St. James - Modern Caribbean
A modern Caribbean gem offering an innovative culinary experience with vibrant flavors and exquisite cocktails in a beautifully decorated setting.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
St. James - Modern Caribbean
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A modern Caribbean gem offering an innovative culinary experience with vibrant flavors and exquisite cocktails in a beautifully decorated setting.
"Easily one of the best meals I've eaten in the last five years!"
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend evenings when the restaurant opens at 1 pm.
Embrace the Ambiance
Choose between the lush interior or outdoor seating for a unique dining atmosphere.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Modern Caribbean
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Innovative Caribbean Flavors
Experience traditional Caribbean and West African dishes with a modern, surprising twist.
Exquisite Craft Cocktails
Sip on flavorful and unusual cocktails, like the Sorrel Margarita, that perfectly complement your meal.
Lush and Inviting Ambiance
Dine in a beautifully decorated interior inspired by Trinidad's vibrant greenery, or enjoy outdoor seating.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend evenings when the restaurant opens at 1 pm.
Embrace the Ambiance
Choose between the lush interior or outdoor seating for a unique dining atmosphere.
Ask for Recommendations
Engage with the knowledgeable staff, like the bar director, for drink and food pairing advice.
Dietary Inclusivity
This spot offers great vegetarian options and many sides can be made vegan.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend evenings when the restaurant opens at 1 pm.
Embrace the Ambiance
Choose between the lush interior or outdoor seating for a unique dining atmosphere.
Ask for Recommendations
Engage with the knowledgeable staff, like the bar director, for drink and food pairing advice.
Dietary Inclusivity
This spot offers great vegetarian options and many sides can be made vegan.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
St. James offers an exquisite culinary journey with innovative Caribbean and West African dishes and top-notch cocktails. Diners consistently praise the attentive and friendly service, as well as the beautifully designed ambiance, making it ideal for special occasions. However, some patrons find the portion sizes to be small relative to the price, and the mandatory gratuity can be a point of contention.
"We decided to have our 11th year wedding anniversary dinner at St.James Modern Caribbean restaurant in DC and the experience was absolutely amazing! We opted for outdoor sitting because it was a beautiful evening but inside of the restaurant is also gorgeous. The food and drinks were exquisite. Our server Josh, was kind, attentive and gave us wonderful recommendations. My husband loves meat and I am vegan so eating together is often a challenge but this experience was seamless. They have something for everyone and the food is so delicious. Thank you for a great anniversary experience and we will be back!!!"
Delali Mensah Jamison
"St. James delivers on flavor, but the portion sizes and mandatory gratuity take away from the overall experience. The crab fritters were an excellent start, crispy, well-seasoned, and packed with flavor. My husband ordered the curried crab and dumplings, expecting a hearty meal, but the portion was disappointingly small for a medium plate. He did enjoy it though. My peppered shrimp was good and I opted for mild seasoning. The greens were absolutely delicious and different and the plantains are the best.
The service was excellent, with attentive and friendly staff, but the automatic gratuity feels excessive. While the food is good, the pricing and portion sizes don’t quite match up, making it hard to justify a return visit."
Tee Ellis
"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!"
Ashley Amanda
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Popular choices include the Jerk Wings, Brisket Platter, and the Curried Crab with Taro Dumplings.
Yes, they have good vegetarian options and many of their sides can be prepared to be vegan.
Yes, outdoor seating is available and offers a beautiful ambiance, complementing the gorgeous interior.
St. James is generally considered upscale, with entrees ranging from $20-$40, and cocktails around $15.
They are known for their terrific and unusual cocktails, with popular mentions of Watermelon Wav and Sorrel Margarita.
Reservations are recommended, especially for peak hours and weekends, as they open at 1 pm.
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The ultimate long weekend in Washington, DC
I love St. James, which serves elevated Caribbean cuisine with tiny twists that surprise you. Order the curried crab with taro dumplings, then wash it down with a sorrel margarita. You won't regret it.
Best restaurants in the DC area: Tom Sietsema's favorites in June 2022
The dining room is designed to evoke the owner’s native Trinidad. “When I go back home,” says Jeanine Prime, “I’m struck by the lushness. You see green everywhere.” You see green everywhere at the light-filled St. James, too: in the shiny front of the bar, on the plant-filled shelves behind it, and atop the plates that crowd your table as you make your way through the menu.
Eating Through Chocolate City: Your Guide To Black-Owned & Black-Led Dining In The DC Area
From the team behind popular DC restaurant Cane, St. James is a modern Caribbean restaurant and rum bar on 14th street is a great spot for drinks, a date night, or a meetup with friends. Don't skip the crab and dumplings!
D.C. Restaurants | Top 39 in 2024
Named after a neighborhood in Trinidad’s Port of Spain, St. James is one of the best Washington D.C. restaurants to try if you want innovative takes on West African dishes and Caribbean cuisine.
The best Caribbean bars in Washington, D.C.
It has a very friendly staff who are professional and had their style and charisma which made the ambiance so inviting. It has great food, atmosphere, and terrific and unusual cocktails.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit