Café Lily

"If you’re doing Cafe Lily right, the entire Mediterranean—from Moroccan chicken to nicoise salad—will be represented on your white vinyl tablecloth. The giant ravioli stuffed with goat cheese is our standout. Gyros with thick slices of lamb are great for lunch. And their signature dish spotlights juicy lamb tenderloin with Spanish spices and a fiery salsa verde. While this isn’t the trendiest of scenes (and probably seats more diners in The Golden Girls demographic than those watching the Gossip Girl reboot), this Decatur spot has been around for more than 25 years because every meal here is guaranteed to hit." - jacinta howard, juli horsford

"For more than 25 years, Cafe Lily has occupied the corner where the two Ponce de Leon streets intersect in Decatur. In all that time, the Mediterranean restaurant hasn’t changed much—it sort of feels like that classic black-and-white movie you still prefer over Transformers 12. There’s still a massive wall of windows that streams light onto a sea of white vinyl tablecloths. Plus, they have a menu stuffed with hits like a sizzling plate of calamari a la plancha and massive ravioli stuffed with goat cheese. Their consistency is why it continues to be a lunch haven for OGs who don’t have to clock back into work and a go-to casual date night spot for folks looking for some intimacy over a glass of wine. Food Rundown Grilled Tuscan Bread The first basket is complimentary, but plan on ordering another because the lightly grilled, buttery slices with herby olive oil demand an encore. photo credit: Juli Horsford Calamari A La Plancha This is a must-order. The calamari rings come out on a sizzling hot plate with fresh lemon and olive oil bubbling on the surface. photo credit: Juli Horsford Gambas Al Ajillo If you’re splitting this with anyone else, get the full order instead of the half. Giant shrimp come swimming in a bowl with garlic, lemon, herb, and white wine sauce—it’s simple, but it works. photo credit: Juli Horsford Gigande Bean Salad Gigantic tender broad beans make up most of this salad, which also includes large slices of tomato and cucumber, a refreshing red-wine vinaigrette, and feta cheese sprinkled on top. This is just a simple, really well-executed salad. photo credit: Juli Horsford Ravioli Formaggio Di Capra Massive goat cheese ravioli come stuffed to the point of bursting. And there’s a literal pool of salty butter beneath the pillowy pockets, so there’s really nothing to hate here. photo credit: Juli Horsford Pinchitos This is their signature dish, and it lives up to the hype. A few chunks of juicy lamb tenderloin, tiny cubes of white sweet potatoes, and green beans get jazzed up with a fiery picante salsa verde." - Juli Horsford

"This Decatur bistro, with a classy but mellow vibe, is perfect for a weeknight date. Café Lily’s cuisine travels along the Mediterranean coast, picking up dishes like the Gamberi alla Rossa, which features chargrilled Georgia white shrimp bursting with flavor and sitting over a creamy tomato fettuccine. And with a special weekly menu, there’s always something new to try. But many of our standing favorites happen to be on the cocktail menu, which is heavily influenced with Indian flavors thanks to their bar manager and co-owner. Try the Cardamom Old Fashioned—made with cardamom bitters, jaggery syrup, and dehydrated orange—and prepare to get your socks knocked off." - rachel garbus