Wonderful Needham pub! Atmosphere and service are great. I love the cheeseburger and fries. Cocktails and beer are terrific. Try the house gin and tonic! Update Nov 2023: Another great meal at the James! The pork chop was delicious! My friend had fish and chips-fantastic! As always, the burger and fries is great. I loved my gin and tonic! And great live music!Already looking forward to my next visit!

The Sunday roast is amazing. I get the sirloin. One of the best meals, I have ever had. The fish and chips is perfect. The bread pudding is so good, and enough for two. The burger is done right, and the fries are awesome. They have something called peri peri shrimp. It's very unique and i think it's seasonal, and if it's on the menu, get it. The bartenders make great signature drinks, and a great pour on the Guinness. I couldn't recommend this place more.

Small so it gets really busy really fast. Entrance is a little confusing but there’s a lot of signage

Simply Outstanding. Thank You for accommodating Us on a busy Friday Evening. Just Lovely. Start to Finish. Thank Y'all.

I visit Needham yearly and decided to try the James. I arrived before the evening rush and left right in the midst of it. I sat at a high top at the bar. Regardless of the number of people there, I felt very well taken care of (no fewer than four employees helped me). Upon an employee's recommendation, I ordered the Short Rib and Ale pie, which came out piping hot and perfectly done. I'm picky about the temperature of my food and this stayed hot due to being served in ceramic. The atmosphere was laid back and quaint. Great find. I'll be back.

Oooof. This place was a doozy. We had reserved a large table for a group of 10. I arrived last, maybe 15 minutes after the rest of my group. When I arrived at the table, there were 4 bottles of wine- but no wine glasses. They were waiting on glasses to be returned from other guests. That's inexcusable. You know in advance you're going to have a large group- have glasses available. The appetizers were bland at best. We ordered the duck fat potatoes- which tasted like simple, unseasoned, mostly boiled potatoes. Not good. The soda bread was a massive disappointment. Our table of 10 did not finish either of the appetizers. My meal, the seafood stew, was so salty and spicy, I could not enjoy it. It was hard to tell if it was too hot, too spicy or too salty. It was not edible. I'm not familiar specifically with the taste of Old Bay seasoning but I was told by another person at my table that there was WAY too much of it. The decor is pretty kitschy- weird doors separating tables- interesting wall paper/stone walls. Part tacky, part cozy- kinda fun. Had the food been good, I would have enjoyed the aesthetics more. With everything as it was, I found myself asking- what is this place?! To top it off, my cocktail arrived well after my food. Such a bummer as it's location felt special.

This was my first time to The James, and it sure lived up to my expectations! I arrived with my coworkers and was promptly greeted and seated at a quaint corner table. We started our meal with the black garlic hummus which was creamy and rich with a pleasant hint of citrus. The grilled naan was fresh and tender making the perfect combination with the hummus. For our entrees, my coworker chose the pan seared salmon, short rib and ale pie and the Statler chicken breast while I enjoyed the za'atar spiced cauliflower steak. Everything was delicious and perfectly seasoned. I loved the flavors in the cauliflower steak and roasted cauliflower risotto especially the tempura crisps and cippolini jam! Those components added a nice texture and slight sweetness that was welcomed with such a hearty dish. My coworkers loved their dishes and my one coworker finish the entire short rib and ale pie. We couldn't finish our evening off without dessert so we decided to try both options available that evening. The chocolate ganache was rich and decadent but the start of the show was the toffee bread pudding. It was sublime and absolutely hit the spot!!! What a delight this meal was!! I will definitely be back!

Visiting from out of town and came by. This was without a doubt the best pub food I’ve ever had. Very nice people and amazing environment. Pictured is the Halibut, Pork Chop, Soda Bread, Bread Pudding, and Irish Cream.

Stopped in with my son last night for a quick bite before a hockey game. I had one of their barrel aged drinks (the Contessa) and we split an app of fried Brussels sprouts. Both were amazing, and the hospitality was great. Will definitely go back.

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. This place is amazing and the staff couldn’t be more amazing. Delish food and awesome service. Please support this place. Hands down best food in Needham.

What a great place! Simply genuine. A relative had been visiting from out of town so I, being the "local", picked The James due to proximity and rating. Fabulous choice! We were able to get seated quickly and without a reservation! We were greeted fondly, jovially by the staff and not just our waiter. I suck with names but he was a really cool dude. In the current pace of society, it was nice that we were not rushed to order our food WITH our drinks but instead given an opportunity to talk and reconnect as distant family should. Bravo The James 👏 The bar didn't have a spirit of my choice so our waiter, again sorry my dude, was quick to the offer a bar signature which certainly did not disappoint! When we were finally ready to order the recommendations and subsequent plates did not disappoint! Delicious! Visit The James. Have a pint. And a conversation.

WOW. Not only did we have amazing food, we were treated so well by every single one of the staff. My partner is on a crutch from a leg injury, and they truly went out of their way to make sure he was comfortable. When the bill came my jaw dropped because I would’ve easily paid double for this meal where we’re from (DC). The spicy steak tartare was incredible—one of the best I’ve ever had. We also thoroughly enjoyed the mussels and burger. Such reasonably priced drinks as well! Took us a minute to find the place, but we persisted. We parked in the MBTA lot which is free on weekends and after 2pm weekdays. So worth it; will absolutely come back and bring all of our friends!

My wife, 3 year old daughter and I went to The James for the first time today and we had a great experience. I think we got in before the Saturday crowds, around 6pm, probably the best time if you ask me. The atmosphere was cozy and felt like an Irish bar / restaurant, but slightly upscale. I had the Hake (white fish) which was so delicious, and my wife had the pork schnitzel, also delicious. The beet salad we split had a dressing that was slightly sweet but light and not overbearing. Our daughter (a picky eater) loved the burger and fries. Service was excellent. By the time we left, it was packed, and I will admit that some of the other reviews are right that it's on the louder side. Not so bad we couldn't hear each other at all, but definitely had to speak up more than usual. But it's a pub, so it almost wouldn't feel like a bar if you didn't have the noisy atmosphere. We're excited to have a great Irish Pub in our backyard and we'll definitely be back!

This is a cute venue without any bells and whistles, comfortable and quaint. The service was acceptable, nothing over the top. The food is generally outstanding. The street corn was out of this world (pictured), covered with a ton of sauce; an absolute finger-licking delight! We also got the sausage bites which were good but a bit heavy for my taste. The fish and chips (pictured) were delicious. Stellar execution on the crunch while maintaining the flakiness of the fish. My only criticism was with the fries (or “chips”), because we seemed to receive mostly small bits and pieces of crunchy ends. What blew me away the most were the mussels and the coconut Guinness cake. The coconut broth for the mussels was on point, a perfect balance of sweetness and tang. The coconut cake reminded me a bit of a scrumptious carrot cake in its texture. Just outstanding!

Incredible food and delicious drinks - - with an even better vibe and staff. Live music on Thursdays too! Upscale but casual place with a local, neighbourhood atmosphere. Top notch burger!!

Reminds me of a comfortable Irish pub in Ireland.

We brought friends to The James who had never been and they were blown away!!our cocktails were great, the black garlic hummus and mussels were as well. The burgers and fries never disappoint. We were lucky to be there in time to catch the great live music too. Shout out to Mary Keily and Saige G. Who took great care of us.

Visiting from Chicago for a family event — it’s a cold May Friday evening and we were looking for a place to have a quick, but good bite to eat. We were reserved for a patio table but called to me make a change. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. There was only 3 high top tables in the bar, but that was just perfect for us. We had a couple of classic cocktails (made perfectly) and ordered the arugula salad (an absolute must!). The fried sausage bites looked great but were a bit too spicy for our taste. We ordered the burger with hand cut fries and the Statler chicken. They were both delicious!! Finally, the chocolate chip bread putting was the best ever. It was their only dessert, and it’s so good you don’t need any other options. This is a great place for a family or a date night out.

We were looking for somewhere to go for Easter Sunday dinner that would taste a little like home. We had the Sunday Roast chicken and it was something special. The vibe was great, the staff were extremely helpful and friendly and the establishment is immaculate, there was even somebody shining up the glasses before placing them on the shelf. Can’t wait to go back.

This is one of those places that does a small number of dishes extremely well. The atmosphere is quaint, cozy, and intimate. Last time, we ordered soda bread (really dense and fantastic!), short rib & ale pie, and roast special. Meats are cooked to perfection and accompanied by tasty sides. Price is fair because you get so much food (we get a to go box every time).

Always a treat to dine out at this local favorite. Great service and an interesting and well-executed menu. Outdoor seating is a post COVID addition, and is a delightful option in the warmer months.

An Irish themed menu that never fails to deliver! The beer battered sausage with chimichuri is excellent as well as their chicken wings. I had a tasty burger with all the fixings and a peach bourbon cocktail. The service is prompt and courteous and the atmosphere is vibrant. Dimly lit and seemingly brings you far away from the stark reality of the brutal life you have to go back to once you exit the doors and enter your car.

Liana and Lucas were amazing at the bar so friendly, and had the best food recommendations. The truffle fries were out of this world! Great place for food, drink and friendly faces!

Two regrets: 1, waiting so long to dine here and 2, not bringing more people with us to sample more of the food. Very cool spot, indoors and out, with friendly staff and fantastic food. The pan roasted chicken could not have been better seasoned and cooked...incredibly tender and juicy and full of flavor. The burger and fries were terrific and the soda bread was "the best I've had" (per my date). I will not wait very long to return!

Great food, food service. Fantastic atmosphere for peeps of all ages

Nice spot. Good food.

My husband is a British expat and your Sunday roast made him over-the-moon happy. This should definitely not just be a fall special!

A cozy, pleasant Irish Pub in the heart of Needham! Food was very delicious and the bagpipe & Irish flute musicians were a nice touch. We will definitely return. :-)

Though small, it has a great atmosphere & a friendly staff. I am vegan & though there aren't vegan options in the menu, I called ahead & they had options waiting for me. Everything was delicious. Thank you❤

I always liked this place. The drinks are great and the food is too. The mussels were perfectly cooked. The burgers are a good choice. It was a limited menu when we went Christmas Eve. The one complaint is that the music is always too loud so conversation is difficult.

Quaint little pub. Pleasant staff, excellent tasting food but served a bit too cool. Entertainment and location were also good! Would go back.

An atmosphere oozing authentic Ireland with food, drinks and staff to compliment. A really comforting experience that will (most definitely) leave you wanting more.

I simply liked their food. I always get fantastic service here. The place is always clean and the staff members are always very kind. Keep up the good work.

I go with my wife to this great spot a lot! This is the best place to grab a bite. I go to this spot many times. The food is great, the crew is helpful and the price is affordable. I enjoy meeting in this spot for a tasty supper.

Great setup for social distance eating outside. They built planters separating tables and a nice outdoor seating area. Also, The James continues to be the best restaurant around! Always great food, drinks and service.

We had a hamburger and fries and mussels. The food was excellent, the service was great, friendly and helpful. We ate outside on one of the colorful picnic benches Can't wait to return.

Great experience during COVID! Outdoor patio was well set up, heat lamps available if needed, tables cleaned throughly in between guests and the food was excellent. Irish pub style menu (on your phone - scanned from plate under hand sanitizer) - Burger, Fries and cocktails were excellent.

Luckily ordered the poutine first as an appetizer, it was a large portion for two and it almost filled us up. Tried the Mexican street corn next and it was perfectly grilled and spiced. It was so great to be able to order a cocktail!!!

Really great outdoor dining. The staff are fantastic.

Awesome cocktail selection, cozy atmosphere. Food is really good. Only downside is how long it can be with so few people.

Friendly and cozy, great food, beer, and dessert. We had the Lamb/Scotch Egg, Chicken Liver Mousse Toast, and Steak & Ale pie - all delicious. Very friendly and welcoming service. Dessert was dark chocolate parfait with Bailey's in the whipped cream and coffee bits on top - fantastic.

It's intimate and warm. Great staff. While the menu isn't large the items are exceptionally well done and a big step up from typical pub fare.

Consistently amazing food and some of the best drinks in town. The best part - the unbelievable hospitality!

Excellent, small bistro/pub style restaurant. They have taken great pains to respond appropriately to Covid restrictions. Food is delicious and drinks are great. Staff are friendly and attentive. Highly recommend!

I admire this place! They offer splendid food, their menu is varied, The chief cook in that restaurant is a specialist, I love very much trying all their food. The food is consistently of high qualtity, the service towards the customers is nice. I often eat in this restaurant and I not even once was unhappy. I recommend this place.

We had another incredible night at the James! Staff went above and beyond and made it a very enjoyable night. The food was phenomenal and the service was top notch! They have the perfect setup for indoor dining during covid. We felt 100% safe at all times. Had a great night! Highly recommend.

A hidden gem with the the BEST burger. I highly recommend subbing the fries for the carrot slaw. Delicious. I have ordered takeout since the quarantine/restaurant closings were lifted. The food is hot and fresh. The service is terrific.

Nice little pub-ish place near the train station that has a hopping scene and a homey, warm vibe, with a concise menu of English and Scottish comfort food dressed in inventive and intelligent preparation. Really enjoyed an eve of creative cocktails and a steady stream of small plates. Waitress was prompt, very pleasant and patient with menu questions, even while navigating the tight and crowded quarters. Not a Needham native but would def seek this place out again if I'm anywhere close to nearby.

As always food was delicious

Amazing food and service, one of our favorites

Love this place!! Consistently amazing cocktails and food. Can’t wait to eat here again!!!

Great Beer,Great Food,Great Staff,All Round Great Service,and Good Time to be Had There..

Great Irish Pub, welcoming and nice to hang with friends. Good selection of beer and Irish whiskey !!

Great Energetic Irish Pub atmosphere, focused menu of high quality food and a staff that are just fun to be with! Cheers to another wonderful evening with you!

Would surely recommend trying out this place. Awesome vibes, fresh food, excellent customer service. I recommend this place.

Great spot. Delicious food. Ended up coming to this place three times in one week... highly recommend.

great food and service. Always fun!

Hidden neighborhood gem

Best Irish Pub! Great food and service.

Great service and food is amazing.

Warm and cozy on a cold night

Service was slow and it was brutally cold out need better spacing of the heaters or maybe a tent. Was there for an hour only stayed for one round because it took so long to get a drink

I got eclectic vibes with unique take on food and drink, pickled vetables as an appetizer!! I have not seen that in years. Very good, by the way. I am a non drinker, and i got a Clausthaler, a non-alcoholic beer that was smoth and delicious. It was the best non-alcoholic I have had. Lucas and Shawn are fantastic behind the bar. Enjoy your experience. You WILL be happy.