I visited Grotto Tavern in March 2026 and unfortunately my experience was quite disappointing. The restaurant supposedly has a strong reputation and was even included in the Michelin Guide in 2026, which made my expectations quite high. However, the reality did not match that reputation at all. In my opinion, the restaurant is overpriced and completely overrated.
One of the biggest selling points of this restaurant is the cave inside the building. The cave looks beautiful and would offer a very authentic and memorable dining experience. However, the restaurant does not allow the guests to sit in the cave unless they choose the full “Grotto Experience,” which is a five-course tasting menu. If you add a drink pairing, the price goes to well over 100 euros per person. This felt quite restrictive and unnecessary. If you choose the à la carte menu instead, the selection is surprisingly limited and still very expensive.
For my meal, I started with Local Prawns. The dish had a mixed flavor profile that did not work well together. The ingredients felt incongruent and the result was confusing rather than enjoyable.
As a second starter, I tried the Gbejna & Pumpkin Tortelacci with whey, chutney and consommé. This dish was even more disappointing. It included a strange foam that had an odd taste. On top of that, the portion size was extremely small. I do understand that fine dining restaurants do not serve large portions, but receiving only three sad small pieces of tortellini for 23 euros felt unreasonable.
For the main course, I ordered the Duck Breast with black garlic, mandarin, and confit leg. Unfortunately, the duck did not seem fresh, and the fat on the outside of the breast was not properly rendered. The dish lacked balance and quality.
Another thing I noticed was that the restaurant was completely empty on a Friday evening. Considering its reputation and recent recognition in the Michelin Guide, this was quite surprising. It made me feel that I might not be the only person who thinks the restaurant does not live up to its hype.
Overall, my experience at Grotto Tavern was very underwhelming. The prices are high, the portions are small, and the quality of the food did not justify the cost. I left feeling disappointed rather than impressed.
