In our Dining Guide section, we feature some of our favorite eateries and dining establishments in the region, selected and listed by cuisine type, theme or geographic area. In this issue, we focus on what’s tasty, tempting and on tap in Williamsburg. While a cluster of fine dining favorites like Le Yaca and Fat Canary are well known to be reservation-worthy, there are plenty of lighter bites, comfort classics and family favorites to choose from too. Here are our picks.
Aberdeen Barn Williamsburg The family-owned steakhouse on Richmond Road is a perennially popular dinner destination for visitors and locals, known for its farmhouse décor and friendly service as much as the Prime Rib cooked to juicy, slow-and-low perfection. Try the Bone-In Ribeye, French Onion Soup, Black and Blue Bites, or fresh seafood including local oysters from Mobjack Bay. aberdeen-barn.com
Amber Ox Public HouseJust off Merchants Square, you’ll find inspired seasonal dishes, made from scratch with regional ingredients served by the friendliest folks around. Start with warm-from-the-oven drop biscuits, luscious compound butter, jammy preserves and honey ricotta. Move on to perfectly seared Duck Breast, Bone-in Pork Chops or Fried Ricotta Gnocchi. And don’t miss their mixologist’s magic. theamberox.com
Amiraj Modern Indian Kitchen Chicken Tikka Masala and Palak Paneer still hold sway at this former Nawab reimagined as a sophisticated, modern Indian kitchen. But this stunning dining room offers so much more than a quick curry. Sink into a seductive couch and savor Blue Crab Taka-Tak or Octopus Tadka while partaking of their Spectator Award-winning wine program. amiraj.com
Anatolia Bar & Grill Enjoy authentic dishes from Armenia, Turkey and the Mediterranean at Anatolia. Cold and hot mezzas like Tzatziki and Mouhammara or Falafel and Zucchini Pancakes start things on a healthy note, while Kebabs, Shawarma and Saksuka will satisfy your soulful cravings. Turkish Delight and Baklava make for sweet finishing touches. eatanatolia.com
Aromas Coffee House Bakery & Cafe Located on Prince George Street, with a second location called Captains Den in Newport News, Aromas is a family-owned coffeehouse that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at very fair prices, as well as a wide array of specialty cakes, pies and pastries, including vegan and gluten-free options. aromasworld.com
Bellissimo Pizza Café A Historic Triangle favorite offering authentic NY-style pizza by the slice, this family owned restaurant brought a little bit of Italy and the Bronx to Williamsburg in the early 2000s. Get two slices of deliciously foldable thin crust cheese pizza and a drink for under $10 or try their Margherita, Nashville Hot Chicken or Pickle pies. bellissimo-pizza.weeblyte.com
Berret’s Seafood Restaurant and Taphouse Grill At Merchants Square, Berret’s beloved crabcakes, shellfish, local oysters and fresh catches have been attracting loyal fans since 1983. Try the Baked Oysters with crabmeat, country ham and breadcrumbs. Fish is also front and center—from Crispy Grouper to a Sweet Pepper-Seared Mahi Mahi. Indoor-outdoor seating offers multiple vibes. berrets.com
Blue Talon Bistro Say bonjour to classic French comfort fare at this archetypal bistro, a Merchants Square mainstay under the creative direction of Chef David Everett. Croque Madame, Escargots Bourguignon, Salmon Rillettes, Salade Nicoise, Steak Frites and Veal Blanquette pair perfectly with classic cocktails, wines and a continuous loop of Julia Child videos behind the bar. bluetalonbistro.com
Brickhouse Tavern If you’re looking for a cozy college sports bar that serves tasty chicken wings and crispy-crusted NY-style pizza, check out Brickhouse Tavern. A home away from home for hungry and thirsty William & Mary students, visitors and locals, they also have a location in Port Warwick near Christopher Newport University. welcometobrickhouse.com
Carrot Tree Kitchens You can satisfy your sweet tooth with the delectable selections at this scratch bakery with locations in Williamsburg and Yorktown. But they’re also sweet on garden-fresh and good-for-you breakfast and lunch items. Try the Grilled Goddess, Yorktown Onion or Abe Lincoln wraps or Debi’s Winter Salad with apples and walnuts. carrottreekitchens.com
Casa Pearl This ingenious combination of seaside and Latin inspiration mashed up with Southern style is located in a renovated gas station in The Edge District. Locally sourced bivalves, peel ’n eat shrimp and sublime ceviche tantalize. Chips & Dip shines with BBQ spiced chicharrónes, pimento cheese and pickled veggies. Classic cocktails with creative twists are fresher than fresh. eatcasapearl.com
Christiana Campbells Tavern This elegant, Colonial-style restaurant was established in the 1700s and favored by George Washington himself for its seafood. Situated just beyond the Capitol building in Colonial Williamsburg, its historically inspired, locally acquired menu of shrimp, scallops and fish, famed crab cakes and spoon bread will transport you to another era. colonialwilliamsburghotels.com/dining
Cochon on 2ndBehind the clock tower on Second Street, Cochon has garnered a loyal following for just under a decade. The art of grilling and smoking with aged woods is complemented by lovely fish and fowl on a seasonal menu. Think Wood Grilled Scottish Salmon with Chef’s Sauce or Smoked Maple Leaf Duck Breast with Fig and Port Glaze. cochonon2nd.com
Cook’s Burger Bar The classic mid-century Midwestern restaurant, complete with ’50s diner booths and wood-paneled walls, gets a bougie menu twist or two. Opened in 2024, Cook’s is retro done right. Farmers Fries are tossed in roasted garlic confit with fresh herbs and pecorino. Burgers are cooked to order, from the Cook’s Classic to the Patty Melt. cooksburger.com
Craft 31 Gourmet burgers, handcrafted pizza and a raw bar featuring fresh local oysters will tempt your tastebuds while live music, a laid-back atmosphere and an extensive craft beer selection will make you want to stay a while. Choose from more than 10 specialty or build-your-own burgers, Bottoms Up Pizza, sandwiches, salads, seafood entrees, and more. craft-31.com
Fat Canary At this fine dining crown jewel on Duke of Gloucester Street, Chef Tom Power Jr. expertly executes Heritage Breed Pork Chops with goat cheese bread pudding and Fricassee of Rabbit with wild mushrooms, leeks and sage. Savor seasonal specials like Rockfish in sumptuous shrimp broth, and don’t miss their inspired cocktails and extensive wine list. fatcanarywilliamsburg.com
Fat Tuna Grill This seafood restaurant and oyster house brings the goods with freshly prepared seafood, a top shelf raw bar, sandwiches, soups, salads and entrees. Start with Fat Tuna Nachos, Gulf Peel N’ Eat Shrimp or Oysters Rockefeller, and reel it in with Linguine Clam Sauce, Chesapeake Crab Cakes or Sesame Salmon. fattunagrill.com
Fireside Chophouse Bar & Grill For more than 40 years, Fireside Chophouse on Richmond Road has been specializing in high-quality steaks, prime rib and fresh seafood including their famous Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. Their family-friendly, crowd-pleasing menu also includes burgers, Roast Chicken, Pork, Lamb and Veal Chops. Classic sides like baked potatoes and seasonal veggies will make your meal complete. firesidechophouse.com
Food For Thought Popular with locals and visitors, this Williamsburg destination features décor inspired by historical figures complete with thought-provoking quotes. Their menu also makes you think. There are many healthy and vegetarian options alongside comfort faves—from the “Where Is The Beef?” Meatloaf to Stuffed Acorn Squash and the Portobello Stack. foodforthoughtrestaurant.com
Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant This locally owned Italian restaurant earns rave reviews from devotees for its elevated takes on pizzas, soups and salads and pasta dishes. Start with a Burrata Caprese or Truffled Artichokes, make it meaty or veggie with a Carnivoro or Wild Mushroom Pizza, and dive into Scallops Spinaci or Lobster Alla Vodka. giuseppes.com
The Jefferson Restaurant A Richmond Road staple going back generations, The Jefferson has been serving locals and travelers since 1956. From traditional starters like Our Very Own Peanut Soup to fan favorites like Baked Virginia Ham, Southern Fried Chicken, Spaghetti Marinara and Thomas Jefferson Surf & Turf, they’re known for friendly service and fair prices. jeffersonrestaurantva.com
KEΦI Greek Kitchen This authentic Greek kitchen on Richmond Road is big on style and flavor. Healthy options are date-night worthy from the extensive hot and cold meze menus to beautiful salads and light, luscious soups to fresh fish like their Cedar Plank Salmon with cherry tomatoes, squash, pistachios and lemon balsamic glaze. kephigreek.kitchen
King’s Arms Tavern When you think of the Colonial Williamsburg historic dining experience, think The King’s Arms. This authentic reproduction public house transports guests to the 18th Century while suiting 21st-century tastes. No tricornered hat is required to tuck into their Crab Croquettes or Onion Pye, Stewed Beef or Chicken Hash. Top things off with Thomas Jefferson’s favorite, the Champagne Cocktail. colonialwilliamsburghotels.com/dining
Le Yaca Yes, Virginia, there is a fine French restaurant here. At Le Yaca, you can commence with a Kir Royal before journeying on to exquisite wines, Coquilles St.-Jacques, Dover Sole, Tournedos Rossini, puffy soufflés—à la carte or prix fixe. Served cordially at tables adorned with elegant linens and just-snipped flowers, this is the stuff of haute cuisine dreams. leyacawilliamsburg.org
Old Chickahominy House Williamsburg traditions run deep, and the Old Chickahominy House has been serving deeply Southern delights since 1955. It all starts with those Grandma-approved biscuits. Have them with an Old Chickahominy Breakfast, Virginia Country Ham or a cup of their famous Brunswick Stew. Chicken & Dumplings, salads, sandwiches and pie make it a meal. oldchickahominy.com
Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que Luring hungry motorists since 1971, Pierce’s pulled pork and brisket are so piercingly good that they have been featured among NatGeo’s “10 Best BBQ Joints in America.” Whether on a sammie, in a combo dinner or on a full rack of ribs, it’s all about that famous sauce. Alright, it’s also about those lip-smacking sides and Brunswick Stew. pierces.com
Rockefellers at Williamsburg Inn Who says historical has to be stuffy? Don your dress-ups and dip into approachable glamor and elegance that will leave you feeling as honored as its legendary namesake. Sophistication at every turn but certainly not stuck in the past, the Rockefeller Room offers fine dining entrenched in Southern hospitality and charm, exceptional service and a seasonal menu based on only the finest from local waterman, farmers and artisans. colonialwilliamsburghotels.com/dining
Sal’s By Victor For feel-good, family-friendly Italian in the Historic Triangle, you can’t beat the beloved Sal’s by Victor on Richmond Road. Scratch-made sauces and the freshest natural ingredients go into their classic pastas, New York-style pizzas, apps, entrees and desserts. Their menu is as generously portioned as their Eggplant Parmigiana, Chicken Marsala and Shrimp Alfredo.salsbyvictor.com
Second St. This modern American bistro, with another location in Newport News, serves up a winning combo of deliciously eclectic apps, grilled flatbread pizzas, colorful salads and entrees like Virginia Jambalaya, Grilled Tofu, Bison Bolognese, Baby Back Ribs and 2nd St’s Shrimp & Grits. Their elegant outdoor patio with a firepit beckons in seasonal weather. secondst.com
The Whaling Company Known for simply prepared fresh catches at reasonable prices, this employee-run restaurant has a welcoming, Old-World vibe. Start with shrimp, crab or oysters and work your way to pan-fried, baked, blackened or stuffed fish. Go big with the Deep Fried Boatwright’s Platter or Crabcake. Craving a good steak, chicken or pasta? They’ve got that. whalingcompany.com
Waypoint Seafood & Grill For an elevated seafood dinner date, Waypoint is on point. From beautiful regional artwork adorning the walls to lovingly plated and prepared dishes featuring fresh ingredients, this a Tidewater celebration. Waypoint Shrimp or Oysters Casino set the stage for Pan Seared Scallops, Filet Mignon Oscar, Macadamia Crusted Salmon or the Chesapeake Crabcake. waypointgrill.com
Local restaurants are our strawberry jam. We wish we could spread them on a piece of toast—or at least list them all here. But space is limited, hungry friends! Please note this is a partial list compiled by Coastal Virginia Magazine staff and contributors. Look for more listings of in future or past CoVa Dining Guides.
Pictured at top of page: Poached lobster served at Rockefellers at the Williamsburg Inn. Photo courtesy of Colonial Wlliamsburg Resorts
