Cafe Lilli in Stockton-on-Tees

Very friendly and attentive waiting staff. A menu with plenty of choice. We went for a small pasta starter then the burger and finished with a shared dessert. Honestly the best food I’ve had for a long long time. We’re already booked again for lunch next week.

We were excited to get back to cafe lilli following lockdown and were not disappointed. Menu is great and exciting as ever with addition of fresh cooked pasta. We’ve had antipasto, pasta starters both delicious and lamb and mussels for mains, cheeseboard and choc pudding all delicious! As always service is 5*. Feel lucky to have cafe lilli in Norton and can’t wait to be back! The best restaurant in Teesside.

Visited here a day before the lockdown for a last meal out! We pre-booked our table about a week in advance and were really looking forward to it. As soon as we entered we were greeted by the waitress and shown to our table. The menu options are displayed on a blackboard that is regularly updated and changes even throughout the night! There was a 2 courses for £15 deal on whcih was very reasonable. We both had mussels for starters and the burger for main. Each course was delicious and cooked to perfection! The 'Menabrea' lager offered on draught is one i'd never came across before but it was an amazing pint!The evening was a great experience and we will definitely be returning in the future!

Came for our anniversary meal, didn’t advertise that but the staff and owner are attentive without being invasive and we got a little digestif in the house. The food is nothing short of excellent and the staff couldn’t be more helpful with wine and food choices. Outstanding value as well.

Always friendly and welcoming staff, and we never have a problem with the food. On the last occasion I had mussels and my wife had steak, both were cooked perfectly.

Table booked easily, good atmosphere, friendly staff, although very slow service. Food tasted ok but not great, although beautifully presented, Salami and Parmesan wrap had no parmesan in it, just 3 small slices of Salami, 3 slices of tomato and a thin spreading of pesto type spread, served with a toddler size portion of fries, at £8 not value for money and neither was the soft shell crab burger, which was not a burger, but 3 thin strips of battered something that did not taste like crab, served in a very small bun and with a tiny serving of fries, again not value for money at £14. It is a pity expectation of a great sounding menu did not translate into a good experience.

Visited for the very first time last night with my family and while the food was ok we certainly did not think it was nice enough to return. We had 3 rib eye steaks and a pork risotto, apparently the risotto was nice but our steaks were mediocre at best, they tasted and looked the same as thin quick fry steaks certainly not worthy of the £28 price tag! As for the restaurant itself again it was just ok, we waited nearly an hour for our food.......then 5 minutes later 1 portion of fries arrived.....then another 10 minutes later our veg arrived......then another 5-10 minutes later the second portion of fries finally arrived!!! This certainly wouldn't happen in Il Porto Italiano along the road.

Was booked into Cafe Lilli for a birthday lunch and my first restaurent visit since lockdown was eased and was impressed with everything. As always the food was fantastic, a great mix of italitan dishes and fresh local producec the service was excellent and the staff knowledgeable. The most important feature was just how safe I felt, they have implemented clear COVID-19 policies with social distancing in place and sensible policies that are easy to follow to stay safe. They went the extra mile for my birthday too, accomidated my 2 year old and overallI would reccomend 100%

A great atmosphere and lovely food, excellent service, they went above and beyond when they got wind it was our anniversary so on our dessert dish wrote in chocolate sauce Happy Anniversary, a nice touch. Unfortunately the lasting memory is being charged for not one but two drinks we didn't have, a glass of wine and a soft drink. Nearly missed it as generally take it on trust the bill is right. The 'error' was quickly resolved. The cynical me thinks such 'mistakes' have no down side for the restaurant.

Visited with my friend this week for the first time. We almost left to be honest as the table the put us one didn’t really suit (we wanted to poke with some needle felt as had just finished a course at the Arc) but we asked to move to a slightly more private area and the staff were more than happy to oblige.I was initially a bit disappointed with the menu as it’s seafood heavy and I’m not a huge fan but I decided to give the cod burger special and try and I’m so pleased I did.. it’s been one of the tastiest meals I’ve had in a while. French fries, gorgeous little side salad and the mix on the bun of tartrate sauce was just perfect.. loved the lemony hint to the batter on the cod burger. Just really really tasty fare. Staff were attentive but not annoyingly so and we really enjoyed the experience. I’d happily return here and confident to recommend to others.

It’s a long time since I last visited Cafe Lilli but it is still as good as ever. The bread is fresh & soft with a proper crunchy crust. The food is freshly made, beautifully served & subtly delicious. The atmosphere on a lunchtime is a little quiet but the staff are very friendly & accommodating. If the lobster ravioli is on the specials board then definitely try it! Parking, as always, is a little tricky on the High Street but overall I highly recommend a visit.

Fixed price menu proved really nice. Liked the aperitif we were offered as we arrived. Our visiting friends from London were also impressed. Buzzy atmosphere with decent service.

Lovely food - as always! I came with friends for a Christmas catch up and had a great meal. Service was good, friendly staff and just the right amount of attention. I’ve been a few times and can’t fault Cafe Lilli at all.They also have a great gluten free menu and are always happy to accommodate any dietary needs. The food is always seasonal and local as well. A big tick in my book!!

Firstly, the food was really good, but a main course by itself didn’t fill me up so had to have the cheese and biscuits to do the trick, and I wasn’t overly hungry before I ate. This said, the main course was sensational and I can only praise the chef and cooking, so Yeah, 10/10!Now the gripe. The girls serving were really friendly and nice - great, just the way it should be. However, I had to call them over twice, once, as I’d been sitting there for ages after finishing the main course and forelongingly staring at my empty plate wishing there’d been a bit more food on it, and secondly, having finished said cheese and biscuits, (again staring at the empty plate for some time), to ask them to clear the plate and bring the bill. Now, this would be understandable if it was busy, but it was a Tuesday night and there were maybe 8-10 other ppl in, there were also plenty waiting staff and they seemed to be over at the bar area chatting a fair bit, so despite their extremely personable manner (lovely), they just weren’t overly attentive (shame). Then, the bill came - 1 main, 1 cheese and biscuits (which were competent but certainly not outstanding),1.5(ish) glass of wine (175ml+125ml), all came to £45! Erm, ‘No’, I’d have said it was a tenner off the mark. Given the standard and pricing of some of the other places to eat close by, which admittedly aren’t quite as fine dining but still really good (at literally half the price and with great service) then I have to say, with massive regret, that I’ll not be rushing back. I’m a bit gutted as I really want to love this place and easily could, hell, I’d be there every week if it didn’t have, perhaps what could be perceived as, an over inflated opinion of itself. (PS - still left a fiver tip as the waiting staff were dead nice....when they turned up!).

Such a hidden gem!!! Great food, service and vibe. I look forward to returning for my second visit ✨

Enjoyed a fab lunch at Cafe Lillie good food served by nice staff always consistant money well spent

1st time visiting this place thoroughly enjoyed the food , service ,and atmosphere food very tasty and high quality service staff were very attentive Well done to all at Cafe Lilli !!....will definitely be visiting again

Cafe Lilli is a bit of a legend. Nice food, Italian twist, great service, Roberto is a great host and sets the tone. They always have a good specials board and try to use local produce. Best to book, particularly if there's live music.

Expect really lovely fresh, tasty and ever changing specials all served with a highly professional smile, and not over excessively priced although starter portions a little tight on this occasion. What ales this place special is the atmosphere always buzzing without being over the top. Highly recommended

2nd time here. Had another 3 course meal paired with wine. The food and wine were fabulous, especially the dessert wine at the end. Can not fault the visit at all. Thanks again. See you again soon.

Just arrived back from an evening meal havnt been for about 5 years , very impressed as still a very nice place to have a meal food excellent service loverly and girls are loverly and polite good waitress , would recommend and can't wait till our next get together .

Eaten here many times over the last 10 years. Had not been for a while and looked forward to a mid-week evening meal out.

We were enjoying our meal until the music, when we could no longer converse. There was nothing wrong with the music at all, but the volume, we had to leave. We were enjoying the food and a good catch up until then.

Visited for lunch and thrilled with delicious well cooked food. The mussels were tasty in a great sauce and the fried mackerel and salad was just right for a light lunch. We did not try the desert but the coffee was also of a high standard. Friendly efficient but not pushy service. Highly recommended

This place is far more than a cafe! Quality dishes prepared with fresh ingredients. I know its just a name but it does not do the place justice!- in my opinion. Obviously locals will know the place by reputation, but outsiders like me do not. Anyway- the food is excellent. Extremely well presented on plate. Efficient and friendly service too.

Visited with a colleague at lunchtime. Very friendly staff, gorgeous food, reasonably priced, £40 for 2 courses and a drink each. One of the nicest meals I've had recently. I'd highly recommend and I'll definitely be back next time were in the area.

We have been visiting Cafe Lilli since it opened 15 years ago. Always delicious and interesting menu choices. The wine list is varied and full of great Italian wines, house wine is also of high quality. Can not reccomend this restaurant enough, staff, food and ambiance are all exceptional. Every visit we have ever made has been nothing short of exceptional. We are very regular visitors and will continue to be so!

Came for lunch today with my mum. We both had the minute steak with the tomato and Parmesan salad. Absolutely delicious. Bread was still warm. Friendly service, lovely relaxed lunch and delicious food.

Haven’t visited cafe Lilli for many years but will certainly be going back !

To place my review in context, this restaurant is my favourite of all time. The atmosphere is great, with polite helpful staff. The quality of the food is amazing. However, the portion sizes are a little sparse, most notably with the vegetables.

Expect a phone call from the hotel manager of the Rasa Sentosa hotel Singapore. His chef is trying to bankrupt him, he may want some advice on how to cook a lobster.

We went to Café Lilli for a family meal and although we'd been told it was excellent, the experience really did exceed expectations. The staff were down by two and still managed to be attentive and friendly while providing first class service. The menu recommendations were spot on (and very honest) and the food was superb (see photos). We'll definitely be back.

We met up with friends who are regulars here for lunch and we were not disappointed at all! Eric, my friend knows Roberto very well. The restaurant was full up over the course of our 2 hour visit. Service was very good and the food was amazingly tasty! I even had food envy as my dad ordered the Toulouse sausages, my partner ordered the risotto, but that does not mean I did not enjoy my chicken skewers with gnocchi, quite simply I wanted to sample everything on the menu as it all looked fab! My partner insists that we go again next time we are visiting family and friends in Hartlepool as this restaurant is only a 20 minute (30 if my dad is driving) drive away. The dessert, I had the panna cotta, was light and very well presented with edible flowers and other adornments!

We have used this restaurant a few times in the past, the last time was a little disappointing but this time was not good. Arrived for an early meal and our starters were served within 10 minutes. We then waited slightly over 40 minutes for our mains. During which time I amused myself watching staff swapping tablets and phones and taking the odd photo of each other and themselves.

The food is beautiful and the service usually good but, I’m afraid, the portions are just too small for price being paid. Three spears of asparagus and some apple sauce with a (beautiful) piece of pork is just not enough. And neither was I encouraged to order anything to go with it (which would have bumped the price up even more). I mentioned the small portion when we were asked but the issue wasn’t really acknowledged. A shame: fantastic food but not enough.

We visited here on Christmas Eve. There was a good atmosphere and staff were friendly and attentive.

Stunning food but grossly let down by service and attitude of the waitress tonight. I think management need to review whom they’re employing in order not to put their regular customers off.

Great place to eat. Food exceptional. They always have a vegetarian dish option. Very clean. Can’t say enough about it.

We wanted to stop at this cafe’ for something quick but we discovered that in reality this is a fully fledged restaurant, and a very good one. The risotto is excellent and cooked on the spot, if you dont mind to wait a little more. Good was the steack accompanied by wild mushrooms, not a common feature if not in top restaurant. The bill was acceptable and the service good. Will use again in future

We visit Cafe Lili every time we have something to celebrate as it is such a special place. The service is second to none, and the food is with our fail absolutely delicious and also good value for money. It is known locally to be a fantastic restaurant and it truly deserves its great reputation.

Never disappointed and more impressed with each visit.

Early dining so was able to take advantage of the specials. Service was good and friendly. Would I go again....yes

I went here on a Friday night with my partner and her parents for a birthday meal. The staff knew us, and we were made to feel extremely welcome, which was a good start.

Had a lovely lunch here, beautiful mussels with curry sauce! Service friendly and efficient, will be back!

I really do love the food here and I have never been disappointed. However, I find the service really slow. I appreciate that this may be just my personal preference but I don't think customers should be left so long with dessert menus. Disappointing to see one of the staff just chatting and laughing over images on a customer's mobile when I was looking for service too. But I'll be back because the food is first class and the service is friendly...when it arrives.

Lovely late lunch, partner loved the fish special, stone bass with couscous and my main Fregola (I googled it, tiny pasta) with peppers butternut squash sunblush tomatoes cherry tomatoes leaves and feta cheese was awesome Considering I am a carnivore this could tempt me away from meat permanently

Ate main course and dessert from the Gluten Free Menu on 21/8/18 and was violently sick about 2 hours later. Sent written complaint via company website the following day but did not receive a reply. Phoned on 29/8 and spoke to someone in charge who assured me that they use Gluten Free produce in the GF dishes. Said he would try the dessert recipe on his wife who also needs Gluten Free food and ring me back. Today is 3rd Sept and I am still waiting for a reply!! I would have given this establishment a good review if i had received a satisfactory response to my complaint.

Having heard so many good things about this restaurant over the years, we decided it was time to visit. We booked for early on a Sat evening and there was a great buzz when we arrived.

We enjoyed a delicious family meal at Cafe Lilli this evening following a recommendation from local friends.

We visited for the monthly Sunday lunch with a band. Food was well cooked and tasty service good 2 courses £22 3 courses £26 My only criticism is it was very loud not particularly the music but the overall clientele volume.

We went last Saturday early evening. Our first time there not knowing what to expect and initially only a couple of tables taken. By 7.30 the restaurant was practically full. Lots of people talking so was a little noisy but a great atmosphere.

We went on a Saturday early evening as we used a voucher for a birthday. It was our first visit so didn’t know what to expect.

Was recommended to come here so we did for our wedding anniversary we had antipasto to share followed by rib eye and the lamb which melted in the mouth. The best roasties. Had gnache and sponge which was sickly hubby had chocolate torte wished I had his. Great service.

Booked for lunch at 12, only 2 people In apart from us. Was lunchtime from office.

Noisy, uncomfortable, service chaotic and food mediocre. Have we been to a different restaurant from everyone else? Really disappointing.

This is a wonderful bistro. I have been a few times now and the food is always outstanding. The surroundings are quirky and lovely, and the staff are very pleasant. We did have to wait a very long time for the food to arrive, but I think you have to accept that when food is prepared for you so freshly. I would have given a 5 star rating except for the acoustics in the bistro. The day we were there the place wasn't busy but the noise was exceptional. Every pan and plat seemed to crash onto tables or in the kitchen. It certainly wouldn't be right for those with autism or other difficulties causing noise sensitivity. It may be worth looking into this and having a change in the decor to absorb the crashes. If noise doesn't bother you, I believe you will give it full marks, because everything else is wonderful. Oh and we had the small portions from the menu and they were more than enough.

I have been here a few times and I’ve always been a happy customers, the food is perfect tastes faboulous and it is always presented nicely on the plate, staff and service is also good and friendly, I’d recommend this place to my friends and family.

We treated ourselves to dinner at Lilli’s last night and then lunch today.

We went for an evening meal. We found the food to be different to the usual things you find on a menu. The doshes were lovely in texture and flavour combinations. Staff were helpful and polite. Would go again.

Visited with friends last night and had a great evening. Atmosphere is lovely and the food amazing. Best waiters in the area, hats off to them all. A credit to the restaurant. Looking forward to next visit.

Cafe Lilli offers a regularly-changing but relatively short menu plus a specials board. In our group of 6 only one person felt there wasn't enough choice so overall this wasn't a problem.

We always enjoy are time and food in Cafe Lilli . The fresh fish is beautifully served and cooked Sunday lunch is very good too

Visited cafe Lilli last Friday evening. Been a huge fan over the years. However. Friday definitely not up to usual standards. Starter was sparse. Had the cod cheeks. Tasteless. Then we both had duck. The kale and broccoli were raw. No nice sauce on it and sparse dish. We shared sticky toffee pudding which was nice. Unfortunately they overcharged us for 2 puddings instead of the one. Meal expensive and normally don’t mind but felt it was poor this time unfortunately.

Fabulous place for entertaining clients or a quick business lunch. Beautiful food and catered for a range of allergies. Wonderful team with great service too.

I went out for a spontaneous lunch date with my boyfriend to Cafe Lille. I have recently had to eat dairy free which has been a challenge in most restaurants but not for this place. I told the waitress the situation and she went over to ask the chef which dishes would be suitable for me. She came back with pretty much most of the menu reworked for my needs. The chef was able to easily adapt the choices and made my day. The risotto was beautiful and my adaptation was just as good as the original dish (my boyfriend tried both).

A great dining experience efficient staff and food to die for, Enjoyed a lovely evening ambience perfect.

My partner and I received a gift voucher for cafe lilli this Xmas and decided to use it last Saturday.

Called in today for impromptu lunch. Beating myself up for not doing this sooner!

Title says it all....... Excellent food, reasonably priced with excellent service well worth a visit, we'll be going back.......

Nice place with good service and decent menu. It has a nice informal feel with a pleasant ambiance. The food is good but just needs to be a taken up a notch with a blast of seasoning but that is my personal preference. Will return

Visited this restaurant many times and it just keeps getting better. Menu always has good variation. Front of house staff and service always very good and friendly. Will continue to visit and recommend.

Had a fantastic meal here before Christmas and I can't recommend Cafe Lilli highly enough. The menu is relatively small, but everything is high quality and not one person from our party had any complaints. The venue itself is cosy with a lovely atmosphere, and the staff were all welcoming and friendly. 10/10!

Great food and excellent service on our visit. Not a huge menu but what we had was really well presented. Always busy which is a great sign

My lady and I had a lovely meal last night. Great food, nice atmosphere, a bit stingy on the wine though. Measures quite small.

We really enjoyed our meal here, wine was good, and they had very excellent vegetarian and gluten free options.

Wife and I just been there today and experienced beautifully and freshly prepared lunches. Reasonably priced and just the right portions. Great selection of coffees with interesting selection of Gins and some Italian beers and lagers. Perfect friendly. efficient service with a smile and enthusiasm. We must try to get back there sometime. Special event meals are organised for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day in addition to regular Sunday Lunch. Don't pass it by!

Really classy restaurant on Norton High St. Lovely food and a great atmosphere, always busy. Expect high prices a little over the top I thought, a decent two course meal and few drinks will cost you not far off £90/100 but obviously people keep coming back for more.

Food is generally very good here, nice atmosphere, however it can get a bit noisy when full. Good menu cooked to order, so always fresh.

Was visiting friends in the area and came to cafe lilli. The restaurant was very busy, always a good sign in my book, and we were seated promptly. The food was gorgeous (I highly recommend the chicken and chorizo). Servers were attentitive and I have to say the manager was the cherry on the cake. Being pregnant, while my other friends were drinking, he brought me a non alcoholic drink in a large wine glass! A nice touch.

Have visited here on many occasions now and love it.

A lively ,friendly place with a good ambiance. right on our doorstep. Rob, the owner always gives a warm welcome. Food is very good with a frequent change of menu for lunch and dinner. Very good value and something different from the usual fare served up in local restaurants. Would recommend to any visitors to the area.

We hadn’t visited for a few years but nice to see that nothing has changed. How do you improve on perfection

We went on the first Sunday of the month when there is live music. It was busy and it was easy to see why. We had three courses for £24, which is tremendous value. All three courses were tasty and well presented: mussels to start, beef main, and peanut cake dessert. The beer/wine menu has some excellent choices and the cafe is well organized, with every aspect carefully thought through. If you are looking for good bistro-style food at competitive prices then you should try Cafe Lilli.

I read the reviews on this website before popping in here for lunch.

Small eatery In Norton Simply Perfection. Excellent Service, outstanding quality food, lovey relaxed atmosphere.

As a family group of nine we were celebrating a Birthday on Sunday at Cafe Lilli as it was live music afternoon making it that bit more special for the birthday girl.

We have been to Cage Lilli many times and on each occassion the food, service and atmosphere has been excellent. We will continue to visit regularily. Italian beer good too but slightly expensive. Set menu 5.30-6.30 excellent value.

We (13 of us including children) went for a meal on Sunday lunch time. The atmosphere was great with 2 singers and the service excellent. All the meals were great with the Prawn Tempura started the star of the starters and the Beef excellent for the main course . People selected the Beef to be well done through to rare and all was served exactly as ordered. Great selection of cocktails. We would recommend it .

Regularly visit Cafe Lilli with family and friends. The menu is constantly changing providing variety every time you go. Their risotto is always a fantastic dish to go for. The dinner early bird menu is great for a slightly cheaper option of the same quality. The lunch menu is modern and tasty so a great restaurant for any occasion.

Had a lovely meal here for my wife's birthday.Didn't book but it wasn't a problem we sat at the bar until a table became available which wasn't long.The place has an excellent atmosphere very busy but nothing was too much bother for the plentiful staff.The drinks were quite expensive but good, my wife had the cocktail of the week and enjoyed it that much she had three.The food was very good and of high quality, we had a thoroughly enjoyable night and will be returning in the not so distant future.

A wonderful place, great surroundings and wonderful staff. The food was fabulous and an all round great experience. But.... for the price we found the portions to be small, bearing in mind it is competing at the top end of the market.

It's three years now since we moved to the North East and I cannot for the life think why we have not discovered Café Lilli before now. It proved to be a wonderful surprise but after a meal with family a few days ago I must confess that I am still baffled by some of the half-hearted comments I've seen on TripAdvisor. They are certainly not representative of our experience! I have been fortunate enough to write reviews of dining-out experiences in some fabulous places in many parts of the world and must say at the outset that our meal at Café Lilli was among the most delightful. The food was great, the staff were attentive without being intrusive, and the Italian (!) wine was most acceptable. Check it out. Some of you may be aware that I've been in the PR business for a long time and so I should stress that no incentive of any kind has been made to persuade me to write this review.

I have been wanting to try this place for a long time and my partner booked a surprise visit last night, we were both very impressed in fact we loved it! The food was delicious top notch in fact, service was spot on, the restaurant has a wonderful relaxed atmosphere two courses for £17 I'd say is excellent value for money, a little gem of a place will definitely be returning

I visited Cafe Lilli twice in August, a couple of weeks apart. Both times I ate from the set menu which is in place pre 6:30pm. The meals and drinks were divine and amazing value for money. The general menu can be a little pricey for some people’s budgets, but I would strongly advise trying the set menu to get a taste of what this lovely venue can do. The service is great too and the staff are always very friendly. I will be returning for one of their Sunday afternoon sittings very soon!

I love this place, the food is amazing, the staff are attentive and the drinks are fresh and varied, cocktails change every week and are a nice take on some classics, would highly recommend to anyone

We visited Cafe Lili as a family as a thank you to parents for baby sitting. Booking was easy and the staff were friendly and efficient throughout the meal.Food is lovely - we had fish and meat dishes that were well cooked and beautifully presented. A lovely evening.

Our friends drove us over thirty miles to dine here as they obviously rated it. We parked quite conveniently across the road and entered into a surprisingly busy and bustling restaurant considering it was a mid-week visit. We had booked and I think this is advisable. The seating is as expected more cafe-like but comfortable enough. The decor and atmosphere is fair. The food was very good and there were no complaints except to say is a little pricey.The staff were excellent.

If you're looking for great food, excellent wine, good service and value for money, get down to Cafe Lilli.Roberto the owner is a mine of information on wines. He visits different Italian vineyards and brings back cases to sell at the restaurant. We tried his latest Pinot Grigio. Not the usual bland offering but a rich, almost Gavi like wine with a good body and finish. A steal at £24 a bottle.We ate the fish special, fabulously cooked cod in a mussel beurre blanc sauce over risotto, outstanding. Our guests had a great tasting surf and turf each.Plenty on the menu for everyone, I can't recommend it enough.

Had the lamb special. cooked to perfection however lack of veg. Small drizzle of carrot puree! Would have liked some veg.

Lovely food and staff, always fantastic light desserts good wine selection.I would highly recommend