Chowning’s Garden Bar

Very cool place in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg. Tons of seating, with such a cool atmosphere. Simple pickup and go menu.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Usually I don't care much about price. BUT if you are going to charge $$ at least make the portions not laughable.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Lunch for five was $80 for two adults and three kids. Small portions, greasy pork sandwich.
Would not recommend

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 3

Visited here on a warm 25 Sept 25. Walked around to find the back of the place was open where the inside tavern was not.
The counter service and open air seating under a vine-laden canopy was pleasant.
We had a Grilled Chicken sandwich and a Pulled Pork sandwich with Fries and Chips to share. Local Root Beer for me and water for the lady.
$14 for Chicken sandwich, and $14 for the Pulled Pork.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

A truly bad hamburger for $14 with no sides. Dry patty with no seasoning. A hospital cafeteria would have been a step up in quality.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 5

The Tavern, their backyard grill that operates in summer, offers a modern, average day grill menu at exorbitant prices. The prices here were for early fall 2025. I wish that Williamsburg food locations in the museum would put more effort into meal and plating design if they want to charge this much. Quality for cost was way off base.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 3

We were looking for Chownings, and someone on the street told us the only part open was out back. We walked around and were pleasantly surprised. Craig met us with a great smile, a nice welcome, and we received lovely service and good food. Shout out to the fries. Thank you!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Do NOT get lunch in the backyard stand here. So overpriced! And the food is not good. They were out of the only decent vegetarian option— a grilled vegetable sandwich— as well as the French fries. The other vegetarian option said it was a veggie bowl but was literally just a grocery store premade house salad (lettuce, onion, cucumber, grape tomatoes) with Ken’s dressing. The attendant recommended the sausage to my family members and all of them thought it was terrible, even drowned in various condiments.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

It was a great experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Not too many choices for food at Colonial Williamsburg. The outdoor seating added to the atmosphere. The staff was friendly even though they were super busy. A tad expensive for the portion size.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Was the really the pub. 😢 patio with picnic food.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

If you'd like to spend 90 mins standing to get a sandwich and a salad then this place is for you.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 1

Beautiful experience however, is closed for renovations. Today is Jan 3, 2025.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Do not try to eat here if you have food allergies. Asked about an allergy for my child, and David who was working the Garden was incredibly rude and smug and refused to try to find out if a food contained a common allergy. Shockingly bad service. David is not someone who should be interacting with customers.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Food was not very good, especially the vegetarian sandwich

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 4