Neptune's Grotto — Restaurant in Sydney

At roughly 630 pm I did a quick search on google maps for Italian food near my hotel. Ive been traveling for 3 weeks and I was tired. This place popped up. I checked their reservations on OpenTable and it showed open time slots every 30 minutes all night long available for a bar seat for 1 person starting at 730. Rather than take the time to make a reservation, I did a quick freshen up and walked over. I arrived at around 7:10 and was nearly trampled by nearly a dozen people finishing and leaving. The bar area had at least 6-8 open seats. The dining room was more than half empty. A gentleman came over and greeted me and I asked if I could grab a bar seat for a quick dinner and a cocktail. After looking at me like I just asked if I had asked the impossible…. I was advised that they “might” be able to fit me in in around 2.5 to 3 hours. He then acted is if I should have known better showing up to a restaurant on a “holiday weekend” …and told me I could try again another night. (No thanks) First of all.. this restaurant was not on my “bucket list “ I know nothing of them other than Italian/near my hotel. Also I was tired and I dont care what they server or if they promised Mick Jagger would sit next to me at the bar, there was no chance I would care to come back 2.5-3 hours later. They seem a little (a lot) over impressed with themselves for a restaurant that was half empty on a “busy holiday weekend”. They did me a favor. I didnt even trip on the “line of people” outside their restaurant waiting to get in! On my walk back I found a lovely Italian place that was very warm and welcoming and even had a delightful piano player and excellent pasta. Thank you Neptune’s Grotto for allowing me the chance to find someplace better for dinner. So if you want a nice welcoming and delicious Italian dinner.. go to Alfredo’s Authentic Italian Restaurant a block away. Much...

Neptune’s Grotto delivered an unforgettable dining experience, where every dish showcased the chef’s expert touch, elevating the flavors beyond expectation. But beyond the food, the atmosphere itself was pure magic.

The moment we stepped in, we were enveloped in a space that felt both cosy and invigorating—dim, golden-hued lights casting a warm glow reminiscent of a Wong Kar-wai film. The air hummed with classic Italian melodies, transporting us to another time and place. In this cave-like retreat, far removed from the city’s relentless energy, we felt deliciously lost in time, immersed in a world where only great food and good company mattered.

We started with the Buffalo mozzarella with anchovies, a combination of creamy, delicate cheese and briny, umami-rich anchovies that set the tone for the meal. The veal with smoked eel mayonnaise was a revelation—silky, smoky, and packed with depth. The pumpkin and ricotta agnolotti with truffle and walnuts was pure indulgence, with the sweetness of the pumpkin beautifully balanced by earthy truffle and the crunch of walnuts.

A standout side was the crispy potatoes in garlic oil, impossibly crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and infused with fragrant garlic—so addictive, we couldn’t stop reaching for more.

Desserts were nothing short of spectacular. The apricot sorbet was bright and refreshing, a perfect palate cleanser before the grand finale—the Baba alla Sambuca. This dish was a masterpiece, harmonizing complex flavors: the subtle warmth of liquorice, a light yet deeply satisfying chocolate sponge, and a heavenly zabaione that was airy and luscious, tying everything together seamlessly.

From start to finish, Neptune’s Grotto didn’t just serve food—it offered an experience, a brief escape into another world. We can’t...

We arrived on time and had a warm and friendly greeting and taken to our booth where our guests were already waiting , trying to get into the booth was difficult as there is little room between the booth seating and table I am slim build and found it a little difficult so if you are a larger build it wouldn't be very comfortable We had a server very politely explain the menu and most popular dishes and offered the special cocktail of the day which was delicious however came in a glass the size of a thimble We ordered a variety of dishes to share before our mains , the outstanding dishes were the liver pate and foccacia bread , the other dishes were lovely but not anything outstanding The mains were the pasta and veal Milanese which were nice but would compare it to Fratelli Fresh Nothing bad about them but nothing to rave about , I really don't see the hype around this restaurant The worst part of the lunch was the very end , not the time to leave on a bad note I had invited my guests to lunch and had intended to pick up the entire bill , however I had gone to the bathroom and while in the bathroom the bill was presented in my absence and my guests were told the bill needed to be paid immediately as they needed our party to vacate the table for the next sitting , so the bill was paid and table vacated with my half a glass of red cleared and tossed So imagine my surprise when exiting the bathroom my guests were waiting at the end of the bar near entrance to the bathrooms and I was told we had to leave so they could prepare gorgeous the evening sitting This left a very bad taste in my mouth and I was furious So to sum up food average , atmosphere ok and service during the meal was good but at the end appalling Needless to say I will not return nor recommend...