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:

1. Charlie’s Spic & Span, 713 Douglas Avenue, Las Vegas

Yelp/John M.

Yelp/R.H.

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

Flickr/Lauren H.

Flickr/Jamee M.

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.

3. The Pantry, 1820 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe

Yelp/John K

Yelp/Jason C.

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.

4. Owl Bar & Café, 77 US Highway 380, San Antonio

Flickr/Kevin Baird

Yelp/Brian M.

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

Yelp/Desbah B.

Yelp/Amanda U.

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.

6. Sazón, 221 Shelby Street, Santa Fe

Yelp/Jessica H.

Yelp/Ismail B.

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

Yelp/Candace S.

Yelp/Kristian D.

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.

8. Bouche, 451 W. Alameda Street, Santa Fe

Yelp/Robert A.

Yelp/Sydney S.

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

Yelp/Kiko’ N.

Yelp/Cherie A.

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.

10. Geronimo, 724 Canyon Road, Santa Fe

Yelp/Geronimo

Yelp/Michael U.

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

Yelp/Christie M.

Yelp/Alexis T.

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.