The Best Santa Fe Restaurants
The Santa Fe restaurant scene has come a long way in recent years. Our artistic inspiration and reputation for sophisticated restaurants attract the finest chefs in the world. They come to Santa Fe to learn how to cook the sought after native food and once learned, these masters of their craft use the distinct local red and green chili to create exquisite entrees. Several chefs have chosen Santa Fe as a permanent residence and location for their restaurants. Others return home and have NM chili shipped to them. My family has been eating the native foods for centuries. On this page I am sharing but a few of top and best restaurants in Santa Fe.
 LA CASA SENA 125 East Palace Avenue - (505) 988-9232 |
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| La Casa Sena is located in the heart of old Santa Fe in the historic Sena Plaza. Featuring innovative American Southwestern cuisine, a fabulous wine list, and a spectacular outdoor patio, La Casa Sena is one of Santa Fe's best and most popular restaurants. For a more casual dining experience, visit La Cantina where you will be entertained by a wait staff performing jazz and Broadway musical reviews nightly. PERSONAL NOTE: I enjoy both the formal and Cantina dining and adore their Lavender Crème Brule! The wait staff singers are fantastic! |
Family Owned and Operated Since 1953, The Shed is located in the Historical Sena Plaza what was originally a Spanish hacienda completed in 1867 (now home to galleries, boutiques, two restaurants, and center garden). It features indoor and outdoor dining and is famous for their blue corn tortilla dishes and its award winning "Shed Burger". PERSONAL NOTE: My Aunt Jo introduced me to The Shed when I was a young girl. Being 5th generation she knew everything there was to know about Santa Fe, including its fine dining. I miss her dearly. |
Residents and frequent visitors have come to love the food at Tomasita's! The restaurant resides in a 1904 red-brick station house at the Santa Fe Railyard (rail service discontinued September 1, 1941). Tomasita's is one of the most popular restaurants in town. They make the best sopapillas! It gets busy but is well worth a wait. Casual ad inexpensive. PERSONAL NOTE: The building for this restaurant is part of the Santa Fe Railyard. As a young boy my father unloaded produce into this building from the trains that came into Santa Fe |
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 CAFE PASQUALS 121 Don Gaspar - (505) 983-9340 |
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| This popular restaurant was originally located on Old Santa Fe Trail next door to the "Round House" (Santa Fe's State Capital Building). Many a politician ate, refreshed their thirst, and talked politics at The Bull Ring. It was a popular drinking hole for politicians and locals alike. PERSONAL NOTE: My friends and I enjoyed the food and libations at The Bull Ring during the late 70's and early 80's. They relocated in the early 90's to their currently located near The Plaza, serve a great steak, and continues to be one of Santa Fe's more popular restaurants. |
Another Santa Fe Favorite! The historic pueblo-style adobe is located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe on the corner of Water Street and Don Gaspar. The cafe is small by any standards, seating only fifty at a time, but each day the kitchen makes enormous quantities of food. PERSONAL NOTE: I have enjoyed many yummy breakfasts here prior to hitting the Santa Fe ski slopes. |
Nationally renounced, perennial award winning Provencal restaurant and wine bar located in the heart of Santa Fe. |
 EL FAROL 808 Canyon Road - (505) 983-9912 |
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| Serving artists, locals, and stray bohemians since 1835, I have still not uncovered which is older, El Farol or the Palace Restaurant & Saloon. PERSONAL NOTE: The food is good and I love the entertainment they provide. It is a very eclectic restaurant and bar. |
The Plaza Cafe, Santa Fe's oldest restaurant, has been serving since 1905. The food prepared is modern interpretations of traditional diner food. Located on the historic Santa Fe Plaza. A favorite among locals, everyone finds what they’re looking for at the Plaza Café! PERSONAL NOTE: My great-grandfather was a master woodworker from Germany. He came to Santa Fe in the 1800's. His son, my grandfather, remodeled this diner. Several years later his son, my uncle, remodeled it and years after that my brother, 4th generation of master woodwork craftsman, remodeled it! |
Serving great true-pit mesquite smoked barbecue. They provide nightly entertainment featuring the best of Santa Fe's singer/ songwriters. A casual, fun restaurant to enjoy a finger licking good meal with family. |
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 VANESSIE 424 W San Francisco Street - (505) 982-9966 |
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| Geronimo has established a reputation as the place to dine in Santa Fe. Located in a 1756 adobe home, the romantic, elegant atmosphere creates a fabulous backdrop for its Global Fusion-Southwest influenced creations. PERSONAL NOTE: My mother was born in an adobe home less than one mile up the road from Geronimo's, an uncle owned a store a few doors up, and I spent the first three years of life just around the corner on Palace Avenue. |
If good food, a friendly atmosphere and top entertainment are your priorities, you will enjoy this restaurant. Fireplaces, exciting art, spaciousness, outstanding piano music and song make Vanessie a local favorite. PERSONAL NOTE: My fathers family lived on San Francisco Street, one block from this restaurant, for 50+ years. I remember the location when it was a family residence. |
Santa Fe's alternative weekly publication "The Reporter", awarded this local favorite the prize for the "Best Comfort Food" in town. An upscale Diner with a great menu. |
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 COYOTE CAFE 132 W. Water Street - (505) 983-1615 |
 EL DORADO HOTEL's OLD HOUSE RESTAURANT 309 W. San Francisco Street - (505) 988-4455 |
| A "locals" Italian restaurant with very moderate pricing, serving regionally authentic cuisine and dishes originating throughout Italy (homemade pastas). A fun and friendly casual setting. |
Located in Downtown Santa Fe near the Plaza this colorful and artistic restaurant serves modern Southwestern cuisine. Food is served at the bar or choose to enjoy a meal at the upstairs cantina (Apr.-Oct.) which provides a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. A Santa Fe hotspot. PERSONAL NOTE: I am partial to their Mango Margarita. |
The formal dining at this hotel is highly acclaimed. PERSONAL NOTE: I am not a big fan of buffets but this hotel serves the best buffet I have experienced anywhere! Reservations Recommended. |
 Back Street Bistro 513 Cam De Los Marques - (505) 982-3500 |
 Santa Fe Bar & Grill 187 Paseo dePeralta (DeVargas Mall) (505) 983-3044 |
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Incredible soups and sandwiches! PERSONAL NOTE: The Hungarian Mushroom soup is out of this world! |
Very tasty NM food. A local favorite. Most visitors wouldn't think of eating at a restaurant in a mall. This is worth trying! |
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BRUNCH IN SANTA FE
SPECIAL NOTE: Menu's and Prices change. PHONE FOR DETAILS INCLUDING WHEN THEY ARE OPEN
El Dorado Court
309 W. San Francisco Street - Reservations (505) 988-4455 ext. 158
Truly one of the best brunches you will ever experience. If you generally do not like brunches, this one will change your mind.
Bishop's Lodge
Bishop's Lodge Rd. Reservations Encouraged (505) 983-6377
The Bishop's Lodge brunch has something for everyone. An entire room plus part of the bar area displays the variety of luscious treats that are served every Sunday from 1 am to 2 pm. The exceptions are Holidays such as Easter and Mothers Day when a grand brunch buffet is served. Regular Sunday Brunch is $32.95. Champagne is available after 12 noon.
Cloud Cliff Bakery Cafe
1805 Second Street - (505) 983-6254
CCloud Cliff is situated in a funky building in the industrial part of town with local art displayed and rotated monthly. This is the spot for meeting your friends where everyone can choose from their coffee drinks and fresh baked breads and pastries to a full breakfast. Cloud Cliff tries to always use organic local eggs, fruits and vegetables. Their hearty breakfasts come with choice of grilled home fries or organic red wehani rice, salsa, and a homemade hearth oven bread basket. Their eggs come from Taos Farms. Some of the special offerings are fritata omelets, huevos rancheros, grilled polenta with eggs, blue corn pancakes, purple walnut French toast, spinach burrito, and breakfast chicken fajitas.
La Posada de Santa Fe Fuego Rancher's Brunch
319 S. Guadalupe St. - (505) 982-2565
At the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning Fuego, innovative foods are infused with flavors reminiscent of classical traditions, and every dish is carefully presented with exceptionally attentive service, focusing on using natural and organic ingredients to bring you the freshest flavors the Southwest.
Cowgirl Hall of Fame
319 S. Guadalupe St. - (505) 982-2565
www.cowgirlsantafe.com
HHowdy Partners! Rustle yourselves in and try a ranch style Brunch offered in this unique restaurant honoring the true cowgirls of history. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 1pm. The menu features organic eggs, great benedicts, breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros and blueberry pancakes. Prices range between 5 and 9 dollars.
Rio Chama Steakhouse
414 Old Santa Fe Trail - Reservations required (505) 955-0765
Rio Chama Steakhouse, Santa Fe's upscale dining and drinking establishment turns Sundays in to a delectable family place for a buffet brunch. Outside patios are available at this time. Examples from the buffet include scrambled eggs, apple smoked bacon, sage sausage, French toast, muffins, sweet breads, Danish, croissants, omelets prepared to your liking, fresh fruits in season, imported cheeses, salad bar, chilled salmon and trout, hot seafood entrée, prime rib, ham, chocolate crepes, cinnamon apple crisp, banana crème pie and fruit pies.
Santa Fe Bar and Grill
1187 Paseo de Peralta (DeVargas Mall) - (505) 983-3044
You may have seen the name Santa Fe bar and Grill in other cities, but this is the Santa Fe Bar and Grill in Santa Fe. The surroundings are warm sunset colors of the southwest with southwest hospitality and courtesy. Easy and free parking is something you may have not heard of in this city, but here it is because it is located in a Mall. Entrees include smoked salmon benedict, huevos rancheros, blue corn and pinon pancakes (if you have never had either in food- you have to try it here in SF) chicken enchiladas, SF rotisserie chicken, salads, and more.
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