King's Arms Tavern

A very unique experience to have while you are visiting Williamsburg. We started out a couple of cocktails, but really you should go for one of the punch bowls - it ended up being so much better and you didn't have to wait on the staff to serve you. Then we moved on to the iconic peanut soup, a potato chowder and stewed black eye peas, which came with different breads and relishes. The black eye peas were absolutely amazing and I would recommend passing on the peanut soup. For mains, we got the prime rib, the game pye, and To Stew a Shoat in the French Way. They were all excellent! We also were entertained by a fife and a fiddler, which added to the ambiance of the dinner. Aside from the food and atmosphere, the service was really lacking. We felt like we had to flag our server down multiple times for refills, questions, and ordering. Also when ordering she was very short and sometimes walked away before we were finished. In the end it was an experience that we enjoyed and would recommend to others visiting the area. Definitely get reservations. There was a line when we showed up and the restaurant was full the entire time we were there as there are not many food options within Colonial Williamsburg for dinner.

Fantastic atmosphere and service. 👍 Incredibly charming and unique experience. If you’re in the area, this restaurant is worth a visit. We were there for lunch with 3 kids and it was great! The unique menu includes some kid friendly options. 🍗 My daughter loved the fried chicken drumstick and mac & cheese! For the adults, I suggest ordering several plates to share. The iced tea is delicious and so refreshing, especially on a hot day.

Absolutely lovely experience here. I’m actually writing this a couple months after my visit because I just couldn’t stop thinking about it. The food is reasonably priced for the portions you receive, and not to mention tasty. I ordered the chicken hash. I’m not usually fond of bread bowls, but the soup was so delicious I ended up eating the bowl just because it soaked up all that flavor. The sparkling peach-orange juice we had was light and refreshing. Not too sweet, and the orange didn’t overpower the flavor of peach. The dining area is small in a nostalgic sort of way. The staff is friendly, attentive, and not too slow. Highly recommend!

We tried their famous peanut soup which in our opinion was ok not phenomenal definitely like eating peanuts in hot soup version but still edible. Also we tried “to serve good ham” in other words charcuterie and it was good can’t say much about it was 2 type of meat 1 type of cheese and 3 sliced baguette. The drink was local root beer and apple jack old fashion. Dessert we tried snowy eggs lots of people in reviews said a lot about this item. Was pretty interesting and taste good, I said more like whipped. Amy was our waitress today and she was helpful with explaining us the menu because we had a hard time to understand the historic description on each one lol. True the price is pricey but hey you won’t find something like this anywhere else so if you’re an adventurous also foodie person like us and don’t mind to spend a little bit more for the experience, atmosphere and short show on the middle of lunch this great to explore. We would order the main dishes if they had salmon or grilled chicken but sadly this time menu pretty much not what we liking to have. Overall was adding up our experience for the day with the vibes around.

When in Williamsburg, one should eat as the colonials did and while I have no idea what colonial cuisine is like, I imagine it's like what they serve here. This place fit the bill! I had a peanut soup and a chicken pot pie like dish, both were fantastic. There was also a live musician playing an instrument I've never seen, the experience at this place made me feel like I was on set of The Patriot.

A really great experience that I would highly recommend if you are visiting colonial Williamsburg. Here you can get the chance to try food based on historic recipes of the time, as well as eating in a really unique environment decorated like an old tavern. The food was interesting and pretty tasty, particularly the peanut soup. The servers were very friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes, and there was also a live music performance.

We very much enjoyed this tavern at the end of January, the area was like a ghost town, there were less than 10 people in the restaurant and it was so peaceful and pleasant and the food was delicious. Yes, the place is expensive, but we enjoyed the ambience and the musician, and it is a pleasant change from most modern restaurants and not one that we would go to often, but we are visiting from out of state and loved it. if you are concerned about price, go somewhere else. The slice of pecan pie, for example, was nine dollars, but it was delicious and a nice way to end our visit there.

Loved this place. Atmosphere, service and food was great. My salmon was heavenly. Husband enjoyed his steak. One of the best puddings I've ever had. High end, expensive food. And very romantic. NOT someplace to take kids under 14. NOT a place for your toddlers and babies - leave them at home.

We ate tonight at King's Arms Tavern and we were pleasantly surprised by the food, the service, and the ambiance of the tavern. We shared peanut soup, the black eyed peas, the game pye, the shoat shank, and we finished with the snow eggs. Our favorite was the peanut soup and the snow eggs. Being from Louisiana we've experienced fantastic food and it's tough for all places to compete with our home state, but we especially enjoyed the great service and the entertainment that accompanied the meal. Steve and Amy (?) provided talks about what things were like in Colonial Williamsburg, and a young man played pieces of music with his fiddle and fife. We loved learning a bit more about history while we enjoyed the meal. The service provided by Steve was very thorough.

While on vacation in Williamsburg my wife and I decided to eat at the Kings Arms Tavern. We went during the lunch hour which was good for us which the lower cost lunch specials . I ordered the Beef Stew which was very good and my wife had a special of the day which was a Maui Fish Sandwich which she enjoyed. Overall the place was historic, the food and prices were good and the service was also good.

I booked a dinner at King's Arms Tavern during our stay at Colonial Williamsburg. I figured, let's have a full colonial experience! I have to say that compared to the reenactors in colonial Williamsburg, folks at the tavern did not explain or say much. It was really like a normal restaurant experience. Order, get food and go. The service was good but it's really a normal service, nothing more than that. We had the popular dishes - peanut soup: I like peanut but I don't really like the soup. .It tasted like diluted thai satay peanut sauce. Would have preferred diluted peanut butter. It was my favorite and I did not finish it. - To Stew a Shoat in the French Way : pork was fall off the bone tender. A good dish and a gigantic dish. - To Bake Salmon with Crab another Way : crab and salmon had really good taste. Nicely made. The rice seemed a bit out of place for the theme but oh well... - Snow Eggs : not too sweet. A light dessert is very much appreciated because I was so full. It was just okay though. I wouldn't order it again. Considering how much people raved about it, it was a let down to me. There you have it, a colonial dinner experience. The musician was entertaining and the bread/dips were great. Food in general was ok. It's fun to do it while you're in Williamsburg.

Had an intimate dinner in a historical setting. Good food with great service! Definitely a must for dinner!

Guests get transported to the 18th century by way of authentic setting, food, music, dress and some oral history provided by the various professionals involved. The live music is fun. The musician who entertained our small dining room for the evening plays fiddle, mandolin, recorder, and pocket violin. He weaves in a narrative of tavern culture while presenting tunes that were once popular. His presence doesn't overwhelm as he comes and goes in his yesteryear costume. To hear this music wafting throughout the candlelit building in the evening is really delightful. Crab croquettes are top notch. I also enjoyed the roast duck. The old-timey onion pye is unappetizing. Relish tray and rolls are a nice complement. And the pecan pie for dessert is flavorful but not overly sweet. The wait staff is very knowledgeable about the era. It's interesting to learn how a dish or a custom came to be. John, the waiter for our whole room on the evening that I visited, is an experienced performer. He embraces being a culinary guide/historian with panache. For foodies, this is a true "treat" (food pun intended). The "extra, extra-large" cloth napkins from the past are a hoot. They're so practical too; would love to see a resurgence of them today! My experience at The King's Arms Tavern is a good memory for me. Reserve early, recommend dinner over lunch.

Another amazing dinner at Kings Arms. Highly recommend the snow eggs for dessert. They try to push the peanut soup.. it was okay. The other soup (soupe another way) we had was better. I'm sure that's a special and changes. The steak was a NY strip and was good. Prime rib was also very good. I'm sure you can't go wrong with any meal. Make those reservations early.

The true delight here is the experience. You're brought in as a group and entertained from start to finish by staff in period outfits, stories from the Tavern and the meals that were being prepared. The food was ok, it was certainly prepared in advance. I've had peanut soup before, it really needed a bit of seasoning to finish it off. The duck was ok, the skin wasn't crispy by the time it was served. The other dishes were rather good. Definitely worth the experience if you're in the area looking for something fun to do. Make sure to get your reservations in early

We came here with a big group for a birthday party, and none of us expected it to be this good! The whole experience was really fun and interactive definitely not just a regular dinner. Our server, Stevan, was awesome. Super funny and helpful. He told us a bit about the history behind the food and gave great suggestions. I got the salmon and crab, and it was cooked perfectly. But the best part? The snow eggs. They were these fluffy egg whites with cinnamon, sugar, and pecans... seriously life-changing. I also had a champagne cocktail, and it was delicious! I'd definitely recommend this place to tourists looking for something unique, and even for locals--it's a fun way to learn about Virginia's history through food. Can't wait to go back!

I really wanted to like Kings Arms Tavern but all in all for me I'm really glad I live in the 21st century. So Kings Arms Tavern tries to mimic what it would have been like to dine in the 1700s. Which is cool. We made a reservation for 4 on a Saturday night. Important note. The parking Is across the street. I accidently drove through main street Colonial Williamsburg because one of the gates were open and I failed to notice the giant do not enter sign. The streets are really dark to recreate the ambiance of the time. A well dressed Colonial cast member tracked me down and very nicely told me to turn the hell around and get off the street. So don't make the same mistake that I did. Parking is behind the restaurant. Once seated it's pretty dark inside. It's all candle lit and feels very colonial. They give you a gigantic napkin but it feels more like a table cloth. No way you are getting any stains on your nice 21st century clothing. We ordered the peanut soup, duck, chicken, prime rib, beef steak, and the snow dessert. Peanut soup.... It was just not my thing. And judging by the fact that I have never seen peanut soup in other restaurants it's probably good that it never made it out of the 18th century. Duck, chicken and the prime rib were really good. The beef steak... yikes... not really good at all. It was slightly over cooked, a little tough and not much flavor. For $58 way too over priced. I would not have balked if it was more of a $25 steak. Prime rib is the much better option as it's not overcooked and the Prix fix with starter prime rib and dessert is a better deal. We had some colonial entertainment during our dinner which was nice. Dessert was snow eggs. I liked it but three of my family members didn't like the texture. All in all it's an interesting dining experience which is okay for a one off. Not recommended for foodies however.

I'd give an arm AND a leg to eat here again! We were treated like royalty at this colonial tavern! The ambience is stri-king with its rustic, colonial vibe, dark wood and wrought iron add the the authentic feel! I've been here for dinner and lunch! For dinner, I came with a friend and we had a true colonial dining experience. We had the prime rib with roasted veggies and the most delicious popovers! It was sublime! The hurricane candle centerpiece and the 18th century entertainment really set a old fashioned mood. We wine was a Pinot noir which was perfect with the prime rib and for dessert we shared the southern pecan pie! When I came back for lunch another time, I chose the chicken hash which was served in a bread bowl along with roasted green beans and carrots, and it was amazing... tender chinks of chicken in a savory sauce like the inside of a chicken pot pie! My hubby had the beef stew which was incredibly tender! And our friend had the onion pie with an egg on top! Equally tasty! Yes, we shared so we could all enjoy the entrees! Again, the pecan pie was chosen for dessert! A must! Our server, Miranda, was gracious and informative, letting us know that the nursery rhyme "Humpty Dumpty" was about a cannon of all things! Love learning trivia like that! She was a godsend, giving me a cool neckerchief to put around me since we had just come in from the 90 degree heat! What a classy, and hospitable gesture! It cooled me off and made me smile!! This raven is a must if you want a true colonial dining adventure!! A king would be pleased to dine here!

Great entertainment!! Friendly, hospitable staff! Stephen and Miranda were so welcoming and lovely!! Interesting stories and history! I highly recommend you stop in!

My wife and I had dinner here both of our nights in Colonial Williamsburg, and enjoyed it very much. Excellent and friendly service, very good food (including a game pie, delicious shoat, and other period dishes), live music, and very nice period decor. Very fairly priced, especially given the generous portions and high quality of the food.

We were there for dinner the day after Thanksgiving because we were not able to book it on Thanksgiving night. We are lucky that we were able to book the reservation at all. If you are a fan of history, you should visit Colonial Williamsburg. However, it does not require you to be a fan of history to enjoy the great food offered in this restaurant. The dishes are inspired by the old cook books, and they are second to none compare to any modern fine dinings. Servers and the musician provide rich knowledge of history that you cannot experience anywhere else. Performance, history, great food, great environment, even though it is a bit expensive, it is worth every penny. We loved that place.

This is a wonderful spot, right in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg. I was very satisfied on my latest visit since the service was very good and the food was delicious. There are a lot of taverns to choose from in Williamsburg, but this one has it all from the traditional dress to the musical performances. My son was so into it all and loved seeing the musician play the penny flute to the guitar and many other instruments. I had the roasted duck, which was fantastic. My parter ordered the stew, which was also tasty (but was so glad that I had the duck since it was perfect). They also offer an extensive cocktail menu and wine list with selections from Virginia, France and Napa. I sampled a Virginia Cabernet Sauvignon, which was delicious. I appreciated them letting me taste it before committing as I can be a little picky with wine. The atmosphere was great and the family really enjoyed our time here. I would totally come back again.

It was an amazing experience. I loved the Cornish hens. We all tasted each others food and everything was pretty amazing. I absolutely LOVED the black eyed peas. The peanut soup was tasty too. Our server was great and it was a lovely place to eat. We had a group of 11, so our order took a little extra time, but it was worth it!

Made reservations a day before. Was busy even though in middle of week at night. We had a group of four and was seated pretty quickly by period dressed staff. This restaurant is located in a historic home in the old village. The dining room is dimly light to resemble candle lighting. It appears several reservations are made for a time period as to seat an entire room at once. Customers are seated at individual tables and waited on at same time with each coarse. Wait staff work together. Napkins are the size of a tablecloth which is meant to be worn to cover your entire front by tying it behind your neck. We each ordered an adult drink which were good. And we all ordered something different for entries. I ordered Game Pie which is a period meal that includes three different game meats and vegetables. My wife ordered Cornish Game Hen with cranberry and baby carrot. Our guests had Duck over mashed potato with green beans and carrot with another plate consisting of Baked Salmon with green beans and carrot. We all enjoyed our meals. It was a good experience. Pricing is as to cover the period atmosphere.

King's Arms Tavern is a historic tavern that opened in Williamsburg, Virginia in March 1951. It is one of four restored historic taverns located in Colonial Williamsburg. The building was originally owned by Mrs. Jane Vobe and operated as a tavern from 1772 - 1787. Vobe had operated a number of different taverns throughout the 18th century. The King's Arms was the last of her enterprises. After Colonial Williamsburg opened to the public in 1934, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation set out to not only restore the homes and buildings but also the historic taverns. Vobe's original tavern building was enlarged by combining it with the Alexander Purdue House next door. Today patrons can visit the tavern and dine on authentic 18th century colonial dishes with updates to suit 21st century tastes. My family and I visited King's Arms Tavern this past summer while we were on a road trip. Although the tavern is located inside Colonial Williamsburg, customers do not need to purchase tickets to the museum if they simply wish to dine. We really liked all of the colonial decor. Even the staff were dressed in period clothing. I ordered the "To Stew a Choat in the French Way" (browned pork shanks placed in a stew pan with claret, thyme, marjoram, savory, rosemary peppercorn and mace) and my wife ordered "An Onion Pye" (potatoes, apples, onions and eggs sliced, seasoned and layered in a pie crust). To drink, I had the "Tavern Brown Ale" while my wife had the "Draught Root Beer". From the Young Patriots Menu, our older son had the "Fried Chicken" (mashed potatoes and vegetables) and our younger son had "Macaroni & Cheese" (vegetables). As we dined, we were treated to live music performed by a costumed musician. While we felt that our meals were a tad too expensive, we all had a fun historic dining experience with tasty period food.

We were confused about trying to make an online lunch reservation without success, so we showed up hoping for the best and learned it is first come first served. We were seated immediately in a room that was fairly full with diners. The venue has quite a few seating areas and can likely accommodate quite a crowd in season. The staff are dressed in Colonial garb for ambiance and a strolling musician entertains with period songs. Our server made several suggestions but 3 of us chose the apple onion pie, a very sweet concoction with a lovely flaky crust. It is topped with an over easy egg that I passed off to my friend. 3 of started with the peanut soup and I found it very flavorful and tasted like peanut butter of course. My guests enjoyed several mugs of hot cider. I asked for hot tea and was told they do not have hot tea because it is colonial times and tea is boycotted. Interestingly I was able to get unsweet iced tea. We had no room to try any of the delicious desserts. The Snow Balls looked particularly yummy. The price point was what one would expect in a tourist property, where ambiance is part of the cost of the fare. Our guests enjoyed the experience and we all enjoyed the food!

I spent the day touring Colonial Williamsburg and seeing The President's Heads, so I thought should keep with the same theme and enjoy a good ol' Colonial dinner like our forefathers might have done. Sometimes solo dining (especially at a place like this) can be intimidating, but the staff was welcome and I especially enjoy my server who shared information, fun facts, and descriptions--all while wearing a colonial dress of course and didn't make me feel odd for dining alone. As a foodie who has a hard time deciding what she wants, I also appreciate places with prix fixe menus, so it was fun to try three different courses (although it was quite filling!) The food was fine--I wasn't a huge fan of the peanut soup (and I should have known that going in, but I felt I needed to try it), but the Snow Eggs were a fun surprise and a great choice for a light ending. It feels a little weird to be eating in the bedroom of a house (at least that's what it felt like), but the live entertainment added to the environment, too. If you're looking for a fun place to experience colonial dining, it's a good choice--if you're looking for fantastic food, you might want to try somehwere else.

we had a reservation for 7:30 we got their on time they made us wait in a room with 4 chairs in total the only light was a candle. The food was mid i would say the best food they have is the peach sorbe.

A unique experience in Colonial Williamsburg-I would give it 3.5 stars but rounding up for the ambiance. The main reason to come to King's Arms Tavern is for the experience-my friend and I recently came here for a weekend dinner and I felt transported back in some ways to the 18th Century. We walked through a deserted, dark, eerie reconstructed Colonial Williamsburg to a reconstructed tavern lit only by candlelight. The servers were in period costume and our napkins were full-torso napkins, meant to be tucked into your short as was done during the period. The King's Arms also had a musician playing 18th-century tunes on a guitar and recorder, livening up the mood. Two important notes: make a reservation ahead of time and despite what the menu may indicate, there are NO vegetarian mains as the onion pie is made with chicken broth. The only main King's Arms can offer vegetarians is a plate of cut vegetables, so if you're vegetarian I would go somewhere else unless you are fine having just squash soup, a salad, and black-eyed peas. Also, make sure to budget at least 90 minutes for your dining experience if you want to do multiple courses. My friend and waited over 20 minutes from the time we ordered to get any food, and 50 minutes until our main course came out. Despite the restaurant's small size and that it seemed fully staffed, everything took a long time. Possibly due in part to the slow service, the King's Arms gave us Sally Lamb bread accompanied by butter and a corn and pepper relish. The bread itself was less hearty than I would have expected for the period and was just OK, while the relish was delicious. For appetizers, I got the peanut soup, while my friend got the squash soup. My soup was very peanut-y and creamy, and the bread went well. The squash soup was heartier and tastier, and I would order that again if given the choice. My friend and I split the trout and the black-eyed peas for our main dishes. The trout was rich and buttery, with perfectly-cooked broccoli and carrots on the side. The trout was cooked whole, so be careful about bones. Although the black-eyed peas were on the salty side, overall they were good (and one of the very few vegetarian-friendly menu items). We shared the bread pudding for dessert, which was rich, delicious, and nutmeg/ginger-forward. For a tourist restaurant, the prices and portion sizes are fair given that you are also paying for the ambiance. I would recommend King's Arms if you are looking for a tribute to a late-18th century dining experience.

Our dinner at King's Arms was among the highlights of our visit to Colonial Williamsburg. For an additional $14/person, we upgraded our entrees to a 3-course experience. Peanut soup is a must-try; the salad was fresh and perfectly dressed. Both the game pie and pork shank were delicious. Snow Eggs was underwhelming in terms of flavor but gets a pass for its unique presentation/texture. The chocolate tart is the richest one I've ever tried, so make sure to enjoy it with ice cream. Perhaps the best part of the dinner was our server-she enriched our experience with historical tidbits and fantastic food recommendations.

Delicious & fun. A wonderful experience that really felt like we were in a 18th century colonial tavern. The time period meals were wonderfully prepared and full of flavor. During our meal we were serenaded with harp music. Order Chicken hash Stewed beef Kids Mac n cheese All of the meals were wonderful. An excellent visit. ---- Follow @ohiofoodlover on Instagram for more Ohio eats. ---

I came to King's Arm Tavern with a decent sized group on a Saturday afternoon and we were seated almost immediately. Food/drinks came quickly. I was considering getting the beef but two others at my table got it. I wanted to try something else so I got the duck and it was my favorite bite of the day! The beef was very tender and the duck was falling off the bone. A very rich lunch. My nephew got the fried chicken off the little patriots menu and just about finished his whole plate. It looked delicious. Generous servings and good prices.

This is a fantastic place to get a feel for an old time tavern. Live music (we heard greensleeves on a mini harp), period costumes, and delicious dishes based on Colonial recipes all combine for a delightful experience. It's pricey, but I think you'd expect that. Enjoy!

This review is for Thanksgiving dinner, as im not sure if the menu would be different from the everyday. We prepaid for the Thanksgiving dinner that included an appetizer, entree, and dessert. I got the cray-fish soupe, prime rib of beef, and Jefferson bread pudding. My husband got the shrimp cups, baked salmon en croute, and the Jefferson bread pudding. Every portion was pretty large, but full of flavor and all dishes came out hot. The service was great, and we were also able to enjoy stories and music throughout the dinner that were true to the colonial times. We will definitely have to try here outside of the holiday.

I thought the service and ambiance were great. The duck was excellent, among the best I've had. I actually really liked the peanut soup and so did our kids. The snow eggs were also a tasty and light way to finish the meal. Overall, was rather impressed by the quality of the food. The prices are extremely high, like big city high but I guess you're paying for the setting and ambiance as well.

You have a gem in your server George! He made our experience so much more entertaining and enlightening than it would have been without his insight! We made reservations on a recommendation of a friend and are glad we did. One suggestion, make reservations a month in advance. They had limited availability because we waited to secure a table, so we had to kill 2 hours shopping (ha, very fun) because everything closes in Historical Williamsburg at 5 pm. We enjoyed Peanut Soupe to start and ordered "A Game Pye" & "To Stew A Choat In The French" way for our entrees. Highly recommend the peanut soupe, so interesting! It was great with and without the cute toast pieces it came with. We also enjoyed a beer & a cocktail. The pecan pie....OMG so incredible!

Food was huge and perfectly cooked. Service was extremely fast. You received your food within minutes of a course. Waiter Steven was nice and slightly humourful. Decor could use a bit more wall decoration but other than that spot on with the times.

We absolutely LOVE visiting King's Arms Tavern when in Williamsburg! The ambience is amazing, colonial garb for the servers and minstrels walking around and entertaining the crowd! Limited menu, but authentic, delicious options. Review menu online if you are a picky eater. Nice kid's menu too. My absolute favorite dish is the peanut soup!! Today, my bride got the ham board too. All #yummo!! Can't wait to go again! #deitzeatz

We placed our reservation online and were seated with in 15 minutes. All staff were dressed in traditional garments servers wore in 1772. Tables were lit by candles. We were served sliced bread with a condiment trio of: butter, corn mixed with red peppers, and a Westphalen ham relish. We had a limited menu to choose from and decided on the peanut soup as appetizer (a tradition of the King's Arm Tavern) and it did not disappoint it was very tasty and would highly recommended it. For entree, we had the "stew a choat" a roasted pork shank on top of the creamiest cheese grits drizzled with a finely diced apple gravy served with broccoli spears and carrots on the side. The meat was fall off the bone tender and delicious as well. The meat portion was very hearty. For dessert I tried the Snow eggs. Two large spoonfuls of whipped eggs ( meringue) on top of a custard sauce (to me tasted like horchata) a few strawberry slices and sprinkle all over with cinnamon. After such a heavy meal it was a nice light dessert to enjoy and tasted delicious. The staff told the room of diners stories between meal courses and during dinner a staff member played the harp playing songs traditional to the time period.

Everything about this restaurant makes for an incredible experience- from the live music dating from the 1700s to the food experience transporting you back in time to the waitress telling us about the historical significance of our dishes and the tavern. We had an amazing time and can't wait to go back! We ordered the Hunter's Game Pye as well as the Shank of Lamb. The meat was so tender and flavorful. Lastly, the bread pudding paired with ice cream made for the perfect after-dinner treat if you still have room left.

The food was out of this world. The peanut soup was surprising and delicate. The ham was incredible. Both of our entrées were incredible too. A very nice touch was the ambiance, the candelabra, the candle light, the live music... But the best was our service. Kind and polite, making sure everything was perfect. It was lovely. I would highly recommend.

Such a treat to dine here for Christmas which we enjoyed thoroughly. The cocktail was paired with the relish tray and bread though I do prefer my bread warmed up but that's my preference. (Butter is difficult to spread on cold bread.)The appetizers were devoured before we could take photos. I had the crab cake cakes while Hubby had the pate fois gras. My crab cakes were on the smaller size but then again these were appetizers. Hubby had a good portion of fois gras. Entrees were prime rib for both of us. Cooked to the perfect temperature for each of us. Desserts were perfect too though the meringue really was a pavlova. Overall a fantastic meal with the best part being the live music which was the Irish Lap Harp played perfectly by a lady dressed in period costume of course!

Dining in the 18th Century setting is provided at the following: * Christiana Campbell's Tavern® * Chowning's Tavern® * King's Arms Tavern® * Shields Tavern® We have taken care to frequent Colonial Williamsburg for decades; Probably the Christmas season is our favorite, and the long hot humid summer is the season we avoid. Any frequent visitor to Greater Williamsburg is in for a culinary treat; we focused our first few years on Colonial Williamsburg dining, and we still recommend the historical taverns. Reservations are highly recommended. If it is Monday, it is King's Arms Tavern for lunch. Colonial Taverns maintain different schedules, and we arrive at our Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony during our colonial visits, and enjoy a Williamsburg immersion. Reception and seating is professional; about 20-30 folks (mainly couples) have been in line for opening. The receptionist will seat my wife and I at either a 2 top or a 4 top, and either is fine. Close your eyes and it is 1740's. Always excellent service, and ambience is that of a 1740's Virginia tavern ( with ac of course.) We like the furniture, decorations, and lighting. Servers are on period dress. We "discovered" peanut soup here in the 1960's. The lunch menu is limited, and very often we both enjoy the crab cakes. The tariff is appropriate for the fare.

A MUST DO!!! We were in Colonial Williamsburg for a quick visit and were lucky enough to score a reservation at King's Arms. We had a reservation at 5pm. I would highly recommend 5pm timing if you are doing the 7pm Haunted Williamsburg Tour to have enough time. Sherrill was our server and she was fantastic! She walked us through the menu and some history about the Tavern. We also loved the roaving musician. The food was OUTSTANDING! We had 3 adults and 2 kids. The meal starts with bread service and the authentic bread was delicious! It is served with butter and 2 authentic relishes which are definitely worth a try. The peanut soup got rave reviews from our group and the ceasar salad was a nice starter. Both the prime rib and filet were cooked to perfection. The duck salad was small but delicious for someone looking for a lighter meal. The kids had the grilled cheese and chicken fingers with fries and gave a hearty thumbs up! It was so nice to have such a unique atmosphere with food that was perfect for adults and kids alike. Give yourself about 1.5 hours to have a nice relaxing time.

We more than enjoyed our dinner--but it was mostly because Stephen and Miranda made the experience so fun and interesting. They took the time to chat with us and they were full of historical facts that were presented in a fun way. Oh, the food and drinks were good too. When we return, we definitely will request to be seated in their area.

What a way to truly immerse yourself in the colonial period! The menu is based on 17th and 18th century recipes and served on period dinnerware. During dinner you are entertained by colonial musicians playing colonial songs on 17th century instruments. Our family of 3 enjoyed everything we ate, and I am ready to start the movement to bring back square yard napkins.

FOOD: Good food for lunch in a historic tavern. Stewed beef - so mouthwateringly tender so Good; Chicken Hash- in a bread bowl, would not recommend as hardly had any of the stew. It was more bread than stew; Onion Pye- best meal here definitely like a pie with great filling; squash soup - stand out really good; punch bowl drink - Orange peach juice ginger ale - sooooooo good; Snow Eggs- like an ile flotante egg whites on custard with berries - ok. Carolina rice pudding - ok. Thought it would be creamier but it was rice with little sauce. ***COST (OUT OF 4$) $$$ ***DÉCOR: historic tavern, period pieces inside including plates and cutlery. Small rooms with few tables In each room. Cozy. Ate in one with a fireplace. ***SERVICE: loved the live music with minstrel room to room playing period pieces (Christmas now). Tavern service, slamming dishes and pretty boisterous. Food came quick & was hot. ***RECOMMEND: YES HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Definitely need to make reservations during the summer. Food was great and they give a wonderful presentation during the meal. We had a women come in and play the guitar and sing a couple songs. Was a wonderful night out and will definitely do it next time we visit.

An absolutely outstanding experience! The food and atmosphere immediately took us back to the colonial period. The staff was quite knowledgeable on the history of the dishes, and the portions were plentiful and flavorful. We started with the Westphalia ham, which was a charcuterie board with smoked thin-sliced ham. I am not a huge pork fan, but it was PHENOMENAL! My husband is picky, and he said it was the best food he's tasted. For entrees, I ordered the trout, and my husband ordered the pork shank. The trout was delicious, and the spices they seasoned it with were incredible. My husband said the pork shank was so tender and juicy, it fell right off the bone. We finished the meal with the chocolate tart, which was like a cosmic brownie without the sprinkles. It was rich and decadent. My husband got the East India Company cocktail, and he loved it. The musician was a fun touch to the experience. He described the songs he played, and he was interactive with the patrons. Reservations are definitely the way to go! The tavern is in a colonial building, so remember that the inside will not be super spacious, and the noise level won't be cushioned. Overall a fantastic experience and a must-visit if you're in Colonial Williamsburg.

Great service. Music and information about the history of the building and food. Portions were great for lunch and everything tasted amazing.

Great experience with professional and courteous staff. They do a bit of play acting as part of it to give folks a sense of the music and mannerisms of the time. Good was great and authentic.

Service, atmosphere, and food were excellent. We really enjoyed our dinners. The staff couldn't do enough to make sure we had a colonial experience.

Colonial Williamsburg Charm Food We had the Virginia ham appetizer, prime rib, short ribs, peanut soup and a couple desserts. The two things that were the most memorable for me was the ham (such a Smokey flavor some of the best I have ever had) and the peanut soup. I have tried peanut soup at other places and didn't care for it but this one was excellent. I am somewhat of a steak snob so bear that in mind when I say the prime rib was good just not amazing. I think our favorite dessert was the bread pudding. Both were interesting but not super memorable. Service The staff are very friendly and everything was served promptly and correctly. The service manager came over and asked how our meal was and was very friendly. Ambiance While the food is very good the price point is also rather steep. The ambiance is what takes the place over the top. Great location in colonial Williamsburg. The musician that came up and played his antique instruments and everyone being in costume was a lot of fun for the kids. Not a place you can afford to take the family often but for a nice vacation spot it was just what I was looking for. Parking I don't normally mention parking in a review but this was an issue. We arrived after most of the streets were closed. Even though someone from the restaurant called us warning us ahead of time (which I greatly appreciated) navigating the closed streets to find a parking lot that had no gps address and was several blocks from the restaurant was very frustrating. When we got lost we tried to call the restaurant but the number listed went to colonial Williamsburg call center instead of the tavern. Now that I know where to park it wouldn't be a problem going back but if you've never been to colonial Williamsburg make sure you give yourself some time to figure it out or go earlier in the evening before they "roll up the streets" for the night. Conclusion We had a great time it was great food. It was VERY expensive so we couldn't take the family often but I am glad we went and would enjoy going back.

Had an early lunch at the King's Arms. Leanna S(?) was an excellent server. We both started with the peanut soup (good), and then had the pork shanks (very good) and the beef stew (very good). My personal favorite was the citrusy fruit punch (I don't remember the name). If it had been alcoholic I definitely would have been snockered after finishing a pitcher! (I recognize that it may sound strange that a fruit punch was the star of the show, but it really was excellent.)

My family enjoyed a really fun lunch here! From the musician who moved around the dining room to our kind and attentive server, we couldn't have wished for more. The building, which is a reconstruction, was beautiful. I would definitely recommend coming here for lunch over dinner, since prices were more reasonable and the lunch menu seemed a little bigger. Every person in my group of 5 found something to eat - even the picky ones!

This is a classic Colonial tavern. In the evening, the only lighting in the dining rooms is candle light. There was one server for 5 tables in an upstairs room. They had to carry everything from the kitchen at the other end of the house up stairs solo, so none of this is on them. There are 6 ounce mugs on the table for water. That goes quickly, so drink slowly. Remember there is only one server in the room, so refilling your mug o' water is low on their list. Make sure you eat before dining here. The flavor of all of the food was good. None of the food arrived hot. Not surprising since our entree arrived 85 minutes after being seated. That's an hour and twenty five minutes. Since we were the last seating of the day at 8:30pm, it was after 10:00pm when we finished the entree. By this point, we were too tired and frustrated to bother waiting for dessert. I believe this was the 3rd time I have eaten here in my life. The prior experiences were much better. I would not eat here again.

We went for dessert with our 3 year old. They brought him the "prince's chair" and made us feel super special. The dessert was great. Highly recommend for authentic period food.