La Grotta Ristorante Italiano Reviews

We came from Alabama to dine here after our pastor spoke on how good it was! He was right. I had the little purses and oh my goodness They were outstanding. The place is cozy and we will return.

My husband and I met some friends here for my birthday dinner. We were admittedly a little leery when we first pulled up because the outside of the building looks like an old apartment complex, in our opinion. However, we were amazingly surprised when we went downstairs to the "cave" where the restaurant is. OMG! It was so elegant! We were greeted with all smiles. Because our entire party wasn't there yet, we were escorted to the bar. The bartender made a birthday drink for me that was totally awesome. Once everyone arrived and we were seated, it got even better. Our server was Billy. He is AMAZING. He is so funny and kept us entertained all night. Of course he said pretty much everything on the menu was "the best in Atlanta", but he was absolutely correct in saying so. The food was THE BEST I have had, and I am an Atlanta native. One member of our party was vegan and another was vegetarian. The bartender is also vegan, so she came over and gave some delicious suggestions to our friend that is vegan. We had a late reservation and when we noticed we were the only patrons left in the restaurant, we got worried that we were holding the staff up. Not the case. We were never made to feel we needed to rush our meal or dessert. We enjoyed ourselves so much that my husband and I are planning on having our wedding anniversary dinner there next month. Absolutely amazing!

Pasta done right! Cappellini with pancetta, shrimp and mascarpone cheese was absolutely delicious. All of our dishes were - veal, tortelloni, calamari,and the buffalo milk mozzarella. Service was spot on excellent. Definitely worth a visit.

This well established restaurant never disappoints, and it delivers fine Italian cuisine and service with consistency. The day of an upscale restaurant that differentiates itself from all others with class and service quality is unheard of, but thanks to La Grotta, it is here for those that appreciate fine dining. The staff is professional, well trained, and seasoned. The menu and wine list offers a wide spectrum of options and there is something for everyone. A specialty that isn't always listed on the menu and available as an appetizer or entree is the Tortellacci......out of this world and you wan't find Chef Antonio's specialty anywhere else. You will not be disappointed here!!!

For over 30 years we have dined here and celebrated major family events with our favorite Italian Chef Antonio. The Italian Wine tastings set up by Christian have been spectacular. Do not forget to order the Veal Antonio, a staple for decades. I've dined in Rome at Ristorante Alfredo alla Scrofa, where Fettucine Alfredo was invented. Have also dined extensively in Paris, London, and New York City. Without a doubt this is the finest Italian restaurant in the South.

If you want an authentic Italian experience, you have to go to this place. The wait staff have been there forever and you feel like you are in an old New York Italian restaurant! The food is fantastic and they have a great wine list.

Even though I live just steps away from La Grotta I had never visited it since I moved to Atlanta several years ago. I think I had preconceived notions that it was too upscale, too sedate, or whatever. I was pleasantly surprised. It is a warm friendly place with a wide mix of clientele--some dressed up, others more casually dressy. The service was attentive and timely, though never rushed. The food is excellent and the chef is willing to cater to individual tastes if necessary. Prices vary from mid-range on up. There's an enormous wine list that should satisfy any aficionado. I won't be waiting years before going back!

I had high hopes for this restaurant. We were celebrating our 13yr wedding anniversary, my husband called in advance to confirm and let the restaurant know. We arrived and were seated quickly. We were asked about drinks/water promptly and they were delivered. The specials were read and our drinks/app order was done in good timing. When the assigned waiter came back to ask about wine/drinks with our meal, we asked for suggestions on a bottle. He asked very few questions and then promptly suggested a $130 bottle of wine, then a $180 bottle. The night before we were at another local French place and were asked flavor notes, our food choices and the waiter politely and discreetly Asked my husband for a price Max. I have no issue in spending money on wine, (we were celebrating after all) but We have lived in Italy for a number of years and know first hand that the price of the bottle has nothing to do with the quality of the wine. I felt taken advantage of and when we steered the attention to a bottle that was around $60-70, and one we preferred having lived in the region, the attention was lost by our original waiter. We then had a different waiter bring our food, fill our glasses, take our dessert order, etc. They were great and were very friendly. The food was good, nothing wrong there. I can’t complain. But it left a bad impression when it came to the wine. If the waiter was a bit more personable then perhaps we would have found a special and more expensive bottle. We left after dessert and drinks to go to a wine bar nearby. I’m not sure I will come back to this location:

The last 2 times we went to LaGrotta (and dropped a lot of $$), The Waiters were horrible. Once was outside on the patio..our waiter hardly spoke or understood English and had to get a Russian guy to interpret, (not much better), It took ONE hour from the time we ordered til our food came, Totally unacceptable!! My friend ordered glass of wine early on and didn't get it until we were finished eating! Bad bad service, The last time just a couple weeks ago, The waiter was SO rude and condescending. When I asked him for a cocktail menu, he was so disgusted with me he shoved the huge menu at me and said that was on the last page, Well, of course!!! I SHOULD have known that! The wait staff was rude impatient and acted if we were just plain ruining his whole night! What arrogance!! Some of those waiters have been there forever. Maybe they need some new faces...that can actually SMILE and be pleasant!! It will be a long time before we go to "the Cave" again!! Too bad cuz the food is excellent.

Justa perfect Italian restaurant. The food is terrific (order off the menu or ask then to make anything you may want) and the staff is over the top. All so very authentic. Great wine list, reasonable, helpful; sommelier. Do NOT be alarmed when you pull up to condo complex and take the elevator dowe. You are transported into a wonderful experience. Perhaps the quisentential Atlanta restaurant (along with Bones).

Phenomenal food and wonderful patio. It is true though that they let regulars walk right in past those who have reservations and will keep those with reservations waiting for an hour or two and disappear from the stand so that they don't have to face any questions from those waiting in the creepy , dark hallway with no windows. If it wasn't for that, would be an obvious 5-star.

This is probably the highest end Italian restaurant in Atlanta. The food was delicious, and the service was superb. It is not cheap. We had a minor reservation snafu, and I guess they apologized 3 or 4 times. It really has atmosphere. We went there for a birthday, and they served us champaign to celebrate. We had an appetizer on the house as a thanks for coming. I really enjoyed watching the patrons. It was a mix of folks there for special events like us and people who almost seemed to have standing reservations. All were greeted warmly. This is no collection of college aged waiters. They are seasoned, confident and attentive but not overwhelming. They do have valet parking. I have some problems getting around, but this place was easy to navigate. Excellent menu with varied choices.

We were a party of three for dinner during Thanksgiving week. The restaurant is not easy to get to as it requires taking an elevator to the dining room. Apparently, it is located in a condominium complex or rental housing. When departing the restaurant one can easily get confused as to how to get to the parking lot. We ran into a lost couple on the way out of the venue. We had a reservation and were seated promptly. Our server was pleasant but he seemed to disappear frequently. My companions were happy with the quality of their food. However, I ordered sole meuniere and it was really overdone and not edible. About halfway through the meal our server virtually disappeared. We have been to the restaurant a number of times and had very good experiences. I don't have any explanation for the poor service and food other the hubris. I will not be a patron in the future.

If you are looking for an outstanding dining experience - and who isn't - this is the place. The service was impeccable, the wine list extensive and the food outstanding. I enjoyed the veal scalopinne topped with truffle shavings that added an amazing flavor to the veal. They have truffles when they are in season. Everything we tried had a delicate flavor and was elegantly presented. The calamari appetizer was sauteed, not fried and delicious. Our group enjoyed the roasted quail stuffed with Italian sausage and the delicious filet of beef topped with gorgonzola cheese in a barolo, pommery mustard sauce. We topped of the meal with a cheese plate with a great selection including goat cheese. It was a perfect evening. For international visitors, the menu indicated that they can accommodate guests in Italiano, Espanol, Deutsch and Francias. I will certainly make La Grotta part of my next visit to Atlanta.

An excellent restaurant in the basement of a Condominium building, simulating a cavern. Food is excellent, prices are high, service was very good.

Food and service were excellent! Highlights were the veal Parmesan and add red pepper flakes, diavolo calamari, tuna carpaccio and sacchetti. The location is in a weird spot.

We were a party of six people and everyone had a great meal. I had their Tortellini Della Casa and was blown away by the taste and presentation. When you enter the restaurant you feel that you are in a special place. While we dined in the restaurant they have a beautiful. garden setting which we will try the next time we go. Service was professional and attentive to our table even with the restaurant completely full. For a special evening this is the place to go.

We visited with another couple. It is downstairs and a bit after a maze to find but once you’re in, it’s beautiful. Our waiter was professional, but also warm and friendly. The service by every server was unfailing perfect. My husband and I both ordered pasta dishes. Both were very good and the portion size was just right. Our friends both ordered veal dishes which they enjoyed. Dessert for my husband was tiramisu which he described as “light and chocolate-forward “. The dinner was faultlessly paced. The room is lively and romantic. We’ll definitely return.

This was my 6th visit to this restaurant and while I enjoy their food, the menu is has not changed. They do have a daily special but I would like to see the menu offer a few more new dishes. That being said, the food is always cooked to perfection and the waiters are professionals and very knowledgeable. As an Italian, I’m hard to please when I do dine at an Italian restaurant. I actually asked them to make me a specific pasta and they were more than happy to accommodate. This restaurant does not disappoint.

Don’t be put off by the location (in the basement of a condo complex) or be afraid when they send you down to the basement. No, you’re not gonna get “whacked” you’re gonna have a greay dinner!! Amazing authentic Italian food! From the wonderful starters to the desserts there was not a bad plate to be had. The wine selection is also very impressive. Definitely make this a stop when in the Atlanta area, just don’t be suprised if you drive by it at first. Trust your gps and backtrack. You’ll be glad you did.

Probably the best Italian meal we have had, even better than many restaurants in northern Italy. Everything we ordered was delicious.

Went for the wine pairing dinner, and it was an experience. The wines were excelent and complemented each course very well. First course was a cold cauliflower soup w/Chorizo paired with a pinot noir rose. Second was arborio rice w/lobster, and truffles, paired with a Chardonnay. Then a quail breast in a bed of marscapone polenta paired with a pinot noir. Finally the star of the evening was rack of lamb with carrots and fennel, paired with a different pinot noir. Almost forgot the desert, vanilla bean panna cotta, paired w/ a red zinfandel. Every course a winner. Service was outstanding as usual. Recommend Ubering home after all the wine.

My husband and I are relocating to Atlanta and so we planned a visit there. We had been in Atlanta about 10 years ago and had dined at this restaurant. 10 years ago we loved it and now we loved it again. We went there on our first night in Atlanta and it was my birthday. It was hard to get reservations as the restaurant is always busy, it's just so good. Anyway, we were seated at a table that was against the wall and we sat next to each other. We really enjoyed the table as we had a nice people watching view. We had to make our reservation for earlier than we liked since the restaurant is always so busy, but it did not matter, we were just happy to get a reservation. In any case, we had 2 servers, they were ok. The last time we dined at this restaurant, our server was extremely friendly. They were friendly enough but not great. We notice other servers were much more friendly. Our service took a long time, we were there for at least 3 hours from start to finish. However, because we had such a good vantage point, we enjoyed watching the people come and go. Now, the food, that, the host and the management are the reason for the excellent review. The food is amazing, well prepared, fresh and delicious. The host upon our arrival, during our meal and at our departure, could not be more inviting. We had a manager come by during our meal and he too was very friendly and nice. We cannot wait until we are living in Atlanta so that we can dine at this restaurant more often.

So I couldn't make it to Atlanta from NC for Father's Day, so two weeks later my daughter, a resident of Buckhead, took my wife and I out to La Grotta for a special night out and a festive celebration. La Grotta and Bones are my daughter's favorite two restaurants in Atlanta. My wife and I have previously dined at Bones, so La Grotta it was. Simply put, it was impressive from the start! Strolling down the beautiful catacomb-like hallway, we knew we were in for an authentic Italian Ristorante experience. The maitre 'd, who we found to be very professional, warm and charming, seated us at the perfect table. Then, Billy, our phenomenal waiter, took it from there. After cocktails, my fearless daughter ordered the Sauteed Snails over Creamed Spinach; my wife and I split a Caesar Salad. After having my manhood challenged, I even tried a snail. So I reluctantly checked that dang block. For dinner, my daughter and I had the Sacchetti with Fontina Cheese. Delicious!!! Additionally, I enjoyed a side of Pasta Carbonara. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her Veal Loin Scallopini. Now, throw in a nice bottle of Amarone Allegrini and our Italian dinner rivals the best we found in Italy. We closed the night out with an Irish Coffee for me (I understand I broke Italian protocol :-) and a Chocolate Torte for my girls. You can be assured we'll return again and again.

La Grotta has been at this location in Buckhead for decades and it has had an exceptional reputation for high quality food the entire time. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxed and I recommend it highly.

Beautiful fine dining experience with impeccable service. Creative Old-World styled dishes. Awesome creativity in the ingredients and preparation. The Gnocchi was on par with what you would get in Venice and the beef cheek bolognese left nothing behind. Can't go wrong here!

Wow, what is a very interesting location. Probably a really guarded secret for Atlanta. Super fine wine selections. Extravagant service, along with a mixed family feel. Please don't go here expecting internal restaurant beauty. It's all about the food and wine. We had a little bit of everything and were treated like kings and queens. Be patient, have fun, and remember that this is a true Italian restaurant.I would say if you have been to any of the other great restaurants in Atlanta that you should make this choice. You'll have to visit to understand. Don't tell anyone otherwise we'll never get in there again.

There is only one place that comes to mind when I think Italian food and that is La Grotta, I’ve tried several different plates on the many occasions I’ve been there and was never disappointed, specially the truffle dishes. The wine list is exceptional, the service is top notch from the manager to the servers to the chef who on occasions come to check on us.

We have traveled a lot in Italy and frankly the food at La Grotta is as good or better than much of what we were served in Italy. We have enjoyed La Grotta over the 30 plus years that it has been there but had gotten out of the habit of leaving the suburbs for intown dining. We will rectify that mistake ! The food, service and ambience were as wonderful as ever. The Insalata di Carciofi was fresh, light and tasty. They have added appetizer size servings of pasta and risotto which is a great idea. The 4 large pumpkin ravioli in the appetizer size were the perfect amount for me after the salad. I was able to order a nice white wine by the glass and our friends ordered a wonderful bottle of Amarone red. They ewre able to take home what they didn't finish at the table. My husband enjoyed his salad and RAVED about the veal dish - actually still talking about it today. Our friends ordered Dover sole and were not disappointed. They also ordered the mushroom risotto as a side and passed it around the table. It was delicious. Service was attentive without being intrusive. The sound level was perfect - a low hum of people enjoying conversation and a meal without loud music. A wonderful evening and we will once again start regularly making the trip intown to visit La grotto. Worth the drive and the price.

Part of the fun is the layout but I'll let you discover for yourself. An excellent restaurant with wide selection of food. Everyone at the table enjoyed the appetizers, wine, and various entrees including lamb, veal chop, and shrimp linguine. I am wondering why the crème Brule was served cold??? that was the only thing that didn't go perfect this evening. Very busy place, comfortable although somewhat loud. Enjoyable!

Muy wife and I go here for our anniversary every couple of years. The food has never been anything else but amazing. The authenticity of everything is great. Service is impeccable. If you like true Italian food, this is the restaurant for you.

My wife had herd about this place so we went for New Years Eve. Overall pretty disappointed. Very overpriced small portions. Service was pretty good. First arrived thought we were arriving at an old apartment building from the 70's. Down a musty elevator to the restaurant which was nicely decorated. Beef carpachio was good, all 5 bites. Duck breast had good flavor, was tough, 5 bites. Duck ravioli was a little bland, 4 bites. Lemon cheese cake was average. 2 prefixes dinners, 2 glasses of wine, $260. Maybe it was a bad night for a first time visit.

My favorite Italian restaurant. Always great food wine and service. Complete menu items that always makes ordering a task

The restaurant is a special place to dine in the heart of Buckhead. The decor is elegant in its simplicity, the food is lovely and the service is impeccable.

La Grotta has been among my top 5 Atlanta restaurants for 25 years. It may be a bit tired, or tonight was simply an off night. Very hit or miss. Wonderful risotto, as usual; awful veal Antonio. Very poor mozzarella. Great gelato. Hard for any service to appear warm or personal when everyone must wear a mask. All in all a very disappointing experience. Even the entryway needs fresh air.

LaGrotta has been here in Atlanta for many years and indeed it should. It is wonderful Italian cuisine. The restaurant is decorated beautifully and is very comfortable to dine in. There is a lovely patio which is open from spring until fall. The quality of the food is excellent and the preparations are delightful. The service is is manned by trained waitstaff. They truly know what they are serving. The wine list is very good. The proper glasses are used for each type of wine. You will not be disappointed when you dine here.

A lovely meal and dining experience. Very experienced staff who gave us good recommendations on wine to accompany our food. As table for two we sat in a banquette facing out which was unusual but very nice. I have eaten in Italy a lot and am from Europe. I found the food very authentic and good. Although I didn't see any pasta being served which was unusual in an Italian. I would go back with pleasure if I didn't have to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

La Grotta just will never disappoint you. We moved from Atlanta Years ago and decided for miso sake to go to La Grotta. If anything, it was better than we remembered. Fantastic service from a very happy staff. A long wine list that has a separate page for wines that are bargains. A staff that engaged with the customer creating a rapport that is unequaled, this is how fine dining should be,

It is unfortunate that a great meal and good food can be spoiled by bad service. We have dined in a large number of high-end restaurants in Atlanta and around the world and our friends were surprised that we had not tried La Grotta. The location and setting is challenging, in the basement of a condo complex, given the plethora of new and upscale restaurants in Atlanta. Although our reservations was at 745 and got there at 730, we were made to wait for an extra 10 min. Which happens some and they apologized which is fine Our waiter set a bad tone initially by being snobby, supercilious and condescending. When we asked for a bold Barolo recommendation, with a high tannin, he promptly said you should not be having a Barolo but have a Napa cab instead, which was completely uncalled for When asked about food recommendations, his answer was recommend what? There’s a wide variety out there! Again completely uncalled for and crass. Anyways, the food was well prepared and presented and we had great company and the server behaved after a couple of terse comments from us. A 20% gratuity was charged even though we were 5 of us and maybe that’s the restaurant policy but he did not deserve any tip.

La Grotta never disappoints. Italian cuisine at its best, served with gracious diplomacy. The wine list is excellent. Decor nice, but ceilings are a little low; entrance confusing.

Simply an institution that serves the highest quality food with a limited menu of perfection...an Atlanta bedrock that one can count on...perfection in service

We hosted a wonderful private luncheon for 50 at La Grotta last Saturday, Jan 18th. Everything was absolutely fabulous; the ambiance, the service, the food, the wine and Prosecco selections, the menu choices…. Truly, just everything! Vince was fabulous to work with from start to finish. The rest of the crew, food and drink were perfect. Thank you.

A great place to commemorate a special event. The food was delicious, service impeccable, and decor intimate. An amazing evening was had by all.

Wonderful: service, food, atmosphere Was in town for work and this place was recommended by locals. The food was just wonderful, fresh, well prepared and presented. Staff was attentive without being intrusive(big plus). Highly recommend the duck and pasta dishes.

This is such a nice change from many of the restaurants in Atlanta. When you enter you feel as though you have just walked into an NYC Italian Restaurant. La Grotta is a great restaurant. It has been in this space for at least 35 years. The first time we visited was probably 22 or 23 years ago. In all of that time it has been very good and very consistent. I think most of the servers have been there since the beginning and are all so sweet and attentive. The food is delicious. The wine list is huge and wonderful and not over priced. Most men wear jackets which I love. In so many restaurants the young lady looks lovely and the guy looks like he came in from cutting the lawn! We love the patio and enjoy the spring and summer out there. The food selections are wonderful. It is a great place for a family, first date, engagement etc. Always lovely.

I have been to La Grotta in the past, about 5 years ago the last time. This local and hidden gem has always been a treat. Feels like you are in a ristorante in Italy, or as near as you can whilst in the USA. Great menu selection, very extensive wine list and of course the ingredients are all fresh. I had the veal and was astonished at the ravioli, which despite its simplicity was one of the best I ever had. I'm ready to return for the ravioli, but don't miss out on the desserts, which are authentic and will take you to Milano in your mind.

La Grotta Restaurant in one of the iconic places in Atlanta! From the moment you walk in in a real grotta (cave) the experience is amazing! Food is superb, the waiters are very professional and deserts will make your dinner unforgettable!

The entrance of the property which is in the basement made me nervous. But after following the breadcrumbs and finding the restaurant I was delighted. It feels more like a restaurant from the seventies, which cares about each customer like they were their most important - A lost art. The service was over the top and the food was every bit as good. I will visit again.

La Grotta has been around Atlanta for a long time and still is the finest Italian Restaurant in the Atlanta area. The pounded on the bone veal parm was tender. Caesar salad was the real thing. Great menu and wonderful surroundings. Billy was our server and he is one of the best servers in the city. Very attentive.It is a real treat to dine at La Grotta.

Great management, great service , old kitchen food the old way ! Living in the fact that they been there for long time , it's time for the owners to ask there self if it's time to get new chef !

Have been on and off regulars for their 40 years of operation. We live in the suburbs and forget that it is well worth the drive into Atlanta to visit this classic restaurant. Never disappoints. My husband cannot deviate from the Veal Antonio. I always opt for the shaved artichoke salad to start - a real winner. This time I had very good Dover sole.

LaGrotta is without a doubt one of Atlanta’s best. Understated, experienced staff, great wine list, superb food. Wonderful veal dishes and sublime risotto. Hard to do better without flying to Italy.

This was our first time here. We traveled from Northeast Alabama. We absolutely loved it. Great Friendly Host staff. Our waiter Tex was great as was his associates. Food was unbelievable. We will definitely be back. Only the negative was because of Covid, the tables on the inside were to close but all the staff were wearying masks.

This restaurant has been outstanding for years and years and years. It is located at the bottom of what seems like an old folks' condominium building. You almost always feel like you're going the wrong way when you head through the lobby and down to the restaurant. Once there, the service is always top notch, with knowledgeable and prompt servers and staff who are eager to assist with the difficult choices. I say difficult because the pastas, risottos, specials, appetizers, and entrees are all delicious and different from what you would find in every other Italian restaurant. The patio is perhaps the best place to dine when the weather is right. Treat yourself to this restaurant soon.

Was lucky to get a reservation for New Year's Eve the day before. Been fore and it's been great. Upon sitting down we were informed there was a pre-fixe menu (this should have been stated when making the reservation). We were specifically coming for an entree that was not offered. We inquired about this and was told this menu was it, no substitutions. We ordered lobster ravioli (very fishy tasting couldn't finish it) and Ahi tuna. Both appears to be plated well in advance. Ofre Entrees we ordered the Filet and Dover sole. The filet was very tough and the Dover sole was rubbery. We both should have sent them back but being new years eve we stomached it. Well that was a big mistake because a few hours later I got ill (ate the fish). and was down an entire day after. Upon leaving we noticed several tables had items that were not on the pre-fixe menu. Specifically pasta with the Filet instead of potato as we asked and chicken that was not on the menu and was told absolutely no to when inquiring.

After three years in Atlanta, this was our first visit to La Grotta. While I have heard extraordinary things about the food, I found the food ranging from disappointing to fair. It is an interesting location, the basement of an apartment building. The tables are very close together and you need to follow the host as he knows the ingress. The server arrived, told our table of the specials, and was excellent and was spot on throughout the evening. I ordered a glass of wine, which was good, the mushroom risotto with truffles for an appetizer and the veal parmesan for my entrée. The risotto arrived, and the server arrived and shaved a good portion of black truffle on top. The risotto was extremely disappointing. It was obviously pre-cooked, that is a complete no-no for risotto. It was also over-cooked, borderline mushy and was extremely salty. There were a scant number of mushroom slices. Overall, I would rank this a 3. For my entrée, the veal parmesan was an enormous, bone-in and flattened piece of veal, breaded, fried, covered with cheese and sauce. The veal was flavorful, but the breading was thick and soggy. The sauce was the highlight of the dish, it was delicious. I would rank the veal parmesan as a 7. The side of capellini was the best part of the meal, and that was even overcooked. I guess I should say that the sauce on the capellini was the best part of the meal. Overall, the vibe was great, the company was great, the server was spot on, but all the hype about the food was not what we experienced. Will we try again…probably. But my expectations will be much lower.

Excellent food and service. Our waiter was excellent, he made all the best recommendations and he was spot on ! From the appetizer to dessert. The service was top class. Everyone was nice, helpful and knew their menu well. We will be back !

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this restaurant! From start to finish everything was impeccable. We got there just in time for our reservation and we were seated right away at a great table where we could see basically the entire restaurant. We were greeted and offered drinks right away as well as bread. Our server came over, he was fantastic, an older gentlemen with long hair and a very distinct mustache. His wife is Sicilian and German. He was wonderful! He gave us some fantastic suggestions. We started with the Burrata which was to absolutely die for with the black truffle on top. Our next course we had the shaved artichoke salad. Our server told us you can't find something like it in the US so I had to try it and we were blown away. My boyfriend had the veal and his mashed potatoes were the best mashed potatoes I'd ever tried. The Sacchettti was probably the best thing I've ever tried. ALL THE TRUFFLE WAS AMAZING! The martini was the honest to God best martini I've ever had. I couldn't believe how easy it was going down. The Limencello was fantastic and the tiramasu was light and the perfect way to end the meal. Thank you so much to this restaurant. It was my boyfriend and I's one year anniversary and it was one for the books thanks to you! We will definitely be back!

It's more than a great meal. It's an experience! Do yourself a favor and make a reservation to enjoy some of the best Italian cuisine outside of Little Italy. An Atlanta favorite for 25+ years.

On the $$$$ level and then some. Expected to spend some money, great service, usually not a long wait. Nice atmosphere, just a little noisy.

We love La Grotta. It is always a nice dinner with wonderful attentive service. Food consistent. Went Friday night party of 9. As usual a great dining experience. Thank you

I have been dining at La Grotta for years. The staff - excellent, and ambiance are great. The food is traditional Italian that I really enjoy. Scaloppine di Vitello alla Grotta is excellent and should be tried!

Really good food and service. Everything was well prepared and super fresh. Atmosphere very warm and inviting. So glad we were able to visit this establishment after a busy day doing the tourist rounds definitely hit the spot.

La Greta can be kind of tricky to find but cozy. We had our seating arranged perfectly. The food was delicious and the alcohol was awesome!

Once again they mention vegan options, on website and yelp(not many options available) I was able to eat a salad which was delicious. My husband really enjoyed his food and overall a nice experience and another year to celebrate. No complaints, very romantic!

La Grotta continues to be one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta. Who doesn’t love great Italian food? This is a very convenient Buckhead location with valet parking. The service is wonderful. We started with cocktails and appetizers. The table shared a Brunello wine. The starters included a caprese salad followed by a plate of three pasta ravioli servings. I ate way too much bread! I had Dover sole in a lemon butter sauce which was fantastic. No dessert for me! Another great evening with friends and a fine dinner!!

I have been in this restaurant a few times. Having spent a lot of time in Italy I find this restaurant as authentic as you can find in Atlanta. The food has always been spectacular and the service too. This last time that I went I was extremely pleased by the service of Juliano, Danny and Jesus. They were extraordinarily nice an accommodating to my food allergies. I had a great time and I can’t wait to go there again and be served by them. The last thing is that they have a very great selection of wines and their prices are the cheapest I’ve seen in an upscale restaurant.

Found this gem through trip advisor while in Atlanta on business. It is wonderful, so rare to find a restaurant that does everything and I mean everything to perfection starting with the attitude of the valets down to the dessert menu. As soon as I saw the menu the first night I immediately booked the next night. They allowed us to split everything so we had four courses each night and tried a good part of the menu. Every course met or exceeded expectations. The service is truly professional, very friendly and accommodating. The wine list is very well chosen, extensive and fairly priced. I wish I could eat here weekly. When in Atlanta do not miss this place.

We recently celebrated my wife’s birthday here. I would recommend making a reservation in advance especially if you want a table inside in the summer or winter months. Be prepared when you arrive to valet your car. If there was self-parking, I did not see it. The store front is unassuming as many have mentioned it is at the base of a condo. Their website suggests business casual to elegant jackets suggested ties optional. Many men wore jackets others wore nice button-down shirts with no jackets. I was happy I wore my jacket, but you would not be turned away if you did not. We arrived slightly early and had a moment to have a drink at the bar. It is likely best to arrive close to your reservation as the bar space is quite small. Only 5 seats that can fill up fast. Plus, when we came three of the five were reserved which I found unique. Thus, there were only two seats. Our table was ready very quickly, so we ordered a drink and had about half of it before we moved to our table. The inside is elegant. Perhaps borderline stuffy, but it passes for romantic as well. It is small again a good reason for reservations. They have beautiful patio dining that I’m sure is perfect when the weather is kind. Our waiter and the team that helped him were very good. They are good with suggestions and quick with service. Since I mentioned our drinks, I’ll start with those. The martini is good. The beer selection is stuck in 1999. I think Sweetwater was their craft selection. All that is okay though they have a vast tome of wine to choose from and the wait service was excellent at steering us in the right direction with that. After dinner I had a nice port that perfect with our dessert. They bring out bread service with oil and butter which was very good. We decided to get two appetizers to share. We tried the Thinly Shaved Baby Artichoke and the Calamari. I think I’m used to calamari being fried this was not. The Pesto sauce was outstanding. I enjoyed soaking up the sauce with some bread. The artichoke dish was fine my wife enjoyed it more than myself. I’d likely try other appetizers though at some point I’d have to get the calamari again for the pesto sauce alone. We opted for two pasta dishes for our dinner. You can order the pasta as an appetizer portion or a main portion (the main price is only listed on the menu but if you ask for the appetizer portion, they had no problem with that). We split a full portion of the Sachetti with black truffles and Risotto both were highly recommended, and both were wonderful. After the appetizers being good but not great to my taste I was worried if La Grotta was getting by on an old reputation, but that is not the case. The Pasta and Risotto knocked my socks off. For dessert we tried the Chocolate Torte with the before mentioned port and they were kind enough to bring out two small prosecco’s for us since it was my wife’s birthday. They also put a nice candle in the torte. All in all I was happy with the experience and would not hesitate to recommend it or to return. They have a large menu and I’d like to explore other dishes.

Outstanding! The new interns: Luke & Scott who greeted us & got to know us were terrific! These two guys have a great future ahead. Bulent our waiter have great suggestions and was so attentive. Rigatoni and Gnocchi pasta appetizer’s followed by Dover Sole and the Scallop special. Expresso Martinis! Fabulous wine selections! Great evening!

Every time we come to Atlanta, La Grotta is the first dinner reservation that I make. For the 24 years, I have been going to La Grotta, it has consistently been a 5-Star Restaurant. Excellent service, romantic atmosphere and memorable dinner.

This is where we go for great Italian food in Atlanta. Located in the bottom of a condo building, La Grotto can be over looked. Food is excellent as is the wait staff. Popular among the local community.

Driving into the lot can be a little off-putting, but do not let that give you pause. La Grotta was a wonderful culinary experience! From the moment you step off the elevator to the ground floor, you are rewarded with warmth and elegance. My husband and I were seated at a great table overlooking the entire restaurant, yet we felt like we had intimacy and privacy to talk and enjoy ourselves without anyone else overhearing. Our server, Daniele, was fantastic! He was attentive, and his recommendations were spot-on. Everything from the wine, to our appetizers, to our main courses, to dessert, and finally, coffee was made to perfection and tasted delicious. It was most certainly an experience we cannot wait to have again.

This was our first visit to La Grotta, and it won't be our last. Brett was our server, and he made our evening. Two people in our party of six had food allergies, and he was quick to accommodate and provide peace of mind. He was fun, entertaining, and engaging. Great recommendations for all. The shaved truffles on the Sacchetti di Formaggio e Tartufi Neri was the highlight of my evening. Just perfect. Everything was excellent, from the cocktails, to the appetizers to the entrees to the wine recommendation and desserts, and Limoncello shots to cap off the evening! We sat in the courtyard and it was lovely. Bravo Brett!

Great dinner and a fun time at La Grotta. It's always the best food sand service. Great wine list and desserts are fabulous.

I dined here for the first time this past weekend with some dear friends and had a fantastic meal and memorable experience! We were greeted by Robin when we walked in and her infectious smile was our first indicator that we were in for a fabulous evening. The decor was very charming and there was a courtyard outside that is nothing short of delightful. The food and service certainly didn't disappoint either. We had a calamari appetizer that was so good that I had to stop myself from filling up on bread dipped in the delicious sauce it was served in. Veal is my favorite dish and they have more than one to enjoy - and enjoy I did!. One of my friends had a chicken dish that was divine and the pasta that my other friend ordered was inhaled in short order. Overall a wonderful experience and I can't wait to go back.

We went for a business dinner. The staff was excellent, the food was delicious and the restaurant was very unique. I would highly recommend it.

Have eaten at this restaurant several times. Food is outstanding, atmosphere is cool. Entrance makes you think your entering a hotel or arpartment building. Down the elevator and you feel like you are getting into an exclusive club. You are, exclusive food club. They will split plates, go off menu, everything I have had has been outstanding. Great oatio, outside area to dine as well. One of my favorite restaurants I've found through a lot of travel to various places.

This restaurant is a very special place. Tucked away in a residential building yet it is truly a gem of a place. The wait staff is very attentive and experienced. They only added to the experience The food was outstanding. Each dish we had was prepared to perfection and so enjoyable

This was absolutely the most wonderful dining experience I have ever had. I had duck and my husband had a stuffed pasta- no idea what they were called (they were long Italian names) Our server was an older gentleman and offered suggestions that we graciously accepted. He was very attentive. We even shared a complimentary tiramisu in celebration of our anniversary. I would go back in heartbeat! I would say the attire is strictly business casual.

Excellent service, we asked for a lot of "special things" with a big group (12)and they help us on the best way. The food is really really good, delicious! 100% recomendable.

Fabulous service and superb authentic Italian food! Christian and Taca made us feel right at home. New table lighting was cool! Loved the mussels, Caprese salad, and their recommended choices of wine.

I love that this place is hidden. You have to go into a nondescript condo (?) building and take an elevator to the basement. It is a fine dining restaurant. Can’t be too hidden because it gets packed every day. You can see why. Excellent food, excellent service, and a HUGE wine list. Not cheap but the kind of place you go to impress friends. Northern Italian at its best. Forget about the big names. Impress people with this intimate treasure

Went to this place to celebrate a friend's birthday. The food was outstanding, the service was superb. The servers there are very knowledgeable about Italian ingredients and very friendly and helpful. This was my first time here but I will definitely being going back. Must try place for Italian food in Atlanta.

A great experience. Service and food were great. The veal chop was superb. Chicken piccata is very good also. Outstanding wine list.

I go frequently because they are consistently wonderful. They have a very extensive menu from seafood to meats as well as homemade pastas. You can't go wrong here. Reservations are needed usually.

Three business associates had dinner here -- a longstanding Atlanta establishment. Service was excellent -- almost too attentive.Many Atlantans have been coming for decades. Food is terrific, wine list excellent. The servers know the menu in great detail; the chef will fix virtually anything you want, even if it is not on the menu. Location in the basement of a dated apartment building on Peachtree is misleading. The evening is memorable. Pricey, but worth it.

We were here for a family celebration. The service was attentive and warm and helpful. The food was fantastic. The atmosphere was lovely. I can't imagine a better place for a special celebration.

I'd heard about this place for years so we decided to check it out for a special event. First impression, we felt like we had busted in on dinner hour at a retirement home. It's in the basement of a somewhat dated residential building. Also, they didn't make any effort to accommodate our seating request. It does not appear that they have made any adjustments from the pandemic. The tables are very close together. It felt like we were eating with strangers. The starters were ho-hum but the entrees were pretty fantastic. The noise level is off the charts, almost to an overwhelming level and since the tables are so close together it can feel like the people at the next table are shouting directly at you. So, my suggestion would be to go there for take away. The food we had was overall really good. But you will have a better ambiance eating out of take away containers on your sofa.

best service in town , great wine list with moderate prices, we will return! we had the sacchetti pasta with white truffel with a marsala sauce absolutely fantastic, make sure a make reservation specially for weekends

This restaurant was a pleasant find. The Restaurant is located in a residential building. The atmosphere is elegant and romantic. This is a great choice for a date or Anniversary dinner. The meal was outstanding. Service was above and beyond. Can not say enough great things about La Grotta.

The tone of the host/hostess very much reflects that regulars are their priority. We ate dinner there last night - we did have an outside table reservation, but when it started to pour down rain, Vincent and Jill would not allow us to move inside, despite there being 8-10 open tables. Finally after we had been bitten to shreds by mosquitos and we were damp and uncomfortable, we were offered to move inside for dessert. If you want something more fun go straight to Storico Fresco (newer, friendlier, not old and tired!), or to Pricci for comparable food options in a much more pleasant environment.

Old school Italian place. It has been in Atlanta forever - 1978. Not for small children. Dinner for 6 was $400. It is quaint and special. Excellent service and tasty food.

I have been to La Grotta Ristorante a couple of times. My daughter chose it this time for her birthday. We got there early, and they had our table ready. They have a wide selection of wines with exceptional quality, and the food is delicious. The atmosphere is also very nice. The waiters are very cordial, and I like that they can be professional and funny at the same time. I love that offer complimentary valet parking

We just returned from Mexico, and my husband recommended La Grotta for my birthday celebration in Atlanta. The staff are very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The patio is attractive, and a warm weather choice. The food was good. Recommend the Calamari, Penne M/C and Amarone wine. While the staff wished me a happy birthday, and at the end of the meal served us small glasses of sparkling wine, it was disappointing. For a celebratory experience, Bone's Restaurant and Morton's Steakhouse are excellent choices in the same price range. Or, for an Italian restaurant, Il Localino.

We have eaten at La Grotta for many years. We've never had the bad experiences described in some of the reviews. Contrary to some who complained about noise, we find it always easy to converse even when close to other diners. The wait staff (some who have been there for decades) are competent, friendly, helpful and often humorous. They always help make the dining experience enjoyable. The food is excellent.

I don’t do reviews. Period! The good...this place is an institution in Atlanta! I remember my parents taking me to the Buckhead and Dunwoody locations when I was a kid (back in the 80’s)...it was awesome & memorable. It was an incredible experience then, but I hadn’t traveled the world & didn’t know wine at that point. I came back 5 years (or so) ago for my anniversary as an adult. The service then was fantastic and the food was very good. I went back tonight as a guest (of a close friend) for a wine paired dinner. The good...the food was good, not great. The bad....I ordered a bottle of vintage Champagne & they delivered & poured a bottle of NV Champagne from the same producer & attempted to charge me for the vintage bottle. It’s not about the $ as the vintage bottle was $139 & I can afford it. The problem is they tried to pass it off as vintage & the second shame was that they charged me $117 for the non-vintage bottle. The intent was to finish the evening with a special bottle of Champagne with my host & friend & they f’d it up. My close friend even questioned how I liked the wine & when I pulled it out of the ice I was shocked. Shame on you La Grotta. I’ve travelled the world, including to Italy 3x’s, & I know real Italian food & I’ve collected wine for 20+ years. You are fortunate to be able to pull the wool over the eyes of the unsuspecting old timers of Atlanta & tourists. I paid your shady wine price practices (and tipped the server on it), but will never be coming back & I will share this review as often as I can. I despise these tactics. Service was awesome though & that is the trick here to keep unsuspecting and uneducated patrons coming back.

I haven't been to La Grotta in 20 years and decided to give it a try. On our night the restaurant was very busy. The waitstaff was short and not attentive. I was looking forward to above average Italian food, better than the pedestrian chains. I was very disappointed. We splurged to enjoy fresh truffles in season shaved "tableside" on risotto. The plates arrived with truffles already shaved onto the top of the risotto. They had obviously been sitting under a heat lamp for a long time. the truffle was a waste of money, the risotto gummy and unappetizing. The other appetizers and entrees were not up the standard of the price. I really wanted to like this again....

La Greta can be hard to find as it is tucked in top the basement of an older condominium building along PEachtree street. Fortunately the weather was nice so we were able to dine outdoors. The selections are typical Italian, the food well prepared and the wine list extensive.

Excellent service. Very good and selection of menu choices. Atmosphere nice, a little dark ,but not too bad. Parking easy.

Old school classic Italian. Pricey but worth it. Excellent food. Excellent service. Excellent atmosphere..

Love this place and can eat here everyday. The food is fresh and tasty. I recommend the lobster pasta they have on the menu!

My daughter selected La Grotta for her birthday dinner. Every person that came in contact with us could not have been warmer or more welcoming. The staff was professional and attentive, but never rushed. They allowed plenty of time for us to enjoy each course. My salmon was prepared to perfection, medium with a delicious sauce. My husband's Risotto was perfectly creamy. My daughter savored her sachetti, raving about the filling and sauce. After a delicious tiramisu and limoncello, we declared it to be the perfect birthday dinner.

Great food, great service, wonderful ambiance. The valet area was a little backed up but they were moving quickly. Getting into the building to the elevator and down through the "brick walkway" added to the unique experience of finding the restaurant. We definately plan to return soon, anxious to try their outdoor dining.

OUTSTANDING food; perfectly cooked pasta, when truffles are in season- shaved right at table side. great wine list, great service and specials.

Is this place over-rated or have we just not yet found the right entree? We went to La Grotta years ago and can’t remember why we never went back, but perhaps we had the same food experience. The ambiance and service were top-notch. No problem there. Bread basket was decent. Wine suggested by waiter after I told him what I like was excellent. We had an off-menu 3-pasta sampler as our starter. Loved the lobster pasta, the bolognese was excellent and the ravioloni good. So far, we were happy campers. Then our entrees arrived. The chicken parm showed no finesse. As one of the least expensive entrees, we figure it’s on the menu for those who are not very adventurous with unsophisticated palates. It was served with a ridiculous pile of overdone pasta on the side. Dover sole was decent, but perhaps showed too much restraint with an almost non-existent sauce. The veggies that came with the sole, however, were perfectly cooked and seasoned. It was a birthday celebration and tho there was a candle on the dessert, we were charged for the three scoops of sorbet on a dish with a candle in it. With the high prices here, you’d think they could afford to comp a couple of scoops of ice cream.

This was the 2nd time we chose La Grotta for an anniversary dinner and it did not disappoint. The ambiance is excellent, lighting, sound deadening stylish ceiling padding, the artwork, and touches on the tabletop are all on point. If I had to pick something to improve on, it would be either the carpet (nearing the end of its life and it had just been cleaned the week of) or the chairs, a different color pattern might match the rest of the room better. The food was very good. The service was outstanding. La Grotta is clearly run by professionals in the front and back of the house and it shows in everything they do.

Don’t go there if you like burgers or thick American pizzas. This is one of the best Italian restaurants in the US I’ve been to. The food was outstanding in terms of choices, quality, preparation and presentation. You can choose from a great variety of Italian (and some other) wines. The service (mostly Italian waiters) was attentive, professional and friendly. The only negative aspect is that the restaurant is not in downtown Atlanta (10 minutes driving from downtown), but it’s worth the way. And sure: You need a reservation as this Italian gem is known by others, too. All in all: Certainly again, when I’m in Atlanta!

We are period guests at La Grotta and it is always at the top of our dining list. Tonight (Dec6) there were 5 of us. Quiet busy for a Wed night but not too noisy. The service was top flight and the food was excellent. We had Dover Sole, Chilean Sea Bass, Salmon and giant prawns. Everybody said there food was delicious.

Best Italian restaurant in Atlanta. Period truffle treasury. Gnocchi were perfetto. Duck superb. Service first class.

We treated friend to a celebration Cocktails and wine arrived promptly . Food was very good . Was a bit noisy

I came to La Grotta tonight with my family. It’s my 5th time coming to this restaurant and my family has been coming here for years. This is by far one of the best Italian restaurants I’ve ever been to. Their dishes are unmatched and their service is spectacular. Tonight we had Juliano as our server and he was amazing. Went above and beyond. Highly recommend

delicious food,cooked to order, desire to please , pleasant male waiters, professionals in their services.

New Yorkers visiting our son in Atlanta. He's always looking for that "right" restaurant or "I've wanted to go to . . " and he never disappoints. Neither did La Grotta! I loved the ambiance, starting with touring the halls on the way to the restaurant itself! Make sure you look at the photos on the walls! The music that played was wonderful. I ate and sang! The staff was welcoming and pleasant, even with face masks! Three different gentleman, one, I believe was the manager came to our table to check on us. The food was delicious, not a regret among us. Since I'm half Italian, I do not ordinarily enjoy Italian restaurants, but I am so glad we went here! We had an awesome waiter, whose name unfortunately escapes me! (For his credit: super congenial, very Italian, short, white hair. I loved him! I can guess his name, but don't want to be wrong.) An amazing dinner ending with a candle in our 49th Anniversary dessert! We'll be back!

When we pulled up to the restaurant address, we weren't sure we were in the right place, it looked like an old motel; however, when you walk in and take the elevator down to the restaurant it transforms into a beautiful space. The wait staff was very good, and they were sure we had everything we needed when we needed it. If you go there, stick with the Italian specialties, which I did and was very satisfied; however, my husband had the chicken and was disappointed, because it was dry and the fat under the skin had not been completely rendered out. Overall, a good experience with a good meal.

This is one of, if not, the best Italian restaurants that we have ever been to. The food was a ten and if the service amazing. Brett was our server and he made our experience complete. We had the “ little purses “ and added fresh truffle. It was simply the best meal we have had in years. As we were leaving we began speaking to the host who introduced us to the chef. He was leaving so we took the elevator down with him. He could not have been more kind and appreciative. It was then that he told us that he is the owner. He has been there since he opened. We are relocating to Atlanta this month and we will be regulars.

Exceptional service from beginning to end. Polite waiters and meal arrived quickly. Good food although the menu was not my favorite. Others think it's superlative.It's quieter than alot of restaurants where everyone is yelling to be heard. We had a good conversation between six with no problem. This is not a tourist destination like Canoe. Expensive, but a better value than some other similarly proced places. Good ambience with lots of photos of celebrities who have been there over the years. Cool location under a high-rise condo building. Valet parking.

This was our second visit. And both visits had the same outcome. Let me start with our greeting was warm and welcoming. And the food is delicious!!! But both times we had waiters that impacted our dining experience. It was their attitude that affected us from being able to have an enjoyable evening. It’s a shame because the Restaurant has great food and a wonderful atmosphere. The managers do a good job we could feel and see how they care. I hope they share this with there waiters.

La Grotta is one of those places with a great reputation for fine dining in Atlanta. My parents had been there with friends several times before and wanted to go back for their 61st anniversary. I had never been before and had built up my expectations based on all that they had shared with us. I had not read any of the other reviews before we went, but unfortunately they were all true. Yes the food was excellent Northern Italian fare which is to say, more European than the tomato-based Southern Italian dishes most are familiar with. But on the down-side: although service started out very well, as the dining room filled we were almost ignored after the appetizer was served; our table was in a poor location, crowded right up next to the bar, and our conversation was often interrupted by the bartender's vigorous use of the shaker; the room was over-crowded with tables by about 1/3 and we were very much in the flow of traffic; and the room was also very loud, also making conversation difficult. In summary, the food was excellent but poor service and atmosphere left us disappointed. I had hoped for so much more, but I seriously doubt we'll be back.

I had not been here in 20 years. I was not disappointed. The food was impeccable. This is some of the finest Italian dining in Atlanta. The room was relaxing and the service great. They still have it here at the Buckhead gem where the well heeled go to dine.

This was without a doubt the most uncomfortable experience I've had in a restaurant. First we we're told our table #45 did not exist. I have no idea what this meant. Then we were led to a "great booth." The booth only allowed side to side seating because it was in the very busy path of the waiters from the kitchen. When we asked for another table, we were told they were all reserved. We had a reservation but that did not seem to be good enough to get a table. Meanwhile we stood in the middle of the dining room. It was only after I asked if they wanted us to leave because all of their tables were "reserved," that we were finally seated. Our waiter seemed to try to compensate for our seating fiasco by being artificially "chummy." The food was good but not exceptional nor did it warrant the price. Overall a very disappointing experience. I would not recommend La Grotta to anyone.

This is the best Italian restaurant in the City of Atlanta. Truly fine dining. The menu and wine choices are fantastic and if you don't see something you want, simply ask and more often than not they can prepare it for you. The food is delicious, and the service is impeccable.

Dined with friends for a late dinner. It has been many years since we visited La Grotta. Nothing has changed. Good food, but poor atmosphere. The restaurant is in the basement of a building and you literally think you are in a dining hall for a condo building. The tables are all packed real close together, the ceiling is really low, noisy, etc. They really ought to do some upgrades to make this seem like a real restaurant.

Loved the waiter, Walter, and we split a beet salad that was delicious, had a really good glass of red wine then came dinner, I had the quail, it was amazing, my friend has a yummy steak, the bread was really really good, and the desserts were really really good as well.

By far the best Italian food you will ever eat. Worth the 2 month waiting list. I tried the cheesecake dessert as well and it is absolutely great!! The service is wonderful. Very polite and so friendly. I love it.

What a wonderful place. Hidden away in a building on the bottom floor and then you enter a lively, intimate, well appointed restaurant. Clientele very sophisticated and you can tell dine here often. I ordered the specials all with truffles. Started with mushroom risotto and my 2nd course was veal with truffles. Just enough to flavor the dish and not overpower. My husband had the quail for his main course and said it was one of the best testing & presented quail ever. Our son had the mushroom risotto for his main dish and loved it. Overall, a wonderful place to dine with friends, family or an intimate dinner for 2. They know what they are doing. Go and enjoy !!

There is no place in Atlanta that compares with La Grotto. The staff makes everyone feel special. The food is outstanding as is the service. Yes, this is our "to go" place in Atlanta. The "best of the best"!

My husband and I used to dine at La Grotta pretty frequently when we were living in the metro Atlanta area. We visited recently and so looked forward to dinner there with my sister and her husband. I went through their wine list long before arrival and chose the Il Bruciato, Antinori, Bolgheri. Perfect. Moderate tannin and acidity, bold, and dry. We shared a Caesar. Very tasty but too much salad dressing. I ordered Scalopppine di Vitello Antonio but was served Scallopine di Vitello alla Grotta. Wrong dish. I did not say anything because I did not want to wait for a replacement and I did not want fellow diners to feel guilty. It was cold and bland. I left a good bit of my dish behind. My husband ordered the penne bolognese. I tasted it. It was good but not as good as the bolognese I make at home. Cold. Disappointing. I don't drink much, and while I appreciate attentive wait staff, I wish I would have been asked before a server poured more wine into my glass. A bit annoying. Bread was served, but not enough for four diners, not enough olive oil, and we had to request butter. The waitress was told before we ordered how the bill was to be split. Not sure what happened but she brought one bill to the table. We handled it, but that too, was annoying. This is not the intimate dining experience we remembered. The tables are close together and as a result, it is loud. When I dine out, I want hot food when it's supposed to be hot and I want to be served what I ordered.

Old school Italian restaurant that is always fabulous food and staff for any occasion. The truffle items make a casual dinner sparkle. The wine list is extensive and martinis are perfect.

This place is simply everything you want an Italian restaurant to be. It’s been here FOREVER and deservedly so. The menu is the epitome of what Italian cuisine should be. The waiters aren’t all Italian, but are all strictly professional, with great personalities, and most of them have been here forever too. There are other Italian restaurants in town, and some are very good — but if you want CLASSIC Italian, there’s no place else in Atlanta like it.

We had dinner here a couple weeks ago and found the place hasn't changed that much. The service was solid and the food was good. I had the veal chop "Parmesan", which was cooked perfectly and had good flavors, albeit a bit expensive at $39.95. Started with a salad, the burrata with heirloom tomatoes, which was good but pretty basic. I was looking to get wowed but walked away thinking it was good, but expensive. Still like the place and will probably go back.

We had a wonderful dining experience here. Service was on point all evening and the staff worked together seamlessly throughout the meal. The insalata di carciofi was good, but the mushroom soup was amazing. The risotto was delicious, but the favorite for both of us was the sacchetti. Truffles on the pasta were a great touch. Our server recommended a bottle of wine that went well with our meal and pleased us both, not a small feat. I barely had room to stuff down the tiramisu, but it was too good to pass by. Reservations in advance are a must.

6:45 dinner reservations on a friday night. Never been here before but wanted a nice Italian meal and reviews were favorable. Prompt valet parking at what appeared to be an older retirement complex. (?) A nice young lady directed us through some velvet ropes to an elevator that took us down to the restaurant level where we were quickly seated at an outside table in a nice terrace setting. Then the 20 minute wait for .....nothing. whe the hostess seated a 4th group of diners I asked for a waiter. The manager finally came and took our bar order which came 10 minutes later. Still no server. Some nice crusty bread, olive oil and olives came. Still no server. Attentive wait staff at other tables so we assumed there was just some confusion. We were finally able to order and our apps and entrees came promptly. Ceasar salad for me- very nice. Beef carpaccio for my wife-not so great...DRENCHED in oil. Lamb chops and roasted root vegetables for me- perfect medium rare and delicious. Black grouper for my wife in a red wine reduction that was very tasty. Perfectly cooked linguine with a tomato basil sauce was a good choice.Tiramisu for desert that was probably the best we've had and a warm chocolate torte with vanilla gelato that was very nice. Would recommend this place but the snag with the server was a bummer. 2 1/2 hours was a bit too long an having to ask for service repeatedly to be waited on is pretty annoying at a fine dining establishment.

We went to dinner Monday night and service and food was impeccable. I had risotto with fresh truffles... amazing. The fennel soup was so good we are trying to make something similar. Highly recommend it.

My husband and I discovered this hidden gem on our recent getway to Atlanta. La Gratta is a wonderful Italian restaurant hidden away in the basement of an apartment building in the heart of Buckhead. We relaxed in the cozy outdoor courtyard and enjoyed a bottle of wine in this quaint setting. The servers were friendly and anticipated our every need. We ordered Insalata La Grotta, Petto di Pollo alla Parmiggiana, and Sacchetti di Formaggio e Tartufi Neri. The food was fabulous and was large portions. Vincent came by and chatted with us as we were waiting on our food and also thanked us by name as we were leaving. Wonderful evening! We can't wait to return.

Pull up to a 60s apartment building. Take the elevator to the basement. Find yourself in an initiate setting with amazing service and incredible food. Everything was wonderful from start to finish. Can't wait to return!

This is the place to go for delicious Italian Food! Great service, great food, a great night out with family! Mangia!!

Pros: food excellent and consistent-porto mush salad, all parma, super attentive service, huge winelist. Cons: dates interior, strange entrance.

Food was good also service was great. My one issue with this place is even though the day before our reservation I called the restaurant to pre-order a dessert for my son‘s birthday she assured me that when we get there will have a dessert that says happy birthday because I didn’t want to mention this while my son was sitting at the table that was the reason for my call ahead dinner came dessert came and no mention of it being his birthday. The desert that came were the ones that we order which was just plain ice cream with no mention of happy birthday or anything. My son was a student at Georgia state and from the first time he moved to the area he’s been looking at this place from the outside wanted to go so when his birthday came around he said this is where I would like to go and that’s the only reason we went. If you’re going to be a stand out in service you need to be stand out all around and not just when you choose to be.

7 of us (including 2 vegans) ordered a wide variety of dishes and all were more than satisfied. Very helpful waiter helped with wine choices (even suggesting a reasonably priced red over a more expensive one). Only negative was a too-cold hot appetizer. Now that we can find it we’ll be back.

Another fantastic meal in this wonderful time tested place. If you’re looking for delicious food, superior service and a warm comfortable setting, look no further. We have been many times, but most recently I hosted a special event here for a party of 16, family and friends. Planning was easy, the event was flawless, and I look forward to doing it again. Highly recommend.

We have dinner here with our son and none of us had been here before. It is a new favorite for us. We were seated promptly for our reservation, good cocktail list, very good wine list very fairly priced. All dishes we had were excellent. My son and my husband have celiac disease and the waiter was knowledgable about gluten-free dishes for them and there were plenty of choices. Service was excellent. This is probably a new favorite for us, one of the best we have have tried. One note of caution, at least temporarily. My son got there before we arrived and asked if we wanted to sit inside or outside. Since we had all had our vaccinations and it was a bit chilly I said inside. If we had not gotten vaccines, and walked in and did not have the option of eating on the patio, I am pretty sure we would have left. The dining room was packed and my son was only a couple of feet from the nearest diner. When you came in it looked like pre-pandemic. Although all the staff wore masks (properly), obviously diners cannot and the room is low-ceilinged and with no spacing. There is a patio and from the pictures I saw it is lovely. The noise level in the dining room is noisy but tolerable and I'm sure the patio would be better for intimate conversations. Mix of diners tended to younger than I expected so I would be surprised if all that many were vaccinated. We will be back.

My fellow management rave about this restaurant but I think it is a bit over-rated. the food is very pricey but not great, with portion sizes that do not fit the price. It was also a little loud which we were trying to avoid since we had business associates with us.

When you arrive, it feels like you’re entering an old apartment building. That only adds to the unique ambiance. Our food was delicious and our service was excellent.

From my review from four years ago: "La Grotta exists in a very small niche of Atlanta restaurants -- not trendy, not flashy, not here today/gone tomorrow; but rather like an old friend you are happy to see year after year to celebrate the good times in your life. We don't go to La Grotta often, but when we do it seldom disappoints. We went last night with friends to celebrate two birthdays. All was as usual as you travel through the lobby of a dated apartment building to the elevator that takes you down to the basement (after all, "La Grotta" means "The Cave" in Italian). Friendly greetings abound as you enter the warm human-scale room that looks out on a garden. There's a convivial buzz in the room but it never gets so loud that you can't hear your table mates. The waiters are old school, that is, elegantly attired, very professional, and yet friendly. Our main waiter was clearly from the old country. As for the food, crusty Italian bread and breadsticks arrived along with butter, olive oil and pate. Nice." And "All plates were wiped clean by the time our waiters came to clear the table. Portions are not huge but not small either. Just right. Our only quibble was the veal -- it could have been more tender. We shared two desserts (berries and cheesecake) that were beautifully plated. There is no pressure to move you along so that the next party can be seated. Service is correct and efficient. After so many years, La Grotta knows their clientele and how to keep them happy and coming back." All still mostly true with a few changes: the bread was not as good, and you get olives instead of pate. Prices are higher, of course. The veal was still good and tasty, but not as tender as you would expect. I'm sure we'll return again, as will many others.

The food is amazing and the environment outstanding. The service is also amazing, it has been a great customer experience. Not only the food is amazing but they also has a large menu of wines - it is better to ask the waitress for recommendations.

I loved La Grotta from the minute we walked in - it was full of appreciative regulars on a Monday night and it’s no surprise - the menu is filled with classic Italian favorites and your captain makes clear “ if there’s something else you want we’ll make it for you”. Great wine list reasonably priced. We had the veal Antonio - a delicious scallopine variation. This restaurant is downstairs in an apartment building so look for the address rather than street frontage and signage. There’s nice out door patio space for good weather.

I was taken here for my birthday and so glad I was. Great food, drinks and very good serve. It is an Atlanta institution.

This is the place I go for my most special occasions. Food is delicious, service is special, and the atmosphere is warm, intimate, and while not quiet, subdued. Always a treat.

A true gem. If you have not dined here, you may be a little nervous when you see the narrow driveway and dated upper floor of the condo where the restaurant is nestled. Relax, the restaurant itself is timelessly elegant without being stuffy. The food is superb. We had the carpaccio which melted on my tongue and my wife’s appetizer excelled as well. My veal dish was light and flavorful - the portion was generous as well. My wife had the chicken and it was tender as well as juicy. Service was a solid A. One of our favorite Atlanta restaurants but don’t try to get a reservation on the same day as you want to dine - plan ahead!

Best Italian in Atlanta,,, by far! From the moment you walk into this Iconic Restaurant & location you can feel the excellence surround you- This is simply the very finest in Italian Cuisine in the area of Atlanta. Salads all fresh and portions of main dishes are of outstanding value. Don't see what you like?- The creative Chef will cook up a dish to your liking! Veal here is a must and all Fish Specials divine- The Quail dish is delicious. Truffles in Season?......they have them added to appetizers/specials and delivered with class. The expansive wine list will surely complement the fine dining here + ALL servers are of top grade in Professionalism and knowledge! This is a "cannot miss" restaurant!

This was my first time at La Grotta and it was absolutely incredible. The service was superior and the food/beverages were amazing. I can't wait to return!

We had 8:15 reservations from a month prior and we still had to wait for 15 minutes. Service was slow, it took forever to get a round of drinks. The waiters never came back to see if everything was okay or if we needed anything. I had the pasta with broccoli rabe and sausage and that was excellent. My husband had the fillet and it was not the best he ever had, below average. So disappointed after all I had heard about the place.

La Grotta is now in its 41st year - in a city where startup restaurants often fail within their first year. That longevity says a lot and La Grotta has a large, faithful clientele. Food and service are always great - some of the wait staff are very tenured and are a fine example of what professional career wait staff means in terms of impeccable table service. This is our go-to restaurant for a treat or special occasion. 'Nuff said.

A colleague invited us to join her for dinner at LaGrotta. Our directions included the fact that this place is in the basement of 1960s era condo building. After you enter the building's lobby there is a sign leading you to a elevator that takes you down You walk down a cavelike entrance and then you arrive be at the hostess stand. Restaurant is nice with white tablecloths and an outside patio. Service was great, menu unique and food was good. The sitting is a bit tight but the food and service make up for it.

I first dined at LaGrotta 15 years ago. I thought then that this must be the best Italian restaurant in Atlanta. It was and it still is. For me the best restaurants are consistent over time. I have just a handful of restaurants I’ve dined at over the years where you know the food and service will always be the same. That’s LaGrotta. You can go back time after time, year after year, and you know exactly what you’re going to get - the best food, the best service, true elegance in dining. It’s too bad that white truffles aren’t in season year-round! Christian, I simply love what you and your father have brought to us at LaGrotta! Gratzi Mille!

I have lived in Atlanta for over 55 years and last nights dinner once again confirmed that this is still the finest Italian restaurant Atlanta has to offer. I enjoyed the Veal Chop Parmigiana and it was the best I ever had. It was tender, juicy, and served piping hot. My wife enjoyed the Dover Sole and our other guests enjoyed the Salmon and Chicken Parm. The service was excellent and sitting outside in the beautiful courtyard made for a lovely evening. I know we have all been in quarantine for awhile but if you want to go out once again and enjoy some fine dining this is the place to do it. I promise you it will be a very special evening!

A perfect dinner experience with great service. Make sure to request Billy as your waiter if this is your first time. Restaurants that last this long and still fill up on weekends make it really easy to know you are at a great restaurant.

My husband and I returned to La Grotta for a special dinner accompanied by wines of Italy. Indeed, these were special selections from the catalogue of FOLIO and they were delightful. Each course was accompanied by a different wine: the watermelon salad with Burrata was served with Charles Heidsiek Champagne: the scallops were served with Bruno Giacosa Arneis. The wonderful risotto with duck confit was accompanied by a Giacosa Barbera and the Filet, served perfectly medium rare was accompanied by Coppo - Pomorosso. Even the dessert of Creme Brulee was served with a Ben Rye Sassito, a dessert wine that I had never had the pleasure of tasting. The staff of La Grotta is excellent. The service is top notch. The meal was indeed supreme.

First time in Atlanta, this restaurant came recommended by an Italian colleague. Lived up to the hype, great food, amazing Italian wine collection and excellent service. Please be aware this is the closest I have come to real Italian food in the US, this is not American-Italian, though shiitake mushrooms managed to slip in to one of the dishes so not 100% authentic but pretty great.

Absolutely amazing! The food is perfection. Waitstaff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. We will go back.

Absolutely real professionals who enjoy being the best. Every visit is spot on. Its not a meal. It is an experience.

Ate on patio and the evening was perfect along with the food and service! Several of the other guests mirrored my comments.

Gosh, the other La Grotta located at the Ravinia closed and this location isn't doing so well either. It suffers from the same lack of consciousness as the closed one that my wife loved. I made the reservation emphasizing that it was for her Birthday. When we arrived I saw they had that clearly marked on their computer so I was comfortable they would treat her special. Ha! To get to our table they walked us through their dirty dishes clean up area. The server wasn't really interested in us - just tried to get us to purchase a more expensive wine. I'm comfortable he hadn't read the reservation or management hadn't told him. Food was good but not terrific and yep - they forgot the typical birthday treatment we've received for years. How sad! Once it was absolutely terrific -

We had been to La Grotta back in the 90's and remembered it as being a very good Italian restaurant. When our friends who live in Atlanta recommended it we were anxious to go there again. Our food was wonderful, delicious pasta and salads. Service was professional and courteous. We had a very enjoyable time and liked that the noise level, although the restaurant was full, was not overpowering. We were able to converse without screaming, also a big plus. We would return if we are in Atlanta again.