If I had to think of the most original restaurant I've ever eaten at, it would probably be La Gruta.

Located just a few minutes' walk from the pyramids of Teotihuacán, the restaurant's main attraction is not so much the food as the setting - the colourful tables are set inside a huge natural volcanic cave.

Book your Mexico City hotel now

Is it worth it?	Absolutely yes
Booking	On weekends I recommend
Price level	Higher than regular restaurants in the area
Length of visit	60-90 minutes
Location	Next to the pyramids of Teotihuacán
Our tip	Ideal after a morning balloon flight

Why come here

Don't expect the best food in Mexico.

Don't expect a Michelin-starred dining experience.

You come here for the atmosphere.

When you descend the stairs into the cave, you feel like you're entering a completely different world.

The cool air and the vast space under the rock ceiling create an environment you will remember long after you return home.

The dark environment of the cave is contrasted sharply by the colourful chairs and tables, which give La Gruta a completely unique atmosphere.

How was our breakfast?

We were quite satisfied, but we ate better and more for a similar price later in Mexico.

However, that was to be expected, La Gruta is one of the most famous restaurants in all of Mexico.

We went here for breakfast right after the hot air balloon flight.

We had:

• a traditional Mexican omelet
• enchiladas with green salsa (too much of it!)
• café do olla (good, but INCREDIBLY sweet)
• prickly pear juice xoconostle (interesting drink, I liked it)

In total we paid 622 mxn.

The reason for the visit is definitely the unique setting. But I don't want to completely discount the food.

It was good and I was happy with the overall experience.

Practical information: is a reservation required?

The restaurant is located approximately 200 meters from entrance 5 of the archaeological complex of the Teotihuacán pyramids.

• 📆 Open daily
• 🕚 8:00-18:00

On weekends and holidays, I recommend booking in advance, as this is one of the most famous sites around the pyramids.

However, it's common for people to go without a reservation - in that case you'll be put on a waiting list and there's usually a 10-30 minute wait for a table (during the day).

• Reservations and menus on the official website: lagruta.mx

Best time to visit?

We visited the restaurant at 8:00 in the morning.

We didn't have a reservation and were the first guests, so we didn't wait a minute for a table.

• Morning - great after the balloon flight (usually ends between 6:45 and 7:45, balloons land about 15-20 minutes Uber ride from the cave)
  • 8:00-8:15 the restaurant is almost empty
  • around 8:30 it fills up quickly and the peak is around 10:00
• noon - for lunch the restaurant fills up from about 11:30 and many people stay until about 14:00
• evening - this tends to be less crowded than in the morning and after midday, the smallest crowds are just before closing time

Find out balloon flight prices

Toilets, wi-fi and card payment

There are clean toilets at the restaurant, accessible only to guests.

There is no mobile signal in the cave, but you will be asked to scan a qr code to connect to the wi-fi when you are seated.

The latter is important, as menu selection is again only done by scanning the QR code.

Payment is possible by card or cash.

Get the Revolut travel card with bonus

How to get there

La Gruta is located next to the Teotihuacán pyramid complex about 50 km from the centre of Mexico City.

The easiest way is by Uber (or taxi):

• straight from the CDMX centre - allow about 60-90 minutes for the ride and the price between 450 mxn and 650 mxn depending on current demand.
• by balloon flight from San Martín - about 10-15 minutes drive and price between 50 mxn and 75 mxn

You can combine a visit to the restaurant with a visit to Teotihuacán (as the vast majority of tourists do, including us), which can also be reached by bus.

However, it stops on the other side of the complex at gate number 2 (La Gruta is near gate number 5).

However, it is possible to enter the pyramid complex more than once with one ticket, for example:

• take a bus from the centre to the pyramids
• enter through gate 2, see the pyramids
• leave the site to the restaurant
• then return to the pyramids through gate 5 with the ticket already purchased
• walk through the site to Gate 2 and take the bus back to the centre
• for details on transport see the article on the pyramids of Teotihuacán

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Mexico City.