Must-see restaurants in New Mexico

  • Revel

    New Mexico

    Revel was so tasty that we came back again for more. Ingredients for the hearty fare served in these rustically chic digs are sourced from local farms …

  • Lambert's

    Taos

    Consistently hailed as the 'Best of Taos,' this charming old adobe north of the Plaza remains what it’s always been: a cozy, romantic local hangout where…

  • Cafe Pasqual's

    Santa Fe

    Whatever time you visit this exuberantly colorful, utterly unpretentious place, the food, most of which has a definite south-of-the-border flavor, is…

  • Pop Fizz

    Albuquerque

    These all-natural paletas (popsicles) straight-up rock: cool off with flavors such as cucumber chile lime, mango or pineapple habanero – or perhaps you'd…

  • Golden Crown Panaderia

    Albuquerque

    Who doesn’t love a friendly neighborhood cafe-bakery? Especially one in a cozy old adobe, with gracious staff, oven-fresh bread and pizza (with green…

  • Buckhorn Saloon

    New Mexico

    Once part opera house, this venerable saloon is Silver City's most atmospheric dining option, offering serious steaks and seafood amid 1860s Wild West…

  • La Choza

    Santa Fe

    Blue-corn burritos, a festive interior and an extensive margarita list make La Choza a perennial (and colorful) favorite among Santa Fe's discerning…

  • Jambo Cafe

    Santa Fe

    Hidden within a shopping center, this African-flavored cafe is hard to spot from the road; once inside, though, it’s a lovely spot, always busy with…

  • La Plazuela

    Santa Fe

    One of Santa Fe’s greatest pleasures is a meal in the Fonda’s irresistible see-and-be-seen central atrium, with its excited bustle, colorful decor and…

  • Artichoke Cafe

    Albuquerque

    Elegant and unpretentious, this popular bistro prepares creative gourmet cuisine with panache and is always high on foodies’ lists of Albuquerque’s best…

  • El Nido

    Santa Fe

    Helmed by chef Enrique Guerrero, the culinary action at this beautiful old steakhouse revolves around the open flame, with a wood-burning grill,…

  • Coda Bakery

    Albuquerque

    If you're driving east toward the Sandia Mountains and looking for easy picnic fare, swing south from Central Ave for tasty banh mi sandwiches and…

  • Love Apple

    Taos

    A real 'only in New Mexico' find, from the rustic-sacred setting in the converted 19th-century adobe Placitas Chapel, to the delicious, locally sourced…

  • Clafoutis

    Santa Fe

    As Oscar Wilde once quipped, the only way to get rid of temptation is to give in, and that sums up the approach you should take at this super bon French…

  • Level 5

    Albuquerque

    Whoa, that view. A breathtaking panorama of Albuquerque, flanked by the Sandia Mountains, accompanies your meal, whether dining inside or out at this…

  • Luna Rossa Winery & Pizzeria

    New Mexico

    Burned out on green and red chile? It happens. For a tasty alternative, settle in on the patio at Luna Rossi for decadent pizzas and a host of Italian…

  • Chala's Wood-Fired Grill

    New Mexico

    With house-smoked carnitas and turkey, housemade bacon and chile-pork sausage, plus calabacitas (squash and corn), quinoa salad and organic greens, this…

  • Taos Diner

    Taos

    Diner grub at its finest, prepared with a Southwestern, organic spin. Mountain men, scruffy jocks, solo diners and happy tourists – everyone's welcome…

  • Harry's Roadhouse

    Santa Fe

    This casual longtime favorite on the southern edge of town feels like a rambling cottage with its various rooms and patio garden – and there’s also a full…

  • Flying Star neon cafe sign on Route 66, Central Avenue in Downtown Albuquerque.

    Flying Star Cafe

    Albuquerque

    For visitors, the Nob Hill location of this deservedly popular local chain is the most convenient of outlets throughout Albuquerque and beyond. Locals…

  • El Paisa Taqueria

    Albuquerque

    Wedged in among the chicharronerias and tortillerias across the Rio Grande, unassuming El Paisa will require a bit of deciphering if your taqueria vocab…

  • Three Rivers Eatery & Brewhouse

    New Mexico

    Both trendy and kid-friendly, this hip spot spreads through three different buildings along one block, serving pub grub, pizzas and its own microbrews and…

  • Tesuque Village Market

    Santa Fe

    Hole-in-the-wall turned country-hip, this is a weekend hot spot for folks heading to or from Tesuque Flea Market. If you’re hungry and in a hurry, grab a…

  • La Paloma

    Santa Fe

    This exposed-brick newcomer is where you come in your fancy clothes to eat the fancy tacos. You know, the ones with hand-pressed tortillas, pepper-almond…

  • Tia Sophia's

    Santa Fe

    Local artists and visiting celebrities outnumber tourists at this long-standing and always packed Santa Fe favorite. Breakfast is the meal of choice, with…

  • La Cueva Cafe

    Taos

    This little Mexican cafe on downtown’s southeastern edge has rapidly established itself as a local classic. Satisfaction is guaranteed, whether you drop…

  • Owl Bar Cafe

    New Mexico

    Leave I-25 at exit 139, 10 miles south of Socorro, to sample the finest green chile cheeseburgers this side of Hatch. The potent mix of greasy beef, soft…

  • La Casa Sena

    Santa Fe

    Several downtown restaurants have outdoor seating but this is the prettiest, in the flower-filled garden of an old adobe that also has a snug interior…

  • Charlie's Spic & Span Bakery & Cafe

    New Mexico

    This Las Vegas institution has listened to the town's gossip for more than 50 years, and is still the place to hang out and catch up over a cup of coffee …

  • Joseph’s Culinary Pub

    Santa Fe

    This romantic old adobe, open for dinner only, is best seen as a fine-dining restaurant rather than a pub. Order from the shorter, cheaper bar menu if you…

  • Cowgirl BBQ

    Santa Fe

    With its juicy barbecue, awesome margaritas, outside patio, billiard room and live music – and its exuberant celebration of the women who made the West –…

  • ¡Andele!

    New Mexico

    Everyone raves about the salad bar, and with good reason. Follow up the homemade chips with tacos el castor or smothered enchiladas, or just dig in to a…

  • Doc Martin's

    Taos

    Hang out where Bert Phillips (the original Doc Martin's bro-in-law) and Ernest Blumenschein cooked up the idea of the Taos Society of Artists. Sit by the…

  • Dr Field Goods

    Santa Fe

    This locavore deli is a top pick for a casual bite out on Cerrillos Rd. Diners can choose between free-range buffalo enchiladas, goat tortas with honey…

  • Horseman's Haven

    Santa Fe

    Let's talk about the green chile. We were warned it was hot, and we like hot, but whoo, that fiery elixir darn near ripped apart our stomach lining, not…

  • Michael's Kitchen

    Taos

    Locals and tourists alike converge on this old favorite because the menu is long, the food's reliably good, it's an easy place for kids, and the in-house…

  • Adobe Deli

    New Mexico

    This amazing, cavernous barnlike structure, on a rundown farm 12 miles east via US 549 (follow Pine St), is filled with stuffed animals from mouflon to…

  • Pueblo Harvest Cafe

    Albuquerque

    A rare chance to sample the real local cuisine, with dishes such as blue-corn porridge for breakfast, Tewa tacos for lunch – the Pueblo take on Indian fry…

  • Diane's Restaurant & Bakery

    New Mexico

    Diane's is the local restaurant of choice, especially for weekend breakfasts. If you visit then, order the Hatch Benedict eggs, doused with chile. There's…

  • Adobe Café & Bakery

    New Mexico

    A culinary oasis in the middle of nowhere (aka '7 miles west of Reserve'). Aside from creative renditions of typical diner fare, the Adobe features…