Chowning’s Tavern

OK food, very slow service no high chairs out in the patio section. Took several hours to get served and get a bill

In the heart of Colonial Williamsburg. We waited a while for a table in the back, for outdoor seating, because out front the wait was very long for lunch. We got a table by the bar, we had to go to the bartender to order our meal, because the seating we got did not have table service, which the host asked us if that was ok. Our food was good, We had the turkey flatbread sandwich, an order of wings, the beer cheese plate which came with tiny bread rounds, and some grapes, and three Apple slices, and my husband had the pulled pork sandwich (which he fully enjoyed). We didn’t order any drinks, at all, They gave glasses of water, and it was very hot out, that’s all we wanted. Our bill was almost $ 60.00!!! Ridiculous! Now, I know, there was a man that was strolling around playing guitar and all, but really? Overpriced, but I guess it’s because this place is within Colonial Williamsburg. Oh well, what’s done is done.

Waited 20 mins to put in drink order, an hour after that for our food. Found the food underwhelming and wish had waited and just got Applebees on the way home.

The new menu at Chowning’s is excellent and improved! Good variety in all size meals. My wings were delicious. And the entertainment of people in character, the games and the musicians is fantastic as ever.

Came here for lunch while visiting Colonial Williamsburg. Prices are very high for what you get, but the food was tasty, if portion size was small. Got the Beef Trencher, which was a flat bread cheese steak sandwich. Tasty, but could have used more. Home made potato chips were on point! Had the beer flight, and got three VERY good local beers, an unfiltered beer, a blonde ale and a porter. If you’re at Colonial Williamsburg, it’s well worth coming here for lunch, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat here if I wasn’t already at the park. Five stars on quality, three on value, averages to four overall from me.

We tried this place after walking around Historic Williamsburg. I had the pulled pork sandwich and my husband had the sheperd’s pie. Both weren’t bad, nothing to rave about either. A little overpriced imo but we were so hungry at that point. One good thing I will point out is the entertainment that came over during our meals. A lady was singing and playing a flute. That was pretty cool. I would highly suggest visitors try out Food For Thought for some American food, enormous portions and great quality food.

We stopped here for a mid-​day snack and split a beef sandwich (beef, caramelized onion, and cheese in a flatbread), and we each got a drink — the tap beer was very good. The sandwich was great! They also provide a bowl of peanuts that were good. One of the most interesting things about this restaurant, other than how old it is, is the talent that wanders around to interact with customers. One guy walked by with a guitar, and another one was reciting poetry (while a character of that time period). We heard that this was the best place to go late night in Colonial Williamsburg, be we were never able to go later in the evening.

Take a walk back in time with a meal at Chowning’s Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg, be sure to try a Rummer whilst waiting on your fare.

The food is good. It’s not the tavern good of this century. This is in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg. Expect food from the 1800s but very good. Best of all the talent. Live mucic, poetry writing and colonial tavern games give the whole experience it’s charm.

By far, one of the best eating experiences that I have ever had! We only waited about 15 minutes to be seated when we arrived at 5pm. We had some if the drinks: IPA beer, Old Stitch and a spiced punch. I recommend the spiced punch and Old Stitch beer (smooth and delicious)! The IPA was a bit too bitter for my personal tastes. We ordered the beef trencher, pork bbq sandwich with chips or coleslaw. The chips were nothing to write home about but the sandwiches were excellent with the pork bbq sandwich winning! The coleslaw was also excellent. They have actors that come around and entertain you as you wait for your food. It was lively and we laughed a ton. Very interactive and the characters love to joke around with you! This is a MUST if you go to Colonial Williamsburg!!!

Being in Williamsburg we definitely felt that a theme restaurant was a must do and this one did not disappoint. It was dinner time on a Saturday and we were sat in under 5 minutes which I was super thankful as I had my one year old in tow.
We enjoyed the olden day atmosphere and having folk music played during our meal! It was just enough to entertain us, but not so much that we couldn’t enjoy catching up with our friends.
I’ve eaten at Kings Arm on a past trip, and while I enjoyed that experience I ultimately preferred this tavern. Chownings has a more appealing menu and a less formal atmosphere that I really appreciated. We all enjoyed our food selections, but I wouldn’t necessarily rave about the food — this place is all about atmosphere.

Food was really good… but the seating was very slow. 2 hour wait at 1pm. When we got inside inexplicably there were 4 or 5 empty tables. Also there was a man playing a guitar and singing walking around the tavern and it was too small a space so the noise made it uncomfortably loud. I would suggest checking in and getting ur name on the list at 11 am or so.

I stopped in Chownings for a late lunch since it was the only tavern open in colonial Williamsburg during those hours (between 3 – 5) it was a colder day so I was looking forward to getting a warm meal and to try some of the local brews.
I ordered the Brunswich stew and a sampler of three of the pints.
The food was good. The stew was a large filling portion and was really appetizing. The beers were good sizes and for the most part had good flavor.
The whole atmosphere was great with a musician walking around playing music and all the servers and staff playing their part.
For a tourist attraction that is made to make money I was impressed with the service and quality.

Beckie or server was Awesome! Five Stars — the Old Stitch Ale can’t go wrong if you like a dark ale — The Beer Cheese Spread — Yummy — White Bean and Ham Soup & Corn Chowder — Just say no — salty was about the only flavor profile — Welsh Rarebit– now I have had this all over the country & in Europe — I see it on a menu and just have to say — yes sir — bring it on — here at Chownings Tavern — do yourself a favor and pass it by — yes — you are supposed to you use stale bread — but not to the point that you could break your fork & knife — just pass on by and try something else — all in all — will try again tomorrow but going to order something else.
Enjoy!

I had a great time here. But I think it was more the company that I was with. First we had drinks outside and they were good. Then we went inside for lunch. Among 5 of us we had 5 dishes that we shared, because isn’t that the best way to try all the food. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the food but the waitress (serving wench) was a hoot. I would go back just because Jennifer was such a sport for putting up with us. I think people around us were wondering why they weren’t having the same experience.
I can’t say the food made much of an impression but then it is English food. We had the trio of soup, wings, pasty, and a couple of other dishes along with the berry pie and bread pudding. I wasn’t thrilled.
I’d go back but I would try something else. As for the experience it cannot be duplicated.

A bit pricey for what we got. Got the Plow Mans Flat Bread and Beef Trencher to eat. Had the root beer and Dear Old Mum to drink. Nothing was bad and the waitress was really nice. However, I had expected something different. Something revolutionary. Or at least that would make me think like I was being transported back in time.
The food was essentially a pizza and a beef pastry. Good but we have had better. And we have been more entertained with reenactment kind of food in places like Philly. The staff were dressed up and in character (including the nice violinist) but there was still something special missing that I can’t place my finger on.
In hindsight, we would have gotten a snack here and saved more of an appetite for a Merchants Square. Not a bad place to stop by for a break though as you are touring around Colonial Williamsburg!

Really enjoyed our meal at Chowning’s Tavern. Right in the middle of Historic Williamsburg VA a great option for a meal (I have to admit I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality, quantity, taste and price — I know all the things that SHOULD be good but unfortunately usually are not when your in a vacation spot like this) — highly recommend giving Chowning’s a try!

Excellent service, very pleasant and attentive even in the crush of a Saturday lunch. They have a fiddle player walking around taking requests — just a great atmosphere.
The food is really good! Again really good sized portions and very tasty — everything that we tried (6 of us including a 19 year old and a 3 year old so we ran the spectrum). Really good prices — again for someplace that has you «trapped so to speak» because once your in, they are the only options you have. Nicely done!

We came here on our first night in Williamsburg. When we walked in the door and heard lots of singing, i wasn’t sure if my group was going to enjoy the atmosphere. (They aren’t into the group participation stuff.)
We were pleasantly surprised at the drink offerings and menu. They had Bold Rock Cider which a few of us like but can never find.
We were offered a game to play (Shut the Box) and we loved it! It was a fun way to wait for our food. Two of the members of our party got the beer sampler. They said it was just ok.
The actual food was amazingly delicious. My turkey sandwich was easily one of the best I’ve ever had. The bread, the cheese, everything! The dessert (a tart) was also divine.
It gets 4 stars vs. 5 because our waiter wasn’t the best and while we enjoyed the performers, it was so loud we couldn’t have a normal conversation at our table. But it was a fun experience in Williamsburg and I’m glad we went.

My wife and have been so excited to eat here all week, we finally did and were soooo not disappointed at all. The waiter was very nice the food was amazing and the ministerial was extremely friendly and very very good at what he does. We had the croc of cheese for an app and we both got Shepard’s pie which was to die for and we both had tarts for desert, we loved every bite and we were so full and happy when we left.

We came here after our Tavern Ghost Walk.
We were seated at a side table by the friendly host. We had a few moments with the menu before meeting our server, Buella. She was very helpful explaining the vocabulary of the menu to us. We ordered the Welsh Rarebit and the Veggie Flatbread.
The Welsh Rarebit was *terrible*. It was stale bread (this is a fact, not a complaint — I didn’t mind this part) covered with cheese sauce. The cheese sauce was supposed to be a beer sauce seasoned with mustard, but it was really bland and tasted off. Upon later reflection, I could see how a child might enjoy it, and so it would help the tavern’s family-​friendly atmosphere.
The Veggie Flatbread was AMAZING. As a vegetarian, I always love having good options, and this one did not disappoint. It had amazing cheese, fresh squash, mushrooms, peppers, and onions. I would recommend this dish to everyone.
The beer, wine, and cocktail list is also fine.
We got to enjoy balladeers and the atmosphere was convivial. Several families were there with kids, as well as some older couples.
I wouldn’t go again, but I would recommend it to anyone looking for a bite to eat after the Ghost Walk, like we were.