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Taos Travel Guide

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge Taos Taos recommendations are among my most often requested resources! I figured it was time to put them all in one place! No matter what time of year you’re visiting, you will find plenty to do in this wonderful town. I’m proud to say I’m from Taos, New Mexico, and I love to share our favorites: things to do/see, where to stay, and where to eat in Taos and Taos Ski Valley!    

My family has lived in the area for several generations, deeply rooted in Taos tradition…

Ryan and I feel fortunate to have grown up in Taos together!  It’s important to us to keep our kids connected to the family, culture, and nature that makes Taos special.  We’ve called Dallas home for 21 years, but we return a few times a year to visit and enjoy our hometown.  

Taos is a unique town, with a character all its own!  

You’ll discover this when you visit, and I hope my suggestions help you find some of your favorites, too!  When friends ask me for recs, it is difficult for me to narrow it down, because the amazing food and sights in Taos are plentiful!  Whether you’re playing tourist or want to do as the locals do, I’ve got you covered… (Be sure to check days/hours of operation and ask if reservations are needed before you go, as some businesses have limited hours.)

Oh…and, if you’re traveling from Dallas-Love, Austin, Burbank, or Carlsbad, getting to Taos recently is easy!  JSX offers fast and convenient non-stop service in a 30-passenger jet. The flight from Dallas is super quick and such a treat! We have used this service and loved the experience and convenience. Typically we drive the entire way or fly into Albuquerque or Santa Fe and drive to Taos from there…

Taos Air Taos Ski Valley
JSX/Taos Air offers non stop service to Taos from selected TX and CA airports

Taos Air Taos Bakes Taos Ski Valley

Below, I’m highlighting some of our all time favorites and will update this post as needed.  If you have specific questions about planning your visit, always feel free to reach out to me and I’ll try to help or direct you to someone who can!  

San Francisco de Asis Church in Ranchos de Taos, NM

Northern New Mexican Cuisine

(Many restaurants in Taos have traditional Northern NM food on the menu, but these are three of our all time favorites.)

Orlando’s New Mexican Café: I have to go here at least once during our visits!  My favorite thing on the menu is enchiladas. I order either the Blue Corn Chicken smothered with Green Chile, or the Blue Corn Shrimp Enchiladas smothered with Red Chile. If you can’t decide on “red” or “green,” choose both and ask for “Christmas!”  But whatever you do…if a dish is served “smothered” don’t ask for the chile on the side! Go early or be prepared to wait a little while enjoying a margarita and people watching. This small, cozy restaurant fills quickly!  In the summer they also have great patio seating…. 

Ranchos Plaza Grill: Next to the historic San Francisco de Asis church.  Go early, during golden hour for a beautiful photo op or just to take in the sights.  We love the Carne Adovada, pork marinated for hours in red chile, perfectly spicy and delicious.  The kids love the tacos, savory stuffed sopapillas, and nachos.  Save room for the homemade sopapillas with honey, for dessert!  Recently featured on Diners, Drive in’s, and Dives! 

Mante’s Chow Cart: Fast, casual, and delicious…Northern New Mexican comfort food at it’s finest! Try their breakfast burritos (generous portion of hash browns, eggs, bacon or sausage and chile wrapped in a tortilla), rellenos, frito pies, and regular burritos with green or red chile. Two locations. 

Christmas Blue Corn Shrimp Enchiladas at Orlando's Restaurant
“Christmas” Blue Corn Shrimp Enchiladas at Orlando’s Restaurant with beans and posole
Scrambled Egg Tower and Nicoise Salad at Gutiz Taos
Scrambled Egg Tower and Nicoise Salad at Gutiz Taos

Breakfast/Lunch

Michael’s Kitchen: A favorite for breakfast for chile smothered breakfast burritos, hash browns (called Health Food on the menu!), and variety of waffles, pancakes, and omelets.  They also have a great bakery with amazing cream puffs, doughnuts, and other treats.  Expect a line on the weekend, but it’s worth the wait! 

Farmhouse Cafe:  In the Overland Compound, north of Taos Plaza.  Delicious food in a scenic setting, farm to table, local, organic, non-GMO!  My favorite things on the menu are the Zia Breakfast with eggs, grilled avocado, and roasted veggies and the Green Chile Avocado Burger over a salad (instead of a bun).  Grass fed/finished beef from our our family’s ranch (Martinez Family Ranch) is featured in the restaurant and next door in their Farm Store.  Be sure to check it out!  They also carry wonderful specialty desserts and some vegan and gluten free options are available…spend some time exploring the grounds, sculptures, and gorgeous views of Taos Mountain.  

Gutiz:  French Latin Fusion.  A favorite for breakfast or lunch!  Among our favorites are the Scrambled Egg Tower, Pepito Steak Sandwich, Nicoise Salad, and Taoseño.  Don’t miss their homemade hot sauces…try both!  And they also offer fresh lemonades and desserts such as flourless chocolate cake, pies, and more!  

Bent Street Deli:  Fun patio seating (covered and open air), right off the plaza!  The perfect spot for people watching!  Yummy deli favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  I love their Greek Salad!  They also have New Mexican cuisine, and vegan/vegetarian options.  

Manzanita Market:  An all organic, community cafe serving seasonal delights!  I haven’t actually dined here yet for lunch or dinner, but their menu looks creative and health focused. I’ve enjoyed their delicious homemade ice cream…small batch, no artificial anything, interesting flavors and non dairy options available. Beet Orange is a favorite!

Zia Breakfast at Farmhouse Taos

Lunch/Dinner

Five Star Burger:  In the summer we’re regulars here for Green Chile Burger Salads and fried green beans and pickles!  They feature all Natural, hormone and antibiotic free beef.  Other types of salads and sandwiches are available, and an awesome happy hour menu.  

Taos Ale House and Burger Stand:  Live music, delicious burgers and beer!  We love their green chile cheese burger and sweet potato fries.  Don’t miss their unique dipping sauce bar with green chile mayo, flavored ketchups, and marshmallow sauce (omg, with the sweet potato fries!).  

Taos Mesa Brewery:  (main location currently closed, Taos Mesa Tap Room is open near the plaza) Handcrafted beer, great menu, live music, great place to hang!  We love their trivia night.  See their calendar for upcoming events at the Mothership…

Guadalajara Grill:  Fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine in a casual setting.  Love their Chef Salad with Shrimp, Campechana, and Ceviche! Andrew loves their tacos and loaded nachos. 

The Love Apple: (dinner only, res recommended) This cozy, intimate restaurant emphasizes local, organic home cooking. It is housed in what was once a Chapel, and was built around the 1800s. During the summer months, their patio is one of the best spots in Taos for a meal out! It is their priority to work with and feature local growers and artisan producers in their menus. The food here is simple and delicious! A couple of my favorite things on their menu are the bacon wrapped figs to start, and the grilled ruby rainbow trout wrapped in corn husks. Their wine selection is great, too!

Lambert’s of Taos:  (dinner only, res recommended) I have a special connection to Lambert’s because I worked in this historic building (when it was The Apple Tree) during my high school and college years. And they catered our wedding! So many fun memories!  Delicious food, wine, and cocktails are on the menu.  Favorites include, Filet Mignon, Zucchini “Pasta” with shrimp, and their Coffee Toffee Ice Cream Sundae! The Tree House Bar upstairs is also great for after dinner drinks, light bites, or dessert…          

Aceq: We love ACEQ for flavorful fare in an upscale yet relaxed setting. Family owned, farm to table, in a cozy setting.  Menu is seasonal and changes daily. 

Sabroso:  (dinner only, res recommended) Beautiful setting in Arroyo Seco in a 150 year old adobe house, a great spot for steaks, fish, lamb, and more!  In the summer, their patio is one of my favorites.    

Pizaños:  New York style pizza with a Taos twist, it is a must!  The “Taoseño” (pepperoni or sausage, green chile, mushrooms) and “Fire Twirler” (pepperoni, pineapple, jalapeño, and green chile) are favorites.  Also love the “Let It Grow” pizza, which is loaded with veggies and the Spinach Salad with sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, walnuts, and goat cheese with a spicy chile vinaigrette.  During the summer months, their fenced in patio is the perfect place have a drink, let the kids play, and watch an unforgettable Taos sunset!  Rounding out the menu are pastas, salads, and “tunnel” sandwiches.

Donabe Asian Kitchen: A northern New Mexico asian experience! From noodle cart beginnings to a beautiful asian fusion restaurant housed in a historic building (Manby Hacienda), the food has always been on point! We love their steaming bowls of flavorful noodles and curries! You can choose from their curated options or build your own. Don’t miss their spring rolls, generously sized and delicious! 

Donabe Asian Kitchen Taos
Donabe Asian Kitchen (Gun Powder Green Tea Curry & BYO Bowl)
Green Chile Avocado Burger Salads at Five Star Burger Taos

Desserts / Coffee / Juices

Taos Cow: Main location located in Arroyo Seco, between Taos and Taos Ski Valley, NEW location in Taos in the Anglada’s Building. This walk up spot is worth the short drive for delicious, all natural, rBGH free, super-premium ice cream!  They make the best southwestern inspired flavors, plus traditional favorites.  My favorites are Cherry Ristra (cherry ice cream with pinon nuts and dark chocolate chunks), Lavender (flavored with organic culinary lavender), Piñon Caramel (vanilla ice cream with pinon nuts and vanilla caramel swirl), Mexican Chocolate (chocolate ice cream with cinnamon and dark chocolate chunks), and Café Ole (coffee ice cream with cinnamon and dark chocolate chunks). Their Vanilla is also top notch! They also serve soups, sandwiches, coffee, and more.)

World Cup: Right off Taos Plaza, perfect espresso drinks every time!  Their Americanos are the best in town, imo. And don’t miss their specialty mocha flavors (mocha picante is my fave.) A great place to sit and people watch for a few minutes before heading off to your next adventure. Cash or Venmo only.

Chokola Bean to Bar:  Organic coffee, single origin chocolates, ice cream, mousses, drinking chocolates.  This spot is such a treat!  If you go, make sure you have time to sit and savor whatever you decide to try…a delight for the senses!  

Taos Java: The only coffeehouse in town with a drive through window!  We love their piñon coffee, hot or iced.  

Taos Valley Lodge Espresso Bar: Located inside the newly renovated Taos Valley Lodge, this spacious yet cozy coffee spot is the perfect place to meet with friends or get some work done while enjoying your fave coffee drink! They offer a variety of hot/cold espresso and coffee drinks made with Peet’s Coffee as well as tea beverages. Try their iced Mint Matcha (Snowcap Matcha) or their smooth Cold Brew on tap! Pastries by the Chocolate Maven are available. Lots to try on their menu…

Cafe Sagrado: A new addition to the John Dunn Shops!  Cozy spot to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea…excited to try it this winter!

Coffee Apothecary:  Roastery and coffee shop featuring small batch, sustainable, and ethically sourced coffee.  Fresh, high-quality milk and teas, and non-dairy alternatives.  Homemade syrups from simple ingredients.  

Pinon Caramel and Coffee Ice Cream at Taos Cow in Arroyo Seco, NM
Iced Americano from World Cup
Taos Valley Lodge Coffee Shop Matcha
Taos Valley Lodge Coffee Shop Snowcap (Mint) Matcha

Cocktails , Mocktails…

Rolling Still Distillery + Lounge: Green and Red Chile Infused Vodka, need I say more?! The past few trips, RS has been our go-to for unique, refreshing cocktails and mocktails. Rolling Still has it all really…relaxed Taos vibe, great location right off the plaza, and tasty bar menu + chocolates. Last visit, I ordered the Macho Mule (moscow mule made with your choice of chile infused vodka and a Red Chile truffle and I was in chile bliss…other favorite drinks: Easy Rider, New Mexico Mocha (hot), The Afterparty, Ruby Ristra, Violet Fog, La Brewja, Spicy Lemonade (spirit free)

Historic Taos Inn: A tried and true Taos favorite! Lively bar scene with great drinks (love the margaritas here), food, and live entertainment (local music, and sometimes flamenco dancing).

Macho Mule, Ruby Ristra, and Red Chile Truffles at Rolling Still Lounge

For the Kids/Family Friendly

Twirl Playspace & Toy Store:  An essential stop if you have children!  During the summer months you can play in their spacious courtyard with plenty of play equipment for climbing, building, and more, just steps away from Taos Plaza.  Inside you will find a toy store with unique toys and gifts for kids of all ages, as well as an indoor play space.  Its such a cool playspace and meeting spot! When we’re in Taos, we visit Twirl almost daily.  Themed summer day camps are also available. When you’re finished, walk over to the John Dunn Shops and stop at Cici’s for a coffee, iced tea, or Italian soda and sit and listen to live music. Or take a walk around the plaza and browse the shops! 

Twirl Toystore and Playspace Taos NM
Take a pic in the big chair at Twirl!

Gutters Bowling Alley:  Family friendly fun!  Great prices, theme nights, and yummy food….Gutters is a 12 lane bowling facility as well as a full-service restaurant with beer and wine. Restaurant features a real brick oven for authentic fire-roasted pizzas.  Gluten-free crust is an option. Also, features vegan dishes, salads, and pasta dishes.

During the summer months, the Saturday Morning Farmers Market and Thursday Night Live Music both on Taos Plaza are weekly stops…

Taos Ski Valley

Taos Ski Valley is a must if you love to ski or snowboard!  Don’t be intimidated by the expert run you see at the base. There’s plenty of beginner and intermediate terrain, too, and they have an awesome ski school. It’s where I learned to ski!  

Taos has world-class skiing in a gorgeous setting. You can stay in the ski valley, or in town just a short drive away. The Blake, Hotel St. Bernard, Inn at Snakedance, and Edelweiss Lodge are all fabulous choices that put you at the base of the mountain, ready for your day on the slopes.  In the summer we love to go hiking in the area (Williams Lake and Wheeler Peak, the highest point in NM, are favorites!) and have lunch at 192 at The Blake or The Bavarian…  

Dining in Taos Ski Valley:  192 at The Blake, The Bavarian, Black Diamond Espresso, Taos Ale House, and Inn at Snakedance are among our favorites…and don’t miss Cid’s Mountain Market for hot food, to go options, and an extensive selection of groceries and beer/wine/spirits! 

Taos Ski Valley Ski School

Hiking Wheeler Peak (highest point in NM) in Taos Ski Valley
Hiking Wheeler Peak (highest point in NM) in Taos Ski Valley
Hiking in Taos Ski Valley
Hiking in Taos Ski Valley (Tip: wear layers!)

Grocery/Food to Go

Cid’s Food Market:  Cid’s has the largest selection of natural, organic, gourmet, and local products in Taos County!  Stop by this natural grocery store to stock up on groceries, snacks and essentials during your stay/before heading to the ski valley.  Or have lunch there, at their fully stocked salad and soup bar. They also have lots of pre-packaged meals to go.  And, don’t miss The Cellar, next door for craft beers, wine, and spirits.  They carry several local and NM varieties. Cid’s Mountain Market is now open in Taos Ski Valley as well! 

I could go on and on, because there are so many treasures in Taos!  

During your stay, be sure to take a break from all the delicious culinary offerings to see the landmarks and historic areas…among our favorites are:  

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Taos NM
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Taos NM
Golden Hour in Taos, NM
The Historic Martinez Hacienda in Ranchitos

There’s so much to do outdoors but you feel the need to get your workout on (indoors), head over to:

Shree Yoga Taos (no longer open)

Craving more details?  Check out my previous Taos posts highlighting:  

A few more trusted resources to bookmark for comprehensive, insider Taos coverage:

  • @taos Follow the best of Taos on the ‘gram
  • @taoschic Reimagined Travel Experiences of New Mexico’s rich cultural tapestry
  • taos.org Official travel site of Taos, NM
  • taosstyle.net Your guide to all things Taos, by Lynne Robinson
  • taosskivalley.com Official site of Taos Ski Valley. NM
  • taosnews.com Weekly local newspaper 

I hope you discover all that Taos has to offer and fall in love with the beautiful, magical place it is!  Click  here for more of my Taos and Taos Ski Valley posts…

Stand Up Paddleboarding Tour with Heritage Inspirations

If you want personal guidance during your visit, get in touch with Angelisa at Heritage Inspirations!  They offer in depth tours of the Taos area year-round and have wonderful off the beaten path concepts/experiences to explore…their glamping tours are on my list to try!  See my post about the mom/daughter paddleboard/hiking tour Marisa and I did a few years ago…

NEW: Heritage Inspirations Click and Go Road Trip Itineraries

New Mexico has some of the most enchanting scenery in the world and there is no better way to explore it than by taking a road trip. Let HI be your guide with new, easy to follow “Click & Buy” road trip itineraries for half-day, full-day, and multi-day trips from Santa Fe, Taos, and Albuquerque. Our HI Guides created these road trip itineraries to take you through the backroads to experience their favorite places in NM. These intimate road trip itineraries include step by step directions and insider information about each of the destinations to ensure that you get the most out of your day. 

It took forever for me to write this post…I didn’t want to leave anything out, and I’m sure I’ve forgotten something!  It’s impossible to fit the wonder that is Taos into one blog post.  This is just skimming the surface.  The photos are my snapshots during visits to Taos…

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful day!  xo- Andrea 

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Taos Travel Guide

Welcome! Loubies and Lulu is a Dallas-based fitness, fashion, and healthy lifestyle blog by Andrea Overturf.

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10 Comments

  1. Akash wrote:

    Hi Andrea, thanks for sharing such a helpful post. The Church looks really unique and the food looks very appetizing.

    Posted 3.3.19 Reply
  2. Brenda wrote:

    Thank you for all the recommendations!

    Posted 12.9.19 Reply
    • Andrea wrote:

      You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy your time in Taos 🙂

      Posted 12.9.19 Reply
  3. Pamela wrote:

    Hello Andrea,
    Great guide! It was good to see you and your family.

    Posted 7.26.21 Reply
    • Andrea wrote:

      Great to see y’all too! Visiting Taos Spa is always a welcome part of our time in Taos 🙂

      Posted 7.26.21 Reply
  4. Amorette Vildosola wrote:

    Thank you so much! This was so so helpful!!!

    Posted 8.9.21 Reply
  5. Melissa wrote:

    What kind of clothing should I bring for vacation in early September?

    Posted 8.23.21 Reply
    • Andrea wrote:

      It will still be warm during the daytime (80s) so summer clothing is still weather appropriate, but the temps drop in the evening and into morning. Check the weather before you go, and definitely bring options and light layers: light jacket, sweater, raincoat/windbreaker, jeans, depending on what your activities will be. Taos tends to be very casual overall!

      Posted 8.24.21 Reply
  6. hi! i love your taos air blogsite! i was thinking how much more inclusive it might be with some shots of the michael mccormick and sons gallery??? many thanks!

    Posted 9.14.22 Reply
    • Andrea wrote:

      Hi Michael! I’m happy to hear you like the Taos blog posts. I would love to visit the gallery next time I’m in Taos and add it to the guide. We will be visiting this fall and winter…

      Posted 9.14.22 Reply