4 Best Restaurants in Williamsburg and Hampton Roads, Virginia

Aromas

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The cool name is rather appropriate—if you weren't hungry before entering this cozy place, you will be after the enticing smells reach you. A rich-looking dining room outfitted with plush leather couches and stone walls makes you want to linger. Breakfast burritos and Belgian waffles are nice ways to start the day. Or end it with Southern caramelized barbecued shrimp over a mound of grits, and snack on fondue. You can even order a colorful cake if you're celebrating a special occasion.

College Delly

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It's easy to forget that this is a college town, but this cheerful dive keeps up the school spirit. The white-brick eatery is dark and scruffy inside. Walls are hung with fraternity and sorority pictures, graduation snapshots, and sports-team photos. Booths and tables are in the William and Mary colors of green and gold. Deli sandwiches, subs, specialty pizzas, pasta, stromboli, and Greek dishes are all prepared with fresh ingredients and are all delicious, and there's a wide selection of beers on tap. The Delly delivers free to nearby hotels from 6 pm to 1 am.

Doumar's Barbecue

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After he introduced the world to its first ice cream cone at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Abe Doumar founded this drive-in institution in 1934. It's still operated by his family. Waitresses carry to your car the specialties of the house: barbecue, limeade, and ice cream in waffle cones (made according to an original recipe).

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Taste Coastal Gourmet Market & Cafe

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Located at City Center, this is a great place for lunch. The interior has tall ceilings with exposed ducts and shelving with exotic sauces and dips to sample and buy. Affordable fresh sandwiches, soups, and salads can be made by their suggestions—or make up your own. The grilled chicken salad with grapes and celery is very Virginia. Add fresh cucumbers and balsamic vinaigrette for a twist. Other choices include Virginia ham, roasted red peppers, and Chesapeake crab cakes. The food is fresh and local, and they even have gluten-free choices. They offer boxed lunches to take while exploring the area and deliveries to hotel rooms.