Williamsburg Area Restaurant Week 2025

The first “restaurant week” appeared in New York City in 1992. The typical restaurant week includes many of an area’s independent restaurants, each of which may offer a prix fixe menu at a special price. The event allows guests to try restaurants they haven’t or revisit favorites.

“Today, many restaurant weeks last up to a month and include cafes, takeout, and wine bars right alongside the white tablecloth stalwarts that started it all,” writes Joy Manning for Open Table. “It celebrates restaurateurs of color, builds community, lets diners try restaurants they may not be able to otherwise, and raises cash for a cause.”

Restaurant weeks are also about business, Manning adds, especially those that are held during traditionally slow times of year.

Richmond, Virginia, held its first restaurant week in 2001. In addition to promoting locally owned restaurants, the event donates a portion of every meal to Feed More, a local nonprofit that collects, prepares, and distributes food to Richmonders in need.

About an hour east of Richmond, down I-64 (or Route 5, for the scenic route), Williamsburg, Virginia, holds its own restaurant week. The region is most widely known for its colonial history, on full display in Colonial Williamsburg, and as the home of William & Mary university. Williamsburg Area Restaurant Week offers an opportunity for visitors and locals to experience more than 20 of the area’s dining establishments – and maybe catch some history or college sports and culture while there.

Williamsburg Area Restaurant Week 2025 runs Jan. 12 to 19, with more than 20 participating restaurants. Culinary curious customers can take advantage of standout pricing and menus and enjoy samplings of a range of cuisine.

Highlights of Williamsburg Area Restaurant Week 2025

Provided by the Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association

• Aberdeen Barn is serving up the finest properly-aged USDA top choice corn-fed beef from the fires of their open hearth grill. This week, patrons can enjoy a three course dinner menu ($46.99/person) including a choice of either the cream of shrimp or fire roasted corn chowder, a garden fresh house salad, and a create your own surf and turf. Turf options include either a roast prime rib of beef served with au jus or a center cut Certified Angus Beef top sirloin, and surf options include a grilled sesame ginger ahi tuna, jumbo white shrimp (broiled or fried) or broiled Canadian lobster claws. Aberdeen Barn has extended this deal to run through Wednesday, Feb. 12.
• Craft 31, Williamsburg’s newest burger and beer joint, also features a raw bar serving local and regional oysters and the famous Bottoms Up Pizza has special restaurant week offerings for lunch and dinner service. The two course lunch($14.95) runs from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m and includes a starter and entree. The three course dinner ($29.95) runs from 4:30 p.m. to close and includes a starter, main course, highlighted by the choice of any 12” signature pizza, two 12oz select beers and a dessert.
• Le Yaca is a go-to fine dining establishment in Colonial Williamsburg, and one of the top restaurants in Virginia. This week, a three course lunch ($30) and dinner ($50) are available to customers, highlighted by the Soupe à L`Oignon, a French mountain style onion soup on both menus, the Boeuf Wellington, a twin beef wellington for lunch and the Porc, a pork tenderloin served with Asian pear and port wine sauce for dinner.
• Opus 9 Steakhouse combines beautiful decor, an eclectic menu, and a knowledgeable staff to guide guests on a culinary journey. Specializing in their prime steaks, the restaurant is offering a two course lunch menu ($15) and a three course dinner menu for $40. Both menus include a choice of soup or salad and entree highlights include the Nashville hot fried chicken taco for lunch or the smoked beef short rib for dinner.
• The Terrace at The Williamsburg Inn combines charm and sophistication while serving up contemporary expressions of American classics. The prix fixe dinner menu ($55) includes either a shrimp cocktail or crispy brussels sprouts appetizer, bison cottage pie or white wine steamed mussels for dinner, and sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

Other restaurants of interest include King’s Arms Tavern and Christiana Campbell’s Tavern (both in Colonial Williamsburg), Honey Butter’s Kitchen, The Blue Talon Bistro, Le Yaca French restaurant, Riverwalk Restaurant in Yorktown, Oceans & Ale, Old City Barbecue, and The Surry Seafood Company.

You can find a complete list of restaurants participating in Williamsburg Area Restaurant Week on the Williamsburg AreaRestaurant Association website.

A sampling of ways to enjoy Williamsburg, Virginia

FEATURE PHOTO, TOP: At Le Yaca French restaurant. Image by Brianne Manz