A standout Italian in BK known for its stellar handmade pastas & grilled dishes. Reservations are tough but worth it!
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.
In Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Lilia has established itself as a culinary cornerstone, captivating diners with its exquisite handmade pasta and an ambiance that strikes a perfect balance between casually elegant and inviting. Helmed by Missy Robbins, this Italian hotspot has consistently delivered memorable dishes since its inception, solidifying its reputation as a must-visit destination for those seeking exceptional Italian cuisine. The restaurant's enduring popularity is a testament to its dedication to quality and its ability to create a dining experience that feels both special and comfortably familiar.
Lilia is celebrated for its exquisite handmade pasta and Italian cuisine, with standout dishes including the sheep's milk cheese agnolotti, mafaldini, fettuccine, and French Onion Ravioli. Grilled options like lamb leg steak and lamb steak are also highly recommended. The focaccia with ramp butter and various gelato flavors, including an olive oil gelato, are frequently mentioned. While most feedback is overwhelmingly positive, a few diners found some pasta dishes to be average or the flavors uninspired.
"Lilia is particularly renowned for its exceptional handmade pasta dishes, with the sheep's milk cheese agnolotti, mafaldini, and fettuccine frequently highlighted. The focaccia and grilled lamb are also highly recommended."
Customers overwhelmingly praise Lilia for its exceptional Italian cuisine, particularly its handmade pasta dishes and grilled specialties. While reservations can be challenging to secure, the overall dining experience is consistently described as outstanding and well worth the effort.
Important Note
Reservations are notoriously difficult to secure, often requiring planning weeks in advance. Some diners have reported inconsistent experiences or found certain dishes to be underwhelming or overpriced.
"Commenter mentioned enjoying Lilia during a past 'funemployment' period and would consider it again."
Positive"Lilia is currently offering ramp focaccia."
Positive"Suggests Lilia for really good gelato if one has the time to go to a restaurant."
Positive"The commenter recommended Lilia, noting that the additional tables made it easier to get a reservation."
Positive"This user mentioned Lilia as a highly recommended restaurant."
Positive"The agnolotti at Lilia is highly recommended if one decides to go."
Positive"This user has visited Salt's Cure and Don Angie previously and plans to try Lilia next."
Neutral"Lining up early is suggested for Lilia, along with Salt's Cure for breakfast."
Neutral"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
