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Kings Arms Tavern

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bob-n-marilyn
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
15
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22
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Editor Pick

One of My Favorite Dining Establishments

  • June 14, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Perspective from York, Pennsylvania
This restaurant is nestled into the colonial section, and naturally has the same old-school charm and appeal one would associate with Colonial Williamsburg. There is a wonderful story and rich history behind this tavern, which I won't get into here. I'll give a cliff notes version: A Mrs. Jane Vobe opened the tavern in 1772 and they have been serving good meals and drink ever since.

I can imagine many think the menu lacks options, but personally I find it to be perfect. A menu shouldn't have so many things on it that it leaves you in a perpetual state of indecisiveness. To me menu's like this are a lost art. There are only 7 different meals on the dinner menu but the variety is good. There is something for everybody. There is a seafood dish, a duckling dish, prime rib, pork, a game pye, and my personal favorite and tavern specialty... Mrs. Vobes Tavern Dinner. There is also a fresh catch every day that varies and fresh salads for those in search of something lighter. The Peanut Soup is remarkable. I've tried since to make it myself using their recipe and mine pales in comparison. They also have a very nice wine selection from various regions as well as hand-crafted ales. They also make their own Ginger Beer but I haven't had it.

The staff are decked out in colonial garb. Some play violins and lutes while you dine. It all makes the experience seem that much more authentic. They come around with hour d' oeuvres and appetizers (free of charge) including various breads, cheeses and spreads. My belly was starting to fill up before my meal even got there. Our waitress came around often to make sure our needs were fulfilled and she was very courteous and kind.

It's certainly on the pricey side but one would expect this in such an establishment. I don't mind paying it at all when I feel I got my moneys worth and I got just that at The Kings Arms, not only from the food itself but from the total experience.
Editor Pick

Kings Arms Tavern

  • November 26, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by two cruisers from Ames, Iowa
Kings Arms Tavern

I have two words to share with you: Peanut Soup. The King’s Arms Tavern isn’t the only place in Virginia to serve this specialty but it the first place we had in 1971 and it’s the first thing I ordered when we ate here this trip. This tavern reflects the taste of the 18th century gentry that patronized it. The room we were seated in was elegantly appointed with cherry wood tables and chairs; marble mantled fireplace, deep red patterned wallpaper, and lovely colonial table service. This building is a reconstruction and is actually two or more buildings linked together. We noticed there was garden seating also, but I really liked being in one of the main dining rooms. I read in an old guidebook that King’s Arms was renamed Eagle Tavern after the Revolutionary War.

The menu was a delight of choices and I wish we had come back here every day we were in the village. I had Peanut Soupe and Vegetable Pye. Bill had East Maryland Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes, and biscuits. We split a piece of Triple Layer Chocolate Torte with Raspberry Sauce. I shared some of my vegetables with him and he gave me a drumstick from his generous serving of chicken. Everything was tasty and beautifully presented. Our waiter was courteous and attentive.

What more could you want? Well to lend even more atmosphere to this historic restaurant, Dr. Robert Carter visited us. This costumed character actor told us he likes to drop into the tavern to talk and likes to meet out of towners. His presence was a little distracting to the meal, but it was good fun. The King’s Arms Tavern was our best food experience and most costly at Colonial Williamsburg. Lunch for two with one beverage, one dessert and tip was $50.07. Reservations are needed for the evening meal.

From journal Colonial Williamsburg Collage

Editor Pick

King's Arms Tavern

  • May 28, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by samepenny from Fort Worth, Texas
King's Arms Tavern

You may walk the streets of Colonial Williamsburg for free, but if you want to enter one of the historic buildings, you need a ticket for the day (or multi-day or annual pass); however a work around is to have a meal in one of the famous taverns. You can see a historic building as part of the cost of your meal. It was a great treat for me to dine at the King's Arms Tavern both due to the food and the atmosphere. All the employees wear carefully authentic period costumes, the tableware is as close to authentic as can be found and the dishes are colonial with modifications for modern taste and dietary expectations. We don't cook food swimming in lard any more.

Even the cocktails, wines and beers have a colonial flare. After all this is a real tavern. Be careful of the opening hours as they are limited and the tavern does close mid afternoon for several hours.

I don't know why he did it, but my sweetie ordered a hamburger. He said it was very good. OK. I ordered a pottage pie, a wonderful creation under a crust that most resemble a chicken pot pie in nature. We both had a large helping of handmade dessert. Gee, it was a vacation.

I ordered a cup of tea. Tea. One the day that Colonial Williamsburg was recreating scenes from the Revolutionary War. Carrying authentic to a fine point, no real tea was available but they did find me some herbal tea to get by on!

The restrooms are up an extremely steep flight of stairs; so plan ahead if you need a rest stop prior to lunch and visit a rest room elsewhere that you can get into. A bit of advice, the restroom signs aren't the modern blue ones, but are in time with the colonial period.

We had so much fun, we dined at this great place 2 days in a row.

From journal Colonial Williamsburg Natural Light

Kings Arms Tavern

  • December 19, 2005
  • Rated 4 of 5 by NiteOwlTX from LaPlace, Louisiana
There are four taverns in Colonial Williamsburg that will give you a taste of dining in the late 1700s. Dining at one of the taverns will give you a feel for how travelers lived and a taste of colonial food.

First is the Chowning’s Tavern, which serves pit barbecue in an outdoor dining area. Also, the Chowning offers late night entertainment in a colonial style after 9pm.

Campbell’s Tavern offers regional seafood specialties and was said to be George Washington’s favorite place to eat when he visited Williamsburg.

The King’s Arm Tavern offers traditional food in an early American setting.

Finally, the Shields Tavern offers food most closely resembling that which would have been eaten in the taverns in the 18th century.

Also, the Raleigh Tavern Bakery, across from the taverns, offers a unique variety of early American pastry favorites.

Make reservations early for the taverns during the summer months.

From journal Relive History in Virginia's Historic Triangle

Editor Pick

Kings Arms Tavern

  • July 3, 2005
  • Rated 3 of 5 by tgeary from Weston, Florida
We had lunch at King's Arms Tavern one of the days we were sightseeing in Colonial Williamsburg. The building was a recreation of the original tavern that had been on the spot. It was very tastefully decorated, and of course, everyone who worked there was dressed in period clothing.

The food choices were somewhat limited, but there was still something for everyone. Our teenage daughter ended up ordering off the children's menu because the adult meals sounded too unusual for her. The peanut soup and ribs that I ordered were both excellent. My husband's hamburger (broiled chopped beefsteak on a Sally Lunn Bun) was more well-done than he would have liked - perhaps that is the only way this type of meat was cooked in colonial times, but they never even asked how he wanted it cooked.

I enjoyed the experience, but I think my husband and daughter would have rather eaten somewhere else. You can get more information online at www.kingsarmstavern.com/visit/diningExperience/kingsArms/.

From journal Week in Williamsburg

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