Must-see restaurants in New Mexico

  • 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 –…

  • 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…

  • 192 at the Blake

    Central New Mexico

    Nibble on a shared plate of calamari and parsley aioli during après-ski or order up a manzo flatbread (carne asada, blue cheese, arugula and caramelized…

  • 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…

  • San Marcos Cafe

    Central New Mexico

    Down-home, country-style cafe that's 7.5 miles north of Cerrillos and 17 miles south of Santa Fe on Hwy 14. Aside from some excellent red chile and…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Latitude 33

    New Mexico

    Relaxed, friendly bistro, tucked away downtown between the two main drags, which serves Asian-inspired dishes at good prices. Think spicy peanut noodles…

  • La Boca

    Santa Fe

    A casual offshoot of the all-but-identical La Boca restaurant in the courtyard off Lincoln Ave, this relaxed central tapas bar offers a changing but…

  • High Country Restaurant & Saloon

    New Mexico

    The round-the-clock throng of diners tells you this Wild West restaurant, at the Y-junction south of town, is something out of the ordinary. Whether you…

  • Bavarian

    Central New Mexico

    The best dining on the mountain (at the bottom of Lift 4), you can fuel up here on hearty Spätzle (noodles), Wiener Schnitzel, scrumptious Apfelstrudel…

  • Trading Post Cafe

    Taos

    This longtime favorite strikes a perfect balance of relaxed and refined. Everything on the largely Italian menu, from pasta specials to rosemary chicken,…

  • Ruby K's Bagel Cafe

    Santa Fe Region

    Like bagel places across the universe, service can be maddening if you're in a hurry, but Ruby's is the place for a sandwich – available on a bagel,…

  • Slate Street Cafe & Wine Loft

    Albuquerque

    A popular downtown rendezvous, the cafe downstairs is usually packed with people enjoying imaginative comfort food, from green chile mac-and-cheese to…

  • Jerry's Cafe

    New Mexico

    Slide into a booth at this busy old-timer for a generous serving of Gallup atmosphere. Keep it simple with a bowl of green or red chile, or, if you haven…

  • Compound

    Santa Fe

    A longtime foodie favorite, featuring the contemporary American creations of much-lauded chef and owner Mark Kiffin. Ingredients are always fresh, and…

  • Annapurna's World Vegetarian Cafe

    Albuquerque

    This awesome vegetarian and vegan cafe, one block south of Route 66 and part of a small local chain, serves fresh, tasty Indian specialties, including…

  • Traveler's Cafe

    New Mexico

    With no sign of its presence outside, this plaza coffee-and-sandwich shop is not easy to spot. Once inside, though, it’s enormous, housed in a weaving…

  • Tune-Up Cafe

    Santa Fe

    Casual neighborhood hangout, west of the Railyard, where the chef, from El Salvador, adds his own twists to classic New Mexican and American brunch…

  • El Gamal

    Taos

    Vegetarians rejoice – at this casual Middle Eastern place, there's no meat anywhere. Even if the falafel doesn’t quite achieve the stated aim to promote…

  • Green Jeans Farmery

    Albuquerque

    Built from converted shipping containers, this hip community hangout features a number of great casual eateries as well as a distillery and the jumpin'…

  • Chope's Bar & Cafe

    New Mexico

    Worth every second of the 15-mile drive south of town, Chope's may not be much to look at, but the hot chile will turn you into an addict within minutes…

  • Sparky's Burgers

    New Mexico

    Drop by for what might be the best green chile cheeseburger in the state, served with casual pride. Lots of locals actually order the BBQ – after you…

  • Gutiz

    Taos

    This yummy New Mexican–French–Cajun hybrid makes most everything from scratch, using organic seasonal produce. Breakfast, served until closing, is the…

  • State Capital Kitchen

    Santa Fe

    Small plates and seasonal cuisine make this gourmet destination something of an anomaly in Santa Fe. You won't find much chile on the menu – instead…

  • Sugar's BBQ

    Santa Fe Region

    On the east side of the highway a short way south of Classical Gas, this tin-clad trailer has, thanks to its sublimely juicy barbecue, been hailed one of…

  • Purple Onion

    New Mexico

    One of the few inhabitants of the virtual ghost town of Mogollon, the Purple Onion claims to serve the best burger in New Mexico. We’re not sure if it’s…

  • Los Cerritos

    Southeastern New Mexico

    A free basket of chips with a side of spicy salsa starts things off right at this big but welcoming Mexican restaurant where families, friends, seniors…

  • Wonderful House

    New Mexico

    The dynamic young staff here, on the main highway next to the Step Back Inn, work hard to live up to its far-from-bashful name, serving quick-fire…

  • Rizo's

    Southeastern New Mexico

    Service can be a bit brisk at this no-frills place, but it's still one of the town's most reliable eats. In addition to all the usual suspects, you'll…

  • Teresa's Tamales

    New Mexico

    A tiny cinder-block building with a wood stove and votive candles in the corner. Come to this community hub for some of the best tamales ($2 to $4) in the…

  • Smokey Bear Restaurant

    Southeastern New Mexico

    This little diner next to the Smokey Bear Historical Park serves all of Smokey's personal favorites – who knew bears were partial to chicken quesadillas…

  • Pie-O-Neer Café

    New Mexico

    Step up to the pie bar to peruse the many different slices on offer. Trust us, it will be very hard to make up your mind. If you're particular, call ahead…

  • Burger Stand at Taos Ale House

    Taos

    Much like the Santa Fe branch, this hip burger joint is a popular pick for an easy, decent meal – think burgers with applewood-smoked bacon, and Gouda,…

  • Del's Restaurant

    New Mexico

    Serves hearty American and Mexican dishes for lunch and dinner; a salad-bar trip is included with American entrees, and chips and salsa with the Mexican…

  • Passion Pie Cafe

    New Mexico

    Watch T or C get its morning groove on through the windows of this espresso cafe, and set yourself up with a breakfast waffle; the Elvis (with peanut…