Grotta Palazzese

We made reservations months in advance. We had the first seating at 6:00pm. We were seated at our table and very coldly greeted with a tablet for beverage choice and a menu. We knew going in this would be a very expensive evening but anticipated excellent food combined with exceptional service. For weeks they sent reminder emails about our reservation. We waited for 10 minutes before they took out drink order which was a glass of wine and a beer. About five minutes later they came back to the table and told us they were out of beer, literally right after they opened and they did not bring the glass of wine. It was busy and most tables were seated, eating, drinking but the staff completely ignored us. No water, no rolls and drinks. When they did come to take our order I had some question and they did answer but then walked away without taking our order and this was after we have been sitting for 20 minutes. About 10 minutes later someone came and picked up the bread plates like they were clearing our table and we still didn’t have drinks, no bread and still no order. After 20 minutes of sitting, we got up and walked out. The ambiance is beautiful but it’s quite loud given the surrounds with the ocean crashing against the cave. The minimum $250 EU person is certainly no worth it and I highly recommend keep your distance if you’re considering a visit.

The review is for the restaurant. My partner and I made a considerable financial effort to dine here and it is was an unforgettable experience. The location and the view are amazing, we booked dinner for 8 pm and it was already dark, I would have preferred to go a little earlier because we couldn’t really see the sea in the dark. Being able to go when it’s still light and stay until it gets dark would be perfect. Anyway, the atmosphere was great: live jazz music, delicious food, intimate and unique vibe. However, the service is not worth the price. When we arrived nobody was at the reception, we didn’t know whether we should wait or sit somewhere and the table cloth had a stain which is uncomfortable for the price they charge. I don’t regret going though and I feel lucky I got to see this place.

Bucket list ticked, but as others have said food is not what it should be. The Hotel, however, is another level...... We had 4 days to travel there from the UK (from Snowdonia in Wales). Decided to make a road trip of it so packed the car up and set off on Monday evening. We arrived outside Grotto Palazzese at approx. 16:00 on Friday afternoon. After threading a wide car through the narrow medivel Italian streets, witht he though of genuinely getting wedged (I'd resigned myself to the fact that the alloys would probably be trashed on this trip but miracilously they remained untouched throughout), we somehow popped out right by the entrance to the hotel. Expecting something like Gleneagles or the Ritz, it's just a house entrance that acts like the Tardis inside. Once it was established that we were guests staying the night and not some stupid Brit who had stuffed their car outside the hotel, blocking the hotel private car service in, the valet took over and went to park the car. We were ushered to the desk to sort out checking in, and upon going back outside the car was still there, complete with the wonderful smell of a fried clutch and about 50 tourists all taking pictures of it. The window dropped on the car and the valet asked "how do you make it go backwards - I can't get it to go backwards?" I don't suppose many right hand drive manual wide GT cars turn up, so don't blame him for struggling with the car - after I showed him that he just needed to push harder to find reverse, he continued to stall it a furhter 14 times as the fly-off handbrake was ready to then tip him over the edge.... We were shown to our suite, and luggage was already in there (they literally do everything for you). The suite was amazing - the view simply stunning, everything controlled by the I-Pad and for me it was perfect and better than imagined. We had a seperate gated entrance off the street, and small table to sit outside on and enjoy the complimentary fruits on offer. We started on the street with some drinks as had some time to kill and went down to the restaurant in time for our sitting. It was obviously busy, but the waiting staff were polite enough and courteous. 3 choices - Fish, meat or vegetarion 7 course tasting menu. Reasonable wine menu and the option to wine pair. We both chose the seafood option with wine pairing. Upon reflection we should have chosen a seafood and a meat option and then compared but hey ho. Learn for next time. The food started to come out and each course was tasty, nothing outstanding, but nice. One of the courses that was placed infront of us was spaghetti in a yellow tomato sauce. Excuse me? If I'm paying a thousand euros for a meal I don't expect a course to be spaghetti, even if it is a Michelin chef that has preparred it? That was a surprise and disappointment. There were some nice dishes, but the wine pairing was also a disapointment - instead of paying 180 euros each (or whatever it was) for the wine pairing, upon hindsight we should have put the money towards purchasing one nice bottle to enjoy with the meal, but again - lesson learned. The main fish course tasted like tinned sardines - I enjoyed it but Rita sent hers back. They did offer an alternative but we declined. We didn't feel hurried, and the pudding was excellent. So to re-cap, the hotel was amazing and I will certainly return there, just not eat in the restaurant below as the reviews are correct, it's not worth the money. However, I do recommend going as the setting is just fabulolus, it is a bucket list item for most people, the staff were polite and friendly enough, engaging in conversation and were knowledgeable about the food and wine (the wine just wasn't to our taste and I think it could have been paired better), we were glad we went, it is a memorable and a special place, the food was nice - just not what it could have been. It has the potential to be out of this world though.

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.

This review is only for the restaurant. We did not stay in the hotel. I am going to be very honest as we have just visited the same level of restaurant (Michelin guide, fine dining) in another place (Moscow, Russia) and I must admit that the difference is very clear (not only in price). 1. Location. 5/5 The restaurant itself is located in one of the most beautiful caves with astonishing views. The place is at least must see (maybe must visit if the restaurants gets better anytime) because of its cave and very nice location. This is why this place gets 2 stars instead of just 1 star. 2. Food. 2/5 We tried the vegetarian set (me and my wife). I cannot say that these were dishes for 500 EUR for two. You get 1 small tartlet with raw zucchini (nothing special), one green salad (the taste was good), one beetroot salad (it’s just boiled beetroot with some cheese and mushrooms. The beetroot flavor is so strong you don’t taste anything else), pasta (it was nice), some desserts (nothing special, nice simple flavor of vanilla and cream). Overall the food was 2/5, more like a disappointment, because you expect very different level of taste, of experience and emotions. 3. Service 0/5 Come on guys! You need to fire your senior administrator who arranged this circus service. We did not get our menu for 7-9 minutes after we sat to the table, we did not even know who our waiter was for all that time. After that when I asked about the ingredients in the dish (sea sand) the waiter could not answer the question for 3 times! He would always go away, ask for help or answer different question before his colleague came up to me and finally explained the meaning! Not knowing what you serve for 500 EUR is incredibly not professional. Table service was just stupid. We get our bread but we don’t get any plates for the bread. So when we want to try it we have to eat it without plates so all breadcrumbs go everywhere on the table and the waiter did not bother to clean them up. Finally the waiter did not bother to ask how was the dishes and overall stay. Nothing about this restaurant speaks Michelin. Overall rating is 2/5, do not advise visiting only for the view Unless these guys step up food and service.