Laura Lee's is an updated take on the American fern bar on Semmes Avenue in Southside Richmond. Our space is comfortable and lovely, with living walls, padded chairs and semi-circular booths, a classic mirrored bar, and a backyard garden patio. A native of Danville, Virginia, Elby's Rising Star nominee Chef Scott Lewis worked at Six Burner, The Roosevelt, and Southbound before becoming head chef at Laura Lee's in 2016.
Ben Nelson is the talent behind Laura Lee's cocktails and the master of the frozen drink machine. Kendra Feather owns 2 other restaurants in Richmond, Virginia. Feather opened Garnett's Cafe in 2009 and The Roosevelt in 2011. She was named Restaurateur of the Year by Richmond Magazine in 2013, and featured in The Virginia Table in 2015.
Ben Nelson is the talent behind Laura Lee's cocktails and the master of the frozen drink machine. Kendra Feather owns 2 other restaurants in Richmond, Virginia. Feather opened Garnett's Cafe in 2009 and The Roosevelt in 2011. She was named Restaurateur of the Year by Richmond Magazine in 2013, and featured in The Virginia Table in 2015.
Services
We offer a mix of outdoor seating and indoor tables at the front of the dining room. Our online reservations system does not differentiate between the two - we will do our best to offer your preferred table at arrival, but there are no guarantees. If you would like to specifically reserve either an indoor table or an outdoor table (weather permitting), please add this in the "notes" field when making the reservation, or call to let us know.
Another walnut-infused beauty is the Nocino Nuts and Berries at Laura Lee's. Developed by restaurant manager Ben Nelson, it replaces the Frangelico traditionally found in the classic Nuts and Berries with Nocino from Don Ciccio & Figli, a family-run operation out of the D.C. area that specializes in Italian-style liqueurs, amari and digestifs.
Reviews (28)
Industrial Solvent
Jan 21, 2022
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Tim Brownson
Jan 19, 2022
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We had two appetizers, chiquiterr and a mushroom patte on bread both of which were good. One person had the strip steak, two others had scallops and I had the rockfish. My dish was not easy to decipher the flavors and some of the additional acutrime was not welcomed and detracted from the flavor of the fish. The fish itself was delicious. The service was good and the servers were very nice. I will visit again and you should give it a try.
Brandi Carey
Jan 11, 2022
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Sophie Roach
Dec 25, 2021
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Did date night here the other night and was very pleased! Drinks were amazing!! (Red mare & cider) Fried oysters were to die for! Husband ordered scallops which were excellent, and I ordered the fried chicken sandwich. I was unimpressed with the chicken sandwich as it was dry and lacking flavor. We ordered apple pie for dessert which was delivered still frozen and tasted like a store bought frozen pie, however the server took it off the bill without us even having to ask. Service was great, so we will definitely return to give it another shot!
David Miranda Channel
Nov 23, 2021
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Mark C.
Nov 16, 2021
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Nikita H.
Nov 10, 2021
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My boyfriend and I were looking for a great dinner experience one evening and we chose Laura Lee's. The lighting for dinner is romantic for a date. And we were taken care of very well by our server. We were both very hungry so we started off with a couple cocktails and milk break as the appetizer. The milk bread was baked perfectly and you can tell how fresh it is. We ordered the scallops as an appetizer even though it is technically an entree. He had the fried quail and I ordered the roasted Mahi. The scallops were perfect. The Mahi was cooked just right and the kimchi had very complimentary
Hunter P.
Sep 26, 2021
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Great ambience and decor. Good drinks. Had a delicious American IPA and others had martinis and Malbecs that they enjoyed. But the service was spotty. And it took over an hour and a half for the entrees to arrive. When they did, the food was so-so. A few of us had the quail special, which while lightly breaded and accompanied by tasty veggies (which we had to pay extra for) tasted like they had dumped sugar on it. It was oddly sweet. Not great. They gave us free desserts for the wait after we said something but those were meh as well. Maybe we'll try it again in a year to see if they&apos
Sunhwayoon
Sep 03, 2021
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Rob Hagan
Sep 03, 2021
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Annie P.
Aug 27, 2021
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Four stars for its atmosphere and friendly staff. 1 for the most underwhelming entree ever of a dry, bland, roasted chicken. Our waitress advised they did not have black-eye peas. Instead, baked beans were the substitute for the entree. To our surprise, the baked beans were nothing more than undercooked crunchy black-eye peas in a sweet sauce.
It is, however, a great spot to meet up for drinks and conversation.
It is, however, a great spot to meet up for drinks and conversation.
Chris B.
Aug 14, 2021
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Jackie C.
Jun 26, 2021
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Adorable restaurant with an artsy/vintage aesthetic that serves up delicious cocktails and food! I've visited twice, once for brunch and once for dinner and both times the meals and drinks have been on point! Service is good, though my border on hovering (may have just been our server or an off night, but was noticeable).
The menu is small but mighty and our server helped us narrow things down because honestly everything looked good! We started with drinks and apps - milk bread with whipped honey butter is so good (they give you a giant slab of bread) and their "plate" that comes
The menu is small but mighty and our server helped us narrow things down because honestly everything looked good! We started with drinks and apps - milk bread with whipped honey butter is so good (they give you a giant slab of bread) and their "plate" that comes
Hank N.
May 20, 2021
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Really intimate and cozy setting, calm jazz in the background, dim lighting. Great date spot - but had to settle for a friend's company haha. Lots of tables in the back too. Parking on the main street or off the side, right next to the excellent WPA bakery.
Started with focaccia bread - good crunch, rich, - made generous use of the honey butter - can't go wrong.
I went with the fish, my friend did the pork chops. My fish was crispy, the sausage melded really well with the rest of the dish. This was a really great restaurant, love the venue, will be back to try the other dishes.
Started with focaccia bread - good crunch, rich, - made generous use of the honey butter - can't go wrong.
I went with the fish, my friend did the pork chops. My fish was crispy, the sausage melded really well with the rest of the dish. This was a really great restaurant, love the venue, will be back to try the other dishes.
Scott Matherly
Apr 23, 2021
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Julia M.
Jan 26, 2021
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We came here for brunch on Sunday. We didn’t expect it to be so popular or full, but it was. At first we were told the wait would be around 30-40 minutes, but somehow they found a tiny table for us almost right away.
We ordered steak and eggs, burger and pancakes with sides of sausage gravy and cheese grits. They later moved us to a bigger table after we got our drinks which I’m glad they did because we got a lot of food and it wouldn’t have fit on the other table.
The pancake were huge! They came with syrup and whipped honey butter. The burger didn’t look like it did in their photo,
We ordered steak and eggs, burger and pancakes with sides of sausage gravy and cheese grits. They later moved us to a bigger table after we got our drinks which I’m glad they did because we got a lot of food and it wouldn’t have fit on the other table.
The pancake were huge! They came with syrup and whipped honey butter. The burger didn’t look like it did in their photo,
Tracey B.
Jan 10, 2021
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Laura Lee's is a great spot to relax, chill, and enjoy a delicious meal!
Upon entering this establishment you are greeted with dim lighting and jazz that will take you away. I love that the wall is adorned with artwork and some of plays & jazz musicians. I'm in the arts so this place immediately made me feel at home.
The service was really friendly and they adhered to all of the Covid guidelines, which makes for a more comfortable dining experience. As for the food...Ooh La La! I ordered the Lump Crab Cakes and it was indeed a some of the most delicious crab cakes that I have
Upon entering this establishment you are greeted with dim lighting and jazz that will take you away. I love that the wall is adorned with artwork and some of plays & jazz musicians. I'm in the arts so this place immediately made me feel at home.
The service was really friendly and they adhered to all of the Covid guidelines, which makes for a more comfortable dining experience. As for the food...Ooh La La! I ordered the Lump Crab Cakes and it was indeed a some of the most delicious crab cakes that I have
Rodock W.
Dec 31, 2020
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A summer's shower had just concluded, as Mr. RVA made his way over the James River, onto Semmes Ave., in the Southside of Richmond. His destination you may ask? A cozy, local, neighborhood restaurant, where Chef Scott Lewis creates wonderful culinary art of the American Fare persuasion. Kendra Feathers, Richmond Magazine's 2015 Restaurateur of the Year, and owner of this wonderful establishment, named the restaurant after her mother. The stucco brick walls are enriched by hand-picked, canvas art pieces. Even cooler, are the hand painted murals of lovely ladies, who are patrons and performers
Ruth D.
Dec 11, 2020
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Mike B.
Nov 07, 2020
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This is a nice little neighborhood restaurant that really knocks it out of the park.
The hanger steak is incredible. I had it a second time when we cane back, ad it was just as good. It is amazingly tender and savory.
The fries and mac & cheese are both tasty sides, I had the former the first time and the latter the second.
Their beer selection is small, but high quality.
The hanger steak is incredible. I had it a second time when we cane back, ad it was just as good. It is amazingly tender and savory.
The fries and mac & cheese are both tasty sides, I had the former the first time and the latter the second.
Their beer selection is small, but high quality.
Steve I.
Aug 30, 2020
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Reserved a table tonight online for wife's birthday. I asked if some flowers could be on table for her and they certainly did that...thank you! We ordered a crustinni appetizer with honey and pistachio that was very fresh. Our meals were not only large portion but extremely flavorful. Strip steak with potatoes and chimmichurri sauce and a crab cake, shrimp and grits dinner. Service was sooo pleasant. We will certainly return. Wonderful dinner!
Jeff W.
Aug 23, 2020
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Thank you Yelp for introducing us to Laura Lee's. Such a treat to sit down for a delicious, thoughtfully prepared dinner in the middle of a pandemic and feel totally safe, welcome and unhurried.
With so many creative culinary options to choose from I felt a little guilty ordering the Oyster Po Boy, but was not disappointed. The oysters were catch-of-the-day fresh, the breading light and crunchy, the sauce zesty and the roll soft, sweet and seemingly right out of the oven. The po boy came with a choice of side, and of course I chose the hush puppies! Since we arrived starving I asked if
With so many creative culinary options to choose from I felt a little guilty ordering the Oyster Po Boy, but was not disappointed. The oysters were catch-of-the-day fresh, the breading light and crunchy, the sauce zesty and the roll soft, sweet and seemingly right out of the oven. The po boy came with a choice of side, and of course I chose the hush puppies! Since we arrived starving I asked if
Rebecca K.
Aug 04, 2020
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Laura Lee's has been such a nice place for take out. They have been changing their menu enough to it interesting, but not so much so that I can't order a favorite entrée from them twice. I can't wait to eat there in person when it is safe to do so, but for now I will enjoy their delicious food from the safety of my home.
Sara M.
Nov 19, 2019
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I love Laura Lee's now. I had a shaky first experience years ago but this restaurant has really hit its stride.
Make a reservation if you can! I love sitting in their back garden in good weather and hanging out at their bar anytime.
They have a great drinks program and one of the best Bloody Marys in Richmond. They constantly get in new and unique drinks and it's so impressive.
They make one of my husband's favorite chicken sandwiches in Richmond and they hold a top spot on my personal favorite bougie burger list.
But this week we went to brunch there for the first time and
Make a reservation if you can! I love sitting in their back garden in good weather and hanging out at their bar anytime.
They have a great drinks program and one of the best Bloody Marys in Richmond. They constantly get in new and unique drinks and it's so impressive.
They make one of my husband's favorite chicken sandwiches in Richmond and they hold a top spot on my personal favorite bougie burger list.
But this week we went to brunch there for the first time and
Cynthia T.
Jul 14, 2019
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My second night in Richmond, I pulled out my trusty Yelp app and did a search for something that was local and friendly for those abstaining from gluten. (One of my coworkers has Celiac's)
What a find!! My coworker ordered the mussels in spicy coconut broth and the gluten free crab cakes and she was in hog heaven.
I ordered the cucumber/avocado/crab soup. It was very cool and refreshing, perfect for those humid evenings. For dinner I ordered the scallops. And here's a truthbomb: I never liked scallops. They never appealed to me. But for some reason, I felt tonight was the night to
What a find!! My coworker ordered the mussels in spicy coconut broth and the gluten free crab cakes and she was in hog heaven.
I ordered the cucumber/avocado/crab soup. It was very cool and refreshing, perfect for those humid evenings. For dinner I ordered the scallops. And here's a truthbomb: I never liked scallops. They never appealed to me. But for some reason, I felt tonight was the night to
Lisa G.
May 30, 2019
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Stopped in for dinner on a Wednesday night and was pleasantly surprised to see so much activity! This is a hot spot, and a great addition to the Forest Hill neighborhood.
We shared the polenta appetizer (delicious after adding salt and pepper), I got the crab cakes (yum), my friend got the tile fish which replaced the grouper (good but probably a bit too lemon-y) and we shared the double chocolate cherry pistachio cake (good with thick, sweet icing).
Nothing blew me away, but there were no bad choices. Everything was good. This is a solid spot for a good meal and good service.
We shared the polenta appetizer (delicious after adding salt and pepper), I got the crab cakes (yum), my friend got the tile fish which replaced the grouper (good but probably a bit too lemon-y) and we shared the double chocolate cherry pistachio cake (good with thick, sweet icing).
Nothing blew me away, but there were no bad choices. Everything was good. This is a solid spot for a good meal and good service.
Kevin W.
Feb 08, 2019
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I should of left this review a long time ago since Laura Lee's is one of my most favorite places to visit (sorry for slacking). Thanks to the staff (shoutout to Ben and Micheal) for stellar consistency and great memories.
The restaurant is designed nicely with the way everything is placed but I normally eat/drink at the bar. You can order the full menu here and are encouraged to do so.
Parking can sometimes be difficult but most times there is a spot somewhere around the block. LL can fill up because of what they offer :)
This place, hands down, has my most favorite cheeseburger and crab
The restaurant is designed nicely with the way everything is placed but I normally eat/drink at the bar. You can order the full menu here and are encouraged to do so.
Parking can sometimes be difficult but most times there is a spot somewhere around the block. LL can fill up because of what they offer :)
This place, hands down, has my most favorite cheeseburger and crab
Stephanie H.
Aug 06, 2018
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I'm not sure how I haven't left a review yet for Laura Lee's. This is the kind of place you want to share with the world by shouting from the rooftops about how amazing they are.
It's probably been less than six months since I first stepped through the front door of what has now become one of my absolute favorite restaurants ever. Not just in Richmond, but legit all time.
The dining room is so cute and welcoming with half round booths and awesome artwork. But, you'll usually find me at the bar (which is almost always packed), where I have a front row seat to some magical mixology happenings.
It's probably been less than six months since I first stepped through the front door of what has now become one of my absolute favorite restaurants ever. Not just in Richmond, but legit all time.
The dining room is so cute and welcoming with half round booths and awesome artwork. But, you'll usually find me at the bar (which is almost always packed), where I have a front row seat to some magical mixology happenings.
