Cocktails and Bites on the Williamsburg Inn Social Terrace

Cocktails and Bites on the Social Terrace in Williamsburg

There’s a lot more to eating in Colonial Williamsburg than colonial taverns and historic menus. During a recent trip, I had the chance to explore a few different dining spots around town, including the beautiful Williamsburg Inn, which sits just a short walk from the Williamsburg Lodge.

While the hotel itself is elegant and worth seeing, the real highlight on a nice day is the Social Terrace. This outdoor patio overlooks the golf course and feels like one of those places where time slows down a little. If you’re planning a visit, try to arrive around 5:45 pm, when the staff hosts a short colonial demonstration that adds a fun historical touch to the evening.

While sitting on the terrace, my mom and I had the chance to meet Chef Travis Brust, the executive chef at The Williamsburg Inn. Instead of handing us a menu, he brought out a few of his favorite drinks and dishes for us to try. It felt less like ordering dinner and more like being guided through some of the things he loves most about cooking here.

Cocktails on the Terrace

The first drink we tried was the Pomegranate Margarita. It had the bright citrus flavor you expect from a classic margarita but with a slightly sweeter finish from the pomegranate. If you enjoy cocktails that lean a little fruity, this one is hard to resist.

Next came the Garden Grove, a grapefruit-forward cocktail that felt incredibly refreshing. It had that perfect balance of tart and bright flavors that make citrus drinks so satisfying on a warm evening.

We also sampled a Hot Toddy, which might seem like an unusual choice on a warm day, but it’s easy to imagine how comforting it would be during the cooler months. Sitting outside with a warm drink and watching the sunset over the golf course sounds like a pretty good fall evening to me.

A Virginia Classic: Crab Cake

One of the first dishes Chef brought out was the Virginia Crab Cake. It was everything you hope for when ordering a crab cake in this part of the country—mostly crab with very little filler. The addition of diced jalapeños added a subtle heat that made the dish even more interesting.

Crab cakes are everywhere in the Mid-Atlantic, but this one stood out as particularly memorable.

The Grilled Toastee

We also shared the Grilled Toastee, which felt like a slightly more sophisticated take on a grilled cheese. Crispy toasted bread held together layers of creamy goat cheese, arugula, prosciutto, and tomato onion jam.

Every bite had a little bit of everything: salty, creamy, and just a touch sweet from the jam

Ending the Evening with Dessert

Dessert is always my favorite part of any meal, and Chef made sure we didn’t skip it.

The Cardamom Cheesecake quickly became my favorite of the two desserts we tried. The cheesecake was rich and creamy with a subtle cardamom flavor, sitting on top of a vanilla graham cracker crust and topped with bright slices of blood orange. The citrus balanced the sweetness perfectly.

We also tried Espresso Ice Cream with Donut Holes, which ended up being my mom’s favorite. The espresso flavor was bold and smooth, and the donut holes were light and airy. But the real star of the dish might have been the chocolate sauce—we kept adding more and more until there was almost none left.

A Quiet Evening in Colonial Williamsburg

Spending the evening on the Social Terrace felt like a different side of Colonial Williamsburg. Instead of cobblestone streets and historic taverns, it was relaxed and modern—cocktails, conversation, and a beautiful view as the sun started to set.

Planning a Visit to Colonial Williamsburg

If you’re visiting Colonial Williamsburg, the Social Terrace at The Williamsburg Inn is a great place to relax after exploring the historic district. It’s especially nice in the evening when the weather is mild and the terrace overlooks the golf course.

If you’re planning a longer trip through Virginia, you can also check out my guide to road trip stops along I-81 and some of my favorite Richmond bakeries.

The Williamsburg Inn is located at 136 East Francis Street, Williamsburg, VA

You can see where else my travels take me, here.

Be sure to subscribe for the rest of the Williamsburg travel tips!

Drooling for more? Follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

While this meal was paid for by Colonial Williamsburg, all views stated here are my own.