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Red or Green: Chef-Guided New Mexican Lunch Immersion

4.9 ★ · 122 reviews · from USD149

Red or Green: Chef-Guided New Mexican Lunch Immersion

Skip to the front of the famously long lines to savor authentic New Mexican flavors with a seated luncheon at one of Santa Fe’s most beloved generational eateries. Enjoy award-winning chile, top-shelf Margaritas, artisan confections and our rich local history on this flavorful journey. Led by a formally trained culinary expert, this immersive lunch tour explores the origins and evolution of NM’s distinct cuisine through a guided comparative tasting that highlights the key differences between Mexican and New Mexican flavors. To elevate the experience, we’ll celebrate Santa Fe’s status as the Margarita Capital of America with a top-shelf margarita pairing for each course, showcasing different styles and expressions of this iconic cocktail. After indulging in a feast of local flavors, we’ll finish on a sweet note with a locally inspired dessert at Santa Fe’s premier craft ice creamery.

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4.9 ★ · 122 reviews
  • Nearly every reviewer singles out Lauren by name as the tour's defining element, describing her as knowledgeable, warm, funny, and genuinely passionate about New Mexican food and culture — several noted that her chef background gave the experience a depth that set it apart from a typical walking tour.
  • The central concept of the tour — tasting New Mexican and Mexican cuisine side by side — resonated strongly across reviews, with many travelers saying it was the most effective way to understand the differences between the two culinary traditions, including how honey, chile variety, and margarita style all shift the flavor experience.
  • Specific stops drew consistent praise: La Choza was called out as living up to its reputation, with the enchiladas and margarita pairings frequently mentioned as highlights, while the green chile ice cream at the end of the tour repeatedly caught guests off guard in the best way.
  • Multiple reviewers appreciated the small group size, noting it created an intimate, almost private-tour feel where everyone could hear Lauren clearly and conversations flowed naturally — at least one traveler mentioned arriving solo and leaving feeling like part of the group.
  • A practical theme that appeared across many reviews was Lauren's habit of offering bonus recommendations for restaurants, activities, and shopping beyond the tour itself, with several guests saying this added real value to the rest of their Santa Fe trip — and a few advising others to book it early in their stay for that reason.
  • Reviewers with specific needs found the tour accommodating: at least one guest noted full accessibility for a mobility scooter with no navigation issues, and another mentioned that Lauren arranged mocktails without any fuss — suggesting the experience is flexible for a range of dietary and physical needs.

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor.

✓ Locally inspired food and beverage tastings.

✓ Fun, passionate and knowledgeable local guide

✕ Hotel pick up and drop off

✕ Customary gratuity for your guide

1

Guided walking tour of the Farmer's Market

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Guided walking tour

We meet underneath the Santa Fe Railyard Water Tower. This is directly across the railroad tracks from the Violet Crown movie theater.