Original wooden floors, centuries-old fireplaces, and windows dating back to colonial times are still part of this restaurant’s dining room. That’s an extraordinary amount of history to have surrounding your dinner table.
The Virginia building dates to 1710, with additions made during the following decades. Its preserved architectural details include original ceilings and a distinctive central light fixture.
Even the dining room seating has a story, with pews that once belonged to a historic church.
I love the idea of enjoying a modern meal in a setting that has witnessed more than three centuries of change. The restaurant serves carefully prepared dishes while maintaining the atmosphere of its historic surroundings.
And when a building has survived for that long, its walls have quite a story to tell. Dinner here comes with an unusual sense of place.
Dinner Comes With A Side Of 1710
Plenty of restaurants call themselves historic after a few decades. 1710 Tavern earns the word by having the actual year in its name.
The building dates back to 1710, making it the oldest building in Tappahannock. It also ranks among the oldest taverns in Virginia.
That’s a serious head start on everyone else in town.
The structure grew in stages, like a family adding rooms over time. The first section, now the right side of the dining room, went up in 1710.
Builders added the left side just two years later, in 1712.
The bar area came along sometime between 1718 and 1758. So when you sit at the bar, you’re in the newer part.
Newer, of course, still means older than the country itself.
Throughout the 1700s and 1800s, the place operated as Emerson’s Ordinary, also called Henley House. Back then, an ordinary was simply a public tavern that served food and drinks.
It also offered beds to tired travelers and locals.
Today, owners Greg and Jennifer Huff keep that welcoming spirit alive. They also own the Essex Inn right across the street.
It’s a neat setup for anyone who wants dinner and a pillow close together.
Revolutionary Ideas Once Shared These Tables
George Washington is said to have stopped here in 1760. That alone would give any dining room bragging rights.
Yet the building’s role in history goes even deeper.
Local leaders used the tavern as a gathering place for big conversations. They debated the Leedstown Resolves and the Essex Resolutions here.
Both documents pushed back against British rule before the Declaration of Independence existed.
Think of it as a colonial town hall with better snacks. Taverns in the 1700s were where news traveled and opinions got loud.
This one helped shape ideas that changed America.
The building’s importance is officially recognized, too. 1710 Tavern is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also a Chesapeake Gateways Network Site, which connects visitors to the stories of the Chesapeake region.
That gives your meal a fun bonus topic. Instead of chatting about traffic, you can wonder which table hosted the fiercest debate.
Nobody can prove you wrong, either.
I like how the history here isn’t locked behind glass. Historic artifacts are displayed on-site, so the past sits right alongside your dinner.
You get a museum visit without anyone shushing you.
Watch The Thermometer, Because Fireplaces Are Involved
Forty-five degrees is the magic number in the dining room. Once the temperature outside drops below it, the two working fireplaces get lit.
Suddenly, a chilly evening becomes the best time to book a table.
The fine dining room seats around 40 guests. It keeps its original floors, windows, and ceilings from centuries ago.
That’s a lot of footsteps those boards have handled.
Hand-carved wooden beams stretch overhead throughout the building. Exposed brick walls and wide-planked flooring add to the old-time feel.
Every detail looks like it has a story to tell.
Not everything is original, but the newer pieces still carry history. The dining room includes pews that are about 125 years old.
They came from a church in Newport, Virginia.
So yes, you might be eating dinner on a former church pew. It’s a sturdy reminder to sit up straight and mind your manners.
Grandma would approve.
The room manages to feel elegant without seeming stiff. Careful renovations kept the building’s character while making it comfortable for modern diners.
Honestly, it’s the kind of space that makes a regular weeknight feel like an occasion worth dressing up for.
A Walnut Bar That Remembers The 1700s
Some bars use fancy marble or shiny steel. The 1710 Bar went with walnut that’s roughly 300 years old.
Lean on it, and you’re resting your elbows on serious history.
Look down, and the story keeps going. The bar’s floor is made from 150-year-old planks.
They were reclaimed from the old Warsaw Hardware Store in nearby Warsaw.
I love that idea of a hardware store floor finding a second life. Somebody once bought nails and hinges on those boards.
Now people walk across them to grab a seat.
The bar seats 20 guests and has a livelier mood than the dining room. It’s a good choice when you want energy and conversation.
The fine dining room suits quieter, slower evenings.
The space also earned real recognition. Virginia Living Magazine named 1710 Tavern a Best of Virginia 2025 winner for its drinks program.
Knowledgeable bartenders run the show here.
The bar is also a good spot for a smaller meal. You can order food here, not just sip something.
Picking the bar for dinner turns a regular meal into a front-row seat at a very old counter.
Colonial Recipes Got A Modern Makeover
Colonial cooking meets the twenty-first century on this menu. The kitchen offers modern takes on colonial-era dishes.
You get the spirit of the past without eating like a hungry 1700s traveler.
Fresh, high-quality ingredients drive everything. The menu leans on locally sourced foods whenever possible.
That means the region’s farms and waters help decide what lands on your plate.
Seasonal dishes are a highlight, so the menu shifts throughout the year. A dish you love in summer might step aside by fall.
It’s a good reason to come back more than once.
That approach also earned the restaurant some shiny praise. Virginia Living Magazine named 1710 Tavern a Best of Virginia 2025 winner for Fine Dining.
Not bad for a building old enough to remember candles as standard lighting.
I believe the best part is the balance. The food feels special without ignoring where it comes from.
It honors Virginia’s long table traditions while still feeling fresh.
My tip is simple. Ask about the seasonal options before you settle on an order.
The staff can point you toward whatever is shining that night, and that’s often the smartest choice.
Order The Soup Everyone Talks About
She crab soup is the signature dish at 1710 Tavern. Any restaurant that close to the Rappahannock River had better know its way around crab.
This one clearly does.
For anyone new to it, she crab soup is a rich, creamy soup made with crab meat. It’s a classic along the Southern coast and Chesapeake region.
Each spoonful tastes like the water nearby decided to throw a party.
The soup fits the restaurant’s whole idea nicely. It connects a local tradition with a polished dining room.
It’s comfort food that showed up wearing its best outfit.
Starting your meal with it is a smart move. A bowl sets the tone before the main course arrives.
It also makes cold nights by the fireplace feel even cozier.
Crab fans should keep their eyes on the rest of the menu too. Seafood plays a natural role here, given the river location.
Seasonal changes may bring new things to try each visit.
Still, the signature soup is the one to try first. Skipping it would be like visiting a historic tavern and ignoring the history.
You could, but why would you?
Grab A Table Under The Pecan Tree
A big pecan tree shades the outdoor patio called the Tavern Yard. It’s the casual side of 1710 Tavern.
Here, dinner feels more like a relaxed backyard gathering.
The Tavern Yard seats about 40 diners. That gives it the same capacity as the fine dining room.
On a nice evening, this might become your favorite seat in the house.
The patio adds a different mood to the experience. Indoors feels elegant and historic.
Outdoors feels easygoing, with fresh air and leafy shade overhead.
Cold weather doesn’t fully shut it down, either. From after Thanksgiving through New Year’s, the space can be enclosed with a tent.
That tented setup is used for private events during the holiday stretch.
I like how the building offers three distinct choices. You can pick the fine dining room, the lively bar, or the patio.
It’s like choosing your own adventure, but with dinner.
So check the forecast before booking. A warm, clear night practically begs for a table outside.
A chilly one points straight toward those fireplaces, which is honestly a win either way you go.
The River Is Just Steps From Your Table
Location matters, and this tavern nailed it about three centuries ago. The building sits in the heart of Tappahannock’s Historic District.
The Rappahannock River is only steps away.
You’ll find it at 314 S. Water Lane, Tappahannock, VA 22560.
The street name gives away the neighborhood’s close bond with the water. It’s a great area for a stroll before or after dinner.
Parking takes a little planning, but it’s simple. Drop-off is allowed at the front of the building.
General parking is available at Prince Street Parking.
Another option is the lot between Barbour Printing and Martin-Sale Furniture. Handicap parking sits across the street at the Essex Inn.
Knowing this ahead of time saves you from circling the block.
Speaking of the Essex Inn, it’s owned by the same family. That makes an overnight trip easy to arrange.
You can enjoy a long dinner and skip the late drive home.
This corner of Virginia rewards slow visits. A walk by the river, a historic district, and a three-century-old tavern make a pretty great evening.
Who needs a busy city when this exists?
Book Ahead And Plan Something Special
Reservations are highly recommended here, so don’t wing it. Seating is limited in each space.
Spontaneous plans could leave you standing outside smelling the soup.
Hours vary through the week, and the restaurant closes on Tuesdays. Most nights, dinner service starts in the late afternoon or early evening.
Check the current schedule before you head out.
The tavern also hosts events for groups of 8 to 100 people. That covers everything from a small family dinner to a big celebration.
Special themed dinners pop up on the calendar too.
Hosting a party in a building from 1710 is a strong move. Your guests will remember it long after the cake is gone.
Birthdays rarely come with this much history attached.
The restaurant also joins local efforts like Date Night in Tappahannock. It’s a fun way the town encourages people to enjoy evenings out.
Couples get a great excuse to plan something special.
I can’t think of many Virginia spots that mix food and history this smoothly. 1710 Tavern turns a reservation into a small time-travel trip. Just remember to come back to the present for dessert.
