We spent the day in Colonial Williamsburg and decided to eat in the area. Amber Ox is a farm to fork restaurant with seasonal favorites. We did not have a reservation, but easily found a table at the bar. The servers were personable and super helpful. We actually enjoyed sitting in the bar area watch the various trays exit the kitchen window. Mixed drinks had a fresh taste. We ordered the pimento cheese dip ( savory) and the soft" melt in your mouth "biscuits served with an array of butter/spreads. The beet salad was earthy in a good way with a great mix of beets, nuts, brie cheese,and fresh greens. The smoked chicken was not dry with a smoked flavor . The creamy greens had an excellent texture . I actually ate all of the grits ( I am usually not a fan of grits). They had a mashed potato taste/texture and were amazing! read more

Sophie was one of the best (best?) servers I have had in memory.Every request was meant with a smile and a 'yes'. She was engaging, accurate, timely. Food was delicious and hot. Cocktails unique and tasty. You folks know how do it right. You could teach a few other, similarly-priced, local restaurants a thing r two.Thank you. read more

A short walking distance from the market shops and historic district of colonial Williamsburg. One of the few places open on a Monday night. We didn't have reservations and were told there was a 60-90 minute wait, but there was immediate seating in the bar - both at the bar and at the community tables (we remained the only people at our table throughout our meal) Kyle was a friendly server. Gave good suggestions for meals and wine. My husband said the shrimp and grits was in the top three he'd ever had - and he's had a LOT of shrimp and grits. My burger was fine. Too large to finish. Highly recommended. read more

Amber Ox Public House - Shrimp and grits - American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

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Amazing fresh, made from scratch, quality food. Very nice atmosphere. And Sophie was the best, she was very helpful and knowledgeable of everything offered on the menu and her recommendations. Sean & Sandra M. read more

Amber Ox Public House - Beercan chicken and Porkchops - American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

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I've been to the Amber Ox four times. First time was for brunch and it was really good. The biscuit board is amazing and I could eat that every day. Second time, I sat at the bar and got the fig and prosciutto salad which was good but way overpriced and the pork chop with grits and greens which was excellent. While I was at the bar, the guy next to me had an amazing looking steak frites and I knew I wanted to try that next time I came. True to my word, I got the steak frites and couldn't have been more disappointed. It came with fingerling potatoes and broccolini, and I asked for it medium rare with carrots instead. A food runner brought it out instead of my server, and not only was it medium well at best, they forgot my potatoes. I didn't see my server for 25 minutes and had to ask someone else to find her. By the time they did, my dining companion finished their meal and I didn't want to make them wait for them to fire a replacement and watch me eat. So I ended up having carrots for dinner. They comped my meal and gave me a $25 gift card. About a month later, I was back in town and wanted to use my gift card. This time, they changed the cut to a ribeye (which I love) with a compound butter and fries. Again, a runner brought it out not my server, and again it was overcooked and they forgot a component (this time the garlic butter). The ends were completely well done, while most of the steak was medium well. Only the two center pieces were medium rare, but they also had thick gray bands. This time, I was able to flag my server and the manager came over. She agreed it was cooked improperly and offered to have another made for me. Since I was dining alone and hungry, I agreed. I pointed out to her that they served it sliced, so the line cook knew it was overcooked but served it anyway. The expediter didn't check it and didn't flag the missing garlic butter. The food runner could have caught these things as well, but just brought it out. Three people had an opportunity to catch it, but again I got an overcooked steak. She said I was right on every point and would take care of it. The replacement was okay. Cooked more medium rare and with the butter this time, but either the steak or he butter were too cold as it didn't melt on the steak. The fries were also tempted at best and not crispy nor well seasoned. It was fine, but certainly not worth the $60 they were charging for it. I've had better steaks for more than half the price at Texas Roadhouse. The manager comped my meal, so it was good enough for a comped meal. Still having the gift card, I went to the bar for a drink. They have an impressive whiskey list with some really good prices and others that are too pricy. I got a two ounce pour of E.H. Taylor Single Barrel for $28 which isn't outrageous. On the flip side, they have Russell's 13 Year for $45 when I can get it for $30 across town. They also don't update their whiskey list regular. Both times I sat at the bar, I noticed bottles on the shelf that weren't on the list (e.g. Stagg, Thomas Handy, etc.) So do yourself a favor and look before you order. While I had two positive experiences, their inability to cook a steak coupled with the same poor experience twice in a row means I would be going back. Stick to brunch or things they don't have to cook to temperature. read more

Amber Ox Public House - Steak frites ordered medium rare, came out with some parts well done, most medium well, and only the very center cooked right. - American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

The food is amazing but it's also the staff (from Nicole the general manager, the friendly hostesses who welcome you with warm smiles and prompt check-in, to Ram our attentive server) who make our family feel so special, from the time of booking to the time you leave with bellies full and content. Excellent farm to table brunch menu with the freshest ingredients. Whether indoor or outdoor, the setting is inviting and comfortable. Even the music in the background was great while the noise level was perfect to still have easy conversations. This is forever our go-to brunch spot whenever we visit Williamsburg. read more

Was back in town and stopped in for brunch with friends. We sat at the bar, and everyone we interacted with was genuinely kind and brought such positive energy. It was hands-down a better experience than my last visit. The atmosphere: Super busy for Sunday brunch, so plan ahead and make a reservation. Parking can be limited, especially when the farmer's market is happening. Most parking is street parking, with a few spots available at the nearby police station during market hours. The food: I ordered the Benedict Burger to split with my friend, and it was huge. Super flavorful and cooked to a nice medium-well. Definitely shareable. The fries were delicious, and the egg on top was perfectly cooked. I wouldn't have expected it to work so well, but it was such a great combo. The service: Sitting at the bar was a great choice. Our server was friendly, helpful, and really added to the experience. read more

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Excellent farm to table food, drinks & atmosphere. Looking forward to the speak easy!

We came here for dinner after arriving in Williamsburg for the weekend and this beautiful restaurant definitely set the tone for an amazing weekend. For drinks we got the bartenders choice which at the time was like an herbal old fashioned and I got the Sage it ain't so, both drinks were delicious! The food really stole the show though, and that too mainly the appetizers. Their biscuit board was phenomenal (and I have high standards for biscuits since I'm from the south) and their pimento mac and cheese hit the spot. The chicken and dumplings and shawarma cauliflower steak was also delicious. Service was great, we sat at the bar and our bartender gave wonderful suggestions. When choosing where to eat, the thing that sealed the deal for us coming here was the fact that they have a mini speakeasy called The Study. We went there after dinner for another drink (we got the Perfect Martini and Flower Flame) and macaron and really enjoyed our time. All in all, we were blown away by this restaurant and would absolutely recommend! read more

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Wow, this is must go to restaurant when in Williamsburg,VA I tried the wings ( twice) - oak smoked w a house rub. Top 10 best wings ever. Also tried the pork chop- delicious. The cheesy grits were amazing. Great staff! If youre driving south and want a detour then grab a room and go have dinner right across from The college of William and Mary read more

Freaking YES do I recommend this business. The vibes were ELITE. We sat outside and were served by the friendliest/nicest waiter. We were there during restaurant week last year and I ordered off of their special menu; I got a blackened fish dish that was bomb (but sadly not on their normal menu). My husband had some burger that was delicious. For dessert we had gotten some kind of sesame icecream cookie sandwich that was incredibly creative! I had never had anything like it before; come here if you are interested in a unique and delicious take on your fav American food. I'm sorry I don't have any photos to share! read more

Sometimes expectations cause such a let down that it's difficult to find the positives! We stopped in for an early dinner and although greeted with a smile from the hostess, the employees standing around her were anything but friendly or welcoming. We opted for the bar seating that was open to the patio so thanked her and sat ourselves. There was one other couple at the bar, one couple outside and we counted 8 employees milling about, chatting with each other and awkwardly leaning against counters staring into the restaurant. We waited 7 minutes to be greeted, that's seriously a long time in an empty bar! Our very disinterested server finally showed up, dropped menus and disappeared again! Do we stay, do we go? The place has an awesome vibe, the decor is fresh and the menu was seriously promising so we stayed! Quick rundown on the food: Crispy Fingerling Potatoes presented well but had a reheated taste with a burnt oil aftertaste; the Squash Soup was delicious but was lukewarm, needed to be either hot or cold; Shrimp & Grits lacked any flavor other than the andouille which was a bit overdone; the Rockfish didn't hit the menu marks at all with a sprinkling of nuts on top, skin on the bottom the texture of jerky, little to no flavor and no chow chow to be found, just mounds of kale! Definitely not up to the hype but a beautiful spot with great cocktails! read more

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09.24.25 Amber Ox Public House I was browsing Yelp for dinner options and almost chose another restaurant, but the reviews there were mostly negative. Instead, I found Amber Ox -- and I'm extremely glad we came here. We arrived around 5:30. There were plenty of tables both inside and outside, but as usual we chose to sit at the bar. The hostess led us over, and all four bartenders greeted and welcomed us right away -- a great first impression. The drink menu really stood out. Each cocktail is hand-crafted with fresh ingredients, and even the bitters are made in-house. I ordered the AO Old Fashioned -- wow, very tasty. While deciding on dinner, we went with the highly recommended Potted Pimento Cheese appetizer. It came out beautifully presented: house-made cheese with a touch of pimento jelly, served with fresh, homemade "everything" crackers. Spreading the cheese and jelly on those crackers was surprisingly delicious. For dinner, we shared the AO Bacon Burger with fries. The burger looked fantastic, and everything tasted great. I even spread a little of the leftover pimento cheese on my half of the burger -- that took it to another level. For dessert, we tried the Chocolate Mousse Cake with ice cream. It was very good, though I expected a creamier mousse with a darker chocolate finish. Still enjoyable. Overall, our experience at Amber Ox was excellent. On top of the great food and drinks, we met a wonderful young lady sitting next to us at the bar. We had a very enjoyable evening talking with her -- this is exactly why we love sitting at the bar: the chance to meet people, share stories, and even pick up some travel tips. We'll definitely be back! read more

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This is our second time having Brittany as our server and she is simply the BEST. It was our fourth visit overall and the food was delicious as always. Only negative comment is when I received a call to confirm our reservation a couple of days prior, my only request was a non-high top table. Guess where we were sat? A high top table. It would be helpful to take those notes from the customer and actually put them into the reservation. Overall it didn't dampen the evenings' experience (it was a preference) and we will definitely be back. read more

I know people seem to be raving about Amber Ox but my partner and I went at lunch time and weren't that impressed with what we ordered. We made a reservation the night before and had to sit outside, which was fine. We ordered the AO burger and the prosciutto and fig salad to split, our bill came to $50 dollars with tip. The actual burger was not seasoned, the ingredients were quality but the flavor was not there. It came with fries & ketchup which were okay, not crispy, reminded me of five guys. The fig salad was good, nothing special, had a total of 1 1/2 figs on there. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing? I am not sure I'd recommend. read more

Amber Ox Public House - AO Burger and Fig and Prosciutto Salad - American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

Awesome food selections as well as craft brews. And the staff was friendly and accommodating.

We got into Williamsburg late on a Thursday and quickly searched for a place to dine. We found this place on Prince George Street and it was lit up with outside string lights and there were several patrons dining outside; so we decided to give it a try. When we approached the hostess she said that everything was closing except the bar area, but we could order food in there. It was about 8:30, and the bar area was quite busy. We found a long bar table that was meant for a large group or sharing, it was a beautifully-made table of a unique, curved piece of wood. As soon as we sat down a friendly server came over and offered to wipe down our table and give us food and drink menus. He also explained that they are a farm to table restaurant that has their own bakery and their own farm. They had several local beers on the menu and he recommended a Pilsner style. I asked for a sample and one was brought over quickly. My husband ordered their signature old-fashioned made with Four Roses bourbon and I decided to go with the beer that they suggested. My husband said the old-fashioned was good; but it was kind of small. (Single finger pour) I decided to get the AO burger that came with onion jam and French fries. The burger was delicious, although very messy! (I had to request extra napkins.). The bun was fresh and tasty, and the beef patty was cooked to perfection and really thick! I also enjoyed the onion jam, which I added to my burger, and the French fries. My husband had the fried catfish and grits which he devoured! He said the catfish was flaky and flavorful and grits were creamy and had just the right texture. All during dining several servers checked on us and the bartender, Samara, was friendly and attentive! Amber Ox was our first dining experience in Williamsburg and it set the standard pretty high! I'd love to come back if we are in the area and enjoy a meal on their outside patio. read more

Amber Ox Public House - Catfish and grits - American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

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Not only was the ambience brilliant, and the food absolutely exceptional, but the service was on point! Kid friendly, and welcoming of all, with a wide range of items on the menu, even if a small menu, and of course, the drink menu was amazing, with options for every palate and even NA options too. We had a Saturday reservation for 1630 and while early, I'm glad we went at that time because it was very busy as we departed. Quite a top notch spot, love the local focus; we will def be back. read more

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The decor is beautiful and the vibe is perfect for brunch with family and friends. The food was delicious, though a bit salty for me personally, especially the smoked chicken wings, but everything else was great! Our server, Madison, was incredibly friendly and provided excellent customer service. read more

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Atmosphere, Food, and Service! Our waitress was gracious, helpful and happy to serve. read more

Amber Ox Public House - Epic hamburger with fries. - American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

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Service was great. There wasn't seating but bar and communal seating were available. Came here on a Saturday on a whim, not too hungry but had to get done protein! Ordered the brunch board, more than enough for 1 seating! Crackers were rectangular larger than typical, very generous heaping of ham and smoked salmon, all different kinds of fire ads or cheese, love the cheese that was grated and had cranberries, 2 warm biscuits, shaved cucumbers, pickled onions, apple cinnamon spread - just great value good for $22. Will definitely come back for dinner. read more

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Stopped in for dinner, started at the bar while waiting for the rest of my party to arrive. They feature distilled spirits produced in VA and have a decent selection of them. They also have an interesting cocktail list. Their dinner menu is loaded with some great selections, both in the starter and the entrée lists. We had a tough time deciding, so we got a few things to share and try out. Their wings were really good, nice and smokey. Their ham board was great and nicely curated. Gazpacho was fresh, but a little too watery for my liking and I also would have preferred no bacon in it, but the flavor was decent. I also tried their burger, which was beautifully built and tasted decent. Service was excellent... Sophie did an excellent job taking care of our table too! Definitely would return! read more

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It's been some time since I've been to The Amber Ox Public House in Williamsburg, Virginia, so one Saturday morning my Gubbing Buddies and I decided to pay them a visit and try out the brunch. The restaurant has several menus and is often frequented by William & Mary college students, their parents, as well as visitors to the historic city to indulge in the incredible brunch spread served every Saturday and Sunday. One member of our Grubbing Group started off with an AO Benedict Burger, while another one dug into her plate of an incredible original styled French Cinnamon Pear French Toast. A third "groupie" ordered the Oak Smoked Wings and House Pork Belly, and another savored her Biscuits & Gravy with bacon braised greens. The wait staff was wonderful, treated us as true guest, and attentive, Lilly, our hostess was also there to make our day even more enjoyable. We definitely will be returning to the Amber Ox for its modern, southern fare and tasty meals. read more

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I was in town for a conference and my colleague reserved dinner for a few of us here. It wasn't on my radar, so I'm SO glad she did! It was a nice walk from colonial williamsburg hotels. I liked the space, a mix of small tables, a whole side for the bar/more tables, and a long shared wooden table great for groups. The staff was amazing - super friendly, prompt, and explained everything for us. We all got drinks, and they were all so good! They had mocktails as well, which I appreciated. The food - delicious! I still think about that biscuit board. This place will definitely be on my list whenever I visit the area. read more

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Wow! I wish we could just pick up this restaurant and drop it in my town along with its staff. My friend and I sat at the bar and had some drinks and dinner. The bartenders were super friendly. I ordered the Chesapeake Bay Rockfish. It came with butternut squash puree on the bottom, topped with farro, some veggies, the fish and what appeared to be craisins on top. Wow that dish was delicious and very filling! I also ordered a side of biscuits with the honey whipped ricotta. The ricotta was ok but it was extra and not worth it in my opinion. It was nice to chat with the staff and get recommendations on some local night life. Will definitely come back whenever I'm in town again. Loved it! read more

Amber Ox Public House - Chesapeake Bat Rockfish with biscuits and - American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

We went on a Sunday around 2 o'clock and thought they would have lunch menu, but was mostly a brunch menu. They are true farm to table and they graze a lot of the meat they serve. we get to have a cocktail because we were driving through town, but they look scrumptious. Do we did have the pork belly and we could've taken a bath and it was so good. My partner had the avocado toast and enjoyed it and I had the hollandaise for Benedict hamburger which I also enjoyed, but unfortunately, both of our eggs were overcooked on our dishes. We shared that with the waiter and he apologized, but I feel like he should've done more. We will definitely be back. We definitely wanna try more. read more

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The restaurant is tucked away near the William and Mary campus, off street parking was available at the time of my visit. Matt, the bartender was friendly and attentive. I ordered the wings with a side order of grits. The wings had a nice smoky flavor which was flavorful. The shop stopper were the pickles that came with it. They were sweet and crunchy. The grits were nice and creamy. read more

Amber Ox Public House - Menu - American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

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Cute little spot in DT Williamsburg. Loved the exposed brick walls and leather boots. Lots of fun cocktail options- including several mocktails. The service was great but the food was just ok. read more

Amber Ox Public House - American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

The service was excellent! Our server was very attentive (all while managing another larger party) and super friendly. The food was delicious with large portions. Thankfully, we had enough space to park our stroller in the covered patio. read more

The food and service at Amber Ox was impeccable. I ordered a blue cheese salad and it was absolutely delicious. I also had the fried roasted wings! They were very filling and cooked to perfection. For dessert I tried the chai cheesecake and it was to die for! The server was very friendly and personable. Her recommendations were great. I truly enjoyed the overall ambiance of the restaurant. It was very clean and welcoming. The next time I'm in The 'burg I will definitely be stopping here! read more

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The Amber Ox Public House was such a treat -- the kind of dinner that made us glad we were headed to the Winter Lantern Festival to walk it off. We kicked things off with their drop biscuits, and let me tell you... game over already. Warm, fluffy, and served with salted butter, apple butter, winterberry preserves, and honey-whipped ricotta. So good. We decided to share an entrée and went with the 1/2 beer-can chicken, marinated in Precarious Beer and smoked -- juicy, flavorful, and cooked perfect. So moist. The sides absolutely stole the show. The pimento mac & cheese was rich and comforting, and the collard greens... hands down the best I've ever had. Cooked with ham and finished in a creamy sauce that I'm still thinking about because I need to recreate this dish. And yes, more biscuits showed up. Bless. For dessert, they surprised us with a complimentary Chocolate Mousse Bar for our anniversary -- and oh my lanta . Thick brownie base, rich chocolate mousse, chocolate ganache, extra chocolate drizzle, and caramelized banana ice cream. Completely over the top in the best way possible. We were stuffed... and still ate every bite. I also had a glass of their AO mulled wine, served hot and cozy -- so good. Everything about the night was top notch. The staff was incredibly kind, the food is locally sourced, and you can feel the care put into every detail. If you're visiting Colonial Williamsburg, go here. Make a reservation. Come hungry. And don't plan on needing dessert anywhere else after. This is one of those meals that reminds you why good food, good company, and slowing down still matter. read more

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We had an excellent meal here on a recent Saturday night. Our group of three ordered several apps to share: biscuit board, pork meatballs, and smoked wings. All were very delicious! Great beer selection, too. Decent service, reasonable prices. Reservations recommended. read more

To this day they are still amazing! The wings are amazing! Get the wings! No matter the time we went we were always taken care off and the food was fantastic. We loved sitting in their outdoor patio they have, as long at the heat lamps are set up just perfect. If you're in the area, Amber Ox needs to be on the list. read more

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It's been 7 years. Before my wife passed away we would go twice a year. Took a road trips to Newport News to see relatives. Had to stop at the wonderful Amber Ox. Was not disappointed. Sat at bar. Great burger and ale. Some changes but for the good. Also wonderful wait staff Every one very friendly. This is the ham platter to share. read more

First, the server was amazing and gave us a taste of cherry cider to start. The biscuits for an appetizer was so yummy with jam and apple butter to add. I ordered catfish with grits. The sauce had a little kick and paired well with the onions and catfish. Dessert was a brownie type pie with a perfect crust. The ambience was warm. The only hiccup was we arrived 10 minutes early for a reservation and the restaurant hadn't opened yet. We were allowed to sit in the waiting area but the hostess gave us attitude. She smiled warmly when we left from lunch. Overall, I highly recommend! read more

Amber Ox Public House - Brownie with homemade chocolate ice cream - American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

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My husband and I enjoyed a wonderful date night at Amber Ox! The ambience was perfect- not too dark, not too loud, but still moody and enjoyable. Our server was very helpful and kind, but not pushy or annoying. We ordered the chicken wings, harvest salad, and fried catfish and grits. Everything was EXCELLENT! We would 100% return to this restaurant and order exactly the same thing. The food will be something I remember and crave for a long time :). Pictured is my mulled wine (perfect)- my husband got a fantastic house-brewed beer. read more

Amber Ox Public House - Mulled wine - American Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

Decent American food. We visited Amber Ox Public House on a Friday night, and it was packed. The decor is minimalist with wood tables and white brick walls. I tried the crime of passion to drink, we split the heirloom tomato toast and the oak smoked wings, and I ordered the cauliflower steak as a main. The crime of passion was disappointing with a strong tart flavor without much complexity. The heirloom tomato toast was tasty with a good complement of flavors. The oak smoked wings were moist with an excellent dry rub that paired well with the ranch dipping sauce. The cauliflower steak had some interesting sauces but was pretty watery altogether. Overall, I think the food at Amber Ox Public House is hit-or-miss, and I was not impressed with the drinks. read more

Trendy spot - be sure to get a reservation! The wings were amazing - as was the biscuit sampler! Service is great and lots of cocktails to choose from. read more

Get the biscuit flight! Amazing. Kyle was an excellent waiter in the bar area. The beer can chicken entree was everything! Delicious rockfish over a bed of potatoes with fresh greens and radishes hit it out of the park. We only wish we had room for dessert. read more

We had eaten appetizers before but last night was our first time eating entrees. We shared the half chicken and the rockfish and both were amazing. Large portions with excellent sides. The ambience and service were fantastic as well. My only criticism is they do not have a full bar, with only Virginia liquors available. I'm pretty particular about my cocktails, but that aside 5 stars. read more