Grotta Azzurra

Italian restaurant · Little Italy

Grotta Azzurra

Italian restaurant · Little Italy

2

177 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013

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Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null
Grotta Azzurra by null

Highlights

Sea cave with brilliant blue water from reflected sunlight  

Featured in Eater
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177 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013 Get directions

bluegrotta.com

$$ · Menu

Reserve

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177 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013 Get directions

+1 212 925 8775
bluegrotta.com

$$ · Menu

Reserve

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Aug 17, 2025

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@eater

Where to Eat and Drink in Manhattan’s Little Italy

"Founded in 1908, this Italian supper club of sorts is credited with having introduced New Yorkers to lobster fra diavolo. It’s been a haunt for Frank Sinatra, the late tenor Enrico Caruso, and Italian cookbook author Marcella, and her husband, Victor Hazan. There’s plenty of seating for big parties." - Robert Sietsema, Eater Staff

https://ny.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-little-italy-nyc
View Postcard for Blue Grotto
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15 Restaurants Partnering With the Food Bank of New York City | Eater NY

"This true Little Italy institution remains though the storefronts around it are ever-changing. Probably because locals know they can find excellent zuppa di clams, unfussy gnocchi, and warming bolognese any night of the week." - Patty Diez

https://ny.eater.com/maps/food-bank-ny-restaurants-campaign
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brian bird

Google
Great place to sit outside and people watch. Angel was a GREAT server and offered good wine suggestions and provided excellent service. Good wine list with reasonable prices. We only had the cheesecake to eat (made inhouse), which was good. The food coming out of the kitchen smelled wonderful. Highly recommended!

Joseph Urbinati

Google
Staff is super friendly. Food is great. Service fast 👍

Lady Ace

Google
Charus and I came here for lunch. We were going to go somewhere else but we been here before and decided that we liked the food that we could come again. We took advantage of their lunch special, they had a happy hour going but they didn't tell us about until we asked about it. I ordered the chicken parmigiana and vodka pasta. The food was delicious and tasty. It came out piping out. I like the flavor of the breading of the chicken parm. I just wish the parm had breading on both sides. I like the flavor of the vodka sauce. The combo worked go together. Charus got the fish oreganata. The sauce was delicious and taste. It tasted so good, I kept sticking pieces of bread to sneak some sauces. The fish was tasty but a bit mushy. We got a few drinks and they were tasty. We ordered a white sangria and mezcaloma. We liked the mezcaloma the best. It was strong and had a good flavor. The sangria was a bit weak and too much. And the best part, they gave fresh warm bread for free!!

Matthew Rizzo

Google
While the wait staff was very nice, they also get a low rating because I got food poisoning from the Lasagna. Something tasted off and next thing you know I’m hospitalized needing fluids and all sorts of tests. Have been to the restaurant over the years and have noticed it’s gone downhill. I do not recommend at all until maybe they fix the issues.

Meghan Ng

Google
From brunch to lunch and dinners I absolutely love coming to Grotta Azzurra! The staff is super friendly and the atmosphere makes you feel like you’re in Italy! I love their French toast, eggs Benedict and chicken parmigiana with pasta!

Sheila Bernstein

Google
Come here. You will be glad you did. This place still does not disappoint. We come here every time we are in NYC. The mozzarella caprese salad has fresh melt in your mouth mozzarella. Drinks are plentiful and flavorful. Service is perfect and the atmosphere is authentic. Full.bar and authentic Italian They are so accommodating. We asked to space out our dishes since we are sharing. Everything is a ‘no problem’. We feel so good when we dine here.

Ellen Yi

Google
Food was very...average. Nothing spectacular. Fried calamari was one of the most crispy calamari I've had. But couldn't really taste the octopus. My pasta was light, not much seasoning. The pork risotto-like dish (can't remember the name) was tender. The complimentary bread and butter was the part. One thing I would like to note is the ambiance. Low lighting and good windows with a bar area made this place a nice spot for a dinner date.

Anna Magliato

Google
Trying to respond to Michael Rizzo. The app isn’t allowing me to. I’m curious when you had the lasagna. I’m not partial to Grotta Azzurra, however I could say they have best rice balls, and lasagna that I order at Least once a week. The lasagna is divine!!! My husband and I always start with either the baked clams or rice balls! Gnocchi and lasagna are always our go to! Either a dirty martini to start or an espresso martini! Have been going there for years, have not been disappointed yet.
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Mel T.

Yelp
We visited Grotto Azurra as a part of the Motocafisti Capri boat tour. The caves have a separate entrance fee that you need to pay in cash on site at €18 per person. You also need to tip your boat guy on top of that. Since we were on a tour, we transferred from a tour boat onto one of their row boats, in the middle of the water. 2-3 people fit in a boat (not including the rower), so hubby and I were stuck with a rando. We got there at around 11 am, and there were a lot of boats but we only waited about 10 minutes or so to get into the cave. I've read this can be hours during peak season but thankfully, we went in April. There's also a line on land for people who I'm assuming found their way to the grotto themselves, but it seemed like they were prioritizing the people coming from the tours. Once inside, you're with a bunch of other row boats so it's definitely not as magical as what you see on the gram. But the water is still amazing. It's like a neon blue from the way the sun reflects on it. We rowed around for not even 10 minutes before heading back out. The opening for the cave is super small, so you have to lay down in the boat to get in, and the rower basically leans back on top of you. It's worth the experience for the amount of time we waited (though pricey). But if I had to wait anything more than 30 minutes, I don't think it would have been.
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Nan S.

Yelp
It's pretty, but overall I feel like it's a tourist trap. It's a thing u do to say that you did it, but like I said over all not worth it. - The tour we took was one right near where the ferries unload and even they were like there are other grottos that are similar and not as time consuming (should have listened to them). - We ended up doing the loop around the island and did a stop at the grotto (in which we had to circle back to the start and try again later cuz the lines were long). - You have to wait on a boat to go on a smaller row boat (not great for people who are claustrophobic) cuz you go under a small space into a cave. - we waited for like ever on the main tour boat (it's like 2 to 3 people per row boat at a time and you need to wait for the boats to enter and exit the cave) and they wouldn't even open up the bathroom for us. -they asked for an additional 10 euros if you wanted to jump into the blue grotto water... rip off!!! -there was also an entrance fee to pay - on top of that they expect a tip too cuz they sing a little in the cave, but like your squished in a tiny row boat (yes, I know you gotta make a living, but seriously a scam).
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Kelly S.

Yelp
Traveling to the island of Capri I knew going to the blue grotto was a must! Our tour arrived at 830 am and went directly to the boat tour that takes you over to the entrance into the cave ( opens at 9am, weather permitting. High winds and sea conditions could close the entrance.) Once our boat arrived at the entrance a skipper in a small Woden row boat comes over and you carefully get inside. From there you head over to the pay station to buy your ticket to enter the cave. We paid 8 euros each. I heard the price varies. The skipper than takes you to the mouth of the cave and directs us to lay all the way on the bottom of the boat. He grabbed a metal chain attached to the inside wall of the cave and pulls us in... the water was a little high so our boat hit a little.. I understand why you have to lay down! This portal transfer us into another word. We traveled from complete darkness into this sparkling blue paradise in a matter of seconds! The skipper started singing as other skippers joined in.. echoing of the cave walls. So beautiful. The reason for this amazing color is, the sunlight passes through an underwater cavity than shines through the seawater creates this crazy blue reflection that illuminant's the cavern. Amazing natural wonder. This was an awesome experience, it wasn't along visit... maybe 10 minutes but it was so worth it!!!
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Steph S.

Yelp
This was an absolute 10 out of 10 experience. We took a boat to the blue grotto where we disembarked into smaller rowboats that were made by tour guides. Our guide was so kind and passionate about what he does. You can tell he really enjoys making each experience special for the people he works with. We were very fortunate that the tide was just right and we were able to enter the blue grotto because if the tide is not right, you can't go. Entering and seeing the color of the water was so amazing. This was like a bucket list experience and was one of the highlights of our trip. I highly recommend.
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Lynn M.

Yelp
Not really worth it. It is pretty, the water is a gorgeous blue. You look at it and you leave. We took the bus to the grotto and then got the rowboat which, unless you want the entire boat cruise, is probably a much more efficient way of doing it. Bus took 15 minutes from Anacapri and cost 2.80. You view the grotto from a rowboat so even if you take a boat, you get off your boat on to the rowboat, while in the middle of the ocean. It was easier from land but still a bit tricky as the boats are bouncing all over the place. The cost of the rowboat and entrance fee is $14.00. Note if you take a boat tour, you still pay the $14.00 when you arrive. And also note, on the rowboat you lie down flat so you clothes get wet and muddy. Not really a high recommendation for the grotto.
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Boon C.

Yelp
Blue Grotto is like the Disney Ride. Most tour company not willing to include this tour. If you tour with tour company for Italy, they can point to you where to get to get to Blue Grotto. You have to do it on your own. Because of the liability. To get to Blue Grotta, just go to the Harbor and the the ticket place just across from the cable car. It is important to catch the first ferry to Capri or be the early bird from Capri to join the tour. Once the tour group or cruise ship get here, the line will be too long. To get into the cave. You have to bring enough cash for the park entrance and the small roll boat fees. Please remember the second fees. The duration to the cave is only less than five minutes. Please point your camera toward the cave entrance for the blue light once you are in the cave. There where the wonder is. Why I said is a Disney ride. Because the they boater has to pull the chain into the cave. You have to complete duck down to boat to avoid any accident. One thing to avoid bad experience don't go a rough sea. Don't go late because you have to wait on the big boat to transfer to small rolling boat. Don't eat to much because of the rocking boat while waiting. The wait to the cave can be 1 to 2 hours depending on the number of people. So go early avoid line. With that said. We only waited 30 minutes to get in. Love the beautiful nature.
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Kelly L.

Yelp
It is one of those things that you gotta do it once... We took the ferry from Positano to Capri for about 14 -15€ per person one way. Once we got there, we bought the tour ticket to the Blue grotto without knowing that we will have to pay again for small rowing boat to get inside. The ticket for speed boat from the harbor to the cave entrance is about 18€ per person. We then waited outside of the entrance for over 1 hour until some rowing boats were available to take us it. There were half a dozen rowing boat... so we were waiting for awhile. Once they were available, they came to our speed boat and everyone hopped on. At that time, they told us we would need to pay another 14€ per person and some extra tip for the guys if we wanted him to sing. The entrance of the cave is very low (2 meters I was told). So everyone has to sit on th floor of the rowing boat. The guy will pull on these chain at the entrance to get inside of the cave. Once inside of the cave, they went 2 small loops, less than 5 minutes! The cave 's water is very blue... therefore it's called blue grotto... So, if you are going here, be aware of the tide and time. If the tide is too high and late in the day, you either can't go inside or will not be able to see the blue reflection.

Pam W.

Yelp
We had an awful experience. We arrived early with only a few other boats present. The skippers completely ignored our boat. They would row around boats and select the guests they preferred to pick up. Maybe they knew the boats and are paid extra? Who knows? But the skippers were rude!!!! They have complete control. After 40 minutes of waiting we left. I didn't even want to go or pay the skippers. When we left, it was a jungle with private boats, large size boats, and people waiting on the stairs. A complete mess. Bad service. No organized tickets system. The grotto must be ruined.
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Liz B.

Yelp
I thought the Blue Grotto was worth the visit and the adventure to get there.We took a boat from Sorrento to Capri, then once on the island took a bus from the Marina to Anacapri, and from Anacapri to the Blue Grotto. Each bus ride was 2 Euro as long as you bought the tickets from the ticket office. If you buy them on the bus then it's 2.50. We got there pretty early, around 9:30am because I know as the day goes on its gets mode crowded. There was no line on the stairs and just 2 bigger boats with some groups out in the water. We didn't wait long. First the rowboat comes to get you and rows you over to the bigger floating boat that serves as the cashier. 14 Euro and your in. It was maybe only a 5 minute visit inside. Our rowboat guy took us around 2 times inside and sang. He did ask for a tip at the end which was kinda annoying but I expected it. Like someone else said earlier, I would have felt like I missed something if I didn't go see this. It really was magical and I wish we were here during the warmer months because I may have came back to try and swim in after hours. 14 bucks is an expensive price to pay, but I don't regret it.
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Karrissa A.

Yelp
DO NOT GO! NOT WORTH THE MONEY! 100% tourist trap. This is literally a scam. There is a reason you cannot find a company website for this, it's a scam and they're all in on it. You pay 14 euro/ person to hop on a rickety row boat where you have to lay down and enter a tiny little hole and enter a cave of darkness. Sure the water is blue, but it is literally the exact same water that is outside of the cave. You spend 2 minutes in the cave staring at the rowers butt in your face while they sing off key and mutter some things about Rome, that you can't quite understand. Once you emerge they will berate you for a 20 to 50 euro tip. We thought a 33% (10 euro) tip would be enough, but instead our rower Mario berated us with a barrage of insults, yelling at me and forcing me to tears. He would not stop until we gave him 10 more euro (almost 100% tip). This ruined the entirety of the day. For 3 minutes to go into a cave that was very underwhelming save your money and stay on the boat to enjoy the beautiful views and continue having a pleasant day. Also if you are not on a private boat you will be crammed like sardines with people you don't know waiting for hours as they prioritize private rentals. BUT TRUST ME when I say the berating for the private boat rentals is much more extreme, because they assume you have more money and will be relentless. Mario was attempting to step on our boat that's how disgusting this experience was.
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Grant G.

Yelp
I really don't know how this place has such a high rating... You pay €14 to go through a small hole, have the boat people unnecessarily sing opera to you in this pitch-black cave and then leave after about 1 minute. And for what exactly? To see the sun reflect off the water? Like yes, it's beautiful but to be quite honest, there's better views in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Walt Disney World. I was also forced to tip another €5 to my boat paddler... Like why? Hopefully it went towards bettering his singing career. Mamma mia! Arrivederci!
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Liza F.

Yelp
So beautiful ! Nothing compares to the water...the caves...the glow... once in a lifetime experience unless you come back and do it again.
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Joy N.

Yelp
Amazing ! If you are in Anacapri you must experience the grotto. Their is a cafe above it too, strong drinks
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Jae V.

Yelp
We took the high speed ferry (20 euro one way) from Positano to the island of Capri. The boat ride is 30 min. Once on the island, we decided to visit the Blue Grotto. We took a boat to get there (another 15 euro) but you can also take a bus and then walk. No matter how you get there, once you arrive at the grotto entrance location, you must then get in to a small 4 person canoe and a guide will navigate your canoe into the grotto for yet another 14 euro. The grotto opening is 4 ft high so everyone in the canoe basically have to lie down as the guide pushes your boat through the opening. It's a bit unusual and exciting. Once inside, the highlight is that underwater is lighter than above water. It's dark in the cave but the water is a beautiful, lit, blue. It's fabulous. And hard to capture by camera in low light, rocking canoe conditions. The entire Blue Grotto experience including inbound and outbound boat trips took an hour, so you don't spend a lot of time in the cave but we still enjoyed it. We were there in spring and did not have a wait. Our guide times people will wait 2 hours to get in.
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Carlo A.

Yelp
We were lucky enough to have had a private guide take us there, and we made sure to get to Capri on an early ferry, then sped off to the Blue Grotto and got in the queue before it got too long. It was worth it, but I don't know if I would say the same thing if we had to wait longer than 20 minutes. It was cool to be in that little boat and inside the dark cave, and the eerie blue water made for some great photos. It was quick, but it's one of those experiences that you'll think about when you're back home and be glad you went!

Kira C.

Yelp
We have been having a fabulous time on the Amalfi coast and heard the blue grotto was something special to see. We paid €28 for two people we got there early so only had to wait about 15 to 20 minutes. It was early morning we entered the cave made two loops around could not see to take pictures and barely saw any blue water then were taken out. Our boat driver immediately asked for his tip for our 10 minute experience. He said €10-€20 would be good. We gave him 2 euro and we're very disappointed we will never go again!!!
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Eric L.

Yelp
Awesome place to see when visiting Capri. It is very touristy and if you go during peak hours it's kind of a joke, you get on a little boat and they take you in the cave and there will be like 15 other boats doing the same thing so they try to get you in and out because there will be other tourists waiting. My suggestion is wait until all of those boats leave which is around 3-4 pm because the sun isn't hitting the cave directly anymore but you will be able to swim into the cave and go at your own pace. The whole cave won't be lit up but you can still see an amazing sight and the swimming part is way more fun, plus it's free.

Jeff W.

Yelp
Terrible, rude service. Overpriced, bad food. There are many overpriced places in Capri, but no need to get horrible service and food if you are going to be over charged. Avoid at all costs!

Peter K.

Yelp
Over-rated tourist spot. Natural beauty but not worth the time or effort to get there. We rented our own boat and moored close enough to jump in the water and swim through narrow cave opening, taking care not to let the waves smash us against rocks. Once inside, it is merely a cave full of sea water that makes it look blue. Not worthy of "bucket list" IMO.

Liz G.

Yelp
This is a joke. This is a tourist trap which is actually dangerous. Rowing a little row boat under a cave where you had to duck your head or risk smashing it on the rocks. No thanks. The seas were too high for them to be doing this today.

G H.

Yelp
Absolutely beautiful, reasonable service though would benefit from learning to be a bit more friendly. The boat ride is filled with glorious sights to see and the price is fair.