160 Best Restaurants in New Mexico, USA

If you hanker for sweet-and-tangy pecan wood–smoked barbecue, this homey, log-cabin-style spot serves up consistently tasty fare at reasonable prices. Sauce from an old family recipe is slathered on chicken, pork, beef brisket, turkey, and ham. Fried catfish and other home-style dishes are also served. If wall-mounted animal heads make you squeamish, you might want to dine elsewhere.

Owner Quinn Stephenson (who also owns fine dining institution Coyote Cafe) now runs this long-acclaimed member of Santa Fe's culinary vanguard with a lighter menu focused on fresh, fusion cuisine, and it remains one of Santa Fe's must-eat destinations. The minimalist, elegant restaurant is located two blocks north of the Plaza in the historic Padre Gallegos House and offers inventive dishes from chef Dale Kester. The playful bronze animal sculptures found both indoors and out add an earthy-yet-ethereal atmosphere. The inviting shaded patio is pretty, quiet, and the place to see-and-be-seen during warm weather while the private dining room seats about 12 and can be rented out for special occasions.

Expect to wait in line at this downtown eatery that's been family operated since 1953, serving flavorful New Mexican food and popular margaritas. Even if you're a devoted green chile fan, definitely try the locally grown red chile the place is famous for; it is rich and earthy, with a bit of spice. Other specialties include red chile enchiladas, green chile stew with potatoes and pork, and charbroiled Shedburgers. The large selection of soups and salads will appeal to all visitors, and be sure to save room for their famous mocha cake. The rambling, low-doored, and atmospheric adobe dating from 1692 is decorated with folk art, and they have kept prices remarkably fair considering the iconic location. 

On the ground floor of an imposing 1920s stone warehouse on the border between Las Vegas's older and newer downtowns, this bustling gastropub filled with colorful artwork draws a diverse and friendly crowd of creative spirits, students, tourists, and foodies. The reasonably priced menu is a fun fusion of Latin and Asian flavors, including orange-chicken burritos, spicy brisket tacos, and red chile pepper fried chicken sandwiches. Save room for the churro donut sundae with a fresh berry sauce.

You can't miss the vivid murals on the building in sleepy Peñasco that houses both a vintage theater and an intimate restaurant where acclaimed chef-owners Kai Harper Leah and Ki Holste serve up tantalizing farm-to-table fare, from bountiful salads and juicy burgers to triple-layer chocolate cake. This is the best restaurant on the High Road, hands down. Espresso drinks and dessert also hit the spot. You can dine on the side patio in warm weather.

This fabulously unusual pub and microbrewery is located just a few miles east of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, across the highway from the regional Taos airport. In a high-ceilinged, eco-friendly building with soaring windows, you can sample exceptionally well-crafted Scottish Ale, Black Widow Porter, and Kolsch 45. Step outside to sit on the expansive patio and take in the amazing mountain and mesa views. Two outdoor stages present the best in live musical entertainment, frequently drawing large and enthusiastic crowds to enjoy regional and international artists. Tasty burgers, fries, salads, and desserts are served too.

Among the many reasons guests of the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado often find it difficult to ever leave the gloriously situated property is this handsome yet down-to-earth restaurant that serves tantalizingly delicious and creative contemporary American and Southwestern cuisine. Favorites include seafood paella, green chile and bison meatballs, and an Australian Wagyu rib eye. The high-ceilinged dining room is lined with tall windows overlooking the mountains and pathways that traverse the property. World-class art and sculptures abound, and a smaller bar with a large patio and fire pit is a fun hangout for cocktails and lighter snacks.

This family-run downtown joint has been in operation since 1974, serving some of the area's best New Mexican breakfasts and lunches. Order anything and expect a true taste of local tradition, including perfectly flaky, light sopaipilla; Tia's delicious burritos stuffed with homemade chorizo disappear fast on Saturday so get there early. Mammoth chile-smothered breakfast burritos will hold you over for hours on the powdery ski slopes during winter. Be aware that the red and green chiles are spicy and you're expected to understand this elemental fact of local cuisine.

A visit to Villa Myriam is always satisfying, not just for the uber-fresh coffee drinks on offer and its crisply contemporary design, but for the sense of discovery—tucked away as it is in this emerging early 20th-century warehouse area not far from the train tracks. Tasty teas and sandwiches are also served. The view from its north-facing patio often includes an expanse of salvaged neon signage: Albuquerque history in lights, these are ultimately destined for placement in a neon park just a block away, across from the old Glorieta Brewery, the distinctive red-brick edifice that towers to the west.

A long-time local favorite for lunch (they're only open from 10:30 until 2:30), the Buttery serves savory soups, creative sandwiches, daily-changing quiches, and delectable desserts. Soups, like the tomato basil or the chunky cream of broccoli, are main-course worthy—add a fresh salad and a slice of buttermilk pie, and you're good to go. If you can find a table, eat on the patio in warm weather.

This bustling restaurant is on the short list of locals and visitors in the know for tasty, and big, breakfasts and early lunches (they close at 1). Aside from fluffy waffles and pancakes (which can come loaded with all sorts of toppings), they serve very good Mexican breakfasts and lunches—the chile verde plate for breakfast is great, as are the chicken enchiladas for lunch. Standard American fare, like eggs and bacon, and sandwiches round out the menu.

With a near-fanatical following for its traditional and creative doughnuts, Whoo's offers mouth-watering flavors that incorporate outside-of-the-box combinations and local flare. For those preferring savory over sweet, try the delicious handheld breakfast burritos. A selection of organic coffee and tea is also available.

Chef Eduardo Rodriguez led some of Santa Fe’s most famous kitchens for nearly 25 years before opening his own eatery, naming it after the north-central Mexican region of his birth. The culinary marriage between the southwestern United States and Mexico shows up in dishes like mole negro chilaquiles (eggs, Chihuahuan cheese, black beans, chicken, and mole sauce) for brunch and whole fried snapper with crab saffron risotto, calabacitas (sautéed zucchini), and salsa Veracruz for dinner. Sweets include flan de elote and churros, and the patio is charming for brunch in warm weather.

This modern-rustic spot inside the extravagant Blake Hotel is warmed by a roaring fireplace and draws skiers and hikers with its terrific selection of craft beers and cocktails. The extensive menu includes tasty bar snacks and a few more substantial—but still shareable—items, like a sliced-thin beef rib eye with ancho-chile demi-glace and oven-roasted trout. Top draws among the smaller plates include wild boar stew, truffle fries, sautéed mussels in a lime–coconut–red chile broth, and flatbread pizzas. You'll also find one of the best wine lists in the region. The ambience is enlivened by the eye-catching New Mexican art and vintage ski collectibles on display.

There are plenty of spots near the Plaza for grabbing a latte, but this coffeehouse stands out for brewing exceptional house-roasted, single-origin coffees from Guatamala, Kenya, Sumatra, and other java hot spots around the world. You can order a pour-over made with beans of your choosing, or sample the house-made chai, nitro cold brew, and "latitude adjustment" (coffee blended with organic grass-fed butter, MCT oil, and coconut oil). The airy café with exposed-brick walls is in the back of Arcade retail complex on the south side of the Plaza and serves delicious baked goods, too, from sweet treats such as freshly made beignets to lox-and-cream cheese breakfast croissants.

Head to this cozy bistro tucked behind some galleries in Arroyo Seco's charming little business district for superb, reasonably priced farm-to-table food with a decidedly global bent. The menu changes often to take advantage of seasonal ingredients, with excellently prepared dishes such as polenta tartine, arroz con puerco, and Thai peanut rice bowls. There are just a few tables in the simple dining room with chunky wood tables and a small bar, and reservations are recommended especially on weekends.

This romantic restaurant with hardwood floors, soft lighting, and stone walls has a menu that presents upscale versions of classic fare such as steak, fish, and chicken. For a less formal vibe, have dinner and cocktails at the convivial bar or enjoy breakfast on the lively street-side patio. A tasting table in the center of the space is available for reserved private tequila tastings.

A longtime locals' favorite, Andiamo! scores high marks for its friendly staff, consistently good northern Italian food, and comfortable dining room. Produce from the farmers' market down the street adds to the seasonal surprises of this intimate restaurant set inside a sweet cottage in the Railyard District. Start with the addictively delectable crispy polenta with rosemary and Gorgonzola sauce and consider such hearty entrées as crispy duck leg confit with grilled polenta, dried figs, and sautéed spinach or linguine with spicy grilled shrimp and olives in a shallot, garlic, and tomato sauce. There's a super wine list with varied prices. Save room for the tiramisu or chocolate pots de crème.

Within the thick adobe walls of this darkly lit, romantic space off the plaza in Old Town, patrons have been feasting on rich, elegantly prepared American classics for more than 50 years. This isn't the edgy, contemporary restaurant to bring an adventuresome foodie—Antiquity specializes in classics, from starters of French onion soup and Alaskan King crab cakes with a perfectly piquant remoulade sauce to main courses like Chicken Madagascar, Australian lobster tail with drawn butter, and black Angus New York strip-loin steak with horseradish sauce. Somehow oddly endearing, the decor is a bit on the timeworn side these days, but the consistently well-prepared food and charming service still make it worthy.

Chef Antonio Matus has been delighting diners in the Taos area for many years with his authentic, boldly flavorful, and beautifully plated regional Mexican cuisine. In this intimate art-filled restaurant with a slate courtyard, Matus focuses more on regional Mexican than New Mexican fare. Specialties include chile en nogada (poblano peppers stuffed with pork, pears, and raisins and topped with a walnut-cream sauce) and Mexico City–style tacos al pastor with shaved, seasoned pork, pineapple, and cilantro, plus a fantastic tres leches cake and a rich chipotle-chocolate cake. Local favorites such as pork-stuffed sopaipillas are also served.

Locals praise this smartly contemporary EDo stalwart for its attentive service and French, American, and Italian dishes often prepared with organic ingredients. Seasonal specials might include strip steak with Southwestern sides; a zesty, vegetarian house-made ravioli; and Mary's Farm chicken with a Peruvian rub.

This friendly, family-owned restaurant is run by the Sarazua family from Guanajuato, Mexico. The menu features family recipes from Guanajuato as well as northern New Mexico. Located off the Taos Plaza, the beautiful flower-filled courtyard with a fountain offers a beautiful place to refresh and rejuvenate.

This eatery may look like a set in search of a script, but it's the real deal: folks come from all over the city to sup in the longtime New Mexican--style chile parlor in a historic Route 66 neighborhood south of Downtown. You may notice looks of quiet contentment on the faces of its many dedicated diners as they dive into their bowls of Barelas's potent red chile. It's nothing fancy here, just the comfort of familiarity and the very pleasant option of seating on their shaded patio. The staff treats everybody like an old friend—indeed, many of the regulars who come here have been fans of Barelas since it opened its doors in 1978.

Located near the trailhead of Williams Lake/Wheeler Peak and at the base of Lift 4, this ski-in ski-out restaurant offers excellent, contemporary Bavarian-inspired cuisine. Try a warm pretzel and mustard, or one of several varieties of bratwurst with a stein of Bavarian beer. Or opt for a more substantial main dish such as Rocky Mountain trout with braised red cabbage and sour cream mashed potatoes. For dessert, the mouth-watering apple strudel is a sure bet.

This old-school, regional fast-food chain serves tasty breakfast burritos and juicy burgers. Perfect for a quick bite with the kids, don't forget to get a healthy helping of green chile on your burger.

On the Low Road to Taos just a five-minute drive from the center of Dixon, New Mexico's oldest woman-owned brewery dispenses not only nicely crafted ales—the crisp Rinconada Raspberry Rye and malty La Llorona Scottish Ale are great choices—but also tasty pizzas, salads, and desserts. Have a seat in the art-filled dining room, where you can also taste wine from the nearby La Chiripada Winery, or out on the cottonwood-shaded patio. There's a second location in Española.

This brightly colored and elegant restaurant is a welcoming spot for a delicious lunch or dinner that's within walking distance of the city's several downtown museums and historic sites. The kitchen turns out a mix of New Mexican, American, and Continental dishes, including grilled jumbo shrimp wrapped in applewood-smoked bacon, Greek salads prepared with locally made feta, and tender steaks. Unfortunately, it's open only on weekdays.