About Second St. Restaurant
Second Street has been a Williamsburg dining room since 1985, when brothers John and Mickey Chohany, both raised in town, took it over and opened it as an American bistro. A 2007 renovation gave the original restaurant its current upscale-casual look, a second location opened in Newport News in 2013, and chef Chris Long, with the restaurant since 2006, now runs it as managing partner while the brothers stay on as mentors.
Lunch covers sandwiches, wraps, salads and house-made soups, and dinner moves to seafood, chicken and beef entrées and small plates. The best-known dish is the Carolina Burger topped with homemade pimento cheese, which Chef Long cooked on a regional morning TV show in 2019. Vegetarian and gluten-free options run through the menus, and Sunday brunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Chohany brothers also produce Aratas, a single-vineyard Petite Sirah from Napa Valley that is poured at the restaurant, and the bistro hosts wine dinners. Seating is first come, first served: the Williamsburg location takes no reservations or call-ahead seating, the bar counter is self-seat, and the patio opens when weather and staffing allow. Takeout is available, but delivery is not.
Sweethaven Lavender, which offers reserved pick-your-own visits and farm animals, is about 15 minutes west of town, so book a morning slot at the farm and come back for lunch.
What to do
- Order the Carolina Burger with homemade pimento cheese
- Come for Sunday brunch, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Sit on the patio in good weather
- Ask about upcoming wine dinners
- Order lunch to take out
Season, hours and prices
- Hours
- 2026: Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. last seating; Friday–Saturday until 10 p.m.; Sunday brunch 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; closed Monday
Good to know
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Tips for your visit
- No reservations at the Williamsburg location; you must be there in person to join the wait list.
- Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
- Vegetarian and gluten-free options are on every menu.
Pair it with a lavender farm
Sweethaven Lavender · about 15 minutes away
Sweethaven Lavender is about 15 minutes west; reserve a morning picking slot and return to Second Street for lunch.
Getting there
Questions
Does Second Street take reservations?
Not at the Williamsburg location; seating is first come, first served.
Is Second Street open on Mondays?
No, it is closed Mondays.
Are there gluten-free options?
Yes, several vegetarian and gluten-free options run through the menus.
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
