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    LeadBelly’s Restaurant

    3.8 (28 reviews)
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    a dock with several boats
    Billie E.

    I'm giving this place 4 mainly because we were totally surprised, in a really good way. We'd been here several years ago and it was just meh...nothing special. We drove by last year and it looked closed down. Being on the Northern Neck, there's only a hand full of decent restaurants. We thought we'd give Leadbelly's at the Fairport Marina another look-see because we heard it WAS open. Glad we did! Nothing fancy. Nothing. It's a Marina. You can smell the sea lingering from the work boats docked there. There's outdoor screened porch seating, but it was closed "due to extreme heat". The waitresses wear t-shirts advertising the restaurant...and they wear flip-flops...probably against code, but what the heck. There were 4 of us. I ordered the fried oyster appetizer ($12) with a side of fried cabbage ($2.25) My dinner mates each ordered the oyster platter for $20 which came with 2 sides and "big butt rolls". Now...we've been going to another place where the oysters are tasty, but the portions have shrunk over time. When our friendly waitress (who grew up on the water and didn't eat seafood) brought our meals, I was pleasantly surprised at the huge mound of oysters. They had just the right amount of breading and the fried cabbage was delicious, cooked just right. I forgot to count how many oysters I had, but I know this: I got a big mess (a whole lot) of plump fried oysters for not a lot of money. My buddies had more on their plates than I had for the appetizer portion and they couldn't finish...they toted the remains home. If you are in the area of Fairport on the Northern Neck of Virgina, definitely give this place a try. Down home, local hangout is worth the trip!

    a plate of spaghetti and a sandwich

    Visited on Friday, May 26, 2023 around 6pm. Starting our season on the bay, this local spot is usually very busy. We were surprised when their were only a hand full of cars in the parking lot; especially for Memorial Day Weekend. Although the entire experience was a disappointment, I will hit the highlights. We were there for over 2 hours. It took about an hour and half for our dinner to come out. We had to ask repeatedly for our dinner salads. I ordered the "Spaghetti Special" for $12.95 which boasted being served with Garlic Bread. What I got was a child portion served with a single slice of toasted sandwich bread. There was no meat in the sauce and the edges of the sauce were "dry bruised" like it was microwaved within an inch of its life. Two other diners ordered the Friday Night Steak Dinner Special for $24.95 which has always been a hit for regular dinners. What came to the table could only be described as "scraps".. like what you would give to the dogs once you were done. There was barely any meat and mostly fat and gristle. Waited for the sides to come out with the steak which was a tiny portion. The very nice waitress admitted she did not want the steaks to get cold just because the sides were not ready. As a positive, the steak sub and fried shrimp dinner that was ordered at the table was noted as good.. however,, the fries that accompanied them were cool and soggy and mostly left untouched. Discussing the experience with neighbors later on, we learned that many locals have stopped eating there in recent months for similar disappointing experiences. We do not wish to harm these newer owners; only encourage them to improve and usher in a return to quality; what has been a steady favorite and "go to" in this area for years and years. And to warn those who seek a good meal of what they may face should they choose to dine here.

    Wes A.

    So just a whole in the wall! This place is on the water and big time local ! Food is straight up local ! Potato salad was commercial but good! Loved the soft shell crab and hush puppies! The food was hot and good ! This place is old school! Love that there was a dog in the inside dining area ! Local waterman

    Leadbelly's Main Dining Area

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    6 days ago

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    2 months ago

    Food was great, staff was very friendly and helpful. Setting is beautiful. Fisherman's blt fantastic, oyster basket wonderful.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Walked in, received dirty looks, told to sit anywhere, no one came to take our order. See ya!

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    The food is great! The service is good. It is very rustic and perfect location for either by land or water.

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    3 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Great food for a great price. Can't beat there hush puppies. Get 8 big ones for less than 3 bucks. Great service also.

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    Review Highlights - LeadBelly’s Restaurant

    We thought we'd give Leadbelly's at the Fairport Marina another look-see because we heard it WAS open.

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    LeadBelly’s Restaurant - seafood - Updated August 2026

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