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Exterior - Fat Canary, Williamsburg, VA

Fat Canary

4.9 (5083)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
410 West Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Make a reservation

A photo of Fat Canary restaurant

Fat Canary

4.9
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Williamsburg

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 22 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
This high-energy bistro took over as Williamsburg's best restaurant as soon as it opened in 2003. The sophisticated but relaxed dining room has an open kitchen, which uses fresh, local ingredients for its creative American fare. Reservations for the dining room and the bar are recommended and may be made up to 61 days in advance. Open daily for dinner, a reservationist is available during the day to take reservations by phone.

All reservations are for Fat Canary. Downstairs at Fat Canary is no reservations and is a same day, in-person check-in for our waitlist.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Tom Power
  • Neighborhood
    Williamsburg
  • Cross street
    Between S. Henry & Boundary & Francis Streets
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Fat Canary.

4.9

4.9
(5083)
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Virginia

    Best Overall

  • Virginia

    Best Food

  • Virginia

    Contemporary American

  • Williamsburg

    Best Overall

  • Williamsburg

    Best Food

  • Williamsburg

    Best Service

  • Williamsburg

    Best Ambiance

  • Williamsburg

    Best Value

  • Williamsburg

    Great for fine wines

  • Williamsburg

    Romantic

  • Williamsburg

    Good for special occasions

  • Williamsburg

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Fat Canary offers an "exceptional dining experience" with "delicious" and "beautifully presented" dishes, such as the lobster pasta and halibut specials. Guests praise the "fantastic" service and "attentive" staff, making it a "must stop" in Williamsburg. With a charming atmosphere, it's perfect for special occasions.
5,083 Reviews
  1. Alice

    South Carolina1 review

    5.0

    Dined on September 18, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fat Canary is an exceptional dining experience, and we look forward to returning!

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  2. James

    Cleveland5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 16, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have been going to this restaurant every visit to Williamsburg since the restaurant opened. At least once a year and most years twice. It has always been outstanding. Outstanding food, always different and always great. The service is great. We always feel we get what we paid for.

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  3. Franklin

    Washington DC15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 16, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My wife had scallops and I had ribs. Excellent. Typically outstanding, as usual.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Maureen Gold

    Philadelphia4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 12, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Most delicious meal i have had in years from start to finish. Pricey but not more than any other similar level restaurant and this was worth it.

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  5. Tony Gold

    New York City25 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 9, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One of the best dining experiences ever - the food is amazing and the restaurant is gorgeous. If you’re looking for a n unforgettable dining experience, Fat Canary is the place. From the unique peach salad to the most delicious pork chop I’ve ever eaten, this was a dinner that we’ll be talking about for a very long time.

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  6. Elizabeth Gold

    Pittsburgh8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 6, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service was fantastic. The food was exceptional. The lobster pasta appetizer was amazing. The scallops and halibut were delicious and were beautifully paired and presented. The macadamia nut pie was to die for!

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  7. Sean Gold

    Washington DC3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 6, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing service, fantastic food, surprisingly affordable for a high end restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Cathy

    Richmond1 review

    5.0

    Dined on September 6, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was a top-notch experience, from start to finish. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. The service was impeccable and our waiter's suggestions were excellent. The website helped us to establish our expectations, which were met perfectly. This restaurant is pricey for us, so we will only be able to go occasionally. But, we will absolutely go again.

    Is this helpful?

  9. anne

    Houston5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 5, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely meal at Fat Canary to celebrate a 50th birthday. Had been wanting to try it since we moved and it didn't disappoint. Attentive service and delicious food. Will return!

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  10. Matthew

    Washington DC13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 3, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fabulous as always. We have been here many times and it’s always an upscale evening. Everyone enjoyed their meals: the rabbit, haddock, chicken and quail.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Tom Power
  • Neighborhood
    Williamsburg
  • Cross street
    Between S. Henry & Boundary & Francis Streets
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

At Fat Canary many starters are generously portioned for sharing, guests describe the Fricassée of Rabbit as a shareable, meal‑sized appetizer, while mains like the Lobster Fettuccine can be light yet filling.

Yes, Fat Canary is a popular choice for special evenings, with many guests celebrating anniversaries and praising its intimate, polished dining experience.

Yes, Fat Canary operates a same‑day, in‑person check‑in waitlist downstairs; reservations for the dining room and bar are recommended and may be made up to 61 days in advance.

Fat Canary has an upstairs dining room with a visible open kitchen and quieter, sophisticated seating, plus a downstairs bar/wine‑shop area with casual table seating and bar service, banquette seating is also used upstairs.

Yes, families dine here and staff are accommodating: while there’s no dedicated kids menu noted, reviewers say the kitchen happily provided simple child-friendly options like buttered noodles.

Yes, Fat Canary’s drinks list is extensive, featuring crafted cocktails and a broad wine list alongside spirits like tequila, bourbon, rye, gin and single‑malt scotches.

Yes, special requests can be added when you book: reservations may be made up to 61 days in advance and a reservationist is available by phone, and staff have accommodated allergies and celebration requests on past visits.

The Lobster Fettuccine is a recurring favorite, it appears on the menu and is repeatedly praised by guests for its flavor and execution.

Fat Canary feels polished and inviting: a sophisticated-but-relaxed dining room with an open kitchen, plus a downstairs bar/wine-shop area for a more casual, lively vibe and an upstairs, quieter dining room.

Business casual is the guide, aim for neat, polished attire rather than formalwear; many guests dress up a touch for anniversaries and special occasions.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Virginia
  4. Williamsburg
  5. Williamsburg

Make a reservation

A photo of Fat Canary restaurant

Fat Canary

4.9
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Williamsburg

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 22 times today
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