Inspired by classic Southern Italian cooking, Grotto features delicious veal, chicken, seafood and house made pastas – the signature Osso Bucco is not to be missed! The breath-taking décor features spectacular hand-blown glass chandeliers, whimsical murals and custom-made polished iron scrollwork. Wine connoisseurs will be impressed with the extensive collection of Italian and domestic selections. With our winning combination of impeccable service, superb cuisine and passion for detail, Grotto is the perfect location for Italian dining.

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79 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

(79 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 79 reviews

5 stars

(30)

4 stars

(36)

3 stars

(12)

2 stars

(0)

1 star

(1)

Food

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

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Diners classify this restaurant as:

great for lunch(38)
good for groups(26)
special occasion(21)

fit for foodies(15)
neighborhood gem(14)
great for outdoor dining(11)

Grotto - Houston Reviews List

Review 1 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Mother's Day 2013

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/12/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We took my mother here on mother's day for lunch. Reservation was perfect table ready on time. Great customer service. Dessert is amazing."

Dined on 5/12/2013

Special Features: good for groups, romantic, notable wine list, special occasion, kid-friendly

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Review 2 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Meeting

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/08/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Lunch was very high quality. Overall a very nice experience. i am a repeat diner at Grotto's. Thanks"

Dined on 5/08/2013

Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for lunch

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Review 3 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/04/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The main reason I keep going back is because of Rafael - the BEST waiter in Houston!! He really gets the concept of service and hospitality, in addition to his knowledge of food and wines."

Dined on 5/04/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, romantic, scenic view, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion

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Review 4 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 4/29/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Enjoyed patio and happy hour. Good food. I enjoyed distinctive dining menu."

Dined on 4/29/2013

Special Features: good for groups, hot spot

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Review 5 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Great Food, Fresh pasta and Seafood

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/21/2013

2010

Dined on 04/21/2013

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We revisted Grotto, as on a previous visit, it was pretty crowded and noisy. This time (Sunday 6:15), we were seated right away; the noise level was moderate, and we enjoyed two excellent entrees - a salmon special; and a flouder special (which was even excellent the next day as leftovers!). At our server's suggestion, we even enjoyed a wonderful key lime pie for dessert."

Dined on 04/21/2013

2010

Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch

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Review 6 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

The special $19.95 set menu

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/14/2013

2009

Dined on 04/14/2013

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"The special $19.95 set menu online is a great deal!"

Dined on 04/14/2013

2009

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Review 7 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Always reliable

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/09/2013

2008

Dined on 04/09/2013

2008

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Always reliable for business lunch or family meal. Food is consistently delicious and service is sharp."

Dined on 04/09/2013

2008

Special Features: good for groups, great for lunch, hot spot

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Review 8 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Good return

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/25/2013

2013

Dined on 03/25/2013

2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"took a friend for her birthday, sorry to say it was our first time since they moved, so we've been missing out! Everthing was great, prices fit my budget, good menu selection for lunch, special hanger stand provided for our purses & good waiter & service, parking was ample so I didn't feel forced to valet park. Got a rewards card so I'll go more often now."

Dined on 03/25/2013

2013

Special Features: special occasion, great for lunch

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Review 9 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

A little pricey for Italian,

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/19/2013

2009

Dined on 03/19/2013

2009

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"A little pricey for Italian, but well worth it. Food was incredible and portion sizes were just right. Great experience, looking forward to my next visit. Save room for desert, great selection!"

Dined on 03/19/2013

2009

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Review 10 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Hurry up with the check! :)

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/08/2013

2011

Dined on 03/08/2013

2011

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Took too long to get the bill...I had to chase down my waiter."

Dined on 03/08/2013

2011

Special Features: good for groups

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Review 11 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service was excellent. My

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/02/2013

2007

Dined on 03/02/2013

2007

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Service was excellent. My wife and I both got the Linguine Pescatore, and while the various seafood items were cooked well, the sauce could have used a little more body/flavor. Prices for lunch on Saturday (dinner menu only) were a bit on the high side, especially the $7 apiece for the house salads. Coconut cream pie lacked flavor."

Dined on 03/02/2013

2007

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Review 12 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Every aspect of my dining

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Every aspect of my dining experience was more than I expected at the Grotto, except for one thing. My two daugthers arrived prior to me getting there. They both sat at the bar. One of my daughters wanted to order and drink while she waited (They were the only two at the bar). There were two bartenders and both of them ignored my daughters. After sitting there 15 minutes or so, they finally asked the bus boy to get a bartender so they could order a drink. Still they waited a long time before someone helped them. That was very disappointing. If it had not been for this incident my experience would have been above average."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

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Review 13 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Good

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2013

Dined on 02/14/2013

2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Your concept is good. I have mix feeling about now be part of Landrys."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2013

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Review 14 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Food was good. Service also

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/18/2013

2011

Dined on 02/18/2013

2011

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Food was good. Service also good"

Dined on 02/18/2013

2011

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Review 15 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

My wife and I went for Valentine's

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2009

Dined on 02/14/2013

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"My wife and I went for Valentine's day lunch. The food was good, but service wasn't up to the usual standards at this restaurant. Waiter was great, but the food just took too long to come. Understanding it was Valentine's day and they were busy, they should have done a better job anticipating the rush."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2009

Special Features: great for lunch

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Review 16 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

Our family has enjoyed many

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/03/2013

2010

Dined on 02/03/2013

2010

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Our family has enjoyed many meals at this restaurant and the food is always delicious however, we left shortly after arriving due to being seated next to a large group with three crying babies. the restaurant was not crowded, so we were surprised that we would be seated in a corner next to the kitchen door by a loud group when there were plenty of other tables in more desirable locations that were empty. The manager offered to move us but we felt that the best table should have been offered when we arrived since we had a reservation. Not sure if we will go back."

Dined on 02/03/2013

2010

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Review 17 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

One of the problems that we

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/02/2013

2013

Dined on 02/02/2013

2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"One of the problems that we had were our drinks were extremely water down had to return a margarita and my wife ordered a white Russian and it was water . They are trying I guess to not waste any alcohol and get away with just water."

Dined on 02/02/2013

2013

Special Features: good for groups

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Review 18 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

The noisy environmnet made

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 01/28/2013

2007

Dined on 01/28/2013

2007

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The noisy environmnet made it difficult to talk. Had the bad fortune of getting a table by the kithchen door and pathway to the rest rooms, thus a constant flow of people walking by the table.

Good news: very good food."

Dined on 01/28/2013

2007

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Review 19 for Grotto - Houston

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5