Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    La Grotta Del Formaggio

    4.3 (228 reviews)
    InexpensiveDelis, Sandwiches, Grocery

    Order La Grotta Del Formaggio Takeout or Delivery

    La Grotta Del Formaggio Photos

    Business Info

    LA GROTTA DEL FORMAGGIO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - La Grotta Del Formaggio

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Kelly T.

    Another establishment that I've had bookmarked for some time I'd been here before to check out their grocery selection but never their deli options! It was quite busy around lunchtime so we did wait around 10ish minutes after placing our order. My friend and I shared the Classico on focaccia which they kindly cut (~$15), I appreciated how we were able to customize (no olives!) despite it being a set menu option. The spicy salami, deli meats and veggies were a delicious combo especially paired with the toasted bread, I felt it was more filling than it let on since compared to other Italian sandwiches I had, this was on the smaller end. The one thing that I felt was a bit lost in the sandwich was the cheese^^

    Some nice period photos as you walk in
    Norm W.

    This place has been pleasing people since before I graduated from high school, so a long time lol. As foodies, we're almost ashamed we haven't tried it before today. That all changed today, and we'll be making the close to 80 km round trip again...... soon! We may in fact just make up a reason to burn that 91 grade gasoline just to enjoy La Grotta. It's an old school sandwich shop that creates your food in front of you with authentic Italian ingredients and an old world mindset. We walked in, not knowing what to expect and were warmly greeted. As we walked towards the back a young man creating a medium sandwich asked us if he could help. I had already decided I was going to have the Classico before we got there. He was kind enough to mention if the lovely K and I wanted the same thing, the full focaccia shared was the way to go portion wise and economical wise. Thank you kind Sir! It's fairly straightforward inside, but they know what they are good at. A freezer area has premade lasagna's and other heat and serve items. There are pasta choices, some ceramic bowls and such, but it's all about the food made just for you. We will be back, as soon as I can come up with a half assed reason to stop in.

    Paesano, added mustard
    Marty M.

    Didn't receive bad service..but it also wasnt warm and friendly. Felt cold. I mentioned I had never been and wanted suggestions for 2 sandwiches. Didn't get any suggestions she just pointed at the menu and asked what I wanted. Paesano- not toasted. This was probably a mistake, it was boring, as expected since it is only cheese and meat, (I added mustard) but the Portuguese bun was too dry on the outside for me. I make plain mortadella portugese sandwiches at home and this tasted like that, so, wouldn't buy again. But, there was nothing wrong with it. Classico, toasted - medium size. This was amazing. I would come back for this for sure. I recommend getting it toasted and not making any alterations. The flavours really wowed me and it tasted extremely fresh.

    Robin L.

    To be honest, I was getting really frustrated and borderline angry at how long it took to make a sandwich. But then again, this isn't just a sandwich shop - this is no subway. Coming to LGDF is an experience. Already situated in one of Vancouver's most cultural neighborhoods, the experience of getting your sandwich delicately prepared and toasted to perfection just adds to this deli style journey. Some days it will be a test of your patience, but once you make your order, take time to peruse around the specialty items they have. Meats, cheeses, pastas, and even special important sodas! Sandwiches were excellent, we tried almost every single one - having waited for almost 30min. The Classico was a favorite and the Bella Della Tella was great too. Stands true to one of Vancouver's best sandwich shops!

    Medium meat custom sandwich
    Ashley N.

    Do not sleep on these sandwiches!!! It's a newly renovated, cozy spot on the Drive that's been around for years. While being a storefront for Italian goods, they also have a sandwich section in the back that is very popular during the lunch hour. I ordered a medium size meat sandwich when I came with a friend during a weekday lunch. There were maybe 4-5 people in line already. The service is very friendly and efficient, although it's quite unclear how to form a line. There isn't a distinct direction, and people start to pile up near the main counter. It seems to be more of an honour system. Nonetheless, ordering my sandwich fillings and toppings went by quickly, and I asked for it to be pressed (hot). This is definitely the way I prefer to eat my sandwich while also making sure the cheese inside melts The sandwich press takes about 15 mins, and in the meantime you can browse the store and pay up at the front. They call your name with your neatly packed sandwich when it's ready! There are a few bar seats facing the window at the front, and some outdoor patio tables and chairs. Good vibes!

    Outside
    Henry C.

    Food is good. Inside is clean. Overpriced for what it is. $28 for sandwich plus small pop. Outside on 2 tables is dirty, smells like urine and garbage. Trash bins are on the side of the building around the corner. Likely the smell from those trash bins and people urinating behind bins causes smell to waft around to the front of the store. Won't be going back

    Il Ricco - small bun
    Aida K.

    My friend took me here & I had no idea how great of an experience I was about to have. With zero expectations, I ordered a small bun 'Il Ricco'. To say I had a 'spiritual' experience once I bite into this perfect sandwich is putting it lightly! The crunch of the lightly toasted yet soft bread was heavenly, as the taste blended into the delicious centre mix of the generous prosciutto, boccocini, mozzarella, spinach & olive oil filling. Normally I always save half my sandwich for later. But this case, I could not and finished it completely in one sitting. Dreaming of when I go there again, in person, for this spectacular sandwich! (Next time, I'll order the LARGE bun) La Grotta, I am in love! (find me on Instagram via @aida.loves )

    Nikita M.

    The ultimate Saturday breakfast! Definitely get the focaccia bread instead of the paninis, it's a game changer!

    Custom Veggie Sandwich + Cannolo + Tutti Frutti
    Dana S.

    This is a high-end Italian deli - they have a sandwich counter where you can have one of their classics or your own custom sandwich made to order, a selection of fresh meats and cheeses, and pantry items like tomato sauce, pasta, soft drinks, and chocolate/candies. They have also have coffee and fresh cannoli (they pipe in the filling when you order)! I was there at 3 pm on a Sunday and was a little surprised that there was a big lineup for sandwiches. There was a bit of a wait just by the nature of how many people were lined up, but I felt that they were adequately staffed and worked efficiently to keep the wait reasonable. I got lucky and grabbed an outside table just as another group was leaving, but most people take to go and all of the tables were constantly occupied. There was a family literally hovering over me as I was finishing waiting to grab my table which was pretty uncomfortable but of course not the restaurant's fault. I ordered a custom veggie sandwich and it came out really good! The selection of fillers you can put in your sandwich gives you lots of options and the custom system lets you add a lot without any additional cost (except certain items which have a small premium charge), so I felt like I had pretty much total freedom to create exactly what I wanted. And the selection of veggies and cheeses was super high quality (I didn't really pay attention to the meats but I'm sure it's the same). The bread was also fresh and soft even after coming off the grill. Just a lovely little sandwich. Fyi you can choose from 3 sizes of ciabatta or a half or full focaccia. The full focaccia is $22 because it's huge - meant for 2 people. I got a small ciabatta bun which was good since I just wanted something light, and the price was very reasonable. I also tried a cannolo which was really good too! As mentioned above, the filling was piped in just before they gave it to me, which keeps the shell fresh. This was also possibly the least messy cannolo I've ever eaten - the shell didn't crumble and it wasn't over-filled so the cream didn't spill out. I tried the "tutti frutti" drink as well which is basically fruit punch. I just wanted to give it a go and I'd say for me the first half was refreshing, but I don't really like sugary drinks so the second half got to be a bit much. But if you enjoy drinking juice then this could be good for you.

    Classico
    Mika C.

    This place kept popping up on our Instagram and we decided to check it out. It really lives up to the hype! Possibly the best sandwich in the city. Classico was a delicious combination. The bread was fresh and toasted well. Wait time was very short. My boyfriend got the fresco and it was also stellar.

    Jayden W.

    My girlfriend was craving sandwiches; she spent some time looking for recommendations, and this one was the most mentioned! Although it was a rainy day around 3 pm, Commercial Drive was busy. Good thing we found a free 1 hour parking spot across the street.  The store was very new; the staff said it was recently renovated along with new ideas. You can shop for many authentic Italian ingredients, such as cheese, sauces, ham, pickled veggies, canned goods, and many others! Since the toppings were quite overwhelming to choose from, the staff recommended we try the Full Il Classic and come back for other ones or build our own next time. We listened to her and subbed the cheese with fresh mozzarella. Watching her assemble the sandwich together was such a show! They use all kinds of pickled goods you wouldn't normally see; it just keeps getting fuller and fuller as she stacks them!  Since the sand was heavily "pickled" and filled with different hams, we expected it to taste overwhelming, but we were wrong! The pickled veggies blended in beautifully with the meat and cheese; they didn't steal the show, and I'd say it's just right. The first bite truly blew us away. The texture of biting from top to bottom, along with the sauces that wrapped around it, made me instantly understand why this is the top-rated one. We brought it home and air-fried it to see the difference; it became even better as the inside melted with each!  You need to try this, that's all I can say. Trust me!

    Medium panini with mortadella & prosciutto
    Thu P.

    What a divine experience.. I built my own medium panini with mortadella, prosciutto, havarti cheese, pesto mayo, and veggie fixings. My partner and I shared half each, and honestly for me, half was enough for a whole meal. It was PACKED with meat. The flavours were otherworldly. The bread was grilled to perfection for my soft mouth. Maybe the best sandwich I've ever had. Days later I still crave it. When will I be back? Very soon I hope. (The prosciutto was a little salty though so I wouldn't get that meat again). Service was really great! The sandwich makers explained the process and pricing to us when we asked. You're allowed two meat types, any more is an extra $1 per meat. Allowed one cheese type, any more is also $1 per cheese. The ambiance is like any deli or sandwich shop. Lots of cool foreign products to browse while you wait for your sandwich. I wanted to try the candied chestnut but it was pricey.

    Interior shop + counter
    Andrea K.

    Amazingly delicious sandwiches that are super filling. Lots of great cheeses and meats to choose from, and the balsamic reduction adds yet another layer of complexity. If you can agree on a sandwich to get with someone else, the focaccia is worth getting because it's the size of 2 sandwiches for a great price. Our server was super friendly, and she made all four of our sandwiches all by herself in a reasonable amount of time. There isn't much seating besides four stools by the window counter and a bench outside, but it seems like most people take their food to go.

    See all

    Photo of Kam S.
    10
    202
    80

    18 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marty M.
    4
    225
    529

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anisa W.
    3
    380
    349

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Henry C.
    28
    312
    506

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ani K.
    237
    90
    14

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mika C.
    0
    69
    135

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Riccia K.
    145
    72
    69

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Max L.
    0
    38
    6

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John P.
    408
    163
    37

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Don D.
    3
    42
    0

    2 years ago

    Best sandwiches in Vanouvermade up from scratch...you pick the ingredients, they do the rest

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Diego P.
    8
    91
    159

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emma L.
    1
    51
    119

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of BB G.
    3
    166
    65

    2 years ago

    Nice deli sandwich. I would order from here again. The bread and sandwich toppings were all fresh.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ivy C.
    1881
    617
    1714

    6 years ago

    Helpful 34
    Thanks 0
    Love this 33
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Best sandwich I've ever had! Did a happy dance. A must try if you're visiting Vancouver.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Luke D.
    9
    217
    3

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Delis 2,533 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Dante Italian Sandwich - The Italiana

    Dante Italian Sandwich

    4.8(8 reviews)
    0.6 kmGrandview-Woodlands, The Drive

    Inferno = very good and has a kick to it. If you don't like spicy... don't get this. I loved it…read more Americano = good. Very fresh tasting. Didn't notice any chips in there though. Good for someone that likes more simple flavored sandwiches. I enjoyed it hut probably wouldn't get again as I prefer a more Italian vibe. Formaggio = grilled cheese with 4 cheese and onion. Im not sure if they forgot the onion or just cheaper out but never tasted anything onion and was quite disappointed. Just tasted like regular cheese. I'd rather make this one at home.

    The sandwich took me 8 hours to finish ! They're huge and delicious!…read more We've been waiting for Dante's to open their second location on Commercial for quite some time. When we arrived, it was busy! No tables free and a lineup to order, it went super fast though which was great. They have their service on lock! The decor is really cute too with a Vespa scooter out front that looks V Italian. We each got our own sando but could have shared based on the sheer size of these sandos. My husband and got the vegetarian sando (il Veg) and I got the Italiana. We couldn't wait till we got home so we started devouring them in the car. The meat was stacked on the Italiana and while I appreciate the stack for the $18-20 you're paying for sando it was a touch too thick for me, and I ended up taking some out and eating it solo sans bread like a little car charcuterie. The bread was fresh but didn't quite hold in all the contents inside. It's a messy sando and that's okay! I couldn't finish the sandwich and kept going back to it throughout the day like Homer Simpson and the infamous sub. I finally said goodbye to the sandwich at 8pm that evening. We had a good run. I'd love to go back and try more sandwiches. I heard the grilled cheese is killer. There's quite abit of competition on commercial for great sandwiches and I have enjoyed my sandwiches at other spots a bit more than this joint however will need to come back and assess more!

    Photos
    Dante Italian Sandwich - Indoors

    Indoors

    Dante Italian Sandwich - Italiana sandwich

    Italiana sandwich

    Dante Italian Sandwich - Italiana Sandwich

    See all

    Italiana Sandwich

    To Live For Bakery

    To Live For Bakery

    4.6(61 reviews)
    1.0 kmGrandview-Woodlands, Hastings-Sunrise
    $$

    New hipsterish coffee shop on Renfrew, just N of 1st Avenue…read more Parking is available on the side streets. The place is actually quite wide but narrow. Seating is limited inside, but there are plenty of exterior seats and benches on the outside (W and N facing). The inside has a high ceilings with all the white ductwork visible. This venue also has quite a large bakery production area. Staff are friendly and professional. I must say I was skeptical as the place was vegan. Tried their flat white, as well as their Nanaimo bar. Both were absolutely delicious. I guess the only downside to the place is that it bakes in the afternoon sun because of all the large W facing windows. Talk about a pleasant surprise. I'd gladly come by again for more coffee and bakery goodness. Highly recommended.

    I've been to this cute little café a few times before but on my recent visit, I finally got to sit…read moredown and enjoy some baked goods. This café features a fully vegan menu which is amazing for vegans and those who can't enjoy dairy comfortably! I was blown away by how the white chocolate strawberry croissant tasted nothing like it was short of eggs. The texture resembles an actual croissant and I would say the only difference lies in the flight drier/stiffer texture. There was a sweet filling inside that paired really well with the croissant, causing me to devour the whole thing in one sitting. Their drinks are standard and can served for here or to go. I love the ambiance and interior of the café. There is ample seating and space. I also love that they have a little section for kids with books and toys to keep them busy. Through the window, you can also see the baking facility that the café uses to prepare all their food. This is a wonderful spot to stop by in the neighbourhood and I'm glad my boyfriend lives close by so I can walk here on many occasions!

    Photos
    To Live For Bakery - Inside of coffee shop~

    Inside of coffee shop~

    To Live For Bakery - Jalapeño Popper Croissant!

    Jalapeño Popper Croissant!

    To Live For Bakery - Case window

    See all

    Case window

    La Grotta Del Formaggio - delis - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...