Any suggestions for good places to eat in Williamsburg. We;ll be there in early October and would like something other than the usual chains. Thanks!

What kind of food do you like? Where are you staying and what will you be doing? Kids, no kids? Budget? Breakfast, lunch, dinner? I will be glad to tell you but I can list out quite a few without narrowing it down.

Rhardy, are you referring to Colonial Williamsburg Historical Park or the major city of Williamsburg?

Blue Talon Bistro and the Fat Canary were our favorites for dinner - they would fall into the fine dining category. The Cheese Shop next to the Fat Canary has good sandwiches and takeout food.

Be sure to eat in one of the taverns within the restored area. Its been a few years but there were 3 or 4 of them when we last visited. At the time we preferred Chownings Tavern, if not for the spectacular food - although good - but for the experience. Lunch is less expensive and much of the same fare is offered.

We will be staying at an Inn just a mile or so outside the colonial area. Will have a car and quality is more important than cost. Four of us - no kids

As Thomas mentioned, Blue Talon Bistro and Fat Canary in Colonial Williamsburg are very good. Also at the higher end of the price range are Cities Grille on Rt 5 and Le Yaca near Busch Gardens. Emerald near BG has good Thai, Pancho Villa on Rt 5 has good Mexican. Sal's by Victor, which is mentioned here often, suffered a big fire and won't be open for months.

If the weather is nice, the marina at Kingsmill may still be open on weekends. If not, and you want to check out the resort and golf courses, Regattas has good casual food and the Mill is a nice little coffeehouse with great pastries.

Let us know what else you would be interested in.

I have to say that I've never had even a half-way decent meal in the one of the taverns in Colonial Williamsburg. Bad food, indifferent waitresses (in colonial costume) and screaming kids. Ugh!

I agree with artsbabe. The Tavern eateries inside the colonial park have mediocre food at very high prices with very long waits for a table. The Merchant Square area outside of the park has good food eateries at reasonable prices. We ate at the Trellis restaurant----it was very good.

As I said in my previous post, the Colonial area Taverns may not offer spectacular food - it is good, at best. But that is not why you dine there. Despite being pricey, we enjoyed the experience, did not encounter screaming children, and would still recommend doing lunch there, if not dinner. To each his own, and sometimes things need to be experienced personally before judging. I hope the OP will do just that.

I think the taverns offer you an experience you will not find elsewhere. I think in Oct there will be less families and less "screaming kids" I would recommend the Kings Arms if only to try their peanut soup but you can look at the other menus and decide for yourself.