Grotto is hands down the best restaurant in Syracuse. From the hostess to serving staff, everyone is welcoming, delightful, and kind. They are attentive and able to answer questions. The food was delicious. So fresh, best ingredients, and so flavorful. read more

Grotto - Chicken Limoncello - Italian Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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Never disappointed with the excellent food or the quality service. This local gem is well worth your time and money.

Service was top notch provided by Anthony, a great waiter. Environment was welcoming and clean. Everyone seem to be having a great time. We went on a Friday night, which was also Mother's Day weekend and local college graduation weekend so the place was packed with people celebrating. I ordered the wedge salad, which seems to be a very popular option right now in restaurants. It came with a very thick dressing with some bacon sprinkled in the dressing. It was OK. I ordered the seafood fra diavolo, which was somewhat disappointing. The sauce was very watery and did not have a strong flavor of either the fish served on it or any heat as indicated by the name,. I had to ask for cheese to kind of kick it up, which was quickly provided. Dessert was a lovely cheesecake. I guess I expected more due to the positive reviews. read more

Grotto - Wedge salad - Italian Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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The food is excellent and the staff is efficient, accommodating and friendly. It is also a small intimate setting. It is priced slightly higher than other restaurants but the food is worth it! read more

The ambiance here is warm and inviting, with just the right amount of rustic charm. The food is great especially the chicken parm, and pasta which was perfectly al dente. Service was attentive and it was a solid experience overall! read more

Fantastic food and atmosphere. Server David had true old school high level fine food service traits. Had a severe allergy in the group and they went above and beyond to ensure they had a beautiful meal without worry. read more

Special Arctic Char was fantastic. Seafood stew was also good. Great service. Crowded but good ambiance

The food was fresh and prepared to perfection . The fall menu has so many incredible dishes return trips are required The hostess, our server and the bartender were professional. We had one of the best date night. Excellent food, drinks and atmosphere. read more

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And the time you walk in until the time you leave, it's one of the best restaurant experiences around

Grotto is everything and more to my taste buds. My wife and I go every year for our anniversary and we are always blown away with the consistent greatness of the flavors they put in front of us. From the complimentary bread and oil to whichever dessert you fancy, the only fall from perfection is usually into greatness with our experiences. This time around we had bread and oil, salad and crab cakes appetizers, pork and steak dinners, with brownie and carrot cake desserts. My super star line up would be the Crab cakes, Pork and Brownie, but seriously you can't go wrong. Not to mention the sides of vegetables and mashed potatoes also cooked perfectly. We always get a reservation as it's our anniversary, but it wasn't too busy on a Thursday evening. The service is always lovely, kind people with prompt service in a nice dining area. It's comfortable and quiet, very easy to chat with anyone next to you or across the table. Prices have remained fair given, well ya know, everything. There is an additional fee for credit card payments now, which I didn't see explicitly but also wasn't looking that closely. We will likely always be back at least once a year! And Now that you are on your way... Enjoy! read more

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The food was OK, but not quite what I expected. On my last visit, I tried two different red wines, and both tasted a bit stale. I switched to a Pinot Grigio, which unfortunately lacked flavor. This was my third visit and while I appreciate the friendly service, I think the wine selection and food profile could use some improvement. If those areas are enhanced, it could make for a much better experience. I know others have had positive experiences, but this place just isn't for me. The prices are typical for the area. read more

Loved that the food was excellent The food was very soft to hear. I did not like it at all. I would not recommend anyone. And I think they may be closed, but if they were still open, I would not go back there read more

I went yesterday with one of my best friend. Had an amazing dinner enjoyed the hot olives and clam appetizer and both of our entrees were delicious. She had the salmon I had. The veal service was top-notch. Thank you so much for allowing us to keep it local and have an amazing meal. read more

Don't judge a book by its cover! This place may not look like much from the outside but don't let that fool you. The service is seriously 10/10 and the food is too! We ordered the wedge salad and the meatballs to start. Both were fantastic! For entrees we had the lamb chop special. It was cooked a perfect medium and the flavor was on point. The other entree was the seafood diavolo it was so flavorful and had huge shrimp and scallops. For dessert we had the afagoto it was the perfect ending to a perfect meal! read more

This is the perfect restaurant. Consistently the food has been excellent the atmosphere and service as well. I've been here several times and every time has been an awesome experience read more

Chealsi was our waitress incredibly professional and made excellent suggestions as we don't live in the area. I had the home made arancini for my entree and the crème brûlée donut with caramel sauce and toffee bits. Delish! Will definitely be back. read more

Always exceptional food and service. Tonight our server was chelasi what a lovely lady. Thank you as always. Whenever I come up to visit my daughter you are my favorite restaurant read more

Food and service are always excellent. Wonderful specials offered usually and their meatball appetizer is delicious.

The Scarlet Vetter says.....I decided to have dinner here while on an out of town business trip. I really was craving some Italian food, so I scoped out possible picks on Yelp and came across this one. It looked nice, and I was very intrigued by the menu choices, so I drove to the restaurant, which was only 8 minutes from my Air B and B near the airport. I am very glad I did. I took a seat at the bar, which was small but cozy. The bartender, Patrick, confirmed that I could order food at the bar, and he gave me the wine list and the menu, and he was very attentive. I selected a nice Barolo, and he brought me a beautiful large wine glass. For an appetizer, I ordered the calamari steak, which was tender and delicious. The panko breading was not as crisp as I expected it would be, however. For my entree, I ordered the Seafood Fra Diavolo. It was really great....just the right amount of heat and plenty of fresh seafood cooked perfectly. For dessert, I had an expresso and a slice of lemon cheesecake. The cheesecake was a rich, rich lemon flavor. Very enjoyable. I am here another night and may have to go back as the experience was very good! read more

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Everything! Food, service and ambiance are excellent! My favorite restaurant by far.

My brother and I enjoyed an excellent meal at this lovely establishment last week. I made reservations four days prior via phone, this is a hot little spot and definitely recommend reservations. Upon arrival we were promptly seated without any wait time. The ambiance is vintage style with decorative molding and a retro vibe that brings you back some decades. Our server was friendly and informative, service was steady throughout dinner. We started with stuffed shrimp that was delectable and fresh bread hot out of the oven and dipping oil. My brother ordered the Seafood Fra Diavolo which seems to be a signature dish listed first on the menu. I was interested in that as well but after hearing the daily specials, was swayed by the five cheese ravioli in a blush sauce with crab meat and shrimp. The blush sauce was absolutely splendid, three very large cheese filled ravioli's swimming in the lavish sauce topped with three shrimp and generous amount of crab meat. The Seafood Fra Diavolo is also excellent with generous portions of seafood in a spicy sauce. Excellent as well. We finished with cannoli's that they make the filling fresh and order the shell ordered from local bakery. I don't know why I have not been before and my brother that travels internationally was very impressed with the food. We will be back! read more

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My husband and I travelled to the Finger Lakes in NY on vacation. Looking on YELP like we always do found The Grotto. It may not look like much from the outside, but go inside! What a charming little restaurant and lovely people. They have a large selection of wine and drinks and a little bar I started with wine and Paul had a beer I ordered Chicken Francaise and Paul went for Chicken Parmesan. The salad was iceberg lettuce topped with blue cheese and bacon and a slight drop of BBQ sauce. We havent had food this good in a very long time. It almost melted in my mouth I found myself saying mmmmm over and over. -The service was beyond excellent Thank you, Patrick for making our visit so pleasant BTW the sky opened up with a drenching rain as we were getting ready to go. The owner showed such great kindness by walking us and others to our car with a patio umbrella. Thank you!! read more

Outstanding service from long ago and no longer found at most restaurants today! Great food! Reasonable pricing! Ambiance!

Both food and service was phenomenal. I had the steak riggies which were great and when I tried some of my husbands Veal Marsala, it was amazing. Probably one of the best Marsala sauces I have ever tasted. We will definitely be back! read more

when I enjoyed the food that was placed before me... I reflected back on the menu and the prices...they are very fair at Grotto!

The pasta here was some good of the best I've ever had. And I am referring to the pasta itself although my dish of pappardelle bolognese was delicious. But the fresh pasta was really just perfect. The bread and oil Parmesan garlic dipping sauce was also very tasty. Service was unbearably slow but it wasn't the servers fault. She just had too many tables including a very large party. The other thing that just about ruined our experience was the noise level. Although 1/2 the dining room was empty the laced us right next to another table that was incredibly loud. We learned all about there friends and family members, who was on medication for depression, affairs, etc... our party just stopped talking after awhile because we couldn't hear each other. By the time we left the dining room was full. I would definitely go here again or maybe get take out. The food was outstanding. And the service while very good was just too slow. read more

I am so grateful that I heard about this restaurant, it is a GEM! The service was incredibly attentive and we had a marvelous celebration of my daughter's HS graduation. I don't eat bread, but the rest of my family does and they gave their hearty approval of this, hot-out-of-the-oven. Apparently the stuffed long hots are legendary - everyone I spoke to mentions them as a Must Order item. My daughter said her lobster ravioli is literally her favorite Italian dish that she has ever had! The linguine with white clam sauce was devoured - there were so many succulent clams on top, you couldn't even see the pasta. I had the chicken with basil cream sauce over GF pasta (cooked to perfection) and it was absolutely delicious. Mark said that 90% of their menu is GF or can be made GF, so I will be returning to try more of their delicious food! Oh yeah, and the BEST creme brulee any of us ever tasted. We might have ordered a second one for the table to share. read more

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We went to Grotto on Friday, 2/28/24, and it was amazing from start to finish. The bread and oil were so flavorful. We started with a Moscow mule and their special Velvet drink along with their Seafood Bisque (which might have been the best we've ever had). The Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs and Creamy garlic tuscan shrimp were equally delicious and packed with flavor. Although we were full, we opted to have the ginger snap-crusted lemon curd cheesecake. It was totally worth the splurge. Patsy was a great server and very attentive. We will definitely be back. Be sure to call ahead. read more

My husband and I finally decided to try Grotto for my birthday. Everything was amazing, from the cocktails to the dessert! Calamari for app, orange roughy with beet risotto for me and the grilled prime sirloin for him. We split the tiramisu cheesecake for dessert. I wish they had more of a draft beer and cocktail menu. I also thought it was strange that an upscale restaurant doesn't provide a soup or salad with the main entree? The service was pretty slow too. But, I would enjoy returning for another delicious meal. read more

Grotto - Orange roughy with beet risotto - Italian Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Visited Grotto for the first time on a very busy Friday. Our server was Julie and she was the best! Friendly, professional and very knowledgeable of the food. Great ambiance in this small restaurant. We started with appetizers of long hots and the calamari steak. Delicious and huge portions. Took most of the long hots home which reheated well. Main course was veal parmigiana and chicken Francaise. Fantastic! Eclectic wine list was very reasonable. Julie had one of the other servers help me with a wine pairing. He knew his stuff. Passed on their homemade desserts to visit The Big Dip for soft serve. Cannot recommend The Grotto enough. We will be back! read more

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This place was absolutely wonderful! It food was spot on! I had the soft shell crab with cod and it was mad perfectly! I also had an order of the Maryland style crab cakes. Now me being from Maryland I will say they were very good but idk why people in NY put carrots in crab cakes. The staff were very polite! It is a very nice restaurant for a date with a special person or even mom for Mother's Day! Dress nice! read more

Never disappoints quality but plain pasta and sauce is Not an entree. Reservations are recommended even for 5 pm. Staff very cordial.

Great food and service,we had a large party and one waiter Mark was excellent. fresh hot bread was served, all that attended were satisfied its fine dining with an American Italian menu. great atmosphere. would definitely return here. gluten free options, wheel chair accessible. read more

Grotto - halibut on red rice with pineapple chutney excellent. - Italian Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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Everything at this restaurant was simply amazing. Went on a Saturday in June for our (28th!) anniversary. Had never been before, had never even heard of it. You enter at the bar area which is lovely and the drink and meal specials are posted on the wall on butcher block paper. For starters, I had the Seafood Bisque, which was incredible. Tasty, with large chunks of lobster and scallops. My hubby and I split an order of Maryland Crab Cakes, which again, were incredible. Definitely freshly made and NOT out of the freezer. For my entrée I chose one of the specials, the Lobster Ravioli. Fantastic! My hubby chose the Steak Riggies. He said he couldn't believe how tender the steak was. I got the Crème Brûlée for desert, and it was divine. It was served in a shallow dish as opposed to a deep cup, allowing for more surface area of caramelized sugar (isn't that the best part?) Patrick was out server and he was wonderful and patient with us, as this was our first time. We will certainly be back and I would highly recommend Grotto to anyone! read more

Grotto - Steak Riggies - Italian Near Me - Syracuse, New York

South Georgia to Upstate New York we found Ms. Nancy and staff to be warm and welcoming to us. The meatball appetizer (Nancy's grandmother's recipe) was the best I have ever had. Gone before we got a picture! We had the veal saltimbocca and raised beef short ribs. Fantastic! Saved little room for dessert and the lemon cheesecake did not disappoint! Amazing! Make a reservation so you don't miss out! read more

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Food was great! The service was excellent, but there was a large party this evening so we waited 2 hours to eat. It was with it read more

Grotto - Scallops and risotto - Italian Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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1. Requested a certain table when reservation was made. We were sat elsewhere. 2. The bread was served burnt. Asked for more, but it never came. 3. Delivered someone else's dinner to our table and the waitress walked away. Finally returned and took the meals to the kitchen, but left someone else's bread basket and check on our table. 4. Brought our check but never asked if we would like to order dessert. 5. The food was just okay. Not up to Grotto's usual standards. Linguini and clam sauce tasted like nothing but butter. Not very flavorful. 6. Chicken parm is a great meal when cooked properly. Chicken should be crispy. Not crispy this time and sauce tasted like Ragu. Big disappointment this time. read more

we never take time to write a review, but this business deserves a 5++ review. the food on valentine day was excellent-sea bass and veal santimboca. The Waiter, Mark, was attentive yet allowed us to enjoy dinner without being intrusive. The ambience was sweet and cozy. Dessert was a chocolate expresso cake which we paired with a red Zinfandel port-an excellent pairing. wonderful dinner and wonderful night due to the care of the Grotto staff! read more

I had a party of 7 to treat to a Friday night dinner in celebration of out of state family visiting us for the first time in over 30 years. Having heard rave reviews about Grotto, I decided to give it a try. TBH, the experience was less than any of us had hoped for. No draft beer, average wine, and just a handful of craft cocktails, although they were good. There was a large screen TV with the sound off in our room, which was quite distracting, and the room was chilly. Most of us kept our coats on during dinner. Service was exceptionally slow. It was easily 30 minutes before we even had our beverages. We were getting hangry by the time our entrees arrived over an hour after we had placed our orders. On the plus side, the food was excellent. Calamari, crab cakes, fra diavolo, mahi mahi, mushroom ravioli, filets, porterhouse and creme brulees were all great. On the negative side, despite the vegans in our party requesting no cheese on the Feel Good salad and the Linguine & Broccoli, both dishes arrived with plenty of cheese on both. No apology, no replacement and no comp on either dish. Very disappointing. We all agreed that we had better experiences elsewhere. read more

Great reviews, came expecting to have an amazing meal. Chicken had no flavor, mashed potato's were good, service was slow but attentive, wine was good. I wanted to be impressed but there was nothing about my Chicken Francese that impressed me. When I go out and spend a lot of $$ on a meal I want to go away saying Wow!!!! But there was no wow there. read more