11 Of The Best Restaurants In New Mexico That Belong On Your Dining Bucket List
When good foodies die, they go to New Mexico! Okay, so that’s not exactly verifiable, but our state is a culinary paradise. And you shouldn’t wait to visit these incredible restaurants. Add these best restaurants in New Mexico to your dining bucket list, and be sure to visit them as soon as you get the chance. From unique fine dining experiences to timeless local favorites, here are some fantastic eateries that shouldn’t be missed:
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
1. Charlie’s Spic & Span, 713 Douglas Avenue, Las Vegas
Whether you order one of the ginormous cream puffs or chow down on a breakfast burrito, you won't regret starting your day at Charlie's. This bakery and restaurant serves New Mexican food and makes its tortillas in-house. The stuffed sopaipillas are killer.
2. Passion Pie Café, 406 Main Street, Truth or Consequences
Wake up with a cup of coffee roasted right here in New Mexico by Fat Boy Roasters. Pair it with the breakfast waffles, which have bacon cooked inside them. Or kick things up a notch with the Elvis waffle. The Passion Pie Cafe has a homey vibe and is a local favorite.
Find more information here.
The Pantry is a Santa Fe institution that's been in business since 1948. The highlight is breakfast, which consists of dishes like breakfast burritos that could double as dumbbells and blue corn cinnamon pancakes. Although they're a side dish, the restaurant's breakfast potatoes are unforgettable - perfectly crunchy on the outside yet fluffy on the inside. Overheard in the Pantry: "I'd trade you for a lifetime supply of these potatoes!"
Find more information here.
During the 1940s, "prospectors" hanging out at the Owl Bar prompted the owner, Frank Chavez, to install a grill. This inspired him to create New Mexico's iconic green chile cheeseburger. The prospectors actually turned out to be atomic scientists working at the Trinity site. While several restaurants say they invented the GCCB, the Owl Bar has as good a claim as any. Plus, the bar inside the restaurant was salvaged from Conrad Hilton's first rooming house. Burger with a side of history, anyone?
Find more information here.
5. Three Rivers Eatery and Brew House, 111 E. Main Street, Farmington
You can tell that the Andrews Building (constructed in 1912) once functioned as a drugstore. Sodas like root beer and vanilla cream are still made in-house just as they were during the building's soda fountain days. This nod to the past makes the menu all the more unexpected. At Three Rivers, the usual down home suspects are in the line up, but so too are less typical items like scallop salad and pork osso buco.
Find more information here.
Although Sazón is a relatively new addition to the Santa Fe culinary scene, Chef Fernando Olea previously operated Epazote (now closed). Come to Sazón for the moles, and discover how complex these sauces can be. A mural on the restaurant's wall, by artist Frederico Leon De La Vega, showcases the ingredients that go into traditional mole recipes. In this foodie haven, servers describe every aspect of a dish in pornographic detail!
Find more information here.
7. Zeffiro Pizzeria Napoletana, 136 N. Water Street, Las Cruces
This pizza joint will impress even those who've eaten pizza in Italy! Although pizza seems like a simple dish, making it well is more challenging. At Zeffiro, the emphasis is on the dough, which ferments for 24 hours before being cooked in a dual-fuel oven, to receive a light char. Menu highlights include the lemon asparagus pizza (pictured) and the potato rosemary pizza.
Find more information here.
In a town with many fine dining options, Bouche tends to fly under the radar. It's not clear why. After all, Chef Charles Dale has an impressive bio that includes a stint at New York's Le Cirque and two James Beard Award nominations for best chef in the Southwest. As the name implies, Bouche is a French-style bistro offering bowls of French onion soup cascading with melted cheese. The kitchen is open, allowing you to observe the meal prep. Bouche is tiny, so definitely make a reservation.
Find more information here.
9. Farm and Table, 8917 4th Street NW, Albuquerque
Nowadays, many restaurants strive to be farm-to-table but in this case it's literal. Much of the food is grown on the farm right next to the restaurant. This is the ideal place for brunch: relaxed yet romantic.
Find more information here.
This list wouldn't be complete without mentioning Geronimo. Sadly, the restaurant's chef, Eric DiStefano, just passed away. He had a huge influence on the Santa Fe food scene and no doubt his legacy will continue at Geronimo. The restaurant has been around for 22 years and made OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants in the U.S. list. Diners rave about the elk tenderloin and, even if you aren't down for paying Geronimo's main dining room prices, a limited menu is also available in the bar (go early to score a table).
Find more information here.
11. Elisa’s House of Pies and Restaurant, 208 ½ S. Silver Avenue, Deming
Sometimes you just want comfort food done right. Don't let the restaurant's location fool you - it's tucked in an alley. This hidden gem cooks up soul food and BBQ that'll make you drool! Don't miss the millionaire pie.
Find more information here.
Tell us in the comments which restaurant you think belongs on the list of the best restaurants in New Mexico, and find some more ideas right here. If you think we missed out on a place that deserves to be on this list, let us know by nominating it at this link.
Address: 715 Douglas Ave, Las Vegas, NM 87701, USA
Address: 406 Main Ave, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901, USA
Address: 1820 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505, USA
Address: 77 US-380, San Antonio, NM 87832, USA
Address: 101 E Main St, Farmington, NM 87401, USA
Address: 221 Shelby St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
Address: 136 N Water St suite a, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
Address: 451 W Alameda St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
Address: 8917 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114, USA
Address: 724 Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
Address: 208 1/2 S Silver Ave, Deming, NM 88030, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Restaurants In New Mexico
June 04, 2020
Leah
Where can I dine at themed restaurants in New Mexico?
There are many fun options when it comes to deciding where to dine out in New Mexico. To add a little bit of a unique twist to your dinner, try spots like the 66 Diner in Albuquerque. It’ll take you back in time with a retro theme inside and out, plus great American diner meals that will fill you up. The Rad Retrocade in Las Cruces is another throw-back themed restaurant in New Mexico, but instead of the 50s, it is full of 80s arcade games. Plus, they have some of the tastiest burgers and tasty treats to enjoy while you game it out. They have a variety of pinball and arcade machines that’ll take you right back to the good old days. Did you know that you can visit a “secret” steakhouse in New Mexico? Vernon’s Speakeasy will take you back to the 1920s. The steaks are absolutely incredible and the fun atmosphere of it all just adds to the effect.
Which restaurants serve the foods New Mexico is known for?
You can’t have a New Mexico dining bucket list without adding restaurants that serve New Mexican food. Monroe’s Restaurant in Albuquerque is a great example of one of the spots that serve true New Mexican food. They have fantastic chile (as you’d expect) and even fajita-stuffed sopaipillas. La Pasadita Cafe in Socorro is lesser-known but equally as worthy for a visit. Their authentic New Mexican dishes rival that of grandma’s kitchen. If you’d like to really get to New Mexico’s roots when it comes to cuisine, try Pueblo Harvest in Los Ranchos. This restaurant serves up Native American-inspired dishes, along with New Mexican favorites. The menu ranges from irresistible bison carpaccio to a green chile stew you’ll want every day from then on.
What are the most unique restaurants in New Mexico?
Grab some truly unusual yet tasty New Mexico food at one of these unique restaurants. The Buckhorn Saloon & Opera House, located in Pinos Altos, is sure to give you a one-of-a-kind experience. The historic building has been around for decades (and looks the part) and has a wild west past. Yet it offers a fine dining experience like no other. Sparky’s Burgers & BBQ in Hatch, New Mexico will delight you with colorfully painted walls and chile in just about every menu item. That includes green chile milkshakes, believe it or not – and it’s delicious to boot! Even giant fast-food chains have unique locations in New Mexico. If you visit the McDonald’s in Roswell, you’ll have an otherworldly experience – because you’d be eating in a UFO. The building is UFO-shaped and the interior also has some fun out-of-this-world decor.
