Lily's Bistro in Canterbury

What a good find! Cafe with a difference! No prices, pay what you think it's worth. Great staff, friendly, courteous, efficient and...... good food.

Stumbled across this little gem whilst investigating the beautiful back streets of Canterbury. The staff were great and explained about the donation policy and no price list, what a wonderful idea and a great organisation. Staff couldn’t be any eager or helpful. Great food, great drinks. We will definitely be returning.

Absolutely brilliant, a very worthy cause too. Great food and coffee in a beautiful part of the city.

Lily's Social Kitchen is a wonderful place that made my heart sing. It's rare to see these kind of projects thriving and I urge you to try it. There's a pay what you can, pay it forward ethos and the food and drink is professionally prepared and presented. My Dad enjoyed his Greek Salad, and my odd food requirements were met without comment (vegan, no sat. fat)

Great food great place and staff. They have no charge as work on donations. If you visit there website site you will find the staff are volunteers and get trained up to work else were.

Had a delicious Greek salad here today, with brilliant soundtrack in the background! This cafe is part of a social enterprise which provides training and work experience for disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the community. It is also a donation cafe, so you pay what you feel the food/ drink is worth, and more if you want to support this worthwhile enterprise.

We were on holiday in Ramsgate and was visiting Canterbury for the afternoon and wanted somewhere to eat and found Lily's Social Kitchen online and decided to go there for lunch, and glad we did. The food and drinks were delicious and all homemade. The staff were very attentive and friendly. I will definitely be going back the next time I am in Canterbury.

What a great find on our day out. Nothing was too much trouble for the ultra friendly staff. Being vegan and finding somewhere to eat is still a challenge but the toasted sandwich was amazing and hit the spot. Knowing how much to pay (we don't get out much) did have us scratching our heads but hey, it was all in a good cause. Would definitely go there again and recommend to friends

Really good service and wonderful food as well as a good price! The staff were so kind, definitely recommend!

We chose this coffee shop in favour of others not realising it was a charity venture. The coffee was delicious, the rosé lemonade great quality, service friendly and then you just donate! Cosy atmosphere and a definite place to visit.

After never visiting Canterbury before we where looking for somewhere to have a late lunch, we came across this place which looked ok, upon entering the back room we were offered to take a seat in the front area and someone will be with us. We asked what food there was and we where sarcastically shown the food on the blackboard, after choosing what we wanted the polite man went off and put the order in. We did feel that because the man had asked a couple of questions to another member of staff that he was spoke down too a bit. Anyway after placing the order and what we wanted the food came out it wasn’t correct but because it seemed like we were going to interrupt the people in the back room we just took what we had. It was nice food though. When we went to pay we hadn’t noticed that there wasn’t a price list so when we asked for the bill we were told that it was donation, what we thought was enough, it wasn’t posted anywhere and it took us by surprise as we where standing at the till, I was going to pay in cash but was told they don’t take cash so I had to give my donation in card by telling the person how much we where donating. After plucking a figure out of air as we wasn’t prepared we paid and left. Upon leaving we felt that the person we paid thought we hadn’t paid enough and wasn’t happy with the amount but after working out what we would have paid properly we worked out that we had paid more than what it might have been if there was a proper price on everything. Overall it has a great ethos and it’s great for giving people the experience that they need to be in a working environment but they need to show the price or tell customers first that it’s donations and card only.

Visited this little cafe for lunch Menu very simple but tasty. Donation rather than a set price takes a bit of working out. Very friendly staff and principle excellent. Well worth supporting.

We found this cafe by chance but will be going there again. A great experience. Food and drink very nice and all for a worthy cause.

Wonderful fresh tasty food made on premises by very friendly staff. It’s our go to venue for lunch when we’re out and about in Canterbury.

Absolutely fantastic staff food and atmosphere such a friendly vibe fabulous food service etc. All the cakes were amazing and extremely tasty .

Welcoming surroundings with very hospitable and attentive staff. Fantastic food in colourful ceramics with a vintage feel 😋

Visited for the first time today, on the recommendation of a friend. I am fortunate to live comfortably and so thought the option of donating a couple of food parcels with my meal was a brilliant idea and hopefully will bring a smile to someone....

Lovely food and friendly service, a wonderful project to help those in need. We enjoyed a lovely late lunch and supported the community

We visited Lily's yesterday for lunch during a day trip to Canterbury. Very inviting cafe with super friendly staff. Plenty of choice for both meat and non meat eaters. The pay it forward scheme is inspiring 👍

A very special space where gentle helpers guide youngsters with learning difficulties in preparing food and drinks to the general public.

Really enjoyed eating at this comfortable, welcoming cafe. I had the vegan roll and a cheese scone which were both very tasty. Staff were friendly to my toddler too. I like the social enterprise side of it but that's not the only reason to visit...

I love going to Lily’s because the service is so cheerful. The food is good and reasonably priced and it’s well situated in Palace Street in the centre of Canterbury. Today I was with my cousin who had never visited Canterbury before. We prefer to...

Popped in with our Autisic Godson for a cuppa and ended up having a light lunch. Lovely food and the service was very good. So lovely to see somewhere supporting disadvantaged people. Will defiantly be going back.

Lily's is a lovely little coffee shop that does amazing home made cakes and lunches. It is run by an amazing team, particularly the youngsters they have working for them. The cakes are good, the coffee is good and the service is excellent. An excellent...

A warm and friendly welcome with a good range of quick bites to eat. We loved the option to “pay it forward” and it was nice to see an establishment that looks to provide employment and skills for less advantaged and vulnerable members of society....

Nice little cafe with a good vibe and a range of reasonably priced food and drink. Weather permitting it is a cool place to sit outside and watch the world go by. The staff are lovely . On top of all this they are running...

What a cute little cafe! Great little find and great staff for a great cause. A non profit little cafe, food was lovely especially the bacon! Eat and drink whilst giving back to a good cause.

Loved the look and feel of the place. My wife and I just popped in for a coffee yesterday but food also available. Part of the charm of the place is that it offers employment opportunities for people who might not find it easy to...

I visited as a welcome break from my Christmas shopping. The premises is spacy and nicely decorated with welcoming staff and a nice menu. I had eaten already, so only stopped for a latte, but the drink was great and I really liked reading about...

Lovely quaint coffee shop in a side street near cathedral. Coffee was well made and tasted good. The staff all pleasant and helpful. Would recommend if passing .

Lovely place, great ethos, nice staff. Only gave it a 4 as a small menu, but the panini we got were lovely. We did the pay it forward thing and bought a meal for someone else. Great place.

Popped in for lunch here on a break with my hubs. I didn’t eat anything but he had the Brie and bacon panini which he said was delicious. Wish we lived near this lovely place as I’d be there every week!

Wanted something fairly light and a glass of wine. L's fitted the bill 100% They do a chees platter and a Meet platter around Pnds 7.00 each. We shared the Cheese platter 4 different cheeeses pcikles tommatoes, leaves.... all very tasty and well presented. Wine...

I popped in for a bite to eat on a lovely sunny day and sat outside watching the world go by. I ordered a smoothie and the cheese board which were both really tasty. The cheese board was excellent value, well presented with lots of...

A lovely little gem of a place. Gorgeous fresh food, presented beautifully at a very reasonable price & lovely staff. Highly recommend a visit.

So glad to have stumbled upon this cafe. Staff were lovely, felt great supporting not only an independent place but somewhere that is actively giving back to the local community and the food was gorgeous!! I can highly recommend the rarebit :)

Very friendly service. Delicious club sandwich. Water jug replenished several times due to hot weather. Even our little dog was remembered with a little treat. We were delighted to discover we were also supporting a very good cause. Would definitely return next time we’re in...

A lovely eating experience. Very pleased to find this charming little cafe - the food is delicious, staff very friendly and helpful, whilst helping others to learn how to be in a work environment. Great to support an independent business with quality service, food and...

So glad this charming little cafe is still here - the food is delicious, staff so friendly and the location central and pleasant. I'm always happy to support an independent business when the service and food quality are good and this one deserves a visit.

I was welcomed by Keira with such genuiness and courtesy,it made me smile.I ordered a coffee and cold drink,and was quickly accommodated,only to discover that this lovely bistro donates all profits to helping others.How lovely! On paying a bought a slice of homemade cake,even better!...

I needed somewhere I could have a quick lunch with two small children, near the Cathedral. It was great. I ordered two sandwiches, one for myself and one for the children to share, and the Cafe kindly (without my asking) split the children's sandwich onto...

We were strolling past Lily's Bistro and a superb saleswoman called out to us, 'would you like some cake?'Well, we were tempted in and sat outside in the sunshine, starting first with a great smashed avocado on toast and a club sarnie, followed by the...

Fantastic community, "giving back" cafe. Lovely staff. Superb vegan homemade quiche! Option to give cost of a meal for homeless person. Some staff are on work experience.

Stopped in here for lunch after visiting the cathedral. It’s a lovely little cafe with a bit of outdoor seating. We had a bacon sandwich and a brie and caramelised onion sandwich. Both were lovely and just what we wanted. The waitress was lovely and...

On my first ever outing to Canterbury I wanted somewhere vegan friendly and relaxed to visit on my own and still enjoy my experience. Initially I thought I would take something away but upon seeing the place I had to go in! I had an...

Mi madre y yo visitamos Lily's Bistro para un almuerzo rápido mientras estábamos en Canterbury. Tomamos un sándwich vegano con hummus y aceitunas y un sándwich club. La comida estaba muy bien presentada y muy fresca. ¡También hubiéramos comido pastel si no hubiéramos estado demasiado llenos! El personal era acogedor y agradable, las pantallas entre las mesas te hacían sentir seguro y las botellas individuales de gel de manos en cada mesa eran un toque atento. Todo esto mejoró por el hecho de que era una organización sin fines de lucro, por lo que todas las ganancias se donan generosamente para ayudar a la comunidad. Se lo recomendaría a cualquiera que visite el centro de la ciudad.

The service was excellent and the biscoff cake and tea was delicious. Not only that, it’s a local social enterprise helping the local community. If you’re visiting Canterbury, check out Lily’s :£

Encontramos esto cuando pasamos, y realmente disfrutamos de nuestro almuerzo sentado afuera bajo el sol. El menú es breve pero interesante, con diferentes versiones de algunos clásicos. Pensamos que era un poco caro en cuanto a precio, pero la calidad y cantidad de la comida lo convertía en un valor razonable.

Had a late lunch here with the family. Staff very welcoming. Food - well the beef sandwich was awesome and the Brie one was great as well. Great size and portion! Stuffed but still room for cake :) - thanks very much we loved it!

I’ve just tasted the tabbouleh salad from the new menu at Lily’s for lunch😋- it was fresh, herby, lovely. Not many places in Canterbury like this with such great food and a really strong sense of purpose. Highly recommend - much better than a chain.

This is the second whole 3 layer cake I've had from lilys for a birthday cake it was delicious carrot cake! The first a lemon poppy cake and also fantastic. Easy ordering well worth it.

¡Es realmente agradable ir a algún lugar y apoyar a un pequeño bistró comunitario que sirve un pastel tan bueno!El servicio fue excelente y todo el personal es muy amable.Si tienes la suerte de conseguir una mesa al aire libre y hace buen tiempo, es un lugar genial para detenerte y ver pasar el mundo con un café con leche recién hecho y el pastel del día.Lo recomendaría encarecidamente si está visitando Canterbury

Thank you so much for the tray of food you sent me while I am shielding. It has filled my day with joy despite these times we're in. My life changes direction when gestures like yours happen

Great idea the sort of place you think you want to support. Food was well priced, although such a shame service was very slow, half the party had eaten and we had to ask where the other half of the order was. Waited for beverages which came after again asking for them with the rest of the order. Lots of apologies but to sure I would go again

Very very disappointing.After reading such amazing reviews, my mum booked a table here for lunch on my dads 65th birthday.She rang and told them it was a special occasion and that we would bring candles for one of their cakes.The lady on the phone told my mum that they were going to be closed Sunday/ Monday and open again Tuesday (the day we booked) and so because of this there would be a lot of fresh cakes and food.We turned up at 12.15 for lunch hungry having got the train from Ashford. On arrival we told the waitress we had a table booked and she told us it was through into another section but the food menu was up on a black board by the door. There was breakfast, hot lunch options and sandwiches.After standing there for about 5mins looking at the menu board the waitress comes back and apologises rubbing out near enough everything off the lunch menu!!! My mum then went through to the next room to speak to them leaving us lookimg at either breakfast (at 12.30pm) or a sandwich for my dads birthday meal... my mum comes back saying they didn’t even have any fresh cake she was promised on the phone! Really really disappointing. I had had enough by this point and was not staying- Canterbury has so many lovely places to eat and we thought we were coming to one of them!I went back inside to tell them that due to the lack of food unfortunately we wouldnt be eating there. The response was “OK” - no apology, one lady didnt even look up.They didn’t seem to care at all.We would never return here.

Great little cafe, with friendly servers, and tasty food that is reasonably priced. Very good options for vegans and a great organisation.

J'ai été bruncher dans ce très beau restaurant ce matin, et je suis ravi.Les pancakes sont délicieux et sont parfait pour faire des storys Instagram. Les chocolats chauds sont incroyablement bons.Très bon rapport qualité/prix.

A lovely place to stop by for coffee or a light lunch. Warm and welcoming with great food at very reasonable prices. The homemade bread is fantastic! A great place. I'll definitely be back.

We had an excellent lunch here, a bacon and mushroom sandwich, aubergine stew, have a ham and tomato sandwich. With teas and coffee. They were really tasty and very good value and it’s great to see them being cooked on the premises. This is a really interesting organisation, which does great work in supporting people with their employability skills, and I’d strongly recommend a visit.

It was a wet Saturday but the welcome inside was lovely. It was very busy but the lovely staff rearranged the tables to fit us in. Lunch was lovely, and the pot of tea was huge. There is a good choice of food including all day breakfast, daily specials and sandwiches.The cafe supports disadvantaged people through employment and training. You can also buy a sandwich or bowl of soup to be forwarded to a homeless person by adding a few quid to your payment. Lovely idea.

Popped in on Saturday for a cake and hot drink. We had a chocolate brownie and a chocolate and orange cake and both were delicious. A great little place and it’s a very worthy cause.

Came here for breakfast a good choice especially if you are vegan (we are not). They really support the community here and the staff are very lovely. Special thank you to the young man who served us.

Excellent little café. Brilliant concept and project. Make sure you support this place if you are passing by.

We were looking for an independent café and found this little one hidden away near the cathedral! Julien (age 14) said it was the best bacon sandwich ever!!! I really enjoyed my pancake stack with blueberries!

Visit lily's regular. Friendly staff and always a wide array of food displayed. Kids always occupied on food making event days

We were doing a Treasure Trail around Canterbury and came upon Lily’s on our route and decided to sit outside in the sunshine for a well-earned cuppa. This little cafe is a true find and is a lovely organisation to support. We knew nothing of the work of Lily’s until after we got home and did some research. The cafe is gorgeous with delicious home- made cakes. The almond and coconut cake and the lemon and blueberry bundt cake were delicious. The tea is served in charming mismatched cups and saucers and the pots of tea are really generous with all of us having at least two cups. A wonderful concept and a wonderful cafe. Lily’s - you are amazing and wonderful and Canterbury is lucky to have you. I really wish there was a Lily’s nearer to me.

We were in Canterbury for just an hour and found Lily's. The concept, food and service are very good. We really enjoyed our lunch!

This bijou cafe is ideal for a quick bite to eat on a trip to the city. It is cosy and attractively decorated in a homely style. The food is good and dogs are allowed.

It’s a little bit off the main drag but love this place for its food, ethos and people. Great breakfasts, lovely coffee and a welcoming atmosphere. What more could you want?

Excellent food - well presented and very tasty. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Highly recommended.

This is special ticketed event that Lily's host. Second time I have attended with my friends and was fabulous. Wonderful atmosphere and sumptuous gins and cheeses. Highly recommend

Good service and a warm welcome. An excellent cup of tea served by a young man being trained for work.

We chose to eat at Lily's Bistro because we had read of their ethical approach to sourcing local food and educating and employing vulnerable people. They operate a pay it forward scheme to provide meals and drinks to the homeless.We are glad we did, because in addition to their admirable business values their food is absolutely delicious.

Lovely cosy atmosphere, amazing cakes! Such a cute place and such a great cause with their pay it forward scheme. Definitely recommend going here if you’re in Canterbury or visiting.

Very qt, very honest. I came through the door and I thought it was very qt. Food looked qt too. Thank you for reading.

We went for a quick but of lunch and wow the food was to die for. The service was fast and the coffee was perfect. Highly recommended for anyone in Canterbury

We happened across Lily's when we were wondering around Canterbury and couldn't decide where to eat. Dog friendly, which seemed to be a bit difficult to find, we were immediately greeted by staff on arrival and made to feel very welcome. The menu was extensive, we had a gorgeous special, of slow roasted beef in focaccia bread with cheese and onions. We loved the ethical values of the place, giving opportunity and employment to those who may not get the chance elsewhere.

Let’s get positive great service very friendly and welcoming! Great value with the special for cake and coffee! Too many vegan cakes and not enough traditional ones for me but that’s just a personal choice!

A recent discovery just right for a coffee and snack.Small, compact with on pavement seating in addition and very helpful staff. Coffee good and bacon sandwiches to relish, with other dishes available, see menu board.This is a community initiative and you can donate a coffee etc for vulnerable and homeless people. Great place, great idea.

A tasty lunch with a lot to choose from. There is a soup and wide ranging sandwich menu and all day breakfast, nice as a vegetarian family to have lots of choice. The place seems to be run on very ethical values and the staff were efficient and warm. Only a couple of minutes from the cathedral and shopping centre it is worth finding this little cafe for a cosy lunch.

We had avacado on toast and mushrooms on toast with came and tea to follow. It was all excellent and reasonably priced. They have a 'pay it forward' scheme too, which helps local rough sleepers. Highly recommended!

Lovely find. Great for vegans and vegetarians. Dogs welcome as well. Varied menu with a solid ethos. Well worth a visit.

Ethical cafe, friendly service, such a lovely place to visit. They also do a pay it forward scheme to provide meals and drinks to the homeless. Enjoy your food and do some good at the same time! I love this place :)

Heerlijk vegan ontbijt en oatmilk chocolade melk voor een heel goede prijs / kwaliteit verhouding. Goed warm geserveerd met bubble and squeak.

Had a lovely visit here for a nice cuppa with family that were visiting. Tea is served in China cups and in a tea pot using real tea leaves. Staff are all very friendly and welcoming.

Nice place and nice people, prices were good, the only problem was the food, not very good honestly.

I love working at Lilly's Bistro because it's good opportunity for other people/customer's to enjoy the atmosphere so you can socialising with other people. It's great to meet new people and also good excellent food, handling and using the title and enjoying gorgeous meal. It need's to have an wheelchair access for people who has got a wheelchair and people who has got a learning difficulty to enjoy our comfort food.

I always get great food and the friendliest service here. Came for a business lunch which catered perfectly for vegans, and have been many times previously. It's a small space, but that doesn't detract from the comfort. One of my very favourite places to eat in Canterbury. I love the way they serve up quality and value people.

Lovely place, very friendly and attentive staff. Good location and small but doesn't feel crowded. We all had a lovely evening and only regret was having no room for the delicious looking cakes.

We had a lovely lunch there. What an amazing ethos this place has. The idea that you can eat really good food and be in some small way helping the community is wonderful. Couldn't fault service or food.

We called in to this Bistro for a quick bite and were delighted with our choice. We had a vegetarian Laska with noodles which was hot,spicy and delicious. The staff were really helpful and friendly and the food arrived quickly. The cafe has a 'Pay it Forward' scheme whereby customers can , if they wish, donate money for a sandwich or soup which will then be given to a hungry rough sleeper. Such a worthwhile initiative . Would recommend this cafe .

Tasty food and lovely service! Went for lunch with my family and all had such good food, will definitely go again

Il faut entrer et regarder sur le tableau noir les plats du jour, tout est fait en famille et semble de bonne qualité. Prix correct. On commande à la caisse et on attend.

We stopped for a quick lunch and were quite disappointed . The food was just edible of poor quality and tasteless, warm tap water served and then charged us £20 for 2 small meal which were just enough for a starter and one drink... Whilst being good hosts, the food and price just didn't stand up......

I'm so pleased to have stumbled across this lovely eatery in town the other day. Not only was the food delicious and made from ingredients that would otherwise go to a landfill, Lily's Bistro also supports the community by providing opportunities for people with disabilities to work.The service was brilliant and friendly, you feel like you are having lunch over at a friends house. Our party had one vegan and one gluten free, but this was no problem at all as they had lots to choose from. Even cake!We had such a great time, I cannot recommend this place enough. We can't wait to get back to Lily's Bistro!

We needed a table for five, plus one dog, and this was accomplished with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of friendly grace. Varied platters of food were absolutely delicious, with yummy salad dressings, and a little heap of perfect brownies which must have lasted about 30 seconds. The ideal spot in centre of Canterbury, close to Cathedral and next door to the Conquest House Gallery which had lovely exhibitions.

Had a great lunch in this little Bistro/Café x Friendly staff and service. Helping the community also with excellent pay it forward scheme x

Lily's Bistro is a wonderful little place for a spot of lunch. The staff are so welcoming and make you feel at home. The food is superb, really delicious. Apparently they also do a wonderful gin and cheese evening which I must get around to trying!

We had a lovely lunch here at this. The staff were welcoming and attentive . It’s really nice to come across a veggie/vegan place . I did seek this place out due the wonderful reviews and we weren’t disappointed.

As this didn’t post last time, I’m trying again.In light of being reminded recently that we are all good at posting reviews for places when we go away but don’t post and support our local favourites, here is my first post to redress that...Lily’s is warm, friendly, happy, good food, lovely coffee, great service, vegan, vegetarian and all food allergies friendly/accommodating, has a social conscience, supports local IS DOG FRIENDLY and is basically a local gem. Perfect poached eggs!Ask for the Ronald Reagan ice cream. You should go. One of Canterbury’s best.