3 Best Restaurants in Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico

This endearingly modest hole-in-the-wall on the tree-shaded main drag of tiny El Rito doesn't look like much from the outside, but devotees drive for miles to taste the stick-to-your-ribs classic New Mexican specialties, including a rich, smoky green chile stew that's garnered numerous awards and accolades. The drive here—it's about 20 minutes from both Abiquiú and Ojo Caliente—offers stunning views back east toward the Sangre de Cristo mountains.

In a century-old adobe hacienda tucked into the mountains, with whitewashed walls, hand-stripped vigas, and cozy dining rooms, the Rancho de Chimayó is still owned and operated by the family that first occupied the house. Consistently good, reasonably priced New Mexican fare is served (the carne adovada with posole is especially good), and it's hard to deny the enchanting ambience of the place. There's a fireplace in winter and, in summer, a terraced patio shaded by catalpa trees. Breakfast is served on weekends. The owners also run a charming four-bedroom B&B, Hacienda de Chimayó, across the road.

This simple, cheerful spot in the center of town serves mostly authentic New Mexico fare along with a few Mediterranean-inspired dishes. You might start your day off with a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast of chile-smothered huevos rancheros, while enchiladas, burritos, and other local favorites are good bets for lunch or an early dinner (the restaurant closes at 6 pm).