Dining at one of Colonial Williamsburg’s four taverns is a must-do even if the food is more adequate than admirable. The wooden tables aglow in candlelight and the servers attired in 18th-century clothing make it easy for you to imagine what it was like in the 1770’s. Reserve your table well in advance for lunch or dinner at these popular taverns.

Although some menu items remain the same at all four taverns, each restaurant has its own slant. For those kids who eat up the atmosphere but not the entree, the taverns have children’s menus with hamburgers and other child-pleasing fare.

Christiana Campbell’s Tavern (120 Waller Street, across from the Capitol) specializes in seafood such as scallops, crab cakes and sherried shrimp.

In the tradition of a period chop house, the King’s Arms Tavern (400 E. Duke of Gloucester St, near the Capitol) serves roast beef, pork, duck and the tavern’s signature peanut soup.

Chowning’s Tavern, (100 E. Duke of Gloucester St, near Market Square) features pit barbecue as well as turkey legs and beef brisket.
Comfort food at Shields Tavern (417 E. Duke of Gloucester Street) includes buttermilk fried oyster, seafood gumbo, buffalo stew and vegetable wraps.