Restaurants in Williamsburg
Williamsburg abounds in restaurants catering to tourists. Most national chain, fast-food, and family restaurants have outlets on Richmond Road (U.S. 60) west of town.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Taverns
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation runs four reconstructed 18th-century "ordinaries" or taverns. They aim at authenticity in fare, ambience, costuming of the staff, and entertainment by wandering balladeers. Dinner at one of the taverns is a necessary ingredient of the Williamsburg experience. Their seasonal hours and menus change often, so what I write here may be inaccurate by the time you arrive. Current offerings are posted out front and at the ticket booth on Henry Street at Duke of Gloucester Street, and are available at the visitor center, so you can see what's being served before making your reservations.
You don't need a reservation to buy soups, sandwiches, and baked goods at the bakery in the Raleigh Tavern, which is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
The Early Bird Gets the Reservation -- Advance reservations for dinner at Christiana Campbell's and King's Arms taverns are essential during the summer and on weekends during spring and fall. You can book tables up to 60 days in advance by dropping by or calling the visitor center (tel. 800/447-8679 or 757/229-2141). Lunch reservations are accepted only for major holidays.
Eating Cheaply
In addition to Aromas Coffeehouse, Café & Bakeshop, other choices for inexpensive snacks and meals include the barbecue sandwiches at Retro's, two doors away at 435 Prince George St. (tel. 757/235-8816), which are better than Pierce's, and Retro's serves tasty hot dogs, too. Open daily 11am to 9pm.
Also in this block of Prince George Street is Lenny's Gourmet (tel. 757/253-0458), purveyor of specialty salads, sandwiches, wraps, paninis, and sushi rolls. Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 9pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm.
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12 Results
- Modern
A Chef’s Kitchen
Cooking at home can be a chore. Cooking with chef John Gonzalez, who trained at the Culinary Institute of America, is one of Williamsburg's finest—and most fun—vacation activities. The experience starts off right, with hors d’oeuvres, sparkling wine, and a little music. Then the…$$$Merchants Square Area - Seafood
Berret's Seafood Restaurant and Taphouse Grill
Traditional Tidewater seafood takes center stage at this nautical-inspired Merchants Square restaurant. Start with local oysters, fried green tomatoes, or she-crab soup and move on to all the seafood you can handle. The highlights are the crabcakes and fresh fish, but for …$$Merchants Square - Modern French
Blue Talon Bistro
This sister restaurant to the highly-regarded Trellis takes its comfort food very seriously, but mixes in a bit of French-accented fun. The front of the bistro is set aside for diners stopping for coffee, while the rest of the dining room is for diners (and it hums with activity).…$$Merchants Square - French Country
Cafe Provencal
This fine little restaurant, a beaut in blue-and-white toile, is tucked into the lower level of Wedmore Place Inn on the property of the Williamsburg Winery. It offers hearty American fare inspired by French cooking. Great slabs of meat are laid on buttery mashed potatoes or…$$$Outskirts of Williamsburg, at the Williamsburg Winery - Seafood
Christiana Campbell’s Tavern
It is said George Washington ate here but that's a bit of a fudge (he ate in the original Christiana Campbell's Tavern). No matter, had he done so he would have raved about Mrs. Campbell's sweet-potato muffins. For these, the reconstructed inn deserves the accolades. As for the rest…$$$Colonial Williamsburg - Modern American
Fat Canary
Modern American cuisine is served in this well-appointed restaurant with a long copper bar and open kitchen. The chef in that kitchen takes smart (and delightful) liberties with the traditional entrees on the seasonal menu. Duck breast is paired with a thistle-honey…$$$Merchants Square - Traditional American
King’s Arms Tavern
All of Colonial Williamsburg's taverns offer fun re-creations of the 18th-century dining experience, but this one adds a bit more elegance. Candlelight reflects off white linens, tables are set with square yard napkins, and windows boast handsome draperies. Start your…Colonial Willamsburg - Continental
Regency Room
The Williamsburg Inn's main restaurant offers old-fashioned elegance in a dining room enclosed by multi-paned and elaborately draped floor-to-ceiling windows—it was inspired by England's Brighton Pavilion—or, in season, on the adjacent patio. Breakfast, weekend brunch, and dinner are…$$$Colonial Williamsburg, in the Williamsburg Inn - Diner
Retro’s Good Eats
Forget the 18th Century for a few minutes. Step back into this 1950s-style malt shop on the edge of Merchants Square for a burger, hot dog, or frozen custard. Blue Plate specials—Salisbury steak, shepherd's pie, lasagna—will satisfy the hungriest tourist. Retro touches such…$Merchants Square - Contemporary American
Second Street Bistro
From the entryway, the Second Street Bistro looks like a standard diner, down to the refrigerator case filled with desserts. But the sophisticated decor in the dining rooms—dark colors, granite table tops, and sleek banquettes—are clues that the menu offers more than a…$Business District - Traditional American
Shields Tavern
Solid food and "Ye Olde Colonial" atmosphere is the draw at this 18th century-style tavern (which recalls one that James Shields operated in this area in the 1740s). You'll be sitting elbow-to-elbow with other guests at communal tables in the candlelit dining rooms with exposed brick…$$Colonial Williamsburg - Contemporary American
Trellis
Known for its "Death by Chocolate" —a decadent dessert extravaganza layering chocolate mousse, chocolate meringue, brownies, chocolate ganache, mocha mousse, and mocha rum sauce (whew!)— the Trellis doesn't do things by halves. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are elaborate…$$Merchants Square
