Restaurant in a Cave – Mexico
Have you ever dined in a cave?
So we were walking by some mountains and hills when I saw an arched-opening in the mountain. Naturally, I walked up to it because I wanted to see what was inside!
To say that I was surprised is an understatement!
It was a restaurant in a cave!
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Time to explore!
It was actually a cave, and when I looked inside, I couldn’t believe it!
It was a huge restaurant!
So, we decided to go and enjoy a meal there! I mean, why wouldn’t we!
This time I was with my husband and my in-laws, so in we went!
We slowly wandered down the stone staircase into the cave.
In case you were wondering, I didn’t notice an elevator anywhere.
Before you enter you have to wash your hands at a hand washing station, then you go down into the cave!
Oh, make sure you use the washroom first if you need to, there’s no washroom in the cave. You would have to go back up the stairs if you needed the washroom.
True Authenticity
One of the things that I really loved about this restaurant is how authentic it is!
It has a lot of great history too!
La Gruta was used historically as a place to celebrate victories and to show others of their amazing discovery via special dinners and events. Of course, this was only for the most elite people at the time.
I know some of these items might not be your favourite dish, but it’s authentic and traditional foods of Pre-Hispanic heritage. They also have traditional Mexican food from nowadays as well.
I also really like that they use seasonally fresh local foods.
So, let me share with you how diverse there menu is.
You can order:
- Quesadillas
- Escamoles Al Epazote (this is Ant eggs with a local spice)
- Chinicuiles (caterpillars)
- Wild Mushrooom & sour prickly pear soup
- Steak with cactus, onion and beans
- Mole Turkey
- Chicken Fajitas
- a kid’s menu is also available
Their drink menu is just as unique and interesting!
- Fresh juice from the the prickly pear
- Fresh just from the xoconostle a similar cactus fruit
- fresh hibiscus juice
- fresh lemon and chia juice
- fresh tamarind juice
- micheladas
- Chapulin Margaritas (grasshopper margarita)
- Mezcal with many flavours like hisbiscus, tamarind, pinole, and more!
- beer
- pop (soda for those non-Canadians reading)
There is a lot of variety and many Indigenous based foods.
Here is a map of Teotihuacan which is where this restaurant is located. I have marked it on the map for you.
You can also check out hotels in the area and book your hotel in advance too!
Hand-made local food
Of course, all the tortillas are made by hand!
They even use local farms to harvest their corn.
They make them traditionally by grinding the corn and forming the tortillas by hand.
Something that I thought that was cool is that they have 4 colours of tortillas!
Yellow, orange, green, and blue!
Yellow= yellow corn
Orange= squash blossom or guajillo pepper
Green= cactus leaves
Blue= blue corn
Of course, I had to try them all. I was eating chicken fajitas after all!
I know… you were wondering if I ordered the worms or caterpillars…nope! 
Not this time. 
Our Food
Our food had a lot of variety and great flavours.
These are the dishes that we choose:
- Chicken Fajitas
- Flank Meatballs
- Quetzacoatl Salad
- Fire-Grilled Flank Steak
The Extras
We also had a Mezcalita de Xoconostle, which is a cactus fruit that is similar to prickly pear.
I would recommend this drink, it was not too sweet and had a great taste.
We ended our meal with a nice Flan La Gruta, which is like a cream caramel dish.
I got to eat the flower, it had no taste. 😆
Oh, and in case you were wondering, yes, they do have a grasshopper margarita.
For real.
It has tequila (maybe not enough, lol) and looks like a shaved ice snow cone drink.
The Experience
It doesn’t feel creepy at all to be eating in a cave. It actually is really cool!
In fact after this one I found a different cave to dine in believe it or not! You can check out the differences between them here: Cave Restaurant Alux- Playa Del Carmen.
They play traditional Indigenous music that is calm and instrumental with drums and flute.
There are a lot of servers and the service was good.
We went during the week at a not very popular time to eat, so it was way less busy than usual.
If you like this kinds of adventurous activity in Mexico, check out my blog about the Longest Suspension Bridge in the World!
The most interesting experience!
The Candles
So, when we were done eating a staff member came over with a candle and told us all about the candles!
It was so intriguing and we listened to his every word!
He talked about the significance of lighting a candle as we starred at the candles that he had in his hands for us. He shared the meaning behind the candles and the cave.
He told us that Teotihuacan means ‘the City of the Gods’ in Nahuatl, which is an Indigenous language from that area of Mexico.
Teotihuacan is actually the largest pre-Aztec city in central Mexico.
He told us about the legend of La Gruta.
So, La Gruta was called “Mother Earth’s Womb” and it was used in history to keep valuable items like corn.
It was said that La Gruta is considered to be the origin of life. He talked about a God of Fire that can help the dead and also create a ritual for new life for those that are alive.
The fire is considered a symbol of rebirth and life changes.
For this reason, the servers bring a candle to each table and offers it to you to place up high in the stair case.
It is a symbol for you to receive renewed energy and help you feel full of renewed life.
Do you want to dine in a cave?
I would highly recommend getting a reservation if you are going during dinner time or on the weekend.
Even though many people can dine at once, it still gets packed!
La Gruta Teotihuacan is located at Circuito Arquelogico in San Francisco Mazapa in the state of Mexico.
By the way, La Gruta Teotihuacan is a short walk from the Pyramids in the state of Mexico.
Maybe you’re wondering now about the pyramids…well you can learn about them in this Guide to visiting the teotihuacan pyramids! 👀
So, which meal would you try? Would you light a candle at the top of the stair case? Any other comments? Let me know below.
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The Comments
Guide to Pueblos Magicos in Mexico? – Open Doors With Words -Travel Blogger & Writer, English Teacher
[…] you can even eat at a Restaurant in a Cave – Mexico here […]
Lorraine Black
Have you ever ate underground? I would love to hear about it!