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More than two decades after first opening its doors, Grotto on Edward Pizza-Teca is back in the hands of its original owners, and it’s a full-circle moment years in the making.
The venue remained as a popular pizza spot in the heart of Norwood, but now, original owners Rachel and Anthony are reclaiming the helm.
Reopened this week, Grotto on Edward Pizza-Teca has been reborn, revisiting exactly why its original owners fell in love with the venue in the first place. Expect new bench seating, a sleek polished concrete floor, and a full restaurant menu that stretches well beyond its traditional pizza offering, plus a renewed focus on outdoor dining. It’s set to be the kind of spot where you can sip an Aperol Spritz and soak up the bustle of Norwood.
Rachel and Anthony Barilla first launched Grotto in 2003, creating a cosy pizza spot tucked into Edward Street in Norwood.
The husband and wife duo have lived in Norwood since they married, loving the area and forming close ties with fellow traders and long-time locals. For them, opening Grotto was always about capturing that Norwood spirit and contributing to the community they call home.
For Anthony in particular, this restaurant was personal.
“Anthony loved it because it was his first venture on his own,” Rachel says. Before then, Anthony had been involved in restaurants with his family, but starting Grotto with Rachel was different. Ambitious, exciting, and most importantly, his and Rachel’s own.
“It was our little project, our little home.”
Anthony and Rachel went on to run the neighbourhood spot, slinging pizzas and building a loyal local following for more than a decade before they sold the business in 2014. At the time, stepping away felt like the natural next chapter.
“We sold it, because back in those days, you didn’t just shut your restaurant and go on a holiday. You had to find people to go in,” Rachel says. “So we thought it was time to move on.”
After running several other venues over the years, the pair received an unexpected phone call. The owner who had purchased Grotto was ready to move on and wanted to know if Rachel and Anthony were interested.
“Anthony thought about it and eventually said, you know what? Actually, I do. It was my baby, I loved it,” Rachel says. “He always loved Grotto. And we bought it back.”
Walking back through the doors was emotional.
“Once it was ours and we got the keys and went back in. We both went. This really feels like home,” Rachel says. “So, I think we made the right decision.”
The refreshed Grotto keeps its intimate charm but brings it forward to 2026. The space has been repainted, fitted with new furniture and upgraded with a polished concrete floor and green stone tables. A full kitchen has also been installed, expanding the menu beyond pizza.
A key part of the revival is a stronger push toward outdoor dining, leaning into the leafy Edward Street setting. The couple has applied to expand seating out the front, with hopes of increasing capacity and shifting the vibe a little. It’ll pitch Grotto as a place to settle in streetside with great food and a cold spritz in hand. And being just adjacent to The Parade, it’s a superb spot to watch the world go by drink in hand.
To add to the atmosphere, a new Aperol branded umbrella now shades the frontage, setting the tone for outdoor dining (and perhaps hinting at what your drink order might be). Alongside Aperol, Limoncello, and Campari Spritz, Grotto is also now offering frozen Bellinis, adding to the casual, social Euro-style hospitality. Plus, there’s an extensive beer, wine, and spirit menu with plenty of local and Italian offerings.
The name is not misaligned with the atmosphere either. ‘Grotto’ translates to mean a sort of cave. “We were inspired by the restaurants in Capri, Italy, that sit tucked into caves. It felt like the perfect name for a cosy, intimate spot, like a little cottage hidden away on Edward Street, warm and welcoming.”
“Back in the day, we were just pizza,” Rachel says. Now, Grotto serves up a range of Italian entrees, pastas, and mains. “We’re trying to appeal to a broader community.”
To start, you’ll be able to opt for Creamy Burrata, Mushroom Risotto Cake, Antipasto, and plenty of other options. Rich, flavourful pastas including a Spaghetti Marinara, Vongole, Spicy pork and fennel sausage penne, and more are on the menu. For mains, Grotto serves up a tender pan-seared veal, a Chicken Cotoletta, and pan fried creamy chicken breast in truffle sauce. For something sweet, you can grab a house-made Zeppole, a Massini, or Chocolate Gateux Slice.
The heart of Gotto will remain, though, still serving the pizzas Norwood know and love. “Anthony makes incredible pizzas and he loves doing it,” Rachel says.
For a couple deeply connected to Norwood, taking back the helm of Grotto means coming home, and a chance to reignite the vision they started together 23 years ago.
Grotto on Edward Pizza-teca
Where: 61B Edward St, Norwood
When: Tuesday – Sunday 4:30pm till late
For more info, click here.
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