5 Best Restaurants in Southwestern New Mexico, New Mexico

Come here to see 1860s Western decor and stay for the food—including some of the best steak and seafood in the region. The bar is a friendly place to gather; the dining rooms are cozy, the tablecloths white, and the walls replete with photos from the last 140 years of the area's history. The property also includes the Opera House, where live music is performed (on Friday and Saturday at 8).

Best bets here are the specials, which might include homemade ravioli Fra Diavolo with full-bodied, spicy sauce. But the kitchen, and the service, can be uneven, and folks who arrive from afar with high expectations from its buzz-worthy early days might be disappointed. Here in tiny T or C though, it is still a standout. Wood-fired pizzas, Pomodoro linguini (order it when tomatoes are in season), a good bruschetta, and a varied regional beer list are highlights, as are the zesty, deep-flavored fruit sorbets (blood orange, berry). There's an interesting wine list, too. The renovated building, with a gorgeous pressed-copper ceiling, makes for an appealing frontier-meets-modern vibe.

Fresh flowers grace the wooden tables and light streams through the large windows at this cheerful bakery and eatery. Owner Diane Barrett's menu includes Hatch-green-chile Benedict, "Grandma's" spaghetti, steaks, and a deftly prepared lemon-caper chicken. The sandwiches are all made with wonderfully tasty house-baked bread; if you're in the mood for something sweet, don't hesitate—this chef really shines when it comes to desserts. Bottled microbrews and well-chosen wines are available. There's a popular Sunday Champagne brunch.

Juicy, thick steaks and seafood (from lobster to blackened catfish) are the draws at this old-school, white-stucco establishment with Spanish-style arches across the facade. Steaks are aged in-house and are reliably good. The Southwest decor is enhanced by a cactus garden. Homemade soups, desserts, and freshly baked bread add to the aromas and the cheery ambience. The bar is a popular hangout.

Craft beers and classic comfort fare that favors locally grown ingredients are the draws at this bustling spot with a smart layout, excellent service, and inviting outdoor dining—complete with a view over the Mesilla Valley. Pecan wood is used for grilling steak and chicken, and burgers and rib-eyes come smothered with green chile and Amber Ale–grilled onions. Try the Napa salad, with just the right balance of candied pecans and fresh greens.