Virginia: Williamsburg

By liketheteaEATS on March 13, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

The saying goes ‘you eat with your eyes first’ and in recent years it’s been updated to ‘the camera eats first’. With so many beautiful (and delicious) dishes in Williamsburg your eyes, camera, and stomach will have something to feast on.

Follow along for some of my picks for prettiest + tastiest bites in and around the Historic Triangle.

Masala Craft Indian Kitchen – Their Chaat of the Day is not to be missed. A pure flavor bomb of sweet, sour, spicy, tangy, and crunchy; every bite was delicious. During our visit the dish was puffed rice, tamarind, mango, lime, kiwi, and cilantro, to name a few things. And in terms of presentation, there were so many pops of color. Yellows, greens, and a touch of pink all of our senses simply could not get enough.
La Tienda – It’s impossible to visit a Spanish restaurant without ordering the Paella (and of course a glass of sangria). The menu has three different paella versions, we opted to try the Pollo y Chorizo Paella and this dish gave me all the heart eyes. The rice was nice and crispy at the bottom and topped with nice pieces of juicy chorizo, piquillo peppers, and string beans for some nice contrast. Attached to the restaurant is a Spanish Market where you can buy wines, spices, your very own paella starter kit, and more!
Cochon on 2^nd – Over five years old and Cochon on 2^nd is still putting out beautiful (and delicious bites). Moody’s Sticky Ribs were every bit as delicious as they were beautiful. A stack of six ribs was placed before us in a sweet Thai chili sauce and after snapping a few pictures my fiancée and I could not put them down. While dining at Cochon on 2^nd, I had a clear view of the open kitchen and I was able to watch plate after plate of these delicious beauties come off the line and onto hungry guests tables.
Shoo Fly Dairy Bar – When it comes to dessert, there’s nothing more satisfying to me than ice cream on a hot summer day. And a perfect Chocolate + Vanilla Twist in a Cone with local dairy is the dream. Shoo Fly Dairy Bar hit all of those notes plus the shop is so cute for all of your instagrammable moments.
Baker’s Crust Artisan Kitchen – Poached eggs, zingy tomato sauce, avocado, and feta combine for a beautifully delicious bowl of Shakshouka at Baker’s Crust. Not only was every bite delicious, but with all of these bright colors you’d find it truly difficult to resist snapping a photo.
Alewerks Brewing Company – What’s better than one beer? Sampling all of them! A tasting flight is always my go-to when visiting a new brewery. Not only do I get a chance to check out all the beers offered and figure out which I’ll be grabbing a six pack to go of; but the photo of all the tasters is always something I want to snap and share on Instagram! The Belgian Blonde, Kalypso’s Island was my favorite that I tried, but connect with the bartender to find the best beer for your taste buds.
Amber Ox Public House – When it comes to food that I consider ‘instagrammable’ I like something on the creative side too and Amber Ox Public House really delivered there. On a recommendation from our waiter, we tried the Squash Elote and it’s been on my mind ever since. A whole squash is roasted and topped with cotija cheese, pickled red onions, salsa matcha aioli, and chicharrons. Unexpected, full of bright colors, and delicious this dish was a real show-stopper. Pro tip, while you’re there you can also sample the beers they brew at their neighboring brewery, Precarious Beer Project.
Zaaaahhh! Pizza at The Bake Shop – Detroit style pizza has exploded on the east coast recently and with good reason – it’s delicious. Zaaaahhh! brings this cheesy, crispy, and doughy style of pizza to Williamsburg. As you pull the first slice from the pie, you’re met with an epic cheese-pull which is totally drool-worthy. We tried both the Hipster Special and Patatas Bravas and they had epic sauce drizzles and pure flavor explosion with each bite. Their breads and pastries also look delicious and can probably totally satisfy your sweet tooth.
The Social Terrace at the Williamsburg Inn – Snacks and cocktails (or mocktails) are a perfect match in my mind. When my fiancée and I were browsing the menu looking for a bite to eat, the Garden Beet Hummus really jumped at us. Beet hummus is usually a bright pink color and the version at The Social Terrace certainly delivered on that. It was also super fresh and a lovely accompaniment to a drink on a hot summer day.
Secret Garden Café – I absolutely love bubble tea! It’s refreshing on a hot day and can be customized exactly to your specific tastes. My go to is always Mango Green Tea with Mango Jelly and the version at Secret Garden Café was awesome. A nice balance of the mango flavor and a good amount of jellies (which are my favorite part, they’re the texture of gummy bears and I’m a huge fan!), and of course a nice vibrant orange color.
Blackbird Bakery – Located in Merchant’s Square, this charming bakery bakes up a fresh selection of treats daily. We sampled a few things (canelé, chocolate chip cookie, and a blueberry lemon loaf to name a few), but the real standout was the donut. It was bite sized, nice and fluffy, and filled with a delicious custard. But I’m pretty sure you can’t go wrong with any of the treats in the pastry case. Pro tip, arrive early because some items do sell out!
Wythe Candy + Gourmet Shop – I have a huge sweet tooth, and Chocolate Covered Apples are one of my favorite things. The balance of textures and flavors is always a surreal experience. So when I saw the array at Wythe Candy + Gourmet Shop, of course I bought one. The caramel apple with chocolate and peanuts is the one that stood out to me the most, but there were at least ten different varieties so I’m sure there’s something that would appeal to everyone’s different preferences. Also, the selection of gummy candies and chocolates here is otherworldly!
Charly’s Airport Restaurant – When it comes to photogenic, sometimes it’s about the atmosphere as much as the food. Sitting along the runway watching planes land + takeoff while enjoying a sandwich on fresh baked bread is a winning combo that I didn’t know I was missing out on. A French Dip is one of my favorite sandwiches, and the fresh bread here is nothing short of fantastic. Rumor has it, Saturday is a very busy day on the runway so there is usually plenty of plane watching. Also, definitely stay for a housemade dessert.
Virginia Beer Company – This brewery is a little over five years old and pouring some delicious beers. My personal favorite was ‘One Night in Maine’ it was a blueberry sour beer and had a beautiful purple hue to it, really standing out from the others in the tasting flight. But, they do have a great selection of beers on the hoppier side too – definitely connect with the bartender to get a recommendation and don’t be afraid to try something new!
Old City Barbecue Food Truck – What’s better than Mac N Cheese? Loaded Mac N Cheese topped with brisket, sweet BBQ sauce, and scallions. This delicious goodness I could not get enough of and as I walked back to my table there were more than a few guests looking at my cheesy, meaty order with heart eyes.
Culture Café – Chicken & Waffles is the perfect brunch dish. It’s a great mix of salty/savory and sweet. And the version at Culture Café was a hit out of the park. Served with a side of local honey, this dish is a must order. Also, make sure you check out the house made breads and pastries. It’s the best accompaniment to a delicious brunch.
Electric Circus/Precarious Beer Project – This beer hall has a taco shack and arcade inside, perfect spot to recharge before continuing to explore Williamsburg.
Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters – Nothing gets a day going quite like a great cup of coffee!