Lemaire Restaurant
American · Downtown, Richmond
Restaurant in Richmond, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Historic-Frame New American
Chef
Walter Bundy
Dress
Business Casual
Why go
New American cooking in the Jefferson Hotel with all-day service from breakfast through late dinner. Chef Walter Bundy's seasonal menus and a 340-bottle wine program earn local loyalty beyond the hotel guest base. The brunch window and $$ pricing make it Richmond's most accessible upscale option with consistent kitchen execution.
About Lemaire Restaurant
Lemaire Restaurant is an American restaurant in Richmond associated with chef/owner Walter Bundy. The verified public details are straightforward: it is open daily, follows a business-casual dress code, keeps long hours that begin at 7 AM and run into the late evening, with later closing on Friday and Saturday. Beyond that, specifics such as particular dishes, beverage lists, pricing, reservation patterns, room details, service formats are not verified here, so this guide keeps the focus on what is confirmed.
The All-Day Format That Works
Lemaire Restaurant’s confirmed hours make it a flexible Richmond option across the week: Monday through Thursday from 7 AM to 11 PM, Friday and Saturday from 7 AM to 12 AM, Sunday from 7 AM to 11 PM. Those hours support visits at different times of day, but the exact meal periods and menus should be confirmed directly with the restaurant before making plans.
The cuisine is verified as American, with Walter Bundy listed as chef/owner. More specific claims about signature dishes, sourcing, menu structure, wine service, bottle counts, corkage, or price tiers are not part of the available information. If those details matter for your visit, check the restaurant’s current materials before booking.
How It Compares in Richmond's American Dining Tier
In Richmond, Lemaire Restaurant is best understood here as a business-casual American restaurant with notably broad daily hours. That makes it useful for diners who want a confirmed American option in the city without relying on unverified claims about accolades, exact menu formats, or special services.
For a quick reference on the Richmond scene: our full Richmond restaurants guide covers the broader landscape, including other dining in Richmond. If you're exploring beyond dining, Richmond hotels, bars, and wineries are worth a look.
When to Book and What to Expect
The verified dress code is business casual, so plan for polished, comfortable clothing rather than overly casual attire. Specific claims about reservation difficulty, walk-in availability, bar seating, room layout, or staff roles are not verified in the available data.
The ideal time to visit depends on your schedule. Lemaire Restaurant is open daily from 7 AM, closing at 11 PM most nights and midnight on Friday and Saturday. Because detailed menu timing is not verified here, confirm directly with the restaurant if you are planning around a particular meal, occasion, or service need.
One practical note: the verified location is Richmond. For directions, parking, or nearby plans, use the restaurant’s current listing or contact the restaurant directly before you go.
Planning details
- Location
- 101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220, United States
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- lemairerestaurant.com
- Phone
- +1 804-649-4629
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Lemaire lives in the formal architecture of the Jefferson Hotel while quietly resisting its stiffness. The beaux-arts lobby, sweeping staircase and the sense that the building carries 'a century and a half of Virginia history' set a grand stage, but the dining room translates that grandeur into something accessible. The result is a historic, refined atmosphere that balances dignity with warmth: the room feels important without being austere, and the service and presentation favor thoughtful restraint over showy ceremony. It reads as sophisticated hospitality rooted in place and tradition.
Best For
Lemaire is a go-to for occasions that call for polished, elevated dining without the formality of white-tablecloth ritual. The restaurant’s placement in the Jefferson Hotel and its fine-dining ambitions make it well suited to date nights, business dinners and special occasions mentioned in the profile, while its stated accessibility means it can also handle a broader range of visits where quality matters. Guests should expect a poised dining room ideal for conversations and landmark moments rather than a loud, late-night scene.
Ordering Tips
Focus on the signatures that showcase the kitchen’s command of classic technique: the sorghum-glazed pork loin chop, the Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cake and the cast-iron seared jumbo sea scallops are highlighted specialties. The menu’s lineage — named for Etienne Lemaire and noted for treating French technique as a reference — suggests thoughtful preparations that pair naturally with wine, so consider consulting the sommelier for wines that accentuate the dishes rather than overwhelm them. Expect composed plates rather than tasting-menu theatrics; order a few standout mains and share to sample textures and sauces.
Planning details
Location
101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220, United States · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Shilling Canning Company, American, $$$
- 1789, American, $$$$
- Ris, American, $$
- Red Hen, American, American
- Miss Shirly’s, American, American
Restaurant context
Lemaire operates in a quieter competitive set than most cities this size, Richmond's upscale American category skews toward neighborhood bistros rather than hotel dining rooms, so direct comparisons are thin. Shilling Canning Company ($$$ and out of metro) and 1789 ($$$$ in Washington, D.C.) both push higher on price and formality, though neither offers the all-day accessibility or wine depth that Lemaire brings. Ris ($$ in D.C.) lands closer on price but trades Lemaire's spatial polish for a more casual neighborhood vibe.
If you're looking for American cooking in Richmond without the hotel formality, Red Hen and Miss Shirly's deliver local energy and easier booking, though neither matches the wine program or service consistency here. For a special occasion or business meal where you want a reliable room and a wine list that rewards exploration, Lemaire is the safer play. For a more adventurous neighborhood experience, consider venturing into Scott's Addition or the Fan for spots like 8 ½ in The Fan or 2207 Macdonald.
Bottom line: Lemaire is Richmond's most dependable upscale American option when you need all-day hours, a serious wine list, a dining room that works for clients or celebrations without requiring neighborhood expertise. It won't surprise you, but it won't disappoint either, in a city where fine dining can be hit-or-miss, that consistency is worth the $$ price tier.
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Unlock the full Lemaire Restaurant guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Lemaire Restaurant
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemaire Restaurant | American | 2026 Forbes Soon To Be Rated2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #8622025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence | Easy | |
| Shilling Canning Company | American | $$$ | No published awards | Unknown |
| 1789 | American | $$$$ | No published awards | Unknown |
| Ris | American | $$ | 2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate | Unknown |
| Red Hen | American | No published awards | Unknown | |
| Miss Shirly’s | American | No published awards | Unknown |
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A quick look at how Lemaire Restaurant compares on price and recognition.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Lemaire Restaurant?
The verified dress code is business casual. Polished casual clothing should fit the stated standard, but any more specific restrictions should be confirmed directly with the restaurant.
