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    Lilly's Cafe

    4.3 (987 reviews)
    ModerateVietnamese
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Lilly's Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Lilly's Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    LILLY'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Lilly's Cafe

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    Lemongrass chicken with Jasmine rice
    Kim H.

    I had a hankering for lemon grass chicken today and the aroma of jasmine rice. The rice was so nice. But the lemongrass chicken was so dry. I added the sauce to it to try to liven it up but to no avail. It was just dry. So....... I will order the amazing pho next time. The pho is always spot on.

    Ahra J.

    Let me say I was not my best when visiting Lily's cafe but just what I needed after my wedding night! Cured the hangover right away with their delicious pho!! The broth was soothing and not overly salty and well balanced! The noodles were perfect and the meat ratio was generous! The bahn mi was also delicious with just the right amount of crunch and softness. The summer roll was also perfect, and again the ratio of filling was generous!! The restaurant got packed fast as this was around lunchtime but there were a fair number of customers getting carry out too! I would highly recommend getting there earlier if you can. Lily herself even came by to check on everybody and greeted everyone despite how busy it was!

    Derian D.

    Fresh ingredients and a solid broth. Meat portion a bit smaller than you may typically see but still left satisfied. Small cafe but constantly busy so be ready to potentially share a table with others and wait a bit.

    Beef rice dish
    R. H.

    Best viet food I've had in a while. Service was good. However, we were initially charged for four extra shrimp roll. Lily apologized saying it was busy. I like the ambiance. The shrimp rolls were good, as were shrimp and pork vermicelli. Dad-in-law had rice dish. Liked the place won about 30 awards.

    Ken W.

    Small and homey spot with welcoming staff and a cute decor. The chicken pho had a rich multi-layer broth, both fragrant and nourishing. The strawberry in the Lilly roll was a refreshing twist; the accompanying sauce was excellently sweet and nutty.

    Menu
    Crystal P.

    This place was recommended to me by a friend, and I loved everything about it. Quick service, friendly environment, and great food. The perfect trio. Would eat here anytime!

    Bun with spicy shrimp
    Amber W.

    This was my second visit and I enjoyed it as much as the first. I tried the bun spicy shrimp this time and I think this will be my regular. Service is quick and friendly. You seat yourself but are helped right away. Great for lunch. Good portion but not overly filling.

    Helen N.

    After eating so many Cajun food in NOLA, this was a nice palate to switch up on! Food was solid and just what I needed! Service was great! Luckily there was no wait but it did get busy quickly!

    James J.

    With the cold temps, I was needing some warm soup and have been wanting to try Lilly's since I first heard about it 10 years ago. The hot pho tai hit and warmed me right up. The rolls which are filled with grilled pork, shrimp, jalapeños and lettuce, were good but they came out of the kitchen a little too quick for me to believe that they were just made. Maybe I'm wrong but just made me wonder. Ambiance is nice for a casual date night but also family friendly as the owner was engaging with the toddler at a nearby table. Prices are reasonable. All that being said, I would go back.

    Rainbow Roll

    Great place . food is excellent. , service is great , prices are reasonable Spicy shrimp pho and Rainbow roll soo good

    Spicy Tofu Salad
    Matt J.

    I'm a sucker for a dedicated vegetarian menu, so the extensive offerings at Lilly's were a strong start that was only exceeded by the food itself. The Spicy Tofu Salad was an outright winner with tofu actually seasoned (unlike the bland raw tofu included in similar dishes at other restaurants). It was the star of the show but the dressing included on the side (some kind of soy vinaigrette) took it to the next level. While I won't take a star off, the dish would be even better if the salad under the tofu was more of a dark leafy green combo which would even better complement the protein. That said, it couldn't take away from the excellent flavor of the tofu and dressing. The salad was spicy but not to the extent that it detracted from the flavor. The dining room is a touch chaotic but only in that it is a popular place that is turning over quickly with enthusiastic patrons. It is more energetic than frenzied. Similarly the service is brisk but the efficiency and quality justify the no-nonsense approach. We'll certainly be back whenever we return to New Orleans.

    Gabrielle W.

    every. single. item. was TASTY! No lie, this is the best chicken pho that I have ever had. The broth was extremely flavorful, the noodles cooked to perfection, the chicken was tender and jalapeños added that extra spice! Yum! I only added a dab of siracha & hoisin cause it was so good as is. The crispy shrimp egg rolls were very tasty, crunchy & flaky! Additionally, the dipping sauce was so perfectly sweet. My partner also really enjoyed her rice chicken dish with a fried egg. The staff was very friendly, attentive, and quick! We were in & out on a Saturday at lunch time within 30 minutes. Prices are great for the value. Great spot, I'll be back-- especially for the chicken pho. Phewww :)))

    Tofu & veg bun (vermicelli bowl)

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    Page 1 of 25

    Ask the Community - Lilly's Cafe

    Are there gluten free options or can dishes be made gluten free?

    Yes there are rice dishes. You should confirm this with your waiter.

    Is there outdoor dining available?

    No, only indoor dining

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Dong Phuong

    4.4
    (586 reviews)
    11.9 mi
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    Located off a main road. There's a large parking lot to park. I saw a lot of reviews and thought…read moreto swing by to try out as I was in the area. The moment we stepped inside the bakery, we were greeted right away. Staff were fast and friendly. Staff help assorted us with any questions we had. Bought some foods to try. I tried the cold cut banh mi. It was good. Bread was crispy and lots of filling. Bought some taro, white bean, black bean, corn desserts (Che) and jelly to try. All were delicious especially on a hot day. Bought some pastries which were limited at the end of the day. Got some chaud pork with onion, crawfish pie, meat pie, baked bao which all had great pastry taste, but the filling wasn't the greatest for me I guess. So, I did come back another day and got some pate chaud with bbq pork. Now that was delicious to my taste buds! I tried the green combo bánh bao and that was delicious as well!

    This king cake generates the most buzz, and people wait early in long lines at Zuppardo's to get…read moreone. For me, it's way too sweet, although that can be said of many other popular king cakes....so to each their own. I do appreciate the strong cinnamon flavor and tender crumb. But I wouldn't wait in line for it. Still, Dong Phuong is one of the truly iconic king cakes of New Orleans as it looks different than anything else on the market. I was very happy to try it and thankful for the family friend who stood in line to get one.

    Photos
    Banh mi station
    Banh mi station
    Dong Phuong
    Shrimp and pork spring rollS

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    Shrimp and pork spring rollS
    Mopho

    Mopho

    3.9
    (921 reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$

    I had been to New Orleans since 1987 to attend JazzFest until my near death and rebirth in 1999…read morewith Celiac disease about 6-7 times. After I was diagnosed with Gluten Intolerance as a foodie I thought my culinary life was over and one of the many, but not only joys, of going to Nola is the food. I was reluctant to go and then a bit later 20 years ago Katrina hit this great city. When I did return my reluctance of going due to my food restrictions was born out, but the fact that the people in New Orleans fry everything, including water. Besides jambalaya and some fresh fish, I couldn't eat anything. However, due to a friend who was born in New Orleans, grew up in New Orleans and lives half of the year there with her family involved in the restaurant business, Pat introduced me for a number of chefs and one in particular, Michael Gulotta, who modified dishes or even made me specially dishes that were gluten free. Every time I went to New Orleans, I tried to go to his two Vietnamese Cajun restaurants, MoPho and Maypop. Michael Gulotta, chef-owner at Mopho and Maypop was born and raised in New Orleans. Michael began cooking in local restaurants at a young age. After graduating from the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, he joined the newly opened Restaurant August. Gulotta then took leave to train in the Italian Riviera and Germany's Black Forest. When Hurricane Katrina hit, Michael returned home to help rebuild and assist with August's re-opening. He was named chef de cuisine in 2007 and led the award-winning kitchen for six years, while establishing relationships with local farmers and purveyors. He opened his first restaurant, MOPHO, in January of 2014 with his brother, Jeffrey Gulotta, and high-school friend, Jeffrey Bybee. Located in New Orleans' Mid City, MOPHO was a true neighborhood restaurant and a destination for Southeast Asian inspired cuisine utilizing the Louisiana pantry. In its first year MOPHO was nominated for America's Best New Restaurant by Bon Appétit magazine and named Restaurant of the Year by New Orleans Magazine. In 2016 Michael was named one of Top 30 Chefs to Watch in the nation by Plate Magazine, A New Orleans Rising Star by Starchefs, a Best New Chef by Food & Wine magazine, and Chef of the Year by New Orleans Magazine. In 2017, his team opened its second full-service restaurant, Maypop, in the Central Business District of New Orleans. Maypop was named a Top 5 Best New Restaurant by The Times Picayune, A Best New Restaurant by New Orleans Magazine, a New Orleans Top 20 Restaurants by Condé Nast Traveler, and a New Orleans' Top Ten Restaurants for 2019, by Brett Anderson. Michael has also been a semifinalist for The James Beard Awards Best Chef South for the past four years. Most recently, his team opened a second MOPHO location in the new Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. On my trip to New Orleans this past May, I was saddened to learn that Michael was closing MoPho and Maypop, casualties of the so difficult business of owning a restaurant I know all too well. After JazzFest one evening on MoPho's second to last day, Pat and I went to pay our respects and I got to thank Michael for his kindness showing me there was culinary life after my diagnosis not only at his restaurant but when he catered the main stage at JazzFest, but he also introduced me to more fusion possibilities which I have incorporated in some of the food I make. On the last day of Maypop, my brother Jeff and I dined at Maypop, Michael's more upscale joint which served delicious food and not to be undone, after both closed on that Sunday in May, I saw the MoPho at the airport right in front of my terminal to fly home and I got the greatest wings on the planet to fly home with: CRISPY CHICKEN WINGS WITH NUOC MAM CARAMEL. I have no idea what exactly that is except Cajun chicken spices with a Vietnamese caramel sauce that is unparalleled in it's flavor, bite and marriage of cultures that was so good Pat would always ask for more on the side. I'm sure Michael will get back in the game at some point but I write this with gratitude to Pat for introducing me to this great Chef and to Chef Gulotta for taking the time to show me what I could eat and what modifications he could make to his food for me.

    Mopho is where New Orleans and Vietnam decided to party -- and it works…read more The hot sausage buns are so good they made me want to propose marriage to a piece of bread. The OG nuoc mam caramel wings are sticky, funky, sweet chaos -- like getting mugged by deliciousness. I left covered in sauce and without a shred of dignity. 10/10, no regrets.

    Photos
    Shaken beef
    Shaken beef
    Fried oysters
    Fried oysters
    Crispy chicken wings

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    Crispy chicken wings
    Pho Tran

    Pho Tran

    4.6
    (119 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    I created a Yelp account just to leave a review. I've had a…read moreton of Pho Ga all over the country but this is hands down the best I've ever had, generous portion of the chicken - also super tender. But the broth?! The broth, was pure delicious. How they impart that much flavour into a chicken pho I want to know the secret of. I'd happily buy a couple gallons and take it him to Boston. Service was quick and friendly as well, but with a broth like that, it didn't even register.

    This was a random dinner for us in NOLA. We were originally supposed to go to Antoine's but given…read morethe cold weather and the fact that we were lethargic after some day drinking, we opted for pho and found this location in the Garden District. It's a no-frills operation and the food is a solid four stars. No fireworks here, but if it's a decent bowl of pho you're looking for, then you will find it here. FYI there is no booze. We started with a few fried pork rolls that were The Usual but fine. One of us got the beef broth with veggies, and she appreciated that there was some bok choy and mushrooms thrown in there in addition to the typical carrots and broccoli. The broth is definitely flavorful. The rare steak pho was thinly sliced and seemed OK, and our daughter was happy with her wonton pho. Service is speedy albeit not necessarily warm. But the soup is hot, and on a cold day, nothing really beats that. Four satisfied stars.

    Photos
    Seating area- too many people, so I took a ceiling pic hee
    Seating area- too many people, so I took a ceiling pic hee
    Brisket  Pho
    Brisket Pho
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    Pho Tau Bay Restaurant

    Pho Tau Bay Restaurant

    4.0
    (416 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    I was really excited to try Pho Tau Bay for a couple reasons. I know it's a very historic…read moreVietnamese restaurant in the area, and it got shouted out on a recent Bon Appetit video by the chef at Emeril's. Both reasons for hype! Coming to the restaurant, you do have to time it right, as it closes at 7 which makes it not an option if you want a later dinner. Lunch or early dinner it is. The system here is counter service, then take a number and a tray and seat yourself. Food comes out pretty quickly, there were few other customers there at the time when I went in the early evening, and my appetizer came out within a few minutes, and my pho came out within ten minutes. I had a half order of the spring rolls with shrimp and pork, and a beef combo pho. The spring rolls were wrapped very well, with great structural integrity that made them easy to eat and dip. However, the pork was really dry and tough, and the only reason it didn't ruin the texture of the whole thing is because the pork slices were quite thin. The shrimp was fresh but also sliced quite thin to the point where it was almost not even noticeable. The wrapper was quite thick and felt like it had been left out for a while, so it was quite dry. The pho was good, but the meats were overall quite chewy and tough, and there was significantly less meat than I would expect for an extra large order. They also were pretty stingy with the herbs. I am used to there being a fair amount of onion, scallion, and cilantro in pho, and here it was like they finger-pinched the herbs in rather than grabbing a handful. Overall, it was not bad, but it was underwhelming, and I have had many better Vietnamese meals elsewhere.

    We came here after visiting the Vietnamese Exhibit at the New Orleans History Museum. We learned…read morethat Pho Tau Bay was one of the most historic Vietnamese restaurants in the city. Not sure if it's the same ownership, but this specific restaurant is highlighted in the artifact in the museum. The food was fantastic here. We loved how authentic the flavors were. The Bun Bo Hue was reminiscent of what we grew up with but had a little more of a shrimp pasty flavor added in (which was great). I ventured out and got the chicken roti to just try what their version was like. I enjoyed it a lot. Highly recommend this restaurant !

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    Pho Tau Bay Restaurant
    Bun Thit.
    Bun Thit.
    Interior.

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    Interior.

    Lilly's Cafe - vietnamese - Updated June 2026

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