Grotto Cafe

This is still a nice place to sit outside and enjoy food and drinks. It’s quite popular so sometimes parking and seating can be an issue. This time we stopped by for lunch. We had 2 salads, the Monterey with chicken and the Cobb. Both salads were nicely prepared and reasonably sized. But the chicken on each of them was surprisingly tough considering the pieces were diced. There are many other choices that are excellent, both for lunch and breakfast. The patio is dog friendly. And the service was great.

This was our first time eating at The Grotto Cafe in Cave Creek. Friends of ours invited us and live near by. We were not disappointed. Seating and parking can be a small problem. We arrived Monday at 11:45 AM. It was already crowded ( luckily people had finished eating and we grabbed their table). You need to get a table then order from inside; waitress brings your meal. Outside patio is large and seats quite a few people. Food selection was good ; portions huge. My wife and I ordered a Smoked Turkey Panini ( recommend the Scottsdale Blonde beer). They advertise live music ( none at noon that day). Highly recommend this location. Ambiance is fantastic.

Truly and all around great place to eat, chill and listen to live music. Stopped here for a lunch after taking utv's out. Live music was playing and service was great. Food was absolutely delicious. I highly recommended and I personally can't wait until next time to visit so I can stop here again.

Lovely place with good food, courteous staff, and a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy a meal. It also offers a naturalistic ambience, adding to the experience. Definitely worth trying if you’re in the area or visiting the Jewel of the Creek hiking trail.

Good food, friendly service. Casually elevated for the area. We stop here each time we go through!

Great Food, Service and Atmosphere! We sat outside on a beautiful day. Food was tasty and brought out to us at our table (identified with our order # table tent). Servers came around frequently to offer complimentary drink refills (on soda and water).

If you are coming to CAVE CREEK, do not miss this incredible place. BREAKFAST is awesome and lunch i amazing. This family owned place puts the customer and food first. The staff is awesome. THE GRANDON GROUP favorite place to take people and clients.

We came in for breakfast and ate outside, such a great patio! My husband had a chorizo bowl and I had a gluten free lox bagel. Both were really good and the coffee was great too. We would love to come back if in the area and try lunch as the menu looked amazing!

The Grotto Café is located in the Red Truck Plaza. One of my favorite chill cafes to connect with friends and enjoy a meal. I met one of my gal pals. Quite the lunch crowd here enjoying an outdoor lunch. We ordered their Cobb salad and a half and half order of strawberry feta salad with a half a chicken salad sandwich. We found a table outside and began to catch up while waiting for our meal. The meals came shortly. Everything is always delicious and fresh, so delicious. I can't really go wrong here. Shared parking lot.

This is still a nice place to sit outside and enjoy food and drinks. It's quite popular so sometimes parking and seating can be an issue. This time we stopped by for lunch. We had 2 salads, the Monterey with chicken and the Cobb. Both salads were nicely prepared and reasonably sized. But the chicken on each of them was surprisingly tough considering the pieces were diced. There are many other choices that are excellent, both for lunch and breakfast. The patio is dog friendly. And the service was great.

On a day trip to escape Phoenix, we toured around Carefree/Cave Creek & tried this new spot. We didn't realize that it's not "a sit down& be served" restaurant but order-at-the-counter-style. Service was friendly & food was fresh. My salad had a good combo of ingredients, including jicama, which they rarely serve. The focaccia that came w/ our salads was very doughy - I prefer mine more textured w/ more spices on top. The outdoor seating is always a treat when the weather's so nice. Finally, I LOVED the interior design - all concert posters from as early as the 1960s. I missed snapping photos of them but highly recommend taking the time to check them out, while waiting for your food to be delivered. I'm "only" giving a 4 b/c friend & I only had salads & didn't try anything else on the menu.

Happy time hanging out at Grotto Cafe in Cave Creek, Arizona. First time here with friend who has been here many times. Place was packed on a Saturday afternoon. Order at the entrance and they bring it to your table. I had the Southwest Burger with French Fries. Awesome burger with avocado, pepper jack cheese, chipotle mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato on brioche bun. Large menu with many dining spaces inside and out.. They also serve breakfast. You can spend hours going through the many shops at this location. Definitely will be back!

Such a fun place to go for a quick day trip from valley. The restaurant offered breakfast and lunch menus plus a partial bar menu. The outdoor garden area was a true hidden gem equipped with free live music show from 2-4 pm. Highly recommended food and atmosphere

This place is great..nice people and the food was out of this world delicious! If you are in Cave Creek you must eat here!

We love the Grotto Cafe. It's causal, has nice outdoor seating, and the food is always good! Fast service, friendly staff! Their live music is always great. Patio is pet friendly, so we've had brunch with our dog a few times. The patio has trees and umbrellas so there's plenty of shade. They have great bloody Mary's!!! I love their tuna salad sandwich. My husband loves their Cuban sandwich and of course their award winning chicken salad sandwich. They also have great salads all available in full or half sizes! We love hitting the Grotto after hiking in Cave Creek, it's the perfect spot for a bite to eat. The Grotto is a Cave Creek must!

Impressed with this order and sit down place! They have so many gluten free options, I cry happy tears. I had the famous chicken salad sandwich on gluten free bread. As you can see in the picture, they pack in the chicken salad. It was tangy and sweet and chewy and crunchy and just so so yummy. To make it last longer, I put half the chicken salad on each bread slice so it's like an open faced sandwich lol. The mayo added a nice creamy layer but didn't even need it. I also love how they toasted the bread because gluten free needs to be toasted for it to taste good lol. The pickle was a perfect finish. I was too full for the chips! My boyfriend got the Cuban panini and loved it - he gets that every time. Looked divine with the grill marks. We sat outside - it was hot but felt nice in the shade. It's beautiful outside with all the plants and there's good amounts of shade. The inside is very unique and eclectic, very cave creek. Super fast service, friendly staff!

Everything about this place is so quaint and cute. They had a performer there and the food was pretty affordable and yummy. Not anything super crazy but still good for what it is!! My margarita was good too. I got the tropical burger.

Friendly staff and a really relaxed atmosphere, pictures on the walls were great conversation pieces, food was wonderful and you got a lot to eat. If you are visiting like me, be sure to plan a trip for lunch.

Food - Greek salad tasty and large portion Service - Friendly and quick Ambiance - Sat outside, pleasant

What a beautiful spot for lunch! Came with my mans got a yummy Bloody Mary and great food! The staff was out of this world, very attentive and I would come back again 100%

Came in for lunch on a Monday and it was pretty busy. They do get the food out fast though so that was good. I got the quesadillas with havarti and pork (carnitas), very generous. I was a little surprised to see green chilis in it and don't remember those on the menu. Besides that I enjoyed them and ordered a small side of chips which was huge. My husband had a salad and added chicken and said he really enjoyed it. But maybe a little light on chicken so he stole some of my quesadilla. Cool place with all types of music concert posters. Really old ones from all over. Order at the counter and they bring it to your table. The pictures make it look like it has fluorescent lights but actually they are skylights so the lighting was good. I would go again but want to try a sandwich.

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!! It's such an amazing place to bring friends and family for brunch or a morning coffee! We drive over an hour to come here on the weekends because the atmosphere is so peaceful and the food is just amazing! I've been here probably 15+ times and I've NEVER had an issue, everything has always been great. For how busy this place gets, the service is so quick and efficient. Also, the owner is very personable and very friendly! Last time we came he gave me a free entree card for being a customer that supports and recommends this place to EVERYONE! Honestly there's not enough good things to say about the grotto! Just try it out.... You won't be disappointed! One last thing. THE BEST CHAI LATTES IN AZ IVE HAD SO FAR! and if you follow my reviews...you'll know I try a chai at EVERY place I go. There's is BY FAR THE BEST IN THE VALLEY

Stopped by on a weekend in the afternoon and got lucky enough to find a place to sit quickly. Very cute little find, casual and kid friendly. The food was delicious and the service was great.

Delicious! This place is a hidden gem. We got the spicy Bloody Mary and it was amazing staff was friendly too.

Interesting and I daresay therapeutic place. Was a little overwhelmed figuring out what was what due to unique layout and as I was a bit shell shocked from psychotic drivers one has to contend with to get there from Glendale. But really dug the centralized outdoor area that is flanked by two furniture stores in addition to the restaurant interior. Really fantastic place to enjoy live music coupled with a quality menu and respectable bar. Also got to witness the grace the staff exhibited when some nasty behaving women lied about and hijacked my table and drink. Kind people fairly scarce in a lot of Arizona so I'm happy to trek 30-40 minutes to support a place like this. Ed Skibbe and crew were a perfect fit for this spot so I hope they will play there again soon. Overall kudos. Looking forward to returning.

What a cute restaurant with fun indoor and outdoor seating. You order in line and then grab a seat. But your drinks are ready as you order them. The menu has a lot of options but I went with a basic burger and sweet potato fries. The burger was a hand made patty made with fresh meat and the brioche hun was buttered and grilled to perfection. The fries were delicious too. The table runner was quick and even refilled my drink for me. Very good service.

Another wonderful meal at the Grotto Cafe- they are certainly consistent!! I love that!! These days it can be easy to get marginal food that leaves you feeling bummed- not here!! They have continuously made great experiences for me with every visit! I'm a resident in the Tonto Verde area and we really have few restaurants in the outskirts of Scottsdale that make us want to revisit- either because it's hot or miss sometimes. Here we have Never walked out disappointed in our meal or its flavor!! Well Done Grotto for being the exception to the rule- Consistency is Key!! Kudos on the friendly, prompt staff as well!

The grotto offers many amazing options for both indoor and outdoor seating. With a retro feeling indoors and beautiful landscaping outdoors, you simply can't go wrong. The food was quick and delicious and best of all, was a great value for the cost which was very reasonable. Service was friendly and enthusiastic. Overall, if you're interested in this place, there is simply no reason not to go!

Always a good experience and meal. Unique menu and eat item is tasty . . . salads, sandwiches or plates. Service is good and the setting is neat. Both inside and outside dining atmospheres are completely different making for plenty of choices each time you go.

Always a cool outdoor patio. Good local coffee by ROC. Service is great. Tasty food. They could toast their bagels and toast a little more.

We have enjoyed both inside, reading the artwork, and sitting outside, enjoying the entertainment that has resumed now that the weather has cooled down. We started to bring our young 7mon old Daisy. Today she enjoyed the wonderful tunes playing out in the patio. We have enjoyed Panini's, salads, smoothies and great iced teas. Oh I don't wanna forget their sweet potatoes fried as well. They are delicious. Total pup friendly food options too!

I've been coming to The Grotto for years w my family. Since my sibling's passing 3 years ago, I've been diagnosed with panic disorder and got a psychiatric service dog to help me with my breathing when they come on. I carry his license and documentation everywhere w me. Today, I brought my service dog in and as I was getting seated I was asked by a petite woman working there what his task was. After sharing, I was quickly dismissed saying that he is not a service dog but an emotional support animal. I offered to show his license and documentation, and was told that it's easy to print them out online and that may be the case w mine. To minimize my condition and reject my documentation was not only unprofessional but insulting. All the while, there was a smaller dog (indoors) sitting w a group of older men at a table nearby who ran up to my service dog and growled at us; my dog didn't react--bc he's trained. She didn't have any feedback for that party, and it seems as though this rule is quite subjective. I'm extremely disappointed as The Grotto has been a special place for so long. A sad start to 2026.

Stopped in for lunch recently. Busy place that is self seating after ordering g at a counter. I ordered the chicken salad sandwich which most of the ingredients sound like it is chicken Waldorf salad. I also ordered the chips and salsa. Lastly ordered the Iced green tea. The chips and salsa come with red and a green salsa. The green was good but the red had absolutely no flavor. The chicken salad sandwich was average but was really heavy with red onion flavor that overpowered the entire sandwich (leave out the red onion!). The iced green tea was not green tea. Maybe that was the base but in tasted more like peach. This was a miss on some level of everything I ordered.

I was in AZ for my birthday and golf lessons at the Boulder's Golf Club. My Airbnb host recommended the Grotto Cafe for a delicious breakfast. He was right. It was quick ride and easy enough to find parking. I walked in and noticed artwork and posters from various concerts and musicians. The decor is definitely eclectic with a relaxed vibe. Quite the mix of people from different generations with what looked like a lot of locals. There are tables and booths located throughout. Just pick where you want to sit. I ordered a flat white and Grotto bowl which has eggs, sausage, potatoes, cheese and avocado. I was about to pay when I noticed a display with freshly baked goodness on the counter. I ordered a Raspberry white chocolate scone planning on eating it later. The flat white was perfect. A lot of places make a latte and call it a flat white. I can if it's made correctly by the weight. The grotto bowl was outstanding. I added a little ChoLuLa hot sauce and inhaled it. I don't normally eat fast, but it was so good! I decided to "try" a piece of the scone. What a mistake! It was still warm and not what I expected. A scone is usually sort of crispy on the outside and kind of tough like day old bread on the inside. This was light and moist and just luxurious. The combination of white chocolate and the tartness of raspberry was wonderful. I reached into the bag for a second and then a third piece and realized that I didn't have enough to take with me. Nothing left to do except finish it. Grotto Cafe is definitely worth a visit or two if you are in the area. I didn't get to try their lunch menu, but the sandwiches sounded delicious.

This is a great hidden gem in Cave Creek. Came this morning and sat out on the beautiful outdoor patio. Gentle music playing in the background, trees, and tented tables make for an excellent place to sit and relax. The food was made fresh and absolutely delicious. I had the grotto bowl and a lemon scone. So tasty! I highly recommend a stop here if you're in the area.

This spot had been recommended and on our traveling journey we stopped in to try it. It has an ample parking area for the restaurant and surrounding stores. We walked over a small bridge and through the outdoor seating area to get to the entrance so it is a bit hidden, but worth finding. The interior is full of fun memorabilia and signs, and it is a delight to look at everything. The menu is above the ordering counter so I encourage you to take your time perusing as it is large! We got sandwiches but they serve many breakfast type items all day. Our lemonade and tea were refreshing, and the sandwiches were generous. I didn't like the ratio of veggies to cheese on my veggie sandwich, but that could just be preference. I would choose different bread next time which is allowed (even encouraged). A fun and tasty lunch and Sid for sure go back. I didn't see a ton of vegan options but vegetarians can find several things for sure. A fun spot for a stop and the lemon made was delicious!

Started our day with thrift shopping and stopped for lunch. Food is good, bloody Mary's excellent! Live music during the day! Inside is clean with retro decor. The patio is the place to be! Absolutely give it a try!

I'm not a coffee drinker, so it's rare you'll find me at a cafe first thing in the morning - ha! However, I was craving a toasted bagel and a cup of hot tea and a Yelp search led me to Grotto Cafe. This is definitely a community favorite as the parking lot and tables were packed on Saturday morning. Nevertheless, my wait was short and I easily grabbed a seat at a little inside bartop. Service was friendly (and patient!) while a newcomer like me meandered through the menu before making my selections. I chose a plain bagel with strawberry jam and a mint tea. The ambiance feels very much like the old sitcom Cheers! where everyone knows everyone and coffee (or tea for me!) isn't the only thing brimming; lively chatter is bubbling from every table, too! Note: I noticed the outdoor patio is pup friendly!

This place has a nice outdoor patio. We went after a hike in January and enjoyed sitting out on the patio. There are tons of birds that are watching you eat, which is really fun. They don't have a vegan option specifically. We ordered the strawberry spinach salad and omitted the bread and the cheese. It was very delicious. We also got the grilled veggie sandwich without the dairy. It actually was pretty tasty. I wish they had either a vegan cheese or hummus or something on it but all in all really great options. I've also come here before and gotten a drink. It's a nice place to hang out and chill. It can get a little bit busy so you may have to wait for a table to open up.

I've been coming to the Grotto for several years. It's my go to for out of town guests. The ambiance is botanical garden, food is fresh with a good variety of dishes, and the service is self order and served by number on a stick. I'm always amazed how quickly the staff can find the orderer! There is live music on the weekends. The Grotto is unique Cave Creek experience.

Food was really good I had bbq chicken salad it was really good and fresh My friends got Cuban sandwich club sandwich and BLT sandwich they all said it they enjoyed their lunch We sat outside wow we seen hummingbirds and a roadrunner service was great and the ambience was amazing well worth the drive definitely coming back

Third a great place for breakfast lunch. The chicken salad on walnut raisin bread. Sooooo delicious!! Looking forward to going back soon!

What a cute place. It is casual - you order at counter and they bring you the order. Lots of seating inside and outside. Inside the walls are covered with movie posters and witticisms on signs. Outside has lots of tables with umbrellas and several large trees providing shade. We sat outside and even on a hot May afternoon it was comfortable. I ordered a small salad and found it to be a rather sizable amount of food. Salads come with a biscuit which was also yummy. I admit I also ordered a Cuban sandwich to go so I had good food on my flight home. Ha. Sandwich was delicious though I could only eat half. My husband did enjoy the other half the next day! My friends have been here a few times and love it which is why they brought us here. I can understand why they like it. What none of us understood is the "grotto " which apparently is a little trickle of water coming out on an outside wall.

This was my first visit to the Grotto, it is very popular, and therefore busy! The patio is dog friendly which I love, they even have special treats in the mailbox for your furry friends! The food came out fast, I had a BLT, the bacon was cooked perfectly, tomatoes were ripe, and the lettuce crisp! It was delicious! Hubby had the Cuban sandwich, he really enjoyed it as well! I subbed the chips for sweet potato fries, they tasted house made, and were some of the best I've had! Service was attentive, even though they were busy, nothing was overlooked.

Not a place most would find unless someone told you about it but once you go you'll never forget about it and go back. The food and service is great and the atmosphere is darling. No food server though, you order at counter and they bring it to your table. It's super casual and I love the indoor out door atmosphere on nice days

The Spotted Donkey is a delightful dining experience that I highly recommend! The food was delicious--each dish bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. Whether you're in the mood for something savory or sweet, there's something to satisfy every palate. We were here two nights in a row, because we could not find parking in down Town Scottsdale on a Saturday. But that was to our benefit. Why bother being in a place where everyone is trying so hard to be someone, when you can kick back and just be yourself at the Spotted Donkey. Don't get me wrong, there are wonderful places in downtown Scottsdale, but it comes with baggage. Sitting at the bar, chatting with other patrons and the bartender, we once again ordered the the nachos. They are unbelievably delicious and serve two if you are also having an entree, of which all offerings are equally delicious. There is a wide selection of Tequila and locally brewed craft beers. What more could you ask for? With seating at the bar (preferred), inside tucked away in banquettes for two or a four-top as well as outside under the stars, this place is both comfortable and a find. They will also cater to larger groups. The service was equally impressive. The staff was friendly and attentive, making sure our needs were met without being intrusive. They clearly take pride in providing a welcoming atmosphere, which made our meal even more enjoyable. If you're staying at the Boulders Resort & Spa, The Spotted Donkey is incredibly convenient (just charge to your room). It's just a short distance away, making it an ideal spot to unwind after a day of activities. Overall, it's a must-visit for anyone in the area!

After finishing a nice 2.5 mile loop hike at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, Jim, Erin, Gayle and I drove into Cave Creek and enjoyed a very pleasant outdoor lunch at the somewhat ecclectic Grotto Cafe. We found it on Yelp and were not disappointed! The Grotto Cafe system works by ordering your food and beverage at a counter and then having it delivered at your table, either inside or outside. As it was such a nice day, we found a nice shaded outdoor area and relaxed while watching the lunch crowd go by. We did have to guard our chairs as we all didn't sit down at once. I had a Cuban and a beer (pictured), while I lost track of what the other choices were as I was in deep concentration over my most delicious sandwich. We all were quite pleased with our selections and promised to return if we were ever in the area again.

Loved the lunch I had here! I ordered the chicken salad on gluten free bread with fries, my husband had the breakfast burrito, and my son had the yogurt. We also ordered iced chai tea lattes and all of it was great! The staff was also nice and the ambiance was cool and has a nice patio. Will definitely be back!

My sister and I went to this restaurant today for lunch. Everything was excellent. We had onion rings, chicken salad sandwich and tuna sandwich with drinks. Everything was delicious. Great service. 5 star service for sure. Delicious food and great atmosphere. I would highly recommend.

Every time I come here it is perfect!! The service is always 10/10 and the food is even better. The walls of the building are so decorated, there is always something interesting to look at. I 100% recommend.

Wow! What a great place . My friend and I stopped here for lunch and we had an awesome experience. The food was outstanding, the service was spot on and the place is absolutely beautiful. You can sit inside or out side. I had the strawberry fields salad and it was amazing. The candied walnuts were so delicious they should sell them separately!!!

I had lunch here once with friends who had previously visited. I highly recommend this restaurant. I had a delicious chicken salad sandwich on excellent cranberry walnut wheat bread. The restaurant has seating indoors and outdoors. The landscaping is very pretty. There are several mature trees that provide shade. I saw a roadrunner stroll through the patio and jump into a tree to rest, a special bird sighting. If the weather is good most people will want to sit outside because the ambiance is so relaxing. At this restaurant you order at the counter and take a number to your table. The service was prompt even during a busy lunch hour. If I return to Cave Creek I hope to return to this restaurant. As of May 2025 the hours are 6:00 am to 5:00 pm.

I had a client bring me to the Grotto and ordered us both the Chicken Breast Sandwich. I drove 30miles back today to get it again and I was bummed it wasn't on the menu. I asked the server about it and she said that it just isn't on the menu. I got it and my fiancé got the Bbq salad. Everything was just as good as the 1st time, the outdoor seating was shaded and beautiful, and they have LIVE MUSIC outside!! Oh ya, get the Passion Fruit Iced Tea too!!! What a wonderful find! I wish I'd taken a pic of the outdoor seating!

ambiance: Amazing! Food: Okay service: poor Too bad, the place is adorable. Coffee was great.

Wanted to try Grottos cafe for some time now. We walked in for lunch and it has a nice and inviting area for people to sit at either outside or inside. First though, you need to order your food at the front and you get a number for your table and drinks. We sat outside under an umbrella. The wait wasn't too long and the food was delicious. I got the avocado sandwich with strawberry salad and my friend ordered the fish tacos. We both finished our food. The bread was so soft on the sandwich. Everything was delicious. They have live music from 2-5 but we were there earlier than that. I live close by and I'll defiantly be back.

We stopped in to Grotto Cafe for Brunch and what an amazing experience we had. The best service from the staff and leadership team. Beautifully decorated ambience where you can just lounge and be so comfortable while enjoying absolutely delicious food. Definitely our new a monthly go to brunch-location. And if you have never tried a strawberry muffin, like I had not, this is the place to try it first.

Had their world famous chicken salad and there was very little chicken and way too many cranberry's they should call it world famous cranberry salad ALSO I got really bad food poisoning , POISON FROM IT I THINK THEY COVERD OVER OLD CHICKEN SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES NEVER EATING THAT AGAIN DO NOT TRUST THEM I DONT RECOMMEND THE GRILL CHEESE SANDWICH JUST AWFUL 2 slices of cheese and not even melted well , when they get busy their the food quality goes way down