ameryhm

Hello fellow travelers!!

My wife and I will be headed down to Williamsburg, VA next month for a little R&R Busch Gardens style.

We will be in town for 4 days and will want to go out to one fairly to really nice place for dinner. Given that the park eateries would likely be rediculously over-priced, let's shoot for something out and about be it near the park or around Colonial Williamsburg. The preference would be steak and/or seafood. No chains if possible.

Thanks

basingstoke2

I am not sure what you would call overpriced, but our frugal family eats inside the park when we go and do not find the prices outlandish at all. The plus is the atmosphere. We particularly like Chowning's Tavern.

Check out www.history.org/visit/diningExperience

All of the in park restaurants are listed with descriptions and menus. Judge for yourself.

schlegal1

Do you mean dining in Busch Gardens park and its surrounds?

Basingstroke's answer addresses eating in Colonial Williamsburg (which is quite separate from BG).

basingstoke2

True, I am talking about Colonial Williamsburg. Busch Gardens has the usual theme park food and IMO it is for the most part overpriced for what you get (except for the roasted turkey drumsticks)but not ridiculously so. If you want to stay in BG until it closes, you do not have many good choices and none that I would consider fine dining. However, as you know BG is set up in sections that sort of represent different countries and in that context, the Festhause in "Germany" is good as is the restaurant in "Italy." Canada has ok barbequed ribs. IMO none of these places are as good as decent German, Italian or Rib restaurants, but passable none-the-less. If you are lucky, you can eat at the Festhause or Italian place when there is also entertainment.

Are you planning to spend a day in Colonial Williamsburg? In a 4 day trip, one might assume so. If so, that is your chance for a nice restaurant.

zlaor

We just got back from there last week. We stayed in Yorktown on the brand new "historic" riverwalk.

There is a good restaurant there called "Riverwalk Restaurant", right on the York River.

It's about 20 min. away from Williamsburg.

We also ate at Red, Hot & Blue BBQ - not fancy but great food.

You can do a search for my screen name to see the trip report.

Birdie

Most people think the best in Williamsburg is Fat Canary on DoG st in CW. Le Yaca in the Kingsmill Shops on Rt 60 near BG is also very good. Neither are seafood or steakhouses, though.

While tacky and kitschy looking, Whaling Company on Rt 60 near BG has very good seafood.

Trowbridgemom

We have been to Virginia about 12+ times over the years and these are our family's favorites...The Old Chickahominy House is a reasonably priced restaurant with character. Eat in a crowded dining room after browsing their huge 3 story gift shop. The menu is simple and timeless and the staff have been their for years. Virginia Ham Biscuits, Brunswick stew, homemade pie, chocolate and buttermilk are the best!
Pierce's Pit is a great retro bbq place.Retro meaning the same acid orange booths are there from the 70s... You're clothes will smell like that smoky BBQ pit out back and you will have had some great food.
Chownings Tavern is a great place for lunch or an early dinner. They have some Colonial entertainment and the Black Walnut Ice Cream and Ginger cookies are awesome.

The Jefferson House has the traditional peanut soup and often has coupons in the brochures areound town.

There are definitely higher end eats around town but you can get those in any city - try some of the places that are tried and true in Williamsburg and linger on some tasty choices and good memories!

sg92

I was going to suggest Fat Canary as well. Just an excellent restaurant right in Colonial Williamsburg.

Anonymous

Not sure why trowbridgemom joined Fodor's specifically to top this thread, since the OP's trip was in October 2008.

NewbE

Uh, to be helpful? To offer advice to those planning a trip to Williamsburg? I'm not sure why you'd try to discourage travel advice on a travel forum, Anonymous.

ehovis

I like reading old and new reviews of areas I plan to
travel to. I thank you trowbridgemom, I'll be using
some of your suggestions this year, even if the OP doesn't.

aliska

We had a wonderful experience in Williamsburg at the Trellis Restaurant owned by world famous chef Marcel Desaulniers. His dessert recipe Death by Chocolate is literally to die for. He has been featured on many cooking shows. The place is located just across the street from the historic district.

http://www.thetrellis.com/