EXCELLENT food and experience here. Pretty nice place and it's location is on the Main Street near us.

My husband, daughter and I went when she visited from Chicago. It was great! Good, friendly and fast service, delicious food. First time the three of us went anywhere that all three of us finished our meals. My husband had the veal Marsala, my daughter had the Seafood Fra Diavolo, and I had the short ribs. We appreciated the correct portions. Not under portioned by any means but not so much that we were stuffed. We did not have appetizers or desserts although we did enjoy the warm bread served with the flavorful oil before our dinners arrived. Prices were fair for the quality of the food. Thank you for an enjoyable evening! read more

My wife and I just returned from dinner at the Grotto on a Friday evening. Our reservation was for 5pm and we were seated promptly. The restaurant looked very plain from the outside but turned out to be quite clean and quaint inside.the staff was very friendly and patient as we like to have a cocktail and tale our time. Our wait person, Mags, was excellent! Botthour dinners were outstanding. My wife ordered a monkfish over Farro with fresh basil and feta cheese which was recommended by Mags. She nearly ate all of it. It was a large portion. I had the steak Riggins- superb! A very nice and somewhat intimate experience. Highly recommend. read more

Amazing. I can not say enough good things about this place. This is a family owned restaurant and you can certainly tell. The service is amazing and you feel like you're at home here. We started with the crab stuffed shrimp. I had the chicken Florentine, mom had the chicken Marsala, and dad the chicken Parmesan. Ended the night with the lemon cheesecake and creme brûlée. If you are in town you must go. Thank you for the amazing service and food and a truly wonderful night. read more

Delicious meals, quiet. Unobstrusive waitstaff All in all a good experience I had delicious lamb with mashed potatoes. My wife had linguini with clam sauce. And another member of our group had salmon. We enjoyed our meals and a wonderful experience read more

We tried this place and it was SO GOOD! The food was outstanding. Truly some of the best Italian / seafood I have had locally. And our server, Mark, was so nice to our two young kids. They accommodated them by making buttered noodles with a side of meatball for each of them. And they were just so kind to them. We can't wait to go back!!! read more

Food, drinks, and dessert was absolutely delicious and Mark is a wonderful waiter. Definitely recommend.

The best meal we have had in Syracuse since we moved here. Every entree was amazing, and Mark our server was a pleasure. An added bonus: kids' menu! read more

AMAZING food and great staff! Can't wait to go back! The cherry on the top of our Syracuse adventure.

Decent food. Pretty expensive. But, tasted good. Best part of the place was the waiter. He was a nice gentleman. I'd just go to Olive Garden instead. read more

Wife and I wanted to try somewhere new for take out, and stumbled across Grotto on yelp. We tried one of their family meals to go: salad, bread, and a tray of chicken riggies. Food was excellent, large portions, and friendly service picking up. Looking forward to eating leftovers for lunch today, and trying again next week. read more

I've heard it said that, "If you really want to make a friend, go to someone's house and eat with him... the people who give you their food give you their heart." This is what we found at the "Grotto" in North Syracuse. And, we do enjoy eating good food don't we? To satisfy our hunger is, indeed, a worthy pursuit....looking for pure joy in a delectable meal is exactly what we found! The presentation caused mouth watering anticipation.... and we were not disappointed! The potatoes were buttery, the steak, fish and scallops were perfectly done and the vegetables were fresh and full of flavor! We enjoyed a perfect Cabernet Sauvignon recommended by our server, Jamie. Finally, at the end of the evening, restaurateur Nancy introduced herself and explained, "ambiance complimented by perfect cuisine, great background music and a glass of good wine is what the "Grotto" is all about." We agree. It was perfection! Go there.... Enjoy! read more

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It was okay the waiter made it seem like we didn't know about Italian food when we explained that the noodles were soggy (like they've been sitting in the water all day) the appetizers are great the rest of the menu is a miss. Won't be returning. read more

Great restaurant in Syracuse! A group of coworkers and I stopped in after our flight from Tampa. I had the brisket sandwich and fries - both were great! Give this place a try! read more

Sword fish special with nioki and fall fresh veggies. Mark paid attention to every detail. A unique experience in a fast food town. Everyone should experience the Grotto. read more

Grotto - Italian Near Me - Syracuse, New York

We went here on a Saturday night for a private party. I had originally been here when it was Basil Leaf, and thought it was just okay. But this experience changed my mind. There's chicken parmigana and spaghetti and meatballs, but that's the extent of red-sauce classics on the menu. It came with Grotto's signature sauce, which was more similar to vodka sauce than straight tomato sauce. We liked it a lot - so much so, we wished we had more of it. It was so perfect. The pasta on the side was bucanti and it complemented the chicken very well. read more

We went here on a Friday night around 6:00 pm. The place had not filled up yet so it was nice to be able to view it in it's entirety. It is a very quaint restaurant that has about 20 tables in a separate dining room apart from the bar area-where there are a few tables and stools at the bar. There are plenty of seats near the windows (in both rooms) which gives it a nice touch and the tables are not crowded next to each other. Our waitress was awesome. She was super friendly and chatted with us long enough for conversation but was not intrusive. When asked if I should get a seafood dish, she suggested the special of the night which was an 18 oz veal rib in some sort of thai sauce with roasted potatoes and asparagus. OMG!!! it was the best veal I have ever had. I was going to take a picture but I really could not wait to eat it. It was so tender and moist and what ever the sauce was.. was very good. I wish there had been more and maybe a tad thicker. Along with our meal was our choice of soup or salad. The salad was normal garden salad, but fairly good size. They served us some hot bread and butter at the start of the meal. We opted for a slice of chocolate cake... eh.. it was ok. for the type of food they serve, this cake seemed out of place as it tasted like a boxed cake almost no flavor. We ordered a few glasses of wine at 8.00 each. They had an ok variety to choose from and it was not too expensive to order a bottle. They have no beer on draft (which was a bummer for me) and the normal beer choices you would see at your local pizza place. The special of the night ended up being 38.00... I am so glad we did not ask the price and just ordered it, as I would have never tried it had I known it was so expensive.. but it was veal, so I cannot really complain about the price. I highly recommend this place. Once they figure out the chocolate desert.. it will be pretty darn perfect. Oh and the Utica greens.. yummmmmm!!! read more

Meatballs were fantastic, and the harvest salad was equally superb! I ordered my meal to go and when I got to my hotel, the packaging to ensure that nothing leaked was better than anything I've seen in 35 years of business travel. They wrapped each portion of the meal in tightly pulled plastic wrap and/or foil. Add the fact that the bread was still warm and the meatballs were hot when I sat down to eat 30 minutes after picking up and I couldn't be more pleased. Highly recommend!! The staff was super friendly and accommodating as well! read more

My fiancé and I have driven by a million times, and finally decided to have dinner at Grotto recently. From outside, the restaurant seemed to be bustling with activity, so we were concerned there would be a wait, but when we went inside, we were able to request a table by the window in the bar area. It was nice and quiet in there, with only a handful of people at the bar. The atmosphere was warm and inviting; the service and the food were both INCREDIBLE. Collette was our waitress, and she exceeded expectations. One of the daily specials was fresh baked breads and homemade butters in a variety of flavors. For the main course I had the lasagna and he had the chicken parmesan - huge portions and delicious! While we were eating, the staff brought out a birthday cake for one of the waitresses and sang to her. Since we were in the same room, the waitress offered us a piece and all of the staff treated us like part of their family. It was a great experience and we will definitely make this a regular stop! read more

Went there for our anniversary. Have had takeout but had never dined in. Food and service were great. We'll definitely be back! Chicken francaise was delicious, and my husband had a special- parm crusted mahi- that was really good! read more

The food was amazing and staff were just as amazing. From drinks to apps to dinner to dessert not a thing I could complain about. We went Valentine's Day and a few time after!! Every time never a disappointment!! True 5 star Italian dining experience!! read more

I have to say that the Grotto is officially in my top 3 - if not my top favorite restaurant. If you don't like waiting for food this place isn't for you but I promise you the wait is worth it because everything is made to order. I haven't had a meal at a nice restaurant that was still hot from the kitchen in a while and everything tastes amazing! Their menu is seasonal so you'll never get tired of it and their salads are fun and unique (artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, etc....) Plus all the dressing are made in-house! I don't even like blue cheese dressings but theirs was fantastic! I would also come here just for their fresh-baked bread which is piping hot and server with a dish of dipping oil drizzled over freshly cut basil and a delicious balsamic. The service was wonderful and despite the fact that we ended up finishing our meal basically right at closing we weren't rushed out and we were even offered dessert! The owner came out to chat with is too and was the sweetest person I've ever met. I can't recommend this place enough. You're paying for incredibly fresh, made to order food so you'll be waiting a little bit longer than some places but it's entirely worth it. (Plus you get bread while you wait and that's almost as good as the meal!) read more

Can't not say enough good things about this place. First off, the food was fantastic. The mozzarella moons were amazing. The house sauce had just the right amount of kick to it. First time ever I went to a restaurant and asked for medium chicken riggies and actually got it. Phenomenal all around. The location is so perfect and the dining room area was elegant and romantic. It's the perfect date night spot. The staff was also fabulous. I took my girlfriend there and surprised her by asking her to ball. I went to the restaurant earlier in the week to see if they could help me and Linda was very helpful. She knew just what I wanted. I called before hand to ask what their plan was and the entire staff knew me by name when I got into the restaurant. At dessert time she brought out a sundae and on top it had a little egg with her "promposal" inside. She had no idea it was coming and was so pleased. An amazing night that couldn't have been made possible without the incredible staff there. I can not thank them enough. We will definitely be returning very soon. read more

Great food and is worth the extra money. Make a reservation if on the weekend. It is a small restaurant.

Excellent... Even though it is June, had the Hunter Stew soup du jour; flavorful, full of vegetables, and meat in a savory tomato based sauce, simple in preparation and delicious in flavor. Dinner was the Pappardelle Bolognase; homemade noodle, tender and cooked perfectly; Bolognase full of meat, delicious pork and beef; excellent seasoning with outstanding slow cooked flavor. Visited several times and yet to be disappointed! read more

Nice quiet and warm atmosphere. Super sweet waitress. Fresh warm bread with a plate of olive oil and balsamic. Yum. The seafood pasta was truly fabulous. Not cheap, but excellent, fresh, and well worth it. Go. read more

Grotto - Olive oil, balsamic, Parmesan, fresh bread....yes!! - Italian Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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Lots of great things about the Grotto and a couple areas that can be improved, but nothing that wouldn't keep me from going back! First, the service was great. We had a nice waiter who answered our questions and was friendly and personable. Nice wine selection, although we ordered a bottle of champagne at the end of the evening which was served in large red wine glasses. Sounds silly, but if you order champagne, you want it in flutes. For the food, the appetizers were wonderful! We had the fried meatballs and crab cakes. They were both delicious and the stars of the evening! For our entrees, they were all good and we each enjoyed our meals but I would definitely want to try other items. One thing that frustrated me, was I got their chicken marsala, the chicken and sauce of which were yummy. I asked for pasta for my "starch" and it came with red sauce on it. I was looking forward to the yummy marsala sauce all over the pasta. Maybe I should have asked for it that way! All in all, a nice evening and I think we'll try it again. read more

My wife & I stopped last minute & they were able to seat us. We had not been there for a few years - it was delicious. Great waitress who was very helpful. We will definitely be back again. read more

Had the pleasure of dining here last Saturday night with friends and I can tell you; this place delivers. Six of us total with reservations at 6:30 and we were seated at 6:35 (nice) drink orders were taken, appetizers were ordered, and we were told about the specials within minutes of being seated. Only 2 of us ordered the same thing so we had a nice mix of dishes to sample from and it was all good. Steak, scallops, shrimp, chicken, the sauces, the sides, it was all freshly prepared and made from scratch, no jar opening or can cracking here, it's the real deal. If for any reason you dine at one of those food factory chains (Olv Grdn) that pump out hundreds of meals a night on a conveyor belt and think your eating a good meal then this place might not be for you. However... if you want a change and want to support a local business with better food, atmosphere, and service, then this place is for you. We will defiantly be returning on a regular basis. read more

Nice atmosphere, friendly service. A little pricey for Italian served as well elsewhere locally. Surprising no capellini or angel hair with chicken and eggplant parm on the menu. Chicken Riggies and chicken parm were good. Nothing notable on the specials menu. Italian bread more baguette in size and dipping oil much balsamic no flavors. Ok but not notable. read more

We LOVE Grotto. The first time we went we were turned away because they didn't have seating for a group of 5. That was 100% our fault. We should have made a reservation. Anyways, we went back the next day before the rush and the hostess remembered us and apologized profusely even though it was completely our fault. Anyways, the food has been spot on every time we have gone. The salmon is to die for and the chicken francaise was a huge hit. For the amount of food, amazing service, and the overall taste (amazing) it is worth the cost. We will be back for sure! read more

Great service, the staff goes above and beyond to ensure you are ok. They started us with bread and oil. The oil could use a bit more herbs and garlic. I love bread and for me this loaf was the perfect combination of "crusty-crust" and tender full body crumb. Our appetizer was the calamari. It was perfectly cooked, tender inside and crunchy outside, well seasoned (herb&spice-wise) but a little salty. Also, I would have appreciated more a lemon wedge and marinara sauce to go with, rather than the three aioli that it came with. I had the pappardelle bolognese. This was a hearty meal, rich sauce with shredded beef and all other typical bolognese ingredients. For dessert, I had a cannoli. I thought it was pretty good: smooth velvety filling and nice crunchy shell. This restaurant ambiance was good and can be improved by dimming the lights a notch. The three stars are based on better dining experiences in other Italian restaurants in the Syracuse area. read more

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What's not to love! The friendly staff and the amazing specials keep us coming back for more. The wine list is nice and spare ribs are to die for. read more

The best to go ever. Chicken Florentine for two. Scallops and Shrimp Fra Diavlo. Utica greens and home made cheese cake for dessert. Cooked to perfection with friendly service. Be there or be square. Thank you Grotto read more

Great new italian place in Syracuse. The interior is well decorated and clean, and we were very happy with the food and service. Chicken Riggies were delicious, as was the veal. My only complaint is that the chicken was a tad overdone in the riggies, leaving just the slightest burnt taste (I'm pretty picky with my riggies though). Wine selection was great, and our waiter was helpful and fun. I'd absolutely return. read more

Enjoyed a very nice meal here this week, with good service. Will preface the following critique by saying that we don't mind paying 25-35 dollars for an outstanding dish, and we never go to dinner with the expectation of bringing home leftovers. Having said that...... Main complaint, which is a critical one, was price and portion size. Seems to be a common theme for some recent patrons. Enjoyed the tuna special, but for $26 there were five pretty small slices of tuna steak atop gnocchi and veggies. Shrimp cocktail was 10, for three (not-so jumbo) shrimp. Wine pours were also nominal, at best, at 9 per glass. Again, solid food quality and service. But for the prices, we'd expect an elevated culinary experience or more generous portions. read more

Decided to try this place with a few friends. It's a smaller restaurant but don't let that fool you. The food is delicious! I had the scallops and risotto and it was full of flavor. The scallops tasted so fresh and they did a wonderful job with the risotto. I highly recommend this restaurant for a quiet evening. read more

1st time here but they have awesome food... The staff is very friendly Cozy & romantic scenic spot... Little hole in the wall but worth it... I recommend it... read more

Similar experience to Jane from Cicero, from a couple who dines out at least 4-5 times weekly. We went to the Grotto about a month earlier and had a great experience, from being greeted by the owner Nancy who engaged with us and was very warm and welcoming to the nice atmosphere, so we expected that we had found a great new gem to frequent. The food was good on this visit, and though there were a few glitches, we didn't mind because the atmosphere and greeting were so pleasant. However - on this next visit there was no welcome, and Nancy came by our table to attend to some decor issues, yet never said a word. We thought that perhaps she was just stressed, and we waited but no acknowledgement ever came. Then things got worse. Our waiter was very abrupt and not receptive to questions. I asked about a protein substitution on a dish - from shrimp to chicken - and was sternly told "That's not gonna happen. The chef will not make ANY substitutions, and I'm not asking him." OK, enough said. I selected something different, and we waited. He delivered our salads, returned to clear them, delivered our entrees, returned to clear them, asked if we wanted dessert to which we declined, and he returned with the check. That was the extent of the interaction with him, and we were frankly too afraid to ask anything else of him as he moved around the dining room; it was not worth the anxiety of getting scolded again. It's unfortunate because the atmosphere is charming and the location is convenient to all areas, but this horrific experience has resulted a decision to never return there again. read more

The Grotto's owner and staff always go out of their way to make the dining experience top notch! Food is always excellent, fresh and delightful read more