New Mexico doesn’t just have signature dishes – we have our own cuisine. Sure, you can find some of these foods beyond our borders. But it’s more enjoyable to eat these dishes where they were invented — or perfected! (Fine, we’re biased.) So, if you want a taste of the Land of Enchantment, tuck into these 16 most famous dishes in New Mexico. Please note that they are not ranked in order of culinary superiority.

1. Blue corn pancakes
Flickr/Liralen Li
Blue corn improves everything, from tortillas and pizza dough to muffins and pancakes. Yellow corn is fine and dandy but blue corn adds a welcome nuttiness to dishes. Take blue corn pancakes up a notch by topping them with New Mexican piñon nuts.
2. Piñon coffee
Facebook/New Mexico Pinon Coffee
Alternatively, sip on piñon nut coffee, which gives your morning joe that little extra something. This pine nut comes from the piñon pine and its delicate flavor is beloved by New Mexicans.
3. Breakfast burrito
Flickr/Fuzzy Gerdes
In New Mexico, the first meal of the day often involves a breakfast burrito. Potato, egg, and cheese are the core ingredients, enhanced by add-ons like bacon, chorizo, or carne adovada. Sometimes the cheese is melted over the outside of the tortilla while other times it's sprinkled inside. The egg on top is optional, but some swear by it. Douse this bundle of wonder with green or red sauce.
4. Carne adovada
Yelp/Mandla B.
Carne adovada is what happens when pork is marinated in a puree of onion, red chile, and spices for 24 hours or more. The result is delicious.
5. Posole (also spelled pozole)
Flickr/Mr.TinDC
Posole is hominy corn that has been boiled in a combination of water and lime. This causes the corn to puff up and gives it an entirely different texture and taste than regular corn. You'll probably encounter it as a side dish or sometimes as a soup.
6. Green chile stew
Flickr/stu_spivack
If you’re in New Mexico and feeling under the weather, don’t expect people to bring you chicken noodle soup. To recover quickly, you need green chile stew. This dish also makes regular appearances at potlucks. Everyone’s recipe is a little different and, although pork is the most common meat choice, some prefer beef.
7. Chile rellenos
Flickr/Eugene Kim
No one claims that chile rellenos were invented here. But perfected? Order this dish and judge for yourself.
8. Frito pie
Flickr/Paul Sableman
There’s chile and then there’s chili. Frito pie is all about the latter. It’s topped with cheese and sometimes served in the bag.

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9. Tacos
Yelp/Julian G.
When you order tacos in New Mexico, it’s likely that you’ll receive soft shell tacos. These taste fresher and are less messy – a definite advantage if you fancy a taco on your lunch break and don’t want to return to work wearing its contents!
10. Biscochito (sometimes spelled bizcochito)
Flickr/Quick fix
Our state cookie is crumbly and traditionally made using lard. The dominant flavor is cinnamon with a distinctive undertone of anise. It isn’t Christmas without biscochitos but, thankfully, you can find these cookies year round.
11. Red and green sauce
Yelp/Robin H.
Some people might say that a condiment doesn’t belong on this list. Those people would be wrong! Red and green sauce is integral to so many of our dishes that it deserves a spot in the New Mexico Food Hall Of Fame – if only such a place existed.
12. Enchiladas
Yelp/Owie N.
You can find rolled enchiladas anywhere but here they’re frequently served flat and arranged in a stack.
13. Green chile cheeseburger
Facebook/Santa Fe Bite
The green chile component of the GCCB (green chile cheeseburger) can either be in the form of a sauce or just chopped chiles. Restaurants vie to win awards for the best one and the battle is intense.
14. Sopaipillas
Yelp/Sophia R.
Yelp/Loren L.
Sopaipillas can either be served as a savory or sweet dish. Savory ones are stuffed with cheese, beans, and sometimes meat. Sweet versions of this fried dough are accompanied by honey, which should be liberally drizzled on top.
15. Indian taco
Facebook/Pueblo Harvest Cafe
Frybread with taco toppings. What's not to love?
16. Green chile on pizza
Yelp/Tiffani C.
Chile improves any dish and pizza is no exception. Most pizzerias in New Mexico offer it as a topping. Try it with ham or pepperoni.

How many of these have you eaten? What other food or drinks would you add to this list? This New Mexican restaurant serves some of the best iconic food of the state if you’d like to try some of these dishes.

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More to Explore

Most Famous Dishes In New Mexico

Leah | August 28, 2020

Which restaurants serve the food New Mexico is known for?

If you'd like to try the most popular food in New Mexico to get a taste of the local cuisine, there are many great options for you to check out. Pepper Pot in Hatch, New Mexico - a place famous for its chile - has stellar New Mexican food. Their menu is loaded with all the local favorites and beyond, made by two sisters who know what they're doing. Mary & Tito's Cafe in Albuquerque, New Mexico has definitely a must-try for those who love or want to experience New Mexican food. This classic diner has all the iconic state meals made to perfection. It's constantly featured as a New Mexico must in various publications.

What is New Mexico known for?

Beyond the best food in New Mexico, what else is the state known for? The Land of Enchantment has some iconic sights, like the Rio Grande Gorge, the historic districts of Santa Fe or Albuquerque, and the annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. Turquoise is the stone of choice in New Mexico, the black-speckled or striped blue is popular among locals and tourists alike. There are quirky sides to the state, as well, such as the famed city of UFO sightings and possible landings, Roswell. This town is full of alien-themed shops, museums, and more, making it a fun destination for visitors.

What are the best restaurants in New Mexico?

Now that you know the best things to eat in New Mexico, you are set to explore the state's best restaurants. From New Mexican cuisine to fancy steakhouses, there are plenty of culinary experiences to be had in this state. The Owl Bar & Cafe in San Antonio, New Mexico has a "world-famous" burger and a special green chile recipe. If you love mac & cheese (and let's be honest, who doesn't?), then a visit to Macalicious in Santa Fe should be on your bucket list. They make fun twists to this comfort dish that includes all sorts of mix-ins and more than five types of grilled mac and cheese sandwiches.

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