Unless Williamsburg suddenly decides to relocate its historic district to, ahem, some random spot in Newport News, burgers will always be an essential part of this town’s culinary fabric. And as the overwhelming number of patty purveyors suggests, enjoying one with friends (or strangers) is just as important. So whether you’re craving classic comfort, need somewhere to celebrate a win, or want a place that elevates the humble burger, here are the best spots in Williamsburg.
Five Guys
$ | (757) 229-1213 | WEBSITE
Five Guys is our go-to spot after a day exploring Williamsburg, and it has everything you need to satisfy those burger cravings. Keep it simple with their classic cheeseburger, or customize your own with all the toppings you love. That’s where you’ll find perfectly cooked patties, crispy fries, and milkshakes that hit the spot every time.
Ol’ Dominion Burger
$ | (757) 808-5104 | WEBSITE
Ol’ Dominion Burger is the first burger joint you’ll encounter after walking through the Colonial Williamsburg area when other taverns are closed. It’s a typical burger spot—hot food, friendly service, and passable arcade games. Coming here is the equivalent of ordering the first burger on the menu during trivia night. The best or worst way to start an evening—your choice.
Burgers on the Edge
$ | (757) 876-5461 | WEBSITE
It’s 85 and humid, and you spontaneously skipped the afternoon to try and get a table at one of Williamsburg’s best burger spots. Grabbing a burger at Burgers on the Edge is what you want to be doing. But if you decide to just stay put, you don’t have to miss out on any of the quality—there are plenty of seats and you can still enjoy the friendly staff and attention to detail since the food comes out quick and fresh.
Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que
$ | (757) 565-2955 | WEBSITE
Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que offers a casual spot with real beef burgers, BBQ ribs, and that JC special sandwich. There’s also homemade-tasting Mac n Cheese and chicken tenders—but you’re better off focusing on the BBQ and those generous portions. In other words, this is a perfect place if you need to satisfy a serious hunger without breaking the bank.
Craft 31
$$ | (757) 378-3268 | WEBSITE
Craft 31 is the opposite of what you probably associate with Williamsburg. No historic reenactments, no colonial themes, and no fife-and-drum marches. Just a quality selection of burgers, a few beachy vibes, and attentive service every visit. It’s always a good idea when you want to ditch the tourist traps.
Hardee’s
$ | (757) 565-0464 | WEBSITE
Hardee’s is the go-to spot for breakfast biscuits in Williamsburg. It’s a fast-food restaurant that consistently delivers exactly what you’re craving, especially in the morning. And even when it’s not breakfast time, you can still expect strong recommendations for their chicken dishes and bottled orange juice. Customers appreciate the polite and attentive service, particularly highlighting staff members like Sharmayne, who goes above and beyond to ensure everything is correct.
However, during busy times, the staff can seem overwhelmed, leading to issues like cleanliness in the dining area and longer wait times, especially in the drive-through. Overall, Hardee’s is a good option for those seeking fast food with friendly service.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
$ | (757) 271-4793 | WEBSITE
With its bright red booths and simple counter service, Freddy’s looks like any other fast food joint at first glance. But people are willing to wait in the inevitable line, because it’s one of the best spots in Williamsburg once your palate has graduated from just automatically ordering anything that comes in a paper wrapper. They have classics like the double bacon cheeseburger and chicken tenders, plus Freddy fries that come hot and fresh with just the right seasoning.
Plus, since it’s so family-friendly with high chairs and a kids menu, you can hear all the happy chatter (and occasional meltdowns) from the dining area.
Revolution Golf and Grille
$ | (757) 645-4711 | WEBSITE
On a quiet evening, you might catch the waitstaff at Revolution Golf and Grille offering a round of drinks to regulars. You can (and should) accept that hospitality. But considering this spot is the Williamsburg destination for golf enthusiasts and pub fare lovers—you’re here for the burgers. The bunker burger is genuinely flavorful and carefully cooked, and they have a solid selection of standard pub items like chicken tenders and sliders.
Culture Cafe
$ | (757) 378-2556 | WEBSITE
Culture Cafe has one of the most whimsical and charming outdoor seating areas in the neighborhood, and it’s filled with unique character and detail. It’s ideal for sipping coffee, enjoying freshly-baked croissants, thinking about trying one of their skillets or vegetarian options, and then continuing to relax outside with a pastry or beverage without ever moving from your comfortable seat.
Norge Bazaar, Ice Cream Shoppe and Dawg House and Sub Shoppe
$ | (757) 808-6079 | WEBSITE
Norge Bazaar, Ice Cream Shoppe and Dawg House and Sub Shoppe is Williamsburg’s classic ice cream spot (it’s been a local favorite for decades). And this nostalgic holdout in a neighborhood increasingly filled with trendy eateries has no signs of fading away—you can often find longtime regulars grabbing their usual scoop at the counter or some first-time families browsing the bazaar treasures.
The only things you’ll consistently rave about here are ice cream and milkshakes, but they’re wonderfully affordable, so feel free to treat yourself to huge scoops for just a few dollars, or that legendary peanut butter pie that’s truly out of this world.
Cook’s Burger Bar
$ | (757) 808-6634 | WEBSITE
You can swing by Cook’s any day of the week. It’s a few blocks from the main drag, so it doesn’t get the wild weekend rush. It’s perfect for chilling and grabbing a quick bite of solid bar food, especially the burgers.
Spartan Gyros
$ | (757) 220-5410 | WEBSITE
The only thing this spot has in common with the typical fast-food drive-thrus is the convenience of grabbing a meal on the go. Spartan Gyros offers fresh gyros, homemade hummus, and is probably the only place in Williamsburg where everyone here is savoring the flavorful gyro meat and crisp Greek salad instead of settling for greasy burgers or soggy fries.
Throw in the clean, well-maintained atmosphere showcasing Spartan memorabilia and highly regarded takeout service, and it’s a great destination for a casual lunch or a satisfying dinner.
Cook Out
$ | (866) 547-0011 | WEBSITE
Cook Out is a classic burger joint that’s perfect for families. It’s right in Williamsburg, and has a casual, backyard cookout feel with limited seating inside. During late-night hours, it’s definitely a popular spot—you’ll find crowds of people, some of whom will be grabbing trays from the drive-thru. They do have a wide selection of menu items, and it’s solid (their burgers are some of the best, and basically anything that gets put in a fryer will get the job done).
And as a bonus, they also have about 30 flavors of shakes, so if you don’t feel like going to an ice cream place, go ahead and see about a fancy one.