St. Anselm
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Man, places like this need to duplicate as much as they can. St. Anselm did not disappoint from start to finish! I was a solo diner for this experience and sat at the bar. The bartenders were friendly, filled waters promptly and were fast. I came in about 5pm on a Saturday and there were only 5-6 other people at the bar, but the dining area was pretty full. This place has an almost pioneer-ish vibe with all of the taxidermy on the walls mixed with like your Uncle's cabin in the woods in the 60s. I was digging it. I started with the buttermilk biscuits and pimento cheese. Wow. I could have eaten all of them. The bartender and I agreed that it wasn't a good idea. He said he did it once. I also had a mint julep, and while I normally like them, this one was a little different. The presentation was cool, but the drink was all ice, which was disappointing. For dinner I had the Butcher's Steak, medium well (should have gotten medium) and the Brussels sprouts. I'm thinking about the leftovers now. The folks next to me ordered my exact meal because it looked so good. I will indeed return! Thanks, St. Anselm!
Friendly service was indecisive about seating and they nicely accommodated us outside. Crab deviled eggs 20/10 really good and nice amount of crab meat. The large prawn was good just not a lot of meat just one . Biscuits nice and flaky. Brussels sprouts are great they in this Cesar dressing just takes it to a new level. The fried mashed potatoes was ok my friend enjoyed it. They have great dessert options would have indulged but was full. Place is cute and convenient location.
Came to celebrate a birthday and was happy with the service received! This is a cool restaurant with great indoor and outdoor seating that wraps around the exterior of the building. Located right near Union Market. The service we received was great! The drinks were good and the food was delicious! The root beer float was also a nice and delicious way to end the meal.
Great location inside Union Market in NE DC, and major bonus, I lucked up with a PRIME parking spot right in front. Not sure about a garage nearby though. We pulled up right after "BEAT THE BOMB" as part of my friend's birthday celebration. There were 7 of us and we were STARVING. We came during that awkward brunch to dinner transition, but shoutout to them for still letting us order from the appetizer and transition menu because we needed options. Jackson was our server, and he was super nice and accommodating the whole time. Food wise, I got the blue crab deviled eggs to start and wow, so good. My friends were obsessed with the biscuits, like truly raving. I tried them and I didn't quite get the hype, but hey... For entrées, we had a mix of steak, branzino, salmon, and pot pie. My steak was cooked right, flavorful. I also tasted the branzino and that was also a hit. Both were really, really good. Now, mixed reviews from the group: -Salmon was just okay -Pot pie was a no, too salty, but my friend loved the Caesar salad -Brussels sprouts were elite, one of the best I've had, no exaggeration. -I also had the steamed broccoli, simple but good. So overall for me, I enjoyed my food. But as a group, it was kind of split, some hits, some just okay. Now let's talk about the space. The decor was honestly my least favorite part. It felt dated and the chairs we were sitting in were a little questionable, not the stability I expected, lol. I lowkey got stuck in the bathroom stall :( I had to "shimmy" out of the door. It really looked like a scene from a comedy TV show. No bueno!!!! When we first got there it was pretty empty, but by the time we were leaving it had filled up, which does say something about the food and popularity. Final verdict, good food overall with some standout dishes, but not super consistent across the board.
While visiting DC for work, I craved the best steak in the area. A few places popped up, but this place caught my attention based on reviews, photos, and the time it would take me to get there from the metro. Coming from the Navy Yard it was about a 10-15 train ride with a short 5 minute walk to the restaurant. The restaurant gave "high class" but with affordable prices. Almost like an upscale bar if that makes sense. The gentleman who waited on me was very attentive and gave one major recommendation, I needed to get their buttermilk biscuits. So, of course I did. They were huge, fresh, and delicious. They do come with a pimento cheese but I was not a fan so I used butter. Either way they were great. I for my entree I got the prime ribeye paired with the pan fried mashed potatoes. It was a lot of food but I had no steak left over to take back to my hotel. I finished my meal with the rainbow sherbet. I spent just about $80 and it was well worth it. The side was large and honestly I could've done without. Not because they weren't good but my steak was just that good without. I will be visiting again.
I recently took my close friend out for lunch to St Anselm. I got the Cheeseburger and he got the Fried Chicken Sandwich. Their french fries were out of this world. The French fries were also very well seasoned and the cheeseburger was on point. I've been told how fresh all of their ingredients are but now I know. This was amazing. Cheeseburger is only on their lunch/brunch menu. They do not have it on the dinner menu. Service was fantastic.
Good, but maybe not as good as it's been? Sunday night party of 6. Slightly uneven. Service was weird. Our waiter and main busser were obviously arguing through the meal. My son's ribeye was a fatty mess. Inedible. Sent back. The Wagyu was great. Our waiter seemed to be hearing impaired. The bday celebration was botched. The food was delicious and it's a great value, but after today, I won't be rushing back.
The stellar reviews have it right. This is my go to place for steaks. A tight menu where everything is carefully prepared and delicious. Ordering. Many of the steaks and sides are quite large and easily feed two. The 16 oz ribeye is the best example. Tender, juicy and aged on site to perfection. The sides are easily enough for two. The pan fried mashed potatoes are not to be missed. The mushrooms are a perfect complement for the steaks and the creamed spinach is delish. Before you get to all that, you must MUST order the biscuits that come with a whipped pimento. I'm a southern boy and no one does a better biscuit. Sorry momo. The staff is attentive and on it. Just a great all around experience. Maybe someday I'll leave room for dessert.... But I doubt it.
Cozy & chic American tavern in Union Market area. I had been wanting to visit for a while and the meal did not disappoint. A friend and I went last minute on a warm Friday night & got seats at the bar. We ordered the buttermilk biscuits, crispy Brussels sprouts, crispy Bobo chicken, and steak fries. My favorite was the buttermilk biscuits -- perfectly flaky and incredible with pimento cheese. The chicken was baked to perfection. Excellent service and cool vibe inside. I loved the low lighting and Americana decor. The botanical specialty wine was a lovely NA option, super delicious and refreshing. The vintage plates were a sweet touch, and our waitress kindly gave us some free sherbet
We were walking by and decided to stop in for happy hour. It was our first time and we were impressed. Our server was fantastic. We had lots of questions for him and he had all the answers. It was a beautiful afternoon and sitting outside was wonderful. While leaving, we passed through the interior and it had completely filled up. It was warm and cozy and filled with people. It was lovely inside. We only had a couple of drinks. Their happy hour was great. An interesting array of food and drinks at good prices. I wish we had been hungry to try more of the food. We had a really good time and hope to return again soon.
I finally see what all the hype was about! 5 stars for the biscuits alone. The service was also quick and friendly for our table of 5. We got a good mix of things on the menu and everything was delicious! I didn't love the portraits of the civil war ghosts watching me eat my meal, but I know it's part of their whole Americana vibe.
5 months ago
This was our first time here for date night and we were both very happy with the whole experience. Our waiter was excellent and very informative. Ambiance was great, dim lighting and candles on the tables. It has a vintage tavern feel in decor and feels very warm and inviting. They had an excellent selection of beers on tap and by bottle. I ordered a steak since it was highly recommended, along with the coveted biscuits and pimento cheese. I got the strip steak and it was cooked to perfection and the biscuits were mouthwateringly good. I had to stop myself from eating them all. Will definitely be back to try some of the other menu items. read more
5 months ago
The ambiance of this place was absolutely amazing for starters. The staff was really welcoming and made sure we we sat by our reservation time. The Pit Sandwich was probably the most flavorful beef sandwich I have ever had. The only gripe I have with this is that we were presented with one server and got another. That wasn't the issue though, it was that it took so long for us to get our drink order in the beginning. But overall this place was vibrant and definitely would still recommend it to steak and ambiance lovers. read more
1 month ago
St. Anselm is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The food and service never disappoint. Came here with friends for dinner and got the steak, lamb, oysters, spinach dip, and biscuits (got to have them!) we sat outside on a warm day and got to experience the vibrancy of Union Market read more
2 months ago
We're from Texas so our steak house standards are pretty high. This felt like a close approximation for average quality steak. The ambience was well done, and the drinks were solid. Obsessed with the buttermilk biscuits but hated the mashed potatoes. If you want herb forward potatoes, this place oversaturated it. read more
Business owner information
Manager S.
Hello Ari,…
Great steaks and great service! I came in for a birthday dinner and it was a great time. The decor of the restaurant is so nice. Very unique compared to other restaurants in the area. Our waiter was so helpful with recommending the best cuts. The steaks were cooked perfectly and delicious. We ordered sides of the creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. My only complaint is that they could have been bigger. It was only enough for a small portion per person for a table of four. Parking was difficult due to a go kart track being built for the weekend. read more
6 months ago
Visited St. Anselm in October with my brother, Jeffery, after he mentioned wanting a great steak dinner. I searched around, found this spot with fantastic reviews, and made a reservation. We chose to sit outside, and even though it was a bit chilly, their heated outdoor area made it comfortable--almost too warm at first, but the staff happily moved us to a better spot. We decided to share the 38 oz Tomahawk steak, and wow--absolutely the right call. Perfectly cooked medium rare, tender, flavorful, and topped with a rich compound butter that melted right into the meat. Truly melt-in-your-mouth quality. Not a single bite made it into a doggy bag. We added a few sides to round out the meal, and the standout was the mushroom dish--can't recall the exact name, but it was excellent. I even snapped a picture of it because it was that good. Service was friendly and attentive throughout. We also enjoyed a couple of adult beverages; their Old Fashioned was solid (though I'll admit, not quite as good as mine!). All in all, a fantastic evening with great food, great service, and a cozy outdoor setup that let us dine al fresco late in the year. Highly recommend St. Anselm for a special night out or a top-tier steak experience. read more
1 year ago
Came here after a night around Union Market and our party was SO please with the experience. I referred to yelp for menu suggestions so we got the buttermilk biscuits and they were as good as they look. They are fluffy and delicious and the pimento cheese is to die for. The rest of our menu items were just as good. Everyone was so happy with their orders. We went for a birthday and they kindly brought out a large slice of cheesecake that we were all able to enjoy together. The location itself was also very fun. Lots of fun decorations to spot during your meal. And at the end of the, they give you a little postcard and they gave our party a few extras for us to split up! Would HIGHLY recommend. read more
I REALLY wanted to love this place, but unfortunately it did not live up to the hype. Biscuits were a 7/10. Pimento spread was underwhelming. I enjoyed them more with regular butter. The blue crab deviled eggs were a 8/10 for me. Super stuffed but lacking in flavor. Although my ribeye was delicious, the other two people i dined with had their steaks WAY undercooked and couldn't eat the majority of it. Because our server didn't come back and check right away, we didn't even have the opportunity to send the food back so we tried to salvage dinner with dessert. The ice cream cake was nostalgic but nothing special. The buttermilk pie was an 8/10 lacking in flavor as well. The ambiance was loud and seemed kind of like a college bar, so if you like that vibe you'll like this place. The saving grace was their good prices on bourbon which my boyfriend loved! read more
On our last night in town before flying back home to sunny Southern California, your favorite Yelp Correspondent and his smoking hot wifey chose St. Anselm for our capstone meal of our four day, three night stay in WDC. But based on the slow, glacially paced service and overpriced foods served strictly a la carte, the St. Anselm dining experience left us wishing we were (St.) Elsewhere! We started with the hallmark, oft-praised biscuits, which were suitably flaky and redolent of their buttermilk essence...but when paired with the pimento cheese, you wind up with savory on top of dry, which produces an overly dryer than the Mojave mouthful. Call us unsophisticated rubes, but we both thought the biscuits would've paired better with a sweeter counterpart such as rasberry jam or apple butter. My wife's and my entrees gave us a jarring lesson in portion sizes. We expected her $24 salmon collar to be a petite-sized cut of fresh Atlantic salmon; similarly, we'd estimated my $37 Butcher's Steak to be a somewhat sizable cut of steak. Imagine our stupefaction to find her salmon easily dwarfed my six-bite section of steak!! For a side, we shared the garlic mashed potatoes, which are then pan-fried in bacon grease. Unctuous and extremely filling! Pro Tip- Don't waste your time ordering soda from St. Anselm, because they are quite penurious in how they apportion it- My Diet Coke was brought to me in a tiny 6oz bottle, literally a HALF CAN, for which I was charged a stiff $4. Our server Christian was nice enough, but candidly we were disappointed that it took 25 mins for our drink orders and another 50 minutes for our entrees to arrive. WED night dinner service, even at a buzzy, trendy restaurant such as St. Anselm shouldn't take two hours. read more
27 days ago
Business owner information
Manager S.
Hi Leslie, thank you for the fantastic review! We're so glad to hear…
The biscuits were super flaky and buttery melt in your mouth goodness! They came out extremely fresh and warm. I see why they are a favorite! The salmon collar was also amazing and cooked to perfection. Such a large portion for the price and was seasoned very well. It came with a burre blanc sauce which was also delicious! read more
6 months ago
We visited from AZ for the 2025 Biannual Scottish Rite conference. We came, and the food is delicious, the Prime T-Bone is cooked to perfection, the buttermilk biscuits, and Mash potatoes are a must. We all felt like it was more than luck that brought us here. The staff are extremely helpful and great. read more
6 months ago
Biscuits are A MUST- easily the best biscuits i've had in my life (and i've dined in SC which supposedly have great biscuits). Butchers steak- medium rare. This was cooked perfectly with wonderful flavor. Date reports it's one of the best of his life. Salmon Collar. I wasn't expecting to be blown away by this one but I was. Again, cooked perfectly with so much flavors. For me it was. a perfect portion size, didn't leave me feeling overly stuffed or hungry. The mashed potatoes also have wonderful flavor and were very smooth! I'd definitely come back and try other dishes. Everything looks delish. Service was also very prompt but didn't feel rushed! read more
8 months ago
a bit loud, we had to lean in to hear each other, but i'm happy if my only complaint is too much camaraderie in a restaurant. the food is some of the best i've had if dc. it's really my sort of restaurant. i'm usually not one to like mashed potatoes but even i liked these. the best biscuits in dc, creamed spinach ,fried mashed potatoes, and ribeye. to me there's no better dinner and they made it masterfully. it feels like a place that destined to be open for decades. the waiter was very attentive, which pleasantly surprised me considering how busy the restaurant is. we will be back. and the steak (medium rare) was cooked perfectly, i never prefer steak out to my family's home grilled ones but this inched close. read more
10 months ago
Stumbled upon this place walking through NE. It was an excellent brunch find. The burger was absolutely delicious and the omelette was perfectly made. Not too cheesy just right! Was a bit bummed there wasn't any bbq sauce at the time :( read more
1 year ago
Came here for an early dinner and was fortunate enough to get a seat w/ no issue. The decor is an effective mix of nostalgic industrial (yes, perhaps I invented this - fight me) with wilderness taxidermy. Agave - I guess this is supposed to be their take on a margarita. It was filled to the brim with ice, so i suppose I got just a few ounces of an actual drink. In today's climate, I expect every drop of my liquor. Fairly tasty, nothing special. Old Fashioned - now This is how you construct sn Old Fashioned. Flavorful and boozy. Steak w/ creamed spinach - the steak was perfection. Absolutely delectable. Tender and juicy. The spinach was a bit salty, however, creamy and fairly flavorful . My server was attentive and I thoroughly enjoyed my dining. read more
Grrrreeeattttt food and atmosphere! When you walk in, it has a busy and lively feeling. The service is great. We got the rib eye, lamb, broccoli, pan fried mashed potatoes and the biscuits. Their biscuits are filling, but a must. They are extremely soft and served with a cheese spread. I'm biased, but the ribeye is the bomb! The sides are sharable and are enough for 2-3 people in my opinion. I wouldn't do a side per person. Dont let the picture fool you, we had a great time! lol read more
The rustic ambiance wasn't my thing, but everything else about dinner was top shelf. The staff is lovely, warm and inviting. I didn't love my Old Fashioned with crushed ice, but the follow on manhattan was excellent. Dinner across the board was exceptional: salmon collar, wagyu skirt and ribeye. Everyone in my party left impressed. I'd recommend St Anslem. read more
4 months ago
Business owner information
Manager S.
Hi Tony, thank you for sharing your feedback. We're glad to hear that…
3 months ago
Business owner information
Manager S.
Hi Crystal, Thank you so much for this amazing review! We’re thrilled…
10 months ago
Delicious food, biscuits really are a highlight! Service was alright; a little slow and not super enthusiastic but fine overall. Very dimly lit so good date night vibe, especially for a later dinner. I got the butcher's steak and we share the pan-fried mashed potatoes - a bit too herby for me but it's all personal preference (I think it was rosemary but not 100% sure). read more
Solid 3.5+... fun place for locals with nice atmosphere and colonial Americana decor... the deviled eggs were a 5 star and service too....best deviled eggs... steak was flavorful but not as tender as I expected... so tempted to try the biscuit and dessert but I was full. Very enjoyable read more
2 months ago
We ordered three old fashions. One was clearly super watery compared to the others. We asked to have it redone. They seem to have revenge iced us. I would not go back to this restaurant. Currently at restaurant. Hope they don't revenge our food for me posting this! Sad birthday... read more
4 months ago
I enjoyed my experience here at the D.C. location. The vibes are nice. Bring your friends and family to dine and just be wowed! read more
We stumbled upon St. Anslem following a show at the Docks and then an hour of a silent disco. Definitely not a lot of choices for vegetarians, but we did enjoy the mushrooms and the mashed potato pancake. Drinks were solid and it was nice to sit outside on a balmy evening! Service was also good despite it being pretty late in the evening. The ice cream cake was delicious and the perfect end to the night. read more
Every now and then; I crave a good steak. And this place totally delivers on the steak and more. We ordered the Wagyu skirt steak, trout, oysters and crispy fingerling potatoes. Omg the oysters were so good! I regret not ordering a dozen, lol. The Wagyu steak was also cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth. The trout was super delicate and added a nice mild balance to the other food items. I also wished I ordered the biscuit! But my full tummy wouldn't allow me. That just means I'll have to come back. Drinks were good and vibes were chill. Service from the staff was prompt and friendly. Would love to come back next time I'm in NOMA! read more
2 months ago
Held a business dinner here during a weeknight. While the space was popping with people, the servers kindly sat us in a booth with some privacy. The space is moody and perfect for intimate conversations or, if you prefer, more boisterous ones at the bar! Food was good. Highly recommend the biscuits. Was not expecting the fish to come out whole but that's on me; I do wish the waiter had warned me. Mixed drinks here were the real star. I had the Earl Grey Julep and my guest had the more floral Garden Julep. They were made strong and were soooooo good. Would go here just for those drinks, but not on an empty stomach! read more
Business owner information
Anna U.
Dear Rachel,…
2 years ago
Came here for brunch with a few friends and we enjoyed our food very much. We ordered the buttermilk biscuits to start and a couple of lattes and coffees. The biscuits are super fluffy and delicious, served with a pimento cheese spread on the side. We also asked for butter and jam on the side for those who wanted something sweet for their biscuits. For entree, I ordered the French toast with blueberries, oat crumble and whipped cream! Definitely went for the sweet side, but it was so good and I'm so glad I got my dish. It hit the spot and was delicious! I'll admit our server missed a few things during service but she was very kind and made it up to us by acknowledging her misses and bringing by a few small cake pops for our table. Overall a pleasant experience read more
1 year ago
Who has been gatekeeping this restaurant? I have passed it several times and never knew it was such a gem. We started with the Blue Crab Deviled Eggs and then for my entree I had the best salmon I've had in my life. It was like steak. The flavors I can still taste. The Salmon Collar was to die for and I had plenty leftovers. Not pictured is the grilled broccoli. The ambiance was very dim and great dinner vibes. We sat the bar and the bartender was very attentive. read more
7 months ago
100/100 One of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had! Punch bowl is worth it if you have a group. Salmon collar is a must! read more
Business owner information
Anna U.
Thanks so much for the 5-star review Nancy! We seriously have the…
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Ask the Community - St. Anselm
What is the dress code do you wear fancy casual?
You can wear whatever you like. No judgements.
What is the outside like? They only have outdoor seating for most of their reservations but it's winter lol?
The outdoor set up is just tables outside I didn't see any heaters? I wouldn't sit outside in the cold
Is this kid friendly? I have a 1 yr old and an 11 yr old.
The restaurant itself is not un-friendly towards kids, but I would check out the menu to see if there are things that your kids would like to eat. We have a 9 and 12 year old and though we LOVED the food, we didn't think it would fit our 9 year… Read more
Are masks required at the table you're sitting at ? Or just to get around the restaurant?
They are not required while sitting at the table eating. They are required moving through out the restaurant and going to the restrooms o
What is their corkage fee?
$25 per bottle, and the bottle can't be on their list (it's posted online)
Is this kid friendly for lunch or an early dinner?
Yes! The music can be a little loud but it is accepting of families
Do you have happy hour?
No, no happy hour. But the bar opens at 4pm (an hour before dinner service) and stays open between brunch and dinner on weekends (3-5pm).
Is there valet parking?
Nope. But there is ample free parking in and around the Union Market District area.
How is the noise level at St. Anselms? Looking for a relaxed birthday dinner for 5 folks, one with hearing issues.
I went Friday for dinner and it was LOUD. Lol
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
31 reviews that are not currently recommended
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St. Anselm - steak - Updated May 2026
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