Shields Tavern

Being a tavern in the middle of The Revolutionary City makes it very interesting as a start. It is extra fun when all the docents/​performers do a great job of staying in character. The atmosphere is fun, and it truly is the original building, and so the rooms are sort of small and cozy, but set up so everyone has the elbow room to be comfy. Just so happened we had a window seat at about 1:15 and the Fife and Drum corp went by on the street and it was a great place to watch that from. The food was good. I would call if a French Dip, but they called it a Swiss dip, same thing. It was tasty enough. Good cut of meet, decently salty AuJus sauce, and the french fries were nice and crisp. I also tried a flight of 3 Beers. The stout was a little week, but had that cocoa/​coffee taste of that would’ve been really good if it was just a little stronger. Their Shields Homebrew was a very good clean taste, and the last one I sadly can;t recall but it was a basic wheat beer and was passable. All in all, I am sure we will eat there again as we have the 2016 pass and plan to return often for the history and the exercise that wandering around affords us. Huzzah!

Rum Cider was delicious, fruit and cheese plAtter was so-​so. Service was perhaps historically accurate but less than welcoming and non-​personable. It seems like we were an inconvenience in the garden seating section. The prices were high.

Food strictly average but way overpriced, as one would expect here. My miseducation drink seemed to have no, or very very little, alcohol.

I love the ambiance of this place. It’s so cute and the historical performers are great. My waitress was so great and quick with our orders. Downstairs was a little scary looking, but I loved the historical look and all over the candles on the tables. I ordered ab alcoholic drink, a delicious peach lemonade. It was the bartender’s special that day. The bartender was pretty cute ;). Would definitely go again.

Only if you’re desperate. Food is very average. The guy out the front has nil clue on how to manage the basics of table assignment.

For diners who want a hint of an historical dining experience. Reservations are suggested. The menu is well varied. I had a boneless pork chop with mashed potatoes and sukotash. The dish was Ok. They have a kids menu. I ordered a rum cocktail… Applecider rum and cinnamon which tasted wonderful but was very weak and cost $ 8.
During the meal a large burly actor gentleman dressed in period costume held forth in a loud booming voice about the «virtues» of beer and large stein cups from which to drink beer. This was hilarious. Then a musician can around singing yankee doodle dandy and we all joined in.
The food was good not great but the ambience and décor made it a thoroughly memorable and worthwhile experience.

This place was amazing, they had a guy who played several different instruments, we put in our Name, we were expecting at least a 10 min wait, about 30 seconds I hear my last name being called, I just thought… wow! In a good way, They had some fancy name for a burger though, I didn’t actually know it was a burger until it came out! If you visit colonial Williamsburg, go to this tavern (has a GREAT kids menu by the way)

Service was great. Ambiance was good. Food was OK but given the prices I expected the food to be much better.

We had lunch at Shields Tavern today. Service was great. Ambiance was fun. Some in our party ordered the seafood stew which was delicious and others ordered the kale sausage soup. I had the first salad on the menu which was $ 13.75. It was basically mixed greens, 1 egg, cucumbers, tomato, and 2 small slices of cheese. Not worth the price since it wasn’t anything special. My daughter had the pulled pork sandwich which was overly spicy. Wouldn’t go back.

My girlfriend and I liked Shields Tavern so much, we later bought a print of it, framed it and hung in it the living room. The food was excellent, as was the service. It is pricey, but what did you expect at Colonial Williamsburg?
My girlfriend had the pot roast with carrots, mushrooms and pearl onions, served on top of mashed potatoes. The sauce was very flavorful and it was a very hearty and delicious meal. I had the Crayfish and Shrimp Stew and it was really outstanding, rich in flavors and full of seafood. The service was great, too. The real treat was the period musician who played during the meal.
All in all, a great part of the Williamsburg Colonial Experience.
And, like the Terminator, I’ll be back.

Delicious food, nice atmosphere, good beer. Pricier than you would get for the same outside of the Colonial Williamsburg site but still very good. Make reservations at least a week in advance or forget getting in and then expect to wait 30 minutes past your reservation time.

Great fun, good service, and a good lunch– had the special thinly sliced salted ham, on grilled sourdough bread with cheddar cheese and cottage fries.
Great harp player, period costumed service staff, chairs are different period as they are very low — not good for a guy 6’2″ with bad knees — but hey good samich! Plus had a pint of Old Stitch! High recommend the Old Stitch if you like a nice stout beer! Enjoy

This is an amazing restaurant that happens to be in Colonial Williamsburg. Try to get an upstairs table when reserving because downstairs looked tighter. The salad and bread with fresh butter were a great start to a candlelit dinner. The beef stew however is the fourth of July of stews. The beef was so juicy yet tender, vegetables and mushrooms created a symphony of flavors and smells. Especially for the fall, we couldn’t ask for a better meal. The cherry on top was the talented musician. I enjoyed it so much I asked for his card so we can see him elsewhere in town (Stephen Christoff).
My only wish is that this and other local restaurants feature more Virginia wines. For Pete’s sake, that is part of our state’s history too. Try Philip Carter, Fox Meadow, or Grey Ghost

Very, very cool.
When I came with a few family members last weekend, our party of 5 was seated in a part of the restaurant that used to be outdoors. It was dark and candlelit, just as they used to have it back in the 18^th century. Our server, Thomas, who is amazingly knowledgeable about the tavern’s history and Colonial Williamsburg history in general, pointed out that the wall my side of the table was up against actually had the original siding of the building — yes, from when it was built in the 1740s. He also took the time to share with us some fascinating bits of information about beef pasties, turnspit dogs, garment buttons, and where George Washington used to hang out as a 21-​year-​old back in the day, among other things! He was such a pleasure to talk to that we lost track of time and didn’t realize we were actually holding up the place from completely closing down for the night. (Apart from that, he was on top of his service game, of course.)
A harpist also sat by our table and played for our party. She was so delightful. Nobody talked until she was finished because we all wanted to pay attention to her harp. Before she started playing, she entertained us with her own stories of the rumored hauntings here — because naturally, we were curious and had to ask!
Food– and drink-​wise, everything was on the pricey side. I opted for a cup of crayfish and shrimp stew to start, a sampling of 18^th century savories (sweet potato biscuit, salmon croquettes, duck sausage, and potato beef pasties with mango chutney) for my main dish, and a wild berry crumble for my dessert. Truthfully speaking, the food was not memorable. I don’t think the other members in my party would disagree. My parents shared the chicken and my niece had the ale-​spotted beef. The portions were generous, but no one raved about the food. I think we were all really into the whole colonial dining experience that we didn’t feel bummed out about the eats not being all that special, however. In addition, they served wine in goblets. I had two goblets of red, and I absolutely loved that part.
I won’t hesitate to revisit Shields Tavern if I ever end up in Colonial Williamsburg again.

As always in Colonial Williamsburg the service was impeccable with friendly staff, period music, and great ambience. However, although everyone else in my party was happy with their food, I felt that my Pork dish was a bit bland when it came to pork shank and potatoes. Also, I’ve had better bread pudding than that — it was a bit dry and over baked in edges an in places in the middle.

Back in 2013 we did a road-​trip to Colonial Williamsburg. Wanting to dine at a traditional restaurant to stay in the theme we chose this tavern. You have to make reservations.
Upon walking indoors you have stepped back in time and you are now dining in a traditional kitchen with all the fixings. The servers are all dressed in the era clothing, the tables are kid with gas lamps no electricity in the dining room area.
The menu is really good although very pricey but it is due to the experience.
If you are in the area, it is a must try at least once.
Great experience, atmosphere, food, entertainment!
There was gentleman that walks around in character and tells stories (although, that day, being summer and extremely hot, he was a little smelly).
Anyways, awesome experience!

What an experience the Shields Tavern is! The period-​inspired dishes are quite good, though they will run you a high tab. However, I thought the high cost was justified by the fantastic décor and the wandering musicians who serenade you while you eat. Most of the staff is also very knowledgable about the food, the building, the décor, and the history of the period in general. All-​in-​all, Shields Tavern provides good food and an awesome experience. Check it out the next time you are in Colonial Williamsburg.

I’ve been to Shield’s a few times over the years — they hosted my rehearsal dinner when I got married in 2009! We’ve always gotten great service, entertainment and food. They have a variety of interesting cocktails and entrees. Try the Shield’s Punch the the Seafood Pye!

We have been to Shields Tavern a couple of times. Both times we’ve been seated in the basement (aka wine cellar) at the same back table with very low light. The basement is unique because it’s all lit by candles just like they were served in the 1700’s. However, I really dislike eating in the basement. It’s dark and taking any picture is difficult. I’ve read there are musicians at this tavern but we have yet to see them. Perhaps, they only play upstairs.
Our server, Jennifer, was quite efficient. However, she was difficult to hear when taking our order. Why? Normally servers are right at the table when conversing with guests. However, she was about 3 steps back in the middle of the aisle while she told us about the specials. Since I was at the other end of the table, I couldn’t hear her. It would have been nicer if she’d actually stepped up to our table. This is what she seemed to do at all the other tables too.
The crayfish and shrimp stew was wonderful. We loved the pastry, chicken and dumplings and even the ham and cabbage soup. However, the hot turkey sandwich was a big disappointment. It was pretty expensive for what we received considering there wasn’t a lot of turkey. There were a few very thin slices of turkey in the sandwich and I’m thinking the turkey was just deli turkey. At least that’s what it tasted like. I wouldn’t order it again for sure.

This is a solid two star restaurant. The service is a 4 star, so I’m meeting in the middle with three stars.
We casually overheard another server (who was being very interactive from the get-​go with her tables)
So I asked our waitress who had just given us the check already about Williamsburg history. Before we knew it. We had a great history lesson and recommendations and explanation of differences (unbiased opinion) between both ghost tours at night. (One is sponsored by the Tavern.)
The server lit up upon us wanting to interact with her and any question she was unsure of, she found out for us. She brought the manager Kate to answer more and we had a great conversation with us. Didn’t feel rushed either.
The food;
Is mediocre. The 18^th century salad is stupid and over priced. Burger is boring. Po Boy hmmmm???
Soup, fries and beer are very good. Biscuits that come with soup are also tasty. Those are all I recommend and you’ll be happy.
It’s really too bad. That they haven’t made these restaurants into a dining experience and must go-​to restaurants. There are tooooo many other 4 – 5 star restaurants to choose from in Williamsburg to be mediocre.
Raise the bar Shields Tavern!