This place is dear to my heart. They consistently serve amazing food, host wonderful events and provide great customer service every time we visit. We've been here numerous times over the years. The atmosphere is always welcoming, and the staff genuinely make you feel appreciated and valued as a customer. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for great food, excellent service, and a welcoming atmosphere. read more

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I'm torn how to rate this bc some parts were really good, others ok and some just not good. So let me try it by pros and cons. Pros: The place seemed very clean. The staff were very kinda, helpful and friendly. Someone on staff was thoughtful enough to stock the bathroom as follows: tampons, pads, leak pads, diapers for babies and breast leak pads for those who nurse. This was 10/10 kind and classy. I also loved the bathroom sign which has man, woman, handicap or alien, who cares just wash your hands. This is the attitude we need everywhere. The had as much of a beer and wine collection as I would expect in a small place and the waiter even offered to change my wine if I didn't like it. My food: garlic shrimp (app) was solidly good not amazing but nothing to complain about, ricotta with balsamic drizzle and garlic bread (app) also solidly good, the ricotta was whipped to smooth and the garlic bread was some of the best bread I have had since moving to Sacramento finally bread that didn't taste like sourdough the only part that wasn't good was there was too much balsamic and it was a little bitter but still good. My husband had the cottage pie which he liked but said I wouldn't bc the mushrooms are very prominent. So if you don't mind mushrooms you should like it. He said it was very good. We didn't have dessert bc we were too full. Also the stars hanging from the ceiling were cute The cons: Someone else mentioned it but it does feel a bit like white table cloth cafeteria. Not sure that ruins the experience as it was still comfortable. The booth we sat it was made of comfortable material however, as my husband and I are giants we couldn't sit directly across from each other the tables were too close together and should be adjusted a bit. I found it a bit odd so many sandwiches were on the menu for dinner and in an Italian fusion restaurant. I'd suggest increasing pasta dishes or maybe some other rustic Italian menu items for dinner and make the sandwiches for lunch. This wasn't a regular thing but they had music when we went and it was not good. They didn't need microphones in a space that size that wasn't insulated. It was all too loud and the singers were not in tune all the time. It made the enjoyment of the night less and we had trouble hearing each other. I wouldn't have given them a 3.5 without the music or regular background music. Last thing, I cringed when I saw Italian dishes having cheddar cheese listed as an ingredient in it. However, given how cleanly cooked what I had was and how much care they tried to put into it I would come back and try it on another night. I'm not sure if we will go back but if we do it would be on a non music night. read more

This is my second review, and probably my 8-10th time enjoying this establishment. Every time I try to take new friends, or co-workers. Best advertisement is in person! I have to admit, I'm lucky enough to be familiar with the proprietor, Natalie. She pours live and maximum effort into everything she does, and it shows. I try different meals each time I go, just to widen my palate. (But my fav is the Cottage pie!) from the entries, to the shareables, sandwiches, pizza and appetizers to the deserts it's all made fresh. I found out only today, there isn't a single microwave on the premises. It's hot, because it was just cooked, from ingredients, for you. The Grotto has special event nights for the whole family, special food themes vary, live music, trivia nights.... Something for everyone. The interior is uncluttered, but tasteful, and the employees are a great group of people hand picked to do their best. And it shows. Stop by, become familiar, see what I'm talking about. Oh? And the food? Absolutely awesome. read more

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Hidden gem, it is! While my parents were visiting, I wanted to take them to a random place that I was crossing my fingers was memorable. After seeing the positive reviews on Yelp, I chose this establishment. Although it was a random journey from Roseville, once we arrived, I can honestly say it was well worth the drive! It is located in a small shopping center of sorts. Once walking in, we were greeted and seated immediately. It was also very spacious with lovely decor. The layout was interesting - There appears to be a section to the left upon walking in that I imagine can have small bands perform. There were a fair amount of patrons when we arrived on a Sunday roughly around 12:30PM. I ordered the Farmer, the parents ordered the Wake and the Americano. Although it did take a good minute to receive our orders (due to a few large parties), it was definitely worth the wait! Everything was delicious! I am so glad I tried this establishment and definitely will be returning in the future. I'd like to attend some of their weekly events that they host for good measure. Thank you! read more

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Comfort food all in one place Haven't had one thing I didn't like! Love that they have a smaller menu for those with smaller appetites. read more

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We ordered several pasta dishes including bolognese, simple pasta and their spinach and garlic rollatini. They were good. We also had stuffed mushrooms, oven baked ricotta and Dijon chicken skewers shareables. We all voted for the skewers as the best one. Not a fan of the ricotta. We also ordered the bomba, crème brûlée and the mascarpone cake. Definitely get the bomba. Service was excellent. Lizzy was friendly, professional and so helpful. She was also patient and responsive. Lizzy was happy to answer all my questions. Place was huge and is tucked around the corner of the strip mall. We had a little difficulty finding the place but they did have signs. Can't really see it from the parking lot. You have to get out of your car then you will see the sign lol. Lots of parking! read more

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It went out of business sadly. Their doors closed August 11, 2026. Food was delicious but way too expensive, especially for Rio Linda folk. read more

I keep hearing from a few people that this is a hidden gem so we had to try it out. I am a sucker for a great breakfast/brunch! We stopped in mid day to check it out. It wasn't too busy - just a few tables full when we arrived. The server was really nice and welcoming and had some good recommendations for food. She shared how they make so much from scratch that is unique and delicious! We really wanted breakfast today so we tried the Sweet Pull apart which is made with Italian bread baked with cinnamon butter, caramel, and vanilla ricotta icing. OMG......it was better than a cinnamon roll, uniquely made with the vanilla ricotta icing that did not disappoint! It was perfectly crusty on the outside and buttery and soft on the inside with cinnamon and caramel - all at the same time. Definitely a great dish to share at the table for breakfast if you are in the mood for a breakfast sweet but don't want French toast or pancakes. We also dove right in to try a unique savory dish - we tried the Breakfast Lasagna Rollatini because it sounded so intriguing and nothing we have ever had before. It is made with ricotta scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hollandaise rolled in a lasagna pasta sheet. Again - this is divine! The perfect cheese skirt along with the rich ricotta eggs and the hollandaise sauce - the sausage was really flavorful as well. 10 out of 10 recommended! We were talking to our server and she said they have a whole calendar each month of events - Trivia nights on Tuesday, couples dinner specials, live music and improv nights. I love that it is a small local business and it is tucked back in a quiet shopping center in Rio Linda - we almost didn't find it but we were on a mission! We will definitely be back to try lunch and dinner at some point - perhaps even for an event. read more

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It's a cute little place in Rio Linda for brunch with friends or a date night. They have a good variety of appetizers, sandwiches and other Italian dishes. The server was very friendly and attentive. We enjoyed the candied bacon and a few other items on their menu. read more

The Grotto - Entrance and waiting area - Italian Near Me - Rio Linda, California

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Mediocre food nothing special to offer ... prime rib is precooked and warmed up .. temps med - well

What a great hidden gem! Great service & delicious food. We had the Shrimp Michelangelo, Bolognese Lasagna Rollatini, and Simple Pasta with Garlic cream sauce & chicken. All of the dishes were great, but the stand out was my shrimp Michelangelo! I would get that over and over again. We are looking forward to dining there again, and trying more of the menu. I also got the pistachio cannoli to go, and wow were those fantastic!! read more

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This is the best fettuccine Alfredo I have ever had. So delicious! This is an excellent lunch option. Excellent service, and great ambiance. They go out of their way to make a nice ambiance, and they hit the mark! We've been back several times. read more

I could not wait to write this review. When I heard of an Italian restaurant in Rio Linda, I didn't give it much thought (No offense). Then I saw it had a 5-Star rating here on Yelp!, so the wife and I gave it a try. This is now my new favorite place to go. The food was exceptional as was the service. Our server was Cody and he is the brother of the owner, which I love a nice family establishment. He is absolutely the best, we really enjoyed him as our server. We had the Stuffed Mushrooms which were the best stuffed mushrooms I have ever had at a restaurant, and we had the Mussels which were also great. We split an entree, The Sea Bass. Another fantastic dish. It was served with a Smashed Potatoes and Blistered Cherry Tomatoes and Green Beans. So Damn Good! I cannot wait to come back here. They have live music on Saturdays and have a nice Monday Night Date Night special. I 100% recommend this place. Thanks for a great experience! read more

We stayed overnight in the area and were looking for breakfast. I saw a Yelp review raving about the sweet pull-apart bread and wanted to try it. Glad we did! It was great. We also really enjoyed the candied bacon. Service was spot on. This is a friendly gem. Give it a shot! read more

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What the "ambiance" completely lackluster, bland office shell, acoustic ceiling no warmth or character ... lacks, the great service and excellent food more than make up for. I was greeted by someone who could not move slower if he had tried (coming from a very high strung individual) ... he was also very kind, polite, attentive, gave good recommendations, had a disarmingly calm demeanor and incredibly pleasant presence. I didn't get his name however he just really made the experience enjoyable I ordered a red zin something wine from the limited wine menu and really enjoyed it The potato ham soup was delicious I got the Osso Bucco. So wonderfully tasteful and tender. Perfection It came with charred green beans - LOVE and very tasty mashed potatoes Total hit. You won't be disappointed read more

The Grotto is a tasty addition to Rio Linda- a place many might consider Sacramento's backwater. As of this writing, The Grotto has only been open about a week... so while they are still working things out, the food really shines. THE PROS: The ambiance is like a fine dining cafeteria. Linens and real table settings in a large casual space. Not stuffy at all, and no paper napkins or plastic forks. The food was delicious. All the food, including the pasta was fresh. Sauces were on point. . Our pasta came with an oversized hunk of crusty garlic bread. The prices were in-line with any mid-town eatery, each of our entrees was in the low $20s. A nice touch is that a cup of hot fresh "cowboy" coffee is only $2 THE CONS: While not really an issue, the staff is new and still coming up to speed, so for now allow a bit of time and grace with your meal. Deserts were quite tasty, but they due run about $10 apiece. THE BOTTOM LINE: Yes, eat here. If you are anywhere near Rio Linda, it really is nice to have a place that knows the locals actually do appreciate food that you don't eat in a car, but that jeans and a hoodie are not a problem. There really is a little something for every taste, and it should only get better over time read more

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Food, customer service and ambiance are wonderful. Thank you very much!!!. God bless.

Not sure why this place is so highly rated. The service was ok, a little slow. Drink choices were okay, but I would have liked more choices. The food. I really wanted to like this place. But the food was very, very, overpriced for what it was. Average to put it nicely. Nothing was seasoned and even the desserts were bland. My food was burned on the top and my partners food was also overcooked and in a small portion size. The ingredients didn't seem of good quality. I tried to look for quality ingredients in my food and I just didn't get those quality flavors in the food I was hoping for. The green beans in my dish seemed frozen or canned for example, and my bread lacked flavor which was odd. When does bread lack flavor? I had high hopes for this place but I don't think we will be back with other Italian places to try and go back to. read more

Love love. This place is a hidden gem. You will not be disappointed. The owner is an absolute delight. The food is very consistent and delicious. You can taste the love that went into it. read more

We finally had a chance to dine at the Grotto and it was fantastic. We went the evening they had a special menu of Portuguese cuisine and it was fun and delicious to experience a different culture's cuisine. Even though the regular menu was available we all ordered off the specialty menu. Fantastic little spot and so grateful that something so special found a home in Rio Linda. read more

We've been there a few times..and love their food. There are little surprises on the menu..like a cheese plate for dessert. Its such a treat to have them here! read more

Probably the best Benedict I've EVER HAD . great food and relaxed atmosphere. Very quaint spot tucked away. Def check it out, and def worth the drive. read more

Yes! A 5!!!! Absolutely amazing. It is a hidden table-clothed gem, off the beaten paths of Sacramento or Roseville, situated in Rio Linda. I had a half of Pepperoni Pizza. Doesn't sound like much but it did have an incredible rustic crust with high quality cheese and peperoni over a light red sauce. My girlfriend had Baked Ratatouille over mashed potatoes with a side of grilled high quality green beans and tomatoes served with a generous chunk of Hot Rustic Bread. Dessert was That's Amore, a flourless chocolate cake that was more to me like a light chocolate fudge covered with a compote of Blueberries ( I think) and Blackberries. Simply delicately presented and oh so good. It is now my personal favorite...and I am pretty finicky. read more

The Grotto - That's Amore - Italian Near Me - Rio Linda, California

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This was my first time ordering food from the Grotto. I got the Caprese Salad, the Simple Pasta, and the Field Pie. The Caprese salad was not good. It was very small. It consisted of a handful of frisse lettuce (you know, the spiny, bitter one that everyone picks out of their salads), maybe 5 small balls of fresh mozzarella that weren't fresh, and maybe 5 tiny tomato halves that were overripe and squishy. This is one of my favorite salads when it is fresh and made with edible greens. 2 stars (I've had worse). I would not order it again. The Simple Pasta was good. There was a generous amount of noodles. They were cooked al dente, as they should be. They sat on a pool of tasty white sauce (there was also a red sauce or half/half option). It included a chunk of sourdough bread basted in melted butter. 4 stars (very good, but I've had better). I would order this again. The Field Pie was delicious! Cooked zucchini, green beans, and mushrooms (I opted out of the bell peppers and the eggplant) in an awesome sauce, topped with mashed potatoes. My only complaint is that the portion was very small. 4 stars (I loved it, but not enough food). I would definitely order this again, but I would probably request a more adequate portion. I've been on the lookout for a plant-based Shepherds Pie at a restaurant for years. I think I have found it! Yummy!!! read more

Your server is some of the best service I have had in a long time. The small touches, clean linen when tables are bused, table cloth too, the small but sometimes urgent needs in the ladies too. We noticed all you small touches, shows how much you care about our experience!!! The server refilled my husband's water with ice when he seen the ice melted, so observant. Food is a great value, some small changes would make salads better. Bread, OMG, amazing, must order the garlic bread no matter what!! Incredible. Well be back for music and food again. Super happy to see them thrive in the community as a small business so I will give you 5 stars, but thank your server, he is a gem!!! If I owned a restaurant I would steal him from you!! Last note, stay open until 9 please on Friday and Saturdays. Would have loved to order another round of drinks and desserts, but you were closing. read more

Yummy ! wow ! the best chicken soup, ever ! and the chicken bacon club on grilled rustic bread was to die for . filling, rich and so satisfying. this place is a culinary gem ! thank you ! read more

The Grotto - Italian Near Me - Rio Linda, California

It's nice to have an upscale restaurant in Rio Linda. The food is mostly Italian and always delicious. Service is top notch. It's a great place for a bite to eat and they have live music. read more

Decided to visit the grotto as I wanted to take the family out for dinner to celebrate my wife's birthday. The restaurant is brand new and it's very much in the new stage. The service was outstanding! The food was phenomenal and the music, well let's just say was top tier! Shan Q who was s top 10 contestant on "the voice " was performing and he even sang happy birthday to my wife... I had the chicken Florentine and I highly recommend it, my wife had the lasagna and it was definitely one of the best lasagna that I've ever had. read more

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We were looking for a good Italian restaurant and boy oh boy did we hit the jackpot!!! The Grotto is a small business sister restaurant to Taste of Tuscany. Its a hidden gem nestled in the Rio Linda area of Sacramento. We were impressed with the friendly service with a smile and food that was simply delicioso!! They also ate on Doordash is you can't make it out there. Located in a small shopping center located on 10th Street. Look for the signs as its located smack dab between buildings! You need to try it out, you will not be dissapointed and your taste buds will thank you! read more

The Grotto - Scampi Lassagne - Italian Near Me - Rio Linda, California

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Great, home cooked food feeling! Try the Cottage Pie, Osso Bucco and the lasagna! Had live music, great beer and wine and the desserts made us drool. read more

Love their Tomato Basil Soup! Great service, such a little gem in the heart of Rio Linda.

The Grotto was such a great space! Natalee, the owner, was our hostess and waitress and was absolutely awesome with an amazing story! I was visiting family this week from MD and they said we had to try it. Well I was SO IMPRESSED with the menu bc I am gluten free. Almost everything could be made GF and it was all so good! Maybe the best GF pizza i have ever had! A MUST for locals! I wish I could come back to one on the east coast!!! read more

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Best Italian food I had in years! Went with family and we were all very happy. I have been there before with family and it was great. Only wish they had beer on tap. Only bottled beer and not much variety. But was good. read more

The Grotto - Goooy cheese lasagna rollatini and tasty love in a basket. Plus I took home a yummy desert. - Italian Near Me - Rio Linda, California

The service was great. The menu had so much to choose from. The food was delicious. Fancy food in a casual setting. Perfect

We were so surprised to find this great Italian restaurant in an outdoor mall in Rio Linda. It was clean and bright and my wife loved the simple but "cute" decor. We usually go very early for lunch, and when we arrived at 11:25, there was only one other family there enjoying brunch. They do a brunch on Saturday and Sunday, but they still have a lunch- focus available (charmingly called the "unch part of brunch"). We got the stuffed mushrooms and "basket of love" for appetizers, I had the fettuccine with garlic cream sauce and added shrimp, and my wife had the bolognese rollatini. Everything was great, but the standout for me was my fettuccine. It was so tasty that my wife kept taking some, despite really enjoying her rollatini. The basket of love was also fantastic; love is expressed by lots of delicious bread and heroic amounts of butter and parmesan. There is a 5% surcharge for credit here. That didn't affect our experience, but it's good information to have if you plan on bringing a big family here. By the time we left, there were several other tables full, but plenty of room left for more. It is definitely a good endorsement that my wife and I were already planning our trip back while we were driving home. read more

Firstly, gps may take you to the gym rather than by the taqueria. Look for the restaurant's sign in the parking lot pointing to the location because it's hard to see from the street. The restaurant is kinda tucked to the side and you must walk up to see it clearly. The service and food was amazing. A nice intimate atmosphere. Cody, our waiter, was very attentive and informative! We got the basket of love appetizer: amazing! Our mains were the lasagna and margherita pizza both of which were delicious. You could tell that the food was homemade! read more

A hidden gem! I haven't ventured out to Rio Linda since I lived there as a kid 40 plus years ago. I decided to take my Dad out to this place, after seeing the yelp reviews. Service and food were fantastic and we learned all the cool stuff The Grotto has to offer like different international dinner nights, trivia, and love entertainment. Highly recommended.. I'll definitely return. read more

Cute new little spot in Rio Linda! The food was really good and fresh. It's only been open for 3 weeks but they are making a lot of headway. The service was a little slow but the staff were very friendly and personable. The decor & cutlery could be upgraded a little. I feel like the restaurant could also benefit from some live music on the weekends :) Overall you will get treated right and leave being full. If you are in the area I'd recommend you give it a try. read more

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Local owned and operated. Great food tucked away in a shopping center in Rio Linda. Service was friendly and attentive. The Americana served below was perfection. Also sampled the Sweetie Board with a side of bacon, which contained some mini pancakes, French bread sticks, seasonal fruits, with assorted toppings (not pictured, but great presentation and great tasting). Elizabeth, our server, was attentive and also the daughter of the owner. Having just opened in January 2025, they are doing a fantastic job! I would recommend this place for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. I'm looking to going back for dinner and to also enjoy some of the live events this place hosts! If you're looking for a new breakfast/brunch/lunch spot, The Grotto in Rio Linda is a hidden gem. Try it out. You won't be disappointed! read more

The Grotto - Italian Near Me - Rio Linda, California

Incredible gluten free options! We are so happy to have an Italian restaurant in Rio Linda.