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Cafe Lily

4.2 (82 reviews)
ModerateRussian, Korean, Uzbek
Open 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated over 3 months ago

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CAFE LILY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Quiet
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Cafe Lily

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Reviews With Photos

Fried Salmon
Jaida F.

I went with a friend to try out this Korean-Uzbekistanian spot in Brooklyn based off of a TikTok that emphasized that the food itself is not a fusion but the food of a "dying culture." As someone who loves to eat, I know that culture is preserved in the food. So I just had to check it out with my friend before they left NYC for the next few months. Highlights below! ---- Wait staff was super attentive and friendly Service was fast and very considerate Very patient with us as new comers Friend's meal- Pigodya ---- Good portions Came with a spicy sauce: a little salty but very good! The meat is very tender The cabbage has a good flavor and very well seasoned The dumpling dough itself was very airy Vegetable/beef broth Super juicy but not too liquidy Needed some acidity like some soy sauce or something vinegary My meal ---- Fried salmon I do wish I had more greens The salmon was very good! I do wish it was a little more tender but I love the way it was fried, perfectly crispy ---- We also shared some of their homemade compote which was super fresh and refreshingly sweet! If you're in the neighborhood you definitely should give them a try

Plov
Sarah A.

Came here as a party of 3. We ordered the plov, cold noodles, fern salad, and a pitcher of their homemade fruit punch. They also provided a basket of yummy bread for the table. It was very soft and I ended up dipping the bread in the fern salad sauce. The fruit punch was not overly sweet and it was refreshing although I am not sure what fruits they used. It was my first time trying fern salad and I actually really enjoyed it. But my favorite dish was definitely the cold noodles. I would definitely order it again next time and try other dishes as well. The plov was good too, but way too little meat compared to the amount of rice they give. And some pieces of the meat were less tender than others. They had plenty of seating when we came on a Friday afternoon around 2pm. And the staff was so friendly.

Kuksi - cold noodle soup
Anna S.

This place is such a hidden gem! Uzbek + Korean fusion... I only discovered it after seeing an Instagram reel advertising this place. I think since then it blew up because when I visited the staffs were definitely overwhelmed by the traffic coming to the restaurant. They had to turn down many groups - so just be aware that they might be busy but if you don't mind waiting they will still accommodate you. We got the Korean salad sampler, Korean fern salad (amazing!), and kuksi. We had ordered manti and shurpa but they messed up and forgot our order - which actually turned out for the better because we were so fully already as they are very generous with their portion size. The meal also comes with complimentary bread and butter. The highlight was the Korean fern salad. It was served warm and seasoned so nicely with garlic sauce. I was dipping the bread in this sauce! Their menu is very extensive. The staffs are so friendly and I could tell they were overwhelm but still trying their best to accommodate everyone. I can't wait to come back again and try out all the other items on their menu.

Kimchi, carrot salad, and cucumber salad
Hannah Q.

The plov. You must get the plov. The fried tofu was also devine. 10/10 service, our server made the best recommendations and everything was plated perfectly. My previous neighbors were immigrants from uzbekistan and used to cook for my family; this dinner took me right back to their home.

Kim-chee /  Korean Carrot Salad /     Assorted Korean Salads /
August Q.

Just yes. Guys this place is so underrated. Pllleeaaaseee go give our girl Lily some loovvee. The Plov will change your LIFE. Hospitality was amazing too everyone is soo sweet and there was car video games on the tv which was honestly very fun. 100/10 experience, food, and service.

Annie N.

Came here yesterday with my friend for lunch. We came around 2pm and it was empty besides 1 other table. The younger waitress was so sweet, she remembered my friend who came the week before and also gave good recommendations. It was me and two other girls and we shared the plov, fern salad and the cold noodles. I think my favorite was the plov and the cold noodle, I found the fern salad a little too salty imo and the carrot salad bland. We also go the campote to share which was nice, I liked that it was not overly sweet. The guy (owner) there was really friendly also, he was explaining to us that with credit card there would be extra fees and recommended cash instead for a slight discount

Tofu with Vegetables in a Spicy Sauce
Maggie B.

I came here with a group of 5. One member of our party arrived early. They showed her to the patio and gave her bottled water while she waited, which was very kind. We sat in the back patio on a raised platform table with seating on the floor. The table had cushions all around it, as well as carpeting, so it was comfortable to sit. The patio was lovely with faux greenery and flowers adorning the walls and a wooden ceiling. It felt like an oasis. To eat, we shared the korean salad platter. It included carrots, cabbage, and eggplant in a kim chi style. All the vegetables were pickled, but they were well seasoned and tasty. For my main, I had the tofu with spicy sauce. I enjoyed this dish. The tofu was a perfect, firm texture. It was accompanied by peppers and onions. The sauce was flavorful and slightly sweet with a subtle spicy kick. They also provided warm bread and butter for the table. My friends got several of the meat dishes and loved everything. We also got the compote punch. It was fruity, but quite sweet. Similar to a classic fruit punch, but I wouldn't order it again. Our waitress was gracious and welcoming. A lovely restaurant to visit for a very authentic meal.

Jessica H.

The food was good overall, service was decent but staff could be bit more attentive, and ambiance is rather chill (albeit too lax for me, as there were screaming kids running around who I assume are the owner's or friends).

Waheda I.

This place was under renovations when I went. Grateful they fed me regardless as I hadn't eaten all day and it was super late. Food was delicious and prompt. I paid through Venmo. Service was prompt. I liked the spot and hope to return again when renovations are completed.

Pitcher of fruit punch - super diluted not great
Melody C.

My friend wanted to try this Korean Uzbek restaurant, and I was open to it as I've never had this type of cuisine before. It was pretty quiet on a Sunday night, and we were allowed to choose where we wanted to sit (indoors or outdoors in the back). We chose to sit outdoors but I didn't have to worry about mosquitos because there was shelter on the top though it has some opening. We asked the staff to recommend us some dishes that we should try and went with it. Interestingly, they served the dishes in order of deliciousness so we filled our tummies with all the yummy food first. Pitcher of fruit punch - 1/5 It was extremely watered down, so I highly don't recommend it. Manty - 3/5 Very filling steamed dumplings with chopped meat and onion inside. I was expecting some juice in it but it was on the dryer end. There is a side of sour cream for dipping which made the dumpling less dry but it didn't feel like they matched. House bread - 5/5 Maybe free stuff just tastes better but their bread was pretty unique. It reminded me of shanghai sesame pancakes. Kimchi - 4/5 Complimentary kimchi like at Korean restaurants. It was ok. Chicken patty with mashed potatoes - 1/5 The mashed potato didn't have any gravy so it was very dry. It would've tasted better if it was heavily seasoned but it was pretty bland. The patties were fried but I didn't like the taste and the texture wasn't it. It was harder than I expected. Plov - 4/5 Very homey taste. No frills but nice enough to keep eating. It was basically Uzbekistan-style fried rice. The rice is long grain and each one was separated from one another, which is what fried rice should be like. Meat with vegetables Korean style - 2/5 Too salty! Or else it would've been a decent but simple dish. Has a spicy kick to it. The workers were really nice. Cash is preferred here.

I usually don't write negative reviews, but this was one of the worst experiences. We came for their famous pegodi, but were told we could only order one per person because they were "too busy." When we asked for pelmeni and kebabs instead, they said those dishes were unavailable and kebabs would take 1.5 hours. We agreed to wait for other food: pegodi came in 20 minutes, but meat with vegetables arrived almost 40 minutes later, when we had already finished eating. The service was terrible, and the older lady with black hair (one of the owners) was extremely rude. The food was average at best. This is not how you treat customers--definitely not coming back.

Vinegar with baby cockroach, if you like guys!

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3 years ago

The waiter are pretty nice and the food are fair. Place looks fancy can go once a while

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Ask the Community - Cafe Lily

Is the meat served halal?

Based on this article in the New York Times there maybe some food items that are halal. I think the place is worth a try. Worst case scenario seafood items. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/16/dining/cafe-lily-review-bensonhurst-korean-uzbek.html

Is the meat served halal, kosher or regular?

Based on this article in the New York Times there maybe some food items that are halal. I think the place is worth a try. Worst case scenario seafood items. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/16/dining/cafe-lily-review-bensonhurst-korean-uzbek.html

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Samarkand Nights - Chicken Wings for Catering

Samarkand Nights

(15 reviews)

Mill Island

An Outstanding Uzbek Dining Experience at Samarkand Nights I…read morewent to Samarkand Nights tonight, and I have to say...it was excellent. I've eaten at many Uzbek restaurants in the NYC area, and after my longtime favorite sadly closed due to a fire, I've been on a serious quest to find the best Uzbek restaurant around. This place may very well be it. First, a special shout-out to Kamola, who was doing everything; serving tables, bussing, answering the phone, and somehow still delivering outstanding service with a great attitude. She handled the entire dining room flawlessly. No complaints whatsoever, though after this review they'll probably need to hire more staff! What We Ordered: Starters & Salads: Lagman Soup Achichuk Salad Avocado Salad Combination Dip Platter (Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Ikra, Morkovcha, Labeneh) Kebabs & Mains: Salmon Kebab Chilean Sea Bass Kebab Shrimp Kebab Chicken Kebab Chicken Lulya Beef Lulya Beef Kebab Beef Napoleon Drinks: Compote Seltzer (We paired everything with Beluga Vodka, which they happily allow you to bring...nice touch.) The Verdict: This was EXCELLENT. The salads were okay, and while the hummus and baba ganoush were decent, next time I'll order the Ikra and Morkovcha on their own, they stood out much more. Everything else, however, was outstanding! The Lulya kebabs deserve special mention, both chicken and beef were extremely juicy, literally dripping with fat, spices, and flavor. Absolutely cooked the way Lulya should be. Beef Kebab is a must have!!! Beef Napoleon was something I had never tried before: alternating thin layers of meat and fat, unbelievably flavorful, and absolutely delicious. Chilean Sea Bass Kebab was the best I've ever had, perfectly cooked and incredibly tender. Salmon Kebab was solid and well-executed. I didn't personally try the Shrimp Kebab, but two people at the table said it was excellent and beautifully seasoned with Uzbek spices. Atmosphere & Vibe What really surprised me was the atmosphere. Whether it was the food, the music, or the overall energy, it brought people together in a way you don't usually see at a restaurant. Kids from different tables started dancing with each other, it honestly felt like something you'd normally only see at a wedding. Warm, joyful, and genuinely communal. Unfortunately, they were out of Plov. We had ordered it in advance with our reservation, and they did call us ahead of time to let us know, which I appreciated. I'm very much looking forward to trying it on my next visit. Final Thoughts: Chaim, the owner, was warm, personable, and welcoming. Between the food, the service, and the atmosphere, this is hands down the best Uzbek restaurant I've eaten at. There's plenty of parking, reservations don't currently seem necessary, and I'll absolutely be back...most likely to rent out the place for a party. Highly, highly recommended.

Came after the viral Action Bronson video! We've had a lot of other Uzbek in the area and were…read moreexcited to try this spot. Good thing we made a resy since it's pretty small and packed on Sunday evening for dinner. We got a bunch of stuff to share, but unfortunately some stuff was sold out... we were only able to order a half portion of plov and some of the specialty kebabs we wanted were sold out. Either way, we loved the bread. Other stand outs include the mini samsa, plov, lamb ribs kebab, potatoes with mushroom. The mixed salad appetizer was OK. Our waitress was super nice!

Tandir Rokhat - Eggplant Salad

Tandir Rokhat

(36 reviews)

Brighton Beach, Gravesend

Decent take out place with delicious tandoori samsa…read more In March 2025 I stopped by Tandir Rokhat to buy some food for home and to taste a few items for review. The place is small, with a primitive interior, cheap utensils, and paper plates. It has a food smell that soaks into clothes if you choose to dine in. IMO, Tandir Rokhat should be considered as a takeout only. The food left mixed impressions with some dishes being excellent but others - far from so. Overall, I may recommend Tandir Rokhat as a takeout place for excellent tandir samsa, manti, baklava, and perhaps lulya kebab. Food ordered Samsa Tandoori - delicious! Tasted great and fresh, plenty of meat and flavor. Belyash - it was pretty good. I wish it was made right on order rather than reheated but it was still good. Manti - excellent! Juicy, thin dough, flavor tasty filling. These are huge! Pumpkin Samsa - pass on this. Under salted and lacking flavor. Lulya Kebab with Potatoes - very good, flavorful, but somewhat over salted. Side of roasted potatoes with caramelized onions was excellent. Chicken Kebab - tasteless :( Pass on this. Kimchi Salad - ok Carrot Salad (morkovcha) - too much vinegar and too little flavor. Eggplant Salad - ok. This just a mix of roasted eggplants with the "carrot salad" + few roasted peppers. Baklava - perfect! Fresh, soft, how it should be! Fatir with Butter - good!

Good good Nice…read morestuff Good careful packing of food. Fair prices All payment forms accepted Fresh baked

Taste of Samarkand - Our unique decor takes customers into the rich Uzbek culture and enriches the dining experience

Taste of Samarkand

(233 reviews)

$$

Middle Village

This review is a bit overdue, as I planned to write it a while ago but forgot. Opps, but here…read moregoes... Did I stumble here by chance? Absolutely not. I was brought here by my friend (and her family) as she recommended the place, and she came pretty often. I would say that my friend sometimes has interesting taste, but so far her recommendations have been really solid. Since my friend brought me here, I just took whatever she recommended, as she took command of all ordering. This was great for me, since I opened the menu and was like... wow, I don't even know what is good. So I just sat back and *attempted* to listen to what was going on. We ended up getting hot tea with lemon, beef skirt kebab, lamb kebab, samsa, cheburek with meat, and a few other things I'm not quite sure about. She just ordered, and honestly, I just ate everything she threw at me. The samsas were delicious! They were super flaky, and the meat was well seasoned and super juicy. The samsa were also quite hefty, they fill you up if you eat too many. It reminded me of the homemade ones my friend used to give me. Next up, the cheburek with meat. This was a first for me, and my friend said it was a must get. She was completely right... we ended up getting a 2nd order of this. It was super light, compared to everything else we ordered, as it is only filled with a bit of meat. The dough is fried to perfection, it was a bit crispy, soft, and didn't feel oily. It came with what I assume is a tomato sauce, which pairs well with it. We also got a few of the beef and lamb kebabs, and they were also delicious. The beef tasted better than the lamb, but my friend says that is just depends on the day. So I guess it depends on who is cooking that day? But the beef was super juicy, and it was well seasoned. The lamb was also good, but it just wasn't as yummy as the beef skirt. Overall, I really like everything here and I look forward to my next trip back to NY.

The best kebab I've ever had. The beef was soooo juicy! But-…read morelive music on a Sunday night was VERY LOUD. I've never had music that loud played at a restaurant, especially in a "family-styled" restaurant. Food also does take a while because of grilling. I will be back, but not on a weekend.

Gulchatay Restaurant - The best Shish kebab

Gulchatay Restaurant

(48 reviews)

Sheepshead Bay, Midwood

Been there couple times, food and service was amazing, would go again! Plov, soup, shish kebab,…read moresalads!

Came here for her birthday, left here with a happy stomach. We started off with some cold…read moreappetizers first we got the raw fish and it was really good really fresh. Then we got some salads. One of them was a chicken salad and the chicken was really good and the dressing was also really nice prepared really well together and we also got a Greek salad which was just a classic standard salad. They also have avocado bruschetta which was also really good. The avocado was nice and ripe. We also got samsa and it was really good. The dough was nice and flaky and crispy and on the inside the meat was really nice and juicy. It was my favorite, but it was definitely still good. For the main, we got a huge mixed grill platter that came with a bunch of different meats like chicken, shish kebab and lamb kebab and it was so good. The meat was really nice and juicy and flavorful and it was cooked really well and all of this also came with a side of chips which were a great pairing and a little bit of a different twist compared to regular french fries. The kompot was great it was nice and sweet and flavorful. The service was nice the waiters were really attentive. The ambiance was just a classic Russian/uzbek restaurant. For birthdays they play a nice funny happy birthday song. Overall, it's a nice, heartwarming experience.

Cafe Lily - russian - Updated May 2026

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