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Sweet Tea and Barley, Williamsburg, VA

Sweet Tea and Barley

4.3
4.3
64 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary Southern
Top Tags:
Southern hospitality shines through with the familiar, yet innovative, cuisine and casual atmosphere of Sweet Tea & Barley in the Williamsburg Lodge. From fresh salads, to perfect pub bites, to satisfying sandwiches, it’s the place to gather for a good time. Drinks are crafted by hand, and local ingredients highlight the true spirit of the area. Drop in and sit a spell at the bar and lounge area, or take it outside to the patio for a cocktail where laughter and lively conversation fill the air.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Location
    310 S. England St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
  • Neighborhood
    Colonial Williamsburg
  • Cross street
    Francis Street
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • W&M HOMECOMING TAILGATE PARTY

    $35.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Oct 21, 2023 only
    Sweet Tea & Barley Patio, Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 5pm-10pm, $35 per person. Reserve your spot by visiting OPENTABLE.COM, COLONIALWILLIAMSBURGHOTELS.COM, or call: 1-800-HISTORY

What 64 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

64 Reviews

  1. 1jerseygirl

    Caribbean

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Max was stellar!.. he even leveled our table!.. the food was perfect and we loved the informal vibe

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  2. HelenG

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I had the shrimp and grits. Delicious! The waitress was extremely attentive. My favorite meal while visiting Williamsburg.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Very good food and service was friendly for our first night at the Williamsburg Lodge..

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  4. MrsM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great time at The Lodge at Colonial Williamsburg's seafood boil and Whiskey tasting. The fresh crab legs, shrimp and came were fabulous, the mini-deserts were a great accompaniment, too. We also enjoyed the samples of rue based cocktails courtesy of Copper Fox Distillery.

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  5. SusieD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 7, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was incredible!! Service was fabulous! The music was very nice - not too loud, nice to relax with and eat.

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  6. KathrynH

    Dallas

    6 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 16, 2019

    overall2food2service2ambience1
    All the charm of a dining room in an old folks home. It's actually just a room off a bar. Service was very slow. I am shocked that this is a Marriott hotel, and this is the best they can do for a hotel restaurant.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Charlotte

    9 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2019

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    For a restaurant attached to a Autograph Collection Hotel the selection was very limited. The service was slow and when our meals arrived mine looked ok but the underside was burned black. The side was so dried out the Lima beans were crisp - literally crunchy. My husband’s steak was well instead of medium rare. Our waitress vanished and only returned with our check once our glasses were empty and our patience exhausted. Very disappointing.

    1 person found this helpful

  8. Disappointed

    Richmond

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2019

    overall2food1service4ambience5
    what a shame. . . ST&B could be an easy 'go to' place for a casual meal in a terrific setting, but it is disappointing. The food selection is poor with too few items to choose from on the menu and the quality of the food is just fair. My husband and I frequently eat out Sunday nights and agree to try ST&B again every few months. We are always disappointed. I date the beginning of our dissatisfaction with the take over by the Marriott hotel chain. Before then, even though the menu was never extensive, there was always a good selection and everything was well-prepared. Sad to say, that is no longer the case.

    3 people found this helpful

  9. ElleF

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    1.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2019

    overall1food1service2ambience2
    The worst meal we’ve had in Williamsburg. We’ve saved coming here for Sunday fried chicken night and for the price we were not expecting a thigh and a drum (I thought breast and dark meat was pretty customary), and the fry on it was so so pale. It completely lacked flavor and it was clear little to no seasoning was used in the batter. The coleslaw was the same (all mayo, no seasoning) and was inedible. The fried green tomato app was fine, but the greens on it tasted like dirt. Very disappointing, especially for the price tag- went home and made ourselves sandwiches that were so much better. Lesson learned.

    2 people found this helpful

  10. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    2.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2019

    overall2food2service2ambience2
    This place is pretty much down to serving bar food at inflated prices. Gone are the days when the Williamsburg Lodge had a good dinner venue. The people that work there are what’s left of the Lodge before it was taken over by Marriott. My heart bleeds for them as they are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Colonial Williamsburg better wake up to the realities of this place under Marriott before they loose their repeat local to Virginia customers.

    1 person found this helpful

  11. SoonipiLady

    Richmond

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Sat on the patio, very nice setting. Food was great, especially the taco Tuesday special

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  12. Lolly

    San Diego

    12 reviews

    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2019

    overall3food4service1ambience4
    This property is convenient for hotel guests. Went there twice. The service is oncredibly slow and inattentive. Food was good though not very hot.

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  13. MaryC

    Orlando

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2019

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Cozy. It was just right after our long drive to Williamsburg. Loved the feel of the hotel and loved that it was QUIET and I could talk to my family. The black eye pea hummus wrap was delightful.

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  14. JaneM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2019

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Wonderful staff who always makes us feel at home. Thank you for so many special times.

    1 person found this helpful

  15. ElizabethS

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 15, 2019

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    After a long day of exploring Williamsburg we decided on the convenience of dining at our hotel. The service was just ok, but the food was mediocre at best and very much overpriced. If we return to the Williamsburg Lodge, we will definitely take our meals elsewhere.

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  16. JW2019

    Richmond

    10 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2019

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    I went 2 nights in a row hoping for a different experience and it was; both terrible. It took 2 tries to get the order right and then the food was cold and mediocre. The staff is pleasant but unattentive.

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  17. HowardC

    Richmond

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 18, 2019

    overall3food2service5ambience5
    We have eaten at this restaurant many times, as well as Traditions at the same property. The menu has changed. Yes there are burgers and sandwiches, but the full dinner selection is one daily menu item. That particular night, Ribs. There was an additional offer of Rock Fish, but thats all. Traditions is breakfast and lunch only, Sweet Tea and Barley "Dinner" and light bar type food. Essentially, no evening dinner at the Williamsburg Lodge. The service was excellent as expected, with apology for our disappointment. The Ribs, adequate at best, The Rock Fish overdone, presentation was excellent. My dessert choice unavailable, they had run out at 6:00 PM (?) Sorry for the negative review, but I expect more from Colonial Williamsburg and Marriott. We who have been customers for 45 years still support CW and may not be very happy with all the management changes and cost reduction.

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  18. AnnB

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2019

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Nice dining for hotel guests. Could be more options for dinner.

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  19. MichaelL

    Los Angeles

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2016

    overall4food5service2ambience4
    Great place for Jazz and a snack. House band was really good, and they filled the room without overpowering it. Appetizers [we had 4] and soup we had was excellent. Nice modern venue in the Hotel.

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  20. Carla

    Detroit

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on December 8, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food, service and entertainment was quite enjoyable. Boisterous atmosphere for the holiday.

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  21. JeanieS

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 3, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved the food, loved the waitress, loved the setting,

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  22. DEAH

    Philadelphia

    7 reviews

    1.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 3, 2016

    overall1food1service2ambience2
    The service was extremely slow. We had to ask for our meal after 45 minutes. This was only a salad and burger. Both were awful when we finally got them. Asked for our check and after another 15 minutes received it! Would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.

    1 person found this helpful

  23. Dracian

    Philadelphia

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 2, 2016

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    We love the old world feel of Williamsburg. The food was great and had some interesting combinations. The hot buttered rum is wonderful.

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 26, 2016

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Service was excellent. Band was amazing. Food was good. Disappointed in cocktails. They were watery, not very flavorful and expensive. Overall had a great time.

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  25. foxnail64

    Richmond

    23 reviews

    2.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on November 13, 2016

    overall2food2service3ambience2
    Disappointing. I expected more. Sadly, this is just a typical hotel eatery. The food was overpriced for the quality, there really was no ambiance, but the service and hospitality was great.

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  26. Golfer

    Greater Boston

    30 reviews

    2.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2016

    overall2food1service1ambience2
    Waitress was not with it. Bratty kids at next table and the parents were oblivious to their behavior. Food was not great. Hummingbird Cake was the best part of the meal!!

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  27. JohnS

    Washington DC

    27 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2016

    overall1food1service5ambience1
    Terrible food. Terrible Entertainment. Terrible prices. Terrible atmosphere. The waiter, Mr Vick, was the only redeeming feature. We stayed because of his mannerisms, professional behavior, and personality.

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  28. Bethhuff59

    Philadelphia

    82 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    82 reviews

    Dined on October 23, 2016

    overall3food4service3ambience2
    Parking a challenge. Seemed to be a convention. Too loud to think. Asked waitress about the bean and barley soup. When asked about what type of bean, she said barley. I explained barley was a grain. She so didn't get it. Mac and cheese bland and average at best. Burgers were incredibly good. Had a tough time getting the check.

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  29. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 21, 2016

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    My husband and I had been there once before and liked the ambience, especially the live music. I took a group of friends there last weekend, and although we sat in the back room, the music was too loud to talk. So, apparently it works for some but not for others.

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  30. AnnM

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 19, 2016

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Located in hotel so no driving required. Seemed short staffed when we were there. Very pretty setting outside.Sandwiches were big and very tasty.

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  31. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 17, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Kathryn our waitress is outstanding!

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  32. JayB

    Cincinnati

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 16, 2016

    overall3food3service2ambience2
    This place had some problems that were just for the night (dead kitchen printer so the chef wasn't getting the orders automatically) and some problems that are systemic. The systemic problems are that the bar (which you have to walk through to get to the dining room) noise just flows right into the dinning room, the staff is way over-burdened (2 people to serve the entire room!), and because it's a small restaurant in a largish hotel, not a place you can just walk up to without a reservation (without a res it was a 50 minute wait, with a res I made 7 minutes earlier, it was seating right away). The food ranges from excellent to just OK. The appetizer of pretzels was fantastic. They cut them in half lengthwise and lightly fry in butter - yum! The entree was passable but pretty uninspired - both my wife and I had the pork, which was basically just a pork chop with some nice sauce on it, some pretty good mac and cheese, and collard greens for my wife while I went with a mixed veggie blend that came near heat once but was basically raw. We skipped desert so have no opinion on that. All that said and despite the overworking of the wait staff, our waitress was excellent - slow because of the work she was expected to do, but much better than I would have thought anyone could be under the circumstance. Overall, this not precisely a bad restaurant, but better can be had for around the same price within a 5 minute walk (think: anything at the Inn or even a tavern in the historic city).

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  33. BarbaraM

    Richmond

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 13, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I was on vacation with a friend. This is a fairly new restaurant in our hotel and it was our first experience there. We had a delightful location - a small, round table and two high-backed armchairs beside a window. Very comfy! Our server was excellent, efficient and friendly. The food was delicious; my friend had a chicken dish with rice and vegetables, while I had a small steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The steak was six ounces, a perfect size for me. The smallest steak I've seen on a menu has been eight ounces, which is sometimes just a tad too much for me. The wine we had was lovely. Whenever we next return to Williamsburg, Virginia, we will definitely dine here again. We're still thinking of it.

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  34. Timm

    Washington DC

    61 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    61 reviews

    Dined on September 30, 2016

    overall2food2service2ambience2
    This is located in the Williamsburg Lodge, so it was a lazy choice for a late supper. The calamari was bland but made better by a horseradish sauce. The charcuterie was best described as unoriginal and was highlighted by average cornichons if that tells you how great the platter was. Food in any of the official Williamsburg restaurants has declined over the years. It's time for attention to quality. Service was uninspired and without connection.

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 22, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love GOOD SHOT JUDY!! We will be back to hear them many times.

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  36. MaryL

    Charlotte

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2016

    overall3food3service4ambience2
    They are quite disorganized. AND there is only one stall in the Ladies Room. If you REALLY need to go, you should have a room in the hotel you can dash to!

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  37. MiriamT

    Richmond

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2016

    overall5food3service4ambience5
    It was nice the pretzels amazing we love this restaurant the ambiance to be in Williamsburg colonial is wonderful.

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  38. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 1, 2016

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    We had a delightful evening! We started in the bar area and did not leave. We had dinner reservations in the dinner area but ended up staying in the bar area. Kathryn, our waitress was delightful. The band, Good Shot Judy, unbelievable! If you can see them, do so! I had a Silver Patron Margarita from the bar. A little pricey, but very good. The dinner was very good. The fried calamari was a little soggy and I attribute that the serving dish they used, but also very good -- ate it all. The burgers were perfectly fixed to order and very good. The fries were especially great!

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  39. BillB

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Nice comfortable casual lounge. Great entertainment; two guitars, music from last year to 1956. Many people came in for dessert and entertainment. The scallops and salmon that I had were great! I will go back when in Williamsburg.

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 13, 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Pleasant dining experience with notable chairs, which gave a high class look and comfort while eating. Server was gracious, but courses came out too quickly. Also, ordered a $40 bottle of wine, which came out with a screw top, not a cork. We still appreciate wines with corks and proper opening procedures. Duo was playing entertaining music in the bar, which was pleasing in the background. Lovely setting, but the restaurant staff could fine tune their training a bit.

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FAQs

Sweet Tea and Barley offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (757) 220-7688.

Sweet Tea and Barley is rated 4.3 stars by 64 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Sweet Tea and Barley

310 S. England St, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Francis Street
  • Neighborhood
    Colonial Williamsburg
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Southern
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Justin Haynes
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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