Lots of places in New Mexico offer farm-to-table dining. But most of them don’t serve you fresh food at a restaurant that’s actually located on a farm. That’s what sets Roots Farm Café apart. This adorable restaurant is tucked away in the town of Tijeras, on a horse-powered farm.

Tijeras is a community of 541 people, which is known for its musical highway. Although the town is only about 15 miles east of Albuquerque, and the farm is close to I-40, it feels a world away from Duke City.

Owners Daniel Puccini and Kendall Rattner cultivate just a few acres of land. The small farm uses sustainable growing methods and is very conscious of the need for water conservation, relying on rainfall and snowmelt for irrigation.

The crops produced here become ingredients in the dishes served at the café. When that isn’t possible, supplies are sourced from other local growers.

As a result, menus are seasonal. However, the breakfast burrito and turkey panini remain popular choices and diners are devoted to the café’s cookies. Other typical fare includes granola and quiche at breakfast, and soups, wraps, and salads at lunch.

The soft drinks menu is extensive and heavy on coffee. Even the most discerning caffeine fans will be satisfied with the quality of the coffee.

You'll want to linger in this homey environment, nursing a cup of joe and savoring your brief reprieve from the outside world.

Roots Farm Café just opened in 2016. It serves breakfast and lunch between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.

Puccini and Rattner are dedicated to sustainability and also offer a non-profit learning center on site. There, people of all ages can learn skills like canning, natural building methods, and dry-farming. For more information on these programs, call (505) 900-4118.

Roots Farm Café is located at 11784 State Highway 337 in Tijeras.

If you'd like to prepare farm-fresh meals at home, head to one of these 10 New Mexico Farmers Markets.