Santa Fe: Chef-Guided New Mexican Lunch & Award Margaritas

4.94

(119 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I was honestly a little nervous about the “red or green” question before our Santa Fe lunch tour. Everyone talks about it like it’s a personality test here. Our guide—Chef Ana—met us right outside this old adobe place that smelled like roasted chiles before we even got in. She had this easy laugh and told us not to overthink it (I still did). We skipped a line that wrapped around the block, which felt like cheating but also kind of great.

Inside, the walls were covered in family photos and old awards. There was this hum from locals chatting over lunch, and I caught the smell of something sweet coming from the kitchen—maybe cinnamon? Chef Ana started us with a tasting plate: one side drenched in red chile, the other green. She explained how New Mexican cuisine isn’t just “Mexican food” with more spice—it’s its own thing, shaped by Pueblo, Spanish, and Mexican influences. I tried to say “carne adovada” properly; she grinned and said I was close enough.

Each course came with a different margarita (the smoky one was my favorite—never thought mezcal would work so well). The flavors were bold but not overwhelming. At one point I just stopped talking because I wanted to taste everything without distraction. The group was small—maybe eight of us—and everyone loosened up after the second drink. Someone asked if we could move here for the food alone. Not joking.

We finished at this craft ice cream spot nearby—salted pinon nut, if you’re curious—and wandered back out into the sun feeling full but not stuffed. It’s funny how a meal can make you feel like you belong somewhere for an afternoon. I still think about that first bite of green chile sauce when I’m hungry at home.