Brazen Open Kitchen | Bar — Restaurant in Dubuque

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...

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...

We love coming to Brazen and it's really our capstone dining experience when in the Dubuque / Galena area. The menu seems to be getting more extraordinary each time we visit, which is remarkable given the tremendous talent in the kitchen. There are so many crowd pleasing options on the menu but what really struck us this visit were the vegan options which is saying something since we recently came back from a trip to NYC which included a visit to 11 Madison Park where we enjoyed its vegan prix-fix.

This visit I had the beet soup (amazing) and we both had the vegan butternut squash as our main - elegant, approachable and delectable. Subtle mastery of a dish that's straight forward but layered in complexity. For dessert, the vegan Swiss roll was truly a standout and should not be missed. The kids feasted on a generous, perfectly cooked and sliced NY strip which screamed welcome to the Midwest with an amazingly flavorful but not overwhelming horseradish cheese sauce and prodigious bunch of perfectly cooked fries. Lucky for the adults, we escaped with leftovers and so I am not unhappy about lunch tomorrow. On the beverage side, Brazen also really delights - the wines were thoughtfully selected and the cocktails were very well crafted. The immediate neighborhood has lots of fun after dinner options which is a great plus.

The service at Brazen is also a treat as well. It's particularly remarkable in the post pandemic era that this restaurant delivers friendly, very knowledgeable and attentive service in a relaxed atmosphere that is suitable for foodies, diverse groups and families alike.

Make the trip and visit if you are close by - you will be delighted by this standout...