Grotta Palazzese translates to Cave Palace in English – so this immediately seemed like my kind of place.
Have you ever wanted to eat dinner in a cave?
Ok unless you’re particularly wilderness inclined, maybe the thought hasn’t crossed your mind.
But I have a far more luxury travel experience that you absolutely will want to see… at one of the best restaurants in Italy!
Italy’s Puglia region is home to one of the most iconic cliffside cave restaurants in the world. Come spend dinner with me at Grotta Palazzese, the famous Italian cave restaurant located in Polignano A Mare 🌊🥂🍽
I want to take you on the full experience of our visit in case this has been on your list too. Visiting Grotta Palazzese is definitely a bucket list restaurant and the price tag absolutely reflects it. So is it worth it? Let’s find out!
What to know before booking Grotta Palazzese
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of your visit to this bucket list restaurant:
Book 6pm for dinner
Pro tip that I luckily did unknowingly! Make sure to book the 6pm dinner slot at Grotta Palazzese if you can. It’s the first time slot available for dinner. And it’s well worth the early dining time, I’ll tell you why.
You won’t be allowed in early for photos HOWEVER if you get there at 6pm, the restaurant will still be empty. Because everyone arrives at the same time, make sure you’re there maybe 5 minutes before your reservations to be some of the first in.
Once you’re there, check in and go to your table ASAP
Before getting those empty photos and videos… get your table!
The maître d’ dishes out the best tables as you arrive. While I was taking photos, Joe went and checked in. We were maybe the second ones to be seated.
Our table was right at the front, table 007! Which we both thought was very cool because it kind of felt like a James Bond esque place. It was in the corner, perfectly out of the way from other tables and super romantic.
You can only order from one of the set menus
It’s a set menu not a la carte, which is important to know beforehand. Set menus start at €195 per person. Yes, it’s an expensive place!
But there are certainly quite a few set menu choices which are available: seafood, meat and sea, vegan and more. The more “basic set menus” start at €195. Which is what we chose however there are further set menus available with more courses and options.
A family next to us didn’t seem to realise how expensive the meal was going to be for a family of five (omg) – they were absolutely thinking they could order a la carte. So that’s why I’m here to tell you now.
What’s included in your set menu?
I chose the seafood set menu and Joe went with the meat choice.
Firstly, and very excitingly, an incredible breads, crackers and breadsticks plater will arrive at your table with olive oil. It’s amazing. Then included in your set menu is: starters, first course, second course, and finally, dessert. Here’s what we had:
🦞 Seafood set menu: Scallops, Ravioli, Sea Bass and Tiramisu
🥩 Meat set menu: Fassona Beef (beef slices) Pacchero (pasta dish), Beef Filet + Doppio Babà for dessert, it’s like a citrusy rum baba
My favourites were the scallops and ravioli. Joe loved the pasta and beef filet most. I’ve seen negative reviews about the food, but we’re not the pickiest eaters out there, so for us, I personally really enjoyed the meal. The sea bass was only just OK but I really enjoyed everything else.
I also do think it’s a combination of paying the price for the set menu, but you’re also paying for the special experience and the ambiance that surrounds you.
We ordered a bottle of wine as well, which was around €70. The wines all have varying prices and I’m sure there are options for single glasses or other drinks.
How much does it cost in total?
We spent about €500 total (including tip) for dinner at Grotta Palazzese.
I do think it’s worth it. The food was overall very good, the staff lovely and the ambiance unreal. It was so romantic and we gushed the whole time that it was one of the best nights out.
Remember also, this kind of price tag was a big treat for my birthday. I wouldn’t expect this to be a standard experience for travellers, but for a one off occasion? Definitely!
So is it worth having dinner at Grotta Palazzese when in Puglia?
YES. Like I said, for one off big occasions or if it’s in your budget, then it’s a firm yes from me. The cave restaurant setting is incredible and the atmosphere has such a romantic aesthetic.
The food is overall like an 7/10.
The wine is a 10/10.
And the ambiance a 10/10.
Oh and one last detail. The staff were also so nice! They couldn’t have been sweeter and didn’t mind me taking a million photos and even shot a few photos and videos of us.
I know I’m gushing but we really did have the best experience. We just kept saying to each other that this was our life in this moment and we were really, really glad we were able to get a table.
So, would you visit Grotta Palazzese?? PS you can book here on their website or just take a further peek if you’re curious.