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Historic buildings in Taos
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The Essential Restaurants in Taos, New Mexico

Where to find blue corn nachos, green chile cheeseburgers, and mole-smothered tamales in the artsy Southwestern town

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Historic buildings in Taos
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Sitting at almost 7,000 feet above sea level, the town of Taos draws people from all over the world with its famous art scene, architecture, snow sports, and high-altitude Southwestern cuisine. With out-of-towners pouring in throughout the year, the food scene of Taos feels bigger and more ambitious than you might think for town with a population under 6,000. From a bean-to-bar hot-chocolate salon to a green chile cheeseburger dive, these are the essential restaurants of Taos, New Mexico.

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The Love Apple

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After 10 years, the Love Apple remains one of the most popular restaurants in Taos. Working under the philosophy that you are what you eat, the team has been using seasonal and locally grown ingredients since before it was old hat. Though the menu changes regularly, the mainstay is the baked tamale with Oaxacan-style red mole finished with an egg and creme fraiche. [$$]

The Love Apple
The Love Apple/Facebook

Doc Martin's Restaurant

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This registered historic landmark is named for famed local physician Thomas “Doc” Martin and is acclaimed for globally inspired dishes. Doc’s chile relleno features an Anaheim chile stuffed with chevre, pepitas, and pico de gallo, and the duck breast lo mein stars house-made noodles. As you’re settling into the rowdy dining room, pore over the wine list that, much like the dinner menu, spans the earth from New Mexico to New Zealand. [$$$]

Olive oil poached salmon at Doc Martin’s
Historic Taos Inn/Facebook

Taos Mesa Brewing Taos Tap Room

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New Mexico’s craft beer industry has grown substantially in recent years, and Taos Mesa Brewing is one of the state’s standouts. Since 2012, it has specialized in brews like the Kolsch .45 and Kachina Peak Pale Ale, an homage to the summit of Taos Ski Valley. The food stands up to the beer, with no shortage of juicy burgers, tacos, and cheesy Frito pies — just the stuff after a long day on the mountain. [$]

Lambert's of Taos

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Serving filet mignon and lobster risotto to tables draped in white tablecloths since 1985, Lambert’s is a stalwart of Taos fine dining. Chef James Crowther III is behind dishes like roasted Brussels sprouts, shishitos, and pancetta delicately dressed in chile-ponzu sauce and short ribs braised in espresso and red chile. The staff sommelier is a refined and rare treat in Taos. [$$$]

Nachos at Lambert’s
Blue corn nachos at Lambert’s
Lambert’s of Taos/Facebook

Chokola

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The “bean” Chokola is talking about when it promotes “bean to bar” isn’t coffee, it’s cacao. This cozy cafe located off the historic Taos plaza specializes in single-origin chocolate, offered in the form of a hot or cold sipping drink, mousse, bars, and gelato. Chocolates are infused with flavors like raspberry, caramel, and also more experimental tastes — think matcha, rosemary, and chile. Stay and savor or take home a box of chocolates to relish later. [$]

The Chokola bean to bar cafe
Chokola bean to bar/Facebook

Common Fire

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Located in El Prado, just north of Taos, Common Fire changes its menu according to seasons only a Taoseño would recognize: first winter, second winter, and monsoon. Here you’ll find comfort food favorites like chicken soup with house-made noodles, barbecue short ribs, and mustard-spiked mac and cheese. All of the bread is made in house, and the selection of wood-fired pizzas and flatbreads also showcases the kitchen’s deft dough skills. [$$]

The patio at Common Fire
Common Fire [Official]

5 Star Burgers

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Five Star is the go-to burger spot in Taos, serving juicy half-pound patties topped with fancified fixings. The namesake burger gets applewood-smoked bacon and gorgonzola crumbles, while the Taos burger comes topped with strips of fried green chile, barbecue sauce, and cheddar cheese. There are also above-average salads available, but we all know what you’re here for. [$$]

Fried pickles at 5 Star Burgers
5 Star Burgers/Facebook

Aceq Restaurant

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On the road up to Taos Ski Valley, Aceq is tucked away from the cluster of shops on the main road, where it dishes out classics like chicken and waffles and fish and chips, but also some more ambitious plates, like a duck foie gras torchon and bacon-wrapped dates. The owner’s Wisconsin roots are to credit for the highly recommended beer-battered cheese curds. [$$]

Quail salad and salmon at Aceq
Aceq/Facebook

The Love Apple

After 10 years, the Love Apple remains one of the most popular restaurants in Taos. Working under the philosophy that you are what you eat, the team has been using seasonal and locally grown ingredients since before it was old hat. Though the menu changes regularly, the mainstay is the baked tamale with Oaxacan-style red mole finished with an egg and creme fraiche. [$$]

The Love Apple
The Love Apple/Facebook

Doc Martin's Restaurant

This registered historic landmark is named for famed local physician Thomas “Doc” Martin and is acclaimed for globally inspired dishes. Doc’s chile relleno features an Anaheim chile stuffed with chevre, pepitas, and pico de gallo, and the duck breast lo mein stars house-made noodles. As you’re settling into the rowdy dining room, pore over the wine list that, much like the dinner menu, spans the earth from New Mexico to New Zealand. [$$$]

Olive oil poached salmon at Doc Martin’s
Historic Taos Inn/Facebook

Taos Mesa Brewing Taos Tap Room

New Mexico’s craft beer industry has grown substantially in recent years, and Taos Mesa Brewing is one of the state’s standouts. Since 2012, it has specialized in brews like the Kolsch .45 and Kachina Peak Pale Ale, an homage to the summit of Taos Ski Valley. The food stands up to the beer, with no shortage of juicy burgers, tacos, and cheesy Frito pies — just the stuff after a long day on the mountain. [$]

Lambert's of Taos

Serving filet mignon and lobster risotto to tables draped in white tablecloths since 1985, Lambert’s is a stalwart of Taos fine dining. Chef James Crowther III is behind dishes like roasted Brussels sprouts, shishitos, and pancetta delicately dressed in chile-ponzu sauce and short ribs braised in espresso and red chile. The staff sommelier is a refined and rare treat in Taos. [$$$]

Nachos at Lambert’s
Blue corn nachos at Lambert’s
Lambert’s of Taos/Facebook

Chokola

The “bean” Chokola is talking about when it promotes “bean to bar” isn’t coffee, it’s cacao. This cozy cafe located off the historic Taos plaza specializes in single-origin chocolate, offered in the form of a hot or cold sipping drink, mousse, bars, and gelato. Chocolates are infused with flavors like raspberry, caramel, and also more experimental tastes — think matcha, rosemary, and chile. Stay and savor or take home a box of chocolates to relish later. [$]

The Chokola bean to bar cafe
Chokola bean to bar/Facebook

Common Fire

Located in El Prado, just north of Taos, Common Fire changes its menu according to seasons only a Taoseño would recognize: first winter, second winter, and monsoon. Here you’ll find comfort food favorites like chicken soup with house-made noodles, barbecue short ribs, and mustard-spiked mac and cheese. All of the bread is made in house, and the selection of wood-fired pizzas and flatbreads also showcases the kitchen’s deft dough skills. [$$]

The patio at Common Fire
Common Fire [Official]

5 Star Burgers

Five Star is the go-to burger spot in Taos, serving juicy half-pound patties topped with fancified fixings. The namesake burger gets applewood-smoked bacon and gorgonzola crumbles, while the Taos burger comes topped with strips of fried green chile, barbecue sauce, and cheddar cheese. There are also above-average salads available, but we all know what you’re here for. [$$]

Fried pickles at 5 Star Burgers
5 Star Burgers/Facebook

Aceq Restaurant

On the road up to Taos Ski Valley, Aceq is tucked away from the cluster of shops on the main road, where it dishes out classics like chicken and waffles and fish and chips, but also some more ambitious plates, like a duck foie gras torchon and bacon-wrapped dates. The owner’s Wisconsin roots are to credit for the highly recommended beer-battered cheese curds. [$$]

Quail salad and salmon at Aceq
Aceq/Facebook

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