Legal Tender Saloon & Eating House

What an awesome spot! Definitely worth stopping to grub it up.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Feels like the Wild West. Everyone and everything was great. Will come again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place was welcoming, unforgettable & a place that all should patron.

We were staying at The Hamilton by the restaurant & walked in on a Sunday evening with no reservations & 3 young kids. Admittedly, we didn’t know what type of restaurant it was but we gave it a shot as it was close. (Would totally recommend reservations as the place filled up quickly within 15min of us arriving)

The entry bar counter was full & there was an 8-person table with a few duos seated throughout the restaurant.
We were sat quickly, given water & menus.

Our server was attentive & informed us that there are a few kid dishes off menu that ours may like & upon hearing that there were burgers, all 3 of ours immediately said yes!
Our table ordered quite a bit:
2 House margaritas, 2 old fashioned, a green chili burger, green chili stew, 3 kid burgers, a cobbler, sundae & slice of key lime pie.

All of it was fantastic! What sealed the deal for our experience was chatting with chef & restauranteur Murphy O’Brien and having the warmest conversation that included his personal recommendations for local places to eat at throughout New Mexico. He was also so enthusiastic about sharing the restaurants history & all of the work that has gone into making it what it is today. We were grateful to have chatted with him & learn the history of The Legal Tender.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent drinks. Delightful atmosphere and building. Wonderful waitstaff. Lousy food. I had the quesadillas. There’s barely a forkful of meat in them. Food was airport quality with airport prices. The waitstaff, drinks and atmosphere are fabulous. I suggest popping in for a drink- maybe a snack, but don’t come expecting a great meal.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 5

Beautiful, quaint and historic! We had no idea what to expect, we just wanted to try something different, and different we got!

Perfect atmosphere, great drinks and high quality, yet simple food that was very tasty, especially for the modest price. Really friendly, attentive staff that all were very accommodating. We loved the fact that there's zero cell service, which makes the experience a bit more enjoyable they have wi-fi for those who can't go without).

Overall a really unique, wonderful experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing place amazing staff

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A hidden gem with soul, history, and hospitality!

The Legal Tender in Lamy is a true New Mexico treasure — off the beaten path and absolutely worth the drive. Housed in an old saloon brimming with Old West charm and rich history, the atmosphere alone is enough to make you fall in love. But what really makes this place shine is the people.

Murphy, the owner, is an incredible host who makes you feel like a longtime friend the moment you arrive. Wally adds warmth and character that gives the place its heart, and our regular server Sarah always takes exceptional care of us — attentive, kind, and genuine every time.

The food? Consistently excellent. Every dish is thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor, whether you're stopping in for a casual bite or celebrating something special.

We keep coming back, and every visit feels like coming home. Can’t recommend The Legal Tender enough!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place was really cool and has so much history. It was a treat to come here! The food was amazing, and the servers and staff were kind and friendly. Highly recommend if you're willing to make the trip!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fantastic atmosphere, GREAT food, excellent service, reasonable prices for sure.
Our waitress Victoria was simply excellent, contributing mightily to the positive experience with her sunny attitude.
Walter/Wallie, the business manager, came to the table and told us mesmerizing stories of the saloon, with a picture book to prove it. Our party had members who came to the saloon with their parents - and Wallie's stories and the pictures brought back very happy memories.
We'll be back for the dance- and music performances! You bet ya!
Very warmly recommended!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The atmosphere here is truly captivating. The artistic details create a sense of wonder and inspiration. It's easy to see why this has become a cherished spot. The bar adds a touch of elegance and sophistication. I find myself drawn to the unique charm of this place. Make sure you try the green chile cheeseburger!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Went to Lamy to buy a sofa and ended up with a gem of a restaurant.
Great food, service and atmosphere.
Highly recommend this place!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

besides food, back in the day. you can't get more authentic western then this place. My greatest joy was playing music 🎶 on their old stage, and by the railroad tracks and station(Depot) across the street. 😎 miss and love this place ❤️

Lunch for 6. Seated in the area called the Stage. Fine service. $100 plus for my wife and I. Trout for her, chicken liver pate for me. 3 glasses of wine. I don't know how they keep up staffing being so relatively remote.

Beautiful.... old restaurant 1881

Very unique restaurant. Nothing like it anywhere in my experience
We love the Sunday drive back to rt 14, many options