Owner: Richard and David Williamson
By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
Lawson’s Landing Café, nestled into the terrifically desirable location on the Trent river in the North Carolina History Center, is a deli-style eatery that offers fresh craft-made sandwiches, specialty paninis, and inventive salads.
Owned by brothers Richard and David Williamson, the duo first came up with the idea to open a restaurant because they just wanted a place to eat some steamed shrimp and drink a beer on the New Bern waterfront on a Sunday afternoon.
“I had a small deli in Wilmington years ago, and my family had partial ownership in the old River Bend Yacht Club, so David and I have wanted to open a restaurant together for some time,” says Richard. “We hope that Lawson’s on the Creek is a place that brings people together for good food, drinks and entertainment.”
The brothers are cooking up some Southern favorites like homemade chicken, shrimp and potato salads, house-made lemonade and orangeade, and yummy tater tots with a variety of toppings. Recent guests have enjoyed the Ruben, fresh vegetarian options, the indoor and outdoor dining, as well as the attentiveness of the staff.
“Our homemade soups are one of our specialties,” says Richard. “But we want our menu to be eclectic and casual, using local ingredients and fresh catch options as much as possible, because after all Tryon Fish Market is just across the street! At the same time, we’re not above grilled cheese sandwiches and hot dogs for the kiddos.”
The café serves various bottle beers and wine by the glass as well as NC craft beer on tap.
“We just like good food,” says Richard. “Moreover, we enjoy cooking good food for our friends. My mother used to tell me all the time, if you do something you love, you never work a day in your life, so that is our approach in our new venture. The way David and I see it, good things come to those who get up and go after it.”