Take the Margarita Trail and enjoy these top five picks for Top Food & Drinks in Santa Fe, New Mexico. From spicy margaritas to green chile cheeseburgers to farm fresh goodness, Santa Fe’s food and drinks scene may leave you wanting more. Here are some of the top restaurants and experiences for foodies that we enjoyed while visiting Santa Fe.
#1 Rancho de Chimayo, Chimayo
Try truly authentic New Mexican cuisine in the village of Chimayo at Rancho de Chimayo, a restaurant started over 50 years ago by Florence Jaramillo, also known as Mrs. J, and her husband, Chimayo native Arturo Jaramillo, whose family goes back generations in Chimayo. This is New Mexican cuisine… not Mexican! Mrs. J will tell you that right off the bat. The basis of it all is chile. And not just any chile, Chimayo chile, specially grown on area farms. Mrs. J was recently honored with the James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award for honoring the rich culinary heritage of Chimayo, which includes a lot of chile. Look for Mrs. J’s favorite Carne Adovada paired with a prickly pear margarita. This is just #1 of our favorite food and frinks in Santa Fe, New Mexico!
#2 The Mine Shaft Tavern, Madrid
Drive the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway from Santa Fe towards Albuquerque and make a stop at The Mine Shaft Tavern for an award-winning green chile cheeseburger, which we dare you to pair with the cucumber chile margarita. The restaurant often has live music and TV and movie fans may recognize the Mine Shaft’s main bar as a stand in for the Red Pony in the Longmire TV series.
#3 Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, Santa Fe
Learn about distinctive Santa Fe products you need to try on your travels at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market. In late August and early September, the smell of green chiles roasting fills the air, but that’s not all that’s unique about this market. All of the vegetables, fruits, and plants you’ll see here were grown in Northern New Mexico and in addition to them being eye candy, if you taste test your way through the market, you’ll find they’re really good.
#4 Terra at Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, Santa Fe
You can try some of the produce and flavors from the farmers market at the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado at Terra in the restaurant’s elegant dining room. Executive Chef Kai Autenrieth shops at the farmers market regularly to cook up farm fresh cuisine with a Southwest flair. Cozy up by the fire for something seasonal, like white peach gazpacho and beyond.
#5 Blue Heron Restaurant at Sunrise Springs Resort (now Ojo Santa Fe)
Chef Rocky Durham of Blue Heron Restaurant at Sunrise Springs Resort was born and raised in Santa Fe. He takes his love of local cuisine and mindful eating to another level. At the resort’s gardens, New Mexico ingredients are further influenced by their location at Sunrise Springs, which boasts natural cold springs that have helped rejuvenate travelers for millennia. You’ll definitely try something new and healthy at this restaurant located just outside of downtown Santa Fe.
Learn more about things to see and do in Santa Fe County in the “Santa Fe Adventures” and “Santa Fe Arts & Culture” episodes on your local PBS TV station and coming to Amazon Prime. Watch this weekend on Create TV as part of the “Darley Across America” travel TV marathon.
