Service mixed but many were new Food okay, bread was stale, lamb burger over cooked , This place has definitely gone down in quality and service Drink specials good read more

Nice atmosphere and good food. Varied menu with decent portion sizes for reasonable costs. Great cocktails too.

Highly Do Not Recommend this restaurant at all. Every table was served obviously burned bread. I even noticed a table near us where the burger buns were obviously inedible due to burnt buns but served to guests anyway. My salad had old arugula covering old mushy moldy beets, served to me anyway. This place obviously doesn't care about its guests. We also ordered very overcooked salmon and chicken parm. Even though we shared the issues with staff, no one seemed to care. We both felt nauseous after eating here. Will never go back. read more

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Cafe Lily is on our Atlanta area must-eat list! Just had the best dinner out in a long time. I was really in the mood for Mediterranean and found Cafe Lily online. Showed up shortly after opening on Sunday evening and we were able to get a table, but they filled up fast! Probably should get a reservation. Our waiter Kels was very attentive and recommended a Pinot noir that we tried and enjoyed enough to have a second round. I ordered the falafel and the cucumber/tomato salad (what I had been craving). My husband got the snapper on special. And Kels recommended the shrimp appetizer. Everything was delicious! I am stuffed as I write this. I refused to leave a bite uneaten, since we catch a plane tomorrow and to-go boxes weren't an option. We will not come back to the Atlanta area without returning to Cafe Lily! read more

I decided to have lunch with a client based on the reviews Aug 6, 2024. I arrived ahead of my client to check out the restaurant. It's very nice and clean. The waiter wasn't very friendly and was very impatient when I asked a few questions about substituting side items on the menu. Very rude! We ordered the crab cakes and they were the worse I've ever eaten. My client ate one and agreed the worst he's ever had too. No flavor over fried and tasteless. Don't order the crab cakes. Never ever will go to this restaurant again. read more

Went here this past Sunday for the first time for brunch. I ordered the bottomless Red Sangria which my server said it's really 4 is the limit. That's still a a good deal. They were very busy and happy I made a reservation. read more

I hadn't eaten here in over a decade as I thought it hadn't kept up with the times, but after some coaxing the hubby convinced me to give it a try. Decor is pretty much the same, but it still had the same but improved menu. And who can resist a good lamb shank. Nice music playing in the background and one of my favorite wait staff from Sweet Melissa (ah it miss it so) works there now so that was another plus. I had the Seasonal Gemelli added the perfectly cooked salmon and hubby had the Charbroiled Faroe Islands Salmon Steak which he really enjoyed. They have a full bar with a good bartender. We'll definitely be back. read more

Outstanding neighborhood spot. Excellent for brunch. We all three had eggs Benedict. One of us specified "cooked hard " ! Ugh! But he got it that way. The other two of us had perfectly cooked eggs, all with an excellent hollandase sauce. Busy with locals. Plenty of street parking. Good strong coffee. Highly recommended. read more

DELICIOUS FOOD AND BEST-IN-CLASS SERVICE!!! ive been going to cafe lily for a while now and it's so good! the menu is extensive and there are also awesome specials happening regularly. a lovely restaurant for a delightful meal! last time i went, i got plenty of food. to start, we had the Hummus bi Tahini and arancini balls which is a special. the hummus is always so tasty with fresh warm pita bread. the arancini balls were lovely - super crispy and flavorful. they also give you bread to start that is nicely charred and paired well with a high quality olive oil. for mains, we got bouillabaisse (special), beef rigatoni (special), Seafood Pasta a la Crème, Ravioli di Zucca, and Risotto con Cappesante e Asparago. the rigatoni was a hefty portion and came with good amount of tender beef, the rissoto was perfect - scallops were amazing and risotto was so rich! for dessert, we got Homemade Tiramisu, Lemon-Sponge Custard, and the bread pudding. the tiramisu is SOME OF THE BEST!! we always get it and comes with tons of cream - yum!!! the lemon sponge custard was also great, but a little bit tart. the cake itself was so light and moist. the bread pudding was EPIC! warm bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.. what else could you want!?!? overall, everything is great! parking is easy and has plenty of outdoor seating. The staff is super friendly and it shows! the food is a little bit expensive but so worth it because you can tell that the ingredients are top-notch! read more

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TLDR; came with a large group and ordered off of a set menu. The salmon steak was delicious and moist. Drinks are good but strong so be careful! I didn't get a chance to look at what else is offered at this restaurant. Because we had such a large group, I think our reservation offered a set menu instead. Each table got a basket of bread and hummus with pita bread. Bread was toasted perfectly and there was a plate of olive oil with some herbs to dip. I ordered the salmon steak and got 2 drinks throughout the night: Tulip Mania and Lemonade. The salmon was delicious! Super tender and moist and had so much flavor in every bite. I didn't really care for the mango salsa though...wish it was just some seasonal vegetables. Out of the two drinks I ordered, my favorite was the Lemonade. There's just something about honey flavored drinks. Both were refreshing, perfect for a warm summer night, and both were pretty strong. I think they were also celebrating because everyone in the restaurant received a small glass of Prosecco. Hospitality was on point and the staff was easy to talk to. If not for the food, come for the drinks! Looks like they have seasonal drink menus so every now and then there'll be something different to try. read more

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Good Food, Fair Service, Overpriced Drinks! I've been coming to Cafe Lily on and off for close to 20 years, it was my staple for a while. Last week, the food was still good and on par with past experiences, so no issues there. The service was not so good though, it took our server close to 20 minutes just to take our drink orders. Once we got those in and ordered our dishes, they arrived in a reasonable amount of time. The main issue was the beverage, which I like to have with dinner. I ordered Maker's Mark neat, since I don't like to spend too much on high end bourbons at restaurants. The pour was barely a shot, so I did order a second one to get me through dinner. When the bill arrived I nearly fell out of my chair, $30 for those two shots of MM, which is is way more than a bottle costs retail! That was also more than our entree's cost, and way out of the norm for Decatur, or even Buckhead. I know that to be true since in the last few weeks I've ordered higher end bourbon and received better pours for significantly lower prices in nicer restaurants in both locations. I still like the food, but I will avoid buying any drinks there in the future. read more

Cozy Mediterranean bistro where old faves & creative updates pair with a wide zinfandel selection. It's an upscale place without pretense. Reservations recommended, especially if you want one of the cozy booths. Located on Ponce in the heart of downtown Decatur, parking can be a little tight, so plan to pay modestly for metered street parking and walk a short way. This a place to bring out of town company or celebrate a special occasion without breaking the bank. Definitely not your typical French fare since this has a Mediterranean flair that's influenced by other countries besides France. Great wine list that pairs perfectly with the food. Decor is nice without being stuffy. Lovely ambiance and a delicate attention to detail. If you love seafood, the Zuppa di Mare is the way to go, sweat broth from all the seafood piled into it. You must try the mussels with 2 sauce options, red or white. Both delicious and worth a try. What's great is that you get a large portion and can even add fries to the order. For a real treat, try their Tiramisu desert. Food was great and the server was very helpful and friendly. The food was delivered in a timely sequence. My food was cooked and prepared with an artisan's skill. Great experience overall. If you haven't tried Cafe Lily do yourself a favor and give it a try. I will definitely eat here again and will be going back soon. read more

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I am shocked to see Cafe Lily's aggregate rating is so low. I literally had the best meal of my life here, Pinchitos, but more on that later. We arrived on a Saturday, shortly after they opened, and would watch the restaurant rather quickly fill up with patrons that most likely retired many years ago. Pro Tip: My culinary adventures have taught me that if the average age of the clientele is +60, then you're in for a helluva meal! Our server, Sunshine, was affable, experienced and knowledgeable, not only on the menu but in the history of the restaurant. Having been a Decatur institution for 20 years. The ambiance of Cafe Lily is refined and romantic - an excellent recommendation for date night. We started with a rum-cured salmon plate that was amazing and set the bar quite high for the main entrees. One of my first observations with Cafe Lily's menu is that it's so expansive, spanning so many different cuisines (as does the term Mediterranean), that they couldn't be doing all of this well! I am happy to say I was utterly and completely mistaken :) Since it was my first time at Cafe Lily, I went with their signature dish - Pinchitos (again curiously Spanish name for Mediterranean cuisine) which was a symphony of flavors and textures. It was so expertly prepared, green beans that were still slightly crisp, potatoes that basically dissolved in your mouth, lamb that cut like warm butter. And the flavors - each ingredient was an adventure onto itself, each one having a different flavor profile, sweet, succulent, savory but together created something that absolutely unforgettable. And the portions are massive! Note that the price for Pinchitos on Yelp is wrong but trust that it is a value at whatever price you pay for it. read more

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We went here for a Thursday lunch and I absolutely recommend this spot. The weather was beautiful for patio seating and they were more than accommodating for our pup. Cory and Mel took the best care of us and would be so happy have them take care of us again. The butter and sage pasta was so delicious and we ordered the half size. I ordered the orange blossom salad which was small but was perfect if you're not that hungry. We decided to fill up on the half price bottles of wine they offer on Thursdays. We will be back! read more

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Cafe Lily has stood the test of time....great food and excellent service for decades...BRAVO!! read more

Café Lily - Flourless chocolate cake - Mediterranean Near Me - Decatur, Georgia

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1 star for the service. I came on November 5th 2022 for a birthday, we were a party of 9 or 10 college aged young ladies. When we entered, our server did not give us a drink menu assuming our age. It took more than 1 hour for our order to be taken while she was mostly just talking with her coworkers. When we asked for a drink menu, she made a rude remark about hoping that we could prove we were of age. Everyone had an ID. She only took the drink order of half of the table and we had to wait 30 minutes for her to give us time of day again. We were not able to get a hold of her during the meal and she would walk past us and ask "is everything okay?" but would not stop to listen to our response. We gave up on ordering more appetizers. We would have spent more money at this restaurant had we been given the chance to order. She spent a good amount of time with all of her other tables. Bad experience for the price. Food was good but we will not return. Tip was included for a large party, but I would have tipped 0. She was incredibly rude. I will not publicly post the description of the server but I am happy to share with the restaurant privately. read more

Café Lily - Mediterranean Near Me - Decatur, Georgia

Cafe Lily is an elegant Mediterranean restaurant with a romantic ambiance. Service is excellent: friendly, unobtrusive, knowledgeable, and attentive. The menu offers dishes from all over the Mediterranean including Italian, Moroccan, and Greek. A very nice spot for dinner with friends, a romantic dinner, or a special occasion. read more

We dined here Tuesday night because they were hosting a fundraiser for AWARE which is the rescue for wild animals. Mark and I had never dined here before. So the fundraiser was a great excuse to try this place out. The fundraiser admission included hot and cold appetizers as well as beer and wine. We sampled the calamari, the bruschetta with grilled eggplant, the hummus and the falafel. All the appetizers were excellent! We then chose to have a seated dinner so we moved to the bar area. We ordered a large order of calamari, the Mediterranean salad with tomatoes cucumber onions and feta cheese. We also ordered the large crab cake served with a sauce, avocados and sliced oranges. The quality and flavor were excellent. The calamari was a standout because it's not breaded. It's flash fried and served with an amazing garlic sauce which we sopped up with a side of the grilled bread. Ambiance was nice and pleasant. No loud music or crazy loud patrons. Service was excellent! We would dine here again! read more

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I have been to Cafe Lily many times over the past 15 plus years but haven't been since 2019. What a huge disappointment. I went on a Tuesday evening with two friends also very familiar with the restaurant. We sat outside. There were flies and bees. Someone should have told us. We ordered drinks. I am certain we ordered three but only two came so another order was placed. We ordered the mixed appetizer. The options were nice but there was no attempt at plating. The small serving of pita wasn't enough. The waiter said he would bring more bread. Eventually focaccia was placed on our table. It was stale. We asked for more and another drink was ordered. Eventually we ordered our food. We asked about specials as we knew they had specials. The waiter mentioned one and said there were only five left. Why did we need to know this? Then he mentioned the second but said they were out. It was only Tuesday and specials are supposed to be available all week. We asked about the bread and the drink. The wait staff weren't quite assigned to a table and no one seemed to know who was doing what or what we were waiting for. One didn't even know what a French 75 was though it was one of the happy hour specials. Eventually bread showed up but was given to only one person. We were told bread came with her dish. Apparently the stale bread was forgotten. I ordered the lamb burger. I've had the lamb burger before. It's been delicious. It arrived overcooked and dry. I sent it back. Someone, who may have been the manager, brought me the replacement and then proceeded to tell me how lamb was cooked. Why was this important? I did not ask for overdone food. The second burger was 75% perfect and 25% raw ‍. Sincerely disappointed. The food wasn't picture worthy. Sorry. read more

Essentially an Olive Garden.....terribly disappointed with the food and the price we paid for it. Pastas were bland. Server was somewhat socially awkward. Ambiance was good... gave you the feel of a family restaurant in the burbs. read more

Decided to take myself out on a date and haven't been to this place in quite a few years. I lived in the area 20 years ago and used to come here often with my partner and friends and it brings back good memories, so I thought it would be nostalgic, not to mention the food was always very good. The staff was super friendly and attentive. I ordered the Orange-Blossom Salad and was a slightly disappointed because the serving size was quite small. I expected more for the price ($12.00). For the main course I had the Gamberi alla Rossa, which came highly recommended. I was not impressed. The shrimp had so seasoning or flavor, the pasta was overcooked and was drenched in sauce-and I like a lot of sauce, but this was too much for the amount of noodles. The wine was delicious and you can't go wrong with the complimentary Tuscan bread with the herbal olive oil. read more

My first time here. Amazing Place!!! From the moment I arrived. The hostess Top Notch, The Waitress (Lucile) Outstanding, The Food Delicious, The Service Simple the best read more

Great food and weekday drink specials. Have always had great service. Ambiance is alright...furnishings are a bit dated.

Drove through 5PM traffic on Valentine's Day for a great dinner! Wanted a fun, fancy different experience. We got it. Small and dark. Parking is an issue but most good places downtown have zero parking....... yay ATL. Friendly educated staff! Extensive drink/wine menu. Had the Karen Walker and George Clooney's Fiancé. Excellent! Everything was excellent. Made the mistake of ordering some strange meatballs but that's due to us not really understanding the menu. The lamb and short ribs were amazing. I passed on the lobster ravioli and I'm so sad I didn't order it! The coconut cream pie was a gift from the food gods! Almost like cheese cake!! If youre in Decatur and want something special in a comfy relaxed environment, this is the place! read more

I forgot to take pics but the food was great. We all three ordered different entrees (Goat cheese stuffed ravioli, Jerk chicken plate & the lamb steak. All were delicious in their own way. The lamb steak was super tender. Quaint, quiet ambiance. White table clothe type establishment, so business casual dress code. Metered street parking available. read more

I love the food and the ambience of this local restaurant. This place would easily merit four stars rather than three if it would up its game on service. The management needs to train the wait staff to do a much better job and stop being so amateurish. For example: stop interrupting people while they are eating; pronounce things on the menu correctly; check in on diners inconspicuously and politely; stop taking away one person's plate while others are still eating; know in advance which customer is to get which item; and finally see if diners want another glass of wine or some desert before unceremoniously dropping off their check. These are all just basic aspects of service that would complement everything else about this lovely restaurant. read more

A cute little portions restaurant. I popped in with a friend to have dinner after a long day of work. The restaurant sits on the corner and parking appears to be extremely limited. I wasn't sure if there a garage somewhere nearby so I circled and went back for a spot someone left in front of the restaurant. Hooray! To drink I ordered the New Zealand Sauvignon blanc. Delicious flavors with just the right acidity. To start, we ordered the calamari and shrimp appetizer. It was edible because I was starving but it lacked flavor and was on the crispier side. For dinner, I ordered the scallop risotto. The scallops were delicious but the risotto lacked flavor and depth. The complimentary bread that came with oil was stale and quit gross. Our server Axel was excellent and why I may give them another try in the future. As it stands, the portions were cute but small so I wouldn't come here really hungry! read more

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Food was bland. Had the crab cake. It was ok. But for its size and price I would expect some lumps of crab. Not just shreds of it. Was drowning in the sauce. I knew it was going to be bad when they cleared the table and took the used forks and knifes off the appetizer plates and put them directly on the table cloth. In my experience for the prices they charge. We would have received new silverware. But nope. I told my girl be prepared for a mediocre meal. And I was right. I had the pinchitos for entree. Looked like a mess. Was not visually appealing at all. Everything on the plate tasted the same. To much lime. She had the pasta and shrimp. Both parts were over cooked and under seasoned. She had to add salt. For what they charge save your money and go somewhere else. The food was sub par for sure. read more

We love the food and the atmosphere; our favorite restaurant in Decatur. Highly recommend the pinchitos and gambas.

Hubby and I ate here on Mother's Day, and I posted a pretty disappointed review that afternoon. Meanwhile, Hubby posted his own review, and the manager responded directly to him, apologized for the inconsistent service, said she would discuss with chef and staff, and offered a $50 gift card. I appreciate the effort to make things right, so we will return, and I will post another review. read more

The manager was very aggressive and nonchalant as it relates to how to accommodate a birthday dinner party! The food was staggered out to party and no one really ate at the same time. The Food was mediocr. The cupcakes that were purchased to sing Happy Birthday with were not allowed unless each person paid $3 each because they were from the outside. Dinner party excused from enjoying the $5 cocktails. read more

Don't go here! Such a horrible experience. Extremely poor service waited 30 minutes for water and a server to come by. I ordered a glass of wine which came after I paid the bill. Ordered the calamari a la plancha which was raw and cold. My pasta dish was Gemelli Carbonara which on the menu description was to be prepared with pancetta, garlic, green peas and white wine, garnished with pecorino romano cheese. The dish they brought me had tomatos and spinach. The pasta was also overcooked. I did not receive a explanation as to why they changed the dish or any apology for the raw fish. They also brought the person I was with the wrong drink. Don't waste your time and money!!! read more

I love Cafe Lily. I have been coming to this restaurant for 20+ years. The biggest change I have seen is that they have taken some of the more expensive items off the menu (stuffed filet and ribeye). However, they have plenty of flavorful and delicious items. Only once have I received service that I would consider subpar. I most recently went to eat on a Friday night and since I did not have a reservation I sat at the bar. The bar tender, though very busy, was very attentive and provided service almost immediately telling us about the food and drink specials. I tend to be a creature of habit so I rarely order the specials. My favorite item on the menu is the salmon, and I ordered it again tonight. One of the great things about the restaurant is that they do accommodate special diets or requests. I try to stay away from carbs so they grilled asparagus for me instead of the rice. For dessert we had the tiramisu. They do a fantastic job with it. One of my favorite desserts. Definitely order it because it is such a PIA to make yourself, and Cafe Lily's is one of the best. read more

As long as I've worked in Decatur I never knew that this place was in the heart of downtown Decatur. Attended a CE meeting last night and totally enjoyed myself. The food was absolutely amazing, the service was impeccable, and the restaurant is self is very unique, cute and quaint. I would definitely recommend at this cute little restaurant that has a small little patio where you can actually people watch in downtown Decatur. read more

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Cafe Lily was the bomb.com! One of my coworkers took me to lunch there a couple weeks ago and I wish I discovered it sooner! Especially when I still ate meat. My coworker ordered a lamb burger and I ordered a salmon burger. My burger came with a soup and salad, however I opted out of the soup due to them containing chicken, and got a side of fries instead. It was a lot of food that I had leftovers for dinner that night. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful and elegant. The tables are already set with glasses and mini plates for appetizers, along with a nice white table cloth. The menu has a variety of options including a good lunch menu. They have a wide selection of wines and drinks. The restaurant also offers patio seating outside. read more

Café Lily - Mediterranean Near Me - Decatur, Georgia

Brunch was amazing! Had the French toast and crab cakes. Honestly the crab cakes are a must try/have.

Genuinely some of the best food I've had in a while! Walked in 15 min before closing and was still treated so well. Atmosphere was clean and quiet and food was impeccable. read more

"We chose poorly!" That's the bottom line assessment of my wife's birthday dinner tonight at what was once our favorite Atlanta neighborhood restaurant. For the first few years of dining at Cafe Lily, we felt it had charm and creativity. There were so many choices of appetizers, main courses, and desserts to choose from. Then, under new ownership, we noticed and shared our perceptions with the staff that the menu was downsized more and more from the phenomenal selection we first encountered years ago. Sadly, the wait staff's renowned exceptional service is no longer anticipated and this past summer we patiently returned time and again even though we felt we were guinea pigs for training new hires with no server experience. We are very loyal and encouraging, but tonight's disaster with waiting more than 80 minutes for our lobsters with French fries for $97.20 per person being served the exact opposite of what we ordered was the final straw. No one seemed to care that we kept waiting and waiting and were ignored. Eating out is a luxury and tonight's special occasion of my wife's birthday seemed of no importance to those we sought help from. During the 90 minutes we waited for our lobsters, my wife and I ate a salad, drank a glass of wine, enjoyed bread with olive oil, and drank sparking water. When our lobsters were delivered wrong, we continued to wait and after being reassured repeatedly our correct orders would be out soon, gave up and chose to "opt out" after an hour and a half; we asked to pay the $56 for the food and beverage we consumed so we didn't have to wait longer for the lobsters and pay another $200 when the ambience and interest had dried up. Several staffers justified the delay due to how busy they were but no one else seemed to be unhappy or waiting for their orders, or bored wondering when their lobsters would arrive. We were offered another order of french fries in consolation for the lobsters being prepared wrong and that remedy of stuffing us with cheap potatoes convinced us the co-owner watching and her staff thought we were chumps. Yes, while others reading this may think we are picky because others were treated well, imagine how tiring it would be for you to watch those who came after you enjoy their lobster dinners the way they asked and receive refills and polite service. We finally asked to pay using a $50 gift card we received as a gift from a family member, but Saleena insisted on comping the dinner. Thank you, Saleena. While others in your restaurant obviously enjoyed tonight, it was misery to us and after many years of patient and enthusiastic support, we choose to let you cater to those you prefer to shower with service and respect. Spending another $200 for two lobsters with a choice of french fries or spinach, and adding even more for wine, salad, and dessert, our nearly $300 dinner seemed of no value and we called it quits. We won't bother Cafe Lily again, and while we have always supported and praised your restaurant, our being demoted to the rank of the untouchables was the final insult. Thank you for comping tonight's bill. Perhaps one day you will discern that all customers matter and the snickering we observed as you looked at us after voicing our concerns will be quickly forgotten and dismissed. read more

Café Lily - from tonight's menu - Mediterranean Near Me - Decatur, Georgia

We decided to come to Cafe Lily for dinner on NYE and with that being said, it was a late dinner and they were out of things. Had a reservation at 9:30 but had to wait at the bar while they were getting our table ready, the restaurant was full in the main area and we were seated in the peacock room behind the bar. Before I get into the food, the overall ambiance and restaurant is very cozy and friendly feeling. Our waitress was very friendly and was helpful in suggesting a few places to go to for a few drinks for NYE. For the food, we ordered the hummus but when it arrived I didn't see any hummus but pita with falafel and dill sauce and amba. At that time we didn't think much about it, but thinking back now, we received the Jerusalem Falafel instead of the hummus. For entrees, the waitress let us know that they were out of the cheese ravioli, lobster ravioli, anything with shrimp, and the braised short ribs.I understand that on such a busy day you run out of things, but that was more than I expected. I would have chosen the braised short rib, but ended choosing the risotto. The scallops were nicely seared and seasoned well with four large scallops on top of the risotto. read more

25th Anniversary dinner. My wife and I are foodies, for sure. We like trying new places. I must say this was a great choice. I read most of the Yelp reviews, including the 1-star ones. I've learned that those 1-star reviews are usually written by judgemental, whiny people who probably have a hard time being happy about anything. We had the Zuppa del Mar & the Panchitos. The soup was very tasty, with chunks of fish, scallops, shrimp, mussels & calamari. The squid was perfectly cooked, not chewy. The broth was so tasty we kept dipping the wonderful bread in it just to sop it up. (Perfectly acceptable in the South). The Panchitos was tender, exquisitely seasoned, the potatoes and green beans were just right, not overcooked, topped with a helping of grated Manchego cheese. For dessert, we had the Torta Ciocolotta, a gluten-free chocolate hazelnut cake. Special kudos to Elise, our server, who answered our questions and helped us make the right choices, including the awesome Sangria. This has to be the best meal I've had in 10 years that I didn't cook for myself. We will most definitely be back. read more

Café Lily - Zuppa del Mar - Mediterranean Near Me - Decatur, Georgia