This is part of a series on Taos, NM. Read Things to do in Taos part one, read part two, Off the beaten path in Taos and Where to Stay on your Taos NM Getaway .
In case you haven’t figured it out from reading our blog, we love food. Taos, about sixty miles north of Santa Fe, is a great town to spend a day, a weekend or for some, their lives. When it’s time to grab a casual bite, or find something more serious, here are some places that will whet your appetite.
Byzantium, Taos, NM, photo/Steve Collins
Byzantium, an intimate café on charming Ledoux Street, is the bailiwick of Chef/owner Skot Kirshbaum. He creates simple inventive dishes made with fresh ingredients and the prices are reasonable. It’s a funky, welcoming place attracting an eclectic crowd. Rumor has it that Julia Roberts and Deepak Chopra have been seen here. They are open Thursday through Monday serving dinner only. For reservations, call (575) 751-0805.
Favorites: Roasted Red Pepper Crostini and Pineapple Chipotle Ribs.
Doc Martin’s in the historic Taos Inn is a popular dining spot. The restaurant is in the original home of Dr. Thomas Paul Martin aka “Doc Martin”, Taos’ first physician. The Adobe Bar here is popular with visitors and locals and has earned the name “The living room of Taos.” It is the place to people-watch. Sometimes you’ll see a famous face here the live music is a draw. Aspiring musicians can play on their “Open Mic” nights. The menu is an eclectic one and should have something to please everyone. Lunch and dinner are served daily.
Signature dish: Doc’s Chile Relleno.
Full moon over El Meze, Taos, NM, photo/William Davis
El Meze serves what Chef/owner Fred Muller calls “regionally inspired cuisine from Spain and Northern New Mexico”. Located on the west end of town, the north-facing views of Taos Mountain from their back patio are amazing. It’s the place to dine on a warm summer evening. The menu is small, but everything on it seems to be wonderful. Annette Kratka, Fred’s business and life-partner serves as General Manager and Dessert Chef. El Meze serves dinner Monday through Saturday.
Signature dish: Fried greens olives and Truchas Yerba Buena (grilled, herbed trout)
Graham's Grille, Taos, NM photo/Steve Collins
Graham’s Grille opened in 2007 and Taos has loved it ever since. The restaurant’s web-site sums up their mission, “Great prices. Friendly service. A hip, fun place”. Apparently the town agrees; Graham’s has won the reader-driven Taos News’ poll, Best of Taos, consistently since their first year in business. They are open seven days a week serving breakfast/brunch, lunch and dinner.
Signature dishes: Baked Macaroni and Cheddar Cheese and Red Trout.
Lambert’s, in a charming white house on the south end of town, was opened in 1989 by Chef Zeke Lambert and his wife Tina, newly relocated from California. It was taken over by the Taos Restaurant Group in 2008 and is still going strong. Dinner is served nightly.
Signature dish: Pepper Crusted Loin of Lamb with a red wine demi-glace.
The Love Apple, photo Steve Collins
The Love Apple, is named for La Pomme D’Amour, the French term for tomato. It’s an apt name for a restaurant specializing in organic and local. Much of the food in this funky chic eatery in an historic adobe church on the outskirts of town is sourced from area farms and producers. They take this commitment to sustainable food seriously. A list of their purveyors is on a large green board in the front courtyard. The menu changes frequently to reflect what’s seasonally and even momentarily available. If you are a farm to table fan, this should be on your Taos dining list. They serve dinner only, Tuesday through Sunday.
Chef Rene Mettler at The Trading Post, Ranchos de Taos, NM photo/Steve Collins
Trading Post Café is in Rancho de Taos. This charming old town, south of Taos, is known for its historic church, San Francisco de Asis. Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams both memorialized it in their work. Don’t judge this restaurant by its front porch; it looks like a funky saloon. Once in the door, you are in another world. The welcoming dining room, with local art on the walls, faces the open kitchen where Chef/owner René Mettier and his wife, Kimberly Armstrong turn out incredible food. The menu is influenced by Northern Italy, but there’s more going on in the kitchen. Pay close attention to the specials, they can be inspired. Lunch and dinner served Tuesday through Saturday. To find out what the daily specials are call (575) 758-5089.
If you’re up in Arroyo Seco or Taos Ski Valley, here are two dining spots recommended by a Taos hospitality veteran.
Sabroso, Arroyo Seco, NM photo/Steve Collins
Sabroso, located in a historic adobe down a long dirt driveway, specializes in “American and Mediterranean-accented fine dining and bistro fare complemented by an award-winning wine list”. The restaurant has the areas only wood-fired grill. In summer, the Plum Grove, their outside patio, is a great place to enjoy icy-cold margaritas. Sunday and Wednesday evenings bring live music. Go for a drink and appetizer or dinner and enjoy the entertainment. Open from 4:30 seven days a week.
Signature dishes: Braised Buffalo Short Ribs and Hickory-smoked Baby Back Ribs.
If you are a fan of well-executed German cuisine, try the Bavarian Lodge and Restaurant in the Taos Ski Valley. Taoseños we know tell us the town’s most famous resident, Julia Roberts eats there and is a big fan. In winter you can ski over from the slopes. They are open daily for lunch and dinner in winter and Thursday through Sunday off-season. They close for vacation between seasons.
If you have a favorite Taos restaurant, let us know or leave a comment below.
Want to know how to get to Taos from Santa Fe? Read Take the High Road from Santa Fe to Taos.
Authors’ note: We have been guests of some of the restaurants mentioned here. Their gracious hospitality has not influenced this post in any way.
The Love Apple, is named for La Pomme D’Amour, the French term for tomato. It’s an apt name for a restaurant specializing in organic and local. Much of the food in this funky chic eatery in an historic adobe church on the outskirts of town is sourced from area farms and producers. They take this commitment to sustainable food seriously. A list of their purveyors is on a large green board in the front courtyard. The menu changes frequently to reflect what’s seasonally and even momentarily available. If you are a farm to table fan, this should be on your Taos dining list. They serve dinner only, Tuesday through Sunday.
What a lovely photo of El Meze. I would love to check that place out and have dinner there with a beautiful full moon over head. Looks very charming and romantic.
My two favorites are Orlando’s (written up in Bon Apetit) years ago for wonderful inexpensive New Mexican food and wonderful umbrellas to sit under in the summer on their patio and Gutiz (Latin/French fusion) (Lhttp://gutiztaos.com/menu.htm). Both who have always been accommodating to my vegan diet! Wonderful food and service.
Thanks for sharing this Deb. Haven’t been to Orlando’s. Used to eat lunch in Gutiz all the time- it was our go-to place in Taos. Good food at reasonable prices. Heard they changed owners last year, wondering how it is now.
That is a great photo- wish we could claim credit for it- we get credit for being smart enough to choose that one-lol. The back patio has the view of the mountains and is the place to sit in the summer.
Our favorite has always been Doc Martins Restaurant at The Historic Taos Inn.
Great local foods, margaritas and killer chile rellenos. The most unique ones we have sampled.
Love the fresh produce sourced from local farms and homemade desserts as well.
Cool music in the lobby at the Adobe Bar also and always meet interesting people.
We love their chile rellenos, one of the reasons we included them in the post. Thanks for sharing your experience there.