Welcome to Lilypad Cafe
Nestled on Heckscher Drive in Jacksonville, FL, Lilypad Cafe is a charming culinary gem that offers an inviting atmosphere and exceptional homemade Italian cuisine. Known for its generous portions and fresh ingredients, this cozy establishment excels in crafting dishes like Chicken Valaria, lasagna, and homemade pasta. The attentive owner, Valerie, and her skilled chef partner ensure every meal is prepared to perfection, leaving diners impressed with flavors and service. With rave reviews highlighting the delightful garlic bread and authentic sauces, Lilypad Cafe truly embodies home-cooked warmth, making it a must-visit for food lovers seeking quality and comfort in every bite.
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9429 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226, United States Hotline: +1 904-870-5218
Welcome to the hidden gem of Jacksonville, Florida—Lilypad Cafe. Nestled along Heckscher Drive at 9429 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226, this charming eatery captures the essence of home-cooked meals with a delightful twist. With a phone number of +1 904-870-5218, it's just a call away for an unforgettable dining experience.
From the moment you step inside, you’re embraced by a cozy atmosphere that feels more like a welcoming family kitchen than a typical restaurant. It's run by the delightful owner, Valerie, who is known for her warm hospitality, ensuring that every guest feels at home. The atmosphere may be intimate, perfect for couples and small groups, but it's the food that truly shines here.
Each dish is cooked to order, emphasizing freshness and quality. Lilypad Cafe prides itself on using homemade pasta and sauces crafted from the finest ingredients. Diners gush over the standout dishes such as the Chicken Valaria, Steak Parmigiana, and the rich lasagna. Customer Robin Clark praises the generous portions, noting she and her husband had leftovers to enjoy at home, a testament to the hearty nature of their meals. Meanwhile, DJ raved about the chicken parmigiana and filet mignon over fettuccine Alfredo, describing the experience as excellent.
Every review is infused with a sense of excitement, pointing to the magic of their garlic bread and scrumptious calamari—definite crowd-pleasers that make a perfect start to any meal. Visitors like m Macy were delighted by the evening specials, including grilled duck breast on cavatappi mac and cheese, another dish that showcases the chef’s creativity and flair.
Beyond the food, the Lilypad Cafe experience encapsulates genuine service. Mark F highlights the attentive nature of the staff, who go above and beyond to provide exceptional dining service, even taking the time to share detailed insights about the menu. It’s the warm touch that transforms each visit into a memorable occasion.
Located off the beaten path, Lilypad Cafe might require a little effort to find. But as Lynn Godinez discovered, calling ahead for a reservation is worth it, especially if you're heading out with a larger group. The food is authentically made from scratch, reflecting the owner's passionate commitment to quality.
In a world filled with dining options, Lilypad Cafe stands out not just for its delicious food, but for the heartfelt experience it provides. Whether you're a local or just passing through, come for the food, and stay for the warmth. I can't recommend it highly enough—this eatery is destined for greatness.
After a hard days work preparing for the hurricane; we went to the Lilly Pad Cafe, on Heckscher Drive, Jax., FL. We enjoyed having supper with our neighbor John H. We had lasagna, Haddock oreganato and eggplant Parmesan with spaghetti. We also had some calamari which was very tender very fresh and their bread is fresh baked just. Everything was fantastic.
My husband had the Chicken Valaria and orders this every time. All orders are cooked individually per order. They make their own pasta and sauces using fresh ingredients. I had the Steak Parmagiana, and highly recommend this dish. The garlic bread is made fresh daily. The portions were generous and we had left overs to take home. The restaurant is small so can't really accommodate a large group. Everything is extremely clean. The owner is friendly and the service was great. The food was delicious. We were pleased with our dining experience. They have an extensive wine list. The owner, Valerie is an excellent hostess. The other owner is the chef and does all the cooking himself. There isn't a sign to mark the restaurant but this little place is a jewel and destined for greatness.
We had the chicken parmigiana and filet mignon over fettuccine Alfredo. It was excellent! The prices are in line with the quality of the food. The atmosphere was nice with the music. The owner is incredibly friendly and very knowledgeable of the menu. 5 stars for food and service.
The food was amazing. Some of the best chicken parmigiana I have ever had, rates right up there with the old Patti's Restaurant chicken parmigiana. Homemade salad dressing was excellent and the garlic bread was great! The owner, working as the waitresses was very friendly and nice, gave great detail to the customers. Only draw back to the meal was that the sound echoes and it got really loud with just a few tables full. Certainly going back again!
Awesome restaurant! Amazing home cooked food and wonderful hosts! They make you feel at home and serve great meals! Never disappoints!!
In town for the first time and found this little gem. Valery was warm and welcoming and made me feel as if I had arrived at her home for dinner. The whole place was spotless and the food was excellent. I ordered one of the evening specials which was grilled duck breast atop cavatappi “mac n cheese”. Whoa. Perfection. The warm garlic bread could easily become addictive. I struggled to keep myself from licking the foil in the serving basket. The portions are shareable for the average appetite but there is no way I’d share mine- these leftovers are all for me! Thanks so much for such a lovely and memorable evening.
I was out harvesting oysters and happened upon this place. You would never know it was here unless you searched Google. A helpful tip for first timers would be to call ahead for a reservation (especially 4 or more people). Food is made from scratch and tasted authentic. I had shrimp Alfredo with a Cesar salad. It was excellent! The owner was very accommodating and attentive. She was knowledgeable about the menu. The young man helping serve and bus tables was very courteous and even offered to box my food for me. That's something I haven't seen from a restaurant since a visit to Ruth's Chris. Portion sizes and quality were commensurate with price points. Overall, a very enjoyable experience.
Wonderful food and service. Everything came out hot and fresh. The stuffed mushroom appetizer was piping hot and had great flavor. For my entree I had the Caeser salad with shrimp. You could tell they were wild caught not imported shrimp. The dressing was to die for with shaved parmesan on top. We'll definitely be back soon!