for appetizers in Dubuque

A chic and warm bistro serving gourmet comfort food downtown. I tried the meatloaf and crab cakes — both were bursting with flavor and freshness. The house salad and focaccia were excellent too. Service was attentive and knowledgeable. The atmosphere is cozy yet refined. Definitely a spot I’ll return to.

We had a nice dinner in there. Service was great and atmosphere is calm and peaceful. Nice place to have a meal after day full of adventures in museum. They opened Sundays night so one more thing which nice about this place

L.May Eatery excels with fantastic Midwest cuisine and a phenomenal staff. Each dish is a delightful blend of local flavors, perfectly prepared. The welcoming and attentive service makes every visit a memorable experience.

My girlfriend and I were greeted kindly, shown to our table. The table was sticky No server ever came to take our order or bring us drinks We stayed for over 20 minutes before just walking out. Worst service I’ve ever experienced in my life. The staff was happily engaged with themselves at the front bar area while we sat unattended - there were only four total tables of other customers ( max group size four ) so it was not busy at all the staff was just not being well managed / kept in check.

Our waitress was amazing. Her name was Chloe. She truly made this a 5 star experience. Food was exceptional and the dining space was pleasant.

Our experience at L.May Eatery was a solid four stars. The culinary team's focus on a limited, curated menu is a testament to their commitment to quality over quantity. Every dish we ordered was exceptional, showcasing a clear dedication to fresh, local ingredients. The service was equally impressive, with a genuinely friendly and knowledgeable staff who made us feel both welcomed and well-cared for. Our meal felt thoughtfully prepared, and the personal touches from the servers elevated the entire evening.

Was recommended this place by my son in law. WOW, the food did not disappoint. The thin crust pizza was amazing a very large (14 in), enough for 3 people for sure. Salads were great and the brownie for dessert was crazy good. Highly recommend this place of you are in Dubuque. It's a bit pricey but portions are big and you can share

We are from the suburbs of Chicago and this was our first time in Dubuque. It was a Friday night and we loved the artistic and rustic feel of the Mill district as we walked toward the restaurant. The restaurant is small but warm. Our server was spot on with her timing. Drinks were wonderfully crafted and the food was unique and delicious. The chef obviously takes pride in their selections of locally sourced fresh ingredients and presenting them with visually satisfying appeal. They tasted delicious as well albeit a touch on the salty side but that may be my personal aversion. Overall we really enjoyed our dinner and it put us in a great mood to enjoy the rest of our stay.

If you’re in the mood for elevated, locally focused New American cuisine served in a stylish but friendly setting, Brazen is one of the top dining experiences in the region—even earning high praise as “hands down” the best in Dubuque We started with the crab cake and Asparagus Soup. Both excellent. The soup was silky and vibrant, this asparagus soup is elevated with a hint of chive, a touch of black pepper heat, and a drizzle of olive oil for depth. Clean, comforting, and expertly balanced. The crab cake was delicately crisped jumbo atop a buttery beurre monté, with fresh pea and cucumber relish for a bright, balanced finish. Rich, refined, and full of flavor. Continue with Salad and Salmon The Brazen Salad is a fresh, colorful mix of maps greens tossed in a maple vinaigrette, this salad balances sweet, crisp apple with earthy beets and shaved fennel. Toasted walnuts add crunch, while Parmigiano brings a savory finish. Bright, seasonal, and beautifully layered. The Salmon was a bit dry but it melted-in-my-mouth tender, the salmon is elevated by a velvety velouté and fresh spring peas. Asparagus and potato add texture and heartiness, while smoked caviar brings a luxurious, briny finish. Elegant, seasonal, and beautifully composed. Cocktail Review Both cocktails I had were absolutely delicious and showcased creativity and balance. The Carrot Cocktail was a standout — smooth and bright, with Wheatley Vodka and Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur bringing warmth and depth. The fresh carrot and lemon added a refreshing, earthy-sweet twist that felt both unique and perfectly seasonal. The Old Fashioned was classic done right: rich Elijah Craig Bourbon, just the right touch of raw sugar and bitters, and an aromatic orange twist. Simple, strong, and flawlessly executed. The service was outstanding — attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about the menu and cocktails, and genuinely warm. Every interaction felt thoughtful and effortless, adding to the overall experience and making the evening feel truly special. If ever in Dubuque and want an exceptional gourmet experience this is your place

If you’re looking for a dining experience that blends incredible food with attentive service, Brazan is the place to be. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted warmly and felt genuinely cared for throughout the evening. The dinner itself was nothing short of amazing. We had the ribeye, which was cooked to absolute perfection—tender, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The ½ Amish chicken was equally impressive, so delectable that every bite left us wanting more. You could tell the kitchen takes pride in every detail, from the freshness of the ingredients to the balance of the menu. What truly set the evening apart, though, was the staff. They were not only professional and efficient but also tentative in the best way—anticipating our needs without hovering and making sure we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal. Brazan delivers the perfect mix of atmosphere, cuisine, and hospitality. Highly recommend it for anyone wanting a memorable dining experience.

I could be biased since I’m very poor, and it was my first time ever ordering at a restaurant with a menu item over $30 except family-size combo meals in drive thrus..but this is the best food I have ever tasted. I accompanied my mother here for my 8th grade graduation, and browsing the menus online I originally thought the menu changed seasonally…and it does, but the items also change regularly. Originally for the spring menu I found online, my mother was interested in the bucatini (sort of Thai dish with peanut sauce) and I was going to order the gnocchi (which had an edible flower in it that sounded intriguing) But when we sat down, there was no gnocchi and the bucatini was completely different! I embraced this change well and I actually really enjoy it, because now I was pushed to broaden my ideas and order a different item than “planned”. This helped me loosen my grip on always planning things when going out to a sit-in restaurant and instead I could accept just going with it. The service was amazing. We were greeted (even welcomed) within a couple minutes of sitting down and asked of any dietary restrictions. We did not end up ordering any drinks (I am 14, my mother’s not too big on alcohol, and each drink was $7 for non-alcoholic) So I ordered the salmon (medium well because I’m a wuss) and my mother ordered the “vegan” since she’s a vegetarian.. The salmon was amazing. I don’t know if it’s because I ordered medium well but it had some crisp on the outside, which basically melted in your mouth. The sauce underneath was surprising upon first bite, pretty lemony and a little creamy. I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t know what vegetables were underneath aside from dill which I’m sure of, it looked like an asparagus head, cubed potato pieces, and one other thing I’m a bit unsure of. I enjoyed the caviar (as my first time having caviar) and I found it to be buttery (???) but also a bit bitter. I had a couple bites of my mom’s vegan order (it was gigantic compared to mine) and it was great. Large pieces of crispy tofu(?) in an ocean of this nice almost tangy tomato-based sauce with other greens, some dill and large beans. I do want to note that the complimentary bread and butter was interesting, I really enjoyed the simple presentation and the whipped butter, but the bread was very hard and difficultly crunchy on the crust, and a little squishy on the inside. Despite this I had 2 pieces… Onto dessert. I found the short dessert menu to be simple and I wasn’t overwhelmed with what to choose. A few were $10, one 14. Not overpriced by any means. I ordered the crème brûlée (a classic that I have never had before) and my mother the vegan (see a pattern?) chocolate red velvet cake. The crème brûlée was to die for. genuinely, I would die for that crème brûlée. I enjoyed the presentation of the blueberries and I felt it was perfectly sized for a dessert. The custard underneath was still cold so condensation formed on the outside! The vegan chocolate cake was also phenomenal. I have no idea how they did it without milk, I’m usually not a big fan of buttercream but the frosting on this was so rich and tangy (a bit tart) I could not resist stealing a couple bites. An amazing dining experience overall. I’m hopping to return here after my first day of 9th grade to try the summer menu! Maybe next time, I won’t be the only minor dining..

We had an amazing pizza at Brazen Open Kitchen + Bar. Good drink. I really enjoyed my side salad as well. Really cool atmosphere.

Every single dish & cocktail, every single time I visit, is delicious! Hands down the best place to eat dinner or just grab a cocktail and dessert, in or around Dubuque. Cannot recommend this place enough!

Friendly atmosphere, quality ingredients. 1 star off because we ordered the salmon dish and it was basically an appetizer. 4oz piece of fish with cut up broccolini. Presentation could have been better with whole pieces of broccolini rather than chopping it up. Food tasted great. Our server Kristine was wonderful and attentive.

Located on Main Street, this is a cozy brick‑walled bistro offering seasonal dishes and an excellent wine list. I tried lamb chops and the beef short rib ravioli — beautifully plated and deeply flavorful. Service felt upscale and welcoming. Perfect for date nights or refined dinners.

I haven’t been to Dubuque in quite a few years and was pleasantly surprised to see that The Pepper Sprout is still there. I’ve eaten there in the past and it was wonderful and nothing has changed. We started with a drink at the bar and enjoyed some fun conversation with other guests and then enjoyed another well prepared meal under the supervision of Chef Kim. Her love and passion are very apparent with her restaurant. Our entrees included meatloaf for my wife which she enjoyed and I chose the pork porterhouse. The tenderloin side was nice and tender while the other side may have been a chewier than my liking. The bourbon sauce with my chop was amazing. All in all, go and enjoy a fine dining experience at The Pepper Sprout, you won’t be disappointed.

All around great experience! Warm pleasant vibe, attentive friendly staff, absolutely delicious meatloaf! Wow! Chef Kim Wolff impresses and I appreciated the short chat before dessert. A great family dinner.

The cook and owner here (Kim?) has some real skills! My brother and I loved our food, cocktails, and Tempranillo. I’ve eaten in many Michelin star restaurants and thoroughly enjoyed our experience here. What a great place for Dubuque!

We had the most wonderful experience at Pepper Sprout! On their summer menu we enjoyed the Dip into Summer appetizer which was garlic forward and came with delicious fresh soft pretzel sticks. The spicy garlic Caesar salad was incredible! For our entrees we had the Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Shrimp and Scallops. We ended up sharing both. It was some of the best food I have ever eaten! The staff were so friendly and the atmosphere is elegant and relaxing at the same time. Very highly recommend.

We came from Chicago and knew we had to come here again after experiencing it in the Spring. This visit did not disappoint. Marissa was our waitress and she was just amazing. Our waitress Fiona from the last visit also remembered us and I think this is what makes this restaurant stand out. They are incredibly personable, welcoming, and just an all around enjoyment to be around. Kim the owner met our table in the Spring and the chef came and visited our table this visit after we requested a full fig cheesecake. The food is indulgent and keeps you coming back. I always have leftovers and my plate was cleaned up quickly tonight. Thank you for such an amazing experience. Will be making this a must EVERY time we come into town.

Very good food and drink. The food was delicious and interesting with large portions. Prices were very reasonable making the meal a very good value. Our server was above average and the dining room was updated. I wish I lived here so I could visit more often. It would definitely be a go to place if I lived in Dubuque.

I had a mixed but overall pleasant experience at Caroline’s. The atmosphere is charming—quiet, classy, and located inside the historic Hotel Julien, which adds a nice touch of elegance. Breakfast was good. My husband enjoyed his corned beef hash (he is a connoisseur) and I enjoyed the huevos rancheros. Portions are very generous. Service was lacking, unresponsive and not attentive. All in all, Caroline’s is a solid spot for a relaxed meal, especially breakfast or brunch. Just know it can be a bit inconsistent depending on the day or the dish. I’d return, but with slightly adjusted expectations.

Exceptional service and the food was awesome!! The restaurant was so cool and vintage looking. Atmosphere was so friendly!

We have tried to get breakfast three different times. Went to use my gift card from the last mess up they did. We ordered 2 eggs Benedict with crispy hashbrowns paid over 32.00. This is what we got. Such a shame

It may not be a cheap restaurant, but the quality and taste of the dishes served are worth every penny to experience ecstasy of the palate. I don't know if every waiter is the same, but our waitress was very professional, energetic and nice. better food than in Chicago.

We enjoyed a nice birthday lunch, with everyone happy with their food choice. The old hotel ambiance is very nice, but our server Jason merits five stars on his own. He was upbeat, thoughtful, and injected humor into our visit. We are so happy we celebrated here.

5 star might be a little high, but I walked away from my dinner very impressed. My steak was flavorful and not overcooked. The mashed potatoes were some of the best I’ve had in recent memory. The Martini specials on a Thursday was a welcomed surprise that I made sure to take advantage of. My experience was much better than what’s expected at a traditional hotel restaurant.

We had a great breakfast 2 days in a row! Coffee and food was so delicious! Saturday we had Jason as a server and he was phenomenal. Attentive, fun, charismatic, served delicious food. Sunday we had Justin. He was also very good and food was delicious! Highly recommend! Well worth the trip!

We stopped in for some drinks at the bar and had great service from the bar tender. Wide variety of beers and it’s great to see stouts on tap in late spring! If you like craft beer it’s worth the stop.

This is a laid-back restaurant with a varied menu, an excellent on-tap beer selection and cocktails and specialty drinks.The food is tasty. As a vegatarian, I appreciate that you can replace any burger from the menu with a plant-based option. The menu can and has changed. My last visit I got a salad and I asked for no onions, but the chopped onions were throughout the salad (it was miserable picking them out), so if you don't like onions and order a salad, I recommend making sure they won't bring a salad littered with onions.

Your staff didn’t know it, but they were pivotal in making a very important night extra special. My boyfriend and I wanted to make my dog’s last meal extra special. We had to let her go due to a medical issue. We ordered our drinks and a dog bowl of water came out on the same tray. So sweet. We were the only ones on the patio, but our waitress came frequently to check on us. We ordered her a bowl of brisket and she absolutely loved it (picture attached). Thank you so much for making us feel welcomed. We will never forget it.

Amazong place! Beautiful outdoor dining. Food was outstanding! Pizza crust was sooo good! I got the Bourbon Brisket Bowl. Sooo darn good! Excellent service! 5/5

Table sitting was family style/picnic style. They also had the option of individual tables but I don’t think they had many of them. Overall the experience was great. Parking was meter/street parking. I don’t remember seeing a parking lot. It was all just downtown. Service was great and really accommodating and so was the atmosphere. The bathrooms were so clean. They had some merch and you could buy a six pack of the beers you liked best to take home. Now for food, my boyfriend and I started with cheese curds and pretzel bites. The cheese curbs were square blocks and served with a raspberry sauce. That was unique and pretty good. It reminded me of cheese and fruit. So good. And the pretzel bites were warm and soft on the inside, I will say I didn’t like how much butter was put on them. It was a lot of butter but the cheese sauce served with them was also really good. The main course we split a YellowStone burger and it was really good. The brisket on it was solid and the burger meat well seasoned not overcooked and a good size. It wasn’t a monster burger. We had ours with regular fries, which weren’t house made but still good and a very large portion. Dessert we had a Carmel brownie cheesecake and it was just okay. It was dense, sweet, very rich. I probably wouldn’t get it again.

A great brewery with awesome food and even better beer. I had the pulled pork sandwich and a flight of local brews. The vibe is industrial, modern, and fun — perfect for groups or casual hangouts. They also host trivia nights and events. Highly recommend!

We were in town and stopped in for dinner and it was delicious! We ordered the fried pickles and we both had different smashed burgers. Everything was so good! Our server was very attentive and friendly. We had a great experience and will definitely be back when we are in town!

We were traveling and this was close to the hotel. So, proximity was a factor. Service was REALLY slow. Waiting to be seated, waiting to order, waiting for product, all of it took a while. Maybe longer. My salad was ok. Not great. But. Pretty good. Leslie had a club sandwich that she couldn’t eat. She asked for no mayo, but it had a lot of something similar. Usually a club is on toast. This was grilled and soggy. Our server was polite and worked hard at figuring out whether or not they had the beverage I wanted. All in all, if I pass again through Dubuque, I’ll eat elsewhere.

So we came here at 9:32 for some late night bites the place is basically empty. The host tells me we can’t be served here because she only has 3 kitchen staff members tonight. I’m here for my daughter’s birthday party of 5 people actually, Another group of 5 people came in and Hannah was quite quick and pleasant to seat that group. Now we are familiar with Barrel House due to the one in Bettendorf we frequent too. The racism and rudeness at this location is beyond disappointing and disgusting. This is where my daughter wanted to dine at an I refused to be bullied due to the color of my skin. Both my daughters are mixed

For a Thursday evening in mid-May, it was surprisingly loud and busy; we just managed to get a table. This gave us hope for a successful restaurant visit. Unfortunately, this hope was not fulfilled. The food was a culinary disaster across the board. The fried pickles starter tasted of batter, but not pickles. The Swiss Mushroom Burger was not a visual feast and tasted extremely burnt. The beer selection was okay, but the 15-minute wait for the first drink was not. And to top it all off, the mobile payment terminal didn't work, neither with debit nor credit card. All in all, we were disappointed.

A nice American grill complete with various beers from Iowa. The burgers were good. A bit of flavor and juiciness with a tad of charing. Kids burgers were very large and filling. The french fries were perfectly fried and salted. The best item we had are the wings. Super flavorful barbeque sauce and large portions. The beer selection is quite large and offer many from Iowa. The offer a flight to try out if unsure about ordering larger sizes like a pint. I only noticed indoor seating. Music and t.v.'s play in the background. Good location for hangout with friends. The restrooms during our visit my have needed a bit of attention. Our server was kind and welcoming.

Really enjoyed the food here. Got the Lobster dip and burgers. I got the Carolina burger and the pulled pork on top the burger was very very good 👍🏻

Outstanding service Dior best staff ever here! We were very impressed!! Also, thank you for supporting our local high school fundraiser!!! Thank you! Robin and Pete .... will be back!

The staff is great! The food came out fast. There's free trivia. I ordered the pulled Blackstone Rueben and it was made to perfection. The marbled rye was toasted but not burnt, the cheese was gooey, and the meat was plentiful in portion size. I order the pickled cucumber and onions for the side and the flavors were spot on. I travel to Dubuque regularly and cant wait to try the other offerings.

Highly recommend this great place awesome server Mia! The food is absolutely awesome. I had the seafood rigatoni, which was simply amazing, and the tiramisu is out of this world. The atmosphere was so much fun. Don't miss the fried ravioli appetizer and their Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned—both were excellent!

Vinny Vanucchi's Little Italy in Dubuque was a delightful find during my business trip! The food was fantastic, and Carlos, our bartender and server, provided excellent service that truly elevated the experience. The family-style salad and garlic bread were a wonderful touch, making the meal feel warm and inviting. I ordered the seafood Alfredo, which had amazing flavor—though it was a bit over-sauced for my personal taste, it was still very enjoyable. While I may not have the chance to return since this was a business trip, I highly recommend Vinny Vanucchi's for any occasion. A great spot to enjoy delicious Italian food and great hospitality!

The food was decent but it my opinion the seasoning good have been a bit better. The atmosphere is superb and the music was spot on. I keep hearing from other people that their other restaurant is much better. I haven't ever been there so I don't know. I was satisfied with my meal and I will return and I will recommend it to others. I wish that they sold Vinny Vanucchi's shirts, I would gladly wear it and give them some free Stefano Zanfardino

EXCELLENT FOOD. Great service and beautiful place. I had the Chicken Vinito. Delicious.

Been there twice now, the first time was so good I came back a few days later. Had the Lasagna and then the Penne Pasta with Italian sausage. Both meals were very good, they both came with salad and bread. The salad is very nice with mixed greens, onion, carrot, cucumber, tomato and just the right amount of dressing. The bread is warm and delicious. The pasta was hot, fresh and good portions. The wine was delicious and a generous portion as well, my server was quick and professional. I feel the price about $30 was a reasonable price for such a great experience with a relaxed atmosphere. And if you get Mia you will be especially taken care of !

Much different than the first time I was here about 4 years ago. A table of 5 adults & 1 11 year old, they gave us 1 small bowl of salad to split between 4 adults. The salad bowl was enough for 2 people. The garlic bread searved was good and they were willing to give more of that. Sodas were $4 each. A kids meal was $14. The alfredo was super thick and hardly no flavor. The chicken parmesan was huge, but a lot of fat on the chicken.

We tried Vinny's for thr first time last night and were blown away. We will definitely be back! The food was delicious, the portions were large, and the price was very reasonable. This may be our new favorite restaurant!

I had high expectations. Food score would have been 2 but dessert raised it to a 3. Special soup of day lousy. No flavor. Broth mushroom onion. Seared cauliflower with buffalo sauce was good. However for appetizer this expensive, I expected mounds of well seared cauliflower bites. We got an insultingly tiny amount. Hardly seared at all. Ranch dip very good. Buffalo sauce excellent though. Salads were quite good though. Main courses disappointing. Scallops with roasted garlic risotto. Scallops were done to perfection. But risotto was not good. Tons of garlic. Not well roasted . All one could taste was overwhelming garlic. I pulled out like 8 cloves worth of garlic pieces. It was edible then. No veggies with it at all. My wife's salmon had a sickly sweet topping. Not great. Made decent by adding lots of their excellent Buffalo sauce. Pictures make it look better than it was. Dessert was outstanding though. Orange cheesecake with cranberry topping. Dense, flavorful cheese cake, nice cheesecake flavor with hint of orange shining through. Salvaged the meal. Overall disappointed ☹️. NB In fairness, I forgot to take picture immediately... picture that had salads and cauliflower appetizer was after we had eaten about 60% Seriously tiny amount. Sauce made salads better though.

The females working were pretty rude, but the young man in training was amazing and friendly. Food was ok at best. The Bloody Mary was damn good though! Prices were average. I can't really recommend this place.

The salmon and the wings were great. Our server was very friendly and personable. The cheese curds were alright, the dessert was amazing. This establishment has great aesthetics and good spacing between tables. Great spot for a good lunch and drink

BBQ chicken flatbread pizza was terrific, as was the fish and chips. Service was fast and friendly and we really enjoyed the decor and atmosphere. Great place to enjoy a meal.

Steak was cooked perfect and delicious. Fish tacos very tasty. Bloody Mary’s we fabulous! Got dessert to go. Server was friendly and food came in a very timely matter. Would recommend stopping in to enjoy a meal!!

Stopped by today on the way home from WI and we were not disappointed! The wings were great and HUGE! They even accommodated my “flats only” request. Hubby had a burger and it was equally good. The service was great and even though they were busy Ben took great care of us at the bar and made our meal and experience exceptional!

Had a run with a too well done burger after asking for medium and stated, "please make sure it's not over done or I will have to ask to send it back". Came out Well done and I sent back, was very hungry when I finally got my meal and it was raw. Staff took 1/2 off since I devoured half the burger and ate the fries. Didn't get sick, which is great, but thought they could have handle the situation a bit better. The food is still good!

Great service and great food! The first question our waitress asked was, “who wants coffee?”. Our food was served to us in less than 10 minutes despite nearly every table being full. The servings were all large and tasted great. I would definitely recommend if you are in the area!

This is our go to breakfast spot when we visit. Prices are reasonable, service is good and the place is always packed. If you’re in the area I highly recommended this place.

Fantastic food, fast service and clean seating. I ordered the meat lovers skillet with wheat toast.

Super packed on a Saturday morning. Super good food for an old-fashioned diner. My kiddo loves going to local breakfast diners wherever we go travel and this one did not disappoint. She got the skillet with all the jalapeños and it was super tasty. Just as an fyi: homemade croissants more like crescent rolls—not laminated, but still good. Great old-fashion service, too. Very enjoyable!

Food was good, filling, and cheap. Liked it alot.

Old school feel restaurant with all day breakfast. YUM. Came in at 10 and had to wait 20 min for a table. Waitress was very kind. Hostess ignored us right away. The person at counter didn’t seat us. We had to find someone near the juice station with a clipboard to put our name on the wait list. The food was a decent amount for price but kinda bland . I got an omelette with Texas toast and honey . It was nummy.

It was my first experience and wow..! 👌 👏 for the food you guys made for every one of as. Thanks to all in the sunshine family restaurant, this is one of best restaurant I'm trying in my live 😋 very kind...!

Pleasantly surprised by this gem on the river. Creole flavor was slightly different than what I'm used to, but in a good way. The food was excellent, and there were plenty of options to choose from. The kids loved the shrimp and we tried the gumbo and the jambalaya which were drastically different flavors, but both good. The rice was slightly overcooked and mushy though. Our service was good and the place was clean inside and out. No wait (eating lunch around 2pm) and had a great seat out in the patio.

Had the nicest/most attentive server on Saturday with a great/peaceful view of the water. The shrimp 🍤 was outta this world amazing as was the hot chicken, pulled pork and green 🫒 burger! Large mason drinks 🍹 were delicious as well. Food came out hot and in a timely manner. Overall 10/10.

I really enjoyed eating my meal on the patio at Catfish Charlie’s. My fried shrimp was especially good and so were the three cheese smashed potatoes. The wait staff were all very friendly and our food came out faster than I expected. The restaurant and bathroom were very clean, there was no fishy smell. This is a great seafood restaurant in the area.

Wow! Fabulous food, Great views and Super friendly service! I had the blackened catfish done right! ( And I really know this, as I am a retired chef) If you haven't been yet, you must check it out:)

This restaurant is on the water near the Hilton Hotel. It is a lovely seafood spot. Luckily, I had a table outside on a Sunday afternoon. They have a bar and drink menu. Dinner & lunch menu was full of options. Fried seafood obviously and bbq items. Mix of sandwiches and entrees. Food was good as well as the service. Nice patio area to view the dock. Have Window seating

Great location, good seating, great service, and excellent food! We had a very large order of onion rings. Also, we had the bluegill, catfish, and salmon at our table. All were very delicious.

EXCELLENT food, however, I felt the regular mac n cheese didn't have a lot of flavor to it. The smashed potatoes were FIRE and the blue gill. ribs and shrimp were spectacular!

Came here a couple weeks ago and let me tell you.The food is really, really good.The people are very friendly, and it's very nostalgic. This place used to be a shaky's pizza parlor

The service was quick. But we have had it inconsistent with the apps coming out of the deep fryer before they were fully cooked. The rest of the meal was spot on and the error was quickly corrected.

This isn’t fried ice cream — it’s just plain ice cream coated in granola, cinnamon, and honey. I’ve had real fried ice cream before, and this doesn’t come close. Really disappointed.

We were told they had the best pizza in town. How disappointing, the crust was not crispy and the toppings were barely done. Might as well get a frozen pizza, it would have more taste. The man at the counter who took our order was so rude and should not have that job! I would look for any other place to eat while visiting Dubuque!

Great hometown pizza. I recommend the Shot tower special. The service was extremely friendly.

Food was good, bartender was pretty attentive, servers gathered to gossip and talk right next to where we were sitting as they all talked in a group next to the bartender. It was pretty annoying when you're trying to have time with your significant other and enjoy a Sunday afternoon meal.

We had a pretty positive experience, staff is friendly, food was really, place was clean and decor was inviting. Wings an pizza were both very tasty and hot. Crust is different from what I’ve had before but I liked it. Wife had the fish sandwich and she liked it. Nice job!

Food was good, they messed up my BMW Roll order and at first it seemed like there was going to be an issue with them fixing it. But they made it right. Dinged them on service only because the waiter did not stay on top of my drinks and he was not busy. As for atmosphere, the staff behind the sushi bar could have been friendlier. I will be back.

Sushi was excellent! I sat at the bar and got two rolls and they were amazing. Fish and vegetables tasted super fresh and service was fast and friendly. I highly recommend if you are looking for good food and a great atmosphere!

Love coming here for lunch for work when in town. Always super quick and attentive service. Does a really nice job and you can easily squeeze in and out to fulfill a 1 hr lunch break. Go to is the hibachi lunch. I recently stopped for dinner and the sushi is very good as well, this takes longer (as it should) and I’ve never been disappointed.

Usually love sushi here. But today I found dehydrated lemon slice buried under sashimi pieces. Hopefully I don’t get sick mysteriously.

This used to be a decent, Midwest sushi spot. However, since the new addition/Covid, it has not been the same. The decor is gorgeous and the staff so attentive, but, and a big but at that, the food is just bad. We have tried at least 8 times since the new addition, shame on us, and the highest possible rating I could give is 2.5. Today, our final attempt, we avoided sushi completely. We ordered veggie dishes to eliminate the chance of the meat/fish tasting off (again), but still we were shockingly disappointed. The dishes had the distinct taste of the way insecticide smells 🤢. So, while I’m happy they maintain a pest free environment, we will not try again 😢

The sushi chef is wonderful and makes beautiful, delicious food! Sushi at most resteraunts is hit or miss but I have not had anything bad from the sushi bar here. Quick and great food!

We love this place. They have great sushi and the chefs whip it up quick and it’s beautiful art. The restaurant is clean and nice. The service is very attentive. The hibachi looks great. Mango martini is also great

We got the prime rib and half rack of ribs for takeout. Both were phenomenal. My husband was actually disappointed he didn’t get a full rack because they were so good he wanted more! Prime rib was perfectly done and delicious. All the staff from ordering to pick up were extremely friendly. I highly recommend!

The food was awesome. My sister & I had prime rib & my mom & daughter had homemade hand breaded tenderloins. Food was great & very reasonably priced, will go back for sure. The only disappointment was the salad bar, it needs more like tomatoes, eggs, bacon bits, etc

Great food ...great prices. Had an excellent server! Good size portions. Fast service. Had a large group and food came out fast and hot. No one was waiting long for their food.

My experience at Buddy's Clubhouse begins by asking the people living next to our Airbnb for a recommendation of their favorite restaurant. They talked amongst themselves and settled on Buddy's. We looked up the Google listing and decided to give it a try. It even had some Dubuque favorites. They mentioned that it was a dinner club, which didn't mean much to me, but seemed different from a restaurant somehow. When we arrived, we weren't sure that we came in the front door. It opens directly into a packed bar and a large number of middle-aged, white people looked at our rather differently appearing group of 4 strangers who were clearly not local. We were immediately greeted by friendly people and welcomed into the crowded space. It's very basic and simple with budget furnishings that you would expect in a thriving local bar with an attached eating area. The older white waiter was very friendly, though he was new and not very familiar with the menu. The food was decent quality, not really great or even very good, but it seemed reasonably well cooked and decent. The prime rib was not top quality meat by any measure, but it was certainly edible and reasonably priced. We felt really good about having tried this restaurant to get an authentic local Dubuque experience. We definitely do not plan to return, as our standards are a bit higher than what is offered here. By the way, the 2, count 'em, 2 trains that periodically run around the ceiling are a delight. We also learned that Buddy is no longer with us, but that his son, Steve, is the bartender and Buddy's widow continues to own the place. Here's to Buddy! I had a good gin and tonic at your Clubhouse and appreciate the chance to enjoy your work.

Very good food! Most of us had steak. Very friendly, great staff. Waited a few extra minutes to get our table, but really nice bartender bought our drinks. Now that was awesome! Will go back again.

My buddy and I are huge supper club fans, we grew up in Wisconsin :) There are a few critical boxes that need to checked off for approval. Someone who knows how to cook a steak, the option of a baked potato in its simplest form, iceberg lettuce side-salad (extra points for salad bar), & affordable stiff drinks. While traveling through Dubuque we came across Buddy’s. This place had it all, at top level. Everything was delicious and a super friendly staff to boot. Our waiter took great care of us & kept fantastic communication.

It was a difficult to find place, and the parking was limited. Once inside, we had to wait a few minutes to be seated. But the food was awesome for it being a small, simple place. I had the New York Strip steak and baked potato and it was very good. The meal also came with soup and salad. A nice touch was the train display all along the ceiling which actually worked! It was fun to watch it travel around the whole restaurant. If you can get past the size and simplicity of the atmosphere, its a good place to eat.

🚫‼️❌️🤮👎If you're ever in Dubuque, IA, save your time and money and speed past Lina's Thai Bistro. Almost an hour wait for carry-out. Fried calamari was soggy, oily, and stunk like rotten fish. Sashimi was paper thin, warm, and the cuts were not uniform. Chicken padthai was pale and tasted like sugar with a splash of soy sauce; it was inedible. I tasted a sliver of it and had spit it out; it was so disgusting. The owner's brother, Fong, gave me a refund after some time but there was no apology and he took off immediately afterwards.

The service was fast and really good. I tried the Tuk Tuk drink and it was delicious! The atmosphere is unique and nice. Food was okay - we ordered a few items and it felt hit or miss. The majority of it was super delicious, and others were meh. But we will definitely be back to try more.

Pad Thai perfect, textures & noodles & tofu done perfectly, sauce great! Sushi was really good, mangotini delicious. Tiramisu yummy. Service fast and friendly. Decor informal & nice. Highly recommended.

If you're ever in the Dubuque area and want a relaxed atmosphere and great food stop in amd try any of the Curry dishes. This will be go to stop for the next 4 months. The waitresses and food are great.

In the last month we've been there twice. The first visit, both times at the lunch hour, we (3 of us) had hot pot. Very authentic. I cooked and did not let the items stew long enough. I enjoyed the process and the learning experience. If your on a time budget don't order hot pot. Will order this again. Second visit (4 of us) ordered from the menu and items were ok. No pictures. This spicy does not take away from the flavor.

Great service, even though they were busy the service was great and polite. Excellent Thai food. Overheard the people at both tables close to us say how good the food was. It made me excited for my order to come. When it arrived it was great. My 10 year old said it was the best too. The kids will love it.

We had a group of 7 on a Saturday night and had a reservation. We were seated within a minute and it was wonderful meal. Great service with drinks (paid and water) being refilled timely and the food was fantastic. I had the spicy eggplant with tofu and it was excellent. Tofu was prepared really nicely and plentiful. On a scale of 1-10 of spiciness, it was a 2 but the waitress did offer a "5 spice level" which I turned down. My somewhat picky daughter chose the sweet and sour chicken, which is actually a stir fry version, and she said it was, "the best food ever". Nice decor and the waterfall wall is beautiful. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Our food was amazing! Best Quesada I have ever had!! I ordered the steak one! We even went back next night and I had same thing! My husband loved his choices too. We almost did not stay 1st time as it was not busy but sure glad we stayed. They also told us they have a new chef who we did see loved that he was dressed like a chef too! When back in town we will stay at Hotel again and eat at this wonderful hidden gem! I think Our server name was Amanda?? She was very good!

Bartender was great; food was not. Ordered mashed potatoes & got undercooked fries. And the Monte Cristo is listed as coming with raspberry preserves but mine was served with blueberry syrup. Not at all like Bennigan's used to serve

Yesterday, we had a reservation for a party of 8 and there were only 2 other tables with 2-3 people at the time we arrived. It took THIRTY MINUTES after putting in our orders for waters to get brought out to us. Not to mention that we had to remind our server TWICE about our waters. They claimed that they were just “sitting in the back.” It also took AN HOUR for our 4 alcohol drinks to all get brought out, and there were only 4 other people at the bar! All of the food had an off taste and was lukewarm and soggy by the time it was brought out (an hour after putting our orders in as well). Seriously a disappointment. Do not go here.

Stopped in after a wedding reception. Relaxing atmosphere and bartender Ryan was friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely will be a place for us to stop for drinks and conversation when we're in Dubuque. Easy access in and out of Dubuque from there. Thank you.

I had to travel for work and this restaurant was attached to the hotel so it was very convenient for me after long days at work. I had their breakfast sandwich and American fries in the morning. One evening I had the BLTA with a few drinks and the next night I had their siracha shrimp with a few drinks. The breakfast sandwich with american fries were good though average as far as it goes. The BLTA was very good though with a perfect amount of bacon and toppings. The beers were good, cold and refreshing. The next night I had the siracha shrimp which had a few onion rings with it. The sauce is awesome, the shrimp was good, the onion rings were excellent. The only real downside was the excessive amount of breading on the shrimp. It was too much but feeling about half of it off made it just about right. Between myself and my coworkers, we tried just about everything on the menu at some point over the weeks time. The food is highly recommended and really the only downer was the slow service from both the bartender and the waitress on the 1st night. The 2bd night was fine as we had a different bartender and it was slightly less busy. If you are in the area, go try the food, you will be pleasantly surprised.

We went before the symphony. They are supposed to have 1/2 price drinks before the symphony. We inquired about this and we're told no they do not have anything special before the symphony. We are very disappointed as it is clearly in the symphony program book begging patrons to visit before the symphony. Edit: Management reached out and have stated they have gone over the promotion with their staff. We will try again in May when the next symphony will be taking place. I will update after that. Update 05/01/2022: Stopped in before the symphony, this time they were up to speed on their advertisement. Great server! Thank you for supporting our Dubuque Symphony!!

We ordered steak and a burger, neither of which was cooked or edible . The fries, cheese curds, and cake were delicious!! The service was amazing!!

We got stir fry, red and yellow curries, soup, fried rice, and a couple of appetizers - and everything we ordered was delicious. Entres had very good quantity for the price, but the appetizers can get a little expensive. Fantastic service. The waitress was very well informed and very polite. Love the menu quality and little stories about their culture in footnotes. The inside atmosphere is pretty unique and interesting as well.

In my opinion, the best Asian food in Dubuque .Everything is so flavorful and made fresh. Everything I’ve had has always been seasoned well. Pad See Yew is usually my dish of choice. My husband loves the curries. Also love the pineapple fried rice. Very cool atmosphere!

I ordered mild pumpkin curry, but it was too spicy for me. My husband, who loves spicy food enjoyed it, but he agreed that it was very spicy. It seems that they do not accommodate different spice levels. Which is fine. But i would have very much appreciated it if they had let me know they could not make it mild.

Pete's Thai is our favorite restaurant in Dubuque. We've been coming here for several years, and always receive good food and good service. Today's lunch was a gathering of six friends, two of whom had recent birthdays. Our orders included Cashew Chicken, a noodle bowl, a bowl of dumplings, Bahn nee Patt, and Hibachi Shrimp. The servings were generous, and everyone liked what they ordered. We had a great time together. And it's always fun. To see the Thai mythology painted on the walls and printed on the menus.

Very good food, nice size portions. Love the atmosphere and how clean it is. Also like the heavy silverware and glasses. Service is outstanding and Colleen is great. The only way it could be better is if they gave you tea and a cup of soup. Great job to all the staff.

How have not found this gem before this. From start to finish, the flavors were filled with "spectacular." I couldn't believe the nuances that were packed into each dish. The Thai Tumeric Crepe sounded unique (and was) and shocked with me how each bite was almost a new experience ... so many flavors and details. The Roasted Duck Curry was labeled spicy and it delivered. It brought tears to my eyes for so many good reasons. It has a kick, but don't change anything ... take your punches and savor how the heat works with the various ingredients, and pair it with the rice ... you won't be sorry. The owner waited on our table and her passion for the food and for delivering an experience was noted. Loved this dinner and will be back. You should too.

Sense a year ago when I had given it a one-star and only due to poor service. Since then they have greatly changed. Their food has always been excellent. Service has improved greatly since my incident a year ago. Their atmosphere is nice and quiet. A pleasant place for a evening out for great food. And their packaging for to go has changed and is now highly adequate. Thank you Lindsay 😉👍

This place is a local gem and the service is amazing! It is also a vegetarian friendly place. We loved our steamed chicken veggie dumplings, mock duck buns, and pad thai and the lime citrus lime thai tea! I gotta say their pad thai was so chewy and flavorful and it was definitely a happy meal. Strongly recommend try their pad Thai! Te interior is cute and clean and very nice local restaurant

Located at 145 W 11th St, Oolong offers an inviting Eastern‑Asian fusion kitchen with excellent pho, lobster rangoon, and rich miso ramen featuring pork belly and mushrooms. I loved the pad Thai and Thai basil stir‑fry too. Each dish felt carefully balanced, flavorful, and fresh. The décor is bright and relaxed, and staff are helpful and courteous. A smart choice for those craving authentic noodle soups and Asian‑inspired bowls in a calm setting.

What a delicious place for dinner! Plenty of seating inside and street parking for your convenience. I ordered the lobster ragoons and also the chicken pad Thai and added broccoli. Food came out quick and hot. I highly recommend this place for lunch or dinner.

Nice place to unwind and eat a warm meal. Service was good. Food was easy to choose among the few options available. I ordered Thai stir fry which was filling but a bit too much sauce and a small critic thought: Meat cost $3-$4 extra, meanwhile the meat portion is small for both plates we ordered (chicken and beef). No compliant really, Just being honest. I enjoyed the warm tea and honey with my meal. The lime tea takes acquired taste. I would probably order dumplings again, but not sure about the stirfry or curry. Overall nice choice for Thai.

Absolutely delicious! The thai basil stir fry with tofu is some of the best I’ve had. My husband loved his ramen, and the pad Thai for my daughter was also very good and we ended up eating half of it. Service was top notch and we will definitely be stopping by next time we are in town.

We walked in and my first thought was that the place was small but clearly popular—it was busy, which is always a good sign. We’re from out of town and I was a little skeptical about trying Oolong, but they ompletely blew me away. They serve the best Pad Thai I’ve ever had. The flavors were incredible, the portions were generous, and the service was friendly and fast. I seriously can’t wait to come back next time we’re in Dubuque. I’ll be recommending this place to anyone visiting or living in the area!

We were traveling from Colorado to Michigan, and stop here for lunch. I was impressed of this place. Pho Bo and pad tai are cooked according to original recipes, which is rare in usa in general. Very good atmosphere, nice and friendly waiter Samuel, very nice design of interior of restaurant. Next door is great Local brewery - Jubeck. Oolong restaurant allows beer to brought in. Parking is easily available in the street after 5pm free. 🆓 I would really recommend this place for my friends. 🩵