Grotta Palazzese

15 Best Beach Towns in Italy, According to a Local

"An iconic, Instagram-famous restaurant built into coastal cliffs that offers a dramatic, gourmet dining experience literally set within a grotto above the sea; it is frequently recommended for a splurge when visiting the nearby cliffside town." - Laura Itzkowitz Laura Itzkowitz Laura Itzkowitz is a writer and editor based in Rome. She has been contributing to Travel + Leisure since 2014, when she started as a fact checker before becoming a contributing digital editor in 2015. She has also held positions as a contributing editor at The Points Guy and the NYC cities editor at DuJour Magazine. In addition to Travel + Leisure, her writing has appeared in Architectural Digest, Surface Magazine, Brooklyn Magazine, T Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, GQ, Departures, Afar, Fodor's, Town & Country, Condé Nast Traveler, Robb Report, Hemispheres, and others. When she's not jetsetting around Italy and beyond, she can be found in Rome, enjoying some cacio e pepe or relaxing at home with her husband and two dogs. Originally from the Boston area, Laura moved to New York City in 2011 to pursue a master's degree in creative writing and translation at Columbia University. She also holds a bachelor's degree in French from Smith College. * 10+ years of experience writing and editing * Co-wrote "New York: Hidden Bars & Restaurants," an award-winning guide to New York City's speakeasy scene published by Jonglez Editions in 2015 * Contributed to "Fodor's Brooklyn," published by Penguin Random House in 2015, which won silver in the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism competition * Contributed an essay to "Epic Hikes of Europe," published by Lonely Planet in 2021 * Updated the 2022 edition of "Fodor's Essential Italy" Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

Women Who Travel Podcast: Emma Roberts on New Orleans and Her Vintage Books Obsession

"Known for its picturesque coastlines, charming small towns, and local Italian culture."

"Set in a natural cave overlooking a private cove at Polignano a Mare, the ca.-1700 Restaurant Grotta Palazzese is a stunning spot for a candle-lit seafood dinner (think fresh Adriatic sea bass with broad bean purée, Tabasco chicory, and tomato powder)."

"For dinner, you’ll drive to Grotta Palazzese, a restaurant built into the cliffs looking over the beaches. This is one of the more luxurious experiences you’ll have, and you’ll definitely need a reservation. Get dressed up, have a truly romantic evening, eat the best octopus you’ll ever have in your life."

Nicole Warne Says Grotta Palazzese Wouldn’t Accommodate Her Vegan Diet | Eater

"An upscale cliffside restaurant in Polignano a Mare, Puglia, is visually stunning and popular for photos but has drawn criticism for inflexible service and overpriced tasting menus. An Australian fashion blogger and Instagram influencer who says she contacted the restaurant months in advance about being vegan with intolerances to gluten, coconut, and cashews reports being told on arrival that the kitchen could not accommodate her, leaving her with a $200 tasting menu that amounted to a tiny bowl of beans, two slices of vegetables and a fruit plate for dessert. She acknowledged ignoring mixed reviews when booking and, while praising the spectacular photo opportunities, concluded that the service and food did not justify the price — recommending nearby local restaurants and a €15 pasta she found far better, while noting many small trattorias might also struggle to provide gluten‑free and vegan options." - Tim Forster