This was my first time at this restaurant and I had been wanting to go because I’ve heard a lot about the location. It was the perfect day to be here because it wasn’t cold and luckily my party had fans for the heat. Our tables were partly covered from the sun with an umbrella and ultimately we ended up moving the table slightly to be more in the shade.Cons:- I honestly wasn’t a fan of my food. The crab dip I barely tasted any crab and from the picture you can see it was mostly cheese. I felt the pita bread was fresh but I wouldn’t order the crab dip again.I also had to send my burger back because when I but into it, it was too pink for my liking. It appeared to be cooked medium and I should’ve let the server know but she also didn’t ask. The second burger was cooked perfectly. Also I recommend putting the sauce on the side as it is very spicy. Based off my food alone I don’t think I’d visit here again.Pros:- Loved the view- Although I didn’t order any I did think it was neat to see a chef grilling oysters outside- Everyone in my party who ordered cocktails enjoyed them
First time visit.......place is on east side of James River and nothing else around there. Got there when it opened and it got crowded fast with locals. Food and drinks were average. Did not stay for music but understand they get some decent bands there and it is popular. There is a fair amount of parking and seating. Some tables have a decent view.
Very unique spot on the water! We enjoyed the views. The first point of contact with the hostess wasn’t super, it was our first time and weren’t given a warm welcome nor clear instructions about the waiting process. Once we figured that out, we ordered a couple drinks which arrived in unappealing plastic cups. Painkiller was good, a friend’s daiquiri was mediocre in flavor also in expectation of it being blended. It was not blended. After waiting close to an hour to move from the slightly cramped waiting area to a table, we got seated and were waited on right away. Our server was very pleasant and attentive and gave us recommendations. Everything came out pretty quickly and was nice and HOT! I got the tuna sandwich. It was good but the tuna, although seared, was not seasoned. The aioli was thin and lacked flavor. A friend ordered tartar sauce and I thought why not add it to my sandwich. It added some more zest. Unfortunately by this time, on a Saturday night, people crowded in front of us most likely waiting for a table, so we lost our waterfront views. We also got a whiff of smoke from a table closer to the band which was less than tasteful. It got a little loud so we got our ice cream sandwiches and walked around the marina and sat on the dock. We listened to the music from afar. Music was really good but should be censored to allow a more family type setting. All around good experience but a few things could be tweaked.
Gorgeous location with excellent food and some of the best hospitality this side of the river. If youre looking for disappointment, this aint it, chief: youll get nothing but good eats and good vibes out of every single person who works here. Heres to hoping the folks hanging out on this lilypad dont go hopping away anytime soon.
My family and I were guess on 10/23. We were not happy with the service. Our server was all over place and not attentive at all. I wanted to order a calamari to go, but she never came back to see if her guess were ok. I explained to her that had she came back to see how we were doing and take my “to go” order, she would have gotten a bigger tip. No matter how busy you are, you must offer GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE.Thank you Lily Pad for your quick response.I am not sure of her name but we were the group that sat at the swing table between 6-9pm. However, I do remember her saying that her uncle died.The owner stopped by and offer her apologies. I thought that was very nice of her.
What an experience! My wife treated me to this wonderful place for our anniversary and I am glad she did! The service was fantastic and very attentive. The food was amazing. Everything was prepared perfectly and tasted wonderfully with a special shout-out to the steamed shrimp and friend oysters. The atmosphere and ambience was just out of this world. What a beautiful experience and wonderful atmosphere. I highly recommend this place as a wonderful getaway with friends and family. And, just a short drive outside of town.
We had a blast at the Lily Pad! First time going for reggae Sunday a couple weeks ago. Had to wait on a table for awhile but they did allow us to order drinks while.we waited. Got the margarita special for the day- I dont remember the name but it had guava in it. It was really good. Live reggae band was crankn Food was good too. I got a pepperoni pizza w/mushrooms. It came out a lil charred but I did enjoy it. Looking forward to going back before the weather changes
The food we had was quite good. The crab dip is a MUST have. My husband loved the seared ahi tuna and the broccolini, but the giant slab of hard and tasteless polenta should not have been served. I was disappointed that they were out of 2 of their 3 entrees on their menu, and we arrived really early (just after 5 pm) for dinner. I ended up having hot wings from the app menu as my dinner because of that.
Great spot on the water — good food and despite being served in plastic cups, good drinks. It’s a tightly run ship, food and drinks came out very fast.Fried oysters were great, not overly breaded, the oysters were fresh and sizable.Live music though—a bit on the loud side if you’re planning on going to converse, but if you just wanna eat and hear music on those nights it’s a good spot on the water to do it.
Simply amazing! Beautiful setting, exceptional service, super friendly... all the food was delicious, generous portions. Definitely have plans to return.
We got there at 5 pm and I noticed that the view is spectacular. Right on the water. The James River. Its so popular that we waited an hour for food. I was highly impressed that my 3 young kids waited so patiently for dinner.We finally get seated at 6 pm at what looked like a picnic table. August was our waitress. She was fabulous. We shared oysters and they were to-die-for. So good. Melt in your mouth good. Hubs and my son got burgers. Both said they were great. I got a house salad and 1/2 lb of steamed shrimp. Fabulous. The salad was very fresh and mixed greens were crisp. Had cherry tomatoes, onions and very large slices of cucumbers in it. I just got the smaller version of the salad. They have a dinner size salad too along with Cesar salad (small or large) and you can add shrimp or chicken to.Bottom line, well worth the wait. I heard around 430 or earlier is a better time to go if u go on the weekends. Weekdays around lunch time is the best time to go. But they did a renovation so it can seat more ppl and when you get seated, Ppl arent eager to leave once they sit down so be prepared for that. Who can blame them??
Would love to attend when they live music. All the staff was amazing! Beautiful place!
Service was great. Outdoor seating area was huge and spacious with cute lighting and decor. Service was very friendly and prompt. The drinks are not very strong but they are tasty. Food was decent and the apps are tasty. The place is kind of out in the middle of nowhere, and it’s on the water but the water was low and it was muddy. Will have to come again before the sun goes down so we can enjoy the view a bit more.
Really cool location. Perfect place to go to enjoy a nice day along the James.
We had lunch here during a visit to Richmond. Love the outside seating area where you can watch the boats come in and out of the water. Food was good, but the wood fire oven was broke while we were there so we couldnt try any pizzas. Also love that the outdoor seating area is dog friendly. Several people had theirs dogs with them.
The place is beautiful. Excellent meal. It should be a smoking-free place.
Kinda lengthy wait for a table but it was the weekend. Once we were seated the food was awesome. Great portion sizes. Tea was a little watery but the adult beverages were spot on. Kinda cozy. Staff was friendly. Definitely going again.
Perfect place even during the pandemic. Great outside seating they have heaters everywhere.Pandemic Pro tip: they have a chalk board menu when you first enter take a photo before you sit down. There was not a QR code at the table to scan.Fantastic pizza! Good beer specials. Will definitely be coming back for some Sunday Fundays!
Went on a Sunday with a party of six friends during Memorial Day weekend for lunch. The outdoor seating area was large and well laid out to give each table their own space. The decor and bathroom, at least the mens, was well themed and extremely clean.The big part of the five star rating is for the great food and amazing service. We ordered fried oysters, chicken tenders, and crab dip for the table. The fried oysters were delicious, well seasoned, and fresh. The chicken tenders were even better. They are advertised as fresh hand cut and you can tell that is true. They came to the table hot and with the right amount of spice and crunchy coating. They were so good we ordered two more rounds before we ordered our lunch. The only thing better than the food was the service. Our waitress, August, was super friendly and attentive. Our group sat next to the water and some people mentioned the cold breeze and she took the initiative to roll over one of the heater towers, which warmed up the group. Then when the propane tank ran out she was quick on changing it out to keep the heat going.I highly recommend the Lilly Pad for the view on the deck, the service, and their chicken tenders!
I went to Lily pad about 6 weeks ago. It was great the drinks the food the serve all excellent.I went there last evening and it was like a different restaurant. I was greeted by two hostesses that were very aggressive. Like what was I doing there. It was 4:46 and many tables Open. I was told I would have to go to the holding area until my guest arrived. So off I go. After a very long wait another guy and myself finally were approached by a waitress. She was rude and said I had to order a drink and pay for it immediately. I could not order an appetizer out there. I had to be seated at a table to order food. She gave me a very bad feeling. My guest came and was immediately charged for his drink as well. We were never asked if we wanted a table until we forced another waitress to call the hostess.When seated we ordered calamari. I had it last visit and was looking forward to having it again.It came about half as much as I had received before.Broken pieces like it was some left over in the fryer. Not goodThings went down hill from there. I’m tired of texting so will close by sayingI will never be back. If you don’t clean up your wait staff you will not make it much longer
Get the Painkiller cocktail!! Its really yummy. All of the food we ordered arrived to the table lightning fast, which was very impressive considering they were packed. The desserts as ice cream sandwiches is a very cute idea as well.
My family saw Good Shot Judy perform at The Lilly Pad on Sunday. Everything was great! The crowd was large and the staff was very accommodating. Out food was fantastic, and the atmosphere was electric. Great music and dancing, meeting new friends, spending time with old friends, all was perfect. You have to get to The Lilly Pad! You’ll love it!
Its a nice venue for boating enthusiasts. I went out on the water to about link up party. And it was a good time! I did not get a chance to eat.
Great spot! Our first time. Food was pretty good and the environment was as well. I can see it being a bit more pleasant without about 100 bass fishing boats returning after a tournament and a bit later in the evening. We will most certainly go again.
Hit up @lilypad cafe today on the James in #varina. Drinks were on point, the crowd energy was good, food was good, but I wish they had a raw bar there. Nothing like sitting on the water eating oysters and clams! Had a nice time and with a few tweaks this place will be a great spot to visit during the summer. Please diversify the music entertainment and this place will be a great outlet for #RVA!
First time, but wont be the last. Waterside dining under white tarps gives the illusion of vacation. The wait staff is excellent, attentive and friendly. Drinks are delicious and hearty. The seafood was perfect. Lightly breaded and fried to perfection. Best oysters and shrimp anywhere. Give yourself a treat and check it out.
If you enjoy being on the water; especially while dining or just having a nice cocktail, then The Lilly Pad should definitely be on your radar.Not far from Hadaads lake in Varina; this cool new restaurant on the water has just been added to my favorite places list. This past wknd was my 1st visit but it surely wont be my last.Unfortunately it was raining so we didnt get the best experience but I still cant complain too much as at least our server Nakita was super friendly, fast and snapped some great pics of my girlfriend and I. Ill say definitely try the crab dip and the hummus/veggie tray isnt too bad either.Looking forward to going back in nicer weather and trying some different items on the menu. Bartender couldve made my Dirty Martini a bit more flavorful & potent but all in all it was a good time had by us both.$$$
The Pad is awesome. Great atmosphere great food great service. Most of all its like one big happy family. We dont see color we just see our brothers and sisters having a great time. My favorite place. If you have not been you definitely need to go.
The waitress came to our table to ask why we did not tip her $25.00. We were a party of 2 adults and one child. The food wasnt all that great, but we were willing to return another time to have a different result. We were very offended that she questioned her $10 tip. When we spoke to what was suppose to be the person in charge he was just as rude. Lets stop spending our money where others feel we have no right to be there.On last night the owner Karen took time to call me to hear my concern. She also followed up with a call this morning. We were able to resolve the incident from the night before. I really appreciate her calling me. She was very polite and apologetic for the misunderstanding. She welcomed the feed back also. I will go again.. customer service is everything.
There is ample outdoor seating with a view of the water. They have several canopies and umbrellas, but by late day expect many seats to get sun; fortunately, the river tends to bring a breeze. Service was attentive and quick, particularly with so many customers. Food was yummy.
Great setup, fun atmosphere, it was busy so I understand the communication gap. Plenty of parking which is amazing. If youre in Richmond you can get here by going through Varina. The stage setup and lighting is awesome here. Drink area was a little confusing, you have to flag someone down to order drinks if you dont have a table. I think an easy way to fix that is to just have an easy access outdoor bar. Other than that, I cant wait to go back and try some food!
Great food and location. However get there EARLY. All 3 times we waited over an hour. Not enough seating to accommodate waiters. Menu is VERY limited for both food and drinks. Staff (especially Moe) was fantastic except the hostess. She wasnt attentive to the guests waiting and played on her phone more than anything. If they had a smoother system, better accommodation and a better hostess it would be 100% but I recommend nonetheless and will be back...early.
This is definitely one of the top five best restaurants in Richmond. Being located on the James River it has some of the most beautiful sunsets Ive ever seen. The food is always delicious and fresh, the wait staff is always super friendly, the cocktails and craft beer selections are great, and to top it off the prices are very reasonable. Ive seen some negative comments in the reviews regarding wait times but know there is a great side area to hang out and have a drink while you wait for a table. Anytime I have a friend or family member coming to town I make sure the Lilly Pad is on the top of the agenda. Dont sleep on this beautiful spot. Oh, did I mention live music on Saturdays??
Great outdoor seating area! Menu is simple and the food is delicious! We are looking forward to coming back!
If I could give ten stars I would. The food, service and atmosphere was absolutely wonderful. Our waitress Ms. Visnja was magnificent, personable and timely. The owner Karen ensured that we were taken care of. We will definitely pa patronize the lily pad again and again
Salsa night is fun! Food is decent. It all outdoors year round on the James River.
Fyi its all outdoor seating. Fun to watch boats pull up for food and drinks.
I had lunch for the first time at the Lilly Pad Wednesday. I love it by the water and this place capture the atmosphere perfectly... The Catfish was the best Ive had since moving to Virginia. Three of us in my party had it and all agreed it was absolutely delicious... I definitely would recommend this place to others...
Checked this place out after seeing the owner standing up for himself and his employees online in a post that went viral. I was not disappointed! Great vibe, great food, worth the wait. Shine on yall ☺️🙏
On our way through VA we stopped here and grabbed a bite to eat. Wonderful food and staff! Highly suggest going here! I read reviews before we went and saw a 2 star review before going that really didnt do justice for this place and staff. Please remember that restaurants and waitresses make money off of tips and reviews so dont be nasty and leave reviews that arent true to character. ❤
Staff was very nice, food was great and came out quickly. I should have took pictures, I never think about that until its too late.
Good outdoor space and the pizza was amazing. Will definitely be going back.
Great place! We came by on a Friday afternoon to check it out. Super friendly staff, tasty draft beers, and dog friendly! Will definitely be back 😊
A spectacular site. The only detail is that they allow people to smoke. Rest, all very well.
This place has been consistantly amazing every time we have visited. The fried shrimp is absolutely the best. Fried oysters, calamari, pizza, burgers and bbq are all spectacular. Each and every employee we have come in contact with is always friendly and seems to really enjoy their job so for me thats a reflection of a good management team. I need to single out a couple of superstars: Morgan & Robbie. Morgan was probably the best server Ive had anywhere. Super personality,enthusiastic and great attention to detail. Robbie needs to be a manager. I watched him clean tables, greet people, and take care of anything that needed to be done. Thats a leader.
Great restaurant on the river. Order the hummus when you go it is made fresh and delicious.
If you pay with debit or credit, check your accounts before leaving and get your receipts. Atmosphere and people are great! Food is fresh, but bland. Burgers are the way to go
Awesome family restaurant on the water with great cocktails. Beautiful view while you enjoy a burger! Their french fries are so good.
Beautiful view and setting. Staff was super friendly. Food was very good! However, I thought cocktails were overpriced quite a bit.
It was a great experience nice atmosphere friendly wait staff and mix crowd enjoying themselves to live music along the River. Definitely going back.
Really busy on Saturday, long wait for a table but host was nice enough to serve water as we were outside. Food was delivered quickly after seated. Taste was okay.
They have done wonders fixing up repairing and just remodeling that whole area. Very proud of the new owner who has taken a legitimate interest in this restaurant the people in Verona and just overall having a nice place to visit. The previous people just let it run down and look like a trailer park around there but not anymore.The food was fantastic and very professionally executed in All phases throughout our visit.Really a fun place to go they even have great entertainment and even what they have on Thursday nights is special.
First time I went after hearing loads of good things about the place and it lived up to the hype! The fried food we had (I had the chance to sample several things) and the food I side was cooked wonderfully, well seasoned, and the crispy crunch from the battered exterior added so much more flavor and texture... Its an absolute must do again! Cant wait to go back!
Great food and loved being on the river watching the boats come and go.
Loved it! Perfect spot to eat after putting in a boat! Great quality food and drinks. Healthy options. Also has a really great playground for kids! Great mothers day weekend experience!!!
The food was delicious and the waitress for table 3 on 7/18/21 was so freaking ADORABLE.....she was very knowledgeable about the food and drinks and her demeanor was warm and cute.....thanks hon. The atmosphere was great and I will definitely be going back.
Atmosphere is unique! Food is pretty good too.
Fun place went on a whim and karaoke night was the best. Our waitress was amazing!!
My wife and I came here for the second time last week and it was such a pleasant evening. I got the black bean burger and I never thought Id say this but it rivals Cary Town Burgers and Fries. Absolutely delicious
The ambiance was perfect. There was one African American waitress that was very friendly, informative and efficient. Thank you!
4th of July busy weekend. The staff from seating to service and Waitress Abby were all top notch & attentive. Beer cold & good. We had crab dip, 2 lbs of spiced steamed shrimp, fries, hushpuppies. Dogs given water & kids allowed to chalk up the floor. Plenty or shade or sun. Wonderful day on the river.
The atmosphere here is awesome. They remodeled a few years back and all the seating is outside on the covered/heated patio. They have live music on certain nights as well. The menu has little bit of everything from sandwiches/wraps to pizzas to full seafood entrees. The prices are decent as well. The views are gorgeous. Highly recommend a sunset dinner here.
Dinner was great and around the $10-20 range. Drinks range from $5 beers to $12 mix drinks. Beers can be cheaper if you buy a bucket. Atmosphere was good with a good view if the James river and the local Marina.
Fun venue. Great live music. Crowded, but well managed.
Went with a friend for his birthday. Amazing seafood that was the freshest I have ever experianced in a local restaurant. Staff was also very good at waiting on the guests.
So I went for my birthday with family. It was amazing. The drinks were good. Food was even better. Fried oysters, salmon, the burgers, catfish all amazing! The waitstaff was really nice
This is an awesome place to hang out. Its right on the river has access for boaters great outdoors area.
This is an absolute favorite local hangout. The food is upscale quality. The outside dock atmosphere is beautiful and relaxing.
This place was so much fun!!! The kids enjoyed the view and our neat table. We will definitely be back!! The food was really great as well!
2hr wait then was asked to pay a cover charge once we were seated after spending $60 in drinks while waiting to be seated. The manager suggested I shouldnt come on Saturday nights if I didnt want to pay the cover charge. I think I should have been told of the cover charge before putting my name on a waiting list. If I didnt pay the cover I had 20mins to eat and leave.
Wont give the establishment a 1 star on the premise that I never got to try their food. You better have a decent chunk of time to spend trying to eat here: it was about an hour and 15 min wait to be sat for a table, followed by another 15 min wait before we decided to leave because it didnt seem like the staff cared. The sad part is its such a drive to get here I wouldnt try coming again because of the first experience that I didnt really get to have. So, unless you have 2+ hours to spend waiting and eating dont bother.
Wish I could comment on their food but their google hours said they were open so we drive 40 minutes only to find out they are closed for a private event. They made some comment that it was posted outside via sign unfortunately they didn’t update they hours online so we drove there for nothing
One of my new favorite places. Super popular so there is a wait, but you get to hang out and watch the water at their cocktail area so it doesnt even bother you. Food was amazing!
Large groups at most restaurants automatically get gratuity added onto their bill. We have a large family of eight so we generally automatically have the gratuity added onto our bill. I always tip at least 20% and if the gratuity isn’t 20% I round up to the 20%. When I see people complaining of gratuity amounts with large groups it’s irritating. You choose to go in a large group (in most cases). If you want to avoid the larger gratuity charges then break up your group. Large groups are hard for the servers. Most of these servers were out of work for a long time due to covid. So many restaurants were closed for a prolonged period of time. Please instead of leaving a horrible review because of the cost do your homework before going. Look at the menu and check prices. Also, call that particular restaurant and ask about their policies for larger groups. Sometimes letting them know in advance you will have a large group helps so they can have the appropriate staffing. Remember some restaurants are still having staffing issues. This past year has hard on everyone but some of these businesses are still really struggling. A little kindness goes a long way and we all need to help each other.
I wish I had taken a picture of my food, but it looked so good we dove right in. The tuna sandwich was delicious and cooked perfectly. Cant wait for another sunny day to head back there again!
Awesome experience! Didn’t wait too long and the drinks are incredibly cheap. Servers were wonderful- we will be back.
Very rude for Roby the host to ask if we are going to use the table longer while we are finishing our drinks when 6 other tables are empty. We spend over a hundred dollars at this place almost every weekend...wont be coming back again.
Food was good and service was good but its all outside with very little relief from the heat
Amazing place with live music. Dinner was also great
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