La Gruta

Mexican restaurant · San Francisco Mazapa

La Gruta

Mexican restaurant · San Francisco Mazapa

2

Circuito Arqueologico, Av. del Puente S/N, 55820 San Francisco Mazapa, Méx., Mexico

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Highlights

Dine in a candlelit cave with pre-Hispanic dishes & mezcal  

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Circuito Arqueologico, Av. del Puente S/N, 55820 San Francisco Mazapa, Méx., Mexico Get directions

lagruta.mx
@lagrutamx

$$$ · Menu

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Circuito Arqueologico, Av. del Puente S/N, 55820 San Francisco Mazapa, Méx., Mexico Get directions

+52 55 5191 9799
lagruta.mx
@lagrutamx
𝕏
@lagruta

$$$ · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 14, 2025

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@atlasobscura

10 History-Filled Bars Hiding in Plain Sight

"Predecessors of the Aztecs ritually sacrificed untold thousands of enemies, prisoners, and citizens in Teotihuacán to please Huitzilopochtli, ensuring that the god would allow the sun to rise another day. Today, after a midday tour of the now-archaeological complex under the blaring sun, however, you may kill for some shade. Luckily, a quick walk from the grounds is a bar and restaurant shielded from all sides: La Gruta is literally in a cave. Since 1906, visitors to the ancient city have cooled down and worked off their post-visit appetite in this little-known subterranean restaurant that’s 650 feet from the famous archaeological site. The impressive space is decorated only by its own natural features. Sun pours in through the upper reaches of the cave during daytime, while at night hundreds of candles cast a warm glow about the cool, echoey space. The menu boasts an extensive selection of pre-Hispanic specialties such as tlacoyitos (corn cakes smothered in anise-flavored green sauce), the more adventurous escamoles al epazote (ant larvae with wormseed herb), and traditional pit barbecued meats ranging from rabbit to goat and lamb. A word to the wise, however: While no tourist-trap, La Gruta’s beautiful setting is the main draw and surpasses the quality of its dinners. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of mezcal and tequila across the menu if you wanted to stop by for just a drink." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/hidden-bars-speakeasies
View Postcard for La Gruta
@atlasobscura

La Gruta – San Francisco Mazapa, Mexico - Gastro Obscura

"Predecessors of the Aztecs ritually sacrificed untold thousands of enemies, prisoners, and citizens in Teotihuacán to please Huitzilopochtli, ensuring that the god would allow the sun to rise another day. Today, after a midday tour of the now-archaeological complex under the blaring sun, however, you may kill for some shade. Luckily, a quick walk from the grounds is a bar and restaurant shielded from all sides: La Gruta is literally in a cave. Since 1906, visitors to the ancient city have cooled down and worked off their post-visit appetite in this little-known subterranean restaurant that’s 650 feet from the famous archaeological site. The impressive space is decorated only by its own natural features. Sun pours in through the upper reaches of the cave during daytime, while at night hundreds of candles cast a warm glow about the cool, echoey space. The menu boasts an extensive selection of pre-Hispanic specialties such as tlacoyitos (corn cakes smothered in anise-flavored green sauce), the more adventurous escamoles al epazote (ant larvae with wormseed herb), and traditional pit barbecued meats ranging from rabbit to goat and lamb. A word to the wise, however: While no tourist-trap, La Gruta’s beautiful setting is the main draw and surpasses the quality of its dinners. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of mezcal and tequila across the menu if you wanted to stop by for just a drink. Know Before You Go While the space does fit 700, you're best-suited with a reservation. Note as well that the temperature does drop 10 to 15 degrees underground, so it wouldn't hurt to bring a light jacket." - cjstephens, lukefater

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/la-gruta-teotihuacan-cave-restaurant
View Postcard for La Gruta

Sachin Sawant

Google
Dining in a Sacred Cave – A Memorable Experience, Even If the Food Falls Short Have you ever dined in a natural cave? After exploring the majestic Teotihuacan pyramids, we visited La Gruta, a restaurant like no other. Set inside an ancient cave, this place is not just a restaurant—it’s an experience. The cave is considered sacred by indigenous people, believed to be a temple dedicated to the fire god. As a beautiful gesture, guests are offered a candle to light at the entrance—like being welcomed into someone’s ancestral home. The ambiance is truly magical and the service was excellent—our server was friendly, attentive, and made us feel very welcome. However, while the setting is unforgettable, the food left much to be desired. It’s overpriced and, unfortunately, doesn’t match the uniqueness of the environment in either taste or quality. Still, how many times in life do you get to enjoy a meal inside a natural cave steeped in cultural and spiritual meaning? For the experience alone, it’s worth a visit—just manage your expectations when it comes to the food.

Richard Duan

Google
What an amazing dining experience! As gimmicky as it sounds, dining in a cave near Teotihuacan was absolutely worth the price of admission. The atmosphere is unmatched and the food felt incredibly appropriate given the surrounding context. Personal favourites off the menu were the mutton soup, the flan, any of their mole sauce dishes. Despite the large capacity of the restaurant, I would still recommend making a reservation as it was packed when we arrived.

Chris lucskay

Google
For a memorable meal after exploring the ancient wonders of Teotihuacan, La Gruta offers a truly unique setting. Situated in a natural cave, the restaurant boasts an incredible ambiance that adds an extra layer to your dining experience. We tried the intriguing fried corn cakes served with grasshoppers – a must-try regional specialty! The classic Mole with Chicken was flavorful, and the Mutton was also enjoyable. While the food was good overall, the highlight is undoubtedly the stunning atmosphere. If you're visiting the Teotihuacan pyramids and looking for a place to eat that's as unforgettable as the ruins themselves, La Gruta is definitely worth checking out.

Melissa Monday

Google
After visiting the Teotihuacan pyramids, we dined at the cave restaurant. Here’s what we loved: - it was such a unique environment that shouldn’t be missed. - no reservations required - food was great! - The sangria with vodka was fantastic - the quetzal and gruta salads were super flavorful fantastic! - we were seated quickly Things we would change: - The service was a bit slow at first so it took a while to even get water. However, once we put in our order things went pretty quickly and service was great. - prickly pear margarita was quite tart but that’s a personal preference.

Syra Ozaeta

Google
What an experience,I loved coming here,we were seated and the waiter was attentive. We mostly ordered chilaquiles with steak and it was delicious,my only negative was that it wasn't hot. It arrived and the food was like warm and inside the cave it got cold pretty fast and eating cold food on a cold day in a cold cave wasn't a kill joy just notable lol. The flavor was on point tho, the history and story of lighting the candle and giving your problems to the gods of the underworld was epic and it felt good passing on negative personal feelings to this magic of that. This place is a must visit and you will enjoy it!!

Denise Esparza

Google
The food was mediocre, for those prices you expect good food. The ambience and atmosphere is great, love that experience. The service was terrible, we had to wait a long time to order, long time to get our drinks, long time to get our food, and no one ever came back to give us the candle and explain the tradition. I was dissatisfied and angry so we just walked out after paying the tab that also took FOREVER and they weren’t even busy we were one of the first parties to get there.

Anindita Ravindran

Google
Scores on every front! Authentic pre-Hispanic Mexican fare set in a surreal cave. The food is fantastic, which by itself justfies the prices. The waiting staff are dressed in gorgeous Mexican traditional wear. The cave is lit by candles and recessed lights. This is a truly magical place to dine... a quintessential experience for everyone visiting the pyramids! Birthdays are celebrated very uniquely with the blowing of a conch shell, which is yet another reason to dine here for special occasions!

Justin Douglas

Google
Sangria was phenomenal alone with the margaritas! I have a arrachera was delicious as well. Very flavorful. I should probably mention the ambience was fantastic too.
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Terry B.

Yelp
One of the most amazing and unforgettable culinary experiences of my life. The ambiance speaks for itself, Brandon was our server and although he was slammed he was great! The food was beyond tasteful with ingredients sourced from local farmers to replicate ancient culinary traditions. I just COULDN'T GET OVER THE EXPLOSION OF FLAVOR! The sauce was indescribably spectacular! Brandon told me it was: Chile manzano tatemado,xoconostle,jugo de limon. ***A must for anyone seeing the pyramids!***
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Lisa S.

Yelp
La Gruta: A Dining Gem Near the Teotihuacan Pyramids During a recent trip to Mexico City, one restaurant stood out above the rest: La Gruta, a stunning dining experience just a short walk from the Teotihuacan Pyramids. Nestled within a natural cave, this unique restaurant combines breathtaking aesthetics with exceptional cuisine. Descending the steps into the cave reveals a space that is open to the sky, allowing natural light to filter through and creating a magical atmosphere. The setting alone is worth the visit, but the food takes it to the next level. The highlight of my meal was the chilaquiles, topped with an impeccable mole sauce that redefined the dish for me. I honestly don't think I can eat chilaquiles anywhere else now--they were that good. I could easily enjoy this meal every day. We also tried the chicken mole, which was equally phenomenal, showcasing the restaurant's mastery of rich, complex flavors. As a thoughtful touch, at the end of the meal, diners are invited to place a diya or candle as an offering, adding a meaningful cultural element to the experience. The story behind this tradition is shared at the restaurant by your server and adds to the charm. I can't recommend La Gruta enough. Whether you're visiting Teotihuacan or just exploring the area, this is a culinary and cultural experience you won't want to miss.
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Trent N.

Yelp
Who doesn't want to eat in a cave? The restaurant is located behind the Pyramid of the Sun. My tour guide and I put our name in around 2pm and waited 5 minutes for a table, even though 75% of the restaurant was empty. Bathrooms are located on the ground level a bit across from the restaurant. Once you go down the stairs into the restaurant it's so colorful, and a nice break as it is cool, and shaded. We ordered: Lemon margarita - bomb, excellent Fajitas - ok Guacamole- great Rib eye - similar to an Outback Steakhouse Mostly came here for the ambiance. I'd only order the margarita and Guacamole if I ever came back.
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Maricarmen C.

Yelp
This place is so beautiful, I knew I had to eat here when in the area. Went to Teotihuacán to explore the pyramids, and made a reservation to eat here after. It is very close and within walking distance. There were plenty of people asking where we were headed and directing us towards the right direction. We arrived a bit early to our reservation, and were directed towards the bathrooms as there is none at the restaurant (they're located on top near the main entrance). We were seated quickly and provided with two cardboard mats which also had the QR code for the menu on them. The restaurant has WiFi so you don't have any issues with reception. We tried their guacamole and chicken fajitas. The chicharrón in the guacamole was so good. The fajitas were also very tasty. Out food was accompanied with chips and tortillas. We also got their Jamaica and frozen mango margarita without alcohol. The Jamaica was okay, it tasted a bit watered down. The mango margarita was amazing! There is plenty of seating and so beautiful and colorful. It is such a unique dining experience, I definitely recommend.

Bequer G.

Yelp
La Gruta is a great restaurant! The food and salsas are great. Very authentic flavor, they even make their own colored corn tortillas. The ambiance is chill, not loud and a unique experience. You don't get to dine inside a cave every day, it's definitely a whole experience. The service was great. They waited on us attentively and quickly. It was with the 40 minute wait, but you can also make a reservation.
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Jennifer H.

Yelp
4.5/5 stars We made a reservation and were seated quickly. My bf and I got the Quetzalcoatl salad (cactus and other veggies with tortilla crisps), fire-grilled flank steak, pork belly with macnhamanteles mole, the chocolate cake with amaranth flour with hibiscus and guava ice cream, and the grilled pineapple with honey and orange blossom ice cream The Quetzalcoatl salad was unique, and the tortilla crisps added texture. The pork belly was surprisingly good. Even without the fat, the meat itself was very tender, and the mole had so much flavor. The chocolate cake was warm, but wasn't super sweet. It went well with the ice cream, although the guava ice cream was a little too sour for me. The pineapples had a unique flavor (flavored with root beer plant). I enjoyed the honey and orange blossom ice cream that came with the pineapples. This restaurant is a super unique experience (it's inside this cavity of volcano origin) with a long history (apparently Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera had been there). Food-wise it would be 4/5 stars, but increasing the rating due to beautiful ambiance.
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Cathy C.

Yelp
Yelp Review 2024 #45: I joined a tour group to visit the pyramids in Teotihuacan and I knew we had an hour lunch break so, I made sure to scope out the restaurants nearby. La Gruta isn't the closest to the pyramids but I wanted to venture a little bit. So, I made a reservation using a different app. I took an Uber to get here but I knew I was going to be 30 minutes late so, i tried to edit my reservation udon the said app but nothing was available. I got to La Gruta and went to the host's booth and honored my reservation anyway. I had to wait a little bit but that's better than canceling my reservation and being put on the waitlist which was 2 hours deep. It's a restaurant inside a cave and it's a cool sight to see. They have natural lighting and candles so it's not pitch black while you're in the restaurant. You have to take steps carved out of the cave to get down to the restaurant (no elevators) so, take that in consideration if you or somebody in your party can't use stairs. Ordering and paying for your food is chaotic (if you're American that doesn't get out of the country much). You have to catch somebody's attention to get a menu, to place your order, and to get the check. And it won't be the same person all the time. It's whichever server you can get. So, be decisive in what you want and don't expect substitutions/ alterations to the food. The pricing is quite high compared to other places in Mexico because it's very touristy. While waiting for your food, you can go up to more stairs to light a candle and pray/ make a wish. Enjoy the ambiance and just how cool it is to be eating at a restaurant inside a cave. They give you complimentary chips and salsa. Piña Colada: A friend of mine highly recommended getting the virgin version of their piña colada. It was about 117 pesos so about $7 to give you an idea of pricing. 4/5 Molcajete La Gruta: Chicharron with Guacamole. Two things I enjoy put together. This is an appetizer for like 4 people. I tried eating this by myself. Crunchy, fatty with a slight acidity from the guacamole. This was probably my favorite part of my meal 4/5 Mexican Platter: Tamales, flauta, steak, mole with a side of rice and black beans. It's a lot of food. But if you want to sample a little bit of this and a little bit of that, this is perfect. 398 pesos (about $24). The taste was mediocre 3/5 Corn Cake with Eggnog: It's like a corn muffin. Pour the egg nog to put some moisture onto the cake. 3/5 It does take a bit of time to get your food. I was late rejoining my tour and met up with them at the next stop. But there's no way I would trade the experience of eating at La Gruta. Probably get appetizers instead of entrees.
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James Z.

Yelp
La Gruta is a must-do experience when visiting Teotihuacan. Make sure to reserve in advance. The restaurant is located in a cave right outside of gate 5 of the pyramids. It's a pretty easy walk to get there. The setting is absolutely stunning and you can't help but take pictures as you descend into the cave and dining area. While it is big and busy, the service is still quick and efficient. They have a good system there. The portions are pretty big, so keep that in mind. We got the molcajete, which is chicharron in guacamole, pollo mixiote, stewed chicken, and platos Mexicano, an assorted plate of different Mexican foods. Everything was pretty tasty and we were pleasantly surprised that the food was this good in a touristy restaurant. After you finish the meal, they give you a candle, and iPad to read about their history and myths about the cave. You take the candle to the end of the cave and set it with the other candles as part of the tradition. I thought it was very cool and a great touch for the end of the meal. The bathrooms are located separately and at the top of the cave. Overall, a really memorable experience and meal here. The food is pretty pricey and something to keep in mind if you are trying to stay on a budget but you do get a lot of food for what you are paying for.
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Najwa G.

Yelp
La Gruta is at a beautiful space but unfortunately didn't have good food or service at all. My mother and I both had the chilaquiles- one with red sauce and the other with green sauce. Both were mediocre but the red sauce one was slightly better. They also served a variety of breads and juices but unfortunately everything was quite subpar. All in all, I wouldn't visit this spot in Mexico City again nor would I recommend it to anyone.
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Steve M.

Yelp
The food was decent and the service and ambiance were very good. Ordered the guacamole with chichearon for an appetizer and the tortilla soup for my entree. Cool that it's in a cave and the service is good, just a bit over priced for the actual food.
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Pam A.

Yelp
After we finished exploring Teotihuacán we decided to grab a bite at La Gruta, which was basically across the street. Right before you check in at the host stand there is an outdoor handwashing station. This was super convenient especially after visiting the Teotihuacán attractions. It took some time to get seated despite the restaurant having lots of tables available. The QR menu had an English version which was very helpful. We ended up ordering the popular fried corn cakes, tortilla and corn soups, chicken fajitas and barbacoa. Unfortunately everything was just mediocre and overpriced. Service was lacking and it was almost impossible to get our bill. The only thing they were fast about was giving you a tablet to fill out a satisfaction survey after you pay. This place is a tourist trap. Great for pictures only.
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Jennifer V.

Yelp
While I made a reservation for this, it was not necessary at all on a Thursday morning. The restaurant is absolutely stunning! Service was good. Food is a bit expensive and probably not the star of the show but I highly recommend getting the flautas with barbacoa (best bang for your buck & I was left satisfied and full). They give you a candle at the end of your meal to put on top of the rocks to symbolize rebirth. I think this place would be a great wedding reception area, absolutely stunning!

B S.

Yelp
Disgusting. I got h pylori from this place. It's a bacteria caused by fecal matter from contaminated food or water. I was in so much pain I ended up in the emergency room. It took 14 days of 2 antibiotics four times daily plus other Medicines to kill this bacteria that is the number one cause of gastric cancer. The food was awful on top of what it has caused me. The treatment was horrendous and the pain was unbearable. STAY AWAY!!!!
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Amy D.

Yelp
A Meal Beneath the Ground This was by far an excellent choice of restaurant reservation. I made my lunch reservation from home a few days before my vacation started. We came on the same day of our Teotihuacán pyramids tour day. We walked out of gate 5 and walked across the street. Very safe. There were people directing us to the correct place. We literally came down and into a cave. The pictures don't do it justice. They did a fantastic job at utilizing this natural hole in the ground. I loved how they elegantly tied in the natural colors with the decor throughout and added the dim orange lighting which gives it a romantic feel. They added a nice touch with the music coming out of the niches of the walls. Then they enhanced the feel with the vivid Mexican colors. As for the service, It was very busy. Yet we were seated and served in a timely manner. The service was great. The experience was more memorable than the food. As other reviews state, you don't come here looking for an amazing meal. However, what we ate wasn't bad at all. I especially loved their little candle lighting ritual at the end of the dining experience.
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Maria R.

Yelp
La Gruta sits on the edge of Teotihuacán and is the crown jewel in a sea of many beautiful restaurants. We came with family who had been there before and had no idea what to expect. Upon entering the parking lot it's not evident that La Gruta (The Grotto) is a cave. I've only ever seen places like this on social media. More than 100 years old (the country's president ate there in 1906, which is commemorated with a stone placard on a wall inside the restaurant), you first catch a glimpse of what's inside when you walk past a few holes in the rock at "street" level. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with plenty of seating for groups waiting for tables. Past the garden/waiting area you'll find bathrooms and a small (of expensive) shop for souvenirs and snacks. The real magic is down a few flights of stairs where a vast cavern opens up with seemingly endless rows of tables. At one end of the grotto is a candlelit wall. At the other is a bar where waiters can be seen shuttling drinks to tables. We were seated quickly and took our time to decide on what we wanted. I tried almost everyone's dishes. The mushroom soup was slightly sweet and earthy. The grubs were surprisingly tasty. My sopa de la milpa was beautifully presented. The standout was definitely the sopas with chapulines. They were smoky and absolutely delicious. The masa for the sopes and the plentiful tortillas we were given are locally sourced, fresh, and with a depth of flavor that blows any other tortillas I've ever had out of the water. Dessert was worth the wait. The corn cake with rum sauce and the grilled pineapple with ice cream were outstanding paired with a sip of cafe de olla (the best I've started so far in Mexico). What was really special was at the end of the meal, our waiter came over and told us the story of the grotto. It was a special place where the indigenous people came to pray and purify themselves, leaving lighter than they came. This was the restaurant's wish for its patrons. We were given a candle which he lit and instructed to say a few words or silent prayers about what we'd like to leave behind, then invited to take the candle to the rock wall and place it in one of the niches there. Quietly we all joined hands and had a silent moment before bringing the candle to the wall. It was emotional and lovely and a memory that I will never forget from this trip of endless highlights.
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Uday M.

Yelp
Came on a Friday afternoon after visiting the pyramids to a fairly busy dining room, so I imagine you'd have to make a reservation for the weekend. The prices here are certainly higher than all the surrounding restaurants but you're of course paying for the experience of the cave setting, which is beautiful with the candles as well. The food was overall good, although if you haven't tried cactus before be wary as it has a sour vinegar-ish taste that may not be for everyone. Getting a waiter's attention was quite difficult, but once we did place our order, the food came out in a reasonable time.
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Anna H.

Yelp
Highly recommend coming here after visiting Teotihuacan. The idea of being able to eat in a cave and learning about the legend of La Gruta really provides a unique experience. The service was great even though it was bustling. This is an expensive place so the both of us opted for the alcoholic cocktails and sharing a molcajete and it was plenty and delicious. I really enjoyed my horchata mezcalito: lightly sweet, full of spices, and a great place to splurge a little. The molcajete is really big!
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Mikey A.

Yelp
Wowowow. A highlight of our trip forsure is getting to experience La Gruta. The wait was worth it simply due to the service ambiance and at the end we got a little history of the restaurant which was a great way to end the meal. People going on about the food must've not ordered the correct things or they just haven't tried a lot of mole before! We thought the only mid item was the barbacoa - it was good but nothing super special. but everything else was great. I will be thinking about the mole for a long time! One thing to watch out for is if you have never had cactus before - your stomach not be used to digesting it so be cautious of that. I recommend planning to be waiting for a while before getting seated. There is a shop outside to pass the time and seating a little farther out from the waiting area. I also recommend taking your time around the altars. There is so much to look at and take in!
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Jin Y.

Yelp
Getting there: we actually took the bus leaving from the Autobuses del Norte station at 9am and paid $300 MXN for two adults ($120 RT x 2) and one kid ($60 RT) = $17.48 USD as of this writing. We were dropped off by the gate 2 that leads straight to the pyramid of the sun. We took some photos then raced to make our reservation. The gps took us towards the right of the pyramid and towards the museum area where the road splits off. We followed the gpa through the gate 5 parking lot, away from the museum, crossed the street and there is literally a sign that says La Gruta. We kept following the sign and after we passed the La Gruta parking lot we got our first view of the cave. We made our 11am reservation exactly on time and I'm so glad we made reservations because when we left the premise there was a huge line of people waiting to eat. The dining experience: The food was better than I expected though everything skewed a bit bland. Biggest takeaway is that the portions were so generous we over-ordered. With two adults and a kid, I would suggest either getting two entrees and a kids meal or one guacamole and one starter and a kids meal. We ordered one guac, two entrees, and a kids meal with drinks and it was just too much food. Felt a bit wasteful and I wish I knew just how huge the molcajate was. The molcajate with chicharron was more than enough to feed 4-6 adults as an appetizer. One couple behind us only ordered the guacamole and beers. They did it right. One little thing. I mentioned my son was allergic to eggs, dairy, and nuts. His kids meal was fine until the end. I asked several times if the lemon sorbet had any of his allergens especially milk since that's a severe allergy for him. I was told several times it was water based. I trust the staff about the ingredients so maybe it was cross contamination. Sometimes ice cream is scooped using the same scooper that was used for dairy ice cream. My kid ended up reacting and threw up everything he ate in the bathroom which was an unfortunate ending to an otherwise memorable meal. I would still go back and maybe ask more questions about allergies even if it makes me the annoying patron because I'd rather be sure my son won't get sick. Overall, it was an amazing experience, especially ending the meal with a candle that we got to add to the stairs and hearing the conch and tableside fire for celebrations. Felt like we were in on a secret or something which always feels extra special. The meal was around $90 usd plus tip so I paid around $104 usd. I was able to use my Amex.
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Frankj S.

Yelp
Middle of nowhere by the Old Mexican Pyramids. Our driver suggested this underground cave to eat lunch, and it was a fantastic experience. Very cool looking and such a nice staff. The food is excellent and well worth the travel to. Highly recommend this place to eat and check out.
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John R.

Yelp
Five stars for the location. Two stars for the food. If you travel to Teotihuacán and have never been here before, the location alone is something worth experiencing. The place is amazing. You can view almost the entire dining space as you walk to the entrance and as you descend the stairs it is set up as the most welcoming experience ever. The post-meal candle setting in the cave is a nice touch to conclude your experience here. So what about the food? Average at the best. Approach the menu that way, whether you wish to be somewhat adventurous with ESCAMOLES AL EPAZOTE Ant larvae sautéed with worm seed herb or somewhat safe with MIXIOTE CHICKEN stew with cactus, prickly pear and onions, wrapped in the papery skin of maguey leaves before cooking. Accompanied by white rice and corn grains. The overall experience is rather flat. Thus, enjoy a light meal. Take in the amazing surroundings. Save your larger appetite for somewhere else.
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Paige A.

Yelp
Yes, very cool, dining in a cave, which I was very excited about. The service we experienced was fine, but we had a reservation and did go during a low tourist season and mid-week. Our local friend said the wait is much worse on the weekends. It was an experience, but for three of us to eat with an appetizer and drinks, US $120. Mediocre food. CDMX has so many high end restaurants, with world renowned food to try at a similar price point. I ordered the tortilla soup, my husband and our friend ordered mixed entree plates, and we also ordered the chapulin sopes. The chapulin sopes were also a fun addition to the experience, but you can find chapulin dishes in CDMX. I won't return to La Gruta. If I had it to do over, I'd probably skip it.

Yvonne G.

Yelp
One of the most beautiful dining experiences near the pyramids! The food was amazing and the service was excellent.
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Veronica D.

Yelp
Wow. It did not disappoint. The location was just like the pictures if not better, the temperature was perfect. The food was great but the drinks were incredible. Great story by staff on the history of this beautiful cave. Great times.
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Lianna T.

Yelp
This restaurant goes beyond a meal and into a full experience with history, interactive components and even a spiritual element. The pictures speak for themselves, but the restaurant is submerged at the bottom of a cave, created by volcanic eruptions hundreds of years ago. The colorful chairs and many tables make for a festive energy, along with the beautiful day of the dead decorations. The highlight of the meal was at the end, each table is provided with a small candle to place in the cave, as a symbol of leaving all negative behind and leaving as a reborn woman or man. The food is also quite tasty. The complimentary salsa that was provided at the beginning of the meal, might have been the best I had in Mexico City. Reservations are likely needed in advance as this restaurant was very popular!
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Uyen N.

Yelp
This is one of the few restaurants available near the pyramids in Teotihuacan. This restaurant lets you dine in a cave, which is pretty cool. They also have nice decor during dia de los muertos. The wait is pretty long. We came around 3pm and still had to wait for almost an hour for our table. While waiting, you can buy snacks like corn, chips, and drinks. Food is okay, mole and the taco in the mexican platter are probably the best food. At the end, there is a surprise for customers, which I think is pretty cool. If you take the bus to the pyramids, we recommend you should leave the restaurant 30m-1hr before the pyramids close so you can easily cut across the site to get back to the bus station since walking around the site would be way too long and there is not a lot of uber and random taxi charges a shit ton of money.
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Grace N.

Yelp
My boyfriend's family took us here after the pyramids back in October. You can see the photos I have was from that time because of the elaborated and gorgeous altars for Dias de Muertos. I don't think overall this place has such good reviews and I've read that the food and service is a hit and miss here, and it's also a very touristy place. However, for my one time experience with a large group on a Saturday in late afternoon/early dinner, that it was very good! I was in awe walking into this place! You have to come during October to experience the altar. After the meal they even gave every table a few candles and you can go up the gruta to light them up and place the candles anywhere up the stairs onto the cave at the altar or around the altar. Service was fine, we had to flag someone down from time to time but they were busy. Food was really good, I got the aracha steak, sorry I forgot the proper name but it's the steak with nopales and it was so tender juicy and delicious! My family also made me tried the crickets tacos...I dunno I had one bite and that will be it for me. I'm not a bugs fan when it comes to food..not a bugs fan overall. Maybe just the cartoons. They also sell fried crickets in the gift store. Overall it's a great experience and I would really recommend it!
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Irene B.

Yelp
What a wonderful experience! I made reservations for 6 after our visit at the Teotihuacan pyramids. We checked in easily and we're seated at our reservation time. The cave was soo beautiful words can not describe it ! It's best to come and see in person. It was beautifully decorated for dia Los muertos with an ofrenda and marigold flowers everywhere. At the end of the meal we were able to light a candle and place it in the cave for our dead loved ones. Geronimo was a great waiter and provided great service. I ordered a mango margarita blended and it was huge, refreshing and delicious! I ordered the tortilla soup and the broth had so much depth and flavor! It had avocado, cheese and chicharon! My husband ordered the chicken mole and it was so velvety smooth and the chicken was soft and moist.
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Milla G.

Yelp
The restaurant itself is beautiful, unique, rare experience. They end the meal with a special intention explaining the spiritual aspect of the cave, and give you a candle to light. That was so special! Had read that the food is not the reason to go there, and definitely would support this. The land of Teotihuacan and preserving the oral history, special nature of the site, and supporting those who inhabit the area today and carry on that legacy... is the reason to go! Happy for this to continue to be a special occasion stop for locals and travelers alike. Magical location. Beautiful space.

Y S.

Yelp
DISGUSTING. I got H PYLORI from this place. If you don't know what that is look it up. The worst meal I have had in my entire life. I had to get a stomach biopsy due to the pain I was in after eating here. Confirmed H Pylori. DO NOT GO HERE. It is unsanitary and you might get this bacteria like I did. It has been a nightmare. This place should be shut down.
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Ryan L.

Yelp
I came here after visiting the Teotihuacan pyramids and it was a nice restaurant both on the looks side and the food side as well. The item that everyone gets is the guacamole and chips in the molcajete and it was pretty good! I got the fire grilled flank steak and it was pretty good. I've actually never had cactus before so I thought it was quite nice. The foods here are quite unique so a good amount of the time, I wasn't sure what I was eating exactly. Overall, it was quite a new experience so this place is basically a must do whenever you're visiting the pyramids. Afterwards you get to check out this nice area of the cave where they have a bunch of candles placed by people and the servers tell you a short story and the meaning behind it. Definitely a good place to go to if you want the full on Teotihuacan experience. The access to uber is very convenient and this is located just behind the pyramids.
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Kat S.

Yelp
I know people are raving about this place. I'm guilty. I fell into the hype, too, but honestly, this place is pretty, and it's a good experience one time after walking in the heat at the pyramids and getting cooled down. Food could have been better. Drinks, on the other hand, were good. So, if you want a mediocre and expensive experience, this is the place for a nice drink and appetizer while getting a photo op. This is an only atmosphere type of place, so do eat before coming here. Service was good for all the tourists, plus clean restrooms.
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Konrad S.

Yelp
This place is the best definition of a tourist trap. Overpriced, poorly cooked and not tasty at all. Stay away from here, the grotto it self is not that impressive once you are in. Save yourself some money and a bad experience.
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Monica G.

Yelp
Food was excellent! I ordered the Panton Mexicano which allowed me to try a few things (Steak,Taco & Tamal w/ a side of rice & beans). We weren't able to get a reservation but was still able to do a "walk-in". The only negative thing I will say is that they brought out my daughter's order wrong; they replaced it twice (got it right the 3rd time) but then still charged us for two orders...even though they were the ones who got it wrong.
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Cody V.

Yelp
One of the most amazing experiences ever! This restaurant was a bucket list place for many years & when I finally got to try it, I wasn't let down! The food was delicious! The mole was incredible & the flan as well. Everyone there was super friendly, especially my server, Julio L. He was awesome & was very helpful with my not-so-good Spanish! I cannot stress enough that this is a must do if you're in the Mexico City area. And there are pyramids very close by, which were cool too. (But not nearly as cool as this cave restaurant!)

Albert F.

Yelp
The atmosphere is great and unique, dining inside a cafe. The food was OK. We went for the experience so did not have high expectations. Worth a visit to experience a 100 year old tradition.
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Paul O.

Yelp
We went to this restaurant back in March 2019 after visiting the Teotihuacan pyramids. We plan to come here again when we return to Mexico City post-pandemic when more family members join us. In a lot of ways, the restaurant reminds me of the type of restaurant that is at the top of a tower or other tourist site. I don't mean that in a bad way. Rather, it is a reflection of the fact that the food is not the only attraction. The caves are a really beautiful place to eat. In fact, they have the benefit of being somewhat cooler than the ground above which makes eating very comfortable. In terms of food, we ordered guacamole, flank steak fajitas, a salad, and of course drinks. I would give the food a solid "B." It's on the level of Celia's (in the SF Bay Area) or maybe a slight step up from Azteca. Again, though, I don't mean this as a slight. The fact that we would come here again speaks volumes. We really enjoyed our experience and would bring others.

Christy H.

Yelp
Food was so yummy! Good drinks and service. Place is really cute. We Made reservations
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Susan D.

Yelp
After missing a chance to come dine here in 2021, I made sure to bring my hubby here as part of our 25th anniversary celebration. When reading through the reviews, it was a little discouraging about the food and getting in without a reservation BUT we tried at 11:20 a.m. and we did not have to wait at all. Once seated, the server came by and took our order. I had no idea that they served grasshoppers on fried corn cakes or any larvae in butter. I opted to go for the chicken on corn cakes and hubby was more adventures and went for the grasshoppers! It definitely was interesting to look at! My chicken cakes were a bit bland so I seasoned it to my liking. However, the grasshoppers were full of flavor! Each bite was a burst of lime and spices! Also extra crunchy! If you can get pass the look of it, we highly recommend this dish! The interior is just amazing esp knowing that JFK, Charles de Gaulle, Diego Rivera and Frida all have dined here! I highly recommend coming here just to see this cave, just stunning!

Bella G.

Yelp
Absolutely incredible views! This is definitely a must-do if you're in the area! The food is delicious as well, and the service was attentive and amazing!
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Margaret P.

Yelp
This place made this the perfect day after exploring the pyramids! We had made reservations a while back, so we had no problem waiting to be seated. We kept our meal here rather light, especially because after reading the reviews we figured that the meals here were not that great. What we had wasn't bad at all though! We ordered the chicharon guacamole, some beers and pina colada, and barbacoa. Everything was decent! The guacamole was HUGE and the salsas were great. After our meal, our server came and gave us a candle to leave an offering at the altar -- I thought that was a great bonus to add to the ambiance of the restaurant. I'm giving this place five stars, because we had a great time, and how often can you say that you're eating at a gruta?
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Brent A.

Yelp
Eating in a cave is a pretty cool experience, but our meal, while good, was definitely not worth the price and the servers were clearly stretched too thin. Word to the wise: the barbacoa is huge and you could easily split it with another person - might be the case with the other main entrees too.
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Tokyo C.

Yelp
Wonderful service and great drinks. Waiter was wonderful. Ambiance was AMAZING! Chips , salsa and guacamole for these gringos!
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Natasha L.

Yelp
Eat before you go. The only good thing about this place is the fact that it's in a cave. A totally different ambiance. Something very rare. Food was pure crap. Their mole was horrible. We came to celebrate a birthday and I clearly remember asking for the chocolate cake. Instead I got a tasteless flan, which they charged for. Customer service was descent. Would I go back. Hell no.
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Sandy W.

Yelp
Amazing location with a large dining room and staff. Lively atmosphere and pretty good food

Ana Luisa M.

Yelp
Un súper restaurante!! La experiencia fue increíble y aunque los precios son caros vale la pena! Súper servicio, y el lugar está increíble!! Vale la pena por lo menos ir una vez!!
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Gaby H.

Yelp
This restaurant was amazing! Between the incredible food and service, this restaurant more than deserves a 5-star review. Over the 6 days we spent in Mexico, this was by far one of the most satisfying meals. The mole "la Gruta" was decadent. I have had my share of mole, but the sweet chocolate notes were like nothing I have ever had. Further, the turkey breast was so tender and juicy. The only complaint I have is that they did not sell their mole so we could take home!!! In addition to the mole, we ordered the Grilled Arrachera (wonderfully salty and flavorful), Mexican platon (a great idea to try some of their favorites including the mole), escamoles (ant larvae), and sopes de chapulín (grasshopper sopes). Our waiter was so kind, attentive, and spent time telling us the history of la Gruta. We were sent off with good vibes only. Some may steer away from this restaurant as it is located by Teotihuacán and may seem like a tourist attraction, however, this was one of the highlights of our trip!
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Sophia C.

Yelp
*sighs* it has already been over a month since I was at this amazing place. This is a must try if you are visiting the Teotichuan Pyrimids. For ambiance they get and A + Service, well, it's really slow. We got there at 11 am and due to slow service we're not out till 1:30 O_O Definitely a place to go if you are not in a rush... Due to the lag time are food was served to us, cold. The food was okay. Prices are in the higher end which is expected since you are really paying for the experience of dining in the cave. The worms in the picture did not taste bad by the way, they were just oddly chewy. Considering this was an outing for my birthday last month I was satisfied to check it off my list. The birthday singing is so fun, with them blowing into a shell to announce your birthday. And the candle lighting experience is special. Leave the candle in the cave and come out renewed. I'd definitely recommend giving this place a try. Wow, do I want to return!
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Farrah F.

Yelp
This place is a must for experience only. How they created a restaurant in the caves is amazing. Also the lighting ceremony to offer the "god" was a unique experience. Though it was pretty Smokey. The food was ok, ordered the cactus salad and It was even better with the barbacoa. Wrapped in banana leaf the meat was juicy and tender. The Mexican platter was meh the flavors for me weren't all there. But obviously just my opinion. Nonetheless, I recommend going here to experience it at least once in your life.