What is special about Taos?

Taos is one of the few places in the United States where three distinct cultures, Spanish, Native American, and Anglo, have coexisted for centuries. The town combines a 1,000-year-old Pueblo, a 125-year-old art colony, world-class skiing, and a landscape unlike anywhere else in the country. It sits at nearly 7,000 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with the Rio Grande Gorge to the west.

How far is Taos from Albuquerque?

Taos is approximately 130 miles north of Albuquerque. The drive takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes via I-25 North to US 285 to NM 68.

How far is Taos from Santa Fe?

Taos is approximately 70 miles north of Santa Fe. The Low Road (NM 68) takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. The High Road (NM 76) takes 2 to 3 hours but passes through historic mountain villages.

What is the elevation of Taos?

The town of Taos sits at 6,969 feet above sea level. Taos Ski Valley is at 9,207 feet. Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico, is at 13,161 feet.

What is the best time to visit Taos?

Every season has something different. Winter (December through March) is ski season. Spring (April and May) brings warmer weather and fewer crowds but can include mud season on dirt roads. Summer (June through August) is peak tourist season with highs in the 80s. Fall (September through November) offers clear skies, fall foliage, and pleasant temperatures.

Is crime bad in Taos, New Mexico?

Taos is a small town and generally safe for visitors. Like any community, it has some property crime. Use common sense, lock your car, and be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.

What celebrity lives in Taos, NM?

Taos has a long history of attracting notable residents. Julia Roberts has owned property in the area. Dennis Hopper lived in Taos for many years before his death in 2010. The town continues to attract artists, writers, and public figures who value privacy and the landscape.

Is Taos, NM Republican or Democrat?

Taos County has historically voted Democratic in presidential elections. The political culture is shaped by the area's strong Hispanic community, its Native American population, and its arts-oriented Anglo residents. Like many small Western towns, opinions on local issues like land use, water rights, and property taxes cut across traditional party lines.

Where the locals actually eat in Taos

HeyTaos · Food and Drink

Dining in Taos County

Every dining guide on the site lives here. Pick what you're hungry for, get a short honest list, and go eat. We keep these guides tight on purpose. A list of 40 restaurants is not a recommendation.

Start here

Best Restaurants in Taos County

If you only read one guide, read this one. It's the short list of where we'd actually send you, whether it's your first night in town or your fiftieth.

View Best Restaurants

Meals and Quick Stops

Morning to late, no reservation needed

Coffee and a seat

Coffee Shops

Where to caffeinate before you head up the mountain or down into the gorge. Locals have opinions about coffee here. So do we.

View Coffee Shops

First thing

Breakfast and Brunch

The breakfast burrito question matters in this town, and we take a side. Pancakes are in here too, for anyone not ready for chile at 8am.

View Breakfast

Something sweet

Sweets, Ice Cream and Dessert

For when dinner was good but you're not done yet. Includes the summer paleta situation.

View Dessert

Park and order

Food Trucks and Carts

Some of the best food in the county comes out of a window. Here's where the windows are.

View Food Trucks

By the Food

Pick a craving

Red, green, or Christmas

New Mexican Restaurants

The food this place is actually known for, and the guide we argue about most. If you only try one local thing while you're here, make it this.

View New Mexican

Tacos and plates

Mexican Restaurants

Not the same thing as New Mexican, and the difference matters here. Where to go when you want tacos done right.

View Mexican

Eat in your jeans

Burgers and Casual Food

The green chile cheeseburger is a New Mexico institution. This guide takes it seriously.

View Casual Food

Comfort and range

American Restaurants

For when the table can't agree. Solid kitchens with menus broad enough to settle the argument.

View American

Global table

World Flavors

Taos is a small town with a wider palate than you'd expect. Proof inside.

View World Flavors

Slice or pie

Pizza

Mountain towns run on pizza. These are the pies worth a Friday night wait.

View Pizza

Date Nights and Drinks

Reservations, cocktails, beer, wine, and spirits

Worth booking

Fine Dining

For the nights that deserve a reservation. Book ahead, especially in ski season.

View Fine Dining

Beer, wine, spirits

Places to Drink

Where to drink after the mountain, before dinner, or instead of dinner. We won't judge.

View Drinks

Destination Dining

Northern Taos County, the mountain, and scenic road-trip meals

Northern Taos County

The Arroyo Corridor

Dining, coffee, village stops, and Rio Grande access through Arroyo Seco, Arroyo Hondo, Rio Hondo, and the road toward Taos Ski Valley.

View The Arroyo Corridor

Mountain dining

Taos Ski Valley

Where to eat and drink at the mountain, from ski-season meals and après-ski stops to dinner before the drive back down.

View Taos Ski Valley

Scenic day trip

Enchanted Circle Dining

Driving the loop through Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire? Don't leave lunch to chance. The good stops, marked.

View Enchanted Circle

How to Use This Page

Not sure where to start? Open Best Restaurants and work from there. Know what you want? Pick the guide that matches the craving. Everything links back here, so you can't get lost.

These guides cover Taos, Ranchos de Taos, El Prado, The Arroyo Corridor, Taos Ski Valley, and the Enchanted Circle. The Enchanted Circle towns get their own guide because that loop is a day trip, not a dinner decision.

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