La Cueva Cafe in Taos - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

This is not a physical location that will impress, so sit outside on the patio if available. That said, this might have been the best food we had in a week in the area and eating at fine dining restaurants. The guacamole tasted like it had just been made and was primarily avocadoes, with just the right amount of seasoning. My husband said it was the best Frito Pie he had ever had and he has had a lot of them. We would eat here again but for the drive from Santa Fe. The green chicken enchiladas looked fab!

It is sad when a restaurant I had enjoyed and recommended widely disappoints on another visit. However this is what happened August 31 Saturday when we re-visited La Cueva Cafe looking forward to the very fine meals like the ones we have had on previous visits. That is not what we got! The service was abrupt and rushed with the waiter seemingly in a hurry although the place was not that full or busy. He took our orders and then delivered WRONG orders to each of us and disappeared. He never checked back until the check was dropped on our table. Specifically we had ordered eggs medium and got eggs barely cooked (over easy I guess or merely cracked out of the shells), and I had ordered the special breakfast enchiladas with mole poblano but instead found he had given me cheese enchiladas. Because the waiter had disappeared and I did not feel like chasing him, we paid our bill and gave a light tip (15%), and left. I doubt we will ever return to La Cueva Cafe. Taos has many other fine restaurants to choose from and now I cannot recommend choosing this one.

The fajitas were scrumptious and a nice outdoor atmosphere.

Best meal of my whole trip to taos! This is my favorite restaurant there and can't wait to ho back. Best chimichanga I ever had

Gluten-free Chile Relleno!!! They use a GF flour to make this little gem. I was happy to see the "gluten-free" sign in the window, but even happier when I took the first bite of this chile relleno with green salsa on top. If I lived locally I'd certainly be back again!

Friendly and efficient. Dinner was superb. Highly recommend chili relleno and tacos. I had combination plate and everything was light and tasty. Patio seating was casual and nice. Glass of wine could’ve been a bit more ample but overall very pleasant experience. Warm chocolate cake with ice cream (pretty yellow for a vanilla ice cream, maybe home made?) to top off a delicious dinner and had to try flan so had it to go for another day. All good. Dinner was 16, wine 8, desserts 9 and 8. Reasonable.

Excellent food. Quick service.

The Food was very delicious, I ate Tortillachips with Guacamole and Fish and Chips. My entire Group also loved it.

Had a great experience here. The staff was very friendly and checked in often to make sure everything was good. The inside was small, but you don't notice. The food is too good. We had the chips, salsa, and guacamole to start. Both the salsa and guac were delicious. I had the enchiladas and my husband had the chimichanga. We both got red and green chili sauces (Christmas). Both were so good. They have a mango chimichanga that is amazing! Worth every calorie

This is our favorite lunch spot in Taos. Everything I've trued has been good.

Awesome food beautiful floral patio with plenty of shade best nm food I've had in Taos yet

Ordered: veggie enchiladas with “Christmas” sauce, chips/salsa & guac. Also, tried their local IPA. Entree: 🙌🏽, so tasty, filling, lots of flavor and not salty. Great portions too. Salsa/Guac: 🎯, the smoky poblano flavor salsa was to die for & fresh guac was great. IPA 🍺 was just another IPA, nothing special. Very powerful citrus flavor. Staff was so helpful, kind, and picked up plates quickly. Highly recommend stopping on your way into Taos.

A half dozen tables in an old southwest time capsule. And the food was outstanding. Places like this is why I love Taos.

Great food, prices and service. Margaritas only $7.50. Just right for lunch. Entrees priced under $20. I had fish tacos for $14.95. Battered cod, a bit like the Irish meets Mexico. Yummy! Loved it.

Wonderful home-cooked authentic Mexican meals, with generous portions a shortwalking distance south of Taos Plaza. Extremely popular with the locals, which always says a lot about the quality of a place, this cafe also has a dog-friendly patio with umbrellas for protection and comfort when the afternoon mountain sun exerts its strength. The service is impeccable, while simultaneously the wait staff has the additionsl skill of being invisible yet always present. I'd suggest your making this a definite stop when visiting (or living in, but of course if you're a local you already know that) Taos, whether you have a dog to bring along or not. The patio has a non-alcoholic seating area for those who prefer not to imbibe or be around those who do like to drink cerveza with their almuerzo (lunch)

Fun patio, excellent food and attentive service. The chili rellenos alone are worth the trip. Especially if the hatch peppers are in season!

We've been here before. And liked it. When our hotel proprietor suggested La Cueva for dinner we jumped at the chance. La Cueva is a little 'hole in the wall' just down from the Taos Plaza. It's quite small inside with a rather nice patio area. Since it was windy, we chose to sit inside. Tight quarters. But nice. My wife and I shared chips and salsa (great salsa; so-so chips) and Enchiladas de Camaron Enchipotladas. The enchiladas were delectable. Quite good. And the service was first rate with our server asking regularly how our food was and filling water and asking if he could do anything. We really enjoyed our dinner.

Great, tasty food w/ plenty of choices for vegans&vegetarians😋😋 Salsa , Guacamole are superb, very flavorful 😋 Small place, parking is difficult to find nearest to the restaurant, but public parking is available on Kit Carson Street, just a couple of blocks away. If you/your companion have difficulty walking, drop them off at the door to the cafe, go park, eat, come back and pick up your person 💡

Nice LITTLE Mexican restaurant with 5 tables inside and more shaded tables outside. No hard liquor here so margaritas are made with Agave Wine.

the food is bomb i will be dreaming about the plato combinado and mole enchiladas tonight. fresh ingredients, delicious sauces, filling and scrumptious meal. lovely patio, kind servers, chill atmosphere. thanks la cueva :-)

La Cueva.... No. Won't go again. The atmosphere: They're really isn't any. It did remind me of sitting in the middle of the Big I in Albuquerque trying to eat a meal. (Won't do that either) They told us it was hotter inside then it was out. If it was, I feel so bad for the employees because it was really hot. The food: Salsa was hot and very good. Chips were fresh I had fish and chips. My honey had a hamburger. The waitress was sweet but non attentive. Ask for straws and only received them after we had to ask for them again when we received our meal so our cokes were completely melted and we had to order fresh ones. They are truly running on tourists inertia. As a local, I'm a bit ashamed of this place as it is not a fair representation of what can be done here in Taos. This place proves that location is everything.

Small place with patio. Dog friendly. Scrumptious chile relleno— best I’ve had. Very friendly and accommodating. This is the real deal. Eat here.

Service & food was outstanding. I had the Enchiladas (Chicken) NM with green chili and my wife had the Rellenos NM with green chili. Location is near a busy road under construction at the time we visited. We sat outside which was nice since the weather was pleasant.

One of the best meals I’ve had in a long time, from fine dining to hole in the wall. The mole enchiladas which was a special, was so good I had to stand up out of my seat. My wife agrees and also was blown away.

Very enjoyable meal. The staff even helped us with parking our RV on the street. The chilies rellenos were outstanding! The server moved us to a shadier table when it became available...very considerate. This was a recommendation from the Taos Valley RV park, and it was spot on.

I try to eat here when I’m in Taos. Super casual and tasty. It’s like comfort food that leaves you feeling energized. The soups are fantastic.

The food here was very good; based on a few similar meals here this week, I’d rate Orlando’s higher, but I recommend La Cueva. The outside patio is indeed lovely and dog-friendly. I ordered the Pollo con Mole (enchiladas); the Mole was very nice, and anyone who has tried many moles knows that it can differ significantly from the region and even based on the chef. This version was nice, but I felt it could have been more flavorful. The chicken enchiladas were delicious. Beans and rice were average (again, the beans at Orlando’s were more savory). My wife had the Garlic Style Salmon, which was excellent and unusual. Very high-quality salmon, moist, and the chipotle mayo was an excellent side addition. We ended with Flan, which was flavorful, but the texture could have been smoother. Not bad, mind you; I still recommend it, but I’ve had better. Service was excellent (our server was Adrian). I think La Cueva is very good, short of excellent, and worth trying, but do stop at Orlando’s just outside town first; it is excellent and serves very similar regional food.

The food was extremely tasty. The fact that they were playing latin music (salsa) sealed the deal!

We really liked the chips and salsa. It was nice to sit outside, too. However, the service for us was poor. We never received refills on our water, nor asked how our meal was. After reading other reviews, we were excited to try the food, but sadly, we didn't like anything other than the chips and salsa. We can't recommend this restaurant and won't be back. At least the prices were reasonable.

Great food and service. Loved it!

Great place and the people were awesome. Would go again for sure. Nice vibe.

Great find. Ate on patio. Great vibe. Dishes were fantastic. Camerones con ajo and beer battered tacos. Can’t go wrong here.

We tried the beef nachos, enchiladas, chile relleno, beef taco, and my little had a cheeseburger. Everything was fantastic. The only tricky thing is parking. We ended up parking in the square and walking over.

Super attentive and friendly staff, right off the bat. Seated at a great, shaded outside table. As a solo diner, appreciated being approached with, "table for 1?" Instead of the usual side eyed silence that makes me say, "Just me." Ordered the agave wine margarita, which I usually avoid, and it was not too sweet, which I appreciated. Seafood enchiladas was my choice, served with salmon, crab and shrimp with a creamy cheesy sauce that didn't overpower the taste but mixed into a lovely mess with the rice and beans as I finished off the entire plate of food. I didn't lick the plate. Cannot overstate how nice it was to eat delicious food outside on a beautiful day and not be rushed out, despite this being a relatively small space. A new fave!

We love this place and eat here every time we're in Taos. The building looks like late 19th century, but we always sit outside. Prices are reasonable, food is good. We park on the side street and haven't had a problem finding a spot.

Outdoor patio is dog friendly. Great atmosphere. Good beer and food. Guacamole is a must.

First time eating from here as a To-go meal, and i must say the food was really good. Ordered the carne asada with Relleno. The steak had a good flavor but the meat was a bit chewy, wish the relleno was stuffed with cheese, the rice was typical Spanish flavored and the beans were perfect. We also ordered some flan and i would give it an 8 out of 10. My only complaint is the small portion of rice and beans. It was about 2 tablespoons each. I don't know what the naysayers experience was, but i was still happy with the meal and will look forward to coming back for more. Well done.

Prepare to wait for an hour for your food 😅

Veggie Nachos were good. I got the veggies on the side. Service was fast and the patio was so nice on a cool afternoon.

Coming from Texas we have different Mexican food. I had the combo plate. Best food I’ve had in New Mexico so far. Don’t miss this place if you are in Taos. Best Mexican food I’ve probably ever had Texas or New Mexico style.

The food here was absolutely fabulous. I’m a life long New Mexican and a Mexican food specialist and it was up there in the top top top. Chicken mole enchiladas were out of this world.

Doesn’t look like much… but wow! A tiny place with lots of wear, yet came as a recommendation from a Tour Guide/local. Food was authentic, fast, & service was great. We really enjoyed the “Christmas” (green AND red chili). Guacamole was excellent. Cozy patio with summer ambience of hollyhocks. This little restaurant is just what it is & you’re in for a very fair price with authentic food.

Decided to try this restaurant as it was close to where we stayed. They have a nice patio with umbrellas for shade. The food was very good. The green chili was great. The chips & salsa were very good.

I had an exceptional dining experience at this restaurant. Starting with the traditional margarita with salt on the side, it was incredibly refreshing with just the right balance of flavors. I barely tasted the alcohol, which made it all the more enjoyable. For my main course, I opted for a beef taco served in lettuce instead of a tortilla. The beans and rice were served separately, making it a perfect choice for those following a keto or low-calorie diet. The beef was flavorful and well-cooked. The dessert was a highlight—a warm chocolate pie paired with ice cream. The combination was divine, surpassing even some luxury restaurants I've visited. The service was impeccable. The waiters were attentive without being overbearing, ensuring that we had everything we needed while allowing us to enjoy our meal naturally. While the restaurant's design is quite average, even below average, the food quality more than makes up for it. The amazing and delicious dishes make this place a must-visit.

This place is awesome! We were looking for a quick place to grab lunch as we traveled through Taos, and it did not disappoint. The shredded beef tacos were tasty and the chicken mole enchiladas were just as good! Highly recommend stopping here. We’ll be back.

The food was not great, hence the two stars, and we were originally seated in a closet sized room with a commercial refrigerator! We ordered chili rellenos and what they brought out resembled two large burnt jalapeño poppers. On top of that the serving sizes were small, even w the beans! You order, extra and they bring you two tablespoons “extra”. Not sure why this place has won’t any awards or why it has “#1 yelp”. On top of that, including included 20% gratuity (which was not earned), we spent $168 on seven people so just had water!!! Tasteless food, that’s expensive too!!!??? No thanks

The chicken fajitas were amazing.

Dog friendly patio. Good service.

The porch was open, and their tables have umbrellas- lucky for us, as the inside tables were full. Even if you have to wait for a table- do it! The food was delicious and the service was great. We loved everything we got!

I had green chili chicken enchiladas for lunch. IT was very good. The beans were also very good. The chips were nice and crispy and salsa had a great flavor. Everything was very good.

Always a treat! Lots of great Mexican restaurants in town, this is a stand out!

Budget friendly and delicious food! Sit outdoors sip on a margarita or beer

PEANUT WARNING!!! Unfortunately our second wedding anniversary was ruined by dining at LA Cueva. My wife has a severe allergy to peanuts so we always ask if a dish has peanuts in it. We asked the server if the mole had peanuts in it when we ordered the dish and again when it arrived. He said no this dish definitely does not have peanuts. We ate the dish and my wife started having a severe allergic reaction. We left the restaurant and she took a couple of benadryl. Unfortunately my wife was painfully up all night and was sick for much of the next day. I called the restaurant and they admitted the mole has peanuts in the recipe. I asked them to reimburse us for our first night stay at our Airbnb because they failed to have a basic knowledge of food allergies. I told them if the server was unsure about the ingredients in a dish he could of asked the manager or the cooks. Unfortunately that wasn't the case and they didn't care that our trip and anniversary was completely ruined by our first dining experience in Taos. They only refunded our meal and never apologize.

The food has a good flavor profile but not enough spice. Service was effective but interaction was limited. The outdoor seating area was a little cramped but the shades provided good cover from the sun. Overall, a solid place that I would come back to but not in a hurry. Prices seemed fair and portion sizes would be plenty for almost anyone.

I have to say that this place is great. The salsa was really good. I asked for more to put on my beef chimichangas. My wife really enjoyed the enchiladas NM. Reasonable prices and good food. The staff was friendly and took good care of us. When we come back to Taos, we will definitely eat here again.

Best Tex-mex I’ve had in NM! I got the combination plate and had no regrets.

There food is always perfect. I have never been disappointed . The best food in town.

Food was rather mediocre and expensive for such a small serving. The atmosphere was kind of cramped and uninviting with loud music. I had the chimichanga and it made me feel ill afterwards.

Fantastic, tasty food in a cozy environment. Very reasonably priced and a great option for breakfast as well.

I love this place and so does everyone else I've mentioned it to. The staff is wonderful, the food is good, locations great and prices are reasonable. I went as my birthday meal while traveling and had an issue. The waitress was kind about helping me and though it was frustrating, never stopped being kind or smiling. I love coming here.

This restaurant was mentioned as one of the best places to eat in Taos from a CNN article that I read entitled "Best Small Towns in America." Now, did CNN write this, or was this a paid advertisement? I don't know. So, I asked the waitress. I said, " This place is pretty famous, isn't it?" And, she replied, " Yes, we have a lot of gluten-free dishes." I don't know if this qualifies for "fame," but the (cheese) Enchiladas NM that I had were quite good. The restaurant was rather busy on a Saturday afternoon. Outdoor eating is available and seems to be preferred among its clientele. The waiting and service staff seemed to be quite Hispanic, so get ready for a trip to South of the Border because it certainly felt that way. They were nice people, though, and the food WAS good. Bon Appétit, or, however one may say that in Spanish. B 😊

Holly cow! Oh my goodness! Lord have mercy! Geez Louise! This place is incredible! I’m a foodie and I’ve been all over the world to many world class restaurants. La Cueva needs to have a Michelin star⭐️. The chili rellenos was easily the best I’ve ever had. If you visit Taos and don’t come here you’ve wasted a trip.

Probably the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. A must try.

Sooooo tasty! I got the veggie chimichanga made vegan, with green chili! My husband got the vegan fajitas - just ordered without cheese / sour cream. The guacamole was super good too!

We sat on the small patio and enjoyed chips, salsa & really good guacamole. My husband had the Combination Plate and said it was very good, I had Camorones al Mojo con ajo, the best ever. The shrimp and the sauce were excellent, as were the rice & veggies. The place was busy at lunchtime, but the service was friendly and efficient. We loved this tiny restaurant.

Highly priced …below average food. Service was nice but food was it tasty. Overly expensive.

Service is prompt and the food is excellent. I love the seafood enchiladas! I highly recommend.

This is some of the freshest Mexican food we have ever had. The guacamole was to die for. We'll definitely be back whenever we are in Taos. Cannot recommend enough.

Visiting from California, and had the best chili rellano I've ever had! (and I've had a lot). Went with a group of friends that had various dishes, and all were very pleased. Great staff as well. I'd highly recommend it!

Friendly welcome and service to this small place. Nice seating area outside. Varied menu choices, food was tasty.

Delicious enchiladas & soft tacos in a tiny space with ~4 small tables

This place was amazing vibe, staff,food recommendation to everyone

The chili rellenos I had at Orlando’s today for lunch were 100% better than these at La Cueva, which tasted of the oil they were fried in. Nothing special. Service was indifferent.

Amazing food, amazing service. A great experience, highly recommend. May not look like much from the outside, but she's got it where it counts.

Food is ALWAYS good . Service, amazing!!!

We ordered all across the board ...new Mexican and I got the fish and chips!!! Wow!!! I was blown away and not just because I had a hankering for fish n chips!!! I grew up in the mid West where fish fry Fridays are a thing! Flaky fish, fluffy batter, but not too much...two kinds of tartar sauce, one very new Mexican and one traditional and *gasp* malt vinegar!!!! Meaty fries and for ketchup lovers, even without asking on our to go order we were given eight packets!!!! We also had the Christmas Chile enchiladas ( if youre not newexican this means red and green chiles and that's not jalapeños and bell peppers) we had chimichchangas that were meaty and crispy and hadba bit of chew... plenty of sides with our plates! Everything tasted fresh and yummy! I recommend these hard working lovelies for a pit stop or air down

Had the adult Frito Pie. Ohhhh was it good!!!

Best New Mexican food I have ever had. Great service. Get the tortilla soup.

Delicious and came out quickly, very cozy hole-in-the-wall vibe. Best rellenos I’ve had in a while!

When traveling to a "destination" city loved by so many and with such varied cuisines readily available, we rarely, if ever, dine in the same restaurant twice; however, sometimes, you're fortunate enough to run across a La Cueva Cafe. In an avant-garde town like Taos, it should come as no surprise that a quirky old converted motor motel stands out as one of (if not) the best restaurants in town and definitely one of the most stellar Mexican restaurants in northern New Mexico, and there are plenty to choose from! The parking is a subject to be aware of but ample. It involves parallel parking on the sides of a one way street and a short stretch of the legs. Seating is competitive with only a handful of tables in the main dining area, a grouping of outside dining tables (weather permitting) and a couple of converted motel rooms to which the service staff shuttles the plates of piping hot deliciousness. On two trips to Taos and four trips to La Cueva Cafe, we have never waited longer than five minutes to be seated! The "staff?" (Over the top friendly, courteous and attentive!) The "food"? I can only speak to you about the Chiles Rellenos (three trips) and the Ceviche (one trip), but if I were to speak of them, I would only say, "sell my clothes, I'm going to Heaven!" Now, my wife would say that her poblano mole chicken enchiladas were the best she has eaten outside of Mexico...I can't speak to that... she didn't offer to share! 🤨 Having said this and not really saying anything, we're planning on another one day-overnight trip to Taos in a couple of weeks, and I'm desperately looking for recommendations for a good Mexican restaurant... anyone? 😊

Great small spot for sme great Mexican food. We were there after 1:00 on a Monday, and were seated quickly. Beer & wine offered ( they do offer an agave wine margarita drink - which is good) Great staff & food. Recommended!

This place is tiny with only 6 tables inside but the food is incredible. Perhaps the best Mexican I have ever eaten. Service was ok. Parking is very limited nearby. Definitely worth a visit.

Loved this place in Taos. Atmosphere is 5-stars b/c it is authentic. Seats maybe 16 people. Warning...Closed at 5p on Saturday

Delicious and gluten-free rellenos! Great food in a fun, kinda quirky restaurant environment. So many GF options on the menu. Plenty of traditional options as well as some more unique ones. The ingredients are fresh and well prepared. Great service and food make this a keeper.

We must have caught this place on a bad night or something. I don't know how this place is rated 4.6 stars. Super nice family running this place but the food was really bad. My steak fajita meat was extremely chewy and my wife's chile rellenos were overcooked. Disappointing dinner for sure.

Tiny spot for excellent New Mexican dishes. ‘Cueva’ is an apt name. The interior sat 8 people at 4 tables. There’s a small patio, and maybe another inside zone based on other folks’ reviews? So, it’s small, but so so charming, and the food was very good. Yes you might have to wait for a table, but that’s how it goes. We had tamales and enchiladas mole. Would love to try the breakfast menu next time we visit. We walked there, but I did notice parking seemed tight.

An interesting find. Just a small room in an old stucco house. It was cold as the dorm kept opening & closing. Our server was sweet & efficient. THE FOOD WAS DELICIOUS. Had the combo plates & guacamole. The chili was perfect!

What An absolutely delicious and friendly meal I just had. Thank you! Got the combo platter and it was the best Mexican food I’ve ever had.

The chili Rellenos were fantastic. The burger had authentic green chilies on it. Go there- quickly.

Great food, wonderful staff, tricky parking, cannot seat large groups.

This hole in the wall had great authentic New Mexican food. Our family of four got scared off after seeing the line the first night, but we tried again and succeeded in getting in right away by arriving around 5pm. It is a tiny place but so unique, and the food was amazing, from my mole enchiladas to the guacamole to my margarita. Everything was tasty and the service was friendly and fast; I see why it's so popular!

I read very positive reviews on this restaurant. The restaurant has two buildings and it's separated by an outdoor sitting area. The service is very friendly. The food is excellent. The chicken enchilada with mole was very tasteful and delicious, but the rice and beans were lacking in flavor. The atmosphere is bland, and the restaurant was cold even with heaters around us. Overall the restaurant was OK.

The food is delicious! Great service too!

A genuine hole-in-the wall with delicious food, La Cueva was a delicious and very affordable taste of New Mexico. We had the ceviche, which was the genuine article (cured in lime juice, not cooked), the Caesar's salad, and the Hatch chile rellenos. All was delicious, in a distinctive and funky Taos ambience.

Very quaint and super good food. Servicce was friendly, efficient and pretty darn fast (although we didn’t feel rushed at all).

Came to this place based on the ratings, but I would disagree with them. Food was average and just under room temp, our table was on an incline, and the atmosphere was like eating in a shack. The hostess/food runners were not very kind either. Let's talk about the water: it had no ice, my mom's and daughter's waters had things floating in them, and they brought my mom a new water but returned the same glass back to my daughter! It still had the floats in it and her straw! FYI they charge 20% gratuity on 5 more people. Look, save yourself time and money, and just find somewhere else to go.

Good food, friendly staff in a smaller restaurant space Indoors and outdoor seating

Really excellent food all around. Ordered the combination plate… excellent across the board. Might go back again tomorrow

The food and the service was excellent, thank you!

Hands down some of the best Mexican/New Mexican food I’ve ever had in my entire life. Everything tasted so fresh, such good flavor. Also great for GF and vegetarian. Veggie enchiladas and chili Rellenos were amazing. Also cannot beat the prices for this quality in Taos anywhere.