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.
Customers praised the food for its flavor and quality, particularly highlighting dishes like Chicken Marsala, lobster bisque, and various pizzas.
Service Issues
Several reviews noted inconsistent service, with some customers experiencing slow or inattentive service, while others praised specific staff members for their attentiveness.
Cleanliness Concerns
Multiple customers expressed dissatisfaction with the cleanliness of the restaurant, indicating that it did not meet expectations for a premium dining experience.
Atmosphere
The restaurant's atmosphere received mixed reviews; while some found it lively and inviting, others noted it could be noisy and crowded.
Special Occasions
Customers were disappointed with the lack of acknowledgment for special occasions, suggesting that the restaurant could improve in providing memorable experiences for celebrations.
DS
David Smith
3 days ago
4.0
I liked the place. Food was pretty good. Staff were very kind and attentive. The location was pretty good. Not my top ranked Italian place but I'd go back.
RC
rubina c
6 days ago
5.0
Shout out to GROTTOS for showing us love this past weekend. H-Town Card Show was having an event at George R. Brown and the managers brought over some pizzas for us to try.
-Spinach with chicken like Alfredo 8 out of 10
-Pepperoni 9 out of 10
-Vegan with tomatoes 7 out of 10
-Sausage 8 out of 10.
If you’re looking for a more classic type of Italian pizza this would be great! Hopefully we get more at the next show! 🤭 Thanks again Grottos!
SR
Steven Raninga
Jan 1, 2026
1.0
Grotto has changed since it’s now a Landry property. Portions went down to less than half. No warm or fresh bread offering, service is super slow with minimal check ins, recipe is different, no “family style” greetings, and value is terrible. Never coming back to the “new” Grotto!
LG
Laylaeggjyfhkg Gullickudjdv
Dec 30, 2025
1.0
My husband and I sat at the bar prior to the rockets game yesterday. Only good part was the service. He got the shrimp entree with crab. His crab was inedible and shrimp that had no shell still had the legs on it. I got the fried calamari. This was easily fried days ago and rock solid. I was so hungry I ate it but it was diagusting. And to top it off- our bill was $75. This was the worst meal we have had in Houston and I regret that we spent so much on terrible food.
MZ
Marcos Zavala
Dec 9, 2025
1.0
Ordered a 90 dollar to go order on the 6th of this month, then I received a call apologizing that grotto was closed to the public and that they should have turned off the online ordering options. I did not receive a refund on my end or offered anything for the issue. Now my bank is also not reimbursing me for the issue, they have not replied to email they and nothing. If you look at the reply it asks what’s already in this post. Do not dine here
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.
What are the operating hours of Grotto Downtown?
Grotto Downtown is open Monday through Wednesday from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM, Thursday and Friday until 10:00 PM, Saturday 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with special holiday hours on some days.
Does Grotto Downtown offer a happy hour? If so, when?
Yes, Grotto Downtown offers happy hour Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
What is the dress code at Grotto Downtown?
The dress code at Grotto Downtown is casual.
Where is Grotto Downtown located and what is the parking situation?
Grotto Downtown is located at 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Suite A, Houston, TX 77010. Valet parking is available at the entrance, and self-parking is available at the Avenida North Parking Garage across the street with validation for up to 3 hours free.
Is Grotto Downtown wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Grotto Downtown has wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, seating, and restroom facilities to accommodate all guests.
What types of cuisine and menu options does Grotto Downtown offer?
Grotto Downtown serves rustic, vibrant Italian cuisine including small and shareable plates, fresh salads, pizza, pasta, and a selection of craft beers, wine, and cocktails. They also have a children's menu and dessert options.
What are some nearby attractions or places customers can visit before or after dining at Grotto Downtown?
Nearby attractions include Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center, Discovery Green, the George R. Brown Convention Center for events, and convenient METRORail stations like the Convention District station for easy transit access.
How can visitors use public transit to reach Grotto Downtown?
Visitors can use nearby METRORail stations such as the Convention District station and the METRORail Convention District Rusk Station for convenient access to Grotto Downtown via public transit.