Igor Minar
I rarely give 5 stars to anyone unless it’s exceptional and this place is definitely exceptional. It’s small / cozy which contributes to the ambiance. The blend of eccentric indoor and green outdoor spaces is so well executed.
The service is wonderful – you definitely get a small / family cafe treatment here. It feels homey and comfy, even though you will likely end up waiting in line to order for good 10-20minutes if you come during peak hours. The wait will be worth it.
The panino / sandwiches are fabulous! I’m a bread snob, spoiled with Micheline star bakeries as well as the real deal from the old world, and I find Lilli’s levain to be world class, definitely one of the best I’ve had in my life.
All the puff pastry is great but I do wish the dough was even more flakey but mainly more buttery. It’s still wonderful regardless.
And the coffee! Oh my! I found this place because I was looking for a good coffee in La Jolla while staying here for a few days, and the coffee is from out of this world. Very much Italian quality coffee worth coming over for even if you come from further away.
I love Lilli’s and will be coming back on my future visits to San Diego! Thanks for building this wonderful place.
… moreAli Marjaninejad
Lovely place. They have seating in the garden, which is really, really nice. Also, the people are very, very friendly and helpful. The coffees are really nice. Their breakfast/brunch items are, however, in my opinion, their best items. For example, their mortadella sandwich is out of this world. Their sweets and pastries are also really nice.
… moreMomo Zhang
A coffee shop nestled in a garden in La Jolla, this warm Italian-style restaurant has a lush, green, and serene atmosphere. The staff are very enthusiastic, and all beverages and food are made with high-quality, fresh ingredients—you can truly taste the care put into each dish. The presentation is also beautiful, making it perfect for photos! I heard their pistachio croissant is incredibly delicious, but you need to go as early as 9 a.m. to buy it, or it will sell out quickly. This time, we ordered the lavender agave latte, which was absolutely delicious—highly recommended!
… morePatricia V Waldron
Such a lovely spot for coffee and pastries tucked into a serene space (former Pannikin) in LaJolla
Authentic Italian cafe. Delicious soft croissants filled with pistachio cream, marzipan or Nutella.
… moreAndrea Wilkinson
Lilli is truly a hidden gem. The menu has something for everyone, with a standout selection of cream-filled croissants, flavorful toasts, and fresh yogurt bowls. The coffee is excellent as well—rich, smooth, and presented with care, making the whole experience feel special.
I only live about 10 mins away and ever since the first time I went I’ve been going weekly now I love it so much!
… moreDaniel San
I’ve been coming to this amazing cafe for a week since I started my stay in La Jolla. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the charming staff, all of whom were booming with enthusiasm and politeness. Even during the busiest parts of the day, they remain incredibly customer service oriented and ensure everyone is taken care of. 5/5, best cafe in town.
… moreSteven Cummings
Favorite euro-style cafe in La Jolla, possibly all of the San Diego area (still have a few more to try). Excellent coffee, pastries, food items, service, and a friendly cozy vibe with indoor / outdoor options and always a new language to listen to in the surrounding air. Come for the buzz, stay for the taste (food + attitude).
… moreSara Ar
The cafe has a great atmosphere (good vibe). The prosciutto cotto panini was enjoyable. However, the avocado tartine was disappointing. I plan to skip brunch on my next visit and instead focus on trying their pastry selection.
… moresoy m.
got extremely ill after drinking the matcha oat latte. it tasted gross, bitter, and watered down and was made in a rush as it gets really busy. the place is also cramped and inconvenient to wait in line on the stairs and push past people to get your drink. the custard croissant was very dry and did not taste fresh despite ordering in the morning. not worth for the price and wait and seemed unsanitary
… moreSachi R
i come here often. the vibe is nice and the food, pastries, coffee are all good.
it’s consistently good, so it won’t be horrible one day all of a sudden. if I need a pick-me-up, I can count on this place.
Edit: matcha is inconsistent
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