I've been intrigued by the Lilly Pad's concept for quite a while and finally made it out there for the first time last weekend with a large social group. Right off the bat, I noticed large swaths of swarming bugs, but I wore insect repellent and walked away from the evening with not a single bite. Pretty amazing. And also, bugs are to be expected at night in the summer when a restaurant is directly on the water. There were also kittens living under the deck there, and I hope that once they are old enough, they find loving homes. The orange baby in particular looked terrified when he was on the deck, racing around away from the noise. I felt so bad for him and just wanted to scoop him up. They only seat full parties, so once everyone was there, we made our way to some picnic tables. Some folks in the group had chairs with seat backs, and I was jealous of them as someone with back issues. Since I was pretty exhausted, I stuck with water for my drink, though everyone else loaded up on shots and cocktails. The cocktails looked so tasty and refreshing, and I'll definitely need to try them in the future. People gave rave reviews. For food, I ordered a small caesar salad and a pepperoni Detroit-style thick pizza. Both were quite good, and I believe it was the first time I've tried Detroit pizza. They offer pizza in traditional style also. I had leftovers for a few meals' worth. I also ordered a cinnamon roll to go, which I ate for breakfast the next morning after nuking it for 20 seconds, and it was delightful. Service was great, the prices were reasonable, and the views make for a serene, casual dining or drinking experience. I'd definitely return. read more

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Excellent spot for water view. All outside restaurant. No indoor seating. You can text them but they don't usually pick up. They do text back. Service was excellent and attentive. Great place for families and a date night. They have special events so check out website. I gave it four stars because the crabcake was a little fishy, but the other food was good. read more

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You gotta excuse the pictures because I was in the process of my phone dying. I did taste the onion rings and they were a 10/10 I got the catfish sandwich with cheese & fries. OMG, I'm still thinking about that sandwich a whole 4 days later, lol I did overhear some of my dinner companions saying that the crab dip was a 8/10. This is a 30 min drive from DT Richmond but well worth the drive. The service was great... The ambience was perfect for a fall night on the water...not muggy/hot but not so cool you needed a coat...just perfect. Next time I'm I. Richmond I will definitely make my way here for another catfish sandwich and onion rings which are filling but I would like to try the oysters and crab dip....maybe even take a dessert home. read more

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I LOVE this place in the summertime! The dockside food and drinks make you feel like you're at the beach even though you're only 20 minutes from the city. The patio is dog-friendly which is a huge plus. There is often a short wait for a dining table, but they have a separate waiting area where you can order drinks and some small plates, and there's even a server that comes to the waiting area specifically to get your order. It's always a great time out here (oh and the yummy food/drinks are great). read more

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Fun spot. All outdoor seating. Seasonally, you get some great views on the James River. No frills all-weather decor. Lots of folks had their dogs with them. Sort of eclectic menu, like pickle pizza, with some more traditional foods mixed in. We had a team dinner of about 20 people, some with children in tow. All had fun. Food covered the spectrum. From pizza and apps to burgers, salmon and more. No one raved about the food. Was all pretty average with an emphasis on fried things. Would go back for heavy apps and location, but probably eat dinner someplace else after. read more

Really cool spot right on the water. The vibes are awesome. Dill pickle pizza was delicious, I would've loved if they put ranch on it! But next time will get a side to dip. Crab cake sandwich was good! Service and drinks were good. read more

Lilly Pad - Dill pickle pizza - Seafood Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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Nice place to grab a beer and a bite while watching boats and sunsets. Servers are always friendly and efficient.

Always friendly. Food is all that you'd hope for. The atmosphere and views are soothing. Live music is never overwhelming. Perfect for dock and dining. read more

Lilly Pad - Seafood Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

We enjoyed our visit on a warm but not too hot summer day. We had a 30 minute wait but they had tables and chairs for waiting and have a wait service for drinks and appetizers. The setting is gorgeous. Our seats were waterside and had an umbrella which provided some shade. Boats can pull up and get food service directly on their boat which is cool. We had the crab dip with pita bread to start and it was delicious. For our entree we had the cheeseburger and shrimp po-boy. Both were good but we favored the cheeseburger. It was really well made. We will definitely visit again - it's worth the 40 minute drive! read more

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What a view!! My girlfriends and I went on a Thursday night and it wasn't that busy at all- thank goodness! It wasn't scorching hot either because of the breeze. The view of the water is breathtaking! Our waitress was very attentive and checked on us at least ten times. The food was pretty good. I had the mushroom swiss burger with fries-yummy. My gal pal had the fish and chips and she said it was yummy too. We will definitely be back! read more

Lilly Pad - Seafood Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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My Mom and Aunt were in town and enjoy seafood. So today I decided to take a gamble on a place I've never been. I've heard about the Lily Pad for a while now but have never been. The Lily Pad sits along the James river next to Osbourne Boat Landing Park. The seating area is outside with seats in the sun and shade. The seats are right on the river with a very nice view. Boats are able to pull up, tie up and have dinner before heading back out on the water. Todays visit I had the fish and chips. My Mom had the Catfish sandwich. Both were great meals. The portions were a very nice size. This is a great place to come and hang out. I have heard they have live bands but there was none here on my visit. They have a nice drink selection and a small but very nice menu to chose from. I have to admit I have been missing out on this treasure. This is a great place to come hang out, have a drink and just enjoy the view. I will definitely be back to the Lily Pad in the near future! There are some other dishes that I am looking forward to trying. read more

Lilly Pad - Seafood Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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Lily Pad offers a beautiful waterfront view and a relaxed atmosphere. No straws, but not a big deal. The catfish and crab cake sandwich were delicious, and the drinks were great. Be mindful of the weather--it's outdoor seating only! Wouldn't recommend in the cold, but perfect for warm days. read more

Lilly Pad - Yum - Seafood Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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This is my friends and I's favorite spot for dinner on a nice night. Right on the water makes it the perfect place at sunset. The drinks were so tasty and the pizza special was as well. Great vibes and a place to go with friends during the summer! read more

I order Barbecue pork sandwich then I had to ask for the barbecue because didn't come on the sandwich, The greens was made straight vinegar and sugar where is favorite. It needs other seasoning in it and onions too. ! The green was not cut like grandma's. The coleslaw was had too much sugar no flavor. The place was nice but the food needs some work to it! My friend finger tenders were dry . This was my first time there. We waited an hour before we got a table. My blue Hawaii was not blue and it didn't have any alcohol in it. I see why people were ordering beer! I will give 2 star for the view of river, I wish I could get money back! Good place with not desire food! read more

Everything about this place is great. Food is very good. Hummus platter, burger, shrimp, crab legs the list continues Entertainment is great. Service is great. Setting is wonderful. You can even bring you fur babies read more

We have visited this place several times. Each time we always have a good meal. The food is consistently good, service is always friendly, and you cant't beat the view of the river. It is beautiful. This is a great destination restaurant go there, take some time, enjoy the view over drinks on the river. You will love it. read more

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My family and I went here for the first time today and had a wonderful experience. The staff goes above and beyond and is extremely friendly. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather on the water. We ordered the crab dip which was amazing and on Happy Hour pricing. Their kids menu is small but delicious for 2 young ones. Overall it was a great experience from beginning to end, especially the Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches. Can't wait to come back and enjoy the live music on the weekends! read more

A fantastic quiet outdoor venue with a beautiful view of the water. Lilly Pad has a wonderful, friendly staff. The restaurant is a kid friendly atmosphere. Tables are spaced out well enough for privacy. LP has a great selection of tasty specialty drinks. The menu has something for everybody from salads, seafood, unique pizzas and burgers. I just visited for the third time with my family. The quality of the food and service is consistently excellent! I highly recommend the Lilly Pad! read more

Pizza was decent but crust undercooked. Bottle of wine was not $20 as advertised but $32. There is a 15% Take Out Gratuity which is added to your bill which was unknown until i had requested a print out of the receipt and saw the full charges followed by additional tip request of 3% 5% or 7%. I tilled 7% which total was 21% tip on a 44 dolar order. When I asked to see my bill before swiping my card- only the total was shown not the 15% gratuity for take out order. Highway robbery for sure and very sneaky not letting you know about the Take out Gratuity fee of 15% read more

Lilly Pad - Seafood Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

Fun place to take folks visiting in warm and cold months. Reliable good food and solid becvvys.

Great food with a view of the river!! Boats and other water vessels available for rent if you want to stroll down the river with friends for a meal. Prices are decent and staff are very friendly. read more

Great place to unwind and enjoy some good food! Really happy we could stop in during our roadtrip for dinner. Kid friendly.

I enjoyed my experience at Lilly Pad. The atmosphere was great - the restaurant is located right on the river, so you get very scenic views while eating. Dining is outdoors, but the dining area is covered by large tents and umbrellas, so most seats are shielded well from the sun. There was live music in the evening when we were there. Service was relatively quick. The food was hot and tasty. The only downside is that it's a bit of a drive - we had to drive over a half hour from Mechanicsville; but it was worth the drive. I will definitely be back again. read more

Lilly Pad - Seafood Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

Back again. The crab dip doesn't disappoint and can't beat the views. Wife had the shrimp- none survived #BoatWatching read more

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OUTSTANDING even with feedback! Where do I begin? Service was great. We started with the crab dip with the pita bread. Let me just say that the bread alone was everything so I bet the pizzas are great. Crab dip was right on point. Maybe a tad bit saltier than I would like but it was shared so it was fine and honestly I would have dogged it alone lol. I ordered the Tuna Sandwich but it wasn't what I thought so I sent it back for a fried catfish sandwich. Took a while but it finally came out. On first glance, I was shocked that there was only one little piece of fish on such a big bun. My suggestion here is either adding another piece or breaking it up to spread around because once I did that I felt like it was just enough. The bun was fantastic alone. This place has their "bread" selections on level perfection. I got the seasoned fries and they were great as well. For some reason I wanted desert and we ordered the key lime pie. Y'all, I immediately knew this was made in house. What a treat. Done well and it wasn't overly sweet or sour. JUST RIGHT! The kitchen staff is top tier so shout out to them. My last bit of feedback would be the picnic tables. I get it but because of the wood, food and drinks will get through causing a weird smell. This can easily be fixed by maybe adding a paper topping that can be thrown away after each party leaves. Music selection was nice because of the variety and the crowd was diverse. Lastly, the view is PRICELESS!! Go there and tell them I sent you! read more

Lilly Pad - Keylime Pie - Seafood Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

Dining next to the river is great ambiance to a great meal. The crab legs are amazing. A little spicy if you're into spice. The sourdough pizzas are delicious! But don't write off the pickled vegetables. They're amazing. A small detail but a big impact. The staff were awesome and so kind. Will be back! read more

We have stopped to eat here twice now on the way back from a tournament weekend and it has been delicious both times. The atmosphere is awesome! Highly recommend! read more

One of my favorite places in Richmond The shrimp ( peel and eat / fried ) are both DROOL worthy Best burger - mushroom and Swiss Pro tip - sub fries with onion rings All the pizzas are great Seasonal drinks are wonderful Tldr - get the shrimp Service is always friendly and top notch One of my fav spots to come catch the sunset. There are several heaters that keep you nice and toasty. Also can sit by fire pits closer to the front Great for bday, date, solo date, time w friends, time w family... any and every event !!!! read more

Lilly Pad - Peel and eat shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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A delightful dining experience on the James river with affordable meals and great service. The scenic views create a relaxing atmosphere,has a small town, road house feel, tucked away in a small rural community just on the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia. Perfect for enjoying a meal on a warm summer night with friends and family . The menu offers a variety of delicious and reasonably priced options, ensuring there's something for everyone. The staff are friendly and attentive, making sure your visit is enjoyable from start to finish. Highly recommended for a pleasant and memorable dining experience! read more

Lilly Pad - Crab legs, Taco basket and Fish and chips - Seafood Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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Perfect ambience for a sunset and chill meal. Strong drinks and great prices. The crab dip was amazing. Be sure to get the pita points. read more

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Hop to the Lilly Pad (yes, that's 2 l's) for a toad-ally entertaining time with gorgeous views and relaxing scenery! Set on the James River, you can't help but chill out at this waterfront restaurant and bar! East of Richmond, on Route 5 in Varina, this outdoor party spot will guarantee good vibes! Located at the Kingsland Marina, there's plenty of parking, but it can get packed on the weekends! Sprawling picnic tables and wrought iron seating make for perfect outside comfort, with some canopies to divert the heat, but in the dead of the summer try to grab a table with a market umbrella! And this hotspot isn't just for warm weather, they provide those huge space heaters so you can even enjoy this eatery in the colder months! Now let's talk grub! The seafood is a huge draw! Great fish, shellfish dishes and other seafood choices! The burgers are mega delish, the chicken fingers, fries, hush puppies, and wings and are yummy and the pizza was a hit too! We ordered a smorgasbord of different apps and entrées and devoured every bite in site! Their bucket of beer special for $10 is a home run but I was totally crushing on the Orange Crush Cocktail! It was so refreshing and the perfect drink to watch the sunset! It's a tad pricier that some similar spots, but for the great service and the breathtaking ambiance, "baby, I'm worth it!" Heads up, there's a 20% added gratuity for parties of 6 or more. We had 8 in our group, and our server was so fabulous, we gave her even more! This place is so busy, but she kept up with her tables! She was on her toes! Every Saturday nite, there's live music on the dock and the tunes from 64 Crayons Band set the perfect mood for a summer evening of good food, cool people, great drinks and a pleasant hang!! For a unfrogettable time, jump on down to the Lilly Pad! See you there! read more

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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 read more

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Lovely spot but the food was mediocre for the price. $40 for two small crab cakes, five stalks of asparagus and a lukewarm half cup of mashed potatoes. The strawberry margarita was possibly the worst I've had. Not an adult beverage but something made by college students. No real strawberries or even strawberry purée. The tuna salad was just ok. Probably just fine for locals but not a place to stop if you're coming from a proper city. read more

I've been here a few times. You can't go wrong with the fish and chips or the catfish sandwich. Sodas are a little watered down. Always great views. read more

First, I would like to say the service was great and friendly. We were also there on Mother's Day so you need to take that into consideration for how long stuff took to come out. The servers were attentive throughout. My grapefruit mimosa was very good. I ordered a crab and arugula quiche, which came with a small salad on the side. The quiche was delicious and well-made, however, I was hard-pressed to find any crab in it. Couldn't see it, really couldn't taste it. My daughter ordered a Greek salad and what she got was basically a large bowl full of chopped up iceberg lettuce With just a scattering of the other ingredients that make a Greek salad, a Greek salad. The chicken fingers that one grandson ordered was generous in portion and very tasty. The cheese pizza the other grandson had was also really good for a place that doesn't specialize in pizza. Most of the rest of the table was happy with what they ordered. One person complained that their fish and chips tasted "fishy." I'm leaning towards that being more of a personal preference rather than a problem with the dish because another person at the table tried one of the portions of fish and said it was great. Overall, I think it was a matter of probably 60% of the people at the table being very happy with their food and the other 40% being just OK with it. And as I said, the long wait was a bit of an issue, but the surroundings are so beautiful and we had the ability to take a couple of the kids for a walk along the water, which certainly made the time more manageable. I would definitely like to try this place again on a non-holiday weekend. read more

Excellent food, excellent service and awesome environment. Went for salsa dancing and it was so much fun!

We had a great time visiting the Lilly Pad on our vacation. Great venue, efficient wait staff, and kitchen. GREAT music with an even better view! read more

Lilly Pad - Talent. - Seafood Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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A friend and I visited on Thursday, which is salsa night. We decided to get there early to do dinner & drinks first. Man, this place is it! It was really busy, we waited about an hour for a table. But luckily, they have a first come section on the side which cocktail waitresses. So while we waited, we got a drink & enjoyed the view. When we finally sat, our waitress was great. Even with it being so busy she checked on us often. I wasn't too hungry so I got tenders and a side of hush puppies. The tenders were delicious! Juicy and flavorful. Now I know the hush puppies look a little over cooked, I thought so too. But I tried it before sending back and they were great! Nice and crunchy, yummy and the berry butter was a great addition. Once finished with dinner we heading over closer to the dance floor. Cocktail waitresses were still all around, so I was able to quench my thirst when needed. I enjoyed my visit, the view and service was great, the food was good and the music & dancing was awesome. read more

Lilly Pad - Chicken Tenders - Seafood Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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Food and atmosphere is great here. The dining is all outdoors so keep that in mind and dress accordingly. It can get busy but they do a pretty good job of serving apps and drinks while you wait for a table. I would give them 5 stars BUT although the sandbox is great for kids and the cats they have are also cute the two DO NOT mix. The cats are using the sandbox as a litter box. So if you have kids I would avoid the sandbox despite it being tempting. My kids found cat crap in it last time......hand washing and removal was immediate and baths were given at home. We shared with our server but nothing was said. Definitely a health hazard for children. read more

Location, location, location. Food is acceptable. Service is just OK. Overall vibe is great because, well, you're eating & drinking on a beautiful stretch of the mighty James River. I've only been when I'm in the area and am looking for a quick bite & beer. Certainly not a dining destination for me. read more