Hello dear
Located in Columbus, OH, Cafe Illyria is a hidden gem offering a diverse menu of American diner staples and international delicacies. With a cozy mom and pop vibe, this diner serves up flavorful options like the spicy chicken panini and bacon omelette. Customers praise the tasty homemade salads, fresh hot sandwiches, and crispy French fries. The menu boasts many vegetarian options and caters to various dietary needs. Despite limited seating and street parking, the fast service and friendly staff make the dining experience enjoyable. Cafe Illyria promises a satisfying meal at reasonable prices, making it a must-visit breakfast and brunch spot.
About
Cafe Illyria, located at 214 E State St in Columbus, Ohio, is a hidden gem that offers a delightful mix of Albanian-American diner delights. This quaint restaurant provides a cozy atmosphere with a diverse menu that caters to a wide range of tastes. From homemade salads like the Chicken Strips Salad to fresh hot sandwiches like the Philly Cheeseburger, Cafe Illyria offers a variety of options to satisfy your cravings.
What sets Cafe Illyria apart is not only its delicious food but also its commitment to customer satisfaction. With options for vegetarian dishes and accommodating various dietary preferences, this diner is a perfect spot for a casual meal with friends or family.
As a food reviewer, I was impressed by the flavorful and tasty dishes served at Cafe Illyria. The spicy chicken panini with French fries was a stand-out choice, offering a perfect balance of flavors. The attentive service and clean environment further enhanced my dining experience, making me eager to return and sample more dishes from their breakfast menu.
Overall, Cafe Illyria is a must-visit for those seeking a unique dining experience that combines traditional diner fare with an Albanian twist. Don't miss out on the opportunity to indulge in their delectable offerings and soak in the charming ambiance of this local favorite.
“ Down a flight of steps, what we would have called the "garden level" in the 1950s, this Albanian-American greasy spoon serves up a wondrous variety of American diner food staples and other delicacies from afar. Walk in, past the small, umbrella table, outdoor eating area, and go order at the counter. A chalkboard has specials and the full menu, but there are printed menus, too. I kid you not when I say there are so many options that you'd better study up before you come in. Otherwise, you'll annoy the line of downtown folks awaiting the culinary delights this place has to offer. Walk up to the counter window and order. Your food will be speedily prepared and brought out to you. Is it the Ritz? No. Is it oftentimes elbow to elbow cramped? Yes. But this is the kind of mom and pop, one off restaurant that every city should be preserving because once these disappear, the corporate dregs we'll have left to choose from will be slim pickings. Breakfast and lunch service. Whether an eggs/maple syrup meal. Or a 'burger. Or a gyro. Or a salad. Or whatever. The food is tasty and reasonably priced. Limited street parking is available. One warning - this is a place where you walk out smelling a bit like the food, so if you're a dry clean only worker, prepare to hang your jacket or outfit to air out when you get home. ”
“ I have always heard about this local gem, and finally had sometime to check it out. I got the spicy chicken panini with a side of French fries. The chicken panini was very flavorful and tasty. The sandwich was the perfect size for lunch. The French fries on the side were awesome definitely had a crispy crunch to them. Overall the sandwich and fries combo was tasty. I was really impressed. The only thing that I would have changed about the sandwich is the cheese. But the service was fast and the folks were pretty nice. The restaurant outside was pretty clean and the inside was clean as well. I definitely would love to come back and try the breakfast menu! ”
“ I've been coming here for some months now but today's the first day i've gotten to try their breakfast. i usually get the cajun chicken gyro add banana peppers or the chicken ranch wrap. Those two lunch options never leave me unsatisfied. All the ingredients taste fresh and i love the small business vibe of this place. Today i tried the bacon omelette with a side of home fries and let me tell you. i'm going to be waking up earlier from now on. The service is always quick and friendly. ”
“ Good was fresh and well seasoned--- small but easily accessible from the street. Prices are reasonable but a up to date easy menu to read would have been helpful.. it looks like a great breakfast spot ”
“ Went here on a whim after seeing a post about it on the Downtown Columbus instagram - it was definitely worth the trip! Endless options - my meal was the Albanian Panini, so think a gyro turned sandwich. It was good - gyro meat topped with some veggies and a sauce of some sort! A bit thin for my liking but still tasty. Fries that came with were like those crinkle cut ones you get at a carnival - dipped them in boatloads of ranch. Honestly really filling - but a tad expensive IMO, spent $14+ on the sandwich alone. My friend got a drink too - lots of creative coffee options which is nice! When we walked in, we were the only ones there but in a matter of minutes the whole place was full for lunch rush. Not enough seating to accommodate the crowd, so we ate quickly to let people take our table since they were basically watching us wrap up. Had to basically leave the restaurant since there wasn't really anywhere to loiter. Service was quick - maybe 10 minutes from order to eating? Parking was a tad difficult - street options only. Anyways - an overall pleasant experience! Definitely a hidden gem. ”
“ Came here for a quick lunch. Staff was friendly and helpful. I got chicken gyro and added feta and banana peppers, with fries. It was very good, only criticism is the chicken was a little dry. Would return ”
“ I don't get downtown too much, at least till the last year or so, and I had never heard of this till a few months ago. I happened to drive by it, and looked it up on Yelp and decided to check it out when I had a chance. Finally had a chance, and I regret having not come many times before. It's small, and down below street level, but comfy and quaint for that. Some outdoor seats, a few on the sidewalk but most under an awning for shade or shelter from rain. Mostly indoor seating in a cozy wood area Order at the counter. They have a huge menu of sandwiches, and breakfast items, also salads, etc. I got an Albanian panini which is basically a gyro panini. It. Was. Amazing. My eyes were rolling back in my head. Just all the great gyro flavors, plus a perfectly done panini. Crispy and chewy and creamy and savory and all sorts of things going on in every bite. Very very good. The fries were good, although they are crinkle cut, and not really my style. Service is minimal, but very friendly and efficient. Order at the counter, they bring your food out and even clear the table. I will definitely be back, maybe for breakfast. ”
“ I haven't eaten at any of the local restaurants in the downtown Columbus area, so this is a new experience for me. That being said, there was something different about this hole in the wall restaurant. It's hard to explain, but something between the smells, friendly chatter of customers, and friendly staff that caught my eye walking by. I was greeted with a friendly smile from the woman who helped us order exactly what we were looking for. My spicy chicken panini was cooked perfectly between two slices of sour dough. The bread was crispy, but not burnt. All of the flavors inside combined for a unanimous delicious flavor that you could still pick out all of its fresh ingredients. I could tell that this hole in the wall really takes pride in their product and wants their customers to have a good experience. Based on how everyone was reacting to their food, it seems like this could be one of the best underground (literally) lunch sandwich places in downtown Columbus. I recommend this location fully and will definitely be back! *Between two sandwiches, one with fires and a coke, our total was $26. ”
“ Nice little joint to get a quick bite to eat for breakfast or lunch. Note the current hours are Mon-Fri from 7:30am-2:30pm. We went for lunch. They have a decent selection of sandwiches and salads with a heavy focus on gyros. I got a chicken gyro with fries. The food came out quickly and the sandwich was warm. It was pretty good, but the chicken was a tad bit overcooked. I enjoyed the flavor of the tzatziki sauce. The inside has 8 tables ranging from 2 tops to 6 tops. They have a small patio area right outside, and more tables on the sidewalk area. Overall, definitely a hidden gem to grab a quick bite to eat for breakfast or lunch during the week. ”