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Hours
Sun
11:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Wed
11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Thu
11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Fri
11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Sat
11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, American, International, Contemporary, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Does this restaurant offer free wifi?
Details
About
Lightfoot Restaurant is the creation of sisters and co-owners Executive Chef Ingrid Gustavson and General Manager Carrie Gustavson Whitmer. Their vision and good taste have made Lightfoot one of Leesburg’s most beloved restaurants with locals and visitors alike. The restaurant was named in honor of Francis Lightfoot Lee, a member of the prominent Lee family in colonial Virginia. He moved the colony in the direction of independence and represented Virginia in signing the Declaration of Independence. Lightfoot opened in 1999 after serving as the People’s Bank for a half-century. The Romanesque revival–style building was completely renovated and a large addition was added to the back of the building to include our largest event space, the Sheridan Room. Reminders of its former life, from the bank vault doors to the woodwork and ceilings, can be seen throughout the dining room. Hand-painted silk Venetian chandeliers and vintage Parisian posters complete the look.
PRICE RANGE
$20.00 – $50.00
CUISINES
American, International, Contemporary
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
4.0
657 reviews
Excellent
355
Very good
174
Average
59
Poor
44
Terrible
25
Janet G
10 contributions
May 2024 • family
We hosted a wedding luncheon in May for our local friends following our wedding last fall. We had a lovely time and the food was delicious. Carrie did an amazing job of guiding us through the menus and beverage selection process. She also helped give guidance on entertainment and decoration ideas, even though the upstairs Sheridan room is truly unique and beautiful space. They were also able to easily accommodate our vegetarian guests and one person with a dairy allergy, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed their meals. We had our guests park in the parking garage across the street for free on Sundays and everyone appreciated it. Will consider this again for future family gatherings that exceed our house space.
Written May 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cglex
Ashburn12 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
Not sure what to make of this place in downtown Leesburg. Formal decor but informal people and vibe. I had thier funky twist on an Old Fashion and it was odd. My wife had a screwdriver with a solid vodka pour. I had the mega crab cake and my wife had a chicken breast. The crab cake was tops with good size chunks of crab and little filler or binder. The crab chunks were so big I suspect they come from West Coast crab legs. Too big to get out of a Cheseapeake crab. So maybe Maryland crabs aren't what they are cranked up to be. My wife had the breaded chicken breasts that were tasty.
Written July 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A T
Naples1409 contributions
Jun 2024 • family
Located in the charming town of Leesburg, the restaurant was even more interesting due to its history as a bank. We were taken to a second floor where we dined in a private room.
Our waitress Beth did an excellent job during our time there. The menu was quite extensive and all of the courses were excellent from appetizers, salads, entrees, and finally desserts. There were many specials as well.
I particularly liked the gazpacho and the shrimp and lobster pasta. I have never see so much lobster in a pasta dish anywhere else. Each bite was very flavorful. The deviled eggs were delicious and served on a pickle. Very creative.
There was parking in the parking garage nearby and we only had to take a short walk there.
Written June 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bestfamilyadventures
Canada1044 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
Wow! This restaurant should be number one. Hands down one of the best comfort food meals I have had in many years. Obviously made with love by a skilled chef.
The venue is beautiful. Rich in architectural features, celebrating great food in a truly unique setting.
Ingredients are pure (real butter, cream etc) coupled with details that include plating, quality meat and fish products.
Everyone must try the Virginia ham biscuits and deviled eggs to start, followed by one of the amazing entrées. We enjoyed the shrimp, pork grits and fried chicken. Finished with a homemade dessert and coffee.
Thank you for an amazing dinner, great service
provides by Yamil and exceptional management offered by William. Wish we lived closer to enjoy this amazing dining experience often.
Make a reservation to avoid disappointment. This is a must try when visiting Leesburg.
Bon appétit
Written March 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Connie R
Punta Gorda76 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
Easter dinner for 5 at Lightfoot in Leesburg was a huge disappointment.
The setting is great! Service subpar and cold. Never offered specials we over heard the next table.
Food rundown:
French onion soup no onions salty
Leek Potatoe soup thick and milky
Fried green tomatoes hard as a rock extra thick mayo accompaniment
Po boy salad enjoyed by my sister
Everyone’s favorite salad terrible . $19 and served with dark shredded chicken. I have never had a salad with dark meat -cheap!!
Rockfish-okay no lump crab meat on top to substantiate the $34 price tag.
For the gross
Came out of bathroom and walked by kitchen view. Vats of warming trays clearly prepare food. But the nasty, a kitchen staff male hiding a big plastic bin and scooping out food with his bare hand . Covid and the waiter wears a glove and this guy has his hand wrist deep scooping out food. Disgusting!!
Overall a restaurant I will pass from now on.
Written April 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kimsatty
Newport News160 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
This is a special place and you will not leave hungry; I guarantee it!
My husband and I took two friends there for a Sunday lunch and a wonderful meal of salads, the world’s best tomato basil soup and an unbelievable Amuse Buch compliments of the chef. The service was impeccable and our server, Meghann (yes two n’s) was tops. She sensed we wanted a relaxing meal and did not hover, but rather told us that if we needed anything just get her attention.
We each had a different salad and the dinner plates were larger than our serving plates at home. The entire was immaculate and was a renovated bank building. The men’s room, I am told, has one of the large steel vault doors on the wall as does the bar. While we were there for a Sunday meal, Meghann told us that they do private parties on the floors above the dining room.
I highly recommend this establishment and you will not be disappointed. Just be aware, it is not inexpensive, but once you start eating, cost will leave your mind.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg S
14 contributions
Aug 2023 • family
2nd time here in as many years (it's 35 minutes north of us). Again, excellent value. Wife had the beef fillet and crab cake entree, and pear salad for an appetizer, I had fried oyster po' boy salad. Pours and costs on the drinks were good. Couldn't finish main courses so they boxed them up for us. Everything was cooked correctly, fresh and high quality. Service was timely. If we lived closer, we'd be "on the meal plan."
Written August 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erich K
Centreville132 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
So a few things for you to consider:
we had to pay $20 for parking in the lot near the restaurant, which seems excessive for a night visit.
The acoustics in the restaurant are terrible: everyone else seemed excessively loud but I couldn't hear my dinner partner.
The clientele that night was a mix of folks, but I was unlucky enough to have a loud,crowdy party at the next table when wevarrived, replaced by a louder party when they left.
The service is not fast.
But: the food was very good and the portions generous.
Written April 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LopingianTravels
Bonn469 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Excellent wait staff made this evening memorable. We were celebrating a family birthday this evening and decided that Lightfoot was the venue based on our son’s previous dining experiences. Overall the entire meal was enjoyable with but a few glitches in our order. Extra dry martinis came with too much vermouth to be considered extra dry. All Caesar salads arrived at the table overdressed and with but a single anchovy filet on each. This evening’s sea bass was perfectly cooked but the Halibut entrees were overcooked and dry. My wife’s fish arrived Luke warm. Yet the taste profiles were very palatable and enjoyable. We’ll likely return in the future for another evening meal.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MacCarnan
Richmond10 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
The atmosphere of this lovely restaurant was charming with a touch of whimsy (such as the old bank vault behind the bar). We were seated immediately and the waiter’s description of the special appetizer changed our order to the crab dip! It was delicious! The range of choices in the menu was wide and ranging from vegetarian to filet! The special offerings, however, also caught our attention. The filet melted in one’s mouth and the atomic crab cake was too large to eat at one sitting! The lobster bisque was stocked with large pieces of delicious lobster, and the salmon salad featured crispy potato wedges!
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah C
Annapolis55 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
We stopped this afternoon during a visit to Leesburg! Lighthouse is a great find. The ambiance is fantastic! An old bank building thoughtfully and creatively brought into this century. So cozy and fun! A glass of wine and the best tomato soup I've ever tasted. The bar staff was great too - attentive, engaging, but also gave us our own space to sit back and just enjoy. We'll definitely be back to try their dinner menu.
Written March 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
seek-scenic
New Jersey517 contributions
May 2019 • none
Great atmosphere, excellent food and service. The atmosphere is elegant and includes some remnants from the building’s former use as a bank. My husband ordered crab bisque and duck, I ordered café greens and the rockfish special which came with crabmeat, rice, and vegetables and both meals were delicious. The food was presented very nicely and the service was excellent. We did not have a reservation when we stopped here for dinner on a Tuesday in May 2019 and they were able to seat us fairly quickly. If we were staying in the area again, we would want to eat here.
Written April 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boomerang
Wellesley Island3 contributions
Mar 2021 • couples
Great meal .. the scallops on sweet potato pancakes appetizer was excellent . Lobster shrimp pasta unmatched , excellent service, Lilliana , our waitress , was professional, kind and hard working. Wonderful wine menu.
Even though it was a busy Saturday night, we had a very quiet table for 2 & so we’re not distracted by the busier sections with larger parties ,
Written March 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ReverieTraveler
3 contributions
Jan 2020 • friends
My friend and I celebrated birthdays here. It was a Tuesday night and they were not too crowded. The Aperol cocktail was great- nice orange flavor and just slightly sweet. The food was delicious and service was excellent. We got the scallops appetizer which was our favorite dish! Entrees were lamb t-bone and steak and crabcake. With the apps and bread, the steak dish was too much food for me to eat but it was very good. To end our meal, they served a complimentary sundae garnished with cotton candy. Very festive. This is a great fine dining restaurant.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JJS397
Frederick39 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
First, the architecture inside the restaurant is awesome and very unique. The building was a bank that was build in the 1890's. 2 negatives: the service was a little slow and the drinks weren't very strong. The food however was very good and they have a good selection of desserts that are outside the typical that are normally offered in most restaurants. They have 2 bars and they both looked like good places to visit for drinks. I would definitely go back.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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