Restaurants in Santa Fe
-
Gabriel’s
It’s worth the 12-mile drive north of Santa Fe to eat at Gabriel’s. The scenic patio and beautiful interior, hung with Miguel Martinez’s art, are fabulous spots to enjoy fresh guacamole, made to order at your table, excellent New Mexican cuisine and even better ribs. Plan to drop by if you’re headed to the flea market or points north.
reviewed
-
A
Cloud Cliff Bakery
Slip on some Birkenstocks and drop by for a stack of groovy blue corn pancakes (around US$6). Rainbow trout wraps (around US$9), organic lamb and quinoa (around US$9), and soups and sandwiches are served alongside organic wines and microbrews. As for side helpings, look for lefty commentary, live music, poetry or lectures.
reviewed
-
B
La Plazuela
Make reservations to dine on pork medallions in prickly pear-Tecate barbecue sauce, chipotle-glazed filet mignon and other gourmet goodies at this lovely spot in the painted-glass heart of La Fonda hotel, where local artist Ernest Martinez has graced more than 400 windows with his paintings over the last 50 years.
reviewed
-
C
La Cantina at Coyote Café
This lively rooftop cantina atop famed sister restaurant, Coyote Café, welcomes budget gourmets to sample chef Mark Miller’s cut-rate creations. Try the Oaxacan chicken mole ($11), spit-roasted pork tacos with pineapple ($13) and the signature mango margarita ($8). Sunsets are fabulous.
reviewed
-
D
Blue Corn Café & Brewery
This friendly brewpub wins awards for its Atomic Blonde Ale, High Altitude Pale Ale and others, served alongside burgers (around US$8), carne asada (around US$14) and Chuy's chalupas ($8). Live music, too.
reviewed
-
E
Bobcat Bite
Often voted as serving the Best Burger in Santa Fe by locals, this relaxed roadhouse beneath the neon really does an outstanding green chile cheeseburger ($7). The steaks are pretty darn good too.
reviewed
-
F
Shohko Cafe
Did you expect anything less? Even sushi comes Santa Fe-style - try the cream cheese and green chile roll. They also serve bento boxes at lunch and teriyaki dishes for folks who don't do raw fish.
reviewed
-
G
Railyard Restaurant & Saloon
Housed in a corrugated tin warehouse in the up-and-coming, gritty-artsy Railroad District, this conventional steaks-and-chops house also offers pastas, sandwiches and a bar menu. Service is good.
reviewed
-
H
Tesuque Village Market
In the wooded, horsy, upscale village of Tesuque, grab gourmet groceries or an excellent lunch - from subtle cheeses to various fajitas - and enjoy them on the pleasant outdoor porch.
reviewed
-
I
Café Pasqual’s
Make reservations for dinner if you’d like, but definitely wait in line to enjoy the famous breakfasts. We highly recommend huevos motuleños ($12), made with eggs and black beans, sautéed bananas, feta cheese and more; tamale dulce ($12), a sweet corn tamale with fruit, beans and Mexican chocolate; or the enormous Durango ham-and-cheese omelet ($13). They’re all served up in a festive, if crowded, interior. Grab a seat faster by sitting at the community table, where tourists and locals mix it up daily.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Tara’s Organic
Ice cream is what to order at Tara’s Organic, after you’ve had your fill sampling the tasty lunch specials. All the ingredients are locally grown – the lavender comes from Los Poblanos, a small town near Albuquerque, the green chiles are harvested on an Espanola farm. But back to the ice cream: Rosemary’s combined caramelized pear and allspice is the latest in a stable of all natural ice-cream flavors that often taste as wild as the nearby mountains – sage anyone?
reviewed
-
J
Jinja
Asian fusion cuisine and tropical cocktails make this bright spot a place to linger. Choose from among Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, and Malaysian-style mains, but whatever else you do, don't miss the wasabi mashed potatoes. The kids' menu keeps young ones happy and the drinks menu inspires adults to be bold - try a Polynesian 'party bowl' with four straws (around US$29) or a Thai martini (around US$9) with lime vodka and house-made lemongrass syrup.
reviewed
-
K
Compound
A long-time local foodie favorite, the Compound features the contemporary American creations of Mark Kiffin, recognized by the James Beard Foundation as the Best Chef of the Southwest in 2005. The acclaimed seasonal menu draws on the elegant flavors of Southwestern and Mediterranean cooking. Ingredients are always fresh, and the presentation perfect. Come when there’s reason to celebrate – the wine list includes several top-notch champagnes.
reviewed
-
L
Baja Tacos
Nosh on New Mexican classics - including an extensive vegetarian menu and good carne adovada - inside the cramped interior or at the drive-through. And here's a bonus: the amazing mural outside, Her Story is a Part of Our History, by noted area artists Julia Coyne and Amberleigh, uniquely depicts Santa Fe's cultural heritage, showing San Ildefonso potter Maria Martinez , flamenco maestra Maria Benitez and painter Georgia O'Keeffe .
reviewed
-
M
Del Churro Saloon
It serves giant, inexpensive margaritas and delicious pub grub (try a burger or the cheese stuffed peppers) – it’s no wonder Governor Bill Richardson chooses to dine here. Inside the Inn of the Governors hotel, this popular pub is an atmospheric place with copper-topped tables, lots of vegetation and a blazing fire in the winter. In summer the patio opens up and tables spill onto the sidewalk. It serves food well into the night.
reviewed
-
N
Julians
Bring a date to one of Santa Fe's most romantic dining rooms and together enjoy authentic Italian creations and a fine wine list in a soft, jazzy atmosphere. You can't get a more delicious seafood stew outside of Italy than the Caciucco alla Livornese, a mix of shrimp, lobster, clams, mussels, halibut and squid cooked to perfection in a distinctive tomato sauce. Veal aficionados can order the tender, rich Osso Buco alla Milanese.
reviewed
-
O
Plaza Café
Serving hearty meals since before the roads were paved, this Formica-furnished 1918 establishment still makes one of the best breakfasts around and offers great New Mexican food. (The café's 'not responsible for chile that is too hot.') It prides itself on a varied menu, welcomes kids and offers an unusual perk - a list of New Mexico politicians' phone numbers. Give someone a ring and let them know what you think.
reviewed
-
P
Fuego
Remember the old adage 'location, location, location?' Here it's all about service, service, service. Special events are exclusive - scotch and cigar tastings anyone? - but the classy Sunday brunches also pamper palates with Dungeoness crab strudel and asparagus lobster omelets. Lighter dishes like bouillabaisse and ginger soup are offered at the bar (aka the Staab House). Prepare to be spoiled - in a good way.
reviewed
-
Q
Cowgirl BBQ & Western Grill
A fun place for all ages, thanks to the great playground, wacky Western-style feminist flair, outside patio and live music after 9pm, this restaurant has fabulous food and awesome margaritas. Everything is tasty, but Cowgirl’s is known for its barbecue brisket – order it in a quesadilla with green chile. After dark, order smoky mescal margaritas and play a game of pool in the new billiards room.
reviewed
-
R
Chocolate Maven Bakery & Cafe
Foodies arrive early for decadent breakfasts - strawberries-and-cream waffles, cheesy eggsadillas - and up-close views of the bakers prepping food behind a large glass wall. Part of the fun is finding the place; it's hidden in a nondescript warehouse. As for the chocolate - from chocolate almond crepes to Mayan Chile hot chocolate - there's a sinful array of choices. Bakery items and drinks available to go.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
SantaCafé
Chef David Sellars is practically an international celebrity because of dishes like roasted poblano chile rellenos with three-mushroom quinoa and chipotle cream ($19). Housed in an 1850s adobe built by the infamous Padre Gallegos, SantaCafé also boasts the best courtyard in town for summertime dining. Lunch is a deal, the wine list flawless and the dining room historical. In short, perfection.
reviewed
-
T
Tomasita’s
Locals hate to admit it, but they love this tourist standby for its outstanding green chile, served atop excellent burritos, enchiladas and, on weekdays, huge $10 blue-plate specials. Save room for desert – sopaipillas with honey butter are included with the mains. It’s a raucous place, perfect for families hauling exuberant kids. Prepare to wait; the restaurant is always packed.
reviewed
-
U
Andiamo!
Everyone from hipsters to hippies will tell you that this is more than just another restaurant with an extensive, award-winning wine list, fabulous antipasti (around US$9), penne with spicy lamb sausage (around US$15), and a roster of authentic Italian desserts. Yeah, yeah, yeah... It's also really an excuse to see and be seen. You're likely to face a packed house, so make reservations.
reviewed
-
V
315 Restaurant & Wine Bar
Chef/owner Louis Moskow creates Provencal-inspired sensations like braised veal with truffle jus (around US$20) and duck breast with fried cherries (around US$24). The prix fixe menu (around US$27) served Sunday through Thursday (17:30-19:00) is a great deal. And while the excellent wine list alone is adequate reason to visit the wine bar, call ahead about special food and wine events.
reviewed
-
W
Al Di La
Locals swear this is the best authentic New York pizza in town. Just walking into the casual restaurant, you’re hit with a delicious array of smells. The place is usually packed, has a congenial atmosphere, nightly specials and quite a few pasta, meat and chicken dishes should you not want pizza. Call ahead and order takeaway to eat at your hotel. Alcohol is not served.
reviewed
