Lilly's Flower in Caranzalem has been delighting customers with delicious cuisine and snacks for nearly two decades. Annoushka Fernandes of The Goan explores the rich story behind the café run by Kennedy Dias.
Tucked away in Caranzalem lies Lilly's Flower, a little food joint owned by the ever-welcoming Kennedy Dias. This hidden treasure might escape the eye but the irresistible aromas have been luring customers for over two decades due to its mouth-watering array of Goan snacks and complimentary refills of their signature shakes.
The establishment bears the name of Kennedy's mother, Lilly, serving as a tribute to her legacy and influence. “The place is named after my mother, Lilly, as a tribute to her and it’s an easy name to pronounce,” he says with a smile.
With a background as a skilled pastry chef, Dias honed his craft for years in the Gulf, crafting exquisite cakes and pastries. However, in 2001, he decided to return to his roots when his father fell ill. Encouraged by his father's support, Dias embarked on a new journey. “I was a pastry chef at a hotel in Dubai, my dad was sick so I had to give up the job and move back to Goa. When I came back, my dad suggested that I start a business here and I said, ‘Okay’. I started making pastries here in this very place, I’d also bake cakes for weddings and birthdays,” said Dias.
In 2005, Kennedy faced a significant setback when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour, leaving him unable to pursue his culinary passions as actively as before. “I was operated on for a brain tumour. My father stood by me and suggested, 'Why don't you start making snacks at home and sell them here?' That's how Lilly's
Lilly’s Flower has garnered a reputation for its mouth-watering assortment of snacks, including croquettes, rissois, chops, samosas, puff pastries, and an array of omelettes. Dias notes that certain specialities like the sausage and pork pies or cheese omelettes are exclusively prepared at Lilly’s, adding to its allure. "Some items are only prepared by us such as the sausage and pork pies or cheese omelettes. These items are very popular and reasonably priced," Dias emphasised. Additionally, Lilly’s Flower offers a diverse selection of shakes and juices.
The delicious snacks are prepared by Dias and his wife with assistance from their helpers. “Each morning at home, my wife and I prepare items to bring here, while burgers and the cutlets are made from scratch at the cafe,” he informed.
Despite the emergence of numerous new cafes in Caranzalem, Lilly’s enduring charm remains untouched, drawing in customers consistently due to its reasonable pricing and Dias’ generosity. “There are many new cafes which are expensive, but my rates are not. We always pour extra juice to our customers without charging them, other places don’t do that and that’s what draws people to this place. And I think it makes people smile,” exclaimed a smiling Dias.
Since 2001, Lilly's Flower has preserved its timeless ambience, evoking the charm of early Goa, rarely seen. In fact, customers are welcomed to the old tunes of music played on the radio adding to the old world experience. “We have not made any changes and will continue to be the same in serving our patrons. The idea for this place and ambience is by my mother and father that’s why I dedicated one shake in her name ‘Lilly’s shake and ice cream’ that’s very popular and people come for the good food,” said Dias.
Amster D'Souza from Santa Cruz has been a loyal customer of Lilly's Flower for over a decade, drawn not only by the delicious food. "Lilly’s Flower has been our go-to spot for over a decade now, thanks to Kennedy’s kindness and his playful habit of mispronouncing our names. The diverse menu, including milkshakes, Goan snacks, pork pies, and beef burgers, keeps us coming back, not to mention the famous shake refill known by all the locals. The café radiates an old Goan charm that fills us with nostalgia every time we step in,” said D’Souza.
