Is Grotta Palazzese Worth the Hype? A Candid Review of the Famous Cave Restaurant

Discovering the Hidden Gem

If you are like me, your Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest feeds were flooded with images of "Euro Summer, in Positano, Italy." While it looks absolutely stunning, I kept coming across those "what I pictured vs reality" reels that convinced me the crowds of Positano weren't for me. During my research for our honeymoon, I stumbled upon Polignano a Mare, and more specifically, the Grotta Palazzese. The world-renowned "cave palace restaurant" is what convinced me that this was the place we needed to go. I was infatuated with the idea of dining in a grotto and couldn't wait to taste the food I had read such rave reviews about.

Why Grotta Palazzese Captivated Me

The thought of enjoying a meal surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of a cave, with the sound of waves crashing nearby, felt like a dream. I could already picture the romantic ambiance, the flickering candlelight, and the exquisite dishes that would make our honeymoon unforgettable. It was more than just a meal; it was an experience I was eager to share with my partner, creating memories that would last a lifetime. The allure of Polignano a Mare and its enchanting cave restaurant had me completely captivated, and I knew we had found our perfect destination.

Benefits of Booking Early

I made our reservation months in advance, which turned out to be essential for a smooth experience. Booking directly through their website for either lunch or dinner is straightforward. Just a heads-up: dinner reservations come with a two-hour time limit, and they start on the hour mark.

My personal recommendation is to choose a time that lets you enjoy the venue in different lights—daylight, sunset, and night. We visited in early September and opted for a 6:00 PM seating. It was absolutely perfect, allowing us to soak in the stunning views as the day transitioned into night.

Tip: To sit at a table by the railing, you must be a hotel guest, as these tables are reserved for hotel guests. It's advised to arrive 5-10 minutes early for your reservation

Dress Code for Dinner

As you prepare for your evening out, remember that there is a specific dress code for dinner. For men, this means long trousers and no sandals. I personally chose to wear a black, linen maxi dress paired with a low heel, which felt both elegant and comfortable. My husband opted for khaki pants, a long-sleeved dress shirt, and loafers, creating a polished look.

Since you're going big on the experience, make sure to dress the part! Embrace the occasion with an outfit that reflects the special nature of the evening.

Tip: Skip the high heels! Firstly, walking there alone would be miserable on the cobblestone. Just imagine the discomfort with each step, struggling to maintain your balance while trying to navigate those uneven surfaces. It’s not the kind of experience you want to have. Secondly, the majority of the women are not wearing high heels either. You’ll find that most people opted for comfort over style. Those who did wear high heels were walking very slowly, clearly feeling the strain.

A Magical Atmosphere and Memorable Dining Experience

If you've read the Ultimate Honeymoon Experience blog post, you know we had an eventful day filled with an afternoon of day drinking, which led us to rush to our reservation, already pretty tipsy. Thankfully, we stayed in Old Town, so it was just a quick 5-7 minute walk to the restaurant.

Tip: We used the hotel address in our GPS for walking directions. I highly recommend staying in Old Town. I don't think our time in Polignano a Mare would have been the same.

As we arrived, we were warmly greeted at street level, and a friendly host escorted us down the interior stairs to the restaurant. The moment we began our descent, we felt a wave of excitement wash over us. It was surreal to think we were walking into a venue that had been home to grand banquets and unforgettable events since the 1700s. With each step, we found ourselves pinching each other in disbelief, our hearts racing as we approached our table.

Everywhere we looked, we were captivated by the rich history that enveloped us. The limestone walls whispered stories of the past, and we couldn't help but feel a deep connection to the countless guests who had dined there before us. This was not just a dining experience; it was a journey through time, and we couldn't wait to indulge in the evening ahead. We were ready to savor every moment.

In the beginning, I was trying to play it cool, avoiding acting like a typical tourist. However, there came a point when I realized that I didn’t care anymore! This was probably going to be the only time I would visit this incredible restaurant, and I was determined to capture every moment.

I decided to take all the photos I wanted, fully immersing myself in the experience without a care. I made sure to be respectful of the guests around me. Each click of the camera was a memory in the making, and I wanted to hold onto every single one of them.

Tip: Take all the pictures and videos you want! It's an unforgettable experience and the staff was gracious enough to take photos of us too!

The Culinary Experience

As we opened our menus, it felt like we were browsing it for the first time, despite having studied the offerings beforehand. My research had revealed a mix of reviews about the food, but I firmly believe that you can't always trust everything you read online. We entered with a game plan for ordering, but in the end, we completely tossed it aside!

The menu has changed slightly since our visit, but the meal that resonates most closely with our experience is the Essenza tasting menu, featuring four magical courses. From the exquisite fish to the tender meat, delightful pasta, local cheese, and homemade desserts, not a single course disappointed. I was genuinely perplexed by the mixed reviews; our experience was nothing short of fantastic. At that time, our meal even included caviar, which has since become a separate item available to add to courses.

As the sommelier approached our table, there was an unmistakable sense of anticipation in the air. He presented the wine menu with a flourish, and after a brief discussion about our preferences, we decided to indulge in the Gold Tier Wine Pairing - vintage Cristal Brut, a red wine from the 1920's and more. It felt like a special treat, even though it was a departure from our usual experience. Each wine was thoughtfully selected, and as we savored them alongside our courses, it became clear how perfectly they complemented the flavors of our meal. This pairing truly transformed our dining experience into something memorable and delightful.

As much as I try, I find it challenging to find the right words to truly describe this experience. We made the most of our timed reservation, savoring every moment. We took photos in various parts of the restaurant, being careful not to disrupt the dining experiences of other guests. Each snapshot felt like a little piece of our story, a moment frozen in time.

Sipping our wine, we were enveloped by the soothing sounds of the saxophone player. In that ambiance, we found ourselves deep in conversation about our dreams and aspirations, envisioning what our future might hold. It was a beautiful blend of joy, laughter, and heartfelt discussions that made the evening unforgettable. We were so lost in the moment, we were stunned when our time was up and we received our bill.

Anticipating the Cost: Budgeting for a Special Occasion

As you can imagine, my first thought when I made the reservation was, "How much is this going to cost?" As a Middle Traveler, I knew this would be a luxury dinner experience! From my research, we were planning to spend 350-450 euro per person, putting this close to a $1,000 dinner tab, way out of the norm for us. We planned and saved for this experience, making it a special line item in our honeymoon budget.

Remember when I mentioned how we tossed aside our initial ideas about what we were going to order? Well, let me tell you, we were absolutely stunned by the bill. Instead of just splitting a bottle of wine, we went all out and chose the Gold Wine Pairing. In our slightly tipsy state, we didn't hesitate for a second with our 6 course meal, when we originally planned to go with the 4 courses. But when the bill arrived, we were hit with sticker shock—it was close to 2,000 euros! Yes, euros, which means we were looking at an additional $500 or so with the exchange rate. We completely misread the costs on the menu. It was our fault.

I share this not to scare you off from visiting this restaurant, but rather to help you set clear expectations for your experience. Honestly, there isn't a single thing I would change about that night. Our experience turned out to be one of the highlights of our honeymoon. We still reminisce about the incredible food and wine, and we can't help but laugh at the outrageous price of our experience. Not only did we enjoy ourselves immensely, but we also walked away with a great story to tell!