St. James - Modern Caribbean

The food at St. James Restaurant in Washington, D.C. has consistently impressed me over the years. Every time I have visited, the food and service have been excellent. The host is always friendly and welcoming, which makes the experience even better from the moment you walk in. The black rice is my absolute favorite, and the callaloo soup with crab is another definite standout. The ambiance is inviting, and their teas are always wonderful.

They also offer good vegetarian options, and many of the sides can be made vegan, which makes it a great spot for people with different dietary preferences.

However, during my most recent visit, I noticed a change. Several dishes were much saltier than usual. The mac and cheese was so salty it had to be sent back, and even the collard greens and black rice were overly salty. I am not sure if they have a new chef, but the seasoning was noticeably heavier than before.

To their credit, the staff handled the situation graciously and allowed my grandmother to order another dish to replace the mac and cheese. I truly appreciate how they corrected the situation, and I will still return to St. James because of my past great experiences — but I hope the seasoning returns to the balance I have always loved there.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Mac and Cheese, Cassava Fritters, Callaloo Soup

Jerk wings, Garlic pork, Coconut rice, and Macaroni pie. THE BEST. I really need to save room for dessert sometime!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Macaroni Pie, Crab Accras, Smoked Jerk Wings

Throughly enjoyed our night out at St. James. Our server was great and everyone came to speak to us and check on the service, which was appreciated. Everything we ordered came out HOT and at a good pace. Drinks were delicious.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Macaroni Pie, Aloo and Channa Pies V

Worste Trinidad food ever not representing st James

I just got takeout: wings, crab bites, and plantains. ALL delicious! The wings are smoked in jerk seasonings/spices. They have a slight kick but don't need ANY sauce. Meat fell off the bones. Crab bites were meaty and flavorful. The plantains are legit. Mind you this is takeout with a 20min ride to Mclean, VA. I can only imagine how much better the food tastes dining in. This place is worth its 4.5+ rating.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

St. James was a 20/10. The cocktails: delicious; the Branzino: a MUST-try; the coconut rice: scrumptious... and the rum cake with banana ice cream: just perfect . When we complimented the flavors, we learned a little more - including that they make every single thing on this very updated Caribbean menu in-house. The atmosphere and décor were clean and modern - effortlessly cool without trying too hard. It struck that sweet spot between style and authenticity, with a laid-back elegance that felt refreshingly unpretentious. And the service? It mirrored that vibe perfectly: warm and welcoming (shout-out to Patrick and the team), attentive and friendly without ever feeling scripted. I’ll absolutely be back. 100%.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Hello,

I wanted to share some honest feedback following my visit to your restaurant yesterday. Unfortunately, my experience—from beginning to end—was very disappointing.

The evening began with the bartender preparing a Negroni by shaking it, which caught me off guard, as Negronis are traditionally stirred. Beyond that, each time we asked a question, the response came with visible attitude, as if we were an inconvenience. If the bartender was having a bad day, it should not have been projected onto the guests.

I ordered the salmon under the impression that it would be plain. At no point was I informed that it would be served with a sweet rub, which I did not care for. As a result, I didn’t eat it at all. Rather than risk an uncomfortable confrontation, I chose to leave quietly, but I left feeling unheard and frustrated.

Based on this visit, I don’t feel I can return. I would rate the service a 1 out of 10. I’m reaching out privately to let you know that your bartender’s level of professionalism needs serious improvement. Hospitality matters—and yesterday, it was sorely lacking.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

I went to St. James for my birthday on Friday and it was a great experience. I’m Jamaican and Guyanese and pretty particular about my Caribbean food, but the food here is exactly as the restaurant name suggests. It’s traditional Caribbean dishes with a modern twist. Everything was excellent and it came out quickly. The drinks were also impeccable. Most importantly, they brought out a birthday dessert and candle for my birthday. It’s the details like that that matter and make a patron feel special. I’ll definitely be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food: had the aloo pies and crab Accra. Both slapped!!! The tamarind sauce was a little tart though.
Drinks: ok. Could’ve been a little more liquory (I know that’s not a word). They have an extensive bar. I took video.
Service: amazing. Everyone was so nice and quick.
Atmosphere: cool for date or girls dinner
Recommend? Absolutely

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Crab Accras, Aloo Pies

The best Caribbean food I’ve ever had, hands down. Amazing cocktails, cool vibe, nice service.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Absolutely god damn wonderful. Everything was perfect--food, service, vibes... no notes.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The service was immaculate and the food was excellent. I especially loved the spice on the jerk wings and the tenderness of the oxtails. I had the black rice, which was flavorful and a nice touch. I also tasted my bestie’s brisket—it was really good, a bit on the sweeter side. The mac and cheese was also a hit. We went on a Sunday with a reservation, though it didn’t seem necessary (but I imagine it depends on the day you go). I’ll definitely be back to try other dishes, but overall, I highly recommend this place!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Macaroni Pie, Mac and Cheese, Smoked Jerk Wings

Food was sooo good! We got the saint james beef ribs and duck & dhal, sorell fizz for drinks and IPA. Beef was 6/10, the sauce was too salty, it overpowered the steak. But the duck was sooo freaking good!! Sauce was good, duck was crunchy outside juicy inside and the coconut rice is blending sooo well with thr dish! I loved my mocktails and my hubby loved his IPA. The place is extremely loud. I had to yell to communicate to my hubby LOL but vibe was good, great service, Will def be back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Duck \u0026 Dhal

What a vibe. Highly recommend

Been twice and it was excellent each time! 10/10 easy choice!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5