The James

Exceptional service, delicious food and TOP NOTCH cocktails. We really enjoyed the lemon drop, brass monkey & french martini (get the bubbles!) for food we indulged in the prime Au jus sandwich, soup/salad lunch combo & buffalo chicken wrap — thank you we will definitely be back!

Just got done having my birthday dinner here and couldn’t be happier from start to finish of our meal. We had a table of four and ordered the following- she crab soup (special), French onion and mushroom soup. She crab is more sherry forward but love the addition of some lemon and dill. French onion was great. Mushroom soup was well loved by our mushroom lover with the nice touch of a puff pastry top. We ordered the side of Brussels as an app and they were easily in my top 3 in all of Charleston. I mean absolutely amazing. For entrees we ordered full rack of ribs, garlic shrimp pasta and the fresh catch which happened to be striped sea bass. Entrees were outstanding a great portions. Upgraded sides to Mac n cheese and well worth it. Loved the shell pasta with bread crumbs. It cradled that amazing cheese sauce and was a perfect bite. Our waiter was outstanding even though I don’t remember his name. I can’t wait to go back to try more of their amazing menu.

Good food but this is all they gave me for 4 people, the restaurant scared me with the dimmed lights and I felt haunted. There was too much sexual tension between me and the cheeseburger, and the French onion soup— while delicious and creamy— reminded me too much of my ex to properly enjoy it. Would go again 8/10

We are definitely heading back for dinner. I had the prime rib melt and it was amazing. The fried green tomatoes were so crispy and delicious. Great drinks, great staff, and awesome food.

The food was absolutely delicious. I have never heard the word "wow" so many times at one meal. Very enjoyable! And the rolls were to die for!!! Expect to pay around $30+ per person, but well worth it.

Excellent service from Logan! Some great dishes too, including the prime rib sandwich. Amazing cocktail in the pecan old fashioned.

Sublime downtown quality and service off the peninsula. That prime rib is juicy, tender, and marbled with fat. Each bite was delicious. I could not put down my burger. Fries were well salted and cooked consistently. The James Island iced tea was sweet, tart and refreshing. Service was classier than most downtown restaurants. They were not understaffed and took pride in their product. We will be back with friends.

This was a great experience. We were greeted warmly at the door, taken to a table, and had virtually no wait until our server, Tristan arrived. We discussed their cocktail menu and he recommended a local beer for me and a local vodka for my wife. Both were excellent. The food was spectacular, I highly recommend the prime rib. I’d caution against everyone ordering side items; one side of green beans is enough for an army. Well worth your time to seek this place out.

Let's summarize so you can skip to the next review. Two lunch entrees, a soft drink, and an 8-oz glass of wine and dessert - $87 before tax and tip. The food and service were excellent. You should try The James. This was my first visit but will not be my last. My food-appreciating youthful dining partner and I dined at The James on a dreary day in which my partner presented with all the symptoms of cabin fever. I proposed The James and out we went. It's an attractive interior and not very crowded on a rainy Sunday at 1 PM. During our stay a few people drifted out of the bar and the restaurant peaked at about 20 people. The acoustics are ... interesting. My dining partner and I could converse easily across our booth, but I had a feeling that it could get a lot louder when full. There might be some reviews about noise levels, but it is clearly great for a birthday party, as one was there. I just don't know how it works for a romantic evening. That's why you should read the Yelp comments. The service was flawless. My partner commented specifically about the server constantly replenishing the soft drink, My partner, who eats and catches a lot of fish, ordered fish and chips and had a plate-sized of perfectly batter-fried cod, and expressed astonishment at the flakiness and the sweetness of his fish. I concurred with his assessment. I had the crabcake lunch and it was spectacular. I've caught, steamed, and picked crabmeat and made crabcakes from scratch and this one was better than mine. Was that lemon juice and zest plus a slightly sweet element, perhaps a soupçon of Miracle Whip? My youthful dining partner stated the crabcake was "zesty." Served with cole slaw, grilled asparagus, and a glass of dry white wine, it was a lunch to remember. The wine list was quite good and the markups were not awful. Just a reminder - if you see a bottle that you can buy at Total Wine for $32, finding it on the menu for $70 is more than acceptable.

I'll start off by saying that I love the James and the food and the service. However, the past two times I've been I've gotten the prime rib. There is so much fat that you have to pick around it. Our bartender/waiter was awesome, but someone else stopped by the table and asked how everything was and we told them about the prime rib having a lot of fat. Their response was huh. I understand the prime rib can have quite a bit of fat however, for the amount you pay for it I would hope that 90% is edible. Hoping the next time I go, I don't run into this again.

We are vacationing in the Charleston area with my family of 4 (18 and 16 YO girls and my wife). They wanted a place that they could get dressy for and while The James is certainly a a beautiful place, there isn't a strict dress code so they felt a little over-dressed. That concern went away once we were seated and greeted by the wonderful Mac G. He admitted that he was new and a little unsure of the ordering system. He managed to charm his way through it and was a fantastic addition to the night. He was attentive and continued to bring his personality. My daughter got the filet which was perfectly cooked to a temperature of medium-well. She didn't leave an ounce of steak. In fact, we cleaned all of our plates. I got the prime rib sandwich. I left off the cheese so it didn't hide the delicious flavors of the rib which was a great choice. It was probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. My other daughter did the shrimp and pasta. She said that the pasta sauce was fantastic but the shrimp lacked. She did appreciate the toasted breadcrumbs on top for a crunchy texture. My wife had the bolognaise which she loved! it wasn't too creamy or thick and the flavors were amazing. All in all, we had a fantastic time at The James and would highly recommend it.

This post is definitely for the soup lovers. I really begun to enjoy spending a Sunday afternoon here for brunch this time. I decided that I was craving soup. I initially knew that I wanted to try the mushroom soup. Something about that puff pastry dome on top was calling my name and oh baby, that was delicious. The combination of the soup with the bread just made for such a delicious bite I also have to say that the loaded potato soup was flavorful to the point. I wanted to put the bowl down and just drink it from the bowl. My friend ordered the French onion soup and I had some of that and now I know what I'm gonna order the next time I go back it's a great space located on James Island It has an indoor and outdoor seating. I've never been on the back patio, but it looks like a cute space to sit and sit for a while. Come spring. The service is always good and everybody's very nice.

Came in with a larger group and sat in the bar area (first come first serve). Our waiter was so lovely, picked up on the vibe of our group and joked with us the entire time. Food was delicious and perfect portions. Chicken piccata was so good and delightfully lemony.

This time we had tuna tartar, calamari, and the baby back ribs- with a cab franc from the loire valley, and the apple crisp with ice cream. It was all super yummy. I would for sure get the tuna again!!

It was my mother in laws last night in town and she wanted to have a nice dinner before she left. We have been talking about trying out The James for a while so we figured it would be the perfect chance to do so! We started off with glasses of wine and a dirty martini. She really enjoyed her Chardonnay and I loved my glass of Sancerre. We ordered dipping shrimp as an app which took a little bit to come out. The dish itself was very tasty and came with three dipping choices. She got the burger as an entree, I got the garlic shrimp pasta and my boyfriend got the bolognese. While the dishes itself were delicious, the food was not that warm and felt like maybe it has been sitting ready for a while before it was served to us. Our server Mac was amazing and he seemed to really enjoy doing his job which made the whole dinner experience amazing!

This was my first time and I was delightfully impressed. It is in a small area so parking is scarce. When first walking in we we greeted with amazing decor, it was open, and modern. You have your choice of seating (main dining room, patio, or bar). The staff was very accommodating and helpful (thank you ). I had the fish and chips, which was seasoned very well, crispy and juicy. I definitely recommend a visit when you are in James Island

Stopped into The James for lunch! Excellent atmosphere in Bar Area! TVs showing the Noon ACC Football Game! Hostess was very nice and seated us right away in a booth by the Bar. Bartender on point and came right over for our drink order. We ordered the Fried Green Tomato Appetizer and it was delicious!! For lunch we ordered the French Onion Soup and 1/2 Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken and I had the Prime Rib Melt with Fries of course the food was delicious as usual!! Easy 5 Stars !!

The food was very good! The wait staff were attentive and friendly. It was my first visit and I will dine here again. If you're looking for a good place to dine, I recommend The James without hesitation.

Took our family here for the first time and we nearly ordered half the menu! The food was fantastic, the service was amazing and the ambiance was so nice at dinner time. Easily a family dinner spot or if you want to dress up and have date night! We will be back

Lunch is available Wednesday through Sunday and I was pleasantly surprised and delighted with my lunch here today. My favorite salad - the beet salad- I try to get in several places around the Charleston area but this one eats all others! I savored every morsel and thoroughly enjoyed this salad. Will return again very soon for another stab at savoring my beet salad! Owned by The Neighborhood Dining Group The James offers traditional American fare where there is something for everyone. The service was friendly and efficient and management does circulate to ensure that you are enjoying your dish and everything is perfect. The restaurant space is open and airy with tables and booths along the wall and by the windows. Indoor and Outdoor seating is available and hightops in the bar area are available also. This is truly a gathering place for friends and family and yes I will return again and again. Book a reservation through the Resy App Ron guarantee a table, lunch was busy on the day I decided to stop and try The James and I had a brief wait for a small booth. Parking in front and behind The James. Large lots. Contemporary American cuisine.

The four dishes we selected were all considered tasty, and hit the spot for each diner. My pasta was a ragu, and was super flavorful. Highly recommended. I thought the ribeye looked a little strange, but it was tender, juicy, and had good flavor. I didn't taste the prime rib sandwich or the wedge salad, but both dinners raved about their orders. We were well tended to by our waiter, who kept our glasses full and make sure we didn't run out of their signature bread with honey butter. It was a cold night, I thought the restaurant could have turned the heat up just a little... My only complaint. Good addition to the James/Johns Island corridor.

The James never disappoints. Mushroom Soup is just incredible! Their Strawberry Salad is delicious!!

One of the best spinach dips in Charleston. I wasn't expecting tomato in it, but it was a welcome addition. The French dip was also an absolute must. My only complaint is that I don't care for their fries. Too thin. The service was very friendly and she gave us all the time we needed to chat and make up our mind without feeling rushed. The space is large if there isn't parking up front there is more in back. Well lit, and welcoming environment.

Very delicious, excellent service, and relaxing environment. Will definitely be back.

The James is what going to Outback was in the 90s. While not a chain, it has the vibe of an upscale chain. The food is delicious and filling (definitely what I would consider to be American food), it is kid friendly (they have a kid's menu and coloring sheets/crayons), and welcoming inside. Service is always fantastic and the menu items are consistent. Writing this is making me want to go back soon....

What can be said that hasn't already been said by someone? It was Wednesday afternoon/evening at 6:45 and the dining rooms (one is smaller and somewhat separated) were entirely filled. Yes, you need a reservation and it is quite worth it. We walked in and the gentleman at the front handed us and menus off to Ryan, a cheerful, helpful and friendly guy who does about everything except serving. As for service, that was Summer, a lady who rattled off without hesitation the specials as well as pertinent answers to my wife's questions. Drinks ordered--a Low Tide Brewers "Aloha Beaches" (my favorite) and a Cucumber tonic (non alcoholic) for my wife. A repeat for me was the small (about 10 ounces) prime rib with creamy, perfect, mashed potatoes, for $36. The prime rib remains the very best in town. The smoky spices on the edge are all you ever need to compare to any other restaurant's. My wife prefers salads and salmon topped off their Tuscan Green salad. Neither of us cares for the sharp edged kale with the somewhat bitter taste. This was not anything like those other kale salads. Absolutely tasty, enjoyable and worth the $23, which includes the $8 charge for the salmon. If you haven't been to The James yet, you owe it to yourself to try you owe it to yourself to get your reservation, and come for the joy of fine food and fine service. Oh, yes. I will return.

I tried The James for the first time Thursday for dinner, as I was searching for an upscale dining experience. I recently moved here from DC and as much as I love all the seafood, and casual eateries near my home, I do love a nice restaurant with nice decor and real napkins! And options that are NOT fried. Ambiance was classy and crisp. Not pompous. I sat at the busy bar and ordered the mussels first. They had star anise spice, so not my favorite. This spice is like fennel, tastes like licorice and I'm allergic, so had to send back. Many people like that spice, so I don't hold it against them. Should mention it in the menu, though. But then I ordered garden salad with house made ranch, and the prime rib. I swear I haven't had prime rib this perfect in many years. So good!! It came with amazing puree potatoes, whipped beautifully. The service was fantastic, thanks to the lovely and attentive bartender, Jen. I was so impressed I ordered the salmon, mushroom soup and chicken piccata to go. All delicious. I will be back soon! My compliments to the chef and Jen and the service crew at The James!

If you want a great prime rib or a delicious crispy spicy Caesar salad. Pretty much everything is spot on! Best martini hand stuffed blue cheese olive ale are perfect! The servers are all friendly , professional and fun to chat with. The happy hour is always a win.

Made reservations for the wrong night and they were still able to accommodate the 4 of us on a Saturday night. Food and service was excellent as was their cocktails! Mussels were delicious, spicy Caesar was excellent and so was the Mushroom soup. Nice classy relaxed atmosphere. Would definitely recommend!

We went for lunch on Saturday. The James never disappoints. Four people each ordered something different and everything was spot on. Soup in a salad: french onion soup and strawberry salad. The French onion soup is some of the best in town. The fresh strawberry salad was a nice mix. Wedge salad. Always great. Fish and chips. Large portion of fish with a nice serving of fries. Cheeseburger and fries. The food came right out of the kitchen when it was finished. The fried fish was super hot. Plenty of servers to attend to our needs. The restaurant is pleasant but can be a bit loud when busy.

We took my mother in law for her birthday and everything was perfect. The staff is very accommodating, the ambiance upscale, and the food was amazing. Their prime rib is delicious! I highly recommend this spot.

The James has something for everyone and every budget from sandwiches to a filet. Not pictured - the spinach dip appetizer is amongst top 5 that I've had, highly recommend. The Prime Rib melt was jam packed with flavor, I just wish it was served on different bread because the au jus coupled with the horseradish sauce and cheese, it was pretty fall apart messy. Be warned the fries are shoe string type, which are personally not my jam. The inside is welcoming with both booths and tables. Not loud. The red wines by the glass could use more variation and old world options. Overall look forward to trying again.

We stopped into the James for an early dinner & were greeted quickly by the host. We were seated in the bar. I picked this restaurant because I saw the french onion soup & it's one of my favorites. It did NOT disappoint. Cheese was nice and melted and crispy. I got the wedge salad with shrimp. It was good but over dressed a bit. My husband got the prime rib melt and said that it was okay but not the best. He ate about half of it. All over the restaurant was very clean and the service was quick.

We enjoyed our dinner @thejameschs. The spinach artichoke dip was amazing. The prime rib was so tender and full of flavor. The crab cakes were filled with lumps of crabmeat, not a lot of filler. The prime rib sandwich was the best! You will not be disappointed if you stop by @thejameschs. Highly recommend you make a reservation. Exceptional service and very nice atmosphere. #primerib #crabcakes #primeribsandwich #broccoli #mashedpotatoes #coleslaw #greenbeans #goodeats #charleston #charlestonsc #finedining #spinachartichokedip

Loved the decor, service was amazing and had the prime rib which was cooked perfectly. When in town, will go back.

I had an incredible brunch with friends at The James. We snacked on some dinner rolls and I ordered the French onion soup and peach salad. French onion soup is a personal favorite of mine! The amount of cheese, bread and broth were perfect. So delish! The peach salad was scrumptious! I truly enjoyed the champagne vinaigrette and the firm versus mushy peaches that put this dish over the top. The hostess was incredible and I appreciate the beautiful ambiance and decor. Our server was mediocre at best.

This is such a wonderful addition to James Island! I came here for a date night and really liked the atmosphere of the restaurant, the friendly service and delicious food. For an appetizer we had the bread rolls - they were topped with sea salt and very yummy. For drinks we chose the espresso martini - this was made with nitro infused espresso which made the drink very smooth. For entrees we tried the crab cake sandwich and the smaller version of the prime rib dinner. The crab cake was one of the best I've had in Charleston and the shoe string fries were excellent. The prime rib dinner was very tender and had a flavorful purée. The smaller version was plenty for one person. We ended the meal with the brownie sundae which was so delicious. Through the meal we had excellent service and enjoyed the comfortable seating. I am definitely planning on coming back - this is a great spot for both date nights and family dinners.

I would give 3.5 stars if I could. I had heard great things about this place so my expectations were high. Came here for restaurant week, for lunch. 2 courses for $25. We started with the French onion soup and the baked potato soup, these were both excellent. For our entrees, I had the burger and my husband had the chicken parm. The burger was cooked medium rare as asked but it was dry. They must use a lower fat content Beef which I don't care for. When I get a burger, I want it juicy so I was a little disappointed. I asked for the fries to be well done but I think the server forgot to pass this along, so not the kitchens fault. The chicken parm was very good, juicy and a nice portion. It was served over pasta in a marinara, Alfredo sauce combo. I think they should stick to just marinara, it would have been better but overall, a good dish. The place itself is nice and clean and service was adequate.

After hearing a lot about this place, four of us decided to give it a try. Good food and good Service. But I do have a problem with $26 for an 8oz pour of a Merlot blend. One of our group received a glass with cork in it and asked to replace with a Pinot. We were still charged $26 for her replacement. Seeing $52 for two glasses of wine gave me a bad taste. I get it that running a restaurant is expensive and I will pay closer attention if I come again.

Wow! What a great lunch spot. My french onion soup and chicken caesar salad were lovely. The restaurant was lovely and clean. Service was great. I definitely recommend.

Worst meal I have had in a long time. It was cold and dry. This was their second and final chance the food is not worth the money. If it was me I wouldn't waste your time when there are so many other place that actually care and make it worth the effort

Had a couple bloody Mary's Although small and not really a lot of thought into it... We split a hamburger and asked if they could split it and plate it for us and our server told us it was up to the chef... When did the chef start running the restaurant ??? if I ask the owner, do you think the owner would say no ...... Nice place nice decor. They could definitely use a little bit more effort in the service..... apparently the chef said no...

Across the board...Food, Service, and Ambiance - 5 Star all the way. Cocktails first - the Spicy Melon Margarita was perfection in a blend of heat and cool !!! Just delicious. We started with the Mushroom Soup topped with a flaky puff pastry - I will say our pastry was a bit anemic and needed a few more minutes but the soup was so hearty, warm, and tasty that we looked past it. We also enjoyed the Parker House Roles with a light dusting of salt, and served with honey butter....mmmmmm! Next, we had the Tuscan Salad - this I need to recreate at home, it was so delicious. Finely chopped Kale, currants, chopped Marcona almonds, a light dressing of lemon and olive oil topped with a perfectly grated layer of fresh parm. So very very delicious. For our mains, he had the brisket blend burger, and it was truly a melt-in-your-mouth stellar mix of beef. My choice was the Garlic Shrimp Pasta, a good staple with excellent flavor. No complaints about our mains course, only compliments. Servers were very good at their job, attentive, polite, and smiling. This was a perfect evening, setting an uplifting start to the holiday season!

Thanks Yelp. Place is awesome. Nice modern decor. Large in a Plaza setting with parking. Jessica provided great and friendly service. Food portions large. Crab cake sandwich was great. Shaved ribeye sandwich with horseradish sauce was large and had great flavor. One of the best I have had. I would highly recommend this restaurant. We went out of our way and glad we did.

Low quality food for the price. Unimpressed. The staff was nice. The broccolini could have been seasoned better and the steak was mid.

A friend and I decided to stop by The James and see if we could get a spot at the bar! We arrived at 5, and were able to snag seats at the bar. Tracy was our bartender and she did an outstanding job! She seemed genuinely interested in us and in our having a great experience. We both started with a glass of wine. Love the wine glasses-they have little corks etched on the glass which mark the 5 vs 8 oz pours. I love this as I have been stiffed lately at other establishments. The sparkling rose was just the way I like it, not too sweet. We started with the spinach artichoke dip which was delicious. We ate every bite! The menu is fairly simple, but has a nice variety of options from salads to steak and seafood. The filet price is very reasonable! For dinner, I had the crab cake sandwich and my friend had the Garlic shrimp pasta. The crab cake was full of lump crab and was just right. My friend said the pasta was delicious too. We did not save room for dessert but we saw the Crème Brûlée and the Lava cake and they looked really good. Will have to save room next time! They have done a really nice job with the space-they have a nice bar and there are high top tables in the bar. I look forward to getting a reservation and going back again soon!

This is on my list to visit again, the description of the Prime Rib sandwich sold me and it did not disappoint. Service was great, our waitress was very attentive and even asked if we had any allergies that she should know about. Only thing that was weird was when we arrived the hostess wanted our name and phone number? Why? There was no wait, we and didn't have reservations. Other than that my husband and I both enjoyed our sandwiches and southern hospitality.

Wow! My family and I travelled to Charleston from Orlando, FL and we were blown away! The food was hot and fresh, service was 10/10. We were never rushed and treated kindly. We even had the pleasure of speaking to the manager and he even recommended some other restaurants we could try. We really left in love with The James. The atmosphere was nice and cozy but yet very upscale. Drinks were wonderful! The appetizers were amazing. We especially loved the spinach and artichoke dip and the french onion soup. The entrees were exquisite. The crab cakes were delicious. Ribs were wonderful. Steak and baby back ribs just delicious!! Make the stop. It's so worth it.

First time here, we will be back! Attentive service, delicious food, good atmosphere! Definitely recommend!

Amazing food! The restaurant was beautiful inside. Service was amazing by Kacey. She was absolutely incredible. Appetizers, Mushroom Soup, French Onion Soup, Spinach Artichoke Dip. Entrees: Prime Rib, Chicken Piccata, Garlic Shrimp Pasta. We had a lovely time and will be returning!

Phenomenal service. Everything we ate was delicious. Great ambiance. Very welcoming hostess. It's a must!

I'm so glad to have learned that the James is now open for lunch some of the week. Joined a group for a birthday lunch there few days ago, and the food and service were top-notch! We started with the tuna tartar and artichoke dip for the table. For my lunch, I had the prime rib melt.... Delicious! The beef was so tender with a super soft bun.. yummmm! Highly recommend it!

The experience this time at The James was very good. The ambiance was airy and not overcrowded or loud. This made gentle conversation easy and unhurried. The server (Megan) was a gem. Great feedback on choices and serving; she kept sharp tabs on our meal and satisfaction. The food was superb: beet salad was off the chain, the shrimp pasta for her, and the prime rib for me were impeccable. We split the cheese cake with lemon curd as a desert. In all, a very good experience. I would whole-heartedly recommend.

Cute place! Loved the ambience and the bathrooms. The ribs were pretty good. The spinach dip was really rather just a queso dip lol. Service was great!

Tucked away in little strip on James island just past the Harris teeter. Great decor and lighting especially in the evening. Makes it feel like you are not on James Island in the best way possible. For starter I had the French onion soup. Was rather impressed with this. The Gruyère cheese crust really made this dish enjoyable and stand out from what you would get at other places. I'm not sure about you but some crispy cheese will always get my vote. For entree I had the prime rib and mashed potatoes. This was good. Not best I've hd, however whenever I get nice cuts of meat out to eat I just always think I can do it better and save money. However, if you are not skilled at cooking meat this will do. The key lime pie is top three pieces of pie I have had in my life. Even came back the next day to get another piece. Overall great spot to dine on James Island

My husband me I are visiting my parents in Folly Beach and they recommended that we go for dinner here. We went on a Tuesday night at 6 pm. We did have a reservation. We got the rolls as an appetizer. I had the French Onion soup and my parents split a spicy Caesar salad. The French Onion soup had thyme in it which gave it a unique finish. My Dad and I both had the chicken piccata which had a very rich sauce with broccolini (which was a bit overcooked). My husband had the ribs and my Mom had the crab cake dinner. We also enjoyed the Kolsch beer, a glass of Pinot Noir, a Cabernet from CA and their non-alcoholic Cucumber and Tonic mocktail. We took home some leftovers and did not have room for dessert. The server was wonderful. She was knowledgeable about the food, engaging, and brought the right amount of attentiveness. There is outdoor seating when the weather is warmer and I'm sure we will be back on our next trip.

The food was great! The mushroom soup was as good as other reviews say, but only if you like mushrooms. I had the 8 ounce filet and it was cooked correctly and melted in my mouth. The service was quick and everyone was very friendly. Since we had the grandkids with us, getting our food quickly was important.