Grotto Downtown

4.3
1919 reviews

About

RestaurantItalian RestaurantPizza RestaurantPasta Shop
Conveniently located at Avenida Houston and connected to the George R. Brown Convention Center, Grotto Downtown offers a rustic, chic, and vibrant dining experience in the heart of Houston—within walking distance to Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center and Discovery Green. From small and shareable plates, fresh and local salads to refreshing and dynamic Italian cuisine, Grotto’s menu also offers a selection of curated craft beers, Grappa and wine—the ideal place for any occasion whether it’s lunch, happy hour, a business meeting or dinner in the city. Valet is available at the entrance of Grotto Downtown. Self-parking is also available at the Avenida North parking garage, directly across the street on Rusk, where we will validate up to 3 hours for free.

Details

  • Dine-inAvailable
  • DeliveryAvailable
  • TakeoutAvailable
  • Accepts reservationsAvailable

Location

Grotto Downtown
1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, TX
77010, United States

Hours

Reviews

4.3
1,919 reviews
5 stars
1,193
4 stars
432
3 stars
132
2 stars
66
1 star
96

What are people saying?

AI-generated from recent customer reviews

Food Quality

Overall, customers praised the food quality, particularly the pasta and desserts, though some found certain dishes underwhelming.

Service Experience

Service quality varied significantly; while many praised attentive and friendly staff, others reported rude or inattentive service.

Atmosphere

The restaurant's ambiance was generally well-received, with many noting it as a great spot for dates or special occasions, despite some complaints about noise levels.

Location Convenience

The restaurant's location near the convention center and downtown attractions was frequently highlighted as a positive aspect.

Mixed Reviews

While many customers expressed a desire to return, some had negative experiences that impacted their overall impression, particularly regarding service and food consistency.
  • LE
    Larisa Esmat
    5 days ago
    5.0
    Love lovd this little cute place.ate all of the starters. Super delicious
  • DP
    David Powell
    6 days ago
    4.0
    Food was great. Service was s but slow, but understandable as it was during a busy time.
  • RB
    Russell Berry
    Nov 14, 2025
    1.0
    Waited over an hour after we were finished for our server to return. Never saw again after we ordered. Had to get manager to run my credit card. He seemed very put out we needed to leave after 2 hours there. We could see glimpses of our server behind the bar but never even got close enough or remembered us at all. Couldn't even and still dont have a possibility if getting my Landrys Select Club points. Sucked all around . We almost walked but figured they should know. Emailed the GM. His response was Ill personally make you a reservation next time you return. Don't worry. We wont return. Food mediocre. Service horrible. We should have walked Plenty of other better places where you wont gave to die and wither away
  • OD
    Oscar H Delgado
    Nov 12, 2025
    3.0
    I order spaghetti and meatballs It wasn't on the menu, and they brought four mini meatballs. I ordered some more pasta because there was really very little spaghetti, and they charged me $37, which is ridiculous. Unprofessional Manager
  • DD
    Danele D
    Nov 3, 2025
    5.0
    The meatballs were great, I was making sure to get every bit of sauce. Great flavor! The waiter recommended adding the pasta to the shrimp piatta and it was to die for!

Frequently Asked Questions About Grotto Downtown

Does Grotto Downtown accept reservations?

Yes, Grotto Downtown accepts reservations which can be made online through their reservation link.

What types of pickup and delivery services does Grotto Downtown offer?

Grotto Downtown offers in-store pickup, curbside pickup, and delivery services for customer convenience.