3 Best Restaurants in Santa Fe, New Mexico

The cities of Oaxaca and Santa Fe actually have several things in common (a thriving art scene, a complex history, and fantastic food), and this modern Mexican eatery brings a bite of Oaxacan culture into its dishes based upon Mesoamerican culinary traditions. A tribute to the cuisine of its namesake region, the star of the show here is, of course, mole, which you can enjoy with a number of mouthwatering sauces over meats and vegetables. Diners can also choose from authentic tacos, burritos, and quesadillas with dine-in and take-out options.

James Beard Award-winning, Mexico City–born chef Fernando Olea has been working his culinary magic at different Santa Fe restaurants since 1991 and now offers his upscale take on regional Mexican fare, complete with an exhaustive list of artisan tequilas and mezcals, at Sazón. Within the handsome dining room warmed by a kiva fireplace and filled with Frida Kahlo and Day of the Dead–inspired artwork, the focus is on one of Mexico's greatest dishes, mole. The waitstaff begin the dining experience with a sampling of mole sauces and small, fluffy tortillas to try each one—you can then order one of the night's featured proteins with whichever mole you prefer. You can also try the chef's prix-fixe (degustation) menu, and don't miss the infamous "Sopa de Amor" of poblano chile cream, blue crab, and Amaretto whipped cream. Save room for the unabashedly rich Volcán de Chocolate cake and the surprising helado de mole poblano (hickory-smoked mole poblano ice cream in chocolate).