When they offer soups, chili, and hot foods this place is a 5/5! However, each time we have stopped by recently, there aren't any soup offerings. We once got a chili and corn chowder here that was genuine perfection. The baked goods are pretty good too! It's a quick grab and go type of service and has nice, light, refreshing items. There is a lot of outdoor seating that is very nice under trees! PLEASE bring back the soups! read more

The bakery had the most incredible baked goods. The ham and cheese sandwich we purchased for lunch was much better than we expected. The bread was so good! The gentleman who rang up our items was cordial and efficient. We enjoyed eating at one of the many picnic tables in the back. It was quiet and cool with cloudy skies. 10/13/25 read more

Raleigh Tavern - $12.50 for ham sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

After some time wandering the streets of Historic Williamsburg with our grandchildren, we stopped here for a mid-morning snack. The ambiance was in early American style and the cashier, Tina S., was dressed in period clothing, but she did not make us feel as though we were back in the time period. She was very blah and not very friendly. The fare here was just so-so. A couple baked items from their ovens but hard to see it as a Bakery. They also had pre-made sandwiches and chips and drinks. The day had not yet heated up so the outdoor eating area was fun under the shade of the trees. We brought the children here to give them an Early American experience and I have to say that all but this stop filled that expectation. This 'Bakery' was not the highlight of our day. Sorry. read more

Extremely disappointing in almost every way. I recently went here with a friend and found that it was to-go only. There was a minimal selection of breads and pastries, and as to be expected, everything was overpriced. I got a slice of Queen Anne's Cake and split a bread loaf with a friend. The Queen's Anne Cake was moist but needed more flavor. The bread loaf was so dry and stale (also $15!) that my friend and I could only eat a few bites before we had to throw it away. If you are hungry in Colonial Williamsburg and want a snack or take-out lunch, walk past Nassau street to Merchant Square, where there are plenty of tastier and affordable dining options. read more

Raleigh Tavern Bakeshop Absolute must visit while in Colonial Williamsburg. This is a first class historical bake shop and not a restaurant. Do join the line for a view of historical baking and perhaps a sandwich snack and cold drink. Great for visitors who are in need of a rest, and a cookie. read more

The Raleigh Tavern was the first to be reconstructed and the first to reopen in 1932. The building is not open for dining or visitors which had been the status for years. Colonial Williamsburg is currently closed due to COVID-19 and looks to reopen in July. Colonial Williamsburg restarted production of the bakery in the rear after a several year hiatus and my children make this a must stop. Find them on the main drag on the Duke of Gloucester. The Raleigh Tavern is where you can find the most scrumptious baked goods of any place in the historic district in my opinion. Tuesday/Thursday are bake days. Hot out of the oven baked chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and ginger cookies. The staff is always super! Regulars of The Raleigh know the ginger cakes are what they are most known for. Best on bake days they come out soft and bursting with flavor. Visitors can also purchase their famous hot cider. Also for purchase cold bottled drinks and sandwiches. Chownings Root Beer is a favorite. There is no seating inside, however you can find picnic tables and benches close. To me this is part of the experience. Enjoy a Colonial figure such as Thomas Jefferson stroll by and soak up the scenery of the historic district. The main building is not one of the original 88 in the Colonial Williamsburg historic district. The replica used the best information available to recinstYou will not be disappointed when visiting The Raleigh Tavern. read more

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The day we were in Williamsburg Raleigh Tavern Bakery was the only food option available. It was quite disappointing that there was no vegetarian options, and most of the items were not labeled so that you knew what it was. We ended up grabbing a few cookies and a drink. It was disappointing to spend all that money to get in and not having any options to eat except roast beef sandwiches, chef's salads and sweets. Our day was cut short at Williamsburg as we had to leave to get something to eat. read more

Went to the walk in bakery today and was very pleased with the homemade items. I had a sweet potato muffin that was wonderful. Kids enjoyed brownies and ginger cake. Great stop for a quick treat while walking around. read more

Maybe we tried the wrong thing, but they were bragging about the ginger cookies, supposedly baked in a brick oven, etc. and they were dry, with an in cooked ring of flour around the inner core of the cookie. The place is tucked back off the street so it takes some finding. So, for what I had it didn't impress me. It sort of scared me that the thing they were bragging about was substandard. Maybe other things are better, but I started off not trusting it. read more

Brick oven baked fresh ginger cakes! That is all. Actually, that is not all. I also love the ham biscuit and cider (hot cider in the winter). This is a good place to grab a quick snack or a light meal while exploring the Historic Area. Fun, quick stop. read more

What makes cookies taste better? When they are fresh out of a brick oven! Oh. My. God! As you enter this bakery the smell of fresh ginger cookies takes over your nose, mind, and soul to the point that if you do not have said cookie you may weep. The gentleman baking was in period clothes and gladly went into detail of how he prepared the dough and oven to my very curious husband. Past the cookies were drink coolers stowing away sodas, beers, and water. There were plenty of baskets displaying other types of fresh cookies from peanut butter to oatmeal. Cold cider and tea were also available in large drink dispensers. My husband additional bought a large box of ginger cookies on top of the single peanut butter cookie. So good. read more

Bought ginger cake and queen cake. They did not taste well. We will not visit this place again.

Stopped for a quick morning snack of a gingerbread cookie and cold apple cider. Both good but note that the fresh brick oven-baked gingerbread isn't available till 10 am (bakery opens @ 9) - will be stopping by later to try some! read more

Is this the white clapboard tavern with the bust above the entrance? When we visited, there was no food for sale. The main things for consumption were slave narratives and similar narratives about the plight of the city's colonial black population, both enslaved and free. These narratives were delivered very beautifully and intelligently, however, our concern was that these narratives are now becoming a major theme in the historic district, equal to or superior to any other, including those delivered by historical luminaries like Jefferson, Madison, Mason, etc. We emphatically agree that there should be a place for these new narratives, and they should be present, but it is concerning that they are beginning to crowd out the rest of Colonial Williamsburg's message about "the American Experiment in Democracy." Yes, that experiment was imperfect, but it was a huge advance in the human condition. THAT should be the primary message of Williamsburg. And yes, the colonial black population was significant in its contributions, and should be acknowledged, but Williamsburg would have existed, with or without Africans reaching these shores; on the other hand, Africans would have built nothing in Williamsburg if they had been left to their own devices to create it. In that context, Williamsburg would never have existed at all. To then have narratives in which people grooming horses or cutting hair are described as "Conversations with Nation Builders" borders on theater of the absurd. These were not "nation builders," just as neither I nor you, living in Williamsburg at that time, would have been described as "nation builders." We might have contributed in the society in our own small way, but our impact would have been minor, and to then suggest otherwise is more than a little disingenuous. We can be inclusive in telling the American story without granting -- in the name of largesse or political correctness -- absurdly disproportionate shares in the story-telling. read more