All hail the pour: a glass that captures Virginia’s terroir with Williamsburg’s historic charm. Curated in this colonial capital, these exceptional spots offer carefully selected flights, artisanal small plates, and convivial atmospheres where every sip tells a story.
Le Yaca French Restaurant
$$$ | (757) 220-3616 | WEBSITE
The elegant Le Yaca French Restaurant has been a Williamsburg favorite for years, and showcases the flavors of France. Their duck dish delivers the richness you’d expect from classic French cuisine, though the wine pairing is an additional cost. But you should also order the tender pork tenderloin—it makes for a satisfying main (or an entire meal paired with one of their appetizers and sides. That said, there’s just something about the patio dining. It feels, well, special.
On pleasant evenings, the intimate dining rooms open to the gorgeous patio, which features dishes like the perfectly prepared halibut and the delicious chicken scaloppini.
Williamsburg Winery Tasting Room and Wine Bar
$ | (757) 229-0999 | WEBSITE
If you’ve ever wondered what a perfect afternoon of wine tasting in historic Williamsburg would feel like, you don’t have to let your dreams stay dreams—head to Williamsburg Winery Tasting Room and Wine Bar. This charming tasting room offers several flights to choose from at different price points, including a raspberry dessert wine with a tart ending that provides a little sweetness.
Our favorite part is browsing the spacious room with pleasant music while the polite, kind, and informative wine ambassador shares about local craftsmanship—though some other staff could show more enthusiasm. The picturesque exterior and location within walking distance of lodging make it ideal for a weekday visit when it’s less crowded, even if the steep stairs and decor needing refreshment present minor challenges.
Bazaaros Deli
$ | (757) 808-5408 | WEBSITE
Bazaaros Deli in Williamsburg serves up a bunch of different deli classics, including Reubens, Italian sandwiches, burgers, and of course, their creamy banana pudding. Bazaaros Deli’s Roast Beef and Gouda comes with generous potato wedges, and the hearty roast beef is stacked high, then melded with melted gouda and a creamy, kickin’ horseradish sauce that spills out between the two slices of bread after your first bite.
It’s good the way it is, but even better after dipping it in the small side of au jus that comes with it.
Aberdeen Barn Steakhouse
$$ | (757) 229-6661 | WEBSITE
Aberdeen Barn Steakhouse has, well, steaks and more. Even after becoming a yearly destination for many, they’ve managed to maintain the same quality as when they first opened in Williamsburg. For the steaks, they have possibly the most flavorful cuts in Virginia. This means prime rib cooked to perfection in addition to Delmonico steak, pork chops, crab imperial, and even oysters Burgundy which is basically surf and turf in one dish.
For the “more”, the restaurant offers unique vegetarian options and fresh salads with homemade dressings, and the bar offers expertly made cocktails like Ron’s top-notch espresso martinis, with drinks reasonably priced around $12-16 each.
Illy Caffe
$ | (757) 208-0006 | WEBSITE
Illy Caffe’s menu is full of delightful treats, like the exceptional raspberry tart with its flaky crust and great berry flavor, so decision paralysis is common at this Williamsburg spot. Also contributing to that: their beverages. The iced vanilla latte is excellent. The drink is creamy perfection and has plenty of depth thanks to a generous serving of vanilla syrup and rich espresso.
And if the previously mentioned ham and swiss croissant and blueberry cream cheese danish have you feeling inspired, you can pair those with their smooth caramel cream cold brew, too.
Oceans & Ale
$$ | (757) 253-2253 | WEBSITE
We had to pay tribute to the classics. Oceans & Ale, a beloved spot in Williamsburg, is where seafood lovers and beer enthusiasts have gathered for years. For that, we are forever appreciative. The ‘Home of Seafood and Suds’ remains the benchmark, making it nearly impossible to choose between the original crab cakes, seafood pot pie, seafood nachos, or shrimp tacos.
It’s so satisfying, they had to do it twice, so they also serve the fish n chips, which uses crispy batter instead of the rich sauces used for the pot pie. Both come with a side of slightly tangy tartar sauce that takes the already flavorful dish to another level. That’s with or without the accompanying beer list, which is impressive enough to be an experience on its own.
Fat Canary
$$$ | (757) 229-3333 | WEBSITE
Polished with an understated elegance, this Williamsburg favorite has been delivering a refined dining experience to its loyal patrons for years. Their grouper entree is perfectly cooked, almost as if it’s been kissed by the grill. This seals in the moisture, and most importantly, completely enhances the natural flavor. That’s one of the many thoughtful details that Fat Canary pays close attention to, like the delicate sear on the scallops, or the tender asparagus served alongside the beef dish.
All their entrees come with a selection of housemade accompaniments: the amazing corn soup, oven fries, and our favorite, the Blood Orange Margarita mocktail. Beyond that, Fat Canary offers their chicken entree as outstanding and has a variety of appetizers and desserts that come with your choice of drink. Servers Philip and Keith, along with the knowledgeable sommelier, make you feel completely at home. At this rate, Fat Canary will be a destination for another generation of diners.