Grotta Palazzese

This review is only for the restaurant. Didn’t stay at the hotel. This is one of the most epic restaurants in the world for its setting. Incredible view. In a cave in a cliff on the ocean. Spectacular. One of the most instagramable places I’ve ever seen. The food was good too. I had the tasting menu with wine pairing. Service was patchy. The staff were friendly but they are a bit understaffed. The three star review comes from the price. At nearly €500 Euro a person this is one of the most expensive meals I’ve ever had. And it’s not Michelin level food. You are paying for decent food and an incredible view and setting. If the price was half of what it was I’d give it 5 stars. But it’s not. I have hundreds of reviews here. Many of them Michelin 3 star places. This is one of the most overpriced meals I’ve ever had. Was it worth it? I’m glad I went to see the place. But wouldn’t recommend it unless you truly can afford it.

When it comes to the restaurant, think twice before going! Far too big to feel intimate. Far too many people to feel special or unique. Far too bright to feel cozy or mysterious. Expect to spend €600 on a dinner for two - know that you're simply paying for a tourist attraction. Food ranges from the sublime (lobster) to the atrocious (spaghetti with BBQ sauce). It's for those who want to flex on Insta. Can't recommend.

*few tips* - Go early if you're only booked for the restaurant to take nice spot. - In summer time, 6pm is the best time to reserve. You can enjoy day and night all together. Yes I understand it's tourist trap. And yes I agree food and staff's treating service doesn't worth the price. But, experiencing somewhere like this in your life with loving one and seeing the moment your love enjoys and excited, It worth the price. You don't come here for food, You will never come here if you are damn rich, but you will come here if you can afford to bring your loving one. It's the price for once in your life. But I really didn't like people only comes here for the photos. nobody sits down for talk or enjoying the atmosphere, Everyone's running around for the photos. Regulation should be updated for the other tables. That was the reason why damn rich people will never come here. This amount suppose to present you the best music with lovely talking time with your partner.

Grotta Palazzese is truly iconic — dining inside a natural cave perched above the Adriatic is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The view is absolutely breathtaking and without a doubt the star of the show. It’s not every day you get to enjoy a meal in such a spectacular setting. The food is good, and the overall experience is memorable. However, the service falls short of the high-end fine dining standards they aim to project, especially considering the very steep prices. The restaurant aspires to deliver a sophisticated tasting menu with wine pairings, but unfortunately, the staff lacks the training and finesse required to match that ambition. There are many places in Italy that offer better food at a fraction of the cost. That said, no regrets — it’s one of those experiences you simply have to try once in your life. Just go for the view and the moment, and you won’t be disappointed.

For the restaurant only. The food is unremarkable at best. Price is ridiculous. Service is clumsy. They even found a tacky sax player playing 70s songs over a tape to try to ruin the whole thing, but couldn’t manage to do it. The view is so great that you still leave satisfied. Imagine if the rest was good!

Beautiful spot with a really special setting. The menu is a 7-course gastronomic style (dessert included), but the great thing is you can mix and match the dishes instead of having to follow a fixed tasting menu. Prices are on the high sid me - we were expecting that. The main downside is they decide where you sit — all the sea-view tables are kept for hotel guests. We asked for one facing the grotto, and it was honestly the best choice we could have made. It fits the restaurant’s name perfectly.

Note, this review is for the restaurant,. I visited this restaurant expecting hospitality worthy of its price point, but the waiter’s attitude was shockingly rude—curt replies, eye-rolling, and dismissive body language. When I politely raised my concern, the staff refused to apologize. What felt worst was the clear difference in how I was treated compared with other tables; as an Asian customer I felt singled out and unwelcome. For the prices charged, basic respect and professionalism should be non-negotiable. Food can’t make up for poor service and zero accountability. I will not return and cannot recommend this place until the team addresses staff training, apologizes to affected guests, and commits to fair, respectful service for everyone.

Wow, what an amazing experience! We knew the view would be special from the photos online but they really don’t do it justice. Sitting in an open cave setting with the sea in front was truly picturesque. The ambience gets a perfect 10. They had live music playing which also added to the experience. We were worried after reading some reviews if we would be paying for the beautiful scenic setting and settling for subpar food, but we enjoyed every bite. The food was presented very artistically and it tasted as delicious as it looked. We both enjoyed the Abbraccio tasting (with wine pairing) and we loved every course. And lastly, the team serving us were also very friendly and engaging. Amazing place to celebrate a special occasion. And they have their own free parking lot which they shuttle you to and from the restaurant. This was so convenient . We went early and enjoyed walking through the town before enjoying an amazing dinner. It was ama 10 out of 10 experience for us

Our very personal opinion is that restaurant is a one heck of an experience! I been wanting to come eat in here and surprised my wife which she was amazed just like me; not only the views but the attention and the food! We were greatly happy that we had this experience and to US it was worth it. Very romantic with amazing views of the water coast.

It's all about the gram. That perfect sunset, the perfect photo, the video of you coming down the stair and into the view of Adriatic Sea. When I say the perfect sunset, you need to come here during that time to get that golden hour photo. Once the sun is gone, it's all artificial lights and it's just not that impressive. YOU ARE paying for the experience and view. Before I dive into it, we don't have to worry about parking here. They would give you an address to arrive at, park your car, and have a complimentary shuttle/van ready to take us to the hotel. That was nice because as you get closer, the streets gets narrower and more pedestrians darting out of the alleyways. Plus, you would have a hard time finding close parking, unless you park a little East of the restaurant near the viewpoints. My friend and I usually opted for exotic and unusual experiences and glad we decided to come here. Service was, of course, on par and beyond. The bread/appetizer plate was really good, it might've been my favorite part. So they're set menu options for you to choose, but some of them you cannot mix! My friend is a vegetarian/vegan and I'm not. I wanted to ordered the one with the octopus, but I was not allowed to! She would have to order the same set menu as me and if not, I have to order the classic option. I wasn't too please to spend that much money and I can't even order what I want. Oh well, it was about $100 cheaper so whatever. AND I was not full! =/ Well.....the food was decent, really nothing to rave about. I was still bummed I didn't get the octopus dish I wanted and I definitely didn't want to pay $50 for just that dish. Overall, it was okay. I wouldn't recommend it unless you want that "gram" photo op and to say you've been here. You definitely can get better food elsewhere and 100x cheaper. The whole coast is full of nice view and it's at your leisure.

We went to this restaurant tonight to celebrate my husband's birthday. We knew it was expensive, (minimum set course was 195 per person, not including water, wine, or coffee,) but we thought it was worth the splurge being that it was this amazing cave restaurant. It was absolutely not worth the splurge! Our food came cold, second course was so salty. My husband could not even eat it and never once were we offered a cup of coffee with dessert or anybody coming to our table to ask how our dinner was. The restaurant was mostly empty on a Sunday night (I can understand why being the food is so under par)! If you are looking for a beautiful restaurant, this is the place, if you are looking for a good meal, this is not a good choice!

This is a beautiful location - but there are a great many restaurants with a beautiful location in Puglia - but the food was mediocre and the prices were truly insulting. The cost was literally 4-5 times higher than equivalent food elsewhere and the location doesn't justify this -- in short, this is a tourist trap. It was particularly insulting that, after charging EUR 195 for a 4-course prix fixe, the restaurant charged EUR 10 for a bottle of mineral water and EUR 20 for a glass of wine; I guess they weren't making enough money with the set menu. It was also annoying to see that several of our fellow diners were "influencers" spending their evening taking selfies of themselves - this is exactly the clientele that this place should attract. Which is exactly why the rest of us should avoid it. (I should mention that the restaurant was pretty accomodating in letting us rebook, without penalty, to avoid some bad weather. So, that was one good thing.)

The view is absolutely gorgeous. The restaurant is beautifully set. Ambiance is nice. The food is mediocre at best! It's not bad but I've had $20 meals all over Puglia that are a million times better. The service you would expect to be on another level for the price tag but all the waiters do is bring you your food. They don't try to add to your experience like most high end restaurants do. The price for two people was 460 euros. We had the "cheapest" tasting menu and the cheapest bottle of wine. If the cost had been 100 euros instead, I would give it a 5 star review. Context is everything!!!

Ok so let's be real... the price for the dinner is definitely for the price of the view. Which is worth it in my opinion to go once, because the food is also great. We were visiting on vacation with a group of 8 and they sat us right by the water -- the view was spectacular. It set the tone for a romantic setting... which ended up in me getting engaged! The 4 stars is because I expected another course or two for the price you're paying and especially with smaller portions. I would recommend coming here at least once in your lifetime, especially if you're a tourist. When are you gonna get this million dollar view again?

Ten stars for this outstanding hotel and exceptional staff that deliver amazing service at every moment . i would like to thank the Manager and Arianna, Enza, Gianvito, Carmen, and Francesco for the Exceptional Service during my stay here. It felt like a second home and definitely would return. Grazie Mille, Miss Joycie

Ignore the negative reviews! They made me a bit nervous for no reason! We celebrated my husband's 60th birthday here last night and it was an experience that will not be forgotten! If you reserved a table here, all of the policies are very clear on the website. You are definitely paying for the ambiance which is understandable as there's no place like this! The staff was efficient and friendly enough and they even remembered we had a birthday. The saxophone player was a great touch. The food was above average and honestly better than I expected. We had an amazing one of a kind, once in a lifetime evening so don't hesitate-GO!

Don't waste your time. This is a tourist trap with food that tastes like rotten baby food.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY - My experience was disappointing. Service was rushed at first, but then the staff became unresponsive for the rest of the evening, making it hard to get any help or even drinks. The food was average and overpriced, with small portions that were not cooked well. Overall, the experience fell far below expectations due to the slow service and mediocre quality. Was 300 euro per person what a joke.

We were looking forward to this beautiful restaurant with the most breathtaking view. What could go wrong? Quite a bit. The negative experience began upon arrival, we arrived a little before our reservation time and they had a man at the door that would not let us in until the time of the reservation. When we finally arrived we were seated and loved the view, it was magnificent! Shortly after arriving we saw a family arrive and one of the guests was wearing flip flops. I was very surprised because we received an email with a list of expectations...one of the rules was a dress code and sandals were not allowed. It also stated that if we stayed longer than 2 hours we would be asked to leave or charged. We had a chance to review the menu and they had several preset menu options. I understand that the Chef has designed a very specific menu and culinary experience, so this was understandable. However we all had to pick the same option. We went with the flow and all agreed on one of the choices. This should have been disclosed when we made our reservation. If they had the time to send us all of their rules then they should have also disclosed the menu choices. The food was bland at best, we were very disappointed. The risotto tasted like Chef Boyardee(canned food) and the dessert looked and tasted like the Dirt dessert option at Friday's. After lunch we were not offered coffee or an after dinner drink. I also had to inquire about our $328 deposit. The waiter told us, with an attitude, that tomorrow they would credit that back to my account. Why did they not just deduct the deposit from the total bill? Fancy wannabe, but miss the mark at every opportunity. We spent over $1000 for 4 people and with the exception of the beautiful view, the experience was a great disappointment. Don't waste your money! This place is a tourist trap! Another negative observation was the handicapped bathroom, see the picture! Wow! And the center piece is even chipped!

I went to Polignano A Mare specifically to eat in the Grotta (Cave) Restaurant. Unfortunately, due to bad weather the restaurant was closed for the season. The hotel itself was nice. The room I stayed in was great, it had a sea view. If you don't have a sea view I would say the cost wouldn't be worth it. The Sea lounge restaurant was terrible. They were still serving the same menu for the Grotta and the same prices (90 euro per person) which was ridiculous because the restaurant itself was mediocre and the food was terrible in comparison the the price, not the mention how poor the service was. A birthday note was on the reservation and we did not get treated very well in the restaurant. They served raw shrimp for the first course... I could do that myself, and that's not very safe in my opinion. The served a mediocre ravioli stuffed with crab for the 2nd course. The 3rd course was seared Tuna, and 1/2 of the plate was spoiled and tasted like old, fishy, tuna. Fresh tuna should NEVER taste fishy especially at 90 euro per person. The dessert was a disgusting custard with melted cream on top. My husband was furious and complained to the manager so they brought a plate of desserts with a candle and a bottle of prosecco to the room. That was a the only plus to that dinner experience. My recommendation, see the cave, it's great but don't waste your money eating at the restaurants. If I ever get the chance I'd like to go back during lunch in the summer. I've heard the lunch is a better experience and when the cave is open for seating, the view is like not other.

I only gave it 2 stars strictly for atmosphere and views. Price for the quality of food is insane. The food is fufu garbage. Don't waste your time. Go to Monopoli and have a great meal. I was born and raised in a Barese background. This place is not worth the ridiculous price.

The location is amazing, the ambience is good except for all the photoshoots going on; the food is okay (but definitely not for that price range), and the service is a poor man's idea of high-end, which is also valid for the experience as a whole.

This restaurant is an absolute joke. They wouldn't let us in with kids even though our reservation said that we have kids and we booked in the first shift, oh and we were confirmed three times the same day. They did the same thing to a couple saying their table got lost when they had a note from the manager with a confirmation and sent them away. You know what we all had in common? I will let you guess, but it rhymes with face. The woman at the reception was absolutely unbelievably rude and some guy that worked there called us liars when we showed them our reservation. Just a waste of time.

The view is gorgeous and the food is very good. It is overpriced but you're paying for the view for sure. The service is okay, however we waited 30 minutes for the cheque. A huge plus is they will let you sub out things in the set menu, if it's not the main dishes. The drinks are reasonably priced to make up for the food being expensive.

An amazing ambiance made up for mediocre service and an assembly line type menu. It is a spectacular setting indeed. The dining room is set inside a naturally created set of caves. The waves from the Mediterranean Sea crashing against the rocks below made the ambiance very special. However, we were less than impressed with the service level expected with the luxury level pricing. Seconds after we sat down, the waiter blurted out " what would you want to order"? No greeting. No introduction. We asked for a wine menu. After 5 minutes he returned with an Ipad. We reviewed the ipad offerings, made selection and waited for 5 more minutes. He finally returned but by this time the Ipad had gone to sleep and needed to be awakened with the code. He took the wine order. He never returned to inquire if needed anything. He did not ask if we wanted additional wine or water. A revolving door attitude was prevalent with the entire service team Now for the menu. The menu is arranged via pre arranged groups and appropriate prices for that group of items. For example , the first group is the Gold category. Another group is the Vegetarian and yet another is Land and Sea. Not my idea of high end dining. We both ordered the Instinto option for 195 Euro each. On the other hand , The food was excellent. We were very impressed with the ravioli and the sea bass topped with Rape. Outstanding quality and superb presentation. We truly loved the " right out of a movie" ambiance. We just believe that the service level is not consistent with the final $500 Euro price tag. This restaurant could be so much better with a service team that elevated the dining experience. Nonetheless, we are pleased to have experienced this amazing venue.

For anyone contemplating whether this is a tourist trap vs a must visit spot in Puglia.... Think no more. Go ahead and enjoy the experience of siting within the coastal rocks with the most picturesque views, primed for your adventure. The food is standard (just have a look at their menu), the wine list is exquisite (top-shelf options but local Puglian white for 65 euro too), and the cocktails are plentiful. Grotta Palazzese is a must visit when your in Puglia if you're looking for a special place. Not a masseria... not a trattoria... this is something different that's hard to come by wherever in the world you decide to travel.

This place is a dream- no wonder it's considered one of the best restaurants in the world. The view is absolutely breathtaking. It's like a dinner and a show. We enjoyed the free shuttle from their designated parking lot. The service was amazing and the food was really something out of this world. My husband and I both opted for the Seafare Tasting Menu, which was a lot of food. Every dish was elevated and exquisite. This place is top notch.

Tourist trap. Charged us €700 for 2 starters and 2 mains between 3 people. Prices on the menu are deliberately confusing. Service was terrible. Constant stream of jet skis entering the grotto with music blaring. Burly security guards in the entrance presumably so that nobody complains. Utterly contemptible in every way.

Not sure which was worse, the food, the service, or the price. Felt like I was being sold a time share when they explained the menu.. there's a lot of amazing places in polignano a mare, unfortunately this is not one of them.

My husband made reservations to celebrate my birthday and everything was Amazing! Amazing saxophonist with an Amazing view! Very Romantic

Food was amazing! However you can still get amazing food at a much lower cost elsewhere. We loved the view overlooking the ocean. It was a special experience!

Location, location, location is all this place has. The service is awful. Everyone there acted like you were doing them a favor. Food was mediocre for the price. So many better restaurants in the area than this.

food was great. service was awful . Had trouble with the reservations. Make sure you have proof of reservation.... Especially if you make them far in advance. Very expensive- would have been worth it if the service was good.

This was the priciest meal (and not necessarily the best with regards to food) that we had in the entire Puglia region. However, it's not always about the price or the food, it's about the entire experience! I have dined in many fantastic places in the world, but I have never dined in a cave. Actually, the thought of eating in most caves would be repulsive, as they are dark, dank and full of bat guano. However, this cave is a stunning place to dine. We got there just after sunset, as it's difficult to get a reservation during sunset, but I can imagine that the lighting and views would have been spectacular. We had pretty low expectations for the food, so we were pleasantly surprised when everything was actually pretty tasty, especially the Bon Bon filled with mousse for dessert. The other dishes were good, but made to appeal to lots of different palates. For example, in the pasta with monkfish, the monkfish was totally over powered by the added bacon and pecorino. Both the bacon and cheese were actually unnecessary to the dish, but everything is better with bacon and cheese, right? Overall, it's a dining experience that I'm glad I had and would recommend that everyone who has the opportunity, to do it once.

Certainly not 3 Stars. I rarely give 5 stars for anything. But one cannot compare apples to apples here. is true there are so many great restaurants in this tiny town that it is difficult to compare one against another. Taking everything into consideration people, places and things this was truly an experience extraordinaire! We read the reviews and had low expectations of the food, knew it would be expensive and high expectations on the atmosphere. We booked so we would be there when it opened for dinner, requested a table on the main floor AND asked the waiter to serve us slow. This along with a bottle of Rosé yields a once in a lifetime experience. We ordered the three course pre-fix. It was $150 Euro. Per person. Can't really remember what I ate because I was so entranced with the restaurant, the live Jazz saxophonist, the extremely attentive service and the breathtaking atmosphere BUT IT WAS GREAT! We sat at the front of the cave right next to the Adriatic Sea below the aged rocks above and watched the day turn into night, the swallows in flight, a sailboat drift across the horizon, waves lap the base of the caves.., A DREAM COME TRUE! I'm sure one can spend much less and have the same experience. Just go for drinks and appetizers. But if you can... GO!

Absolutely the worst food in Italy...rent a boat to see the cave it will save you money and any stomach challenges.

It was a big ripoff unfortunately. You really wanted it to be a fantastic meal to match the spectacular views but we came away feeling completely irritated & hungry. They hustle you in & out unlike anywhere else in Italy. Save the €700 euros for two & go dine ANYWHERE else! Atmosphere: 10+ Food: 1 Service: 1 Value: -5

Stay away. Total tourist trap. The most gorgeous setting in existence where you'll spend $1000 for what can best be described as Carrabas tried their hardest to do a tasting menu with a wine pairing. We're not super snooty ppl that put down everything, we're also people that have no problem dropping $700 on a Michelin Star meal. The food was atrocious, the wine pairings nonsensical, the olive oil rancid. Honestly the first time in my life I didn't enjoy bread and olive oil at a restaurant. The first time in Italy that I didn't enjoy the pasta. Literally turned to my wife and said, after 3 years of living in Europe that was the first restaurant that broke my heart. Just a soulless capitalist money grab. Only time in my life I've stopped a tasting menu half way through and said I do not even want to continue. The food and wine were literal trash. Went down the street and had some of the best pasta dishes in my life at Osteria Piga for €10. Please, please, please save your money, ignore the Instagram posts and avoid this restaurant at all costs. It's the Olive Garden in a cave....and honestly that's an insult to the Olive Garden that they don't deserve. At least the Olive Garden prices accordingly and knows what they are. €800 for two to dine here is laughably embarrassing.

This was a great experience for the atmosphere. The view during dinner was beautiful, but we were lucky to get a table right next to the railing. The price was astronomical and the quality of the food was far below expectations. The service was extremely slow and it was not worth a trip just to go to the place. If you happen to be in the area sure, but make sure to make a reservation.

The ambiance is beautiful but please do not eat here. Our pasta was mushy and fish not cooked. We left before dessert. For 195 euros per person this was the most disappointing meal we have ever had in Italy.

Terrible - don't get suckered by the fotos of the beautiful setting. Food was awful and at a ridiculous price: 195 euros per person for least expensive set menu (and no less expensive option). You can eat in amazing Michelin star restaurants with real cuisine for less. If you crave a good view - this is a dumb way to get it. Total tourist trap.

We made reservations over a month ago as the Grotto and the setting of the restaurant inside the Grotto is breathtaking. Upon arrival we were not disappointed. Just before sunset. Magical. Mother Nature does not disappoint. The first plate was a perfectly cooked small lobster tail in a bed of spinach and crushed walnuts. Heavenly. I was excited about the evening. Octopus with a light sauce with olives. Good. Then a risotto made with proper homemade fish stock which was a little salty but ok. Then the pasta with sea urchin. Very salty. Could not eat it. Later a bland white fish over a puree of parsnip (don't know if it was bland or if my taste buds had been numb by the salt) And finally a heavy and unattractive dessert with what resembled a mountain. The bill was hefty. And we just laughed. It was an experience to be inside a grotto with the sound of crashing waves as a light saxophone played in the background. I will remember the grotto but will very likely forget the meal and all the water i ended up drinking that night after the meal. Sometimes when nature is so perfect many times man has to spoil nature with what his hands create.

This is a 5 star experience, staff worked together so that 5 servers each played a part in a wonderful lunch (dinner was booked solid for the week i was here). It is my first time in the Region and my request for local wines and foods was met with superb expectations. Booked online, received a lengthy email in Italian language that i could not read, so tried to show up an hour early. It was a very hot, 95F, summer day and there is a dress code so i was quite uncomfortable to start, then I got in local traffic..... ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE PARKING ON THE CITY SIDE STREETS, Permit, toll or locals only. FORGET IT. Frustrated, i just went to the restaurant and asked the maitre'd who then told me the email had details to their ...WAIT FOR IT... private parking lot. Duh....looks like they knew about it and already had a solution. Still, I was a little bit frazzled and perspiring heavily...SO WHAT CAN TURN THIS AROUND TO BE 5 STARS? The Grotta was cool, the staff were nice and they guided me to a perfect lunch. The suggested wines were excellent and the tip to buy per glass allowed me to sample 4 pairings rather than a single bottle

Simply amazing! Looks exactly like the pictures you see online. We felt like we were in a postcard. Service was friendly and food was good (but honestly not the best I had in Italy). Worth it for the views alone. We never were told to order three courses or any pre-fixe menu. I think this may have to do with the fact we had my husbands Italian cousin with us. For 5 adults and 3 kids we spent about $500 USD, this was with appetizers, desserts and drinks. The kids had regular adult portions. If you sit towards the inside of the grotto there are pigeons flying around everywhere which was pretty disgusting. I arranged our reservations online and had to reserve our spot with a credit card. If we cancelled our card would have been charged. Also, there are a lot of stairs to get down to the restaurant. My elderly father in law had a little bit of a rough time with the stairs.

WOW, just WOW The setting - you can not beat it. This is the most beautiful restaurant I have ever been in in my life (and I eat out a lot). Absolutely breathtaking. Stunning. When you go to places with an amazing view, you don't always expect the food or service to match as you are paying for the location. Happy to say, in this case that did not apply. The food was fantastic. The serving staff was also really good. You have a two hour time limit on your table and you do not feel rushed at all. Yes it is expensive but it was worth every single penny and will go down of one of my highlights of my trip. And if we happened to be back in this region, we would go again as our one splurge. Absolutely worth every penny!

I read all the negative reviews and almost didn't push thru , it gave me a negative vibe already but I told myself let me try and don't expect too much , the day I reserved was August 12, 2017 We drove all the way from Sorrento and the driving would take at least 31/2 hours but it took us 4 and 1/2 hours to arrive , but didn't make it until 2:15, we were more than 1 1/2 hour late. I still went ahead and look for the place in 5 min we found it, and were lead to down stairs They accommodated us right away and seated pronto and took care of us big time Very good food, a perfect ambience, and very romantic place ... Pricey but very reasonable , very good wine and waiters were very polite and smiling all the time , Clean restroom Thank u for the accommodation. PERFECT!!! 5star for me! P Joven from USA

Honestly, I went here expecting a beautiful setting and had really low expectations of the food. I can say that in almost every way, it was a perfect dinner and yes, the setting is exactly how it is shown in all of the photos you've seen. It's beautiful. My reservation was for 7:30pm which was the first reservation available. Oddly, they don't stagger and there was quite a crowd outside the restaurant by 7:20pm. Basically, you kind of enter by who arrived first for the reservation or who is pushier and moves to the front. You give your name to the hostess and you are taken down a LOT of stairs to the dining area. There are two dining areas. The one most commonly seen in the photos and then another section near the bar up a flight of stairs with also beautiful views as well as a view of the lower dining area. We sat in the main lower dining area and while not right on the raining, just two tables back from the railing. Its important to note that this restaurant is not for those with physical challenges! There is no elevator and its a LOT of stairs. Even when you are inside, you must go up and down stairs to the restroom as well, so be aware for those who are unable to walk or traverse stairs, you would need to be carried. The one thing that did bug me a bit and this is a common pet peeve of mine, if you are going to tell me that I need to follow a dress code, I expect the others who are also in the venue to also follow the same dress code. I made my husband bring dress clothes for this and people showed up in Jeans and looking scruffy and it was okay. So, I don't like that so much. Service was surprisingly good, although we were there for quite some time and there was some delay between some courses and at the end in waiting for the bill, but servers were friendly and responsive. We chose NOT to do the tasting menu and instead ordered our own choice of apps, pasta, entrees and dessert. Because I knew this was already going to be a very expensive dinner, we decided to drink water. Actually, I was going to have a cocktail, but when I asked if they had whiskey, they did not, so I did not. For apps, the husband had a meatball trio and I had an ahi stack. Both were very tasty, of course I LOVE ahi so all was well with the world. Each of us had a pasta dish, mine was an orrechiette with vegetables and I think his was something blolgnese like, both were quite yummy, although my pasta was a little more al dente than I prefer. We both ordered steak dinners and the steak was fantastic. I will say that my husband was not happy with his because it was a massive filet that was cooked medium rare and he wanted medium well. He sent his steak back and they cooked it more, but did not butterfly it and he didn't ask them to, so it was not cooked enough for him and he did not eat it all. However, if you enjoy your steak cooked properly, these were THE BOMB! I had a tasty mango dessert that was as beautiful as it was flavorful. Here's where it got interesting. My husband said, "our server's talking to the manager, I bet their taking the steak off of our bill." I replied that this was not Applebees and that would be unlikely. But they DID. I was very impressed because I thought it was a place that wouldn't do that. So kudos to them for making the customer happy. For our meals (minus the steak) and without beverages, the cost was $260. With the steak, it would have been $300. So, pricey, but not unreasonable for a once in a lifetime experience at a restaurant that falls on a great many people's "bucket list".

I can't imagine any place like this. We had reservations at 6 PM, so it was still light when we arrived. The atmosphere was breathtaking during daylight, but as the sun went down it just became even more beautiful. We had the four course dinner with wine pairings. All the wines complimented each course perfectly. Our food was delicious. Service was excellent.

Awesome food! Usually expensive restaurants have gourmet sophisticated food that is really over priced. Yes, this restaurant is expensive too, but it's worth it! The food was probably the best I've eaten, the plates weren't small. When you make a reservation, still make sure to come before the doors open (30 min in advance), so you can get a sea view table (on the edge of the cliff).

In order to lead with positivity one must note that Grotta Palazzese does indeed provide a stunning atmosphere and once in a lifetime experience, dinner in a cave. Three stars for the cave itself. My group and I were thrilled to try it and opted for the essence tasting with wine pairing which was 210eu per person. As epicures we were glad to pay the price tag for a quality food experience. Unfortunately Grotta falls very short of offering a foodie experience. The service is just as tepid as the food, there is nothing bold or even delicious about any of the dishes. It is neither old world puglia nor new world gastro. The pacheri pasta was cold and hard with an overly salted cream sauce and a slice of what could have been American cheese atop it. The second pasta dish a spaghetti pomodoro again very al dente and flat tomato sauce. The fish course was a salmon over greens, clearly not local nor fresh. Each of the courses was dropped in front of us with no explanation or enthusiasm. When we asked what wine we were being served we received a curt red or white in explanation. While we appreciated dining in a cave, I would recommend that if you are to go, enjoy the experience but do a'la carte option and expect nothing of the food or service.

The setting is hard to beat. Stunning, unique, and romantic. Truly a special environment. But it ends there. The rest of the experience is a total disappointment and when you add the price it's honestly offensive. Service is impersonal and rushed. And to say the food was a disappointment would be too kind. It was terrible. We sent a dish back and hardly ate several others. For a 130 euro tasting menu I would say the pizzeria we dined at in monopoli for 30 euros was far better. Do not go here with any expectation for good food. The food seemed pre-cooked and reheated. Several dishes were inedible. We complained to the management and they seems sheepishly aware of the poor quality. Our neighboring tables complained as well and we even found ourselves discussing our disappointment with other diners outside the restaurant. So, go for novelty if you have money to throw away. Otherwise find a simpler, more authentic restaurant.

I very seldom leave reviews but feel that this experience warrants one First off a beautiful space... We start off ordering as cocktail - after much conversation we find out they do not really offer cocktails - an Old Fashioned stumped them. So....we then tried to order wine from a pretty extensive list - given we were new to region and unfamiliar with wines we asked their advice, 40 minutes later after trying one wine they recommended only to find out is was the opposite of what we asked for then googling the wines ourselves we found a nice wine- at a place that charges 180 euro a head you would think someone would know the wine list..... As we were doing our own research and wine we were approached several times, rather abruptly, and asked to order. Given that we had not even had a drink yet we deferred. When we did order we found the food to be average at best. My wife did not enjoy her fish at all as it was quite fishy and did not seem fresh. When they took the plates away they asked if she did not enjoy it she said she did not enjoy it and that it was fishy and did not seem fresh. They came back and offered dessert Or another entrée and we were going to get dessert. Then the maître d' came over to tell us that the fish was fresh and that apparently we were wrong. Kind of wonder why somebody would do that we decided to just leave. We then get the bill. About €500 and the strangest thing this woman comes up with the credit card machine takes our credit card and doesn't say a word - processes credit card and leaves without a word. Very weird! In summary this place was beautiful but the food and the service was subpar at any price but given the price it was very disappointing. Too bad they don't offer the opportunity to go there for a drink because that would be the best way to enjoy this place.

Came here with my husband on our honeymoon, August 1st, 2015. This review is a little late, however, I wanted to get this one in. The food is presented beautifully and is very tasty, albeit very expensive. We imagined it would be, when in Rome..... The cave/surroundings were absolutely amazing!!! The one downside was that although our cousin made the reservations for us and told them it was a special occasion, they brought us out a small cake (we didn't order) and then charged us for it!!!! Recommend it for a special occasion if you're ever near Polignano Italy!

Stunning place, truly unbeatable and amazing view. You dine in a grotta from the 700s century surrounded by live music and candles. You pay for the one time experience of dining in a grotta. The food however does not match the place and it is very expensive. Expect to pay over 100 euro per person.

I saw this place in a magazine and decided I had to go despite the bad reviews. It's on the coast of Italy, with this view, and expensive prices, how bad can it be... right? Venue: Spectacular! Stunning and wonderful. It is magical. Worth seeing it in person. Attire is dressy/trendy, cave is breathtaking. Jaw dropping awe when you walk in. No, Italian batman isn't here. He's smart and ate somewhere else. Food: This is easily the worst food I had in Italy. The menu tries to be overly complicated and elaborate. I would have been happy with a slice of street-pizza. Perhaps even pasta, basil and olive oil? A plain croissant? Instead, you get a dish bathed in a sauce from some exotic fish, a twirl of rind from some remote island, and shaved pieces of dried curled ham with other elaborate complications. The ravioli tasted suspiciously like a frozen dinner. They complicate their menu so much it took us 30 minutes to figure out how it worked and what the "least worst" choice was. We returned 2 dishes. This is the second time in my life I return a dish. We left the restaurant hungry and went across the street to get a croissant. The couple beside us at the restaurant were doing the same and we laughed at the fact of what just happened. We dropped 500€ on a beautiful venue, terrible food and had to go across the street to buy a 4€ croissant. Suggestion to owner: you guys could serve pizza and charge 150€ for it. I rather pay more for simple good food, than bad elaborate food. Keep it simple. Your region is supposed to be the best food in Italy. Not a single Italian I know will eat there. Your arrival: I should have cabbed it! Took 45 min to find parking. Music: the caves roar with splashing waves should be more than enough magic to set the mood, but they had saxophonist there. Don't get me wrong he was talented, but he mixed his playing with obnoxiously loud 80's synth and low quality party speakers. I was expecting splashing waves + the oceans roar, and was greeted by an Italian Kenny G. Since they sat us in front of him we kept asking to please turn the volume down. We were relieved when his shift ended (ciao my friend.) Suggestion to owner: how about install some discrete small speakers that blend into the rock face, and have light piano, or light guitar in the background? If you want live music, get strings. Price: you have 2 options. 1. The tasting menu (130€, 150€ or 200€ depending on what you get. 2. A la Carte. First 2 mandatory dishes are 150€. Each additional dish is 20€. Getting fish adds 45€. Suggestion to owner: Have waiter explain your options! Service: mixed review. We made reservations 5 weeks in advance and arrived 15 minutes early. We went in and asked the matron to please sit us by the water. He petulantly glanced back and said there was nothing available and if we didn't like it we could book for another day and leave. He turned around and walked away. Luckily his insolent arrogance was drowned in the waves splashing below. We opted to stay until he finally decided to come back and reluctantly showed us to a table. You don't have an assigned server. Whichever server is passing will help (50% of the time when they don't ignore you or roll their eyes when you ask for a napkin.) We had 1 incredibly nice younger girl help us a couple of times. She was a delight and made us smile. What I would do: in hindsight, I would go there and order coffee + gelato and pay 130€. Desserts are also ridiculously complicated (cheesecake with fig jelly and mustard? Yes mustard.) The place alone is worth it. We met several Italians on our trip, many who said they knew the owner personally. He apparently owns another restaurant nearby with excellent food, but doesn't do anything with the quality of this one because it is always booked and packed due to the venue. Suggestion to owner: you own what may be the most beautiful locations in the world. How about a "revamp"? Not a single Italian person we met said they liked the food here. Our Hotel reception urged us to stay away. Our driver said it was pitiful. Our new Italian friends told us no respectable Italian ever goes there because it's an insult to food. The people across the street who sold us the croissant laugh at the amount of people that come it saying the same thing. They knew exactly where we were coming from the second we stepped in their shop, and pointed to the croissant. We wolfed it down and it tasted like heaven. When the server brought the check they asked how the food was, my wife said "honestly, not good." Waiter looked at her with a smile and said "yes, I know." Would I return? lol definitely not. Coming back to this area again next year for a wedding and wouldn't dream of returning. If any of the guests want to go, will tell them to have dinner beforehand and come here for an expensive coffee and ice cream.

Don't waste your money. If I could give 0 stars this place would have it. First we were running late that day so called to change our reservations and they said no worries When we arrived we were told "You are late" ...my daughter said no, we called. Sat ordered, the staff does not service you like a 5 star restaurant, but more like a 2 star. I went to the restroom and they served the meal, hot, while I was away. All the food was sub par and lacking. The staff just not good. Listen, if you want to throw away money like that, just throw it in the water, don't waste it on this place. Even the cheesecake at the end was not even cheesecake. My daughter stopped on the way out and said you should do better and they just glared at her and said Pardon. Listen, the cave is nice, but not worth the bad food or service. Just because someone charges you 400 dollars for dinner, does not mean it will be good. The meals I had the next night for 100 euro was 100% better. This is a tourist trap and I was looking so forward to eating there for months. Pay attention and go somewhere else. Trust me, They should be shut down

I'll be honest. The location is great, one of the most impressive I've ever been to. The fish was really fresh, of the best quality, and overall our dishes were good. You'll be wondering - why such a low rating? First and most importantly, the service. The staff were quite rude and arrogant to us. First, we were almost chased by the staff on a number of occasions to confirm that we had reserved our place. It did not indicate a good start as they appeared disorganised and placed us in an unpleasant position. Then, we were taken to 3 different tables without an apology for the inconvenience. Moreover, the last one wasn't even ready for service. We entered together with other friends, and by the time they ordered their meals, we were still waiting for our menus. We also found a few flaws in the food too as our pasta was undercooked. If you set a standard, for example, by asking your clients to respect a certain dress code, and setting a high price, then I expect a reciprocal standard on behalf of the staff. They set the bar high and the service was not even close to what such a venue deserved.