Ancient Way Cafe & Outpost in El Morro Valley - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Wonderful people and the most serene place.

BRUTAL the brisket "sandwich". So much so that we repeat. It is appreciated in the middle of nowhere to be able to eat this well. Very nice staff too! Thank you! We didn't stay there because we were still on the way but it looks like an excellent place

Great scenery. First come first come first serve. They super nice and made an exception for us. We would definitely come back.

Bed was hard as a rock. Vanity light didn't work; need clear instructions on how to work the tv. Sculpture walk nearby. Right next to El Morro.

Been there some 10 yrs ago, had a breakfast and a great talk to Mac*ie (I think it is the owner's name), while him peeling apples for the apple pie on his veranda. One of those unforgettable moments in life. Thank you for that. I shall definitely return one day.

Super cute cabins with beautiful surroundings! The check in was a bit confusing at first, we kept checking the confirmation email for details, you really have to just walk up to the cafe for information.

great cabins! amazing food and people

So many good things to say. I love this place and so did my kids. Best decision I made to stay here.

This is a spectacular place run by lovely people. The cabins are fairly basic but comfortable with everything you need. The setting is incredible. Food in the cafe is excellent and service is great.

New menu, but still fantastic, well-prepared food in a cozy atmosphere. The smothered chicken quesadillas are to die for, and the fresh bakery is a perfect way to end the meal. Always fresh, hot gourmet coffee, what more to ask for?

Stopped here for lunch so that's all I can offer, but great place and what a surprise. Staff is very welcoming and friendly. Quite an extensive menu considering there are only six or seven indoor tables. Food was good. My location score is low only because I don't know how you'd find it if you weren't already in the neighborhood.

Stayed here for 2 weeks while trying to start work in the area. Staff and community was very warm and welcoming. Beautiful area, and I really hope to return.

I’m correcting my review, I guess I accidentally touched two stars…..that was absolutely inadvertent and couldn’t be farther from the truth. We loved the site, the cabin and the friendliness of everyone we encountered, my family is from the area and I wouldn’t hesitate to stay again. It’s a perfect home base to explore the area. Thanks so much!!! Martin

Conveniently located next to the El Morro National Monument, easy access off the highway. Sites are small, a bit cramped and kind of unkempt. Drove through the park to see if it was worth $40 a night, decided it wasn’t and moved on. If this is the kind of park you enjoy, check in at the cafe when you enter the park. It’s not really clear.

Ate at the cafe. Great food, good value, wonderful people. Unique little community area with art, theatre, and food. An oasis in what to me seems like the middle of nowhere but to the people who live there is a community.

Just went for lunch, can’t rate the rooms, but the service and food were amazing!

Los sandwiches de brisket ....lo máximo

Went hiking at El Morro. Was nearly 1:00 pm when we got done and we debated about whether to return to Gallup (1 hour) or go to Grants which was out of our way but closer. Finally decided to go to Grants so turned right out of the El Morro access road. Imagine our surprise when less than a mile up the road we saw Ancient Way Cafe. Pulled in and went in. Decor was what I would have expected for a name like ancient way! Service was spot on, and the items we sampled were very good, I would go out of my way to return to this gem of a eatin place!

Super friendly staff. Cabin was amazing, clean, and cozy. Food at Cafe was great! Very short distance from El Morro National Park (which was super cool to hike and see)!

Out past Elmoro. Great restaurant. Good food, friendly staff. You shouldn't miss this one. Unique.

Well worth a trip! Food was delicious and staff was super welcoming, we truly felt well taken care of. We had the veggie and Florentine omelets (fresh and amazing, with hash browns and fried potatoes), and their coffee was beyond good. This cafe has the most friendly, inclusive vibe. Plenty of outdoor space to sit in, dogs are welcome on the porch.

This restaurant is out in the middle of nature yet has a very complete menu, delicious food, great service and prices !! If you are in the area of El Morro or El Malpais, this is definitely a great place to go!

Great food and service! Rooms were clean, quiet and comfortable. Just 1 mile from El Morro.

This place is a gem! The brisket sandwich with habanero apricot sauce was decadent. The owners, Eric and Sumitra, are delightful. Will be back again!

Ran out of food and couldn't serve us

Clean room. Microwave and hot plate (plus dishes). Mini fridge. Will stay again!

Absolutely love everything about this restaurant and the staff. Great food. Wow!

It's been more than a year since my lasts visit, maybe five years since my first, but very 6 weeks or so I think about living here permanently still. Beautiful country, wonderful people.

Only have eaten there. Very good to excellent fresh food at reasonable prices

Ancient Way is an excellent and quiet RV/tent/cabin park near El Morro NM and El Malpais NM. I stayed in one of the cabins with my dad and it was quaint, cute, and cozy. The host - Brandon - was very responsive and flexible in response to a mixup with the booking site. I’ll absolutely stay here again next time I’m in the area.

Ancient Way is small, so hopefully you can get in.... because you really want to get in! The food, while coming from a fairly limited menu, is astonishingly good. Fresh and local where possible, the quality and care show. They'll make you a killer omelet (breakfast is available all day) that will fortify you for whatever adventure you have planned. The brisket (available in a sandwich or omelet) in particular is a standout. Moist but not fatty, and oh so full of smokey flavor, it beats all. They also have mostly excellent baked goods. The cherry jubilee scones were heavenly, but the empanadas turned out to be too heavy on the cinnamon and too light on the filling. Service was most gracious, which added to the joy level of the visit.

Talk about a gem in the middle of nowhere! This restaurant is one of the best restaurants that we’ve visited on our travels. We’ve had breakfast here three days in a row and every dish we’ve had has been excellent. Our waiter, Cornell is an absolute charm and the waitress, Sumitra is also very nice. They both make you feel welcome. The chef, Anthony, came by to check on how our food was. We told him what a fabulous place the Ancient Ways Cafe was and how great we thought the food was. The RV park is small, but can fit some larger rigs. The owner, Feather, is a very kind man. I have nothing bad to say about this place. We will definitely be back. While you’re here visit the El Morro National Monument and the Ice Cave. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!!

I always have a wonderful time here. The food is great and the atmosphere continues to be friendly and warm.

An hour-ish west of Albuquerque in Ramah Navajo land is this gem for travelers. Rv, camping access as well as a few small, perfectly cozy cabins. The cafe on site is not to be missed for breakfast and lunch.

Took a trip out to Zuni Pueblo to see the Mission Church and stop off at a few artisan places. After the visit we decided to take the drive out to The Ancient Way Cafe as we had not been there prior to its closing during the pandemic. The moment we stepped inside, we felt the warmth of the people there and just the comfort of small town hospitality. The coffee and baked goods were just what we were looking for on a cold afternoon. So happy to support places like this and can’t wait to visit again soon!

Took a trip out to Zuni Pueblo to see the Mission Church and stop off at a few artisan places. After the visit we decided to take the drive out to The Ancient Way Cafe as we had not been there prior to its closing during the pandemic. The moment we stepped inside, we felt the warmth of the people there and just the comfort of small town hospitality. The coffee and baked goods were just what we were looking for on a cold afternoon. So happy to support places like this and can’t wait to visit again soon!

We stopped in for lunch & had a wonderful time. The food is fresh, healthy & cooked with love. Everyone working there is also incredibly nice. Next time we’re coming back to stay in the cabins as the location is super cool.

Absolutely amazing food and staff. This was added to our Google 📌 for a return trip on the bikes.

Awesome experience, beautiful views, kind people, I'll have to try the food next time.

Cafe Hours say open but drove past 5 times and doors were locked. Art trail was very disappointing, art is a loose term. Cabins are neat and clean. Heater was fine for 19 degree nights.

What a magical spot! The cabins are a perfect retreat from the stress of the world. Comfortable beds and bedding. And the Ancient Way restaurant...OMG! Incredible food! Incredible prices! Incredible staff! Definitely a must-go in NM.

The cabins were cozy, but the bathroom was a little on the small side. We enjoyed our stay (April 2022) and would stay there again. The food at the Cafe was so-so. The hike around El Morro park was breath taking.

Great to be back after 4 years due to covid restrictions. I remembered Ancient Way Cafe as a friendly place with great cafe food. Well, it's gotten even better! Stopping in for a quick lunch, the food was just so good and the staff and other guests were so friendly that we lingered over our food, had an extra cup of coffee, and finally left refreshed, rejuvinated, and feeling the world is a wonderful place to be - especially the world of the Ancient Way Cafe. We're back in Sweden now and looking forward to our next visit there.

Food great, service the same highly recommended

We only ate there, and the food was very good.

Very laid back environment and super friendly people. The grounds were well maintained and late Aug/Early Sept wildflowers were beautiful. WiFi was just enough to send texts. Bathrooms were adequate- we’ve been in worse, but having a shower is always appreciated. Cost of $30 for RV hook up was very affordable! The walking trail was super cool behind the site- worth checking out and climbing up a bit for a great sunset. Didn’t get to check out the cafe or store, but looked cute. Very accessible to El Morro, the Ice Cave, La Ventana Arch, and the hike at El Calderon to see the bats coming out at dusk!

Amazing place! Great scenery, wonderful people, awesome food! One of the places we will miss the most!

Apple green chili pinon pie awesome

Absolutely fantastic food, service and very friendly atmosphere. Plus my pup sat outside on the deck with us while we ate.

Love the cozy log cabin interior and shaded patio. Food was great, service was stellar. I had the brisket sandwich with apricot habanero and brought home some fresh baked pastries for the fam. They let me eat w my dog on the patio which is nice and shady. The bathrooms are large and clean. Very cozy and comfortable place to be.

I originally ordered the brisket salad, but the waitress later came back and told me the kitchen was out. Despite of not having my first choice, the black bean burger was delicious! Compared to other black bean patties, Ancient way cafe’s burger was more solid and hefty as a a patty should be consisting black bean and corn. The fresh tomatoes, purple onions, and cucumber toppings was a major plus.

The ancient way burger was scrumptious! Fast, Friendly service.

We had a wonderful 4 night stay in the cabins. My wife and I stayed in one cabin and her brother stayed in another cabin. The cabins are very cute with modern amenities including kitchen, bathroom, and nice simple showers. We enjoyed the friendly people and great food at the Cafe. The cabins served as a great base to access to El Morro and El Malpais National Monument. We will definitely be back on our next visit to the area.

Great little restaurant and friendly staff. Must stop if you visit El Morro.

Omg Semitra and Cornell are always so friendly and sweet!!! The food is amazing ... the cook (I'm sorry I can't remember his name) is a gem!!!

La ubicación es preciosa y la atención de 10!! Las cabañas están geniales con todo tipo de detalles!! Genial

Nice little Oasis, very friendly and great food! My boys were happy with their meals :)

Very nice people . Beautiful scenery.

Dog friendly, VERY friendly! My poor newly acquired stray is timid in new places & our server was super nice making him feel comfortable with a treat! 🐶🦴🐾🐶 The food was great and thankfully, the porch was shaded. A perfect lunch outing!

The cabins are lovely and the café has delicious food. All right down the road from spectacular El Morro National Monument. Would love to visit again.

RV park is adequate for one night, but mostly filled with permanent residents. Toilets and showers are barely adequate, but not particularly clean, very small showers and hope no one flushes when you are showering! WiFi is available at the cafe only. Cell service is very spotty. Did not try out the cafe, so can't comment there.

So glad we stayed here. The staff was amazing and the food was wonderful. They know how to do brisket! And customer service!

My first time visiting, lunch (brisket sandwich with bbq and habinero sweet sauce) was delicious! Hibiscus tea was also delicious 😋 I had to buy a jar of the habinero sauce.

Great food. Quaint and friendly place.

We spent one night in one of the cabins at the base of El Morro. It was terrific. Great views, a cute, fully appointed cabin, and we will keep the light on for you service!

Warme en lieve bediening in een prachtige omgeving. De houten cabine is heel leuk om in te verblijven. Hebben een sympathieke kleine kaart, gebuiken veel organic ingrediënten. In plaats van chips zouden ze frietjes moeten doen bij de hamburger. Maar hey, ze hebben een heerlijke ginger ala.

Food was good..brisket sandwich..burger..and spaghetti..I've got conflicting days of operation however..

Great, friendly service. I liked it so much I'm going to move to New Mexico

A great place to eat and camp and a great staff👍

Nice little campground, convenient to El Morro and El Malpais national monuments. Camp sites are a little too close to each other and they only have a couple pull thru sites for bigger rigs. We stayed in site A with our 39 foot class A motor home for 2 nights, which worked fine. The internet was sketchy, even though we were up front close to the office/Cafe. The campground was quiet and the staff was very friendly and accommodating.

Delicious food. Enjoyed the biscuits with gravy and eggs and had blueberry strudel fir desert.

Hidden gem on Hwy 53 . Great food, we ate breakfast here and dined on the outdoor deck. We heard their homemade desserts and cookies are fantastic. Our server was top notch. Be sure to walk over to the gift shop next door. What a great place to find that perfect gift or souvenir.

Great place to stay on our way thru NM. The sites are a bit close together and the hookups need some updating, but the staff makes up for those issues. We didn't visit the cafe so can't comment on that, other than to say they were petty full from the other campers. Definitely worth the stop, we also visited Bandera Volcano & ice caves, and the El Morro natl monument - both of those are also worth the visit.

We spent the night here as part of a before-school-begins getaway and fell in love with the place. It had all of the amenities we were looking for and was conveniently located between the parks that we planned to visit. Definitely plan to go back!

We got our small propane tank refilled here. Wonderful folks

We hit the Jackpot with this one! These amazing little cabins are just 1 mile from El Morro National Monument which is home to the World famous Inscription Wall and the most beautiful 2.5 mile hike you may ever do. Along the hike you will climb to the top of a mesa which passes through a partially excavated ancient pueblo that alone is worth the hike not to mention the views. These cabins have everything, i.e. Wifi, fans, refrigerator, microwave, hot-plate, Queen sized bed with a loft and another bed, GIANT shower and on and on, we LOVED it and will be back. Don't forget about visiting Malpais National Monument and ZUNI Pueblo is close by, we booked a tour of the pueblo and it was a blast! This El Morro area has to be the best kept secret around. The restaurant was being fully renovated when we were there so it was closed but have heard the food is out of this World! Visit me.. Instagram at coralreefphotos

Peaceful, friendly place. Easy to find and access. Great location for exploring El Morro National Monument and El Malpais National Monument. Pet-friendly cabins available. Clean and quiet park that also offers a wonderful sculpture trail. Stay to the left on the trail and you will find a porch swing that offers amazing views of El Morro to the west.

Scones...scones...give me more scones. Unbelievably delicious vegan omelet. Fun riding my honda shadow thru these mountains. Great metal art work long the road. Fabulouso!!!!!

The cabin was a great option during Winter. Good heat. Pretty location. Not remote from your neighbors, though. If you need the second bed in the loft be aware it's a pretty good climb.

We loved the generous & interesting food. The outside tables were shaded & the sunshine & temperature was great. Definitely recommend

Food was excellent, service was exemplary. I had the juicy bratwurst on a stick, creamy homemade potatoe salad and cole slaw. Heidi had the pulled pork with apricot habanero sauce with slightly sweet baked beans and potatoe salad. We didn't want to miss out on the homemade pastries, so we took home a delicate blueberry cheesecake and a scrumptious blueberry strudel which we enjoyed later that night.

This cafe opened back up in July after loosening of Covid restrictions. Hours are limited to Thurs-Sunday breakfast and lunch and Saturday an outdoor grill 12-5pm. We ate dinner on Saturday. The hibiscus lemonade was very good. The brisket was tender but a very small serving for the price of $12. It came with two sides, coleslaw was ok, not a lot of flavor and the spicy beans were good but soupy and tepid. Our friend said the grilled chicken was ok. The desserts offered are different: apple green chili piñon pie, peach raspberry ginger pie both tasty but crust was soggy. They offered cheesecake, scones and cookies. The atmosphere is nice, servers all friendly. Maybe the food will improve once the cafe is fully open.

Amazing food, lovely atmosphere and friendly welcoming staff. A generous mysterious stranger paid for mine and my friends lunch and disappeared before I could thank them. A HUGE thank you to the kind stranger and all the staff at the cafe. A highlight on my American adventure. :-)

This place has great character and delicious food. Breakfast is served all day. Staff is warm and friendly. Cornell, our server, did his job nicely!

Very quaint cafe near El Morro National Monument! Definitely values the safety and patient experience during COVID-19. Food was solid. Definitely a hidden little gem in along the Ancient Way. Would recommend for lunch or breakfast. Very unique New Mexican establishment!

So glad I drove out of my way to stay/dine/experience here. It is more of an experience than an RV park and cafe. The RV park is not in the best of shape but it is okay. The cafe is excellent. On Saturdays 12-5 they have an outdoor BBQ set up. I had salmon with beans, slaw and yummy grilled herbs out of their garden. Their baked goods looked delicious and I couldn't resist getting a piece of German chocolate cake -- my favorite and the best I've ever had. In the morning I had a breakfast combo of eggs, potatoes, toast (homemade?), sausage (two generous slices), and a side of red and green chili. The red was tasty, but the green was tastier and hotter -- yum! I resisted the scones on the way out. The prices were reasonable. The area has a cool vibe and there are a lot of artists. Don't miss taking a walk/hike through the sculpture garden -- make it to the swing for a great view of the sunset. Don't forget to hike the Headlands Trail at El Morro National Monument -- a true gem. Thanks Cornell (host, server, RV bookkeeper, etc.) and team!!! Note that WiFi is only available near the cafe and that phone service is sketchy unless you walk up the mountain.

Our favorite in the world and it just happens to be in our favorite area. It's so good we ate there twice this weekend. Cornell is an amazing server, always friendly and you can see the smile even behind the mask. Can't wait to get back.

Stayed for 2 nights at one of the cozy little cabins. All of the tent spaces were already reserved when we arrived but we were lucky enough to rent a cabin. Sculpture trail is nearby that is well kept and relaxing. Overall, we met 3 employees and each of them were friendly and helpful. I'm adding this place to my favorites list now.

Especially love the special weekend dinner specials. And the desserts are out of this world!

Food was excellent, great atmosphere. Dessert menu is amazing!

Desserts...baked good are delicious

Good food, friendly service, beautiful view.

I was there several years ago to visit my daughter who was teaching in New Mexico. Great sandwich but the real prize was the apple/green chili/pinon nut pie, and a table visit by the proprietor who entertained us with a history of the Ancient Way facility and a Janis Joplin rendition. Too lengthy to explain but ask if he's around when you visit.

Nestled about a half mile from El Morro National monument, this is a gem. We went for lunch on a Saturday before an incredible night camping in El Morro, and it really was delicious. My husband had the Lamb Gyro with Sabu Sabu and Nan Bread, potato leek soup with potato salad and loved it. The potato salad was too chunky and hard for my taste, but had great flavor. I had a cheeseburger, but i was great too. Sunday morning, we went in for breakfast. They have an appricot habanero sauce for their Huevos Rancheros and though a bit hot, was delicious. A lot of locals showed up making it a cozy, social event. We loved it and can't wait to get back!

People very friendly. Food amazing.

I live in Gallup and I drive 45min to this cafe just for the food and atmosphere. I have never been disappointed in anything. This cafe is a gem in the middle of nowhere. Just yesterday, I took my son here for his 13th birthday breakfast. It's also his favorite cafe. We had omelettes and our server was the kindest human being. It was the best way to start his teenage years. I cannot recommend this cafe enough, and I look forward to going here much more in the future. Keep up the good work and service! The love for it all really shows.

Delicious fresh food, friendly staff. When you visit El Morro you just have to go!

Wonderful sandwiches, bakery items, unique and delicious drinks. Outside seating, fast friendly service. Near an RV park. Highly recommend.

We were so happy to find good food in "the middle of nowhere". This is an rustic place with lots of nice art on the walls, and a good variety of American and Mexican food to choose from. Note that they are closed on Wed.

A mile east of the entrance to El Morro National Monument is the Ancient Ways Cafe. A great place to eat either before or after your visit. Wonderful homemade food in a delightful down home atmosphere. Don't be poor of by the adjacent RV park.