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    Ember

    4.6 (61 reviews)
    Open • 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    Ember Photos

    EMBER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Ember

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    Reviews With Photos

    Menu.
    Dennis D.

    This is one of our favorite spots in the Williamsburg area/Embers. It's located near downtown, surrounded by several other great restaurants, but we always seem to find our way back here whenever we get the chance--usually at least once a month. The staff is consistently friendly and welcoming. My wife and I often order the shrimp salad, and it's always outstanding. The drizzle they use is absolutely amazing. We've also enjoyed the scallop risotto, and on this visit, we tried the sushi rolls--every dish has been delicious. It's not just the food that keeps us coming back. The atmosphere is wonderful, the service is excellent, and the overall experience is consistently top-notch. If you're in the Williamsburg area, this place is definitely worth a visit!

    Bread pudding
    Scott D.

    We dinned here twice months ago but I have been traveling extensively for work. The ambiance is first rate, beautiful interior and fantastic bar options. The drinks were very good, so hats off to the bar staff. The first time we went we tried a variety of things but the star of the whole meal was an appetizer. The bone marrow with wagu was so original and fantastic, but so rich. The burrata was a little flat compared to the bone marrow but we will let that slide. Dinner was sushi for my wife and steak for myself. The sushi at this place is some of the freshest you can find, I have only had better in Vegas at Michelin star restaurants. The surf and turf roll is amazing but expensive (the first time), second visit not so much. Someone has forgotten how to season the steak at this place. This happened to my steak on the first trip, my steak had no seasoning. For such an expensive place, I should not be needing to season anything. The deserts were very good but the steak issues have me questioning a return. The first visit everything but my dinner steak was great, the roll with steak was seasoned well but not on the second visit. There is inconsistency here or maybe they are falling pray to people in Williamsburg not enjoying seasoning. I have experienced this was some very well reviewed places before here in Williamsburg. I am keeping my review high as the sushi is first rate but expensive, it might as well be Vegas prices. The steak needs love but I am not going to let that dim the excellent sushi, apps and bar drinks. Overall good experience but minor disappointment from the seasoning issues, should be an easy fix though.

    Lobby
    Sharon W.

    I have been waiting a long time to try this place... The hostess and manager accommodated us being so late in the day .. The waitress didn't really recommend anything special , just kinda took our order and shortly after gave us the check. I got the miso cod and my daughter got the sushi roll but I wasn't wowed . The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated . The seats however are too close for comfort . I don't want to be staring into the eyes of other people when I'm trying to enjoy dinner . Sadly I will not return. I received too many negative stares , and honestly it didnt feel good .

    Shrimp fried rice
    Diamond O.

    Ember is a great new restaurant with a beautiful atmosphere. The ambiance was dark, relaxing, very modern, and chic, making it a great spot for a nice dinner and a more upscale experience. The food was delicious, and there were so many great options on the menu. The scallops, sea bass, and fried rice were standout dishes and definitely must-tries. The service was phenomenal and really elevated the experience. The staff was attentive, welcoming, and made the meal even more enjoyable. Overall, Ember delivered on ambiance, food, and service. Looking forward to coming back!

    Chocolate mousse with salted caramel.. very good. Happy Birthday to me..LOL.
    Dave F.

    Thank You Grace, your service was "top notch" and very friendly and I appreciate your birthday cheer! The food as always, was phenomenal. Espresso Martinis were absolutely perfect. Please keep up the amazing work..Thank You Ember staff.

    Menu
    David O.

    Stopped in on an extremely busy weekend, but fortunately we were able to snag a reservation. Parking is subject to the masses of tourists in Colonial Williamsburg, so be prepared. Very nice upscale setting for Japanese inspired fusion or traditional style. I had my go-to, a chirashidon bowl - one of the best ones I have had. Lunchtime portion was decent, the rice (very important) was cooked properly, had the right amount of vinegar and not too much sugar. It is a delicate balance all too often gotten wrong. They nailed it. Seafood was fresh and tasty, and the accompanying salad with a mango vinaigrette was delicious. My wife had one of their speciality rolls, the Tempo Roll. It must have been good since I didn't get a taste. Nice bar on the way in, and the menu of liquors is fairly extensive. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the restaurant, the cooks and the offerings and was helpful without being pushy. Will definitely return!

    Shrimp tempura and spicy tuna roll!
    Caroline J.

    Enjoyed lunch here today! Everything from the beginning to the end was very nice. Greeted warmly and was sat right away. Our waiter showed up just a few moments after being sat and poured us waters. Nice feeling inside the main restaurant dining room. Love the lighting. Food was good. My dining companion and I both had the simple sushi roll lunch combo for $13 and included a nice sized salad. My hubs got the ranch with his salad and I had the traditional ginger Japanese dressing. We both had the shrimp tempura roll and I had the California roll and my husband had the spicy tuna roll. Everything was fresh and delicious. Waiter was great and attentive and made sure we had everything we needed!

    scallops and risotto
    Skyler G.

    My boyfriend and I came here for our anniversary and had a very pleasant experience! We were fortunate enough to get a reservation for Saturday at 6. I have heard that reservations are strongly recommended. As soon as we walked in, the restaurant itself is beautiful with a perfect date night atmosphere. Our server spoke with us almost as soon as we sat down and drinks/food came out very quickly. We were in an out within an hour. The food was absolutely delicious. We started with the crispy rice, which I highly recommend. Both of our entrees were amazing. The umami rush roll was probably one of my favorite rolls I have ever tried. As we were leaving, they gave us a complimentary piece of cheesecake for our anniversary - it was such a special touch. Definitely try this place if you haven't already!!

    Deb B.

    A very special place with wonderful staff. My husband and I made last minute reservations to celebrate our anniversary and were lucky to get an early table. When we were seated, we were presented with two glasses of champagne. What a nice way to begin our meal. I ordered the miso soup and the sushi combo. While the miso soup was not outstanding, the sushi was. The fish was fresh and delicate and the rolls perfect. I had a glass of apple flavored sake, which went nicely with the fish. For dessert, I had a chocolate dish... rich and delightful. They decorated it for our anniversary. Great staff and food.

    Tomato/buratta appetizer (buratta is under the tomato, we asked for more crostini's)
    Amanda E.

    My friends and I had a lovely Saturday lunch here. Tyler was an excellent server. For an appetizer, I got the tomato and burrata. The tomato/buratta itself was just okay, good but didn't blow me away - but the basil/pesto/balsamic/olive oil mixture on the plate definitely elevated the dish, that part was so good. For an entree, I got the classic burger. I was surprised with how juicy and tasty it was. My only complaint is the thick bacon - I personally don't like fatty meat, so that was no bueno for me but if you like fat, you may like the thick cut bacon. And the sweet potato fries were delish. Also love that they have NA beer options. Food and drinks are slightly pricey but worth the experience.

    Tempo roll
    Cherie O.

    Best and most fresh sushi. The fish looked like it was alive before the chefs prepared our meals. My husband had the Chirasidon which he does to judge sushi places. The fish was incredibly fresh (salmon, hamachi, eel, tomago, and tuna) and the rice was perfectly seasoned. He was served a side salad as well. I got the Tempo roll which was spicy tuna on top of wrapped avocado and mango. Soy sauces were offered as regular, low salt or gluten free. Byron was our server and he was prompt to fulfill our needs. This is a fancy restaurant but the clientele was full of tourists who were not dressed up at this 2:30 lunch. We didn't feel out of place. We will return.

    Bread pudding & Espresso martini
    Kim S.

    An absolutely exquisite dining experience from beginning to end. The ambiance and overall vibe were sophisticated and inviting, with impeccable attention to detail in every aspect of the evening. The service was polished, attentive, and seamless. Every course was beautifully presented and thoughtfully prepared. I highly recommend the surf & turf roll -- it was outstanding. Truly exceptional all the way around.

    Real flowers
    John O.

    Great experience! Always fun to try a new restaurant. Jenny was a great server and it was great to meet Rick. Very rarely does a Maitre D ever visit our table at most restaurants. Great service! We started with a bottle of red wine and I got a Toki Whiskey smoked old fashioned. We both got the Filet. I got a Caesar salad. It was authentic with a very small fish. My wife did a 6oz filet and I got the 8oz. The steaks were perfect. I loved the Bone marrow butter. The whipped potatoes and asparagus were great. The dinner was 5 stars. We got a side of fried rice. If you like bell peppers their fried rice will be awesome. I'm not a big pepper fan so not my favorite but I wouldn't penalize them for that. We finished the evening with the creme brûlée and bread pudding. Both were great. The Yuzu in the creme brûlée was awesome. We will return.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Ember

    Is there a long line at around 630 pm?

    On a Friday night...630pm! I believe you would have to wait for two spots at the bar. Suggestion, use the Open Table App and make a reservation. First available tonight, for… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    service was good, nice ambiance. food very overpriced. whenever you see " Chilean sea bass" on a…read moremenu, run. there is no such thing, although the fda in 1994 allowed toothfish to be labeled as such, it is neither a bass or from Chile. a genuinely good restaurant would not have this on the menu at all. btw, i tried it. served on a tasteless bed of rissoto which was not actually risotto. it was not the melt in your mouth experience that toothfish should bring, so it was probably a fraud. other items served at our table were very good. fabulous liquor selection. i just dont think this " high end" restaurant deserves this merit. my check 100+ for appetizer, main meal with two sides, a drink, and dessert with coffee.

    This is only the second steakhouse I've had in the area since I've been coming to Williamsburg…read more This one was by far the best. The service was great. Not only the server but the manager and 2 others came and spoke to us. It was my daughter's birthday and we were in a rush. The server got her a brownie to go with a little candle. It was very nice. The steak was the best. The filet and the strip had different tastes and they were both great. They were also perfectly cooked. Amazing. The seafood trio was the same. Perfectly cooked. The sauces were different under each item. The crab cake sauce was very good. The sauce under the scallops was my favorite. They were cooked amazing and so buttery. The shrimp was also perfect. No complaints. My daughter loved the Mac and cheese and it was also a huge shareable portion. This is by far our new date night place. 10/10 recommend

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    Amber Ox Public House

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    Went here tonight for dinner and was really impressed with our meals. We started with the…read morestrawberry gazpacho, which my wife loved. I didn't try it. For entrees, we had the bone-in pork and the cavatelli, and both were excellent. The pork was probably one of the top five I've ever had -- cooked perfectly, with a great sauce on top and really good grits. My wife had a gin, egg white, raspberry, and prosecco drink. It tasted mostly like prosecco, so we weren't quite as impressed with the cocktail as we thought we'd be. One little tiff: there was no one sitting on the outside patio, so we asked if we could have the shaded table. They said no because of the staffing setup. About halfway through our meal, one couple came and sat at the larger table we weren't allowed to use, then decided they didn't want to sit there and went inside. Not really sure what the big deal was with that table versus the one next to it where we were seated on an otherwise empty patio. But all in all, it was a great meal and we would definitely go again!

    We stopped in here for brunch while passing through Williamsburg. There is parking out front and…read morearound. We sat outside - it was a large high top and was covered with large fans. They brought out a water bowl for our dog. The food was excellent - would recommend the biscuit board as an appetizer. They also had a fun specialty latte that was amazing. We were celebrating a birthday and they thoughtfully brought our glasses of champagne, which was quite nice.

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    Aberdeen Barn - Lamb chops

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    10/10 service! Our server was Harris James and he was nothing but attentive and friendly. He made…read moresure to check in on us without being overbearing. Our food was great as well! He deserves his recognition and flowers!

    Aberdeen Barn is a local favorite! They have reasonably priced food, good ambiance, and friendly…read moreservers. This is the second time I have been to Aberdeen and both times I have had Harris James as our waiter! He is so friendly, personable, and attentive. He also is helpful and knowledgeable when you ask questions. We ordered: Crab Dip: this was toasted bread with a melted cheese and herbs topping. The crab dip came in a bowl in the middle. The dip was creamy but chunky with crab. I thought it was slightly salty, but my husband LOVED it ! Clams Casino: 6 clams filled! These wee very yummy. It is hard to find Clams Casino so I was very excited to see this on the menu. Filet Mignon with mushrooms and onions on the top, mashed potatoes, and broccoli. I ordered this rare and it was very tender and flavorful! I thought it was a perfect blend of seasonings. It paired well with the mushroom & onions, as well as the mashed potatoes. Sirloin Steak with mashed potatoes and a side salad- home made blue cheese dressing. My husband wanted this cooked medium well. He said it was cooked perfectly and was flavorful. The dressing is made in house, was creamy, and paired perfectly with the salad. The mashed potatoes were creamy. The broccoli was seasoned well and I did not need any butter for them. (I forgot to take photos of the steaks) I definitely recommend Aberdeen Barn. Call ahead for a reservation and make sure you get Harris!

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    Food For Thought - Crab cakes, coleslaw, and amazing jasmine rice.

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    I always have a great time at Food For Thought. Whenever we visit, it's usually with a big family…read moregroup, and this time we had eleven people. The staff is consistently gracious and accommodating, which really sets them apart from other restaurants that seem to dread large parties. Even on a busy Friday night, we were seated in under thirty minutes. Our waiter was friendly, attentive, and handled multiple tables with ease. He stayed on top of our orders and refills, and he took allergies seriously, checking with the kitchen to make sure certain dishes were safe. That level of care is always appreciated. As always, the food was excellent. I usually go for the crabcakes, but this time I tried the special, a crowned salmon, and it was so tasty. They truly do seafood well here, and the portions are always hearty. Every experience here is consistently great. The atmosphere is welcoming, and the manager even stopped by our table to check in, which was a nice touch. I always recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Williamsburg.

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    Fat Canary - Halibut special ( best ever dish with corn,shrimp and chanterelles sitting over mashed potatoes)

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    This was a highlight of our Williamsburg trip!…read more I made a reservation about a month out and I'm glad I did. It was so busy when we showed up. They asked us if we wanted to wait for a few minutes at the bar while they prepared our table so we ordered a couple of drinks. As soon as we ordered they came to get us. No big deal, we just paid and took our drinks with us. We were sat toward the front of the restaurant, which gave us the perfect people-watching position. Our server stopped by to greet us and said she'd be back. Waters and bread were delivered and she oriented us to the menu. We made our selections of salmon for my husband and short ribs with a side of squash. Everything was delicious. We were happy with our selections and so full when we left. I appreciate that the short ribs are boneless and tender and had the perfect seasoning. I'd eat that dish again anytime!

    Our first time at the Fat Canary restaurant in Williamsburg, VA. I had the halibut special, served…read moreover shrimp and risotto. My wife had the scallops over risotto. Everything was incredibly delicious. The entire restaurant is spacious, clean, and beautifully maintained. The staff was very helpful and took the time to explain the menu. We also had espresso martinis--the non-creamy version--which were excellent as well. We will certainly be back for another visit within the month.

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    Fat Canary - Little bits of goodness, mozzarella with ham n amazing sauces.

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    3.8(1.2k reviews)
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    We found this place by accident and it turned out to be such an awesome restaurant! It's not at all…read morepretentious and we loved it for many reasons. Our server Cherice was delightful. She made recommendations and was so attentive and funny. Hubby was between 3 different meals but went with the Hanger steak special. It came with a potato knish, perfectly cooked asparagus, in a burblanque sauce. He said it was one of the best meals he ever had and it was cooked medium rare as he requested. He also had a perfect manhattan. I wasn't super hungry, so I went for the salmon poor boy. It was crunchy and delicious and the sauce was perfect. I had a Saint Germain spritzer which was light and refreshing. We couldn't leave without ordering beignets. They came with a chocolate and a vanilla sauces. Hubby got a coffee that came in a fun cup. The decor in the restaurant was so fun and made people feel welcome.

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    Ember - sushi - Updated September 2026

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