The moment you step onto our city streets, it’s clear—you’re surrounded by history. There’s no denying it, history is what puts Williamsburg on the map. But tucked inside our taverns, hotels, and historic buildings is a growing and vibrant foodie scene. Our restaurants offer a unique mix of modern-day menus and historically delicious food in both colonial and modern settings. World-class chefs plate every dish and often use locally-sourced ingredients. Have special dietary needs? They’re happy to accommodate. Calling ahead ensures a drool-worthy meal when you arrive. Keep scrolling for the official guide to all things food at CW. And if you’re not hungry yet… you will be.
The Williamsburg Lodge
The Williamsburg Lodge restaurants are not just for guests. Sweet Tea & Barley (just off the left side of the main lobby) has a casual vibe with comfortable seating options and a brand new outdoor terrace. Traditions restaurant brings a little piece of the Historic Area into our hotels with a classic menu in a setting filled with historic artifacts.
Why you should go: Handcrafted cocktails and southern favorites at Sweet Tea & Barley. (The pretzels and pub cheese are unbelievable!)
What’s New? The Jefferson Hour Happy Hour (Sunday-Wednesday 4–7 p.m.) when all well drinks and draft beers are $4, house wines are $5, and you can get a bite to eat for 20% off.
Plus, the Friends and Neighbors Evening (Thursdays, 6–9 p.m.) when all well drinks and draft beers are $4, house wines are $5 and you’ll receive 20% off your bite to eat. Live entertainment provided by Good Shot Judy.
The Williamsburg Inn
If it’s good enough for the queen…need I say more? Well, I will. The Regency Room and Terrace Room offer classic menus with a local twist in an iconic setting. Winners of both the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2016 and OpenTable’s “Diners’ Choice” in 2015, the Regency Room is a must-eat.
Why you should go: A mix of seasonal Virginia Classics and avant-garde specials. (Think Crabmeat Randolph.)
What’s New? The “Early Bird” Special (Wednesdays-Fridays 4:30–5:30 p.m.) Try a 3-course prix-fixe menu for $39.95. A local green salad followed by pan-seared enscalloped pork tenderloin with orzo pasta, oven-roasted tomatoes, summer squash, garden greens, garlic-tarragon oil and artisan bread—finished off with a lemon cloud? Yes, please.
Huzzah’s Eatery
You may not have heard about Huzzah’s Eatery, tucked away beside the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and the Visitor Center—but if you like affordable American plates in a casual, non-chain restaurant setting, you may just find yourself shouting, “Hip, Hip, Huzzah!” when you sit down to a meal.
Why you should go: Pizza! (And other foods your children will eat.)
What’s New? Huzzah’s Eatery was recently renovated and now features a more open-concept layout and a special kids menu with trivia to play while you wait. The menu has gluten-free foods labeled and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too.
Chowning’s Tavern
Remember when we reinvented Chowning’s Tavern as an 18th-century alehouse? You don’t need a reservation to stop in to this casual restaurant with an all-day menu of light bites and historic brews. It also features an outdoor back garden where you may even catch a glimpse of 18th-century activity or be entertained by balladeers. There’s a kids menu, too. Each evening, beginning at 5 p.m., join us for Gambols—a tradition of colonial drinks, hilarious games, and music. Don’t believe me? These guys are your entertainers.
Why you should go: Bites and beer in the back garden. (Think gunpowder wings with a cold pint of Old Stitch.)
What’s New? Sunset Serenades with free live entertainment (8–11 p.m. in the back garden) on Friday nights this summer. These kick-off on August 5th with Poisoned Dwarf, followed by Take 757 (August 12), The Hark (August 19th), Roebuck (August 26), Willie Tintype (September 2), and more!
King’s Arms Tavern
From the finest furnishings to the most gracious service, King’s Arms Tavern offers musical entertainment in a unique environment. Your server will be dressed in his or her 18th-century finest. Hear “the news of the day” from a citizen of Williamsburg. Choose from a chophouse menu, featuring prime rib, pork chops, and roasted lamb. Lunch and dinner served Thursday–Monday with a kids menu.
Why you should go: Peanut butter lovers, if you haven’t tried the Peanut Soupe, well, then you just have to go.
What’s New? You can now make your reservation online with OpenTable.
Shields Tavern
Shields Tavern has an inviting atmosphere and a home-style menu featuring classic foods that will satisfy everyone in your party. Open daily with a kids menu and the option to make your reservation on OpenTable.
Why you should go: Un-fussy foods like Ginger Sac Stewed Chicken, Roast Beef Swiss Dips, and Carolina-style Barbecue Sandwiches.
What’s New? Your family will love “The Life of a Jolly Pyrate,” a dinner theater with a three-course meal and lively songs.
Christiana Campbell’s Tavern
George Washington’s favorite tavern for seafood is best known for Christiana’s secret recipe Spoon Bread and Crab Cakes. Also features scallops, shrimp and fresh fish with a kids menu. Enjoy a visit by Mrs. Campbell herself and take in a few sea shanties. Book your dinner online at OpenTable.
Why you should go: I have two words for you: SPOON BREAD!
What’s New? Menu items are marked gluten free for those with special dietary needs.
The Raleigh Tavern Bakery
This list would not be complete without the iconic Raleigh Tavern Bakery. You may know it as that place that made the world smile when it brought back freshly-oven-baked ginger cookies after a 30-year hiatus. You can also stop in for a sandwich, side dish, or a fresh-baked muffin.
Why you should go: Is that a real question?
What’s New? Offerings vary seasonally, including hot cider and fresh-baked pies during the chillier months.
Hungry for More? Follow our Chefs on Instagram @TasteofCW !
Introducing our newest Instagram account featuring delicious dishes, super specials, the coolest cocktails, and fun “in the kitchen” moments with our chefs.
Which of Colonial Williamsburg’s restaurants offer the best vegan choices?
Traditions has a killer crispy portobello sandwich (minus the pimento) on its menu but that any location is happy to get creative with a call-ahead!
RE: the Raleigh Tavern Bakery…love all the new food items offered in the cooler…2 years ago had the best pasta salad…alas, this year no pasta salad…???
Marsha Heien
Stuttgart, Arkansas
On our last trip (early July), we had two enjoyable “foodie” events. We spent a very enjoyable Friday afternoon at the Chowning’s garden bar, drinking Wetherburn’s Ale and watching a thunderstorm blow through. On that Sunday, we got to the Raleigh Bakery when the first batch of cookies came out of the ovens. If you’ve never eaten a warm, fresh gingerbread cookie, you’ve been missing out!
Completely agree, Patty!
How far in advance to you need for gluten-free options?
Hi Gail, I’d say the day before or the day-of would be just fine. And don’t ever feel like you can’t just show up, our chefs are always happy to accommodate!
I’m trying to plan a foodie excursion to Williamsburg and Mt Vernon for early this fall. Other than this blog, anyone have any secret tips or resources they’d like to share?
My favorite restaurant is Christiana Campbell’s, my favorite meal is the crab cakes and I love the spoon bread. I also love the ginger cakes! We usually stay for a week so we try to hit all the taverns either for lunch or dinner but Campbell’s is our favorite, partly because we get to talk with Christiana!
My favorite too! I think I could survive on spoon bread and ginger cakes.
How can I purchase one of your blue/white pottery mugs like those in the story? I’m a reenactor and would love to have one to use with my impression.
Hi Beth, these stoneware mugs are available online through our Williamsburg Marketplace: http://www.williamsburgmarketplace.com
In the Jurassic, every Virginia schoolchild went on a field trip to CW in fourth grade. As an 8year old, what stuck in my head were the Magazine, the maze behind the Governor’s Mansion, and the Raleigh Bakery gingerbread. How disappointed I was when I returned in my late 20s and was told the oven-baked cookies were no more! In the coming decades, when I visited CW with my child,(and with her as a teenager and college student) I would wistfully reminisce about the gingerbread.
Hooray, I returned this June - and the oven-baked mounds of gingery deliciousness were back!
There’s nothing quite like those cookies!
Love the restaurants in Colonial Williamsburg. I do wish there were more gluten free options for lunch (besides salads). I have Celiac Disease and must eat gluten free. We stay in Colonial Williamsburg every year. I did have a lovely dinner at The king’s Arms Tavern and our server was very impressive with his knowledge of menu ingredients and gluten free suggestions. My dinner was wonderful!
Fantastic, Cathy. Our chefs assured me that particularly if you call ahead they are happy to get creative within your needs–so feel free to do so!
Wonderful….thank you. We will be there for 6 nights in October. I appreciate the information.
Cathy