Best Breakfast in Williamsburg, VA: 17 Spots to Try
Visiting the Historic Triangle in Virginia is always a fun time and getting the day started with the best breakfast in Williamsburg gets you going on the right foot.
While I’ve been to many of the breakfast restaurants in Williamsburg, I thought it would be a good idea to get a local’s perspective since they have the opportunity to visit many more spots than I have!
Abby of Good Dimes was born and raised in Williamsburg, VA and enjoyed so many of these amazing restaurants when growing up.
I’ll let her tell you all about the best places to start your morning in town.
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17 Places for the Best Breakfast in Williamsburg
Despite being a fairly small town with a population of around 15,000, Williamsburg has the eats! And especially the breakfast eats!
Can you believe that there are almost 10 mom-and-pop pancake and waffle houses in this one town, among countless other breakfast options? It’s true!
You’ll find everything from good southern cooking with a colonial flare to diners, sustainably focused farm-to-table spots with locally sourced ingredients, artisan bakeries, and everything in between.
1. Aromas Coffeehouse
Aromas Coffeehouse is synonymous with Williamsburg in my mind’s eye. It’s the place that’s hosted many of my gatherings with friends over the last 15+ years.
When you walk in, you immediately feel the upbeat and warm vibe of friends and family sharing great conversation, usually over a warm cup of joe and a delicious meal.
Aromas is open nearly from dawn past dusk and has an extensive menu with countless crowd pleasers.
On their affordable breakfast menu, you’ll find breakfast platters, scrambles, omelets, and varieties of french toast, as well as other things like poached eggs and grits, crepes, waffles, quiche, a breakfast burrito, and more.
I highly recommend the huevos rancheros with chorizo sausage. In addition to their delicious drip coffee that’s roasted in-house, their specialty coffee drinks are divine. My favorite is the Snickers latte – yum!
Aromas garners regulars from locals, students, and tourists, as it’s adjacent to the College of William and Mary and Colonial Williamsburg.
They have a quaint patio out front that’s perfect for people-watching and almost instantly transports you to a European village far away.
If you happen to stop by on a Wednesday, you may be able to witness the coffee bean roasting process taking place in their large roaster that they keep on display as the delightful aroma fills the entire coffeehouse.
It’s easy to see why Aromas deserves a spot on your short list of breakfast restaurants in Williamsburg. They also have some of the best desserts in Williamsburg so don’t miss trying their sweet treats!
2. Old Chickahominy House
The Old Chickahominy House is a quaint southern comfort restaurant in Williamsburg, VA serving up breakfast with a colonial flare.
Located in a historic house built in 1962 with paneling from Carter’s Grove Plantation and accompanied by a three-story antique gift shop, it’s surely one of the most unique breakfast places in Williamsburg.
Don’t miss their homemade biscuits with Virginia country ham. My family tries to replicate them at home because we love them so much.
3. Gabriel Archer Tavern at the Williamsburg Winery (Brunch only on Sundays)
Gabriel Archer Tavern tops the list of the best brunch in Williamsburg, VA as it prides itself in its farm-to-table cuisine, highlighting the flavors of coastal Virginia.
On their Sunday brunch menu, you’ll find locally sourced oysters, deemed the best in the Chesapeake Bay, smoked sausage from nearby Surry, and Virginia stone ground cheddar grits, among others.
Their best seller is their turkey and brie sandwich with their delicious lingonberry preserves and roasted garlic aioli.
Their patio adorned with wisteria makes for a beautiful and peaceful dining experience as you gaze out at the surrounding vines.
Once your belly is full, consider heading over to the Susan Constant Hall tasting room for a wine flight or a tour of the vineyard and a reserve tasting in the private wine cellar. It’s one of the best wineries near Williamsburg so you won’t want to miss this.
4. Shorty’s Diner
Step back in time at Shorty’s Diner with their retro black and white checkered accents and old-timey decor. Shorty’s catchy and accurate slogan is “It’s not fancy, it’s not fat free, it’s just the way it used to be”.
Some of their unusual menu items include their Cuban omelet, Russian omelet, and granola pancakes, but you’ll also find some southern-style breakfast options as well as diner classics.
A nice addition to Shorty’s menu lineup is the “lite fare” section which includes several really affordable, smaller portion options for when you don’t want to over-do-it, as their normal portion sizes are huge.
Travel Hack: Ordering from the light fare menu is also one of my favorite ways to get cheap meals in any major city.
Be sure to look out for one of their bright yellow Shorty’s branded cars in the parking lot and pause for a photo op.
5. Blue Talon Bistro
The French-themed Blue Talon Bistro is the brainchild of local celebrity chef, David Everett. Opened in 2004, it’s the longest-standing of his four restaurants and bakeries, all located in Merchant’s Square. It’s widely recognized as a great breakfast and brunch spot.
Blue Talon Bistro is known for its “serious” comfort food, and its breakfast and brunch menus include a mix of French and southern cuisine.
While some of their menu items are on the more expensive end, their smoothie bowl comes in under $10.
Truffle lovers are sure to love their poached eggs in black truffle cream with white truffle oil from the brunch menu, served on Saturdays and Sundays.
Their portions are large, so be sure to bring a big appetite to enjoy one of the best restaurants in Williamsburg.
6. Tipsy Beans Cafe
I’m a sucker for a place with smoothie bowls, and with four different options on their menu, Tipsy Beans rates high on my list.
But don’t worry, you can also choose from tons of traditional breakfast items as well as country classics like deviled eggs, pork rinds, and brisket and hash.
Their most creative food item on the menu is their bacon, egg, and cheese waffle sandwich, but you can also find the classic fried chicken and waffles if that’s what you’re craving, and even upgrade to a red velvet waffle for an added wow factor.
Additionally, they have 20+ specialty lattes on offer that are extremely inventive and intriguing. My husband’s favorite is the chocolate orange!
Touted by many as the best place for breakfast in Williamsburg, Tipsy Beans Cafe is one you should be sure not to miss whether you’re spending a weekend in Williamsburg or longer.
7. The Williamsburg Inn’s Terrace & Goodwin Rooms
For an exquisite, upscale dining experience, look no further than the Terrace & Goodwin Rooms at the iconic Williamsburg Inn.
The Williamsburg Inn is the only Forbes Travel Guide Five Star rated resort in the Historic Triangle, and while this dining experience will certainly make your wallet lighter, it’s sure to be memorable.
The menu includes both a la carte and prix-fixe options for enjoyment.
Eye-catching items on the breakfast menu include the poached pear morning trifle, pork belly eggs benedict, and stuffed peaches and cream pancakes, whereas standouts on the brunch menu include the lobster omelet and the blueberry lavender waffle.
Pancake Houses in Williamsburg, VA
Have you heard the Virginia state slogan: Virginia is for lovers? Well, Williamsburg, VA is certainly for pancake lovers!
Williamsburg almost has more pancake and waffle houses than you can count on both hands! Here are some of the top-rated in town:
8. Colonial Pancake House
Colonial Pancake House is one of the highest-rated pancake houses in Williamsburg. While their menu is on the leaner side, you’ll find some rare items, such as scrapple.
What’s scrapple you ask? It’s a mixture of pork trimmings and scraps combined with spices, cornmeal, and wheat flour which is then fried.
Their home fries, served more like scalloped potatoes, are a cult favorite.
9. Capitol Pancake House
The motto of Capitol Pancake House is “eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper” where their french toast in particular comes highly acclaimed.
Your interest is sure to be piqued by their pancake lineup, including cornbread pancakes, pecan pancakes, bacon strip pancakes, peanut butter pancakes, and buckwheat pancakes, among others.
With over a dozen omelet options, including their Philly Cheesesteak Omelet, and items like fried chicken and waffles, there’s sure to be something on the menu for everyone.
The owners are wonderful and very philanthropic within the Williamsburg community.
10. Not Another Pancake House
The name of this pancake house is just hilarious and so appropriate, as it’s one of the new kids on the Williamsburg pancake block.
Not Another Pancake House takes the cake with the most creative menu lineup, featuring specials like:
- Boston cream pancakes
- Carrot cake waffles
- Maple bacon french toast
- Gingerbread waffles topped with gingerbread cookie crumbles
- Caramel pineapple upside-down pancakes
- Pumpkin stuffed french toast topped with homemade pumpkin pie
- And even a Samoas waffle inspired by the Girl Scouts’ famous Samoas cookies!
Note: their specials, like those just mentioned, are offered occasionally throughout the year on a limited basis.
However, their standard menu is extensive including separate sections for eggs, omelets, waffles, french toast, pancakes, benedicts, skillets, combos, sandwiches, and “southern charm”, with multiple items under each category.
Their lemon blueberry french toast is their most frequently requested special and they bring it back occasionally throughout the year.
If you’re lucky enough to visit when they have it on offer, you will have nearly hit the jackpot and you should order it without second guessing.
Check their Facebook page before your visit to see what specials you might expect when you visit.
11. Southern Pancake & Waffle House
With a name like Southern Pancake & Waffle House, you better believe they have lots of southern comforts on offer.
Some of their southern standouts are corned beef hash, scrapple, country ham, chipped beef and gravy, bologna, shrimp and grits, fried catfish, and fried apples.
Additionally, they have the standard breakfast fare, including lots of varieties of pancakes and waffles, of course.
Pancakes and maple syrup are nonnegotiable, of course. For those maple syrup lovers out there, learn about the process of “sugaring”, how to visit a Maple Syrup Sugarhouse, and the top things to do when visiting Stowe, VT!
Light & Quick Breakfast Spots in Williamsburg, VA
12. Juicing Life Bar
Juicing Life Bar is your go-to spot for quick and delicious smoothies, smoothie bowls, and fresh juices in Williamsburg.
The smoothie bowls aren’t cheap, but they are sure to hit the spot for smoothie bowl cravings. Note: Juicing Life Bar is closed on Sundays.
13. Emily’s Donuts And Cafe
If you’re a donut-for-breakfast person, stop by Emily’s for a wide variety of mouth-watering, homemade donuts.
Emily’s sells 30+ different types of donuts including cake donuts, ring donuts, filled donuts, topped donuts, and an assortment of specialty donuts.
You can order your donuts online in advance to be sure they don’t sell out of your first-choice picks.
Emily’s offers discounts on different days of the week and occasional discounts on seasonal treats. Check their website for the latest information.
14. The Bake Shop
This artisan bakery and coffee bar has lots of delicious offers on hand.
You’ll find everything from french toast, artisan bagels, breakfast bagel sandwiches, and avocado toast, to baked goods including pecan sticky buns and assorted muffins, among other savory finds and sweet desserts.
The Bake Shop is located adjacent to the College of William and Mary, so you’re likely to find a line of students getting their fix when school is in session.
You may even be lucky enough to try one of their green and gold (“Plain Jane”) bagels in honor of William and Mary’s school colors.
The menu changes seasonally and orders can be placed ahead online. Note: there’s no indoor seating, however, there are several tables outside.
15. Blackbird Bakery
Blackbird Bakery is another one of local celebrity chef, David Evertt’s, ventures. Breakfast treats at Blackbird Bakery include multiple kinds of croissants, scones, muffins, cruffins, cinnamon buns, canneles, and biscuits.
If you haven’t tried, or even heard of, some of these delectables, head on over to Blackbird to give them a try!
Blackbird also sells freshly baked breads, gluten-free selections, paninis, salads, dessert pastries (some of which are classics at his other restaurants), and drinks, including coffee.
This is the perfect place to go if you want to save a bit of money on breakfast when visiting Colonial Williamsburg since it’s located in Merchant’s Square.
I’m all about saving money when visiting historic attractions and you can apply many of my tips for saving money at the Biltmore to Colonial Williamsburg as well.
16. Column 15 Coffee
This one is for all of the coffee and tea lovers out there! You’ll find the most creative and extensive selection of coffee and tea-based drinks in the area at Column 15 Coffee.
The owners of Column 15 are passionate about the science of coffee, which you’ll notice from their periodic table theme, and they pride themselves on serving freshly roasted single-origin, fair-trade, and organically sourced coffee.
Their coffee-based drinks include traditional standbys, a plethora of attention-grabbing seasonal specials, fun flights for sampling several items at a time, a smattering of nitro cold brew selections, and so much more. A sweet potato souffle latte or candy apple latte, anyone?
Their breakfast options are limited, but while you’re there, you can grab a quick breakfast sandwich, bagel board, or choose from a few other pastry options to compliment your caffeine boost.
Alternatively, take your coffee to go and walk across the parking lot to Shorty’s Diner for your breakfast fix.
The smells when walking into Column 15 take me back to one of my favorite coffee experiences on my visit to Taganga, Colombia and nearby Minca in the Sierra Nevada coffee region.
Best Pancakes in Williamsburg, VA
So, at the end of the day, in a town with so many pancake houses, which pancakes in Williamsburg are the best? Well, it depends partly on the style of pancake you like and who you ask.
For lots of inventive, sweet pancake options with over-the-top toppings like homemade pumpkin pie, look no further than Not Another Pancake House.
Not Another Pancake House is famous for its Cinnaswirl pancake, so be sure someone at the table orders it so you can have a bite, or two.
For a more savory pancake that’s still a bit unique, try Capitol Pancake House for their lineup of things like cornbread pancakes, bacon strip pancakes, peanut butter pancakes, buckwheat pancakes, and pecan pancakes.
For those “pigs in a blanket” lovers, also known as sausages wrapped in pancakes, I’d recommend Colonial Pancake House.
Map of Breakfast Restaurants in Williamsburg
Wrap Up: Best Breakfast in Williamsburg, VA
I hope you’re convinced that you won’t be at a loss for great options when looking for breakfast places in Williamsburg, VA.
While there are long-standing favorites loved by locals, the breakfast scene has definitely evolved over the years, with more diverse options than ever before.
Williamsburg is no longer just the pancake house town, and it keeps giving more excuses to dine out for the first meal of the day.
Which of these spots will you be putting at the top of your list for breakfast in Williamsburg?
Note: This was a guest post from Abby at Good Dimes, where you can find more of her guides on traveling the world on a budget.
