20 Best Restaurants in Taos, New Mexico

This family-owned chalet and bistro is run by Christoff Brownell and Asia Golden; Christoff grew up at the ski valley and knows the mountain like the back of his hand while Asia is a farmer and chef. Der Garten serves farm-to-table, mostly organic food from local farmers and ranchers.

The best seats at this charming café are outside on the patio, surrounded by gardens and wind sculptures with sweeping views of the mountains and Taos Pueblo's beautiful buffalo pasture. The flavorful breakfasts and lunches use ingredients sourced from local farms and ranches, and the bakery turns out decadent made-from-scratch carrot cakes, scones, cinnamon rolls, and other treats, many of them gluten-free. The Zia breakfast of farm fresh eggs, grilled avocado, asparagus, tomato, and portabello mushroom with sautéed greens is a favorite, as is the red chile bison stew made with Chimayo's famed chile.

This ambitious and consistently terrific spot for lunch and breakfast (served all day) blends French and Spanish culinary influences. Favorite breakfast dishes include eggs Benedict and their signature French toast made from freshly baked bread while lunch specialties feature a green chile sausage bowl, pollo borracho, and sandwiches served on homemade French bread.

Superb service, creative cuisine, and an utterly romantic setting inside a historic adobe house just a short walk north of the plaza define this Taos landmark that's been a go-to for special meals since 1988 (it was previously located a few blocks away). A seasonally changing menu presents elegant contemporary American cuisine brushed with influences from around the world. Dine in one of the cozy, warmly lit rooms or out on a patio shaded by mature fruit trees. Lambert's is also home to local favorite Treehouse Bar & Lounge. Ascend an old wooden staircase and arrive in a relaxing lounge area to enjoy a cocktail and a delicious selection from the bar menu.

It's easy to drive by the small adobe former chapel that houses this delightful farm-to-table restaurant a short drive north of Taos Plaza, but slow down—you don't want to miss the culinary magic of chef Andrea Meyer. She uses organic, mostly local ingredients in the preparation of simple yet sophisticated creations like homemade sweet-corn tamales with red-chile mole, a fried egg, and crème fraîche, and tacos (using homemade tortillas) filled with grilled antelope, potato-Gruyère gratin, and parsley gremolata.

Set in a rustic-chic roadhouse on the scenic road between El Prado and Arroyo Seco that adjoins one of the area's best wineshops, Medley is an excellent choice for a gathering of friends or a romantic night out. You could make a meal of one of their outstanding salads and soups or order a few shareable small plates such tuna tartare tostadas, mac-and-cheese with roasted Hatch chiles, or ratatouille en croûte. The substantial entrées could include delicacies such as a stew of pan-seared red snapper, black beans, chorizo, and vegetables, or grilled Scottish salmon with summer squash, house-made pancetta, fried green beans, and sweet corn cream. There's a popular happy hour in the afternoon, a great signature cocktail list, and occasional live music on the patio.

This family-run, local favorite is likely to be crowded during peak hours, while guests wait patiently to devour perfectly seasoned favorites such as carne adovada (red chile–marinated pork), blue-corn enchiladas, and scrumptious fish tacos. You can eat in the colorful and cozy dining room or outside on the umbrella-shaded front patio. Enjoy your meal with a glass of delicious sangria and be sure to save room for a slice of their famous avocado pie for dessert.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Located in the Historic Taos Inn, Doc Martin’s takes its name from the building's original owner, a physician who saw patients in the rooms that are now the dining areas. The beautiful, centrally located restaurant serves authentic Northern New Mexico cuisine.

A standout amid the strip of mostly unmemorable fast-food restaurants along Paseo del Pueblo on the south side of town, this airy, high-ceiling contemporary space—part of a regional chain with locations in Albuquerque as well—serves stellar burgers using hormone-free Angus beef from respected Harris Ranch; turkey, veggie, Colorado lamb, bison, and salmon burgers are also available. You can also choose from an assortment of novel toppings, including fried eggs, wild mushrooms, grilled onions, and crispy jalapeños. Beer and wine are also served.

This casual Mexico--meets--New Mexico eatery is run by Mexico-born couple Juana and Horacio Zarazua, who have built a devoted following working in some of the best restaurants in town. Their specialty is regional Mexican food, including ceviche, chipotle shrimp tacos, and several other seafood dishes, plus chiles rellenos, chicken mole enchiladas, and some familiar New Mexico-style standbys. There's a good selection of vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. Breakfast is served daily, and there's a cheerful patio out back.

Located on the north side of the Historic Taos Plaza, this spacious and airy restaurant bills itself as a community café, a reference to its locally sourced foods from farms that use sustainable methods. The menu rotates seasonally among veggie bowls, grass-fed meat sandwiches, and hearty soups made from bone broth. Either take a seat at the window for people-watching on the plaza or sit outside on the patio.

This lively indoor/outdoor café is a popular place for locals and tourists alike, serving coffee, desserts and pastries, smoothies, and a full breakfast and lunch menu with omelets, salads, and sandwiches. Next door is the market, staffed by a friendly crew, and packed full of gourmet as well as affordably priced fresh produce, dairy products, local meats, dry goods, frozen foods, snacks, treats, pet foods, household products, body care and personal items, and gift and boutique items.

You don’t have to be a craft beer fan to enjoy this convivial taproom a brief walk south of the plaza, although it is a terrific place to sample a crisp ruby-red Amarillo Rojo red ale or a robust Black Widow porter. Pizza lovers will also appreciate this spot, which serves delicious, generously topped pies out of a wood-fired oven. Gluten-free crusts are available.

Let the aroma of fresh-ground coffee draw you into the tiny World Cup, where you can sit at the counter or wander outside to a bench on the porch. Locals engage in political rhetoric here, often slanted toward the left, so be prepared for a rousing debate if you dare to dissent.