Grotta Palazzese - Hotel & Ristorante Luxury in Polignano a Mare

Located in the historic center of Polignano a Mare, the Hotel Grotta Palazzese, overlooking the sea, sits on the famous Grotta Palazzese which houses the restaurant of the same name, considered one of the 10 most exclusive outdoor restaurants in the world!

Grotta Palazzese: a restaurant unique in the world

The Grotta Palazzese restaurant is an exclusive place, renowned internationally, as evidenced by the many reviews in the most important magazines and blogs around the world. It has an outdoor room set in a unique place in the world. In fact, the terrace that welcomes customers was created inside a natural cave, the Grotta Palazzese (or Palazzo), from which it takes its name, a place known and used for parties and banquets since 1700, as evidenced by a 1783 watercolor by Jean Louis Desprez.

Today the scenario has not changed; however, there are 150 seats, good taste reigns supreme and there is an area with more private panoramic tables. In any case, you eat while observing a unique landscape in the sheltered environment of the cave, which penetrates about eighty meters inside the cliff.

The starred menu of Grotta Palazzese

On the menu there are 5 different courses ranging from fish dishes (the protagonists are sea bass, scallop, lobster and caviar) to first courses of land such as Ravioli cacio e pepe or Fava beans and chicory, tofu, caramelized onion; there is also lamb and beef fillet for meat lovers. Prices? From 195 to 350 euros for a single menu, drinks not included, and those who want can choose a smaller number of dishes.

The location over the years

Once upon a time, the cave could only be accessed by land via a narrow and steep staircase, dug into the rock, with an entrance from via San Benedetto. In the 1920s, the structure was first adapted to a bathing establishment, then became a meeting place for the worldly. In the 1960s, the Hotel Grotta Palazzese was built with a comfortable staircase that, from the entrance, leads to the restaurant, open in the summer.

Suspended between the vault of the cave and the sea, overlooking both the inside and the outside, it is a truly unique place in the world, a must-see for those arriving in Polignano a Mare. The cave is accessible by sea through two natural ports that widen towards the inside and join in the large central cavern. Inside we find a larger semi-circular room, 15 m high, with a diameter of about 30 m. It communicates with a second, smaller room with an outlet to the sea and a small pebbly beach at the bottom.

A luxury hotel in the heart of Polignano a Mare

Renovated with elegant refinement, the Hotel Grotta Palazzese has, in addition to the renowned restaurant, 18 rooms truly suspended over the sea in total harmony with the most advanced technology systems.

The rooms are nestled in lush Mediterranean vegetation, among plants, trees and shrubs that color every corner of Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel. An enchanting place for your exclusive vacation, made of relaxation and a wonderful relationship with Nature, the only one in Polignano a Mare with a private beach.

The furnishings are characterized by Mediterranean atmospheres and the elegance of each element, for maximum comfort and to make your moments unforgettable.

The private beach

A private beach, made of fine sand and nestled in a wonderful cove of Polignano a Mare, is available to guests of the Hotel Grotta Palazzese.

A place where you can experience unforgettable moments in complete relaxation, immersed in nature, on a beach awarded the Blue Flag for the quality of its waters, the environment and tourist services.

The crystal clear sea, the uncontaminated nature, the comfort of the sunbeds and the convenience of the private changing cabins allow you to experience the sea in maximum relaxation, regenerating your body and mind.

The beach is located in the immediate vicinity of the Hotel Grotta Palazzese and can be reached (there and back) by a transfer service provided by the structure.