HANNAH & JOHN
FOODIES
BREAKFAST
Blackbird Bakery
You’ll find this teeny little bakery tucked into a side alley of Merchants Square. The supplier of baked goods for several restaurants in town, they offer all sorts of breads, cakes, pastries, tarts, cookies and quiches.
Especially mouthwatering are their incredibly delicious biscuits (also served during breakfast at The Blue Talon restaurant). If you want one, you’ll have to get up early – they sell out fast. Enjoy them with a cup of coffee while sitting on one of the benches in Merchants Square.
Blue Talon
We especially love having breakfast at the Blue Talon – great omelets, quiches, southern style breakfast with grits and wonderful coffee served in bistro style pewter cups. (You’ll also be offered the complimentary “historic” water - a tongue in cheek reference to City of Williamsburg tap water). We recommend one of the delicious Blackbird Bakery biscuits paired with Virginia’s famous salt-cured ham!
For lunch or dinner enjoy a salad, their signature egg-topped cheeseburger, or their rich and indulgent mac & cheese – which locals order in large quantities to heat and serve at home! For dessert, enjoy unlimited scoops of their divine chocolate mousse.
Culture Cafe
With an eclectic industrial/bohemian décor (visualize walls lined with old shutters and tables with mismatched chairs and sofas) this cafe is a good place to escape the heat and wile away the hours when you’ve had enough of history. The menu is interesting – we love the avocado toast with red pepper flakes and the Moroccan meatballs.
LUNCH
The Cheese Shop
Praised by the New York Times, Newsweek, and the Washingtonian, among many others, this casual little wine and cheese shop in Merchants Square has been a Williamsburg favorite since 1973.
The Cheese Shop is usually our first stop when we are in town; be sure to try the famous house dressing on your sandwich (one taste and you’ll want to take a jar back home with you!) You’ll never find us without one in our homes – it’s addictive.
Insider Tips:
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Locals know to call ahead at 757-220-0298 to avoid the long lines. You can either pick up your order at the side window or go inside and move to the front of the queue.
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You can buy a bag of bread ends for $1 and a pint of the dressing – sit outside, dip, and enjoy the best bargain in town.
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The Cheese Shop can also put together a bottle of wine or a craft beer with a cheese plate for you to enjoy while people watching on their outdoor patio.
Colonial Williamsburg Taverns
There are four reconstructed taverns within the historic district offering period inspired food and entertainment. (The fifth, Raleigh Tavern, is a carry-out bakery, offering pre-made sandwiches, cold drinks and their famous gingerbread cookies.)
The taverns all differ slightly in their menus and atmosphere:
King's Arms Tavern
A refined chophouse, serving prime rib, tenderloin and more - all in an authentic period house. Servers in costume and pewter candlesticks will transport you to a bygone era. Don’t miss the famous peanut soup!
https://www.colonialwilliamsburghotels.com/dining/kings-arms-tavern
Christiana Campbell’s Tavern
Josiah Chowning's Tavern
Shields Tavern
Colonial comfort foods, good for family dining.
https://www.colonialwilliamsburghotels.com/dining/shields-tavern
Pub fare (Shepherd’s Pie, Brunswick Stew, Shrimp boil etc.) in an alehouse atmosphere. Gambols begins at 9 pm every night, with drinks, light pub fare, live music, sing-alongs and games.
https://www.colonialwilliamsburghotels.com/dining/chownings-tavern/
Specializing in Seafood, including their famous crab cakes, Campbell’s also features Tavern musicians playing and singing in the lobby (and occasionally strolling about).
https://www.colonialwilliamsburghotels.com/dining/christiana-campbells-tavern
DINNER
The Fat Canary
Sharing space and ownership with the Cheese shop in Merchants Square, The Fat Canary is consistently excellent and one of the best restaurants in town. Serving dinner only, you’ll want to book a reservation to be seated inside the small cozy restaurant; patio seating is first come/first serve, opening up at 5 pm. All the entrees are winners, but we have never gone wrong ordering the daily special.
Reserve by calling 757-229-3333 or online via Open Table.
Colonial Taverns
See lunch above for details
Cochon on 2nd
Absolutely the best beef tenderloin in town, served with their mouthwatering, signature potatoes au gratin with bleu cheese and Parmesan. You might want to skip the Blackbird Bakery biscuits in the morning if you plan on having dinner at Cochon!
The restaurant is tucked behind The Velvet Shoestring (a great upscale home consignment shop, by the way) on Merrimac Tail.
Call 757-229-1199 for reservations or reserve via Open Table online.