Christiana Campbell's Tavern
More actions
Christiana Campbell’s Tavern is a Colonial Williamsburg restaurant in Williamsburg, Virginia, serving seafood in a reconstructed historic setting. The name recalls Christiana Campbell, a successful 18th-century tavern keeper whose guests included George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. If you’re planning a meal, check Colonial Williamsburg’s current restaurant information and reservation availability before you go.[1][2]
What to expect
The present tavern operates as a restaurant within Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area. Colonial Williamsburg describes its menu as locally inspired, with seafood such as shrimp, scallops and fish, alongside crab cakes and spoon bread. The current menu and dining arrangements may change, so consult the official dining listing when planning.[3]
The reconstructed building is at 101 South Waller Street. Colonial Williamsburg lists the tavern as reservation-recommended; check its official listing for current service days, hours and reservation details rather than relying on an older schedule.[4]
Why the tavern matters
Christiana Campbell returned to Williamsburg after her husband’s death and began keeping a tavern around 1755. Her establishment served food and lodging to visitors doing business in the colonial capital, including members of the House of Burgesses. The Library of Virginia identifies Washington and Jefferson among the legislators who stayed there.[5]
Campbell moved her business to the site behind the Capitol associated with the tavern that now bears her name in 1771. Colonial Williamsburg’s history describes the tavern as a place for dining, conversation and social gatherings. Campbell’s business declined after Virginia’s capital moved to Richmond; the Library of Virginia says she closed the tavern in 1787.[6][7]
The building and its history
The original building associated with Campbell’s tavern burned around 1859. Colonial Williamsburg reconstructed the tavern in the 1950s and opened it as a working restaurant in 1956. The current restaurant’s historic atmosphere is therefore presented in a reconstructed building, not the original tavern structure.[8][9]
The history also includes the enslaved people whose labor sustained Campbell’s household and business. Colonial Williamsburg’s research describes work that included tending horses, growing food, cooking, serving guests and preparing beds. Its account names several people documented in household and parish records, while noting that the available evidence tells only part of their lives.[10]
Planning a visit
- Confirm current details. Restaurant hours, service days, menus and reservation availability can change. Check the official Colonial Williamsburg dining listing before setting out.
- Plan it as a meal stop. The tavern is a restaurant within the Historic Area; consider pairing your reservation with time to explore Colonial Williamsburg.
- Check access and logistics directly. For current directions, parking, accessibility information and any visitor requirements, use Colonial Williamsburg’s official visitor resources.
Nearby
Colonial Williamsburg is the broader historic destination surrounding the tavern. Other nearby stops in the region include Historic taverns in Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Battlefield.
Related books: Browse related Virginia books on Amazon
References
- ↑ Dining, Colonial Williamsburg, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ The Story of Christiana Campbell’s Tavern, Colonial Williamsburg, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2025-10-30. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ Dining, Colonial Williamsburg, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ Dining, Colonial Williamsburg, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ Christiana Burdett Campbell, Virginia Changemakers, Library of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ The Story of Christiana Campbell’s Tavern, Colonial Williamsburg, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2025-10-30. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ Christiana Burdett Campbell, Virginia Changemakers, Library of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ Christiana Burdett Campbell, Virginia Changemakers, Library of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ The Story of Christiana Campbell’s Tavern, Colonial Williamsburg, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2025-10-30. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ The Story of Christiana Campbell’s Tavern, Colonial Williamsburg, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2025-10-30. Retrieved 2026-10-24.