Shortlist: Eight Best Restaurants In Roswell, NM That Locals Love!
If you like aliens, you’ll be well clued up into the weirdly mysterious happenings in Roswell, New Mexico, which makes it a utopia for all things other-worldly. But if you haven’t heard the rumors, Roswell is famed for Alien activity and is linked to an infamous UFO crash-landing that supposedly took place in the late ‘40s.
But extraterrestrial tourism is certainly not the only thing out-of-this-world about Roswell. They’re a thriving cultural hub with plenty of interesting and unique experiences, with many vibrant and exciting restaurants in Roswell, NM too. And we cannot recommend dining out while in Roswell enough.
So if you’re looking to tuck into something delicious and have no clue to start, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best restaurants in Roswell to help you decide.
The Eight Best Restaurants In Roswell: Food Worth Waiting For!
1. Antigua Cocina Mexicana
A genuine Mexican gem with a vibrant atmosphere, live music, and a stunning patio.
Situated in the heart of Roswell sits a beating example of the town’s undeniable charm. Antigua Cocina Mexicana is an authentic Mexican experience like no other and brings a colorful pop of life and flavor to the lives of locals and tourists alike.
As one of the best restaurants in Roswell, NM , you’ll have a lively evening filled with fun, great music, and incredible food.
You’ll be welcomed in by enthusiastic staff who usher you to your choice of table. The inside dining area is cozy and filled, bathroom to bar, with feature pieces that transport you to a Mexican cantina.
Their patio is perfect for enjoying a delicious meal with friends, and with the drinks flowing (especially at Happy Hour), you can guarantee you’re in for a great time.
The menus are chocked full of wonderfully spiced dishes that have all been hand-crafted to perfection. Their cuisine embodies contemporary Mexican flavor, and it’s a refreshing take we definitely approve of.
Locals rave about their Pulpo Borracho, tender cooked octopus with a spicy tequila glaze. But you can also find other sultry treats ripe for the picking, including some mouth-watering street-style tacos and a succulent Rib Eye Fajita.
As we mentioned, part of what makes this such an incredible venue is its music. If you keep an eye on their social media and website, you’ll be first in the loop to know about the talented musicians they have performing.
There’s so much to love about Antigua, from the food to the atmosphere. The only possible downside is they’re not open on Sundays.
Opening Hours: 11 am to 10 pm Mon – Thurs; 11 am to 11 pm Fri & Sat; Closed Sun
Location: 3601 N Main St, Roswell, NM
2. Pecos Flavors Winery & Bistro
Serving Roswell’s finest selection of wines and meals in an indoor-outdoor setting that also boasts live music!
Pecos Flavors Winery & Bistro has been devoted to bringing the divine flavors of New Mexicos local wines and brews to Roswell since 2004. And their business has expanded ever since, adding a charming new bistro in 2016.
You can expect nothing less than fine dining; after all, it takes complex flavors to pair perfectly with one of their branded wines. As a result, the Bistro serves delightfully elevated dishes that celebrate local ingredients.
Open for lunch and dinner, the menus are varied to suit the times, and while charcuterie boards are always available for your pairings, we’re more interested in the generous plates the kitchen cooks up from scratch.
Lunchtime has a niche selection of offerings, including salads and burgers. But when it comes to favorites, we cannot deny those homemade sandwiches. They use various types of bread that complement the intense flavors of the toppings. And what’s more, they even make gluten-free variations.
When visiting for dinner, we recommend starting the evening with a Shared Plate for your table, especially if you’re planning to enjoy a local brew. Then, once you’re ready for the main course, dive into some global fares from Pasta to Demi Glaze Pork.
The service is impeccable, with well-trained staff available to assist you throughout your visit. So don’t be shy to ask them for their best wine recommendations.
The Winery consists of three main sections, with indoor and outdoor seating for the Bistro and a private tasting lounge dedicated to trying out their divine collection. If you visit on the right evening, you may be able to join in on any of their fun-filled events, from Art and Wine evenings to live music which is advertised on their website and social media pages.
Opening Hours: Closed Sun & Mon; 11 am to 8 pm Tues – Thurs; 11 am to 9 pm Fri & Sat
Location: 412 W 2nd St, Roswell, NM
3. Wickedly Good B’wiches
An entirely outdoor dining experience that has perfected the art of the humble sandwich.
What started as a small dream to create the perfect burger has snowballed into a raging success story. Wickedly Good B’wiches began as a shanty little food truck, but with immense passion and dedication, they built enough of a ravenous following to set up more permanent roots.
It’s obviously a massive help that they were winners of The Best Food Truck in the Nation two years running, but that was in the past, and after a change in name and venue, B’Wiches was born!
The venue is almost entirely outdoors, with a large and sheltered patio being their only dining space. Obviously, with the year-round warm weather found in Roswell, this was a bold but not altogether insane move for which we can only respect them. There’s no better way to tuck into their street-food-inspired menu. And boy, is it going to blow your socks off!
The first thing anyone will tell you about B’Wiches is their favorite Alienade. Our advice? Try them all. They’re funky and refreshing, and some even sparkle!
But drinks aside, it’s the food we’re really here for. Their sandwiches are so tasty they had their own TV appearance, so there’s no denying that B’Wiches serves up some of the best food in Roswell.
Their quirky menu item names pay homage to the alien conspiracies and, for obvious reasons, the magical world of witchcraft. However, they all have one thing in common, they’re incredibly delicious and creative, with one of their most popular being the Mac’Wich Sandwich.
The entire restaurant exudes fun and cheery atmosphere, and it’s only made better with the help of their incredibly dedicated staff.
Opening Hours: 6:30 am to 2 pm Wed – Sun; 5pm to 8 pm Thurs (Dinner)
Location: 107 Twin Diamond Rd, Roswell, NM
4. The Cowboy Cafe
A charming little restaurant serving homely American cuisine.
The Cowboy Cafe fits into the unhinged atmosphere Roswell is known for. As per the name, this entirely Cowboy-themed venue is full of fun and kitschy decor, with some wonderfully hilarious wall murals popping up everywhere you turn.
It’s an entirely down-to-earth venue off the beaten path, but the trip is well worth it. They embody home cooking and treat every patron as a member of their family, which is perhaps why Roswell locals can’t get enough of it.
But, the major drawing point is the scrumptious homestyle cooking. They serve a deluge of meals, and because they open early at the crack of dawn, you can guarantee they’re cooking up some insane breakfasts. Of course, their generous portions of Biscuits and Gravy fly out of the kitchen when it’s busy, but you can find an array of tasty breakfasts that will sate any appetite.
Their burgers are bigger than your face. And rumor is that if you can eat their whopping 3-pound Cowboss Burger in under 60 minutes, you get it free! If you’re not a competitive eater, perhaps you’d prefer a lighter sandwich or your choice of a delicious Chuck Wagon.
Although the pièce de résistance is their homemade pies, all you have to do is ask your friendly server about the Pie of the Day, and no matter what it is, order it. It’s famous for a reason.
As we mentioned, the venue is about family-friendly service and offers a unique dining experience to anyone who stumbles upon it. While they don’t have much outdoor seating, they have a cozy dining room filled with charm and a lively atmosphere.
As far as we’re concerned, The Cowboy Cafe is one of the best restaurants in Roswell and offers a refreshingly entertaining experience.
Opening Hours: 6 am to 2 pm
Location: 1120 E 2nd St, Roswell, NM
5. Martin’s Capitol Cafe
A down-to-earth family restaurant with a lot of history.
Martin’s Capitol Cafe has been family-owned and operated since 1989 and was inspired by the rich history of New Mexico to bring Roswell residents a taste inspired by the traditional Mexican cuisine early settlers brought to the land.
Their popularity has been on the rise, and they show no signs of slowing down any time soon. They haven’t changed much since they opened their doors, but their pride in their food and service continues to keep them amidst the best restaurants in Roswell.
Martin’s is particularly well-known for the chile, which generously scatters itself throughout their versatile menu and adds an extra kick to some of the dishes. They’re open for breakfast, and the kitchen prepares an extensive array of meals ranging from homely American cooking to spicy Mexican fare. You can have Breakfast Quesadillas or for sweet tooths, try a short stack of fluffy American Pancakes.
Their lunch and dinner options seem endless and feature the best of their traditional Mexican recipes. But, if we could give you any recommendations, it’d be the Stuffed Sopapilla!
Martin’s prides itself on quality, so expect the ingredients to be locally sourced from the incredible farms around Roswell. Everything is fresh and made daily, according to decades-old recipes.
As we mentioned, they deliver incredible service, the owners are passionate about their business, and it reflects in the professionalism of their staff.
In addition, the venue itself is a stroll through time, and while it may not boast excessive frills, it’s perfect for comfortable family dining. The atmosphere is always light and merry, with laughter and good conversation flowing over plates loaded with some of Roswell’s best comfort food.
Opening Hours: 6 am to 8:30 pm Mon – Sat; Closed Sun
Location: 110 W 4th St, Roswell, NM
6. Stellar Coffee Co.
A vibey indoor-outdoor coffee shop serving all-day breakfast with occasional live music.
Keep your eyes peeled for the tell-tale rocket-shaped sign; this is a perfect indicator that you’ve stumbled across Stellar Coffee Co. In all honesty, it’s hard to miss; as one of the best restaurants in Roswell, it attracts quite the crowd from dawn until dusk!
Caffeine addicts will be hooked on kickstarting their day with fresh single-origin brew. Their blends are imported from as far as the shores of Africa, and so is their tea selection. Hot or cold, you can have an out-of-this-world experience on their beverages alone.
And when it comes to the food, we have three words: all-day-breakfasts. Freshly prepared Breakfast Croissants, Eggs, Bacon, you name it, you can have it. We personally adore the Breakfast Croissant, which is a large butter croissant packed full of scrambled eggs, bacon and cheddar cheese.
But if that’s not your thing, don’t worry; they also serve sandwiches, salads, and wraps that take inspiration from around the world. So you can have a Mediterranean Flatbread or a Stellar Lunch Wrap. Most of their options can also easily be converted to suit Vegetarians too.
Don’t forget to look inside the cafe, where the barista station has windows displaying the day’s freshly baked delicacies.
For a small venue, they’ve got a whopping ambiance and offer a range of seating options amongst four different spaces, including two pet-friendly outdoor patios at the front and the back of the restaurant.
If you keep an eye on their social media, you can find all the juicy details on their events, including live music and art days. Or you can find the location of their mobile coffee truck, affectionately nicknamed The Satellite.
Opening Hours: 7 am to 3 pm
Location: 315 N Main St, Roswell, NM
7. Portofino Italian Restaurant
A casual Italian-American eatery with a laid-back atmosphere.
No town would be complete without its own show-stopping Italian restaurant, and in Roswell, that’s Portofino.
This upbeat little venue has been serving Italian staples to the town for years and has hardly changed since opening its doors. After all, there’s no reason to with food as undeniably tasty as theirs. It brings enough of a wow factor to keep hungry patrons coming.
The menu is based on old Italian recipes and mixes in contemporary American fusion. Everything from their pizza to their Veal is a culinary masterpiece born from passion. Their quality is undeniable, and their portion sizes are generous enough to give competitive eaters a run for their money.
The kitchen uses locally sourced ingredients to create flavorful dishes unlike anything you’ve ever had, and like most Italian venues we’ve seen, the menu seems bottomless. Pasta of every kind, Calzones, and dishes that champion a unique ingredient line the pages.
While the thought of choosing is overwhelming, you can simply ask your server to assist. After all, they’ve ensured their staff is knowledgeable and always happy to help with recommendations.
In addition, their bar stocks range from talented local wineries and breweries, so be sure to order your choice of beverage to accompany your meal.
The restaurant has been around for ages and has a rustic charm that flows from outside throughout the warm and encapsulating dining room. Light pours in through the many windows, and a romantic mood is set by subtle music playing softly overhead.
Opening Hours: 11 am to 9 pm Daily
Location: 1203 W 2nd St, Roswell, NM
8. La Escondida
Charming down-to-earth Mexican eatery serving authentic Mexican street foods and other tidbits.
If you wander through Roswell, you’ll be happy to stumble upon La Escondida Cafe. From the outside, it may not seem like much, but it’s what’s on the inside that really matters.
This quaint little Cafe stands out amongst the best restaurants in Roswell, NM because its no-frills approach to dining has produced some unforgettable meals inspired by Mexican Street food.
The menu is not as expansive as others but maintains all the familiar dishes locals have grown to love. Each dish is an elevated tribute to the complex and delightful flavors from South of the border. There’s no need for fine dining here. Instead, La Escondida’s food is meant to be a messy treat.
Their breakfasts are filled with fast-paced scratch kitchen delicacies, including a mysterious sounding Watcha-ma-callit. Breakfast foods have never been more colorful though, and you’ll find that they’re above a standard bacon and egg dish, instead serving loaded omelets, Breakfast Burritos, and perfectly puffy Pancakes.
When it comes time for lunch, the menu transforms into a Mexican buffet (not literally) where every dish imaginable is ripe for the picking. Specialty dishes like the Chilequiles are especially popular among diners but are one of many delicious options available.
As we’ve mentioned, La Escondida Cafe is a no-frills restaurant and, as a result, has a very basic layout. The decor is simple but comforting, with light wood finishes and ample seating at the bar or small tables for you and your family.
Opening Hours: 7 am to 3 pm Daily
Location: 109 N Delaware Ave, Roswell, NM
The Best Restaurants In Roswell, NM: Our Final Thoughts
Roswell is certainly an other-worldly experience; and we’re not just talking about the aliens. The adventures to be had are grand and exciting. From nature trails to exploring Extraterrestrial attractions, you can be sure to work up an appetite.
Whether you’re just passing through or staying a while, there’s plenty of quirky and upbeat restaurants in Roswell, NM to cater to your every need. It’s not just the little green men that are out-of-this-world, but the delicious assortment of cuisine found around this unique New Mexican town.
