Grotto in Boston

Wonderful atmosphere, fantastic food!!!

The tiny size make this place so special. Food is perfectly authentic!!!

Great food at a decent price!

I went in during Boston restaurant week. I had a three course meal. The food was delicious and came out super fast.

Awesome little place! My wife and I were looking for a spot that served multi-course Italian. We'd already eaten our way up and down the North End, but were looking for something a little nicer/cozier. They have a great menu, and everything we had was absolutely incredible. The only downside was the volume (lots of loud voices bouncing around). We had to practically shout just to be heard, but once That One Loud Rich Jerk left the decibels dropped considerably. We made a late reservation, too, and before long most people cleared out and we talked at a normal volume. Our server was slightly snooty about the wine, but that's too be expected at a place like this. Would dine here again.

What a terrific place. Food high quality, really great flours, excellent authentic atmosphere, service and value.

Love the place, Covid-19 is delaying our return

The service is a little better and more efficient than the Burlington location but I prefer getting takeout. I got UberEats once and it was great. I absolutely love their fried pickles and they still taste great when made gluten free. Many of their menu items can be made GF, which is very accommodating.

I ate lunch here twice. Cavatelle is the best. Bolognese and Gnocchi are good. Risotto is ok. Desserts are so-so.

The best Italian food I have eaten in years. The bolognese and Gnocchi were both fantastic.

Great food and atmosphere! Great restaurant for a date night. It's small and cozy.

Intimate, dimly lit, small restaurant. Perfect for a date if it weren't for the noise level. The food is remarkable, the wait staff is awesome. Great selection of beverages.

Went for The Feast of the Seven Fishes (aka Xmas Eve). Excellent food and service though it could be a bit better lit as I needed the light if6 my phone to read the menu!

Very cute tucked away restaurant. Has an old school Italian feel to it. Food was very good.

Wow, everything about Grotto is fantastic. They even called us to tell us they had a reservation cancel and asked us if we wanted the better time slot. Both my wife and I loved our dinner.

Really really good food. Portions, especially for pasta, are also very generous — if you’re only moderately hungry, you’ll be fine with just a pasta dish from the appetizer menu. Dessert is also a must have, try the panna cotta or tiramisù. Prices are on the higher side but completely acceptable given the portions and quality. The interior could use a little more light at night, it’s so dark that it can be hard to see the menu if you’re not sitting directly beneath the lights. Otherwise, the feel is definitely very cozy and ideal for getting out of the cold.

I am beyond upset with this restaurant seeing as it used to be one of my favorites. Called and made a reservation for 8:30, knowing that they close at 10:00 as advertised. “MARY” made the reservation for me over the phone, I arrive at 8:32 and MARY REFUSES to seat me saying they were closed. HOW/WHAT/WHY?! I then see staff and kitchen cleaning up to close to get out early, since there were was only one table in the restaurant who was finishing up. This is BEYOND unacceptable customer service, especially when you have patrons that are trying to support a small business AND GIVE YOU MONEY. Also, who closes at 8:30 on a Saturday night in July?! Until Grotto gets new management, spend your money in The North End.

If you're in Boston, seriously make an effort to go here. Make a reservation though! They only have ten or so tables and even on a Wednesday evening they were completely full. I got the three course meal with the cavatelle, the risotto, and the cioccolato. The cavatelle was easily one of the pastas I've ever eaten. The server was very attentive too.

I almost or maybe never complained about any place I been, after I have visit in about 300 and plus of the restaurants in New England, this place called my attention for the great reviews, so I was all excited to bring my girl friend for a great dinner. it did not meet our expectations at all, any other cheap place around could have better food.The Place is kind Nice, I feel bad in sharing my horrible experience, the food was terrible, taste wasn’t close to be ok , cold food, terrible drinks, dirty bottles of water, dirty glassware, the staffs ok, but forgot almost everything that was asked to him , maybe he was tired? The prices seams to be “ok” if the food was worth, desserts what I thought on something special, I can guarantee it was bought in any Bjs or super market. We couldn’t finish any of our courses, not coming back.

Ate here with a group during Restaurant Week and had a fantastic time, albeit there was a romantic atmosphere going on... The food is to die for, and I would definitely come back for a date! Servers were really friendly and helpful; we thoroughly enjoyed our time here. Then again, our reservation was early dinner (6PM) so nobody was there yet. I do agree with other reviewers about the cramped layout of the tables and chairs, but that didn't take away from my experience. Inside: really elegant and sophisticated with candles. Attached is (almost) everything we ordered for dinner off the menu for Restaurant Week.

Took my girlfriend here for our 1 year anniversary. Everything was exceptionally delicious. Highlights included the caprese salad, brussel sprouts with pancetta and the chicken parm. Plus the wait staff was incredibly professional and did a great job of keeping everything clean, considering the COVID restrictions. 10/10 would recommend.

Dinner was pretty fantastic. Nice space, dimly lit (in a good way). Servers were friendly and attentive....just right. The duck confit was excellent. Slightly crispy skin, moist, nice portion. They accommodated me by switching from a bed of brussel sprouts to wild mushroom. (Definitely better...seriously.) The butter poached lobster linguine with a tomato sauce was also very good. Nice chunks of lobster, didn't skimp. Ended with the molten chocolate cake w/vanilla ice cream.Go. Follow my lead. I think you'll be happy.

Elite level italian cuisine. Forgiving light. Delish and rich dishes. Perfect date spot. Bring your wallet.

Went here for a date with my boyfriend and they did not disappoint! There food is so amazing definitely will be coming back again!! Perfect place for a romantic date!

If i could give this restaurant 10 stars out of 5 i would. The ambiance.. the aesthetic.. not to mention the FOOD! I lived in Rome and i can tell you that this is authentic Italian food. It felt like i was in Italy last night. Staff was great and friendly. I will definitely be going back.

Excellent food in a tiny gem of a restaurant. Service was a bit slow, but only for our table. I know they were down to only two servers, but more attention would've gone a long way.

This place is so delicious. Rob, our waiter and bartender was superb. The food is so fresh and delicious. You will not be disappointed. Yummy!

The food here is slap yo mamma good. The service was so good. Like, anticipating what you need before you need it good. I was expecting very high pricing, but the way they do service makes it an affordable 3 course meal. Its not cheap, but you definitely get what you pay for. I loved it, and if I was local, I'd go there as often as my pocketbook would allow.

two days ago was our first time we came to that fine restaurant. But It is definitely not the last. We had a good time with the generous service, with the superb meal and booze and with the honest charge. We will no doubt return there soon.

Their food was absolutely excellent! The portions were perfect. The service was great. The lunch prices are reasonable. Will definitely be stopping by again!

My girlfriend and I went here during restaurant week. The prefix menu was amazing. It's a quaint little underground italian place; dark, intimately candle lit. It was slammed on a wednesday which is always a good sign. It didn't seem like we had one server because every employee was equally as vested in our experience. We had an amazing bottle of wine, Masi, recommended by the server. The duck confit appetizer was crispy and savory. The lobster Fra Diavolo could have had a bit more lobster but still delicious. But the star of the show was the house made bread and olive oil. The soaked olives were the best I've ever had, even compared to the olives I had in france and italy. This was the perfect date night spot and will be back.

The best kept secret! All their food is amazing. The staff is fun and friendly. So great and quaint. Wonderful spot!

nice place for healthy and tasty food.

The customer service is consistently speedy, awesome ambience, helpful staff members. I will visit here again when I am in the area.

I always come by grabbing some food in this place. I enjoyed the swift customer service and well made food. Highly recommended.

Cozy, intimate, good service and amazing dishes! Can't wait to go back and try something new.

Very intimate and romantic space, the food was great. The only thing I felt that was lacking, was the waitstaff, they seemed bothered and at some points even rude. Thankfully at the end we switch waiter and he was much nice than the first.

Very poor service! I came with a date on Valentine's day, and they didn't come take our order for a long time, forgot to bring out our wine until AFTER the main course when we had to remind them, and completely forgot to bring my dessert until the kitchen closed!This place is the worst restaurant I have ever dined at in my life.

I got just in love with this restaurant. They have an amazing lunch menu, $20 for 2 courses and $25 for 3 courses. The waiter was helpful and polite. We were in a party of 6 people and he was very patient with us. For the very first time I asked in a restaurant to remove pepper and the waiter ask me if he needed to remove the olives cause they were a little bit spicy. They won my heart with this and I can't wait to be back.

This is mine and my boyfriend’s favorite restaurants in Boston. It is one of the most romantic places we have been and the food is incredible. I cannot express enough how amazing this food is! Service is always amazing and I cannot wait time go back again!

I come to this excellent place many times because I like the special air that is characterizes this place. The team is highly cordial and experienced. The service is pretty fast. Most important, the food you get is perfect. I have been there more than once and I was never disappointed. The expense is decent. I recommend this restaurant to my friends and family.

The best mussels I’ve had in Greater Boston. Others are very good too. Affordable fine dining.

Awesome restaurant and probably in my top 3 favorite Italian restaurants if not my favorite. I love the atmosphere and ambiance. The service was great and the good was exceptional. One of the best shrimp scampi's I have ever had. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

Food is amazing every time! Atmosphere is awesome with great staff.

I went here for dinner. I had a really great time - the staff is super friendly and make you feel welcome. I don't have any original photos, but you can see from the other photos that people have posted that the restaurant is super cozy. I would opt to sit away from the door in the winter - we went on a cold night and every time it opened, the curtain didn't do anything to stop it. Still, the food was wonderful and they had a good selection of wine.

Good meal....a better cocktail selection would be nice. Just a regular vodka Martini.

Excellent service in a dark, dining room, nice vibe. I really wanted to enjoy this, yet my recommended chicken was overcooked and dry and the accompanying pasta was undercooked and tough. The flavour was tasty, just the most important part, getting the meal right, wasn't. I'd be willing to give them another chance, as we all can have an off day. Yet I also gotta report my visit accurately. Spinach salad with cheese sandwiched between beets was delicious. And again the service was excellent.

I am staying in Boston near Mass Gen and this is by far the best take out I have had and the best Italian! Two different nights and row great mead. The cuts of fresh cod and carna in photo were cooked perfectly. The risotto was rich and nourishing. Fresh ingredients too.

This restaurant is mine and my boyfriend's favorite restaurant in Boston! It is incredibly romantic and one of our first dates. The food is some of the best Italian food I have ever had! I recommend The Grotto to everyone I can.

The food was out of this world, the place is beautiful and the service is impeccable!