St. Anselm
Steakhouse · Capital City Market, Washington DC
Restaurant in Washington DC, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Open-Flame American Cooking
Chef
Marjorie Meek-Bradley
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
St. Anselm is a fire-driven American grill in D.C.'s NoMa neighborhood, ranked #248 on Opinionated About Dining's Casual North America list (2025). At the $40–$65 two-course price point, it offers one of the city's more serious wine programs; 1,100 selections, deep in California, Italy, France; without the $$$$ price tag of comparable D.C. destinations. Book it for groups who want to eat and drink well without ceremony.
About St. Anselm
Should You Book St. Anselm?
If you're weighing St. Anselm against BLT Steak or RPM Italian for a meat-focused dinner in D.C. St. Anselm wins on character and wine program depth. This is a fire-driven American grill in the NoMa neighborhood, ranked #248 on Opinionated About Dining's Casual North America list for 2025; a credible signal that it punches well above its price point. Two-course meals land in the $40–$65 range, which makes it one of the more defensible value propositions in the city's mid-to-upper-casual tier.
The Experience
The atmosphere here is energetic rather than quiet. Expect a lively, wood-smoke-tinged room that feels more neighborhood grill than white-tablecloth steakhouse. That energy works in your favor on a Friday or Saturday evening when the room is full and the kitchen is firing hard; but if you're after a conversation-first dinner, come at lunch on Friday or Sunday brunch, when the pace slows and the room breathes.
The kitchen is led by Chef Ryan Payne under a program associated with Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley, operating within Stephen Starr and Joe Carroll's ownership group. The food is American in the most direct sense: grilled proteins, honest technique, ingredients that don't need much explanation. The wine program, overseen by Wine Director Ian Cruz and Sommelier Jonathan Stow, is where St. Anselm separates itself from comparable grill-format restaurants. With 1,100 selections and an inventory of nearly 4,000 bottles, strong across California, Italy, France, Madeira, this is a serious list for a $$ cuisine-priced restaurant. The corkage fee is $45 if you want to bring your own.
For groups considering a private or semi-private experience, it's worth noting that St. Anselm's format rewards table-sharing and communal ordering more than formal private dining rooms. The main room dynamic, open, communal, grill-forward, is the experience. Groups of four to six will get the best of it; larger parties should contact the restaurant directly about options, since no formal private dining details are published. For a special-occasion group dinner where privacy and ceremony are the priority, Jônt or minibar offer a more structured format. But for groups who want to eat well, drink from a deep list, not spend $$$$, St. Anselm is the practical answer.
Timing matters here. Friday lunch (noon–3 pm) is the least-known entry point, the kitchen is open, the room is calmer, the $$ price band applies. Saturday and Sunday brunch from 10:30 am are solid options for a more relaxed setting. Weeknight dinners from 5 pm are the default, but Thursday through Saturday evenings fill faster given its OAD ranking and local following. Booking is generally easy compared to the city's tasting-menu tier, but don't show up walk-in on a Saturday night expecting a quick seat.
That combination is harder to pull off than it sounds, St. Anselm does it consistently enough to warrant the recommendation.
For broader context on where St. Anselm sits in the city's dining options, see our full Washington, D.C. restaurants guide. If you're planning a full trip, our D.C. hotels guide, bars guide, and experiences guide cover the rest.
Know Before You Go
- Address: 1250 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
- Hours: Mon–Thu 5–10 pm; Fri 12–3 pm and 5–11 pm; Sat 10:30 am–11 pm; Sun 10:30 am–10 pm
- Cuisine pricing: $$ (typical two-course meal $40–$65, excluding drinks and tip)
- Wine list: 1,100 selections, ~3,985 bottles in inventory; strengths in California, Italy, France, Madeira; $$ pricing tier
- Corkage fee: $45
- Booking difficulty: Easy, reservations recommended for weekends; walk-ins more feasible at lunch
- Ideal time to visit: Friday lunch for a quieter experience; Friday or Saturday evening for full-room energy
- OAD ranking: #248 Casual North America (2025); previously #111 (2023)
- Key staff: Chef Ryan Payne; Wine Director Ian Cruz; Sommelier Jonathan Stow; GM Kelsey Thacker
- Owners: Stephen Starr, Joe Carroll
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: 5–10 pm · Tuesday: 5–10 pm
- Location
- 1250 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
- Website
- stanselmdc.com
- Phone
- (202) 864-2199
The take
The Take
The Vibe
St. Anselm reads like a working room built around wood, charcoal and smoke. Approaching the building, you pick up woodsmoke before you step inside; once there the space favors exposed structure and spare materials over decorative flourish. Lighting and furnishings let the fire do some of the drama, and the overall effect is an intimate, warm-but-industrial take on the American steakhouse. The kitchen treats fire-cooking as a technical discipline rather than a nostalgic gesture, so the room feels purposeful and refined without reverting to white-linen formality.
Best For
St. Anselm is primarily a dinner destination, best suited to evenings when you want a robust, ingredient-forward meal centered on fire-cooked meats and fish. The stripped-back, working-room atmosphere makes it a strong pick for date nights, business dinners and group outings where conversation and the ritual of cooking over wood are part of the draw. It reads less like a formal, old-guard steakhouse and more like a place for lively, deliberate meals—special occasions and celebratory dinners fit comfortably alongside more casual night-outs.
Ordering Tips
Start with the signature small plates and shareable items that showcase the kitchen’s command of smoke and char—pimento cheese biscuits are listed among the house specialties and make a natural opener. For the main course, the ribeye is a go-to for those seeking the classic steakhouse experience reinterpreted through fire-cooking; the salmon collar offers a smoky fish alternative. Expect dishes that foreground wood, heat and precise technique rather than heavy saucing. The dining format encourages communal, hands-on ordering and sharing among the table.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy and rustic with dark wood, animal heads on walls, intimate booths, eclectic decor, and a fun lively tavern feel.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- pimento cheese biscuits
- ribeye
- salmon collar
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 5–10 pm
- Tuesday
- 5–10 pm
- Wednesday
- 5–10 pm
- Thursday
- 5–10 pm
- Friday
- 12–3 pm, 5–11 pm
- Saturday
- 10:30 am–11 pm
- Sunday
- 10:30 am–10 pm
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Albi; United States, Middle Eastern, $$$$
- Causa; Peruvian, $$$$
- Oyster Oyster; New American, Vegetarian, Vegetarian (Sustainable), $$$
- Bresca; Modern French, Contemporary, $$$$
- Gravitas; New American, Contemporary, $$$$
Restaurant context
How It Compares
St. Anselm sits in a different price tier from most of its obvious D.C. peers. Albi, Causa, Bresca, and Gravitas all operate at $$$$, which typically means tasting-menu formats, longer evenings, a more formal commitment. St. Anselm at $$ is a shorter, sharper meal; you choose what you order, the pace is yours, you leave without spending $200+ per head before wine. If your priority is culinary ambition and a structured progression of courses, Bresca or Gravitas are the right calls. If you want to eat well, drink from a serious list, control your evening, St. Anselm is the practical pick.
Oyster Oyster at $$$ is the most interesting comparison for sustainability-minded diners. It's plant-forward and ingredient-driven in a way that St. Anselm is not; these are essentially different restaurants for different priorities. Choose Oyster Oyster if you want a more considered, produce-led experience; choose St. Anselm if you want fire, protein, a deep wine list at a lower spend. For international steakhouse comparisons beyond D.C. A Cut in Taipei and Capa in Orlando show how the grill-focused format plays out in different markets.
On booking difficulty, St. Anselm is considerably easier to secure than the tasting-menu tier. You won't need to plan weeks ahead for a weeknight dinner, though Saturday evenings benefit from an advance reservation given its OAD ranking and local following. That accessibility, combined with a wine program that competes with venues charging twice as much, is the clearest argument for putting it at the top of your D.C. shortlist when the format fits.
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Unlock the full St. Anselm guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare St. Anselm
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Anselm | Washington, D.C. | Steakhouse | 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2482025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #6422023 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1112023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended | ; |
| Albi | Washington, D.C. | United States, Middle Eastern | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #12026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #6RAMMYS 2026 Winners - Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year2025 World's 50 North America's Best Restaurants · #342025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #892025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1302025 Michelin 1 Star2024 James Beard Awards · #12024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #109 | $$$$ |
| Causa | Washington, D.C. | Peruvian | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #162025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2752025 James Beard Awards2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2252024 Michelin 1 Star | $$$$ |
| Oyster Oyster | Washington, D.C. | New American, Vegetarian, Vegetarian (Sustainable) | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #622026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Highly Recommended2025 Food & Wine Global Tastemakers Top Restaurants · #152025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #251We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 The Best Chef One Knife2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #203 | $$$ |
| Bresca | Washington, D.C. | Modern French, Contemporary | 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #322025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #372024 Michelin 1 Star2023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Ranked · #212023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #35 | $$$$ |
| Gravitas | Washington, D.C. | New American, Contemporary | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #4952025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #5362024 Michelin 1 Star2023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended | $$$$ |
How St. Anselm D.C. compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Anselm good for solo dining?
Yes, St. Anselm works well for solo diners. The bar is a viable option for eating alone, the neighborhood-grill format is less formal than white-tablecloth steakhouses, so you won't feel out of place without a group. The $$ price point for a two-course meal keeps it a low-stakes solo visit.
Is lunch or dinner better at St. Anselm?
Dinner gives you the full picture: longer hours, the complete wine list, the lively room that earned St. Anselm its OAD Casual North America ranking. Friday lunch is the only weekday midday option, so it's a useful flex if you're downtown; but the kitchen's full expression comes after 5 pm.
What should I order at St. Anselm?
The venue database doesn't specify menu items, so ordering guidance beyond the format isn't something Pearl can confirm here. What the record does confirm: this is an American steakhouse with wood-fire cooking at the core, so meat-focused ordering is the right approach. Ask your server what's running off the grill.
What should I wear to St. Anselm?
The OAD 'Casual' classification and the neighborhood-grill atmosphere point toward relaxed, put-together clothes; think jeans and a clean shirt rather than a blazer. This is not a white-tablecloth room, arriving overdressed will feel out of step with the space.
How far ahead should I book St. Anselm?
Book at least one to two weeks out for weeknight dinner; weekend slots, especially Saturday, move faster given the extended hours from brunch through late evening. St. Anselm's OAD ranking; currently #248 in Casual North America for 2025; keeps demand steady, so last-minute availability is not reliable.
Can I eat at the bar at St. Anselm?
Bar dining is part of the experience here, with sommelier Ian Cruz overseeing a 1,100-bottle list priced at $$, the bar is a legitimate destination for a solo meal or a quick dinner without a reservation. It's one of the better bar-eating setups among D.C. steakhouses at this price tier.
