These 10 Amazing New Mexico Restaurants Are Loaded With Local History
The nation’s oldest house and oldest church can both be found in New Mexico. Pretty much wherever you go in the Land of Enchantment, you encounter reminders of our state’s long history. This is certainly true of restaurants – especially the oldest restaurant in NM, El Farol. Some of these 10 restaurants are housed in historic buildings, while others have been in business for so many years that they’ve become a part of New Mexico history.
If you were asked to guess what kind of cuisine the oldest restaurant in New Mexico serves, you first response probably wouldn’t be tapas. But El Farol has been serving small plates since 1835. That’s not a typo! This restaurant has been in business for 181 years. In addition to great food, this historic restaurant also has live musical acts every night of the week and puts on flamenco shows. Learn more about El Farol in our previous article.
El Farol Restaurant, 808 Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
2. High Noon Restaurant and Saloon, 425 San Felipe Road NW, Albuquerque
Fancy dining in a haunted building that was supposedly once a brothel and gambling parlor? Then head to High Noon, a restaurant in Old Town that operates from a building that was constructed sometime before 1785. It's not the oldest restaurant in Albuquerque, but it's definitely one of them.
The food here is classic – but with a twist. It’s the only place I’ve found brie empanadas and you'll rave about the short ribs. The restaurant is also known for its tequila selection and margaritas. If you’re hoping to find a different kind of spirit, a lady in white has repeatedly been spied in the Santos Room. Learn more about High Noon Restaurant in our previous article.
High Noon Restaurant & Saloon, 425 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA
3. La Posta de Mesilla, 2410 Calle de San Albino, Mesilla
The La Posta Compound is on the National Register for Historic Buildings – it dates back to the 1840s. During the 1870s and 1880s, the Corn Exchange Hotel, a stop on the Butterfield Stagecoach Line, was housed in the building. The restaurant invented one of its most popular menu items, "tostada compuesta." This dish features red chile con carne served with beans inside a tortilla cup (pictured). Learn more about La Posta de Mesilla in our previous article.
La Posta De Mesilla, 2410 Calle De San Albino, Mesilla, NM 88046, USA
4. Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House, 32 Main Street, Pinos Altos
You’ll find this restaurant inside a building from the 1860s. Its age is apparent as soon as you pull up and it’s easy to imagine yourself back in the Wild West. The Buckhorn Saloon is known for producing excellent steaks. Learn more about Buckhorn Saloon in our previous article.
Buckhorn Saloon & Opera House, 32 Main St, Pinos Altos, NM 88053, USA
5. Trinity Hotel Restaurant, 201 S Canal Street, Carlsbad
The Trinity Hotel and Restaurant is inside a building from 1892, which was once the First National Bank. Several other businesses have occupied the space since, but this fine dining restaurant has left its mark. At dinner, the restaurant serves Italian cuisine and steaks, while the lunch menu is smaller and offers burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Learn more about the Trinity Hotel Restaurant in our previous article.
The Trinity Hotel & Restaurant, 201 S Canal St, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
6. Perea’s Tijuana Bar, 4590 Corrales Road, Corrales
Perea’s Tijuana Bar is inside a building that is more than 200 years old. It has gone through many incarnations from home, to general store, to gas station. The current establishment has been in business since 1934 and serves New Mexican favorites like stuffed sopaipillas and carne adovada. Learn more about Perea’s Tijuana Bar on their Facebook page.
Perea's Restaurant, 4590 Corrales Rd, Corrales, NM 87048, USA
Doc Martin’s is housed in a registered historic landmark and is attached to the Historic Taos Inn. It's not the oldest restaurant in Taos
- that title belongs to the Alley Cantina - but it's still undeniably worth a visit. Come here for breakfast – try the blueberry pancakes. If you’re dining later in the day, be sure to sample the restaurant’s extensive wine collection. Learn more about Doc Martin's on their Facebook page.
Doc Martin's, 125 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571, USA
8. Hillsboro General Store Café, 10697 Highway 152, Hillsboro
Eating here is like dining with history because you’re surrounded by memorabilia from days gone by. This building has been open for business for more than 130 years, but not always as a restaurant. It has served as a stagecoach stop, soda fountain, and telegraph office. Now, the restaurant dishes up thick shakes and juicy burgers. Learn more about the Hillsboro General Store in our previous article.
Hillsboro General Store Cafe, 10697 NM-152, Hillsboro, NM 88042, USA
9. Church Street Café, 2111 Church Street NW, Albuquerque
Church Street Café started off life as a private home, constructed in the early 1700s. In some places, the walls of this old building are more than two feet thick! Enjoy delicious enchiladas or fajitas on the restaurant’s pretty patio. Learn more about Church Street Cafe in our previous article.
Church Street Cafe, 2111 Church St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA
10. Rancho de Chimayo, 300 Juan Medina Road, Chimayó
Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante has been open for more than 50 years and it recently won the James Beard Foundation’s "America’s Classics Award." The restaurant is inside a family hacienda that dates back to the 1800s and it serves authentic New Mexican cuisine. Learn more about Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante in our previous article.
Rancho de Chimayó, 300 Juan Medina Rd, Chimayo, NM 87522, USA
There are so many historic restaurants in NM that we couldn’t possibly feature them all. Feel free to add any awesome spots, which dish up both impressive food and history, in the comments. Also, tell us if you’ve ever been to the oldest restaurant in NM! To learn more about some of the oldest places in New Mexico, check out these charming, historic towns in our state.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Oldest Restaurant in NM
June 29, 2022
Katie Lawrence
Are there any historic restaurants in NM?
If you love dining at restaurants with storied pasts, you've come to the right state. There are plenty of historic restaurants in NM where you can do just that. One of our favorites is the Plaza Cafe, located in Santa Fe. With two locations in town, this local institution boasts an extensive menu of scratch-made dishes, from New Mexican classics to diner fare and everything in between.
What are the best mom & pop restaurants in New Mexico?
Searching for mom & pop restaurants in New Mexico? We can't get enough of Sadie's in Albuquerque. A household name in the Capital City, this family-owned eatery features recipes that have been passed down over generations. The portions here are absolutely massive, and everything on the menu is a winner. If you need a suggestion, the nachos are especially delicious. You can even find their salsa in grocery stores across the state - that's how good it is!
Where can I dine at the most beautiful restaurant in New Mexico?
While there are lots of New Mexico restaurants located in unforgettable settings, few compare to Gabriel's. Many call this Santa Fe eatery "the most beautiful restaurant in New Mexico," and it's easy to understand why. It's perched on a hilltop overlooking the expansive Sangre de Cristo mountain range, offering views that extend for miles in all directions. The food is delicious, too, from the tableside guacamole to Southwest staples like green chile stew.
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