Located in the upscale Galleria area on Westheimer, Grotto delivers a savory menu brimming with timeless recipes! Inspired by a Old Country trattoria ambiance & classic Italian cooking, enjoy signature dishes such as Neapolitan thin crust pizzas, Veal Kickerillo, Pollo Francese, housemade pastas & fish selections.
Service quality is inconsistent; while some customers praised attentive and friendly staff, others reported rude or inattentive service.
Food Quality
Food quality received mixed reviews; some dishes were described as excellent and flavorful, while others were criticized for being bland or poorly presented.
Atmosphere
The restaurant's atmosphere is generally appreciated for its cozy and inviting vibe, though some noted it can get loud when busy.
Pricing
Many customers felt the prices were high relative to the quality of food and service, with some describing it as overpriced.
Happy Hour
The happy hour is a highlight for many patrons, offering good deals on food and drinks.
JT
Johnnie Taylor
3 days ago
5.0
We had a large group dinner event (70 people)at Grotto Westheimer location.The service and the food were outstanding. We truly appreciate Grotto working with us to create such a lovely event for our alumnae members. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Grotto went above and beyond for us!
RE
Robert Echeverria
Nov 14, 2025
5.0
Armando was so wonderful. My friend and I were there for 4.5 hours and he made so many wonderful recommendations. When my friend asked he they sell the red sauce he said they do and we each purchased a gallon! A gallon. That’s how good it is. Wonderful place, food and service.
PP
PEGREALTOR
Nov 14, 2025
3.0
Pizza was to be mushroom and arugula with goat cheese but there were MAYBE 3 slices of mushrooms and a finger full of wilted tasteless arugula. Tasty little bites but mostly BARE CRUST! The Cesar salad was TEENY! OUR waitress was nonexistent. I never could get more iced tea! DISSATISFIED. I am a Landry’s loyalty customer.
JL
John Lindsay
Nov 12, 2025
1.0
A really nasty and passive-aggressive manager works here. This manager, who also works here as a bartender is openly prejudiced against black people as he makes comments to that effect. This manager also makes fun of physically disabled individuals and made several passive aggressive comments to me recently. The most concerning part is that this manager has been working for this business, at this location, for decades, according to management. One week ago, I spoke with the manager on duty of the concerning manager’s behaviors and let him know that I was going to write a review detailing my experiences and the on-duty manager attempted to manipulate me into not writing the review. Landry’s, you need to clean house here! Management needs a complete overhaul and at least one of their other bartenders is extremely negative, pessimistic, and can be quite condescending (would it surprise you to learn that he also used to work at this business as a manager, according to the most concerning manager.
Regarding the most concerning manager’s behaviors: I had delivered food to a separate bartender one evening and the manager came behind the bar and asked, to me, “What is it, charred lady-boy?” (A jab at Thailand’s culture.) On the evening of November 5, this manager was working as bartender and was once again passive-aggressive with me repeatedly making a separate nasty comment to me, twice. This is when I spoke to the manager on duty who tried to discourage me from writing a review.
IS
Izabella Stanush
Nov 8, 2025
1.0
Don't even bother coming here, save yourself the trouble and make the drive to the downtown location.
I made a reservation for 7:30pm and arrived on the dot. When I walked up to the host stand, the hostesses didn't even look up for at least 30 seconds. When I let her know I had a reservation, she looked surprised and then led my fiance and I to a table.
A waiter brought us bread and water, and then disappeared. We then sat for 10 minutes and watched multiple wait staff (including the hostess) walk by us without a second glance. I decided to just leave since apparently unless you're not a visibly affluent white person, your business isn't welcomed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grotto Ristorante
Does Grotto Ristorante accept reservations?
Yes, Grotto Ristorante accepts reservations but does not require them.
What are the regular opening hours of Grotto Ristorante?
Grotto Ristorante is open Monday to Thursday from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM.
When is Happy Hour at Grotto Ristorante?
Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Does Grotto Ristorante offer pickup and delivery options?
Yes, they provide in-store pickup, curbside pickup, and delivery services.
What type of cuisine and specialties does Grotto Ristorante offer?
Grotto Ristorante features Italian cuisine with specialties including Neapolitan thin crust pizzas, housemade pastas, Veal Kickerillo, Pollo Francese, and fish selections.
Is the dress code for Grotto Ristorante formal or casual?
The dress code is casual.
What payment options are accepted at Grotto Ristorante?
They accept American Express, Cash, Check, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Travelers Check, and Visa.
Are there any nearby hotels where I can stay when visiting Grotto Ristorante?
Yes, nearby hotels include Extended Stay America, Extended Stay America - Houston - Galleria Westheimer, Westheimer Hotel, and Hotel Derek, which offer convenient accommodation options close to the restaurant.
What nearby beauty and spa services are close to Grotto Ristorante?
Nearby beauty and spa options include LightRx - Houston - Galleria, Fizz Nail Lounge, Alchemy 43, and Beleza Skin Care, ideal for pampering before or after your meal.
Are there other dining options near Grotto Ristorante?
Yes, nearby restaurants include Captain Benny's Seafood and Oyster Bar, Bistro Moderne, Revolve Kitchen and Bar, Valentino, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen 2525 South West Loop, and Le Peep for a variety of dining experiences.