Lilys bistro
Canterbury, Kent
(35)
Canterbury, Kent
(35)
We are a family run business who set up to offer some employment opportunities to people who may face barriers to obtaining employment such as learning disabilities, lack of housing etc. We work with other charities in providing opportunities.
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35 customer reviews
Charlotte Sullivan
I love this place. The setting, it's ethics (regarding community engagement, it's charity work, reducing food waste) and the variety of food available too. It is excellent for veggies and vegans. I love to come here for breakfast in particular; the bubble and squeak is delicious. It's a very comfortable place to have a meal and hang out with friends. They put on a lot of events as well and I'm hoping to attend one soon. More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Ismini Charalampous
Amazing food and cakes. The staff are very friendly and the atmosphere is uniquely cosy. We're proud for having Lily's bistro in Canterbury.
Reviewed on Google Maps
joe booth
Great food! Banging sandwiches and cracking coffee. Came with a friend and had the gourmet sandwich that had beef and gravy. Had some cake for pudding and oh my word they were fresh and fluffy. Definitely found my new regular spot for lunch. Super excited about all their plans for the future with how they work with the community. Go Lilys WOOOOO!!! More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Rebecca Smith
Yummy food, great customer service, and you know that when you're eating there you are supporting local people and business. Would highly recommend!
Reviewed on Google Maps
Delphine Blainville
Really good cause, fresh and homemade food, cheap, Zoe and all the staff members are lovely
Reviewed on Google Maps
Derby Shepherd
We popped in for half hour and can hands down say they sell the best hot chocolate in Canterbury. What a golden nugget. They will certainly see us again.
Reviewed on Google Maps
George Hartshorn
Very good coffee and cakes. This is a social cafe so we were happy to accept a slow service. Keep up the good work.
Reviewed on Google Maps
Erisa Dautaj
Nice and cosy place, great food, friendly staff and very good social cause!
Reviewed on Google Maps
Gillian Mc Nulty
Pre school cooking....decorating gingerbread men...stars....tree. great fun!!
Reviewed on Google Maps
martin hs
Fabulous ethically run cafe. Wonderful friendly staff and a great atmosphere. Love it!
Reviewed on Google Maps
Christine Scott
Fabulous pizza making and cake decorating lunch. With the grand children.
We needed a dairy free option. Nothing was too much trouble to accomadate this.
Definately reccomend!
Reviewed on Facebook
Jane Lacey
Love Lily's! A special place with a kind and peaceful atmosphere run by lovely people.
Reviewed on Facebook
Adam Smith
Lovely atmosphere, great location and fantastic staff, highly recommend.
Reviewed on Facebook
Michelle Christopher
We stopped here for a sandwich. Cheddar cheese and chutney. It was lovely. It's a dog friendly cafe and Skitz, our Jack Russell, was given some ice cream as it was a hot day. It's a very friendly place and I would recommend it highly. Thank you ladies. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Shirley Fisher
Took our 4 grandchildren ages 10, 8, 6 and 3 for their trick and treat pizza making and cup cake decorating fun. What a fantastic time they had, all the staff were amazing and so friendly. Thank you Lily's Bistro for a lovely morning. Worth every penny. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Katie Austen
Myself and my 2 and 3 year old went to the Wednesday toddler event, it was perfect! kids rolled pizza dough added their toppings, then decorated some cakes fun and interesting food :-) despite the appearance of a toddler pizza it tasted amazing! I want the dough recipe! I even got a cuppa and one of the carrot cupcakes from the huge selection it was delicious. Happy kids happy mumma thank you Lilys. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Clare Millett
A perfect place for afternoon tea with delicious home made cakes, the lemon drizzle particularly light and tasty, coffee cake great too, prosecco was on offer. Excellent value for money, easy to book and genuine friendly service. Love their ethos to train and employ. This is a gem in the middle of Canterbury. I look forward to going back very soon. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Sam Slater
Such a friendly cafe that does so much for the community. I thoroughly enjoyed my St Patrick’s Day themed lunch. I’ll be back soon � �����
Reviewed on Facebook
Sarah Verstage
love this place and the amazing people � lovely food too
Reviewed on Facebook
Hannah Arnold
Totally amazing place.My son has asd so it's not the easiest going to cafes but these lovely ladies couldn't have been helpful and helped us have a lovely hot chocolate break together
Reviewed on Facebook
Lou Evans
Went to Lily's for the pudding night as many puddings as you can eat! Tasted amazing all home made and caters for all tastes. Great value for money and friendly staff, I would definitely recommend this bistro for the day time and evening events very well run More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Alison Jennings
Home from home!! I love it here!! The food is always tasty, locally sourced, and fresh!! Good service... Always a smile!! I highly recommend �
Reviewed on Facebook
Alison Brookman
Found this place via Facebook which specifically mentioned their participation in a voucher scheme for the homeless over Xmas, so we went! Had a really nice lunch today, lovely welcome and delicious food with all tastes catered for. We will definitely go again. Great to see a small local business doing such great work in the community. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Nicky Howitt
Really like the atmosphere, values and, of course home made food. Keep it up all at Lily's - what you're doing is fantastic
Reviewed on Facebook
Rosalynne Meaker
Took my 20 month old to the cookery class on Wednesday morning and she loved it! Staff are really nice and she loved getting messy making Pizza and jam tarts. Highly recommend.
Reviewed on Facebook
Lauren Jade Holmes
Thank you so much to all at Lily's who made my 27th so wonderful last night! The food and service was fantastic and we all had a beautiful time! You catered so well to my wants and I cannot thank you enough! �� More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Michelle Keen
I came for my first visit this week for breakfast � it was DELICIOUS! Lovely bistro great atmosphere! Lovely staff ! I will deffo be back soon �� xx
Reviewed on Facebook
Helen Smith
Amazingly delicious food, the vegan option was so tastey and it is so good that they support such good causes as Catching Lives as well. Good food and ethical as well what's not to like! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Joanna Apps
Lovely Lily's-the warmest welcome in Canterbury, delicious home made food and people who care about helping their local community. We were invited into the kitchen to eat and it was just like being around at a friend's house. Great to know too that your money is supporting not only an independent business but also employment for people with learning disabilities and mental health problems. Perfect. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Bethany Pettifer
The warmest friendliest welcome we have ever had when eating out. Extremely dog and vegetarian friendly.
We had a lovely lunch having searched the city for somewhere we could take the dog and stumbled across this gem of a place.
We will be back and recommending you to all our friends.
A wonderful place to have food and the ethics of the bistro was an absolute bonus on already a perfect place to have lunch.
Thankyou. Cannot wait to return!
More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Claire Atkins
Lovely family run business, food is great, staff are lovely. One all should try when visiting Canterbury
Reviewed on Google Maps
Clare Millett
Delicious Home made cakes and a wonderful place for afternoon tea. Friendly staff and a great addition to Canterbury.
Reviewed on Google Maps
murakami fan
Friendly service and delightful surroundings. Greatly appreciated the separate vegan menu and would highly recommend the imaginative food.
Reviewed on Google Maps
Wajeeh Haider Naqvi
Nice little place for tea, coffee and cakes. I think they do cocktails as well. There was plenty of sitting space. Few seats outside as well. Good variety of cakes. Staff was helpful as well. More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Edward Knudsen
Fantastic coffee and cake. Would definitely recommend to anyone.
Reviewed on Google Maps
What’s your signature dish?
We have held many vegan events and so vegetarian and vegan food is a speciality.
With our slogan 'bringing people together' we offer unique sharing platters which encourage laughter, sharing and a great atmosphere as well as looking beautiful
How do you go about creating the perfect menu for your clients?
With discussion with the client, what atmosphere they wish to convey and working together to create the perfect menu
What do you love most about your job?
Working with people, when an event goes well and memories are made - that is special
What inspired you to start your own business?
I come from a social care background and was disillusioned with the amount of work opportunities offered to people with learning disabilities and other barriers to employment. So we decided to use our love of food and private events we had catered for and create a unique service.
Why should our clients choose you?
By choosing us not only will clients benefit a whole host of other small businesses who we work with, keep air miles low by using local, seasonal ingredients - they also provide employment opportunities to people who need these unique opportunities. The more business we get, the more opportunities we can offer and make a real difference to people's lives
