Fine dining at the famous CAVE Alux Restaurant in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
Updated: Mar 31
When we heard about Alux Restaurant we just HAD to head there. A restaurant in a cave? What? And wow... we mean really... WOW. This was a surreal yet magical moment in which we dined, grounded, and left feeling that little bit different to when we walked in. As far as one million years ago our early ancestors were eating in caves... who knew we would still be doing that today!
When we came to Mexico, we knew we just had to find a cenote (cave) and find one we did. Humankind has been fascinated with caves since day dot and our intrigue was no different! So when we ventured to Alux Restaurant and found ourselves DINING in one we could not have been happier. It was a truly epic experience! We certainly felt the spirit that history, and our ancestors, describe. We hope that through this post, you will too!
Read on for more about Mexico's cenotes and find out what exactly an 'Alux' is. See our Alux Restaurant highlights, the menu, opening times, where to find the restaurant and our experience rating.
Plus some special offers from Klook, and our comprehensive guide to visiting Mexico!
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What is a cenote?
A cenote is a natural cave / sinkhole which is formed from the collapse of limestone bedrock that then exposes groundwater. They are most commonly found in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, and were known amongst the Maya in particular as being a sacred and spiritual place. Whilst they were used for water supplies, which is where the name is derived from (a term for a location with accessible groundwater), they were thought to possess powerful properties linked to the soul and cleansing.
Humans have been living in caves as far back as a million years ago, although this was not as popular as perhaps we have come to believe. Caves were typically cold, damp, and more often than not home to animals such as bears which made them inhospitable. However there is evidence until as recent as 100,000 years ago of humans living in caves in Africa, and of course we all know that they were the first moments of drawing and art amongst humankind.
What is an Alux?
The name “Alux” comes from the local mythological elf-like creature that inhabits the woods according to locals. Like many cultures these creatures are blamed for their mischievous behavior and when items go missing people say “it must have been the Alux”. The Alux are said to live in caves but there was no sign of them here... However we did make sure to leave some coins for him on the altar just in case!
Our Alux Restaurant highlights
This 'millenary cavern' restaurant is quite literally a hole in the ground! It was one of our most fond experiences in Playa Del Carmen. With its fusion cuisine, local vibe and natural landscape this made for a unique experience that will be hard to beat.
At Alux we found high quality service, although the menu was slightly limited. We started with the Roasted Bone Marrow which wasn't our favorite, however we also had the Grilled Oysters which were spectacular! We highly recommend these.
For our main we both had the 8 hour Pork Belly but neither of us finished our plates (which hardly ever happens). We did not have dessert but we did have an excellent bottle of wine, selected from an amazing wine cellar with an extensive range. In all honesty just the wine cellar itself is worth a visit. The staff are also on hand to take a photo or two for you too!
You can also enjoy the cool vibes by simply having a drink or two in the bar areas as well. There is a pathway that you can follow which will take you past many different 'vault cavern' areas, where you can book a more private experience. Everything is lit up so beautifully and there are also empty areas where you can stop for photos and admire this amazing space.
Overall it was all about the stunning atmosphere. It was not cold or damp, the temperature was actually perfect and the ambience and scenes made for a truly unforgettable, romantic date night. This is a must visit restaurant and it is as spiritual as it is mystical!
CAVE Alux restaurant's colorful lighting often impresses diners. If you are also planning to open a restaurant or bar, it would be a good idea to decorate it with custom neon signs.
Neon signs are a cool decoration, you can customize them with simple letters or complex logos, which are very practical, beautiful, and personalized. Not only can it bring you a better user experience, but it can also become an iconic element in the store, attracting more people.
What an amazing sunset and evening spent in the best restaurant in all of Cancun, Mexico in our opinion! 5 star fine dining at its best!
Alux Restaurant menu
Alux Restaurant offers a modern Mexican menu with a focus on using local, seasonal ingredients. The menu changes seasonally, but some of the signature dishes include slow-cooked pork, melted cheese, grilled octopus, grilled filet mignon, and lobster tacos. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list, with a focus on Mexican wines. You can find the full list of wine on the Alux website (link in the next section).
Opening times and how to make reservations
Alux Restaurant is open daily from 6pm to 11pm, except public holidays. Entrance is by reservation only and the restaurant operates a smart casual dress code policy.
The restaurant offers an a la carte, dinner only service.
You can make reservations on the Alux website here.
How to get to Alux Restaurant Playa del Carmen
To get to Alux Restaurant in Playa del Carmen, you have a few options. The most convenient method is to take a taxi or use a ride-sharing service like Uber.
Alternatively, if you have a rental car, you can drive to the restaurant, although parking outside is very limited.
Playa del Carmen also has a public transportation system called "colectivos" that you can take to downtown, and then walk to the restaurant.
Address: Av Benito Juárez Mz 217 Lt2, Ejidal, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Telephone: +52 (984) 2061401 / +52 (984) 1227365
Email: contacto@aluxrestaurant.com
Website: aluxrestaurant.com
Alux Restaurant and Playa del Carmen on YouTube
In this video, we explore 5th Avenue, local restaurants and the epic Alux Restaurant. We also include a room and accommodation tour of our Airbnb, so you can see what you can get for your money for an entire month here!
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Our Alux Restaurant experience rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Alux Restaurant was one of our best Playa del Carmen highlights! We have traveled to many countries in the world and dined at some pretty phenomenal restaurants, but none have quite been as unique as this. Not just a cave, the team at Alux have clearly gone to extraordinary lengths to create a unique atmosphere and vibe that we thoroughly enjoyed. The lighting and decor is fantastic, and adds to the incredible allure of the Alux legend. Add that to the great service and gourmet menu, and you have a restaurant that will forever stand out in the memory bank. It certainly has for us anyway!
✓ Atmosphere: 5/5
From the beautiful multi-colored lights to the marble tables, the finesse around the finishing touches here compliment the cave in seamless fashion. The lounge areas and bar look amazing, and the dining experience itself felt really special. The music was gentle and smooth, and the tables are well separated, contributing to an intimate and romantic atmosphere.
✓ Cost: 5/5
✓ Food: 4/5
✓ Service: 5/5
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Our FREE interactive map of Mexico
Check out all of the places we visited in Mexico courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more.
Wanderlog is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use!
Explore Playa del Carmen with Klook
Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Playa del Carmen. Whether you're looking for a water park adventure, a Chichen Itza day tour, or even a cenote experience, Klook has something to offer. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities.
All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Mexico. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience!
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CAVE Alux restaurant's colorful lighting often impresses diners. If you are also planning to open a restaurant or bar, it would be a good idea to decorate it with custom neon signs.
Neon signs are a cool decoration, you can customize them with simple letters or complex logos, which are very practical, beautiful, and personalized. Not only can it bring you a better user experience, but it can also become an iconic element in the store, attracting more people.
