The story
La Grotta — Italian for "the grotto" — is the premium Italian dining destination at Konjiam Resort in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do. The name is fitting: the restaurant describes itself as a cave restaurant where serious wine and high-quality food come together in one setting. With 90 seats in the main dining room and three private rooms accommodating smaller parties, the space balances a sense of occasion with enough intimacy for a quiet dinner.
What sets La Grotta apart in the South Korean dining landscape is a record of recognition that is difficult to match. Wine Spectator — widely regarded as the Michelin Guide of the wine world — has awarded La Grotta its Best of Award of Excellence every single year since 2013, a streak now running to thirteen consecutive years. That designation signals a list of more than 300 wines spanning diverse origins and vintages, curated to complement the Italian cooking on the plate. The restaurant has also earned three consecutive listings in the Blue Ribbon Survey, South Korea's respected domestic food guide, for 2024 through 2026.
La Grotta positions itself explicitly as an Italian restaurant for wine enthusiasts — a place where the cellar and the kitchen are given equal weight. The Italian cuisine here is conceived as a partner to the wine list rather than an afterthought to it, which is precisely what the sustained Wine Spectator recognition reflects. Whether guests arrive for lunch or dinner, the expectation is a meal where the glass and the plate are in conversation.
The restaurant sits next to the ski house within the Konjiam Resort grounds, making it equally accessible to resort guests and visitors making a dedicated dining trip from the wider Gyeonggi-do region.
Recognition
Location