Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in New Mexico

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in New Mexico? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Arroyo Vino

4.8

4.8 (1832)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Santa Fe

About the restaurant

Arroyo Vino serves an ever changing seasonal menu of Contemporary American fare. We source the best seafood, meat and produce from local purveyors and farmers. In addition we have a full bar serving Santa Fe's best craft cocktails.

Top review

DaveVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Arroyo Vino is one of the best restaurants in all of Santa Fe. Sometimes we go there just to get appetizers and a really good cocktail other times we go to celebrate special occasions. One thing about it is the staff is incredible and the food is too!

Izanami

4.8

4.8 (4885)

$31 to $50

Creative Japanese

Santa Fe

About the restaurant

Izanami serves Japanese Izakaya fare: seasonally inspired small-plates meant for sharing, accompanied by the best sake list in the west. Please note that while we do our best to accommodate your seating, we cannot guarantee requests. We have been chosen by OpenTable diners as one of the 100 best restaurants for outdoor dining in America. Heaters and blankets assure you of a comfortable, safe dining experience year-round; dress warmly for optimal outdoor dining.

*NOTICE ALL GUESTS*
Unfortunately we have chosen to close down for December 2-3 all day and for December 4th for lunch. We will be opening for Dinner on the 4th starting at 5:00pm. This is due to renovations we will have to do to our kitchen.

Top review

Robert J

Dined 1 day ago

Impeccable dining experience from start to finish. Many new items on the menu, too.

Zacatlan

4.8

4.8 (1283)

$31 to $50

Mexican / Southwestern

Santa Fe

About the restaurant

The name Zacatlán surged from the origins of our chef, Eduardo Rodriguez. He was born in Zacatecas, Mexico (north-central Mexico), which is defined as "the habitants of the land where grass grows". Zacatlán is the nahuatl translation for "land with an abundance of grass", and that is where our idea of Zacatlán Restaurant began.

Zacatlán Restaurant desires to continue to preserve the traditions for our upcoming generations, while bringing forth new flavors. These new flavors incorporate Southwestern and Mexican influences. We are established near the Santa fe Plaza, right off of Guadalupe Street. We want to unveil a new fusion of food for everyone in Santa Fe and those who visit.

Top review

HalVIP

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico. It’s relatively small and family-run. The owner-chef is from Zacatecas, Mexico, and although he gives a nod to Northern New Mexico’s cuisine, his menu is unique in this area. He is an excellent cook, and the food is fresh and innovative. By all rights, it should be very difficult to get a reservation here, though it isn’t.

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Popular dish

Duo of Poached Pear Salad

Popular dish

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Popular dish

Yellowtail Ceviche

Teddy Roe’s

4.8

4.8 (36)

$30 and under

American

Albuquerque

About the restaurant

A speakeasy in the lovely Nob Hill neighborhood, with delicious classic cocktails and tantalizing seasonal house libations. An incredible food menu that's small yet thoughtfully crafted. A dark and mysterious atmosphere is where you can enjoy weekly food and cocktail specials, while enjoying the weekly rotating local jazz musicians. If you're looking for the perfect getaway from the daily routine, Teddy Roe's is Albuquerque's best kept secret!

Top review

larryVIP

Dined 5 days ago

This is the BEST place in New Mexico to relax with a perfectly balanced cocktail while munching on tasty scallops or other fare, while listening to beautiful jazz and songbook standards performed live by musicians that know and live the music. I haven’t found any other place in the state that feels so good to me, and I’ll keep looking, but always come home to Teddys.

Aceq Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (450)

$31 to $50

American

Taos

About the restaurant

located in the heart of charming Arroyo Seco, ACEQ restaurant is unique and eclectic. Chef and Owner Elijah Safford takes pride in sourcing the best quality ingredients, eclectic and exciting wines, craft beers and fantastic cocktails. At the young age of 23 Chef Safford has managed to take ACEQ to new heights. Backed by a team of service industry veterans and professionals, ACEQ strives for true quality service and experience. The art and passion that ACEQ represents can be felt the minute you walk through the door.

When you join us, there are a few things you can not miss out on, locally sourced Wangus steaks, the Whisky Basil cocktail and of course the Bison Chile Fries. ACEQ has food for everyone. Any dietary restriction will find something tasty. Don't be afraid to strike a conversation with your server and allow them to guide you through your experience

Reservations are always recommended. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Top review

Kelsey

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing service-great recommendations. Loved the bison bone marrow and the steak was delicious. Great drinks and wine selection to pair with your meal.

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4.8

4.8 (466)

$50 and over

Asian

Santa Fe

About the restaurant

We are closed for our Winter Break Jan 1 - 16, 2025. Please visit our website for reservations for our January Cooking Classes and Pop-Up Dinners.

Welcome to Alkemē where dining is a unique culture-to-table experience. We are honored to be a 2024 James Beard Award Best New Restaurant Semifinalist!

Our food menu is Asian heritage cuisine reimagined. Chef-Owner Hue-Chan Karels and Executive Chef Erica Tai are reinterpreting heirloom recipes from their culinary roots to create dishes that are innovative yet steeped in tradition and culture. We offer 3 tasting menus, a seasonal a la carte menu, dim sum brunch on Saturdays, and a full-liquor beverage menu with creative cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.

Our patio is open from Spring through Fall. Our indoor dining space has 3 dining rooms & a bar:
> Main Dining Room is vibrant and modern
> Dawn Dining Room is warm and inviting and can seat large parties from 6 to 14
> Indochine Room (aka "The Red Room") exudes passion and intimacy

Top review

Laura

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

Dimsum lunch was wonderful, but the last one until spring. Be sure to catch it then. This is elevated dimsum, like everything Alkeme does. Pork belly bao buns? Yes please. Shrimp pork chive dumplings? Definitely. Silky rice crepe with mushrooms and eggplant? Not to be missed.

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Experience

Alkeme Open for Normal Service Feb 4th, 2025

Restaurant Martin

4.7

4.7 (4100)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Fe

About the restaurant

Restaurant Martin is the embodiment of a of a 20-year dream to create the perfect balance of refined and comfortable. Chef Martin Rios, and his wife, Jennifer, envisioned a certain ambiance where people from the community as well as Santa Fe’s many visitors could enjoy Chef Rios’ award-winning progressive American cuisine. This family-owned restaurant caters not only to tourists, but to a large and loyal local clientele. Chef Rios has been repeatedly honored for his innovative and pleasing combinations of flavors, colors and presentation. His unique style emphasizes fresh, local produce and organic meats and poultry, and reflects not only Southwestern and Asian influences but also his classic training in French technique. His list of accolades include the following: Finalist in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022 for the James Beard “Best Chef of the Southwest” Award Semi-finalist for the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 James Beard “Best Chef of the Southwest” Award.

Top review

AndrewVIP

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

Gracious welcome, attentive service, comfortable seating, delicious food. Isn’t this why we go out to eat?

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Popular dish

Caesar

Popular dish

Black Angus Prime Beef Tenderloin

Popular dish

Maple Leaf Farm Duck Breast

Sazon

4.7

4.7 (5288)

$50 and over

Latin American

Santa Fe

About the restaurant

Originally from Mexico City, Chef Fernando Olea, formerly Chef of Epazote, has been enthralling diners in Santa Fe since 1991. Chef Olea creates sophisticated flavors using Old Mexico’s indigenous and culinary traditions alongside ingredients from around the world. His menu is deliberately small, featuring fresh and locally sourced produce and meats when possible.

Nothing evokes the mystery of Mexican cuisine more than mole, a sauce of complex flavors that usually includes toasted and ground spices, seeds, nuts, chocolate and chile. Many mole recipes contain more than thirty ingredients and some recipes have five varieties of chile alone. Chef Olea is delighted to share his moles that include his "New Mexican Mole" that he created to commemorate Santa Fe’s 400 year anniversary in 2009. The large mural in the main dining room, was painted and presented to Chef Olea by Federico Leon De La Vega, a well- known artist from Mexico City.

Top review

LeslieVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Had a wonderful experience at Sazon. It was our anniversary and we were served complimentary sparkling wine along with a card which said Happy Anniversary from the Chef. Chef Fernando Olea walked all around the restaurant and talked with the diners. I am vegan, and the staff treated me able to a vegan mole, a light vegetable soup, beets with a spicy sauce and a main entree with tofu and vegetables and spicy sauce with pine nuts. My husband enjoyed his sopa del amor and Chilean sea bass. The staff were very attentive and friendly. Highly recommend this restaurant!

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4.6

4.6 (8)

$30 and under

Breakfast

Academy West

About the restaurant

Nestled in Albuquerque's Northeast Heights with a stunning garden patio, Brekki Brekki is the perfect spot to start your day or relax with friends. We offer a cozy blend of breakfast joint and lively bar, ideal for any occasion. Enjoy a light brunch, a hearty meal, or a refreshing drink, including locally brewed beer and cider from Cantina Craftworks. Discover why Brekki Brekki is fast becoming Albuquerque's favorite brunch spot. Visit us today and elevate your breakfast experience!

Top review

Melissa

Dined on Nov 17, 2024

I made reservations for a large party and everything was amazing! Food was yummy and even though Brekki Brekki was super busy we were seated right away. Awesome experience we will be back!

Terra @ Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado

4.4

4.4 (997)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Fe

About the restaurant

The flavours of northern New Mexico are on display at our signature restaurant, where global influences meet regional delights. With elegant and inventive cuisine, the sophisticated restaurant is backdropped by iconic mountain views in a sumptuous setting.
We offer live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 6-9pm.
Both indoor and outdoor (heated) dining is available, please reserve to your preference!

Top review

JeanVIP

Dined today

We started off having cocktails in the bar, moving on to the lovely dining room for dinner. Everything was wonderful, food was superb and staff superb as well. all in all it was a great evening, we would definitely return.

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