Lillian's was an experience. Exceptional food, cocktails, ambiance, and service. We will return to celebrate special occasions.

What a lovely place! Beautiful decor. The food was delicious and cooked to perfection! The service was attentive and the whole staff was a pleasure from beginning to end. Will be back! read more

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Food just isn't anything to rave about. Prices are outrageous. Staff is hit or miss. No kids menu. Have given this place 3 honest tries before throwing in the towel. We miss Morada! read more

Took the family for an early Christmas dinner last night. The service was horrible - from the time we sat down till we had appetizers in front of us It was over an hour. The veal Milanese I had was like a burnt rubber shoe sole with a handful of arugula thrown in top presumably to hide the over breaded and over cooked sliver of meat. My wife's salmon (which was hyped as "one of our best dishes") was underseasoned overcooked, and just flat out BAD! To add insult to injury, the food is so overpriced. It's ridiculous. The only saving grace was the french fries (frittes). Which brings me to my summary. You would do better to go to McDonald's than to this Horrible restaurant. And my wife and I are big eat out foodies who have no issue paying a high price for a good dining experience. read more

I don't know how anyone could give this place anything but five stars. Let me start with the valet parking. So often I feel as if I hand over my keys and my car goes racing off somewhere. Valet was wonderful, very nice and more attentive than I could even imagine. The hostess, our server, and everyone else in the restaurant were fantastic. The hostess that told us that the beignets were wonderful and a great dessert. So we decided to start our meal with dessert, which did not disappoint. it was served with three sauces, and I hate to admit, but the butterscotch sauce was so good, I added some to my coffee. Our meal was fabulous. One of our group has some dietary restrictions. Our server never blinked an eye as she nervously asked for modifications. The chef took care of everything. She was so impressed not only with the food but the attitude when she asked for the modifications that she's planning a dinner night with her husband here. This is wonderful, clearly upscale, but the prices are not upscale. I've paid more for mediocre lunches at average restaurants than I did for a wonderful luncheon here. I didn't take any pictures of the food, but everyone enjoyed everything . Thank you so much. read more

Lilian's - Employee office picture in front of the beautiful Christmas tree. - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

Food was pretty good! Natalie is the best waiter I have ever had so nice and sweet. Did everything in her power to make my brothers bday dinner special. Then we found out it was only her fourth day. ACTUALLY AMAZING FOR THAT SHORT OF TIME WORKING HERE. I love her read more

Living nearby but never having experienced we were excited to try, however it was subpar. Outdated interiors were surprising given the ratings. The food was bland and overly oily. We had the veal and the scallops. Both lacked flavor. So disappointing. Service was great but wish the kitchen could catch up. read more

A small, unique hotel restaurant in Rancho Santafe. Service and remodeling interior were great and enjoyable. The food doesn't match the price that they provide, and expensive with a small portion. It is Ranch Santafe, so I understand, and I will expect more unique dishes than now. read more

This is my 2nd review for Lilian's. Our son visited us from LA, and we went to Lilian's for lunch. As stated earlier the environment was excellent. The Inn renovations were excellent. Rancho Santa Fe is a hidden treasure and the Inn is in a perfect spot. As for lunch, it was good but the portions were too small for the price. The Duck dish had a smell which indicated it was not fresh and the most expensive. The pancakes were excellent. The egg omelette like was good but should include more vegetables. Service was good. The best feature is the outdoor patio, beautiful view, and the sunny mild Mediterranean type weather. Take care. Tom read more

I had the pleasure of being served by the nicest woman, I think her name was Crystal. She was so warm and welcoming, and made our experience worth the return. We Will definitely be returning soon and asking for Crystal again, the food was also amazing , the best we've had down here !! read more

Kameron was lovely! We came for our anniversary and her service and the food made our night! We will definitely be back! Thank you Kameron for your hospitality! 5 stars all a round! read more

I very nice and romantic place parking was easy they have valet parking also the feeling was very relaxing the food was amazing we have the Cesar salad delicious also the tuna tartare very special I ordered the salmon was amazing very tasty and not fishy the manager was really attentive to our table and made sure all was in order also our waitress was superb really recommend this place we really enjoyed it so much celebrating our friends birthday the dessert where so special amazing wow really recommended read more

Lilian's - Honey baked Alaska - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

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We came in for Super Bowl Sunday lunch and after days of rain, there isn't a more beautiful view in North county than from then patio at Lilian's. Our server Nick K was very attentive and got our orders promptly. We ordered the Lobster and Cobb Salad. Everything came out perfectly. Dominique was the manager greeting diners as we came in. Excellent food and service. read more

Lilian's - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

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Dining room was too noisy. Service was good and efficient. Food was good but a bit skimpy.

Oh man. I'm a very last minute person and I didn't plan too well on my 15 year anniversary which made dinner plans around my area quite impossible. A buddy of mine recommended Lilian's and I went ahead with reservations 2 nights before. This place is a gem! I got lost in the area and when I called the restaurant for help finding the place, I was greeted with "Hello Mr. So and So.." I was taken back. I guess they kept my number saved from my reservation and was ready for me! Amazing! Once I arrived my vehicle was parked for me and was taken to the restaurant. There we were greeted by the server and was shown to our already made table for two. We sat outside with clear skies that were illuminated by the stars. We had the fire near by that kept us warm and we were also given a very soft blanket if needed, it was epic! I have never had a steak as good, almost better than mine. The Brussel sprouts is on another level too! I was like What!!! There was a guy there with a man-bun, he said he was the manager and wanted to check in on us. He was very kind and knowledgeable.We had so much questions about the food and what made them so delicious and he didn't hesitate to give us a run down on everything. I wish I can thank that manager a million times cause he was really awesome! read more

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just had the worst Sunday brunch in history. food was horrible and the service was worse. Lots of managers running around, but the music was too loud to talk, and the food was COLD/BAD! The beautiful Inn at Rancho Santa Fe is a joke. Never go, find another place. Only good thing was the valet who comped my charge and apologized for the bad service and food, which he said he heard about a lot! read more

11/21/2024 This was unconditionally the worst dining experience I have ever had. We ordered the tomato soup as appetizers and 45 minutes later it came to the table and was cold and not as good as Campbell's tomato soup. Then, it took another 20 minutes to find our waiter to tell him the soup was cold. He apologized but it took another 30 minutes for the soup to re-appear. The soup was not good and we asked for the remainder of the meal to be cancelled because we were running late for another engagement. After an hour and 45 minutes a manager came over and asked "is there a problem"? I said there has been a problem since we walked in and would like to get our check so we could leave. We were not charged anything and the free cold soup did not compensate our group for a wasted evening. We will never go back and will tell anyone who asks about the horrible dining experience we had. This is the first time I have ever taken the time to post such a negative review and what I have said is 'extremely kind' to our experience. read more

We loved our lunch at Lillian's and my sweet little poodle was so welcomed that we plan to come back for a couple of days and spend some time there. Thank you. read more

Great to have Lilian's now open! Very worth the wait. Our dinner was fantastic. The inside was still closed due to a regulatory delay, (should be opened up by the end of Oct) but the patio space was open and is well planned and very nice. We will be back often as the food was outstanding. Very well executed and every menu item was well devised and went together perfectly. No extra drizzles or additions to simply add words to the dish. Very well done Chef! The inside of the restaurant is beautiful. We can't wait to return and will be back often. read more

Had such a wonderful experience at Lillian's. Our server Matteo had great knowledge of the menu and recommended dishes we all enjoyed. We enjoyed the eggs Benedict, buttermilk pancakes, and the smoked salmon bagel. read more

Lilian's - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

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Arthur my man.. You made for a fabulous experience. Everything you mentioned made us want to change our order. We will definitely be back my friend. I hate my bday being right after Christmas but you made me feel special Thanks Arthur and Lillian's we will be back soon read more

Food, service were fantastic... Ambiance is refreshing...great for anytime of day.. Look forward toncoming back soon! As a local so happy they are open again!!! read more

Lilian's was amazing! Our server Eddie was fantastic and so were Dominic and Greg! Fantastic place run by fantastic people. The food was out of this world and the presentation was impeccable. I will most definitely be coming back! The restaurant itself was beautiful and the ambiance was truly special! read more

Lilians was amazing! The atmosphere is lovely, food is to die for and the staff is very welcoming and accommodating! Our host, Tayler, was so attentive and welcomed us with a warm smile. She has a great personality and recommendations on the menu as well. Our server, Sam was amazing too! He was very accommodating as we had people in the group who were vegan. Very bubbly guy, super sweet and always checking in on the table! You need to try this place! read more

Lilian's - Seafood Near Me - Rancho Santa Fe, California

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Tayler, our host was wonderful! So friendly and truly made us feel welcomed. We also loved our server Sam he was so sweet !! Will definitely be coming back the food and drinks were amazing!! read more

Absolutely loved the duck hash for brunch. The decor and vibe are very retro chic. Service is great. Looking forward to returning for dinner to try the duck tostadas. read more

The food was excellent--fresh and served promptly. Jessica's exceptional service and attentiveness ensured my meal was safe from shellfish, despite the bustling atmosphere. The ambiance remained pleasantly calm throughout, enhancing the overall dining experience. I recommend this especially for those looking for good ol family style dining with fresh ingredients and lovely service. read more

Very slow service, food was just ok, limited menu. So disappointing, because a beautiful setting outside and had so much potential to be a local favorite. read more

The ambience, music and our waiter Artur were incredible, but the food was over salted, especially Veal Milanese and frites.

Arthur was our server and he was very attentive and friendly. The food was delicious and the brussels sprouts were the best part!

we just had lunch at Lillian', and while the restaurant is beautiful whether you eat inside or outside, the food leaves a lot to be desired. I had the Cobb salad, and it came with 99% lettuce. Though it advertised there was chicken in it there was none. There were about 5 bites of thick bacon, and they really save money on the avocado. I would estimate they took 1/8 slice of one and cut it into the tiniest pieces you've ever seen. The blue cheese dressing did not taste like blue cheese, and I didn't ask what it was. Maybe Ranch. There was one egg, because it was quartered and decorated the edge of the bowl. my friends had the club sandwich and it was just okay. They each took home all but 1/4 of it. They did enjoy the French fries. The salad did not come with any bread or rolls. Go for the atmosphere but not the food. Disappointed. read more

I wanted to leave 4.5 stars but am rounding up! It's not a perfect restaurant, but it left us very happy for many reasons. First, the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe has been remodeled to be absolutely beautiful. Stepping into the lobby feels like you're about to spend an evening at an historic country club. There's so much attention to detail without being overdone. Little touches like oil paintings of classic, romantic California ranch life adorn the walls. There are fireplaces seemingly everywhere, and there's just so much charm revived and brought back to life, combining today's aesthetics with the past. I'm still thinking about that beautiful space two weeks later and want to go back! The restaurant itself is more beautiful than the photos led me to believe, and the bar in particular turns into a cozy, dark, wood paneled den once the sun sets. We opted for an outdoor table, which was on a spacious patio with lovely furniture overlooking huge lawns, gardens, and the village of Rancho Santa Fe. Our friends had never seen RSF and thought it reminded them of a small Santa Barbara or a large Montecito. The vibe was just so relaxing. Our table order a bunch of appetizers, including the pear burrata salad, the warm dungeness crab salad, the Peking duck tostadas, and the lamb cops with mint chimichurri. Everyone loved all of the appetizers, and I loved the way local California ingredients and influences integrated into traditional preparations. For me and my husband, the tostadas were the standout and the most flavorful of the dishes, and he also loved the crab salad, which was lightly dressed with soft butter lettuces and just extremely well balanced with not too much citrus, just enough. For our entrees, two of us had the Monterey Bay King Salmon with lentil salad, artichoke puree, and fennel citrus slaw, and two of us had the Garlic Roasted Chicken with zhoug sauce, cilantro lime marinade and grilled corn esquites. We were advised by our waiter that the salmon was hands-down the most popular dish on the menu. This was also my dish. It was perfectly prepared, with a nice crispy skin, and everything was done just right. I appreciated the sourcing of the fish from Monterey Bay, as the quality was fantastic. But it wasn't ultimately a very interesting dish. I suspect its popularity can be attributed more to the popular of salmon in general than the dish being especially memorable (even though it was expertly prepared). The chicken was one of the best roast chickens I've ever tried, and I would go back for that in a heartbeat. Luckily, it was such an enormous portion, and my salmon such a light portion, that I was able to steal some off of my husband's plate without a knife fight between us! I can't remember if the chicken was sourced from Mary's, but it was absoultely succulent, cooked perfectly throughout, where the dark meat and the white meat are neither cooked too much or too little, and the flavor from the grill was outstanding. The zhough and corn esquites, though, were the knockout punch, because those fresh seasonal flavors just really made the dish come alive. I'm still tasting that dish in my mind. Honestly, it's almost enough for two to share, especially if you have an appetizer and dessert. Oh, here was the interesting part of the evening. It was a chilly one, with heavy clouds around, but there was no rain in the forecast, and the heatlamps were cranking pretty good. Then the rain came. It was a few drops at first, then nothing for five minutes. Then a sudden downpour. It went from 0 to 10 in just a few seconds. Everyone had to get up from their tables and rush inside. We grabbed our entrees and went into the restaurant, where the manager swooped into action like a hospitality angel and immediately found indoor places to sit. The restaurant being totally full, he found spots around the hotel to sit, as there were other beautiful rooms not in use. We were ushered into the cozy cafe, where espresso and pastries are avaiable earlier in the day. It's a small room with a big view to a lovely courtyard, and there was a roaring fire going in an adobe fireplace -- super cozy. With only a few tables, it was intimate, comfortable, and warm, and it made our unexpected adventure pretty fun. We were too full to order dessert, but the waiter brought out a complimentary dessert for my birthday, which we absolutely loved! Typically, birthday desserts on the house are pretty basic and more of a celebratory gesture than anything else. This was a legit, bona fide quality dessert -- a lemon curd tart with beautiful toasted meringue on top. It was so delicious, and even being so full, we were somehow miraculously able to polish it off! (Between four of us, it wasn't too much). I would actually order that dessert off the menu and am tempted to try other desserts soon. We're also dying to head over there during the day to enjoy a latte and a pastry. Soon. Worth the drive. Go. read more

It was quite the bar scene on Saturday night, so noise level might have been a bit louder than usual. They did a great job with the decor & updating the restaurant. I was quite happy that they gave us inside seating when I messaged them through Open Table instead of the only available outdoor seating. The food was good but not outstanding. I highly recommend the Duck Tostada. I probably would go back and try their brunch. The outdoor space seemed quite nice. read more

Very cool spot! We got there early and made use of the bar which was one of the cooler bars I have been to recently. Very cool decor/ambiance, free snacks and good drinks. For dinner we got the salmon, sesame peanut Brussels sprouts, and mashed potatoes, everything was delicious! read more

Lexi was an amazing waitress! She made our experience the best. Quick, attentive, and friendly. We'll be back thanks to her!

Great food and even better experience. I recommend visiting this restauran. Lexi was an amazing server!

Visited Lilian's a few days ago and it was absolutely delicious. The waitress who was tall with green eyes was extremely polite and lovely and recommended the lamb chop and it was just sheer perfection!!! From the food to the service from the waitress this place is definitely worth 5 stars . Highly recommend coming to this restaurant if you're looking for great meal read more

We came in for my husband's birthday. The food and drinks were amazing! The lobster was fresh and the steak cooked to a perfect temperature. Our server, Crystal, was professional and attentive. Definitely will be back. read more

My husband and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary (which I mentioned when the reservation was made) last Sunday, 12/17 with our 4 adult children and their dog. We had a reservation at 10:15am but didn't get seated til 25 min later. Not a problem-parties with a dog had to be seated on the patio so we waited for the biggest table on the patio to be cleared. My son decided to bring his dog last minute so I understand this wait. However, about 20 min after being seated we had to flag someone down to take our orders. Another table was being served even though they were seated after us. When questioned why we waited so long our server said he didn't know we were seated. It's a really small area and we had the biggest table. Hard to miss 6 Asians. Most restaurants that I have been to and were aware of special event have treated us to something small to acknowledge and make our meal more special. At Lilian's, they don't acknowledge nor help you celebrate at all. When I made the reservation I told them why were going there and when we got there I mentioned to the server we were celebrating. I would have at least appreciated a "Happy Anniversary!" To be fair, the food was good and restaurant is beautiful. The service and attitude of the staff though needs a LOT more work. Kindness and decency to your customers is more important than a good meal and looking good. There a hundreds of other restaurants that serve better food and provide better service. If I knew this is how Lilian's treats their customers I would have chosen another place. I definitely do NOT recommend Lilian's in Rancho Santa Fe. read more

Amazing food, service, and ambiance. We at breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Lilian's during the course of our stay at IRSF and had fantastic meals every time. read more