Was all a big bowl of just OK. Our server was super nice but took forever to get anything to the table. We both ordered the crabcakes and they were average at best. Deep fried and mostly bread. I expected better crabcakes from a restaurant on the Chesapeake Bay. read more

Food is Delicious.......Crab Bisque & Frog Legs. Waite Staff are very nice. Love the outside screen porch with overhead fans. read more

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

Arrived at 1:30pm after a 2 hour motorcycle ride. We were a party of 3. Only one other table was there. Seated ourselves. Ordered 3 beers, alligator bites and oysters. After about 30 mins, the waitress brings out the bites and says that they had run out of oysters. Asked to see a menu to change or order, menu was dropped off and waitress didn't come back for over 20mins so we ordered crab balls, fish sandwich and crab cakes. Keep in mind, while we were waiting for our food, another party of 8 and 10 arrived. They placed their orders. After about 45 minutes, both tables had their food and we are still waiting. After another 15 minutes, the waitress says I'm sorry but we don't have any fish or crab meat. Funny thing is when we complained, the chef said that he did have fish. We are pissed now cause we have waited over an hour for food while others that came behind us by 20 minutes have already eaten their food and are relaxing. The manager tried to blame it on having a short staff. But that still doesn't explain how others that came in after us received their food which was basically the same thing that we ordered and we didn't get anything. I will not be back. Good luck if you decide to try this place. Best part of our whole experience was the motorcycle ride down. Also, as a side note. Don't order beer on draft, it will come in many different size glasses even though there is only one size according to the waitress. read more

I live in Reedville, and eat here at least once a week. The food is always, inexpensive, good, and consistent. They're not trying to be Le Bernardin so don't expect parmesean tuiles with your deconstructed fish sandwich. If you want a great meal at an affordable price then this is your spot. Come by car, or boat (we always stop for lunch on our way out with friends on the boat). They have cold beer, a full bar, and a screened in covered patio to enjoy those warm days. As for service, this place can get busy and everyone comes at once. So sit wherever you'd like, I can assure you the servers know you are there. It might take a minute for them to take your order, because they are just working through all the people who came in just before you. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the breeze. read more

Nice little place on the water. We went there by boat over Memorial Day weekend. The place was packed inside and out. The wait staff were running around trying to take care of everyone and doing a pretty great job. I'm sure the kitchen staff were busy trying to take care of all the lunch orders; we did have a long wait for our food, but it was very understandable. We ordered a fish sandwich with some onion rings that were delicious, a steak & cheese, and a club. We all enjoyed our food and drinks. Overall a great local place to stop at while out boating or fishing. Plenty of room to dock your boat and enjoy some lunch before getting back out on the water to catch some Stripers. read more

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! read more

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We came for a good old-style fried seafood dinner and got exactly that. Scallops and cod fried perfectly and hush puppies to die for. A real gem. Good fast service, even though it was hopping on a Thursday evening. Yum! read more

We go to Leadbelly's about once a month. We enjoy sitting on their screen porch for lunch overlooking the water. Prices are fair, food is quite good and service is always friendly. That sums it up! Highly recommend this rustic, come as you are, little hole in the wall! read more

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

Drinks, appetizers were good until the restaurant became packed. Lunch turned into 3 hours having to go inside from the outdoor porch seating 3 times asking about the food order and requesting soda refills. Was told by a local it was (NNK) Northern Neck Time. Presumably a a slow pace but, for sure 3 hours is not suitable.. When we did finally receive lunch the onion rings were cold. read more

service n ambiance were great. Food , not so good. My wife n i both had the shrimp sandwich... worst ever. Shrimp looked like out of a small can from mkt n smashed.. no visible shrimp. also 7 wings for $7. look like they were from Etiopia Blue cheese n crackers were great. Cheese berger was fair read more

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

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. read more

LeadBelly’s Restaurant - a plate of spaghetti and a sandwich - Seafood Near Me - Reedville, Virginia

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 read more

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

I drove from daytona Florida cuz o heard rumors..this old dude from Massachusetts bought the place never even cooked a grilled cheese but has art for creating monetary empires..I sent some culinary scouts on a stealth mission..the results were all positive..he has put P together a team of sucess..they replied the food all looked it was prepared for a photo shoot..the flavour profile on all the dishes they ordered was spot on..so if u enjoy seafood..get off ur ass nd xperience it first hand..u won't regret it.. Charlie Bean read more

This place is a hidden gem!! Great food and laid back atmosphere.. drinks are awesome! Highly recommend the crab cake sandwich and the fried oysters were delish!! Can't wait to go back! read more

This is a fantastic restaurant for what it is: great tasting, inexpensive seafood, fantastic service, and ice-cold beer in a no-frills, waterfront atmosphere catering to locals. We visited for lunch and opted to share the Oyster Basket Appetizer ($12), the Crab Ball Appetizer ($8) and one large side salad ($4.25). The oysters were as fresh as could be and ginormous! For a $1 a piece, they were the star of the show. The crab balls were about the size of large gumballs - and what they lacked in size they made up for with the packed in flavor. Almost all crab with very little filling - just as it should be. Salad was a salad. Nothing special - but qualified as the "token green stuff" on your plate you should eat every day. Beer selection was limited - but they did have Fat Tire Belgian and it was as cold as it could be without freezing. In fact, the first couple sips did have a few ice crystals. Perfect. We were served by "Dawn" and she was attentive and nice-as-could-be. We will absolutely be back to Leadbelly's. Tip to management - you have such a beautiful location overlooking the water. Cleaning the exterior of those windows would go a long way toward making the view even better. read more

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We were at this restaurant for 2 hours waiting for our food. The oysters tasted like they were rolled in salt then dropped in old oil. The crabcake was burnt, there are like 2 waitresses and one cook all the food came out at separate times. This restaurant has provided me with a new reason to just eat at home. If I received a giftcard for a free meal here I would give it away. I think that I would rather sit at home and watch the twilight saga on repeat 15 times while taking a bath with household appliances the visit this place again. read more

We've been there four times and enjoyed our meal and dining experience on each trip. Try the waterman's BLT. Oh, enjoy the water view as well. read more

We have eaten here many times over the last 8 years, and have always enjoyed it. Last night was a disappointment. First it was Saturday night and we were shocked to find a near empty parking lot, in mid summer, as this place is usually packed. We sat outside on patio, ordered drinks and some appetizers. The hush puppies were delicious, and wing dings were good too. My husband and daughter both ordered club sandwiches, in fact we went there just to get the club sandwiches. My husband's club came out as a BLT, so we asked for the correct sandwich, and it came back as a BLT with ham stuffed into it. It was obvious sitting beside my daughter's perfect club sandwich. My daughter's side was a cucumber salad, that was nasty. It contained NO cucumbers, just tomatoes and onion, with old nasty dressing. She let the server know, and said she wasn't asking for a replacement, she was just letting them know so they wouldn't serve it to anybody else. The table next to us, with several loud intoxicated people apparently had an order of the cucumber salad and the server loudly embarrassed our daughter by saying she had complained about it, so beware. Wow. The new owner was inside and walked towards window where we were seated, and made eye contact with me, so we expected her to come out and talk to us. She never did. Now we can see why it was so empty. Hopefully the new owners get their act together. It's a long drive for us, so I don't know if we'll be back. read more

Leadbelly's is a good option for the NNK locals and visiting boaters in the area. Taking over the restaurant space at Fairport Marina that has housed several restaurants over the years, the current owner seems to have a nice balance of casual atmosphere, affordable comfort food, and cheap beer. But there are a few flaws, and don't expect much variety and flair from either the food or drinks. We decided to go to what my mom affectionately (I think) calls the "redneck bar" the day after Thanksgiving. My dad frequents here quite a bit, enjoying their cheap bottles of Busch Light. (I know ... I've tried to teach him about beer, but he's a creature of habit.) They were pretty much dead that night, with us being the only ones there dining. Beer and bar options are limited ... no draft beer, and bottles are the typical NASCAR selection plus the standard "plus" options - Sam Adams, Corona, and Angry Orchard for the ladies. And expect just the "standards" at the bar as well. Menu here is wisely limited (as they have a small kitchen best suited for short-order cooking) with daily specials offered. We started with the "Mary's Oyster Bucket" appetizer - a dozen oysters placed individually into a small muffin tin, topped with cheese and bacon, and baked. Oysters were small, but the dish is served with tiny toast slices that are used to soak up the oyster juices and round out the dish. For $12, I've seen other restaurants deliver a lot worse. For dinner, I ordered my favorite NNK comfort meal - liver and onions, with mashed potatoes and gravy. It was a good portion for the price, but I have had better at other local restaurants. Wife liked her burger, but her mac and cheese was a bit cold, and she thought tasted like box mix. I thought it was better than that, but it did seem to be box macaroni cooked with some type of prepped melted cheese sauce. Still, I think it would have been pretty good if it were just served warm. Overall, we had a pretty good meal and I wouldn't mind going back. And this is the type of place that Northumberland needs - a place where locals can go and get an affordable meal and drink, rather than the tourist-oriented, pricier upscale dining options. read more

I have had lunch here 3-4 times a month for the past 12-15 years. Having lived on the Chesapeake for 40+ years and eaten in seafood restaurants from Chesapeake City to Hampton on both shores, Leadbelly's Waterman's BLT is the best fish sandwich on the Bay. A meaty oversized filet, perfectly crisped with only the necessary breading and an always sweet, juicy pair of tomato slices and ample crisp bacon--not to be missed. In all those years I always wanted to be more adventurous, but the quality and consistency of this selection had me only on rare occasions choosing something different. By the way, the hush puppies are amazing! read more

Love this place. Best drinks around and food is excellent. Family cooking with delicious vegetable sides that change each day. Seafood is fresh and priced to sell. Sometimes a little loud when crowded, but a friendly local clientele. Service was outstanding - friendly, fast, and worth a nice tip. You ask for it, they get it with a smile. Mary's Oyster appetizer is fantastic. Dinner and lunches are equally great. Definitely a place to enjoy the view of the Reedville Stack lit up at night and a place where you can get boat fuel at a fair price if you come by boat. read more

Stumbled in the other day after not being there for a while had some friends with me. had a few toddy's and lotsa conversation .nice place .friends had crab bisque and raved about it I live locally and I will be back Ed Kroll read more

After a long hiatus I returned to the Fairport Marina for dinner several weeks ago. The atmosphere is perfectly water-casual, if there is such a thing. Leadbelly's has a semi-Jimmy Buffet charm, yet artsier. Be prepared for some fun interactions with locals and staff! We had seafood (crabcakes, shrimp, etc.) as much as we could hold, and it was GOOD! Finger-licking, actually. The grilled green beans were excellent, too, as were the adult beverages. I will return! read more

Service is always fast and friendly, with a very casual atmosphere and nice view. We haven't been able to move past the crab cake and waterman's BLT, both of which are absolutely delicious and incredibly reasonably priced. read more

We stopped by on Saturday found the menu somewhat limited, the beer cold. Servicer while inexperienced was helpful and very polite. Mary's oyster bucket for $12.00 was over priced and under whelming in value and flavor as well as the size of the oysters. Not a good dish for their show case menu item. Crab cake sandwich for $8.00 was good but came with a few potato chips had no sauce and we had to ask for tarter or cocktail sauce. Over all for 30 plus dollars for two beers and two lunchs not a good deal. read more

Leadbellies/Fairport Marina definitely has local color. The marina a mix of commercial deadrises has pleasure boats. It's over the water and today a crabber was tied up. Place is rustic and food is fried and reasonable. My favorites are soft shell crab or the waterman' sandwich. Service is generally quick and friendly. If you are looking for local color, fresh crab/oysters/fish, and a reasonable meal - can't beat it. If you are looking a dress up place with an overpriced meal, this isn't for you. read more