A foodie myself, one of the questions I get asked most often by guests is, “Where is your favorite place to eat?” Truthfully, it’s also one of the questions I ask most when I’m travelling and visiting a new city. So for those of you asking this question while visiting Abiquiu - this blog is for you!
New Mexico is famous for its southwestern cuisine with influences from Native American, Spanish and Mexican cultures. While each group retains its basic identity today in New Mexico, they all complement each other - like a beautiful mosiac. This is especially true with culinary offerings. Important from our indigenous cultures are what are refered to as "The Three Sisters," represented by corn, beans and squash. As you can imagine, a variety of dishes can be prepared from The Three Sisters. Also, get ready for spices, herbs and flavors. We like to put chiles on just about everything (that’s chile with a “e”, not chili with an “I”)....green or red – or a combination of both referred to as “Christmas." You will also likely find piñon, sopapillos, tamales, huevos rancheros and our state cookie, biscochitos.
When you are visiting Abiquiu, there is never a shortage of things to do and see. But between your visits to O’Keeffe’s home and studio, and hiking Ghost Ranch, rafting the Rio Chama, and taking a self-guided driving tour, you will need to eat! And drink! So, we’ve gathered all the information for you to cover our local, good eats – including dine-in, dine-outside and carry-out options in Abiquiu.
Bodes
21196 US-84 | Website
Bodes General Store and Kitchen is an institution in Abiquiu. Its first store - the Grants Mercantile - opened in 1895. In 1919, the Bode family purchased the Mecantile and Bodes General Store was born! You can’t miss Bodes – it hosts the village’s only gas station and has a large pink flamingo statue out front. Gas station, general store and kitchen – you will conveniently find what you need at Bodes. From fresh fruit, to burritos and sandwiches, to wine/beer, to Yeti coolers, art, body lotions and soaps, fishing gear and hats - we recommend all visitors add Bodes, a true general store, to their list of places to visit while exploring Abiquiu.
Bodes Kitchen has been producing 'made from scratch' food for over 27 years, serving both locals and tourists. When Covid-19 hit, Bodes closed their kitchen counter service – so you can no longer order off their menu at this time – but they expanded their hot and cold case offerings, and now offer more baked goods. For convenient and good food, just head to the back of the store and select a burrito, or sandwich, or treat from the hot or cold case – and take it “to-go” or enjoy it at one of the tables set up in the back of the store.
Each morning when Bodes opens, you will find fresh brewed hot coffee, a large selection of herbal teas, and bakery items.
The hot case food menu changes every day, but is all ways anchored by their well-known breakfast burritos and enchiladas (green and red) and roasted chicken. The cold case includes lots of ‘to-go’ salads of all types, ham and turkey sandwiches, soups, and sweets.
Hours:
Daily: 6:30 am – 7pm
OTICE. HOT CASE, COLD CASE,
Café Abiquiu & La Terraza
Located next to the Georgia O’Keeffe Welcome Center in Abiquiu Inn, Café Abiquiu & La Terraza offers a casual dining experience where you can choose to dine indoors or al fresco on the outdoor patio. The indoor dining room walls are filled with art from local artists, the outdoor patio features a large, wood-burning fireplace.
The restaurant offers a menu with lots of variety - there is something for everyone. You'll find New Mexico specialties, such as huevos rancheros, green chile cheeseburgers and green chile chicken enchiladas. For dinner and lunch, choices include everything from tacos to hamburgers to salmon to steak. Delightful desserts and a variety of seasonal and special holiday menus are offered. Select local beers and wines to complement your meal.
Hours:
Breakfast, Daily: 7:00 AM - 11:00AM
Lunch/Dinner
Sunday – Thursday: 11:00am - 8:00pm
Friday – Saturday: 11:00am - 9:00pm
To go orders: 505-685-4378
Café Sierra Negra
20968 US Hwy 84| Website
Café Sierra Negra opened in 2020, the brain-child of Abiquiu resident, Melodie Milhoan. Named for the mountain that rises behind the café next to the Rio Chama - Sierra Negra - the mountain derives its name from the black, volcanic, basalt rocks that have rolled down and covered the mountain as the valleys and arroyos formed from erosion. Melodie’s food philosophy is to serve healthy, organic when possible, affordable, tasty food that pleases most everyone. She is a follower of the 80/20 food rule where 20 percent of her menu is made of meat and the rest derived from plants.
Local favorites on the menu include Green Chile Stew; Salmon or Cod Fish Tacos on homemade corn tortillas; and Spinach Mushroom Crepes. Fresh baked muffins, cinnamon rolls and cookies as well as carrot cake and brownies are also on the menu. New in 2022 – beer and wine, and carry out sub sandwiches.
Enjoy eating indoors in one of the two dining rooms, or outdoors under a canopy.
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00am to 6:30pm.
Fire N Ice
21196 US Highway 84, Abiquiu |
Owner Brigid has been in the food business for over twenty years. Brigid runs Fire N Ice with a goal bigger than just serving good food – she also strives to mentor employees who want a career in the food industry or want to own their own business someday.
You will find Fire N Ice in the parking lot of Bodes General Store. A food stand of sorts with an outdoor smoker, head up to the window to order, and then enjoy your food at one of the outdoor picnic tables. From smoked brisket, tacos, Mediterranean wraps, breakfast sandwiches, omelets, bagels…to ice cream and cold brew coffee – they have something for everyone.
Hours: Monday: 11am – 7pm
Tuesday and Wednesday: closed
Thursday and Friday: 11 am – 7pm
Saturday: 9 am – 5pm
Sunday: 9 am – 3pm
Frosty Cow
21196 US-84 (behind the Post Office, across the street from Bodes)
The Frosty Cow has been a favorite of locals and tourists alike for years. Now in its new location behind the post office, the Frosty Cow has expanded its menu to include ice creams, sundaes, shakes, panini sandwiches, smoothies, and coffees. Fan favorite: Green Chile Cheese panini sandwich - and all ice cream treats!
Hours:
Winter: Daily: 1pm – 6pm
Summer: Daily: 11am – 7pm
Ghost Ranch
280 Private Drive 1708 | Website
*During this COVID period and until further notice, the Dining Hall and meals are only available to those who are lodging at Ghost Ranch.
Ghost Ranch is an amazing 21,000-acre retreat and education center that offers tours, hiking, workshops and classes in the midst of land covered with amazing geological vistas. For those of you taking a workshop at Ghost Ranch, you may gather for meals in their Ranch Dining Hall. The Ranch Hall serves three meals a day for overnight guests, all seved buffet style. A vegetarian entree and some gluten-free items are available. A salad bar is featured at lunch and dinner each day. Enjoy your meal at a long shared table with fellow workshop attendees or travelers, or choose to eat outdoors. Spending time at Ghost Ranch, feeling hungry, but not an overnight guest? Box lunches are usually available in the Trading Post.
Los Caminos Bar
US Highway 84 (by Mamacita’s Pizzeria)
Los Caminos is the only bar in town. Have a seat at a table or pull yourself up the bar, where you will find yourself surrounded by a nice bartender, friendly locals and entertaining conversation. The pool table has seen lots of games, and the air conditioning is welcomed in the summer months. Los Caminos also has a counter where you can purchase packaged goods for carry-out; there is a steady stream of customers lining up for packaged sales. Feel free to bring food in or order pizza from their neighbor, Mamacita’s Pizzeria.
Mamacita’s Pizzeria
20814 Highway 84
Not everyone comes to New Mexico for pizza…but…you will find Mamacita’s serving hand-tossed, thin crust, fresh ingredients, NY style pizza right here in Abiquiu, along with salads, burgers, and subs. Order ahead and pick up to carry out or eat at one of the outdoor covered picnic tables. Owner Marta has connections to the area, but moved out here from NY after 9/11 to open the pizzeria – and she has been serving pizza fanatics ever since.
A favorite: the Roadrunner, which mixes New York style pizza with New Mexico’s hallmark green chile.
Temporary hours during COVID:
Friday – Sunday: 12 noon – 8pm (last order at 7:15) Regular Hours:
Wednesday – Sunday: 12 noon – 8pm
The Grand Hacienda B&B
5 Los Ojos Drive, Youngsville | Website
Note: breakfast at The Grand Hacienda is only available to registered guests.
If you are looking for lodging that includes what guests describe as “New Mexico’s absolute best breakfast experience”, then you will want to book a few nights at Abiquiu’s new and only luxury bed and breakfast out on Abiquiu Lake – The Grand Hacienda.
Guests at The Grand Hacienda will start each morning with specialty coffees – cappuccinos, lattes, espresso made from roasted coffee beans that have double the anti-oxidant levels of most coffees, and are 100% mold and mycotoxin free. Your hosts believe that breakfast IS the most important meal of the day – so every breakfast is a feast, an inspiring ambience around the table.
Owners Tom and Carolyn grow their own herbs and many vegetables on site and try to source as much as possible from local farmers and ranchers. Eggs are fresh from a small farm in the village. The gourmet breakfast menu varies each day and usually alternates between sweet and savory. Regardless of the day, the focus is on delicious and healthy breakfasts, featuring what is seasonal and locally grown. Specialties include their version of the NM breakfast burrito with cilantro/lime rice and feijoada; banana bread French toast; seasonal omelets with fresh herbs, root veggies, and goat cheese; amazing guacamole toast with a perfectly poached egg; and more. You can read more about the food, farm-to-table and sustainability here.
And for drinks, The Grand Hacienda has a beer and wine liquor license and offer the most extensive wine list in Rio Arriba county, procured from some of the best wine makers around the world. The wine list includes 28 hand-selected varietals from Calfee's personal wine collection.
That's it for good eating in Abiquiu!
Next time you are looking to go out for a meal, be sure to eat locally and support our local businesses! And, if you are looking for good lodging, check out www.discoverabiquiu.com and www.thegrandhacienda.com for awesome places to sleep...after you've had your fill of good eats!
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