The best restaurants in Taos, New Mexico, are as interesting as the town itself. You’ll find farm-to-table cooking, Indigenous food traditions, and a hilltop restaurant where oysters and mezcal come with a side of mountain views.
Taos has never been much for doing things by the book. The art is eclectic, the landscape is dramatic, and the food scene follows suit.
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Whether you’re visiting Northern New Mexico for the first time or you’re a local looking to switch things up, here’s where to eat in Taos. From casual favorites to creative fine dining, discover the best restaurants for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a drink worth staying out for, plus what to order while you’re there.
The 8 Best Restaurants in Taos, NM, at a Glance
| Restaurant | Known for | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| The Stakeout | Creative American cuisine, cocktails, mountain views | Dinner, drinks, date nights |
| The Love Apple | Organic, seasonal New Mexican food | Romantic dinners |
| Orlando’s | Traditional New Mexican cuisine | Casual lunch or dinner |
| Manzanita Market | Fresh, locally sourced food | Breakfast and lunch |
| Tiwa Kitchen | Indigenous Pueblo cuisine | Regional food traditions |
| Lambert’s of Taos | Contemporary American cuisine | Upscale dinner |
| Michael’s Kitchen | Classic breakfast and New Mexican dishes | A hearty local breakfast |
| Doc Martin’s | Southwestern cuisine and historic charm | Dinner near Taos Plaza |
1. The Stakeout: Fine-ish Dining With a View
There’s fine dining, and then there’s fine-ish dining.
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The Stakeout falls into the second category, which means the food is taken seriously, but the atmosphere doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Located on Outlaw Hill above Taos, The Stakeout is a restaurant and bar serving modern and traditional eclectic American cuisine. The menu changes with the seasons, the cocktails have personality, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains make a pretty convincing case for staying another round.
What’s on the Menu?
A little bit of everything, and rarely the same thing for long.
Past menus have featured oysters with mignonette and Fresno hot sauce, fried olives with leek and paprika aioli, steak frites, piri-piri chicken, and grilled shrimp with sweet corn purée.
Even the salads get some attention. One seasonal dish paired coal-roasted beet hummus with whipped goat cheese, local arugula, crispy prosciutto, and house-foraged mugolio, a syrup made from young pine cones.
Not exactly your standard side salad.
For dessert, think lemon-and-sage cake, buttermilk panna cotta, or chocolate torte with brown butter ice cream.
These are examples from past menus, so don’t get too attached. Part of the fun is seeing what’s cooking this weekend.
And the Drinks?
The bar deserves its own visit.
A Hibiscus Mezcalita brings mezcal, fresh lime, hibiscus tea, and a chile-salt rim together. The Pineapple & Sage Margarita takes a fresher route, while the Tom & Jerez combines gin, sherry, pear liqueur, lemon, and almond orgeat.
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There’s also a rotating selection of wine and locally brewed beer, including options from Taos and other New Mexico producers.
The Stakeout occasionally hosts oyster nights, happy hours, live music, and themed dinners. For the latest happenings, check The Stakeout on Instagram.
Hours: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 4–10 PM, subject to private events and schedule changes.
Reservations: Available through OpenTable.
2. The Love Apple: Farm-to-Table in an Old Chapel
The Love Apple has been making a case for seasonal New Mexican cuisine long before farm-to-table became everyone’s favorite restaurant phrase.
Housed in a former 1800s chapel, this intimate restaurant focuses on organic ingredients, local growers, and dishes that change with the season.
Expect homemade gnocchi, fresh trout, tamales with red chile mole, and plenty of vegetables that deserve a spot at the center of the table.
Good to know: The Love Apple is cash-only, and reservations are recommended.
3. Orlando’s: New Mexican Food, No Fuss
When you’re craving classic New Mexican food, Orlando’s is an easy choice.
This colorful local favorite serves blue corn enchiladas, chile rellenos, tamales, and carne adovada. The menu makes good use of red and green chile, so come prepared to make that important decision.
Or don’t. Christmas-style chile is always an option when available.
Orlando’s is casual, lively, and popular enough that you may have to wait for a table. Consider it extra time to work up an appetite.
4. Manzanita Market: Breakfast, Lunch & Something Sweet
Right on Taos Plaza, Manzanita Market is an organic café, creamery, and local market.
The kitchen focuses on fresh ingredients, including produce from local organic growers. Breakfast might mean blue corn pancakes or huevos rancheros. Lunch brings sandwiches, soups, and salads.
There’s also house-made ice cream, which makes a strong argument for dessert before dinner.
If you’re exploring the shops and galleries around the plaza, this is an easy place to stop.
5. Tiwa Kitchen: A Taste of Taos Pueblo
Tiwa Kitchen offers something you won’t find on every restaurant menu: traditional Pueblo cooking rooted in the food culture of Taos Pueblo.
Look for blue corn frybread, Tiwa tacos, bison dishes, and red chile stew. The restaurant also makes a wild chokecherry lemonade that’s worth ordering.
It’s a great stop if you want to learn more about the region through its food, especially while exploring Taos Pueblo.
Check the schedule before visiting, as traditional events and feast days can affect operating hours.
6. Lambert’s of Taos: A Classic Dinner Out
Lambert’s is another familiar name in the Taos community, known for contemporary American cooking and a more traditional upscale restaurant setting.
It’s a good choice when you’re in the mood for a sit-down dinner, a glass of wine, and something a little more polished than a casual cafe.
If you’re choosing between a classic dinner out and something more eclectic, The Stakeout’s changing menu and relaxed fine-ish approach offer a different kind of evening.
7. Michael’s Kitchen: Breakfast Since 1974
Michael’s Kitchen has been feeding Taos since 1974, which is plenty of time to earn a loyal following.
The menu covers big breakfast favorites, including huevos rancheros, omelets, pancakes, and baked goods.
It’s a good place to start the day before heading out to explore Northern New Mexico.
Just don’t plan on making a reservation. Michael’s doesn’t take them.
8. Doc Martin’s: New Mexican Cuisine With a Little History
Located inside the historic Taos Inn, Doc Martin’s brings traditional Southwestern flavors to a setting with plenty of stories.
The menu draws on local ingredients, including chile, blue corn, piñon, and seasonal vegetables. Next door, the Adobe Bar offers cocktails and a lively atmosphere.
It’s a good choice if you’re staying near Taos Plaza and want small plates without venturing far from town.
A Few More Ways to Eat Your Way Through Taos
The restaurant scene doesn’t stop at sit-down dinners.
- Taos Farmers Market: A Saturday tradition featuring local produce, prepared foods, and regional makers. The market can host up to 71 booths during its season.
- Dawn Butterfly: An Indigenous-owned café and restaurant connected to Taos Pueblo, featuring ancestral ingredients, ingredients grown on-site, contemporary cooking, and art.
- La Luna at La Fonda: A downtown option exploring world cuisine through locally sourced and Indigenous ingredients.
- Barra Vino: A neighborhood wine bar that hosts live music from Wednesday to Saturday.
Keep in mind that restaurant hours in Taos aren’t always predictable. Seasonal schedules, private events, and holiday closures are common enough that checking ahead is time well spent.
FAQs: Dinner, Drinks & Events at The Stakeout
Does The Stakeout take dinner reservations?
Yes! Reservations are available through OpenTable. Walk-in seating may depend on availability, so booking ahead is a smart move, especially on weekends.
Is The Stakeout open year-round?
The restaurant’s regular hours are Friday through Sunday, 4–10 PM. Hours may change for private events, holidays, or special programming.
Does The Stakeout host live music and special events?
Absolutely. The calendar changes throughout the year, with everything from live music and summer oyster nights to happy hours and Halloween parties in October.
Follow @thestakeouttaos for the latest announcements and updates on any times we are closed for events.
Can The Stakeout accommodate private parties?
Yes, Taos is known for its picturesque mountain settings for wedding venues and events. Beyond regular restaurant service, The Stakeout also serves as a private event venue for weddings, celebrations, and other gatherings. The property offers indoor and outdoor spaces, in-house food and drinks, and a setting that makes an ordinary party feel a little less ordinary.
Your Table on Outlaw Hill Is Waiting
Taos has never been short on good stories, interesting people, or places to eat.
Spend the day exploring the plaza, order something smothered in green chile for lunch, and finish the evening with a proper dinner above town at The Stakeout.
The menu changes, the cocktails keep things interesting, and the mountains are always putting on a show.
Delicious food. Strong drinks. A little altitude. See you on Outlaw Hill.
