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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Such a beautiful, lush garden cafe, and their italian sandwiches and pasties are so tasty![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]BUT due to recent popularity, do expect a long line. I came on Memorial Day, so it was quite busy for a Monday, I waited 30 min in line and 15 min for food, plus there aren't that many tables so could be hard to get a seat.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I love the setup of the place though, with a beautiful outdoor patio in the plants.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I tried the panino all'uovo, the sandwich was very fresh and tasty, with wholesome ingredients. Only improved with some fresh rosemary, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. The proscuitto was so quality and sliced thin. I also got a nutella croissant, which is HUGE. So buttery and flakey and plenty of decadent nutella. I would definitely come back for it! Or any of the pastries, they all look high quality. I also got their iced americano but it wasn't my favorite espresso, and I would prefer the food over the coffee! I will say some pastries will sell out later in the day so they may not have all of the croissant flavors.
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Cutest bakery/brunch spot ever!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We came straight from Pilates craving coffee and a sweet treat, and this place definitely DELIVERED. Everything in the pastry case looked so good it was genuinely hard to choose. All the pastries were super well balanced flavor-wise, and the pastry itself was buttery, flaky, and perfectly baked. The croissant especially was sooo buttery and crisp on the outside while soft inside with the perfect amount of filling. The coffee was also rich, creamy, and delicious, and everything came out surprisingly fast even though it was pretty busy. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Not a ton of seating inside and it definitely gets PACKED on weekends, but we managed to snag a little table on the back patio which made it such a cute spot to sit and catch up.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall such a perfect weekend brunch/coffee date spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Will definitely be back to try more pastries because I was eyeing basically everything behind the counter.
i wish I could give Il Giardino di Lilli 100/10... for REAL! We arrived early afternoon on a Sunday and the line was long - out to the street. If you have the time to stick around though, this place is well worth it and the line moves just fine. We ordered a plethora of things - the nutellino, black coffee, a matcha oat latte, a vanilla bean croissant, an almond tarte, avocado toast (they have GF!), and the panino all'uovo. Every single thing was made with love and delicious - this cost ~$65. For the European girly in me, the nutellino was pure comfort, especially on a cold day. I highly recommend this cafe & will be back! :-)
I came back to try the lunch menu here and the sandwich was quite exceptional. I was shocked to see they had gluten free bread options given the authentic Italian cuisine but so happy they did. The egg prosciutto panini was divine and definitely don't forget to ask for the spicy sauce! The one major downfall is that it is extremely slow - I waited in line for 45 minutes and it then took an hour for me to get my sandwich after that 45 minute line. Also, if you're working from here and want anything additional throughout the day, you have to wait in line again which is quite time consuming!
I've been here twice now, and my second visit really stood out, probably because I came early in the morning right when they opened at 7am. I was surprised by how busy it gets even on a weekday morning, but arriving early helped me snag a cozy spot inside. There are only about 4-5 indoor tables, but plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the beautiful San Diego weather. The staff was friendly and welcoming, even while managing the rush. The hardest part about this place is deciding what to order, everything looks so good. I don't remember what I got on my first visit, but this time I went with a Nutella-stuffed croissant, and it was absolutely delicious. I also ordered a latte, which was solid. I can't really speak to how "authentic" it is, but I can say it's definitely worth visiting at least once, especially if you're a local.
I ordered the panino alle verde and vanilla croissant and had to wait 30 minutes for it. I'm fine with a long wait if the food is actually good. However, the food here was painfully mediocre. The panino alle verde was listed on the menu as a tomato and eggplant sandwich with mozzarella and basil. However, it was actually a tomato paste (no actual pieces of tomato found) with small pieces of eggplant sprinkled on top sandwich with a big, cold clump of mozzarella. It was okay taste-wise but charging $15 for such a simple and lackluster sandwich (that one could easily make at home) is insane to me even for San Diego pricing. The vanilla crossiant was so soggy that even the ends were soggy. There was no crunch, no crumbly flakes, just a sad, dense pastry with custard in the middle. The only saving grace of this croissant was the vanilla custard which was creamy, not too sweet, and had a nice vanilla flavor (you could see the vanilla bean specks). However, the custard did not make this croissant worth eating and the only part of the croissant I ate was the custard filling. [[HIGHLIGHT]]While I was eating my food, I was surprised at how crowded this place was considering I found the food to be very mediocre.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] There was a constant line and everyone seemed to be ordering the croissants. I'm not sure if these people were just tourists or regulars whose only reference for baked goods and sandwiches were subway or 7-eleven, but I know that there are tons of better bakeries in San Diego. Even freaking Costco has way better pastries and sandwiches than this place and will not charge you $25 for one small sandwich and one soggy croissant. Note: I found out about this place because I asked A.I. to find "hidden gems" in San Diego. This is what I get for trusting A.I.
Service was friendly. I ordered the pistachio croissant and the Tartina avocado to go. The croissant was slightly crispy on the outside and buttery soft in the middle, filled with a delicious pistachio cream. The Tartina avocado came with a good amount of avocado, and I liked the pickled onions on top. I do wish it had a little more flavor, maybe something like a balsamic drizzle. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and would like to go back to try more of their pastries.
An adorable cafe and brunch spot that is located on a trendy street in La Jolla. I came at around noon, and a lot of the pastries were already sold out! I got one of the last Nutella croissants, and it had a great crispy texture and was absolutely loaded with Nutella. The lavender latte was also refreshing and had a pleasant floral taste. Next time I will definitely try their sandwiches, they look very promising. The line can get pretty long, but they have an efficient system with a window at the side for drinks. It's all street parking, so you may need to park farther away and walk. There is also a farmers market next to the cafe on Sundays, I was able to walk around and explore while enjoying my coffee!
This place is top tier. The whole shop is absolutely adorable. It's slightly tucked off the street so the outdoor seating is wonderful. There is also seating indoors. The staff are sooooo friendly. I got a hammerhead and my husband got the matcha. Both Delicious but the matcha stole the show. I also got the yummiest sandwich it was the panino pucci. Absolutely scrumptious! Highly recommend. Recommendations: Piano pucci Any matcha drink
Cheerfully decorated for Christmas! I enjoyed a parfait, their poppyseed pound cake, and a perfect dirty chai. Coffee here is beyond exceptional. 5 stars! Suggestion for the pound cake: use much less sugar. It was way too sweet, but delightful. I really appreciate the seasonal flavors and the charm Lilli has every time I visit.
Review Insights
4 days ago
Il Giardino di Lilli is such a cute bakery/coffee shop in the La Jolla area. My party ordered an assortment of croissants and beverages. Croissants were buttery and flaky; the jam maybe only filled 2/3 of it though. They have two water dispensers off to the side. Their water is flavored and is actually really good. I think it's more unique than their drinks lol. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very aesthetic outdoor seating. Limited indoor seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We came on a weekday for brunch and it was pretty busy. Street parking not bad for a weekday. read more
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Il Giardino di Lilli is such a cute little gem in La Jolla![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe feels like you're sitting in a cozy backyard with lots of greenery and charm.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They have a huge selection of pastries and food options, plus plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, making it a great spot to hang out or get some work done![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I tried the lavender latte, which was a little too milky for my taste and I couldn't taste much of the coffee. My friend got the vanilla latte and enjoyed it more, and her toast was really yummy. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They also have a bathroom in the back, which is always a nice bonus.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Parking can be a little tricky since it's La Jolla, but honestly much easier than the main beach area. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall, a really cute spot with a relaxing atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I'd definitely come back to enjoy the space and try more of their menu! read more
[[HIGHLIGHT]]One of the most aesthetic cafes in La Jolla imo! It's such a cute spot for a weekend brunch with the girlies.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The first time I came, I just wanted to grab some pastries to go. The croissants stood out to me, like just look at how beautiful they look. My only concern was that the filling would be too sweet for me, but it wasn't! They used the perfect amount of filling. I tried the pistachio one and the nutella one. I liked the pistachio one because I loved how nutty pistachio paste is. I think it works perfectly in a sweet treat because it isn't overly sweet. But the nutella one was still yummy. The croissant itself was buttery and flakey, so yum! I came back because I really wanted to try their sammies. I ended up getting the panino coppa and subbed the burrata for fresh mozzarella. I loved the spicy kick their house-made spread added. Everything together was delicious. I got the freshly squeezed orange juice too, and it tasted really fresh. It was a little sour though. read more
1 month ago
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Such a beautiful, lush garden cafe, and their italian sandwiches and pasties are so tasty![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]BUT due to recent popularity, do expect a long line. I came on Memorial Day, so it was quite busy for a Monday, I waited 30 min in line and 15 min for food, plus there aren't that many tables so could be hard to get a seat.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I love the setup of the place though, with a beautiful outdoor patio in the plants.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I tried the panino all'uovo, the sandwich was very fresh and tasty, with wholesome ingredients. Only improved with some fresh rosemary, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. The proscuitto was so quality and sliced thin. I also got a nutella croissant, which is HUGE. So buttery and flakey and plenty of decadent nutella. I would definitely come back for it! Or any of the pastries, they all look high quality. I also got their iced americano but it wasn't my favorite espresso, and I would prefer the food over the coffee! I will say some pastries will sell out later in the day so they may not have all of the croissant flavors. read more
17 days ago
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Cutest bakery/brunch spot ever!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We came straight from Pilates craving coffee and a sweet treat, and this place definitely DELIVERED. Everything in the pastry case looked so good it was genuinely hard to choose. All the pastries were super well balanced flavor-wise, and the pastry itself was buttery, flaky, and perfectly baked. The croissant especially was sooo buttery and crisp on the outside while soft inside with the perfect amount of filling. The coffee was also rich, creamy, and delicious, and everything came out surprisingly fast even though it was pretty busy. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Not a ton of seating inside and it definitely gets PACKED on weekends, but we managed to snag a little table on the back patio which made it such a cute spot to sit and catch up.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall such a perfect weekend brunch/coffee date spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Will definitely be back to try more pastries because I was eyeing basically everything behind the counter. read more
i wish I could give Il Giardino di Lilli 100/10... for REAL! We arrived early afternoon on a Sunday and the line was long - out to the street. If you have the time to stick around though, this place is well worth it and the line moves just fine. We ordered a plethora of things - the nutellino, black coffee, a matcha oat latte, a vanilla bean croissant, an almond tarte, avocado toast (they have GF!), and the panino all'uovo. Every single thing was made with love and delicious - this cost ~$65. For the European girly in me, the nutellino was pure comfort, especially on a cold day. I highly recommend this cafe & will be back! :-) read more
3 days ago
The manager really cares and makes sure that you feel welcome, we will continue to go back because of her ability to be very professional im everyway. We are very grateful to her .As locals we appreciate the kindness. read more
23 days ago
I came back to try the lunch menu here and the sandwich was quite exceptional. I was shocked to see they had gluten free bread options given the authentic Italian cuisine but so happy they did. The egg prosciutto panini was divine and definitely don't forget to ask for the spicy sauce! The one major downfall is that it is extremely slow - I waited in line for 45 minutes and it then took an hour for me to get my sandwich after that 45 minute line. Also, if you're working from here and want anything additional throughout the day, you have to wait in line again which is quite time consuming! read more
I've been here twice now, and my second visit really stood out, probably because I came early in the morning right when they opened at 7am. I was surprised by how busy it gets even on a weekday morning, but arriving early helped me snag a cozy spot inside. There are only about 4-5 indoor tables, but plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the beautiful San Diego weather. The staff was friendly and welcoming, even while managing the rush. The hardest part about this place is deciding what to order, everything looks so good. I don't remember what I got on my first visit, but this time I went with a Nutella-stuffed croissant, and it was absolutely delicious. I also ordered a latte, which was solid. I can't really speak to how "authentic" it is, but I can say it's definitely worth visiting at least once, especially if you're a local. read more
2 months ago
The coffee was good but my bf didn't think it had a strong enough taste which I also agree. We also got the pistachio croissant which was good but had more of a pistachio peanut butter taste. We also ordered some sort of apple pastry which was my favorite. Def worth checking out. read more
1 month ago
I ordered the panino alle verde and vanilla croissant and had to wait 30 minutes for it. I'm fine with a long wait if the food is actually good. However, the food here was painfully mediocre. The panino alle verde was listed on the menu as a tomato and eggplant sandwich with mozzarella and basil. However, it was actually a tomato paste (no actual pieces of tomato found) with small pieces of eggplant sprinkled on top sandwich with a big, cold clump of mozzarella. It was okay taste-wise but charging $15 for such a simple and lackluster sandwich (that one could easily make at home) is insane to me even for San Diego pricing. The vanilla crossiant was so soggy that even the ends were soggy. There was no crunch, no crumbly flakes, just a sad, dense pastry with custard in the middle. The only saving grace of this croissant was the vanilla custard which was creamy, not too sweet, and had a nice vanilla flavor (you could see the vanilla bean specks). However, the custard did not make this croissant worth eating and the only part of the croissant I ate was the custard filling. [[HIGHLIGHT]]While I was eating my food, I was surprised at how crowded this place was considering I found the food to be very mediocre.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] There was a constant line and everyone seemed to be ordering the croissants. I'm not sure if these people were just tourists or regulars whose only reference for baked goods and sandwiches were subway or 7-eleven, but I know that there are tons of better bakeries in San Diego. Even freaking Costco has way better pastries and sandwiches than this place and will not charge you $25 for one small sandwich and one soggy croissant. Note: I found out about this place because I asked A.I. to find "hidden gems" in San Diego. This is what I get for trusting A.I. read more
Service was friendly. I ordered the pistachio croissant and the Tartina avocado to go. The croissant was slightly crispy on the outside and buttery soft in the middle, filled with a delicious pistachio cream. The Tartina avocado came with a good amount of avocado, and I liked the pickled onions on top. I do wish it had a little more flavor, maybe something like a balsamic drizzle. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and would like to go back to try more of their pastries. read more
An adorable cafe and brunch spot that is located on a trendy street in La Jolla. I came at around noon, and a lot of the pastries were already sold out! I got one of the last Nutella croissants, and it had a great crispy texture and was absolutely loaded with Nutella. The lavender latte was also refreshing and had a pleasant floral taste. Next time I will definitely try their sandwiches, they look very promising. The line can get pretty long, but they have an efficient system with a window at the side for drinks. It's all street parking, so you may need to park farther away and walk. There is also a farmers market next to the cafe on Sundays, I was able to walk around and explore while enjoying my coffee! read more
16 days ago
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Very cute small spot in La Jolla. Love all the greenery, it felt like a cottage garden.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Pastry and tea was delicious. Pretty fast service. I did go on a weekday though. It seems like it may get pretty busy on the weekends. read more
This place is top tier. The whole shop is absolutely adorable. It's slightly tucked off the street so the outdoor seating is wonderful. There is also seating indoors. The staff are sooooo friendly. I got a hammerhead and my husband got the matcha. Both Delicious but the matcha stole the show. I also got the yummiest sandwich it was the panino pucci. Absolutely scrumptious! Highly recommend. Recommendations: Piano pucci Any matcha drink read more
7 months ago
Cheerfully decorated for Christmas! I enjoyed a parfait, their poppyseed pound cake, and a perfect dirty chai. Coffee here is beyond exceptional. 5 stars! Suggestion for the pound cake: use much less sugar. It was way too sweet, but delightful. I really appreciate the seasonal flavors and the charm Lilli has every time I visit. read more
8 months ago
The dreamiest cafe that jumped straight out of a storybook. Il Giardino di Lilli translates to "Lilli's Garden." With plants, greenery, and flowers littered all around, this spot quite literally lives up to their name. They even have a little alleyway lined with tables that makes it feel like you're in a hidden garden surrounded by vines. Truly such a charming spot. Every weekend, you can expect a bit of a wait and a line out the door. However, it's a small place serving small bites, so you're never left waiting too long. They're most famous for their croissants! We got the pistachio one (their most popular) and the raspberry one. This may be controversial since SD has such a stellar croissant scene, but these ones might just be my new favorite. Fresh, flaky, and buttery, it checks off every single box (and more!) on my croissant criteria list. Not to mention their gorgeous presentation-- I was in LOVE with their vintage dining ware. If you're more of a savory person, they have an amazing selection of sandwiches (breakfast and lunch). Our top pick was the Panino Prosciutto Cotto which features prosciutto, caciocavallo, artichokes, frisee, and aioli. One of the best sandwiches I've had! Such simple flavors and ingredients done right. A must-go if you're ever in La Jolla! read more
Visiting La Jolla for the weekend and this was one of the highlights of my trip. OMG is the word when you bite into their fresh and crispy croissant. We got the vanilla custard croissant and this was hands down one of the best croissants I have ever had in US. I am picky on my croissant and not easy to please when it comes to that. Let's just say I would wait another hour in the line just to get that again. We also got their egg sandwich which was delicious, fresh and tasty. We also loved their cappuccinos. [[HIGHLIGHT]]This place is so cute, cozy, and inviting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Even though it was super busy, we managed to get a table and really enjoyed our Saturday morning here.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They also had full shelf of all pastries given they were extremely busy, I thought it was amazing. this tells me they work efficiently. Staff were friendly and nice. Prices were reasonable too. Parking on the street. read more
Went to this coffee shop this morning and instantly loved it. The space is adorable and the outdoor patio is such a vibe. I ordered a flat white and my boyfriend got a cortado. Neither was actually on the menu, but they happily made both anyway. That's usually my sign that the coffee is going to be good, especially if a place can properly make a flat white. We didn't grab any food this time, but everything coming out of the kitchen looked amazing. The real highlight though was when they noticed we had our two dogs with us and brought them pup cups without us even asking. They were thrilled. Definitely will be back, mostly for the food next time, but also for the great coffee and dog friendly vibes. read more
8 months ago
Really cute cafe with a pretty outdoor garden space! We came on a foggy morning but it was still really nice to sit outside among the plants and trees. We got a nutellino which was the perfect drink for a cold morning. The nutella added the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the coffee. We also tried a vanilla custard croissant, which was delicious as well. The staff were super patient and helped walk through the croissant flavors and explained how the nutellino was made. The inside of the cafe was super cozy as well, with a fireplace and some seating. Would definitely come back! read more
7 months ago
I came here again with my cousin, mom, and grandma. We all loved how beautifully Il Giardino di Lilli decorated their space for the holidays. The stairs were lined with poinsettia's, the ceiling with a draping pine and big bauble ornaments. A few Red Robin's here and there and then they had a Christmas tree on the inside of the space. The tree was red and decorated very festive and creatively. Our favorite addition was the large red pipe cleaner flowers! The day we went (a Saturday), was very busy and the only wait was to relay order really. Because when you order your baked goods, they will grab it then and hand it to you as you pay (just mention to them for here or to go!). We asked for "here," and they gave us the pastries on plates with some silverware. While we were in line we looked over the baked goods case. I think it would be helpful to people that wait in line-- if the owners could add little name tags/place cards with the name of the pastry and the price. This would help keep the line moving and free from multiple people pointing to different areas and asking "what's this?" "What about this one?" Etc. As we stood in line, for the most part I could tell my cousin what croissants they offered. But I did mistakenly say that one was a lemon croissant (I was thinking curd or crème) and it was actually vanilla! How odd since it was soo vibrantly yellow. Anyways, we couldn't contemplate for too long since it technically was our turn to order & there was a massive line behind. We went with the: - Apricot Jam Croissant: this jam was semi tart with a hint of sweetness. They gave a lot of it inside the croissant. It paired beautifully with the buttery flakiness of the croissant. I really enjoyed this one. - Raisin Roll with Powdered Sugar: This one was unlike the French ones, after all we were in an Italian cafe & bakery! It was much thicker and a little sweeter. Paired well with coffee. They have a station with different infused flavored water (and cups), sugars, napkins, etc. Multiple outdoor seating areas and a small inside seating area. One of the outdoor seating area is on the other-side of the ramp, I think it's nice. Although it needs some coverage from above or some (easy to clean) cushions because the benches were covered in bird poop which was not very nice to sit on. In addition, something I want to note is that I saw people further behind me in line place their bags on empty tables. I thought that was kind of rude to do to the people waiting in line/ordering as it prevents them the ability to find seating-- to enjoy their morning pastries and drinks. It probably wouldn't be so packed if people didn't hog the tables. 4-5 stars! I would highly recommend trying out their croissants. The apricot one was delicious, and I've also had the almond one which had great flavor. Others have recommended the pistachio one which is next on my list to try. I wouldn't personally recommend the coffee, perhaps it's better if you don't order the lavender agave (if you're a habitual lavender latte drinker like I am, I think you wouldn't enjoy this-- but do as you please ofc). & Not only do they have pastries, but they have toasts ($13-$15) and sandwiches ($14-16) as well-- if you're extra hungry or prefer a savory type of food. read more
4 months ago
This is such a great cafe to check out. Lots of outdoor seating with shade and a few inside tables as well. All their food and coffee is delicious! My favorite almond croissant in San Diego read more
Vibe: 9/10 - this is such a cute spot! We loved the outdoor seating Service: 9/10 Value: 5/10 - definitely pricy, but the ambience makes up for it Oat milk macchiato: 7/10 Nutella croissant: 8.25/10 - so huge and perfectly flakey Overall: 7.65/10 (3.825/5) [To clarify our review system: 10 = we'll never have anything else as good as this in our lives (we use 10 very sparingly!) 9 = extraordinary 8 = great 7 = above average 6 = average Anything below 6 is being critical] read more
We stumbled upon this cafe while walking and it was so pretty. The outside was covered with plants, the people were really nice, free fruit infused water outside too. The display of the baked goods were too good to resist! Look at the layers of the croissants! Super airy buttery and light. The coffee was great, I had a mocha and it was so rich chocolate flavor with an even balance of espresso. The seating area inside is small but there is outdoor too. It was nice meeting and chatting with other people at the table. Really nice atmosphere. It did get a bit noisy only because there's just so much people here enjoying their time. Great overall experience. read more
3 months ago
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Cute & cozy cafe to grab a coffee and bite to eat.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Ordered the cafe latte and was surprised the coffee wasn't overpowered by the milk. My sister in law tried the matcha and enjoyed it. We grabbed a few bites to try : the Tartina avocado very fresh and balanced , panino coppa on the more savory and spicy side but still tasty and the tenerina which was absolutely delicious chocolate flourless cake. read more
4 months ago
What a charming place. What struck me was how there was a value for shutting down the laptops over the weekend so that it would encourage times without technology. I got caught using my laptop but in a good way - I'm so sorry for overstepping! I immediately put away my laptop after being politely told about Lilli's policy. People are very kind here. The food is all so very good. Please do not miss the croissant, balsamic vinegar + olive oil, and the paninis. Each sandwich was made with fresh ingredients. Ice water flavored with fruits was also a nice plus. Just the whole atmosphere is well run even when things can get busy. Im grateful for all the people here. Thank you and God bless you all!+ read more
9 months ago
Lines are getting larger and slower, prices are getting bigger and food is definitely getting SMALLER (see pic) The pastries are amazing, delicious and beautiful... but pricey. There should be a fast track line for pastries, cuz you can be waiting in line for 20 minutes for a single croissant, but if you also order coffee, add 1/2 an hour. read more
2 months ago
Best pistachio croissant ever! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Just came to La Jolla for the weekend and stumbled on this cafe with a line of people out the door.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Not a lot of heavy traffic in this area so I was surprised to see the line while jogging around. Also, got a delicious lavendar agave latte. Smooth, creamy and not too sweet. Mmmm read more
This is a nice spot but I felt like it was overrated. The only nice part about it is the design and plants. The rest is just a hype. The bread for the sandwich is so hard that almost breaks your teeth to bite. The seats are so close to each other. Also nobody cleans the tables. If you happen to find a table, it's full of other people's food and plates and when you ask to clean it, they give you an attitude. I just don't want to pay for a treatment less than deserved. There really screaming kids everywhere inside with their moms as it's located next to a nearby school. Parking is available on the street but it's stressful to find one spot. Overall, 2/5 experience. The extra star is for the flavored water they have which looks and tastes nice. read more
22 hours ago
We came here at 9:30am on Saturday beat the rush. We waited in line for about 5 min whereas the line started to get very long as we enjoyed our meal. I suggest coming before 10 if you don't want to wait in a long line on the weekend. The server was very nice and continued to repeated the pastry names after each customer asked, I feel like they should just have a name card by each pastry so it saves the waiter a breath. The croissants were good but wish they were more flaky and crusty and in my opinion there was the ratio to bread a filling was off (too much filling). I loved the bread on our panino, the inside was nothing special, but got the job done to settle the savory craving. Overall, the vibes are so cute and I wish we got some coffees because they looked so good. I saw someone got the nutella coffee and it looked so cute! read more
1 month ago
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance is very nice, love the outdoor seating, feels secluded[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], and the croissant I had was good. Well priced for a spot in La Jolla. Will be going back to try a different pastry for sure (: Found parking right in front. read more
2 months ago
Place is busy weekday mornings but service moves quick! I ordered the iced lavender agave latte and it was delicious! Perfect blend of rich coffee, creamy milk, and fragrant lavender. It was a harmonious cup of caffeine I had only wished I got it warm so the ice didn't water it down as I drank. I also got the apricot jam brioche and this was a decadent fusion of rich, pillowy bread with a slightly tart but bright fruit filling. If it wasn't so busy, I might've stayed around but there are plenty of seats to sit and chatter with friends. I definitely recommend trying something in their pastry window and their lavender agave latte! read more
Pro tip: get there early! My husband and I dined in a little after 8am Sunday with only two other customers in front of us, but by the time we left the general area after walking around, the line was out the door and to the street!!! They had so many yummy looking pastries, it was hard to decide! We shared the pistachio croissant - it was so flaky and buttery. My husband had the panini all'ouvo - he said it was very good and enjoyed the combination of flavors! I had the pane, burro, e marmellata - it was good as well, but I wish it was two slices of bread instead of just one for all of the butter and marmalade. There was plenty of seating (at least when we visited), both inside and outside. The property is gorgeous too! We'd definitely return next time we're in the area to try some other menu items! read more
Il Giardino di Lilli ("Lilli's garden") is a beautiful Italian garden café + bakery right in the heart of La Jolla Village Pastries I loved: Citrus almond cake Custard croissant Drinks & savory bites: Lavender agave latte Eggplant panini Such a cozy spot to slow down and enjoy authentic flavors. It does get busy after 10 AM, but the line moves quickly and seating is first come, first serve. A must-stop in La Jolla! read more
There will be a line and seating fills up quickly. Both interior and exterior seating has so much charm, you forget you are in San Diego for a little bit. The almond croissant has the slightest citrus flavor while remaining a delicious buttery croissant. I forgot the name of the sandwich I got but points for having a kick to it. Service is friendly though I wished they'd let you put an order in for a pastry they are finishing off. read more
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Il Giardino di Lilli - coffee - Updated July 2026
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