A ‘quirky, laid back tapas joint’ in Cliftonville has now entered the Good Food Guide for the first time as a ‘local gem.’
Lilie’s is a bustling, welcoming restaurant in Cliff Terrace, described by owner Jools Moore as ‘the orange place with killer sea views.’
Jools has been at the helm of the venue, named after his grandmother, since mid 2022 when he took over the former Kitchen CT9 premises.
The dad-of-one had previously been head chef at Margate Winter Gardens before opening his own mobile pizza business and hosting pop-up events across a range of businesses.
That success led to a permanent home and the birth of Lilie’s. The tapas theme was inspired by Jools’ travels around Spain and recipes from his sister-in-law, who is from Basque Country.
The Good Food Guide notes Lilie’s “all-encompassing Spanish hit-list with creative twists.”
It adds: “ Service is a tad haphazard, with Jools often handling stoves and tables simultaneously, but when the plates land, joyful abundance means that all is forgiven: plump, crisp jamón croquetas come with glossy aïoli, sweet gambas are scandalously garlicky, and he deliberately serves his tortilla de patatas in firm, fried blocks (contrary to the conventional runny-centred norm).”
Jools says the reviewer likely visited on a Sunday or Wednesday when he tends to run things on his own, with the visit prompted by many public votes from loyal customers.
He added: “It is a recognition of hard work and consistency in cooking. Hopefully it will reach a wide audience and people will look at us and Margate.
“It is nice to be in the Good Food Guide because it is a ‘won’ award, you can’t get into it unless you have earned it.”
Jools says his sights are now set on inclusion in the Michelin Guide!
Lilie’s is at 3 Cliff Terrace and is open Wednesday to Sunday.
Vegan and coeliac friendly options are on offer and there are many local ingredients used, including Margate Mushrooms.
Check out Lilie’s website for more details
Other Thanet restaurants in the guide:
Fifteen Square Metres Broadstairs
Albarino Broadstairs
Twenty Seven Harbour Street Broadstairs
Sete Margate
High Dive Margate
The Perfect Place to Grow Margate
Mori Mori Margate
Oast Margate
GB Pizza Margate
Dory’s Margate
Angela’s Margate
Bottega Caruso Margate
Thao Thao Margate
Fort’s Café Margate
Sargasso Margate
Quince Westgate
Staple Stores Westgate
Just what we need…. another cafe.
Then unlike lots of others do not ruddy go ,
I’ve been , and will return if you can get in , because it’s awesome food example hard work ,
Be there in 20 years
Yes we do need , variety , it’s inspirational to people, to enter industry .
This guy has delivered longevity , and an example to local people,
I can piss in the tent .sure , but try pissing out of the tent
Good luck to the example of longevity not vanity or folly . That inspires negative feedback
One cafe owner makes £ millions, another cafe opens up and two cafe owners make a great living. Another cafe opens up and all three make a reasonable living.
Welcome to Thanet – the Land of a Thousand Cafes where every other building is a cafe (if you can call them cafes) and even those shops that aren’t cafes (especially junk shops) are also selling coffee and cake.
Thanet is not a tourist attraction, it is a five square mile watering hole.