Iconic Brooklyn Italian known for its legendary handmade pastas & chic, buzzy vibe. Reservations are tough, but the food is worth the chase.
Bryan Kim reviews Lilia, an Italian restaurant in Williamsburg, praising its enduring popularity and evolution into a neighborhood favorite. The review highlights standout dishes like agnolotti and focaccia, and notes the restaurant's increasingly accessible reservations.
Lilia in Williamsburg is a highly successful Italian restaurant celebrated for its excellent pasta program, casually elegant ambiance, and standout dishes like spaghetti with anchovies.
This Brooklyn Italian hotspot, helmed by Missy Robbins, is a testament to enduring popularity and a refined neighborhood feel. It's celebrated for its exquisite handmade pasta and a casually elegant ambiance, making it a sought-after destination for those seeking authentic Italian flavors.
The Italian cuisine here is highly acclaimed, with a particular emphasis on expertly crafted handmade pastas like the signature agnolotti. Dishes such as the French Onion Ravioli, focaccia with ramp butter, and grilled lamb leg steak also receive strong positive mentions. While most feedback is overwhelmingly positive, a few outlier comments express disappointment or find the pasta merely 'good but not outstanding.'
"The handmade pastas, particularly the sheep's milk cheese agnolotti, are consistently praised as exceptional and a must-try. Other highly recommended dishes include the French Onion Ravioli, focaccia, and grilled lamb."
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the handmade pasta and overall dining experience. While some note the difficulty in securing reservations, the consensus is that the food and ambiance make it well worth the effort.
Important Note
Securing a reservation can be very difficult, often requiring advance planning. Some diners have reported inconsistent quality or found certain dishes underwhelming.
"The user is listing NYC restaurants that have matchbooks, and Lilia is one of them."
Neutral"This commenter mentioned getting St. Joseph's Zeppoles from Lilia's Caffe in Williamsburg around St. Joseph's Day."
Positive"This user mentioned Lillia as an original 'hype spot' that was actually good but difficult to get into, preceding the trend of places like Lucali and Carbone."
Positive"The original poster described Lilia as their most disappointing meal, finding it to be very expensive with no flavor and boring dishes."
Negative"The user questioned if restaurants like Lilia are truly American, given their ethnic influences and techniques, suggesting a need to promote dishes specifically conceived in the US using American farms and techniques."
Neutral"The user lists Lilia as one of their regrets."
Negative"The user agrees with the previous comment that Lilia was a good call for regret."
Negative"The user regrets going to Lilia in Williamsburg, finding every dish underwhelming and the price high for the quality."
Negative"Lilia was mentioned as a recommended Italian restaurant, with a note that reservations might still be difficult to obtain."
Positive"Lilia is recommended and noted as easier to get into on a weekday compared to Misi."
Positive"Agnolotti at Lilia is recommended."
Positive"This is an established Italian restaurant, though some patrons find its quality to be inconsistent. It is noted that it is closed for lunch."
Neutral"Lilia was recommended by a friend and offered a fantastic experience with standout dishes like the sheep's milk cheese agnolotti and housemade mozzarella. While not the best dinner of the trip, the author understood the insistence on visiting."
Positive"Lilia is listed as a restaurant recommendation."
Positive"The user inquires about how to get reservations for Lilia, as they have had trouble booking."
Neutral"The user previously lived near Lilia and visited monthly, praising the service."
Neutral"The user recommends Lilia."
Positive"This restaurant was listed as a suggestion, coincidentally sharing a female name with other recommendations."
Neutral"This commenter recommended Lilia as an Italian dining option for a romantic anniversary, alongside other suggestions."
Positive"The user booked a reservation at Lilia after it was recommended, noting that it looks great."
Positive
