Hands down, Taos Pizza Out Back (712 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, 575/758-3112, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri. and Sat., $12) serves the best pie in town, using mostly local and organic ingredients. A glance at the menu—with items such as Thai chicken, green chile and beans, and the popular portobello-camembert combo—often makes first-timers blanch, but after a bite or two they’re converts, like everyone else in town. Soups and salads are also available if you want to round out your meal.
Longtime local favorite Apple Tree (123 Bent St., 575/758-1900, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon. and Tues., 11:30–3 p.m. and 5–9 p.m. Wed.–Sun.) has perfectly decent Italian-ish food—but it also has one of the nicest patios in town, centrally located for a handy shopping break. Lunch here, in the dappled shade with flowers all around, is particularly lovely, and most dishes are $10 or less; most dinner entrées are under $20.