Carlsbad Tavern & Restaurant was founded by Michael P. Capriola in 1995, taking its name from Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southern New Mexico. The original location, near Scottsdale Road and Earll Drive, leaned into an eclectic New Mexican theme with bats, Mexican movie posters, Roswell memorabilia, and a newspaper-style menu called The Daily Guano.
In 1998 the restaurant relocated to its current home on Hayden Road, where the cave concept was built out further: a cave-like dining room and bar, plus a patio centered on a water feature known as the Guano Canal.
The kitchen turns out New Mexican dishes like carne adovada, rice and black beans, and other chile-driven plates, alongside a margarita program that includes the prickly pear. Regulars point to the patio, the salsas, and attentive service as reasons they keep coming back.
In 1998 the restaurant relocated to its current home on Hayden Road, where the cave concept was built out further: a cave-like dining room and bar, plus a patio centered on a water feature known as the Guano Canal.
The kitchen turns out New Mexican dishes like carne adovada, rice and black beans, and other chile-driven plates, alongside a margarita program that includes the prickly pear. Regulars point to the patio, the salsas, and attentive service as reasons they keep coming back.