A WELL TRAVELED PAIR
Italy's Stunning Ristorante Grotta Palazzese
by Katie McCabe | @awelltraveledpair | December 2, 2017
Ristorante Grotta Palazzese is the famous cave restaurant located in Polignano a Mare, Italy. This gorgeous restaurant was built into a cliff overlooking the breathtaking Adriatic Sea. Since the 1700's, Grotta Palazzese has hosted banquets, weddings, and special events due to its charming surroundings.
These days, the restaurant is open daily from mid-March until mid-November and serves lunch and dinner. To be honest, the food is mediocre and isn't worth the steep prices, but the views are! Even though it most likely won't be the best meal you've ever had, it might be the best views you've ever seen while having a meal.
Grotta Palazzese is located about 30 minutes south of Bari, and the best way to get to there is by train. The restaurant is only a five minute walk from the Polignano a Mare train station. We drove, and even though parking was very difficult, we managed to find a nearby parking spot. I do recommend taking the train, as it is a lot more hassle-free.
Additional Tips:
Be sure to make reservations on their website as the restaurant does fill up during peak season.
Unfortunately, table choice is not available when making a reservation. Obviously, everyone would love a table beside the railing, however, the restaurant cannot guarantee this.
Be aware of their strict cancellation and tardiness policies.
Dress code is pretty strict. Shorts and flip flops are to be avoided. Dressy casual to cocktail is recommended.
Be prepared to pay AT LEAST 130 EUR / $160 USD per person for lunch or dinner. It is required that every diner has at least 2 courses. Menu options can be found on the website.
If you want a good table, go right before opening and line up outside. We were first in line and got the best table in the restaurant.