The Fat Canary remains our number one choice for a fine dining experience in Williamsburg. The food, service, and ambiance are all excellent. During our most recent meal, we enjoyed the blood orange martinis, the ham and mozzarella appetizer, short ribs, fish special, and crepes dessert, plus a bottle of pinot noir. The restaurant bills a 3.5% surcharge to support the kitchen staff. I would much rather see that incorporated into the menu prices. I don't understand why it's separate. I understand providing a competitive edge to staff, just build it into the prices. read more

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We had an amazing time in the downstairs of Fat Canary. Only negative is that it is hard to get in, must make reservations waay ahead of time. Atmosphere is really modern and nice. Staff were very friendly and the menu options is divine(downstairs). Service was top notch and kudos to the chef, very tatsty. Please excuse some of my pics, i forgot the name of the dish. It was on the downstairs menu. read more

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I was given a gift card for here last year for Christmas and finally got to use it tonight. Reservations for a table were a 2-3 month wait. With that wait, my expectations were a bit high. I must say, Fat Canary fully delivered. From the first bite of my fricassee of rabbit appetizer to the last bite of dark chocolate mousse, each bite was a delectable and tastebud-tantalizing experience. At moment the noise level of the restaurant for a bit high, because even on a Wednesday evening every table was full. The service was excellent and our waiter provided excellent recommendations. read more

Fat Canary - Rock fish special - New American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

We went here for an early Valentine's dinner and it was superb. We had Keith as our waiter and he was just perfect. He was attentive but not overly so. He whisked away dirty dishes almost immediately after we were done. We wanted to share some dishes and he asked the kitchen and they had time and kindly split them for us. They were generous in serving and delicious in taste. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. Everything was excellent. I'm from New Orleans and the dishes we had tonight rivaled any big name restaurant I've eaten at in NO. Bravo chef. Service, food, ambiance. This has become our number 1 here in Williamsburg. read more

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Dinner out for Father's Day; We had reservations but arrived early and were able to be seated immediately. Hosts were very pleasant and accommodating, taking care of our dripping umbrellas for us. We started off with a Mocktail, "The Golden Hour" and a regular cocktail, "The Near West End" both of which were very enjoyable. We enjoy exploring different mixology when out at new places, and these were both a nice treat. Appetizers were Softshell Crab and Braised Rabbit with Mushroom ragout. Delicious! Dinner mains were the special of the day, Halibut, and Duck Breast. Meal was delicious throughout, and we both sampled each other's food. Deserts looked interesting, but we were too full by that point. Maybe next time! The ambiance was very nice, upscale and a little more formal without being pretentious or over the top. Comfortable yet classy. Our server, Melissa, was both kind and considerate, giving us all the time we needed and attentive without being overbearing. Price was, unfortunately, commensurate with higher-end dining. Pricy, but not unexpected, and the meal was worth it, in my opinion. Now I have ot go exerecise to work it off! read more

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Off are their prices steep but it makes sense for this fine dining experience. The food is a little too fancy for my taste, but definitely not bad by any means! This could be a fun date night if you're looking for a fine dining moment. read more

Melissa was our server tonight and she was so sweet to us, providing us time to think over our dinner choices. We started out with our cocktails which were a "Near end" for my husband; though it may have been named something else but it had gin, Rye and both sweet and dry vermouth. I had the Golden mocktail containing coconut milk, pineapple, etc. Appetizers were Rabbit for him and soft shell crab for me. Entrees were Duck for him and the Halibut special for me. Top tier ambiance with soft lighting and very comfortable seats. We were so happy with tonight's dinner. read more

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Ardit was a fabulous waiter. The service and food is excellent as always. The squash soup was out of this world. My wife loves the duck. I got the filet. Everything is out of this world. We took a chance and tried the carrot madeleines. It did not disappoint. Thank you!! read more

Excellent meal and terrific service! The experience was great and we look forward to returning.

This restaurant is a hidden gem! It's tucked away in Colonial Williamsburg and is attached to the cheese shop. The service was phenomenal. The waiters were very friendly and attentive. The manager even came by our table to ask how we were doing. The food was great. The halibut was very flaky and flavorful. The linguine was perfectly cooked. The prices were surprisingly reasonable as well. It's a pretty small restaurant, but it is very quaint. I would definitely make a reservation ahead of time. read more

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This is my second time coming to the fat Canary, my first time was upstairs, and I had an absolutely phenomenal experience. Because I had such a wonderful time I wanted to take my partner to experience it. However, we were short on time, about an hour and a half, so we went downstairs to the wine bar for just a drink. We were quickly sat and our drinks came out promptly. Now, the drinks and the wine selection are amazing. Truly truly, I think the Fat Canary makes some of the best food in and around Williamsburg. However, from the time of asking for the check, it reviewing the check, it took about 40 minutes. During which other tables were sat, other patrons were tabbed out, and drinks were delivered. We eventually went to the bar to get our check because we were now late for our dinner reservation because we waited so long. Maybe it's because I do hold the Fat Canary to such a high standard because I know how good it is/can be, but I was disappointed! But I do recommend it, but I wouldn't plan anything to follow. Make sure you can take your time and savor your experience fully. read more

Fat Canary - New American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

Visited the Fat Canary Downstairs on a rainy day after my plans suddenly changed looking to eat great food with a great cocktail. It was one of those days where I really needed a win. I've heard the Downstairs is amazing and it definitely lives up to the hype. This experience made my day. Located in the wine shop below Merchant's Square, Fat Canary Downstairs offers a cocktail menu, a limited menu as well as the upstairs Fat Canary menu. I started off with a Gold Rush cocktail. It was refreshing and the Makers Mark still shone through. For my meal, I chose the Wagyu Beef Burger. They asked how I'd like it cooked and I said medium. To my delight, it came out a perfect medium. This isn't my experience with burgers at many places, so it was exciting. The burger was flavorful and juicy. The fries were also delicious. The way they were stacked made me laugh when my meal arrived. The plating, while simple, brought some whimsy to the table. My server was very nice and attentive. She checked in on the cocktail and food after each were served and then gave me my space to eat until I looked ready to leave. While it is a small space with few seats for diners, below the fancy Fat Canary, the atmosphere was cool and made me feel like I was in a place slightly out of time, away from the world. My experience wasn't loud or rushed. I had a great time and would definitely come back. read more

Fat Canary - Wagyu Beef Burger - New American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

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We were down in Williamsburg for a short trip and had a lot of people recommend Fat Canary. We weren't able to get a reservation but we tried to call right when they opened. The phone went straight to a busy dial tone. I called about 20 minutes later and someone indicated that they had a table around 7-7:30 downstairs as the main room was all booked up. We would have to come in to put down a name doe the reservation. Luckily we were close by and was able to place our name down for 7 pm. We arrived around 6:45 and kind of hung out in their wine shop until 7:15. They have two menus, their main and then the downstairs menu. My friend ordered a the Bee-Laverdier cocktail which she really enjoyed. For our appetizer, we ordered the Lobster and for our entrees, I ordered the Pan Seared Duck Breast and my friend ordered the Grilled Atlantic Salmon. The Lobster fettuccine dish was okay, the snap peas seemed a little out of place and so did the pistachios. It seemed like it was a really random put together dish and kind of more of a small pasta plate than an appetizer. While the duck and salmon were both cooked beautifully, I found my duck lacking in flavor and the cherry demi glaze seemed more of a jus at the bottom of my plate under the Farro. My friends salmon sat upon Fregula pasta but there was a lot of oil at the bottom of the dish. It also seemed a strange mix with the golden raisins and capers as well. I asked for a recommendation of a wine pairing with the duck and was suggested the Cabernet Sauvignon Quilt. I'm not sure if something had adjusted my palate beforehand but it seemed quite acidic. Overall, a little disappointed as we heard so many great reviews. Not sure if I'd come back to try any of their other items. A cute place with a great atmosphere and a cute wine market downstairs but the food was lacking in our opinion. read more

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We have been dining at this restaurant for 15+ years and we know it is a popular spot, but now they tell us you have to have a reservation to sit at the bar! Isn't bar seating supposed to be first come, first serve? We were just there this past March and bellied up to the bar with no reservation. This restaurant is always packed so don't tell me it was because it was a slow night. The hostess downstairs was fairly rude to us this Saturday by letting us know she's been working there for a while and it's always been this way. The bar was nearly empty but they were holding it for a reservation of 8 people to sit at the bar. We arrived at 8pm and she didn't even ask if we were just having drinks or food & drinks. You can't reserve a spot at the bar in advance like a table, only that day can you reserve a bar seat starting at 4:30 each day. There are too many fine dining establishments and other wonderful restaurants to try and navigate this musical chair nonsense. read more

In Williamsburg from Maryland for Valentine's Day and the long President's Day Weekend. Searched for the best place in town for a romantic, high quality meal for me, my wife and our two young girls. Fat Canary bubbled to the top of the list. Our reservation was for 5:45pm, but I-95 put us at the restaurant at 7:45pm. Despite being two hours past our reservation, the host staff was terribly kind. And thankfully, they were able to accommodate us for dinner. Dave the bar tender attended to us for dinner. He was exceptional. Friendly and attentive. I had the evening's special - rockfish atop a shrimp risotto (who does that!?) with cremini mushrooms and a green chili sauce. Exceptional. Fish cooked perfectly, risotto succulent. Flavor full and well appointed. My wife had the beef wagyu burger. Delicious. Butcher cut fries were crisp. Everything stayed hot throughout the meal, as though the plates were heated! Extensive wine list. We had the white Sancerre with dinner and the rose Sancerre with dessert. Before we left, a white coat from the open kitchen emerged and asked about our girls and our dinner. Tom was so friendly, welcoming, and inspirational with the story of his family's business turned culinary delight for all of us. Lovely time. Thank you Fat Canary. read more

We stopped in here for a quick libation while we waited for our reserved time at another Colonial Williamsburg restaurant. Although they were really busy, they made room for us to grab a drink and go out to their patio. I asked for Deep Eddy's and Melissa suggested their lemon infused vodka with a touch of simple syrup and my partner had a Bourbon concoction that he called "the most interesting drink he has ever had." A salad was left in the bottom of his glass when he was finished. Both were good and we appreciated how accommodating the staff were! read more

Fat Canary - Lemon Infused Vodka and a Bourbon salad...both very good. - New American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

This is a classy place! Definitely need reservations well in advance! Service was PHENOMENAL! Mixed drinks were liquor up extremely well. Food was awesome, I got the salmon and husband got the beef tenderloins. All was cooked to perfection!! The atmosphere is romantic. Need to dress up coming here. We did get dessert it was awesome here. This is a pricey place so be ready to pay for it!! Husband got a 20 yr port wine with his dessert it was aged perfectly. Highly recommend coming here when you want to splurge!!!!! read more

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Sit at the bar, talk to David or the other bartenders, watch them create delicious cocktails, eat fantastic food full of a variety of flavors. Watch the kitchen staff focus and prepare each plate. Others seated at tables appeared to enjoy themselves as well. Reservations a must. It's a $$$ meal if you have drinks. But it's all good. read more

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If you are thinking of visiting Williamsburg area,you should consider Fat Canary. For celebration,birthday,anniversary or just for a last supper). Because of the price point and semi formal atmosphere,this is not a place for totally casual dining. But, I believe that quality is remembered longer than price and Fat Canary delivers quality. Service is first class, they know their clientele,servers are not annoying but always around before you even think of getting anything. Now to the food, Every dish is well thought and precisely worked out. Pork chop dish served with cheese pudding and roasted apples was stunning for my picky eater husband. But my crush was special for the day. Halibut with corn,shrimp and chanterelles mushrooms. It sounds good,but taste was divine. Exquisite fish was given proper recognition,cooked amazingly with beautiful subtle aromas of corn with some sauce which was amazing but not overpowering for the fish. Deserts are creative,almond basil madeleines were very entertaining. Will be back for another special occasion. read more

Fat Canary - Halibut special ( best ever dish with corn,shrimp and chanterelles sitting over mashed potatoes) - New American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

Great meal and ambiance tonight. Sarah was an awesome bartender and server. She recommended great drinks, I had the blood orange margarita. For an appetizer I had the rabbit which was amazing and I had the half chicken for dinner which was slightly light on flavor yet hit home with the succulent chicken. I had the ice cream of the day which was a stout and orange which was unique and delicious. Must go! read more

I've been wanting to have dinner at the Fat Canary for many years. I was not disappointed. A lovely fresh salad and scrumptious halibut with shrimp risotto. The New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was one of the best I've ever tasted. The service was excellent. I was dining alone and was not made to feel like I was cheating the waiter. What a refreshing change from a growing norm. The ambiance is very pleasant. The level of noise was lively but not intrusive. I can't wait to go back! read more

I love Fat Canary! I have visited a few times for dinner, usually when I'm in town for a special occasion or date-night with my husband. It's fairly pricey so I save it for a special night most times and dress accordingly, although you could get by with a smart pair of jeans and nice shirt. I love that they have a seasonal menu made up of fresh/local ingredients and that is changes often so they feature an example on their website but it changes and varies. This means the food is fresh and well thought out. They have some interesting dishes with Rabbit and Duck on the menu as features. It is connected to the wine/cheese shop so you can walk through there to find it or it has it's own entrance open in the evenings. I tend to order their fish entrees and have tried the salmon and scallops a few times and really enjoyed them. Salads are always fresh and delicious. Because this restaurant is themed as French - the desserts are also a highlight with their Profiteroles being my personal favorite as well as anything chocolate mousse. A beautiful spot for a date night. Pro tip - make a reservation for busy weekend nights in prime summer season. It's difficult to get in otherwise. read more

This was our first time and everything was amazing. Our waitress Melissa made several recommendations and everything was spot on

Always a 5 star meal at fat canary my favorite spot to eat in Williamsburg. Also tried the dessert which was delicious highly recommend this place service is great also. read more

Took a few weeks to get a reservation. We were seated upstairs in the main dining room. Downstairs is a bar with wine shop. The downstairs area fills up fast so you need to get there early (3-4pm) to put your name in. The food in general was great. The service was impeccable. I took a star off due to the noise. It was so loud inside that I couldn't carry a conversation with my husband. I'd go back, but preference will be downstairs. read more

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Food, ambiance, service. Will come again for sure! Friendly staff great place!! Menu was perfect mix of choices!

It's been such a long time since I visited Fat Canary, and this visit certainly lived up to what I remembered. The restaurant is located in Merchant's square. It's a beautiful area, and their patio area would have been lovely if the weather had been warmer, but it was a "Virginia" Spring day. We had dinner reservations. Our waitress, Mazen, was AMAZING! She was very knowledgeable about the menu and the specials and recommended a fantastic cocktail: Blood Orange Margarita. It was so good! We shared the appetizers and soup. We had an oyster stew, mozzarella, ham and tomato dish, ginger barbecued pork ribs, and pear, almond and goat cheese salad. Each dish was very tasty, but the ribs were definitely a favorite. They were so tender and flavorful. The cheese and ham were a second. For dinner, I really wanted salmon, but they were sold out. It must be as good as I remember. My second choice was scallops and they so good. They were cooked perfectly and paired well with white beans, leeks, and kale. My husband had the rockfish special and it was delightful. The butter sauce on top was perfection. The pork chop and short ribs ordered by our friends were also very tasty. The pork was cooked to a medium temperature and was very tender. The goat cheese bread pudding was so unique and delicious. Fortunately, we did save room for dessert! The profiteroles with espresso ice cream was so good, however the macadamia nut pie stole the show. The pineapple brûlée was so amazing! I could buy it as a dessert by itself. 5 STARS! Everything at Fat Canary is perfect! It won't be as long before we return next time, and hopefully they'll have salmon! read more

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We ate at the Fat Canary on a Saturday night in July 2023 to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary with family. Eight people, two adults in their 70's, four grown children and a nine year old and five year old grandchildren. Everyone left happy. The soup special was a sweet corn soup with peanuts that was creamy and satisfying. A little too sweet for me but all who had it were totally in love with it. We all had varied entrees. I had short ribs which were some of the best I ever had. (Picture attached). They were served over perfectly prepared basmati rice. My wife had the halibut special and didn't leave a bite. My son in law had the Duck where the skin was crispy and breast juicy and flavorful. My son had the pork chop, double thick and cooked medium ears at the recommendation of the waiter. He was not disappointed. My youngest grandchild wanted the "pink fish" (salmon) and the restaurant accommodated her request for fries rather than the recommended sides. All meals came out within seconds of each other and all were served hot, a compliment to the wait staff and kitchen. The waiter (I never got his name) was attentive, accommodating and sociable. Quality wait staff is indicative of a quality restaurant in my opinion and that was truly the case at Fat Canary. Even the desserts were above average (we ordered an assortment to share) and delicious. My favorite was the bite sized Madeleines served with s berry compote and ice cream. My granddaughters had the lemon and strawberry ice cream recommended by our fabulous waiter. read more

Fat Canary - Short Ribs over balsamic rice. - New American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

One of the beat meals I've ever had. Waiter was awesome. They were so nice. Highly recommend.

Snooty attitude. Beware: customers have a 3% surcharge added to the bill with no forewarning before bill arrives. Why the surcharge? Am told "so our kitchen staff can receive a little bit more." Of course at patron expense. Surcharge can be countered by leaving a less tip overall. This management never learns from previous missteps. As resident, we no longer go to this location for dinner. Good luck if you choose to go. Ask first, "What's in your wallet?" read more

This restaurant was so good and the prices were reasonable. I got the halibut and lobster pasta. The food was hot and so flavorful. The halibut was very flaky and the pasta was so tender. The waitress was very nice and attentive. The manager even came to our table to ask how our food was. It wasn't crowded at all, but I would suggest making a reservation. The restaurant is attached to the cheese shop. It still has an upscale look and ambiance. read more

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We wandered in to Downstairs at Fat Canary on a Friday night and were able to get seated fairly quickly. They offered both a bistro menu and the full menu from upstairs. Sarah, our waitress was a delight and offered her suggestions. My husband enjoyed the rockfish special and I had the pork chop which was accompanied by a goat cheese bread pudding opinions and sautéed apples which was phenomenal! Cocktails were on point! Great ambience and a lovely alternative if you can't get a reservation at the restaurant. read more

The food & drink were top notch and service superb!! Definitely would recommend, but need to make reservations at least 2-3 weeks ahead, or you won't get in! read more

Everything was PERFECT! My 20 yr old daughter is a very picky eater and she had the short ribs...loved them!! Told me "...mom this is literally this best food I have ever had!" Just an all-around excellent dining experience ! Kevin-TY!!! Your years of experience and professionalism made ALL the difference! read more

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This was a nice gem in Williamsburg! We had a group outing during CoViD and the staff was great our server was lovely (can't remember her name, but I loved her stories about her 2 year old). The food was great! The bread was great to start, and everything looked delicious but I wanted to dive right into dinner. I ordered the Beef Tenderloin and it was tender, juicy, and well seasoned. The potato wedges did not do it for me, but that's a personal preference. The green beans were a delightful addition. They offered a vegan meal with 8 different samples. The guests loved the variety I wish the playing was a little more glamorous than 8 scoops of dishes. At the table we also had the rabbit, which had a great flavor, but a lot of bones. The fowl which was nice. My only criticism was how close our table was seated next to others on some sides we were 6 feet apart but others not so much. read more

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Visited on a friends recommendation and it did not disappoint. Took the drive from Virginia Beach and it was worth it. Service and ambiance were great! Would travel again to come here. Everything from the appetizers to the entrees did not disappoint. read more

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The service was fantastic- everyone was very polite and accommodating. The restaurant was cute inside and was connected to a shop. The table we were at was a bit awkward but we came in without a reservation, so we were glad they could get us in. There's a upstairs and downstairs but we only saw upstairs and they are apparently separate vibes/menus. The drinks we had were a great starter and then I had the pork chop with this apple type sauce on it and a goat cheese bread pudding on the side. It was delicious as was our app of the house made mozzarella with ham and pesto. My coworker had the shrimp bowl from the downstairs menu and really enjoyed it as well! Then we finished it off with dessert. I enjoyed the madeleines that had streusel with it and my coworker loved the macadamia nut pie. Everything was above expectations and a great find for our trip! read more

Fat Canary - Dessert - New American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

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We love the Downstairs at the Fat Canary! Amazing food and cocktails! The service is always great too! The shrimp fried rice and the prosciutto caprese dishes are AMAZING! please always keep these items on the menu!!! The only change I'd like is to able to make reservations! read more

Pricey, but still one of the best meals that we've had in Williamsburg. Service, food, and experience were all correct and well-timed.

To the Owners, We arrived in Williamsburg on a Saturday morning. Sadly my significant other had food poisoning and was not having a good day. She remained in bed all day sleeping. Having nothing left in her stomach, by late in the afternoon she was very hungry and weak. She didn't feel at all well but was starving. She thought she might be able to eat some toast and maybe drink some broth. I went out to see what I could find. I stumbled into the Fat Canary, it was around 4:00 and they were not open yet. I saw a gentleman working in the kitchen behind the line. I explained that my significant other was quite ill and was hoping for some broth and toast. Aaron told me to have a seat at the bar and he would see what he could do. I'm sure he was busy, but without hesitation Aaron made a healthy broth concoction with finely diced vegtables an some lovely buttered toast. I brought it back to the hotel and it was just what she needed and well recieved. It did the trick and by the next day she was back on her feet. We stopped by the restaurant to get something to eat and thank Aaron for his kindness. Forgive me for such a long review but we were both so touched and taken back by the kindness. Sadly you don't see this type of kindness and class enough anymore. Thank you Aaron! Sincerely, Ben & Beth read more