Williamsburg offers a great selection of really good restaurants. If you head west towards Richmond on Richmond Road (Rt 60), you will pass a variety of restaurants in addition to the ones listed below. Deb and I haven't sampled all of them but below are some of our favorites.
NOTE: there are google map links to these locations embedded within the description.
Lunch:
Yorktown area:
- The Carrot Tree in Yorktown $ - Nice lunch spot in the Riverwalk section of Yorktown. Would be a good place to have lunch if you choose to ride to Yorktown one day. Menu can be found here.
Williamsburg Merchants Square area:
- The Cheese Shop $ - in Colonial Williamsburg. Located on Merchants Square in Colonial Williamsburg. If you like wine, visit their wine cellar. Great cheese, sandwiches and soup. If the weather is nice you can sit outside and enjoy your meal.
- Dog Street Pub $$ - the main street of Colonial Williamsburg is Duke of Gloucester Street, referred to by the locals as "DOG Street". The Dog Street Pub is located on Duke of Gloucester at Merchant's Square. The Pub has a typical "pub style" menu and a good selection of beers, including the local "Alewerks" beers.
- Aromas Coffee House & Cafe $ - located about a block from Merchants Square in Colonial Williamsburg on Prince George Street, this is a great place to grab lunch. They have a great variety of sandwiches, salads, soups and even dinner entrees. Also have a nice selection of specialty coffees, espressos, Mocha's, Latte's, etc.
Other Williamsburg:
- Newtown $ to $$ - Newtown is a section of Williamsburg located off Monticello Ave, about 1 mile from the Powhatan and has a number of good restaurants. I’d suggest Paul’s Deli & Neighborhood Restaurant, The Corner Pocket and Blaze Pizza.
- Charley's Cafe $ - at the Williamsburg airport. Enjoy a great soup and sandwich on their patio while watching the small airplanes come and go. Very reasonably priced and good! You will pass by Charley's if you take any of the "Lake Powell Rd" routes to or from Jamestown.
- Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que $ - Not a great atmosphere (a bit like a fast-food), but excellent pork and chicken bar-b-que. Also not in a very good spot to bike to, but if you want to take a short drive for some great Bar-B-Que this is the place. Can eat-in or take out. Located along E. Rochambeau St.
- The Carrot Tree in Williamsburg $ - under the same ownership as the Carrot Tree in Yorktown with a similar menu. They have an excellent selection of soups, salads and sandwiches.
Jamestown area:
- Jamestown Settlement Cafe $ - Located within the Jamestown Settlement Museum so very convenient to our Jamestown start point. As shown on their website menu they have a selection of burgers, sandwiches, salads, stew, pork BBQ, pizza and vegetarian chili.
- Spoke and Art $ – Located along the Virginia Capital Trail, at about mile two. Sandwiches, coffee, wine and beer available. Nice outdoor seating on deck.
Charles City area:
- Cul's Courthouse Grilll $ - Cul's is a very casual lunch spot located across the street from the Charles City Courthouse, directly along the Virginia Capital Trail. It is a fairly small place, so they can't take a large crowd. But they have great sandwiches and salads and really cater to the Virginia Capital Trail crowd.
- Indian Fields Tavern $$ - Offers lunch and dinner Wednesdays through Sundays in an old farmhouse. A few miles west of Charles City.
- Blue Heron Restaurant $ - The Blue Heron is located at the River's Rest Marina along the Chickahominy River. It isn't really in Charles City but is located along a popular bike route through Charles City county between theChickahominy and Charles City. The food is good and the outdoor seating overlooking the Marina is a nice relaxed atmosphere.
Surry & Isle of Wight Counties:
- Surry Seafood Company $ - Located about 2 miles from the Ferry (along Rt. 31) this may be a good lunch option if you are cycling in Surry County. Nice deck overlooking a marina and good seafood.
- SmithIield $ to $$ - There are several great lunch spots in Smithfield. I’d highly recommend the Smithfield Bakery and the Smithfield Station.
Dinner:
- Fat Canary $$$$ - top rated Line dining in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg.
- Food For Thought $$ -This has probably become our favorite "go to" restaurants. Very diverse menu with a great variety of hearty, reasonably priced meals. Ask about their 55+ menu for smaller portions.
- Sal's Restaurant By Victor $$ - the best Pizza in town but also with a very complete Italian menu and great wine selection.
- Le Yaca $$$ - if you want a very memorable French dining experience this is the place to go. A little bit pricey but a very quiet and peaceful place with outstanding food and service.
- Berret's Seafood Restaurant $$$ - located in Colonial Williamsburg Merchants Square, Berret's probably has some of the best seafood in Williamsburg.
- King's Arms Tavern $$$ - located in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg, the King's Arms Tavern offers southern fare in a rustic reproduction tavern.
- Masala Craft $$ - Great authentic Indian food and very convenient to Powhatan.
- Oceans & Ale $$ - Located near the Premium Outlets, Oceans & Ale is a great Seafood and Steakhouse restaurant.
- Opus 9 Steakhouse $$$$ - Located in Newtown, this would be considered a "fine dining" restaurant featuring a variety of steaks and seafood.
- Plaza Azteca $ - This is a very good albeit chain Mexican restaurant.
- Second Street Grill $$ - Excellent Bistro offering a wide variety of entrees including seafood, steaks, ribs, chicken dishes and pasta. Good food and we always have had great service there.
- Craft 31 $$ - This is a very casual restaurant offering a variety of craft beers, gourmet burgers, bottoms up pizza and a raw bar. Outdoor seating available.
- Saudes Tapas and Wine Bar $$ - One of my favorite restaurants - offers a Spanish style food in a relaxed atmosphere. However they do get busy so call ahead for reservations.
- The Hound’s Tale $$- recently relocated from CW area to a larger facility on Monticello. It has a rather eclectic (but excellent) menu (you really need to look at the online menu) and a variety of regional beers and wines as well as an array hand-crafted cocktails.
Anatolia Bar & Grill $$$ - features excellent Mediterranean cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner. Located in Newtown. - Old City Barbecue $$ - located on York Street - our favorite local barbecue.
- 7 Mares Mexican Grill $$ - located on Richmond Rd, one of our favorite local Mexican restaurants.
- Seven Hills - Turkish & Mediterranean Cuisine $$ - Very new restaurant (as of Sept 2026) restaurant near CW featuring Turkish flavors with a menu centered on grilled meats, handmade flatbreads, fresh salads, and classic Turkish desserts. Definitely recommend. But it is fairly small so check for reservations.