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    Southern Serenity

    4.9 (44 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Southern Serenity Photos

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    SOUTHERN SERENITY ATMOSPHERE

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    Khoa L.

    Best afternoon tea spot! The chef came out to greet my table and also tried to explain the menu which was great since this was my first time. I got the classic tea tower which is perfect for two people. The sandwiches and desserts were fantastic pairs perfectly with their selections of tea. The earl grey and jasmine were floral and fragrant! If you're looking for a Bridgerton/Downtown Abbey vibe for your afternoon, this is the place to go! Very quaint, very classy. Love it!

    George L.

    Amazing! Totally worth the 500 mile drive! The scone alone was worth it, but that beef stew was the highlight of my day!

    Miss L.

    Southern Serenity has a charming ambiance with vintage upholstered chairs, elegant china, dainty hanging florals and fairy lights which create a relaxing afternoon tea experience. The menu changes monthly and offers a nice variety of sweet and savory treats. We enjoyed two tea selections during our visit. A tasty scone was our first course. Next course - potato soup - served in a dainty dessert glass - was a wonderful blend of potatoes, cream, bacon and chives. Next came the tiered serving tray with a variety of nibbles that were beautifully presented and quite tasty. Service is exceptional - the owners are so welcoming and friendly. Be sure to stop in and enjoy this local treasure. Make your reservation online to ensure seating.

    Cute!
    Katie C.

    I love Southern Serenity and recommend it to everyone. The atmosphere is so unique, and the service is truly the best ever- couldn't ask for more. I enjoy trying tea but am mainly obsessed with the food. The chef is AMAZING and other staff are great too! Farrell especially! I love how welcoming everyone is. You can feel comfortable wearing fanciest tea attire or simply come as you are and still feel like it's a special occasion. Make a reservation! It does get busy. Plenty of parking though!

    Sandwiches and sweet treats

    This is a surprise gem you won't be expecting in the area they are located. Went for the first time today for their Christmas tea. It was nicely decorated and the service was great. The second course of the three course offering was beef stew which I was honestly skeptical about at first but I have to say it was some of the best I've had. The salmon and cucumber sandwich was awesome. Will definitely be back again. Great little place.

    Maria T.

    Let your worries melt away when you enter this tranquil and relaxing tearoom & cafe. Highlighted with peaceful turquoise walls, Victorian décor including colorful fans, a warm fireplace, and cozy nooks, you will certainly see why this lovely space is called Serenity! I love the curio cabinets filled with china, teacups, and teacups! The pretty tables are covered with white tablecloths, sprays of flowers, and tea accoutrements. The tea ware is beautiful and if you are lucky, your tea may just be served in one of the owner's Sadler teapots! The owners, Shena-Rae and Al, have done an incredible job creating this soothing tearoom! I came in on a whim and their southern hospitali-tea was so welcoming! I just had time for the cream tea, which came with an endless pot of tea and 2 scones (vanilla) and jam/cream/lemon curd. The scones were light and fluffy, some of the best I've ever had! They just melted in you mouth! The tea was robust and perfectly balanced with amber hues that warmed my soul! I will definitely be returning to sample the menu! That quiche is calling me back! Here's to Southern Sereni-tea!!

    Lyndsay J.

    Been here many times! The food is always fresh, the scones are light and fluffy, their homemade clotted cream is wonderful! Beautiful selection of delicious teas. Stop in or make a reservation. A wide variety of foods and ways to enjoy their selections.

    R H.

    Where to begin. Gentlemen greeted my daughter and I at the door. Very kind and gracious. Our server was phenomenal. She had the right amount of personality, friendliness and knowledge to make our experience wonderful. The chef/owner came out to describe the servings on the tower and to see how we liked everything. What an incredible chef and owner. This level of interest by a business owner in their customers experience is hard to find nowadays. The entire experience from tea to food, greeting to ending, server to owner was simply spectacular. I would do this again in a heartbeat and would definitely recommend Southern Serenity when in Richmond.

    delicious corned beef and cabbage soup
    Melina S.

    what a delightful experience at southern serenity! the tea selection was vast and delicious, and all the food was delicately prepared and plated. The service team were kind and knowledgeable in the overall feel of the dining room was so relaxing and pretty. I can't wait to come back!

    The amazing house made food
    Roxanne K.

    This place is absolutely adorable. I booked reservations for a Saturday and my friend was running about 10 minutes late so the owner sent me next to the fire and made sure I was comfortable. I didn't know that it was a mom and Pop shop and their three sons were also back there. Everybody was so kind and respectful And the service was amazing and the food was freshly made, and the tea was amazing too of course

    Entrance
    Mary A.

    This new tea room is situated in a strip mall. Once you enter you feel the charm and warmth. The owners are incredibly friendly and welcoming. All the food and tea we had was fresh and delicious. The scone was really tasty. I was a little surprised that it came first and unfortunately it was so delicious that I filled up on it and the soup and had little room for the other treats included in the full afternoon tea. Thankfully I was able to bring home the treats for later. Definitely worth a visit!

    I ventured 45 min from home to find something yummy for breakfast when hubby instructed me to take a day for myself. The nicest man (and husband of the chef) at the door offered me their "rose" table near the window. The special tea that I chose was purple papaya berry and not only was it beautiful but also delicious. I loved every bite of food and the small friendly conversation with the staff and chef who delivers and spiels the main tiered attraction to every table. I definitely plan on coming back with my family as I saw another table walk in with kids and everyone enjoying themselves. There was a special Father's Day menu posted by the door. I highly recommend calling and making a reservation for this special day!

    Salina P.

    Wow! This is definitely a hidden gem within the Richmond area. My family and I have tried all the tea rooms Richmond has to offer but this is by far our favorite. The service is outstanding, a husband and wife owned business that they put their heart and soul into. Even though it was quite busy on a Saturday afternoon, they had adequate staff to handle everything. Most of the food is house made which makes the whole experience even more personal. We even found out the chef behind it all went to a very prestigious culinary school! Being vegetarians, we didn't know what to expect and if it would be enough food for us but we were pleasantly surprised. Our favorite was the arugula and tomato sandwich with a house made hummus on wheat bread. It's budget friendly at $30/ a person, I almost felt like they were undercharging for how much food you get. While the location is just in a shopping center, once you step inside it's like you're in England. The ambiance and decorations of the entire facility are beautiful. I will be recommending this to friends and I myself will be back!

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    Perly's

    Perly's

    4.5
    (1.7k reviews)
    7.0 mi
    $$

    Found this place through Guy's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives TV show. It's popular among locals for…read moresure. Before opening time, there was a line. Retro design from the 80s'. Booths and bar tables. Not sure if they take reservations. Street parking. They promoted POTATO & DUCK PIEROGIES on the show so I ordered it. Came in 3 with broth. Very flavorful and fulfilling. We also got cinnamon bagel with cream cheese, eggs and Reuben (I think). Fresh and good portion. Staff were friendly. She answered our questions patiently and she was very nice.

    This is one of the most sought after dining spot in downtown Richmond, VA. On Sunday morning, we…read morearrived at the location 10 minutes prior to opening at 9 am and there were already few people waiting outside. The staff opened the door right on time. The inside of the store was old school setup with booths and a huge full service bar. 15 minutes within opening, the restaurant was full in capacity. The menu had lots of exciting brunch dishes, appetizers, salads, soups and deli section as well. There were plenty of cocktails, beer and wines choices available too. Prices were decent. I picked the Jewish Sailor that was a combo of toast with pastrami and beef sausage with red onion and mustard. When the dish came, it looked so scrumptious. Loved the flavor of the pastrami, the crunchy sausages, crispy toast bread, coleslaw all of it. I also got to try the pierogis that were delicious as well. The service was good overall. Our waitress was attentive, while managing several tables at the same time. The dishes came out quickly despite being busy. Overall the experience lived up to the expectations.

    Photos
    Reception area
    Reception area
    The most delicious corned beef hash with hollandaise sauce and side salad.
    The most delicious corned beef hash with hollandaise sauce and side salad.
    Decor

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    Decor
    Lillie Pearl

    Lillie Pearl

    4.5
    (754 reviews)
    7.1 mi
    $$

    One of the best restaurants I've visited. Ambiance was nice, seated right away, music was great (if…read moreyou're into 90s r&b), service was outstanding, and the food was some of the best I've had. I had the sweet potato cornbread, crispy salmon, with a side of collards. My wife had the oysters (with a really tasty hot sauce) and the crab cake (no filler). Everything was savory and light, cooked to perfection. We were both stuffed as we walked away from this gem!

    I finally got to the new location of Lillie Pearl. The location is great. Right at the triangle…read morewhere the Maggie L Walker stature stands on Broad St. It's open and airy with two levels of seating a a nice bar. We were there late Saturday night(8:30pm). The server, Briana, was one of the best I've had in a very long time. Personable, great smile, friendly, and knew her stuff. We ordered the brussel sprouts- they were great with a nice heat from the sauce. We had the crispy skin salmon, which came with a nice fresh salad, The skin was amazingly crispy and the flesh was flavorful. I asked Briana to surprise me with something good and boy did she deliver. It was their porkchop served over some super tasty mashed potatoes. Note that this is not how they are usually served, it was Briana's favorite way to eat this dish so she made the decision for me. The porkchop was very very good. Nice grill marks, onions, and a very nice cream-based sauce. This was so so good. They are doing great food at this new location and I will be back again.

    Photos
    Top floor decor and portrait wall
    Top floor decor and portrait wall
    Roasted Heirloom Baby Carrots Dinner
    Roasted Heirloom Baby Carrots Dinner
    Amaretto sour

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    Amaretto sour
    Tarrant's Cafe

    Tarrant's Cafe

    3.9
    (964 reviews)
    7.1 mi
    $$

    Lovely spot to come for a casual dinner! We stopped by before going to see a show at The Coalition…read moreTheater across the street. Their menu has a little bit of everything, which is nice. You can almost surely find something you'll enjoy even if you're picky. Reasonable prices depending on what you get. Three of us for dinner, with 2 drinks but no apps or dessert, was $88 before tip. That is hard to beat in the city for good portions and tasty food.

    Street parking on a Thursday around 8 o'clock was not as difficult as I thought it would be. There…read morewas one open space waiting for our arrival. Upon entering, I was reminded of a 1950s pharmacy by the humongous "Prescriptions" sign hanging above the bar, and the antique furniture, bar, and barstools splayed throughout Tarrant's. There was a solid crowd at the bar; it's clear there is a regular crowd that sits and hangs out here. We were promptly seated by a young blonde woman in the dining section (behind the bar). Our server, Nadia, was an enchanting brunette, training another young server, Sierra. She took our drink orders and gave us plenty of time to review the menu, checking in after a few minutes to see if we were ready. We finally decided, my partner ordered the 10" Bianca White (pizza), and I chose the Sailor Sandwich. Unfortunately, the sailor was not in the cards for me, and Nadia suggested the Reuben as they were similar. They brought out breadsticks while we waited, and the food arrived within 10-15 minutes. I was pleased with the atmosphere, the old-fashioned chandeliers, the large mirror, the floral paintings, and the rustic frames, all of which added to the restaurant's stated aesthetic. The pizza was hot and savory, while the Reuben had buttery toast, crispy corned beef, and a light smattering of sauerkraut (TBH, I didn't even notice the sauerkraut). For dessert, we indulged in the upside-down walnut apple pie, served with vanilla ice cream, all made from scratch, and beautifully delicate. Our time at Tarrant's Cafe seemed like a stroll into the past; the only indication of modernity was the ordering kiosk used by the staff. We truly enjoyed our time and had deeply meaningful conversations without enduring the hustle and bustle or the rowdy cacophony of an intense crowd.

    Photos
    Tarrant's ambiance and atmosphere
    Tarrant's ambiance and atmosphere
    Tarrant's Cafe
    Wednesday evening

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    Wednesday evening
    The Jefferson Hotel

    The Jefferson Hotel

    4.2
    (379 reviews)
    6.9 mi
    $$$

    We stayed at this historic hotel for a couple of nights and really enjoyed the experience…read more Beautifully restored over the years, the hotel has a timeless elegance and regal charm that makes you feel like you've stepped back in history. The hotel is also home to an excellent restaurant that serves a fantastic weekend brunch along with a refined upscale dinner menu, making it worth visiting even if you're not staying overnight. We booked a suite, and it was incredibly spacious, with a full kitchen, separate living room, bedroom, dressing area, and a large bathroom. Although the rooms looked a little dated in the photos, they were much nicer in person. Everything was clean and comfortable, the bed was great, and the room temperature stayed perfect throughout our stay. If you enjoy historic hotels, this one is definitely worth experiencing. Knowing that many U.S. presidents and celebrities have stayed here adds to its unique charm and makes the stay feel even more special

    This review is for the tea only!…read more The ambiance of the Jefferson Hotel already makes this tea stellar- the mezzanine balcony where it's served is absolutely gorgeous. There are two tea blends that are custom to the hotel, the Jefferson blend and the Richmond blend- we tried the Richmond blend, which was very spice-forward and flavorful. The savory tier was pretty standard- we really liked the cucumber and chicken salad sandwiches, the sweet potato biscuit was a little dry and we didn't love the spinach wrap. The tea breads were our favorite from the sweets! We had a strawberry lemon bread and a chocolate bread, they were a little different from what you usually get at tea. There were also some small patisserie treats, like a chocolate covered strawberry and mixed berry cookie. You could add on seasonal cocktail options- we tried and really liked an old fashioned and a summer mimosa. We did a prepaid Tock reservation, which came out to about $60 per person after tax and gratuity. I think the price is very reasonable for what you get, especially in such a lovely environment.

    Photos
    Us at afternoon tea all dressed up. Photo taken by my boyfriend.
    Us at afternoon tea all dressed up. Photo taken by my boyfriend.
    Sunday Champagne Brunch
    Sunday Champagne Brunch
    Getting ready for the brunch buffet

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    Getting ready for the brunch buffet
    Lulu's

    Lulu's

    3.9
    (1.1k reviews)
    7.4 mi
    $$

    I was meeting a couple friends for brunch, and so we didn't all get there at the same time. The…read morehost was kind enough to still seat me at a table good for 3 while I wait for my friends even though they actually had quite a full house. So I really appreciated that. Our waiter was also actually quite patient (there was a bit of a wait until my friends got there; I'm sorry!). They had a dj the morning I was there, and I really liked the vibe. Their menu have more than enough options for brunch and drinks. I hope they extend their menu for more lunch items than brunch/breakfast items though! Once everyone was there, we finally ordered! I ordered a bacon cheeseburger with the side of Lulu's house potatoes and a pomegranate mule. The pomegranate mule was quite strong, and I enjoyed it so much I ordered another one. LOL. The bacon cheeseburger was exactly as I requested. I have no notes. Overall, wonderful experience and would definitely recommend.

    To start the food here was relatively good…read more The Chicken & Biscuit was quite tasty itself - the eggs were cooked well tastes great- the potatoes... The potatoes are a no everyone agreed the potatoes are too seasoned had this unnecessary spice to them and lacks flavor at the same time - we were not fan, another table recommended we not get the potatoes or ask for them to be a more crispy to disguise the spice. Even took it home and crisped it more, long story short the potatoes are not going to be that lightly salted flavor you'd expect, just over seasoned. The sausage gravy tasted great. The biscuit is absolute perfection! (10 out of 10 for Biscuit and Chicken) (3 out of 10 for potatoes) (9 out of 10 for eggs) Unfortunately as far as the Red Velvet waffles they are most likely waffles with red food coloring - tasted nothing like red velvet. (4 out of 10 for the waffles) The French Toast was okay- the strawberry puree was delicious. (3 out of 10 for French toast) The music in here is a vibe loved the selection - kept my group grooving. Not sure if they are always packed but there was a festival going on outside. They squeezed 7 of us at a 6 top booth. It was tight but worked. Also this location is not very spacious keep that in mind. Our server started off pretty good until the end. She was very loud- louder than the music. No discretion- announced the details of a remaining balance of someone in our group , loudly. Left a sour taste in our mouth as this was not the most professional route to inform a guest of something of that nature. Then proceed to give an attitude upon being compensated .. The situation was however de-escalated. Maybe work on delivery of uncomfortable information.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    French Toast Bacon
    French Toast Bacon
    Bloody Mary

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    Bloody Mary

    Southern Serenity - breakfast_brunch - Updated August 2026

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