Shad roe is the seasonal James River delicacy: the egg sac of the migrating American shad, pan-fried in butter with bacon. Available only March through April.
American shad spawned in the James River for centuries; the spring shad run was a key food source for Indigenous Powhatan peoples and colonial Richmond alike. Industrial damming and pollution decimated the runs through the 20th century, but contemporary restoration efforts brought the fish back. The shad-roe season runs March through early April; Richmond fish markets receive limited supplies, and Lemaire and other downtown kitchens build short-window menus around it.
3 editor picks for Shad roe in Richmond, ranked by editorial score. All Richmond signature dishes · Shad roe across every city.
Lemaire ★ 4.7
downtown · 101 W Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Lemaire inside the Jefferson Hotel is named for Etienne Lemaire, Thomas Jefferson's maitre d'. Chef Patrick Willis since 2009; grande dame of RVA.
Rappahannock ★ 4.5
shockoe-slip · 320 E Grace Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Rappahannock on Grace pours oysters from the Croxton family farm in Topping, Virginia. The Richmond outpost of the Virginia oyster-farming revival.
Acacia Midtown ★ 4.5
westhampton · 2363 Roux Street, Suite 105, Richmond, VA 23230
Dale Reitzer's Acacia Midtown at Libbie Mill is the third location of the modern-coastal room that began in Carytown in 1998. James Beard nominee.