Review Lillius - Auckland Central

We had the 6 course menu, food and service were both amazing. 5/5 experience and taste. The egg custard & crab starter was a highlight for me, as well as all their other starters. Butter was super soft & creamy. And each dish was absolutely delicious - fave being the lamb. As it was our anniversary it got written on a plate in chocolate with a candle which was so cute 😍.

Omg yum! The decor was understated luxury. And if you’re into tiles go visit the bathrooms 😂 Great date night location. Could not fault the food and I tried everything. Personally I preferred the Wapiti entree, lamb main and pumpkin dessert. But man it was tight. The menu is seasonal so these options may no longer be available. Highly recommend!!!!

Good vibe and friendly staff. We had degustation. The plating was good. The food was very tasty but I just didn't feel it reached a wow taste. However, please take my review with a grain of salt as taste is a subjective factor.

Lillius is by far the best fine dining restaurant I’ve tried and want to keep going back. Fraser is such an amazing chef that anytime he comes up with a new menu, you’ll never disappoint. Everything is creatively put together that brings a little surprise in every bite. The space is cosy and service is always welcoming. Highly highly recommended 🙌.

Dined here with my husband for a special birthday; and it’s been a long while since I could truly say I’ve had such consistently spectacular food in Auckland. It’s five star without being pretentious; just enough whimsy to be surprising; and the matching wines were all extremely well considered. More people should be enjoying this hidden treasure! We are also both gluten free and they made everything for us perfectly (we did let them know in advance) - everything was amazing

I was excited to finally dine at Lillius after much anticipation and wonderful feedback. The restaurant upon entering is highly impressive and sleek, with polished concrete floors and matte walls with pops of gold and royal blue in the seating and booths. It was very aesthetically pleasing and the staff was simply exceptional, so hospitable, warming and engaging. The options within three course menu were exciting and featured NZ sourced produce at its best. I was so excited to sample the food and the wine, starting off with a North Otago Pinot Noir which was smooth and silky on the palate. As a prelude to my first course, I was offered some starters of sweet corn smoked custard with popped rice, tuatua with hollandaise and smoked pork finger and cured pork with creamed egg in rice wafer and these were mouth watering and the perfect preparation to dinner. Next to arrive was their home baked warm sourdough bread with buffalo milk butter and that was extraordinary. My first course was pressed arrow squid with layered smoked trevally in buttermilk with radishes. This dish was a cold dish and the textures were lovely with the squid being the highlight. For my main, I thoroughly enjoyed the Houhora pork featuring pork belly and pork loin with parsnip purée and an assortment of charred brassicas featuring Savoy cabbage, cauliflower stems and broccolini. The pork loin was simply heavenly and so tender. The entire dish was so loving and nurturing with the various textures and flavours which complemented perfectly. It was my favorite pork dish I’ve had in a very long time. I ordered a rose hip hibiscus gin cocktail with freeze dried berries and dried hibiscus atop, it was simply delightful and to accompany my closing dish of NZ cheeses with lavosh, crusty sourdough bread and preserves, I ordered a chilled Yarra Valley Syrah. The entire dining experience was exquisite and truly memorable from the cuisine to the the beverages and the spectacular service. I will most definitely return and am happy to have discovered a new favorite restaurant. What I appreciated most about the dishes was reminiscing about childhood food flavour memories that evoked at a more elevated level. The use of local produce was front and center stage. This really is a 5 Star restaurant and it was a true privilege to experience dining here. Highly recommended with distinction!

Had the set menu which was absolutely delicious! The small plates in between were a delightful addition. Casual elegant decor. Highly recommended.

What an outstanding restaurant Lillius is! The service was polished, the team at Lillius hosted our rather large and somewhat raucous group with much patience, grace and humour. The dining room is visually beautiful and befits the food which is similarly attractive. The food was exquisite, technically accomplished and cleverly uses textures to great effect. Some interesting ingredients were incorporated into our 5 course tasting menu, especially in the dish that was for us the highlight- grilled white asparagus with green asparagus purée, a sesame brittle, cultured cream and rimu oil, yes rimu oil! In conclusion, a highly recommend restaurant in the upper echelon of dining experiences in the country. It was a pleasure supporting the young owner/operators and I implore you to do the same, you won’t be disappointed. Sadly for me, no bread will ever measure up to Lillius’ sourdough with buffalo milk butter, I can only hope it’ll be the same next time!

Food was incredibly good, the service was amazing and the lighting and decoration was very nice. One of my favourite mocktails too.

Superb dining experience !!!! Well executed dish with big flavored and great service. Everything is faultless. Will definitely come back !

Lilius, it’s a miss. [It pains me to say this but I was utterly dissatisfied by Lilius. I loved the service, the people are extremely friendly and the interior design deserves a medal. But I couldn’t just lie to myself and surpass the fact that the food was disappointing and not worth the money, no matter how exceptional the service is or how eye catching and unique the decor is. Lilius was a place I had been wanting to try for years. As a restaurant offering fine dining level food, where there is only a set course available, it’s expected for everything to be off the charts tasty. But no. I took my friend here for her birthday and I’m embarrassed. For sure, the food doesn’t taste bad. The ingredients used are of high quality. But it’s not amazing. It’s not just not amazing it’s very very not amazing. What I’m trying to say is, I liked the food, but I wouldn’t even pay 1/4 of the price I paid for it if I had the choice. Nothing was disgusting, that’s not my point. But nothing was memorable and nothing was worth the money that left my wallet that day. And this is coming from someone who is always willing to spend on food. Another thing I dislike is their emails/website. I’m not even vegan but I feel disturbed seeing the pictures of live animals or a chef cutting up an entire hog. It’s unnecessary. I don’t like to eat too much meat because I hate thinking about the actual animal. This may just be me being biased but I do think their social media needs some work on. <br/>Basically...with the food, some of the flavours didn’t work very well together. There was definitely no wow factor. I enjoyed it but I did not love it and not worth the money. <br/>-> BE BACK OR BACK AWAY? I will be backing away sadly. What I’m trying to say is that there are far more better options at a similar price point. I personally would choose another place to spend my money at. But if you have lots lying around then ok, try it out. But honestly I’m so sorry to say this but just no.]

Celebrated a birthday here. Seated at 6pm left 8pm. Had the best dining experience. Could taste every ingredient in the food. Highly reccomend.

You will not leave hungry and broke. Lillius's wholesomeness fills you up from deep inside. Best restaurant in Auckland.

Lillius sure knows how to make a great first impression. From the moment we stepped inside, away from the hustle and bustle that is Khyber Pass Road, it felt like we entered into something so picture perfect it should be in a magazine. The aesthetics alone certainly captured our wee designer hearts. Think plush velvet seating, brushed concrete walls, open kitchen framed by a concrete archway, dried floral chandelier... we could go on. <br/><br/>The aesthetics were just a taster of the high standard of food and service that was to follow. We were warmly welcomed and attended to from the moment we stepped inside, and thankfully so because Lillius has the upper-class feel of a place where you question if you’re fancy enough to be there (definitely a napkin-on-lap, use the right cutlery for the right course type-place). <br/><br/>If you’re looking for a fully immersive meal experience, we couldn’t recommend Lillius more. After selecting our combination of the three-course options, we were delivered freshly-baked bread and butter - what a way to start! These set the tone for the meal to come - the bread was perfectly light yet crispy and the butters also flavoursome and the perfect balance for the sourdough. Following the bread came complimentary snacks of Smoked Kahawai and Sourdough Custard - again, each mouthful was flavourful and reflected the carefully crafted details of the Lillius experience.<br/><br/>The intriguing names were a preview of the tantalising goodness that were the main course dishes. The ever-evolving menu offers a culinary adventure of flavours you’ve never tasted, let alone heard of before. We’ll be raving about this place, and saving our pennies so that we can use any special occasion as an excuse to dine here from now on!<br/><br/>Check out our individual reviews here: husk.co.nz/lunches/lillius-oct-2019

Lillius is unassuming from the road, but once inside the dining room was very inviting and the service excellent. We were given the choice of a 3 course menu with choices or a 5 course chef's choice. Due to time we selected the 3 course. The meal started with a series of snacks and bread which were lovely. My wagyu beef tongue was tender and delicious, my pork loin and belly main was moist and tender, and the rhubarb pudding was a light tangy finish to what was a very pleasant dinner, washed down with some good wine. An enjoyable experience

Why have we never been to this place before? Rang for lunch booking on very short notice yet it was accommodated no problems there. There is a paid carpark area nearby. We chose the 3 course lunch menu. We had amazing complimentary dishes as we waited for our entree. Service waa excellent and the wait staff are attentive and even ensures the table is clean and immaculate prior to each course. The food was excellent and they take their time to explain each dish! It was a lovely dining experience and a hidden GEM

Service is top notch and so is the food. Innovative and tasty menu makes it hard to choose what to have. Have been there multiple times and the food never disappoints. Also meals always start with a couple of complimentary amuse bouche.

We came here for a 5 course lunch... and what an amazing dining experience. Incredible food and presentation of everything. Took some photos but can’t remember exactly what it all was but for me the fish was incredible, the pumpkin dish was delicious and the pre dessert was an absolutely yum feijoa sorbet with other ingredients!!... and the actual dessert was a yam pie which was so much more amazing that it sounds. I love the open kitchen area.

This fine dining restaurant is located near the top end of Khyber Pass. Roadside parkings with a couple minutes of walk.<br/><br/>Love the industrial design with the contemporary furniture settings. I like the open kitchen where you can observe all the actions.<br/><br/>The food was exceptionally good. An excellent demonstration of techniques with amazing combination of ingredients. The snack, entree and dessert really highlighted my evening. Starting with a flavorful steamed egg with grilled corn and popped grains. Came next was the squid which blended perfectly with the buttermilk. The red deer was great too, a good mixture of spices covering the gaminess of the deer. The pumpkin was soft but juicy and dipped in a amazing coffee sauce. The main course was a medium rare pork, unfortunately not my cup of tea. The desserts was also very delicious, the tart was made out of fig leaf. One tart was served a little crooked which was a little disappointing.<br/><br/>Super friendly staffs. Big thanks to our warm and knowledgeable waiter who patiently answered all my questions.<br/><br/>Apparently their menus changes to seasonality. Would definitely be keen to try out their 3 courses menu.<br/><br/>For a foodie that appreciates innovation. This is a restaurant not to be missed.<br/><br/>Food taste: 9/10<br/>Food presentation: 9/10<br/>Service: 10/10<br/>Location: 8/10<br/>Ambience: 10/10<br/>Price $110 per person

Exceptional food - offering good value- interesting cuisine and wine list. The menu changes every month so we will be back for our next special occasion meal. Comfortable and quiet with a sophisticated ambience.

Spectacular food. Surprising and complex combinations of ingredients. Very high degree of technical skill on display. Everything tasted interesting and many of the five courses were outstanding. Coped well with late request for no seafood for one at the table. Cheerful and informed servers.

I took my husband here for his birthday based on reviews and who the chef is. We had the chefs choice 5 courses. Was amazing food. We have eaten at Sidart, The Grove, Merediths and the food here is right up there. The attention to detail and the taste was just fabulous, highly recommend.

Our group of four all really enjoyed our meal at Lillius.  I had the crayfish, waygu beef and yam pie dessert (tasted far better than it sounded!).  The chef/s at Lillius clearly care deeply about their craft and created interesting, innovative and tasty food made with care - right down to one of the chefs picking gorse flowers to include in the dessert.<br/><br/>The cocktails are amazing, especially the whiskey and bitter orange one (our waitress happily shared the recipe with us).<br/><br/>The service was excellent too.<br/><br/>My only gripe was that I asked for tap water but was given (and charged) for bottled.  But that was a small negative in what was an overwhelmingly positive dining experience.  I'd definitely return.

Very classy. Stylish high end food at really modest prices. $70 for 3 courses. Not big meals but each one a masterpiece. Together with the complementary amuse bouche and freshly baked sourdough, we were well satisfied. Excellent wine menu and very attentive service. Nice ambience. We will be back

A friend treated me to a 3-course dinner at Lillius. The food was delicious. My friend had the crayfish and the market fish (Hapuka) - I had a taste an the flavours were rich but delightful. I had the kingfish and lamb - both were perfectly balanced, light, and delightful. For dessert my friend had the cheese and I had the chocolate - great textures. Would certainly return and visit again.

Fantastic meal and good value at $110 each for 5 courses.  <br/>We enjoyed the evening out and I can highly recommend. After the amuse bouche we sere served sour dough bread and buffalo cream (butter) wonderful!  Then: 1. Alpaca with radish salad - very tasty and lean.  2. Crayfish beautiful flavours.  3. Kumara which was charred on outside giving a smokey flavour that balanced the broth.  4. Wagyu Beef delicious.  5.  Probably our least favourite course as was Jerusalem artichoke icecream and not very sweet.  Great wines and overall a delicious and fun night out!

A refreshing menu for a hot and humid summer in Auckland. Flavours are not over complicated or over powering. Very excited to taste an updated menu in the colder months!

A great addition to our neighbourhood, Lillius impresses with quality offerings and showcases NZ produce at it's finest. <br/><br/>I often judge a place by its simplest offerings, this being the bread and butter. House made sourdough, with plain house made butter and sea salt. <br/><br/>Bread was to die for, Crust was crunchy, and the inside soft like a baby's bottom. The butter was rich, and it brought back childhood memories. <br/><br/>The first course of trevally and squid was a matchmake in heaven, like a marriage of childhood sweethearts that will last forever.<br/><br/>The stand out dish was the crayfish. Wrapped in Savoy and served with bone marrow, it is the dish that keeps giving and giving.<br/><br/>Overall I will say for the price paid, the wife and I had a fantastic night. A great date night is only great when there's presence of tremendous food, and I have Lillius to thank for it.