Visited the Fat Canary Downstairs on a rainy day after my plans suddenly changed looking to eat great food with a great cocktail. It was one of those days where I really needed a win. I've heard the Downstairs is amazing and it definitely lives up to the hype. This experience made my day. Located in the wine shop below Merchant's Square, Fat Canary Downstairs offers a cocktail menu, a limited menu as well as the upstairs Fat Canary menu. I started off with a Gold Rush cocktail. It was refreshing and the Makers Mark still shone through. For my meal, I chose the Wagyu Beef Burger. They asked how I'd like it cooked and I said medium. To my delight, it came out a perfect medium. This isn't my experience with burgers at many places, so it was exciting. The burger was flavorful and juicy. The fries were also delicious. The way they were stacked made me laugh when my meal arrived. The plating, while simple, brought some whimsy to the table. My server was very nice and attentive. She checked in on the cocktail and food after each were served and then gave me my space to eat until I looked ready to leave. While it is a small space with few seats for diners, below the fancy Fat Canary, the atmosphere was cool and made me feel like I was in a place slightly out of time, away from the world. My experience wasn't loud or rushed. I had a great time and would definitely come back.
Chris S.
Visited on a friends recommendation and it did not disappoint. Took the drive from Virginia Beach and it was worth it. Service and ambiance were great! Would travel again to come here. Everything from the appetizers to the entrees did not disappoint.
Gail I.
Food excellent. Had heard it's noisy but we went at 5pm. Very quiet though it was just getting busy. Service was also excellent too. Very enjoyable evening Only one problem. Tough to get a reservation. They are usually booked several weeks to months out
Lauren L.
We stumbled into the downstairs of the Fat Canary and we were so pleasantly surprised! From the pleasant and helpful wait staff (Keith was great) to the INCREDIBLE beef and pork pappardelle pasta, it was a true delight! You can order from their casual fare menu which had fabulous (and affordable options) as well as the menu from upstairs which was a bit pricier but seemed delicious as well. All in all it was a fantastic meal and experience. Highly recommend!
Hanna H.
Always amazing food service and atmosphere. Will always come back here. Their food is delicious, I love the entire experience of dining at this restaurant. The best on the peninsula
Sir B
I am a true foodie, have traveled to over 30 countries always seeking the very best restaurants I could find, and Fat Canary is one of the best....hands down ! .....the food is amazing, the soups are truly chef masterpieces. The service is always amazing. Do not believe any negative comments, I know this is an amazing restaurant based on my experiences.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joanne Glorioso
Excellent dining experience. Dinner was very delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mozzarella Appetizer
Have been going to Williamsburg for years for the first time went to Fat Canary and being able to walk from our hotel and being able to get a late reservation we were not disappointed!
vbBoston
We read about this restaurant online before visiting Williamsburg and we are glad we made a reservation. Portions are very generous. Ordered the seafood special and the chicken; both were very tasty. Enjoyed macadamia tart, which was decadent and similar to pecan pie. Attentive waitstaff. Decor was a bit dated but ambiance was cozy.
Cathy G.
Highly recommend! We enjoyed everything about this place. The maitre 'd was very personable and fun to talk with. Our server was an absolute delight. A special request to prepare a dish without the sauce (for medical reasons) did not throw her off her game. We were celebrating our birthdays and the staff had personalized our menus which was a beautiful gesture. Probably one of the best and prettiest restaurants we have been to in Williamsburg (maybe Richmond too!). Thank you for the perfect dining experience!
Made a reservation because menu sounded really good and the space seemed nice but relaxed. We had fantastic service, our waiter was really great and accommodating. The food was fantastic. We had a pork rib appetizer that was so tender the meat fell off the bone. I had the chicken entree and it was one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had. Perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection. I enjoyed every bite. Their wine selection has a wide variety to choose from. We will definitely be back!
Nikki Shepperd
When we lived in the Hampton Roads area, this was our go-to special occasion restaurant, when we were in the Williamsburg area! The ham & cheese pinwheels were AMAZING! My husband got the pork chop & I would get the short ribs and we loved it all every time! We definitely recommend checking this place out!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Mozzarella Appetizer, Hearts of Romaine Focaccia Croutons Parmesan Roasted Garlic Dressing, Braised Beef Short Ribs
SaraT
We have been here every year for the last seven years and we can say without a doubt - the service and food are consistently exceptional! It's amazing and one of our favorites!
Fat Canary is hands down the finest restaurant in Williamsburg, and it didn't disappoint. The oyster soup alone was worth the visit. In addition to the great food, cocktails and wine (and cinnamon ice cream!) the entire staff was prepared to meet my gluten free (celiac) need. What a wonderful evening! (PS - always bring your pocketbook when you come to Fat Canary, but prepare to be dazzled)!
SeanO
The food was very good, it was really something special. It's nice to eat food with subtle layers of flavor. I thought the desert menu seemed out of place for the season. If was lots of ice cream for a cool February night, which to me made no sense. We were expecting crème brûlée or more decadent desserts. Our waiter was very good, although at times seemed like he was busy with other things. For example our appetizer arrived, we waited a few minutes for plates to come. After patiently waiting we decided to just eat from the appetizer plate. This felt a little out of place for the dinning experience. Once we finished the appetizer the waiter arrived with chop sticks and bowls. It seemed like his timing was a little off or he was distracted with something else, this went on for the night. I would be worried if we were there on a very busy night. The service might decline to the point of interfering with the dining experience.
Visited the Fat Canary Downstairs on a rainy day after my plans suddenly changed looking to eat great food with a great cocktail. It was one of those days where I really needed a win. I've heard the Downstairs is amazing and it definitely lives up to the hype. This experience made my day. Located in the wine shop below Merchant's Square, Fat Canary Downstairs offers a cocktail menu, a limited menu as well as the upstairs Fat Canary menu. I started off with a Gold Rush cocktail. It was refreshing and the Makers Mark still shone through. For my meal, I chose the Wagyu Beef Burger. They asked how I'd like it cooked and I said medium. To my delight, it came out a perfect medium. This isn't my experience with burgers at many places, so it was exciting. The burger was flavorful and juicy. The fries were also delicious. The way they were stacked made me laugh when my meal arrived. The plating, while simple, brought some whimsy to the table. My server was very nice and attentive. She checked in on the cocktail and food after each were served and then gave me my space to eat until I looked ready to leave. While it is a small space with few seats for diners, below the fancy Fat Canary, the atmosphere was cool and made me feel like I was in a place slightly out of time, away from the world. My experience wasn't loud or rushed. I had a great time and would definitely come back.
Visited on a friends recommendation and it did not disappoint. Took the drive from Virginia Beach and it was worth it. Service and ambiance were great! Would travel again to come here. Everything from the appetizers to the entrees did not disappoint.
Food excellent. Had heard it's noisy but we went at 5pm. Very quiet though it was just getting busy. Service was also excellent too. Very enjoyable evening Only one problem. Tough to get a reservation. They are usually booked several weeks to months out
We stumbled into the downstairs of the Fat Canary and we were so pleasantly surprised! From the pleasant and helpful wait staff (Keith was great) to the INCREDIBLE beef and pork pappardelle pasta, it was a true delight! You can order from their casual fare menu which had fabulous (and affordable options) as well as the menu from upstairs which was a bit pricier but seemed delicious as well. All in all it was a fantastic meal and experience. Highly recommend!
Always amazing food service and atmosphere. Will always come back here. Their food is delicious, I love the entire experience of dining at this restaurant. The best on the peninsula
I am a true foodie, have traveled to over 30 countries always seeking the very best restaurants I could find, and Fat Canary is one of the best....hands down ! .....the food is amazing, the soups are truly chef masterpieces. The service is always amazing. Do not believe any negative comments, I know this is an amazing restaurant based on my experiences.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent dining experience. Dinner was very delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mozzarella Appetizer
Have been going to Williamsburg for years for the first time went to Fat Canary and being able to walk from our hotel and being able to get a late reservation we were not disappointed!
We read about this restaurant online before visiting Williamsburg and we are glad we made a reservation. Portions are very generous. Ordered the seafood special and the chicken; both were very tasty. Enjoyed macadamia tart, which was decadent and similar to pecan pie. Attentive waitstaff. Decor was a bit dated but ambiance was cozy.
Highly recommend! We enjoyed everything about this place. The maitre 'd was very personable and fun to talk with. Our server was an absolute delight. A special request to prepare a dish without the sauce (for medical reasons) did not throw her off her game. We were celebrating our birthdays and the staff had personalized our menus which was a beautiful gesture. Probably one of the best and prettiest restaurants we have been to in Williamsburg (maybe Richmond too!). Thank you for the perfect dining experience!
Restaurantji Recommends
Made a reservation because menu sounded really good and the space seemed nice but relaxed. We had fantastic service, our waiter was really great and accommodating. The food was fantastic. We had a pork rib appetizer that was so tender the meat fell off the bone. I had the chicken entree and it was one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had. Perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection. I enjoyed every bite. Their wine selection has a wide variety to choose from. We will definitely be back!
When we lived in the Hampton Roads area, this was our go-to special occasion restaurant, when we were in the Williamsburg area! The ham & cheese pinwheels were AMAZING! My husband got the pork chop & I would get the short ribs and we loved it all every time! We definitely recommend checking this place out!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Mozzarella Appetizer, Hearts of Romaine Focaccia Croutons Parmesan Roasted Garlic Dressing, Braised Beef Short Ribs
We have been here every year for the last seven years and we can say without a doubt - the service and food are consistently exceptional! It's amazing and one of our favorites!
Fat Canary is hands down the finest restaurant in Williamsburg, and it didn't disappoint. The oyster soup alone was worth the visit. In addition to the great food, cocktails and wine (and cinnamon ice cream!) the entire staff was prepared to meet my gluten free (celiac) need. What a wonderful evening! (PS - always bring your pocketbook when you come to Fat Canary, but prepare to be dazzled)!
The food was very good, it was really something special. It's nice to eat food with subtle layers of flavor. I thought the desert menu seemed out of place for the season. If was lots of ice cream for a cool February night, which to me made no sense. We were expecting crème brûlée or more decadent desserts. Our waiter was very good, although at times seemed like he was busy with other things. For example our appetizer arrived, we waited a few minutes for plates to come. After patiently waiting we decided to just eat from the appetizer plate. This felt a little out of place for the dinning experience. Once we finished the appetizer the waiter arrived with chop sticks and bowls. It seemed like his timing was a little off or he was distracted with something else, this went on for the night. I would be worried if we were there on a very busy night. The service might decline to the point of interfering with the dining experience.