As our name suggests, Lehja is a modern Richmond Indian restaurant that is all about style. Dreamed by Virginia restaurateur Ashok K. Arora, the restaurant has, at its heart, a kitchen that boasts traditional and popular dishes with a contemporary flair. In Managing Partner, Sandeep "Sunny" Baweja you will find a gracious host.
Sunny and his team are constantly striving to provide you with a great dining experience in Short Pump. Lehja's convenient location makes it an ideal gathering spot for private and business diners alike, and our easygoing decor, inspired by 1970s Southern California, provides a cozy, cultured and refreshing spot right here in Richmond.
Sunny and his team are constantly striving to provide you with a great dining experience in Short Pump. Lehja's convenient location makes it an ideal gathering spot for private and business diners alike, and our easygoing decor, inspired by 1970s Southern California, provides a cozy, cultured and refreshing spot right here in Richmond.
Services
Might as well learn something as you eat, right? The night features four local chefs giving cooking demonstrations: Sara Ayyash, pastry chef at The Jefferson Hotel; James Porter, Executive Chef at the Omni Richmond Hotel; Brian Mullins, resident chef of Aprons Cooking School in the Publix store at Nuckols Place in western Henrico County; and Sandeep "Sunny" Baweja, chef and owner of Lehja.
Reviews (27)
Sampad D.
Jan 30, 2022
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Have been here once BUT still cant get it out of my mind.
The host and servers were great. The host was kind enough to select on the wine.
The FOOD is EXCELLENT !
My favorites -
-- Coconut Curry Scallops
-- Firecracker Chicken Tikka
The curry scallops were in appetizers, I loved it so much that I ordered an extra portion for main course that went very well with kashmiri naan.
Highly recommend this place
The host and servers were great. The host was kind enough to select on the wine.
The FOOD is EXCELLENT !
My favorites -
-- Coconut Curry Scallops
-- Firecracker Chicken Tikka
The curry scallops were in appetizers, I loved it so much that I ordered an extra portion for main course that went very well with kashmiri naan.
Highly recommend this place
Emma C.
Jan 19, 2022
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Danette D.
Jan 07, 2022
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My BFF treated me to dinner for my birthday and it was my first time trying food from India and I must say it was amazing. I heard great things about the cauliflower appetizer and it did not disappoint. For my entree I went with the lamb chops which had a nice grilled flavor, and they were very tender. They came with a side of jeera aloo which seems to be a potato of some sort but nevertheless good. I also got a side of the naan bread with the herbs and I could've ate two orders of that as it was very delicious. My friend had already ordered the drinks so I'm not sure which one it was
Michelle Wolf
Jan 02, 2022
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Nina H.
Dec 30, 2021
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This place has only gotten better and better. The food is consistent and the service is speedy. We went in today at 6pm with 2 kids and we were done before 7pm. Ideal! The Gobi Manchurian and Chaat are so good, we order them every time! Plus the MalaiMethi with corn is to die for! The BEST in Richmond!!!
Mercer R.
Dec 28, 2021
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Lehja was one of the best dinner experiences I have had in Richmond in a long time. Our waiter, Pi, was extremely knowledgeable and we ordered each of his recommendations. Not a single one disappointing.
My favorite was the Saang Paneer, with the Patiala Shahi Lamb a close second. The Gobhi Cauliflower to start was phenomenal as well.
Will definitely be back to try some more!
My favorite was the Saang Paneer, with the Patiala Shahi Lamb a close second. The Gobhi Cauliflower to start was phenomenal as well.
Will definitely be back to try some more!
Matt C.
Dec 22, 2021
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I will just start by saying that you are paying for the location in Short pump and COVID has definitely affected many restaurants. This one being no exception. The food just okay. Some interesting takes on modern Indian food... service is Not very good at this point and there are staffing issues. Overall technique is just okay. The spicing and seasoning are definitely dumbed down for the western pallette. Portions of vegetables and meat in the dishes are definitely not as good as some other restaurants in the area. Overall, not a very good value.
For some of the best Indian food outside of DC
For some of the best Indian food outside of DC
D. Lee
Oct 18, 2021
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Patrick
Oct 18, 2021
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Amazing, High quality, authentic Indian cuisine. Our first dine-in experience was fantastic. My pet peeve with some Indian restaurants is over cooked food… but not here! Scallops were cooked to perfection paired with generous amounts of Chesapeake Bay crab. The lamb was very tender and full of flavor. The Executive Chef (Sonny) was talking with customers and personally ensuring all were well attended. Thank you for an amazing Lunch and a wonderful first time experience! I’ll be back soon to try the NC trout when it’s on the menu. (Thanks for the advice and tips, Sonny).
Brittany H.
Oct 09, 2021
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This unassuming restaurant within short pump town center is truly a hidden gem. I was blown away by the massive wine selection and even more impressed by the sommelier-level knowledge displayed by each server. The food is authentic and delicious. I was equally impressed by the wine and the food. Service was attentive and friendly, both times I dined in I was seated immediately. The vibe is comfortable and perfect for nice, chill dinner with family or friends. I would highly recommend.
Evan D.
Oct 05, 2021
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My wife and I went six years ago when I had to stay in Richmond for a work thing but she had a dental issue which led to us getting the whole meal boxed up and then my eating back at our home hours away.
Fast forward six years and we had a great second attempt at Lehja last night. We have driven through Richmond and stopped to eat a few times but pre-Covid we always go to Perly's. As their hours have shortened during the pandemic we drove in after they closed so we got the pleasure to eat at Lehja.
Lehja is in the outdoor part of what seems like a pretty massive mall/mixed use area in
Fast forward six years and we had a great second attempt at Lehja last night. We have driven through Richmond and stopped to eat a few times but pre-Covid we always go to Perly's. As their hours have shortened during the pandemic we drove in after they closed so we got the pleasure to eat at Lehja.
Lehja is in the outdoor part of what seems like a pretty massive mall/mixed use area in
Eden F.
Sep 25, 2021
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Rich G.
Sep 08, 2021
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We've been here with our family a dozen times or so. Great location.
3 stars only because we had a bad experience one time... but it only happened once.
Friendly service. Nice decor. Food is always tasty.
Borderline 4 stars. If all continues to go well, we'll bump it up.
UPDATE: bumping up to 4 stars.
3 stars only because we had a bad experience one time... but it only happened once.
Friendly service. Nice decor. Food is always tasty.
Borderline 4 stars. If all continues to go well, we'll bump it up.
UPDATE: bumping up to 4 stars.
Pamela Gray Daniel
Aug 28, 2021
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The dishes are not family style. I have been to indian restaurants before and ordered a dish and it was meant to be shared. This was not the case. I did ask the waitstaff and they said the portions were large, but I have seen larger.
The food was great here are my recommendations. Unfortunately we forgot to take pictures because my children just dug in.
Butter Chicken is always a win
The cauliflower appetizer was yummy get 2 if you have more than 3 people in your party.
The lamb chops were delicious again not a large item there were 4 chops and some potatoes in the center. It did not come with
The food was great here are my recommendations. Unfortunately we forgot to take pictures because my children just dug in.
Butter Chicken is always a win
The cauliflower appetizer was yummy get 2 if you have more than 3 people in your party.
The lamb chops were delicious again not a large item there were 4 chops and some potatoes in the center. It did not come with
Nick D.
Jul 24, 2021
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If you look up blogs for Best restaurants in Richmond this restaurant makes it to the top 20 list. Therefore our group thought it would be in our best interest to try it. This is one of those fancy Indian places where you pay for the ambience but the food is so subpar. Our waiter was nice and we believe he was one of the original owners he told us that this restaurant was started by a group of business students from Europe who traveled India and crafted these entrées. He tried to claim that my shrimp and chicken entrée is the only one of its kind in the whole country a bit of a dramatic statement
Susan P.
Jul 18, 2021
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Unbelievable. The service was phenomenal: fast, friendly, and able to answer all questions. The food was creative and beautiful and delicious. The presentation of food was just exquisite. This is one of those reviews where we run out of superlatives. It was wonderful to try Indian dishes that were not just the usual. Excellent cocktails. We cannot wait to return. If we could give this six stars, we would!
Felicia Ainsa
Jul 16, 2021
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Katie S.
Jun 03, 2021
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Picture it. A cold rainy day in Short Pump, you've eaten nothing but your own cooking for weeks because of the pandemic. Enter: Lehja. Exquisitely flavored, presented beautifully, and well portioned. The appetizer Chaat de jour was off the charts good - cool tangy chickpeas with yogurt & herbs. Our entrees were vegetarian - (Kofta Chaman Dilkhush) croquettes with a tomato sauce and (Malai Methi Ki Makai) sweet corn with a green aromatic curry sauce. We stuck with a spice level of 3 and it had good build. The naan has a small charge but the slices completed the dish - worth it ! Overall
N. S.
May 10, 2021
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Yummy food! The menu is extensive and creative! We had their kaali Chana/alu/goat cheese patties for appetizer, I had their shrimp/chicken zalfrezi, and my husband had andhra style chicken curry. The chicken/shrimp zalfrezi was sizzling and a great choice for anyone looking for healthy options. Their naan has the right amount of makhan .
I have to knock off stars due to their service. The staff is friendly, but inexperienced when it comes to food and service. Service was slow as a result. Water glasses taken away before we finished dining, room temperature chai (then reheated in the microwave
I have to knock off stars due to their service. The staff is friendly, but inexperienced when it comes to food and service. Service was slow as a result. Water glasses taken away before we finished dining, room temperature chai (then reheated in the microwave
Julia M.
Apr 13, 2021
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Came here for Sunday dinner and it was fantastic. The interior looked aesthetically pleasing with it being dimly lit and modern, a blue light on the bar and beads separating two of the sections inside.
Most people dined outside on the patio but we chose to dine in. There was hardly anyone inside expect the servers. Servers were attentive and nice. We knew what we wanted from looking at the menu earlier online.
Our food didn’t take long to come out. I especially enjoyed the seafood dish with the scallops and lump crab— it was delicious. Salmon was also tasty. I like that they weren’t spicy
Most people dined outside on the patio but we chose to dine in. There was hardly anyone inside expect the servers. Servers were attentive and nice. We knew what we wanted from looking at the menu earlier online.
Our food didn’t take long to come out. I especially enjoyed the seafood dish with the scallops and lump crab— it was delicious. Salmon was also tasty. I like that they weren’t spicy
Kate Hughes
Mar 15, 2021
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AMAZING!!! This was the first time I have ever tried Indian cuisine and I’m so glad we picked this place! The waiter was incredibly kind explain each item on the menu that interested us because we had no clue what we were doing. The dining area is beautiful and clean. If you go do not skip out on the bread! They have so many choice to choose from and all of them sounded incredible.
Ashley S.
Jan 24, 2021
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Let me just start with OMG! How did I wait so long to eat here? I will not make that mistake again. The food and (curbside takeaway) service were fantastic. We wanted to eat here but didn't know what to order so we called asked for some advice and were not disappointed. We forgot to take pictures because we inhaled the food so fast but I did take a shot of the kitchen receipt so I could remember what to order next time. Everything was fantastic, but the Tawa chicken (the sauce, omg!) and the Deconstructed butter chicken rocked my world. I'm dreaming about them right now. Cant go
Lisa G.
Dec 21, 2020
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I can't believe how long it's taken me to try Lehja! Today was the day!
We arrived at around 1:15 p.m. purposely trying to avoid a lunch crowd. There were two other tables in the area where we were seated, spaced far enough apart for covid comfort.
Decor was more upscale than the typical Indian restaurant, appropriate for the Short Pump location. Black cloth napkins and they ask ice or no ice for the waters.
Our server was pleasant and promptly took our orders of saag paneer for me and tandoori lamb tikka for my nephew. My nephew likes very spicy food, so of the 1-5 spice levels
We arrived at around 1:15 p.m. purposely trying to avoid a lunch crowd. There were two other tables in the area where we were seated, spaced far enough apart for covid comfort.
Decor was more upscale than the typical Indian restaurant, appropriate for the Short Pump location. Black cloth napkins and they ask ice or no ice for the waters.
Our server was pleasant and promptly took our orders of saag paneer for me and tandoori lamb tikka for my nephew. My nephew likes very spicy food, so of the 1-5 spice levels
Peter Lavallee
Dec 07, 2020
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The absolute best food, staff, and owner. The owner/chef came out and explained our dishes to us with a bit of Indian history to go with each of them. The Paneer Asparagus was full of flavor that hit on many levels and the care that was put into the slow cooking of the dish was evident. The same went for the lamb in cashew sauce which was beyond creamy yet held no cream. The were beyond decadent and fit for a king. Thank goodness for the delicious garlic Naan to wipe the dish clean otherwise I would have had to resort to other measures! The staff made sure to always check in and top off our drinks
Keith P.
Sep 21, 2020
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Happen to be staying at a hotel in the neighborhood and just wanted to grab some takeout.
I typically really like Indian food and when I called to order I couldn't decide. The gentleman who answered the phone was very helpful in guiding me to some great choices.
I walked next-door to pick up the food, the gentleman introduced himself and we had a laugh or two.
Got back to my hotel room the food was great his choices were superb. Definitely a place I will return to.
I typically really like Indian food and when I called to order I couldn't decide. The gentleman who answered the phone was very helpful in guiding me to some great choices.
I walked next-door to pick up the food, the gentleman introduced himself and we had a laugh or two.
Got back to my hotel room the food was great his choices were superb. Definitely a place I will return to.
Neil Spoonhower
Jun 15, 2020
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I really like Lehja. Sunny is always friendly and quick witha recommendation or special dish. We ALWAYS get the chaat special and it never disappoints. The Firecracker Chicken is addictive. Our go tos are Butter Chicken and Chicken Tika Masala. Not a fan of the Lamb Rogan Josh.
Fabulous atmosphere and really special food.
Fabulous atmosphere and really special food.
Vinay V.
Sep 18, 2019
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Visited for dinner with 12 co-workers. The food was delicious, and service was great!
Paneer Tikka: the paneer was soft inside and well done on the outside. The seasoning was tangy, served with the chutneys. Loved it!
Paneer Makhani: my go to at every Indian restaurant is paneer makhani or Shahi paneer. I asked for medium spicy. The quantity is also pretty large and filling.
Papad that was served in the beginning was fresh, garlic naan was soft and fluffy!
Drinks: had a lychee flavored martini which was strong and tasted like lychee.
The manager seemed to be very knowledgeable with wines
Paneer Tikka: the paneer was soft inside and well done on the outside. The seasoning was tangy, served with the chutneys. Loved it!
Paneer Makhani: my go to at every Indian restaurant is paneer makhani or Shahi paneer. I asked for medium spicy. The quantity is also pretty large and filling.
Papad that was served in the beginning was fresh, garlic naan was soft and fluffy!
Drinks: had a lychee flavored martini which was strong and tasted like lychee.
The manager seemed to be very knowledgeable with wines
