Acclaimed Italian hotspot w/ legendary pastas & chic ambiance. A must-try, if you can snag a table!
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 Italian gem in Williamsburg has been a consistent hit since its opening, earning its spot as a beloved neighborhood favorite. Missy Robbins' celebrated restaurant is renowned for its exceptional handmade pasta and a casually elegant ambiance. While once notoriously difficult to reserve, it has become more accessible, offering a delightful experience with dishes like the signature agnolotti and focaccia.
The food is centered around an acclaimed Italian pasta program, with dishes like agnolotti, mafaldini, and fettuccine frequently highlighted. Standout non-pasta items include focaccia and grilled lamb. While most reviews are positive, a few mention inconsistencies or dishes that missed the mark.
"Standout dishes include the sheep's milk cheese agnolotti, focaccia (especially with roasted leeks), grilled lamb leg steak, and the 'Italian Job' gelato. Many users also praise the handmade pastas in general."
Customers overwhelmingly praise the restaurant for its exceptional pasta and overall dining experience, though securing a reservation can be a challenge.
Important Note
Reservations are notoriously difficult to obtain, and some diners have found certain dishes to be inconsistent or underwhelming.
"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"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
