44 Best Restaurants in Santa Fe, New Mexico

This cheerful cubbyhole is owned by James Beard Award–winning chef and cookbook author Katharine Kagel, who champions organic, local ingredients, and whose expert kitchen staff produces mouthwatering breakfast and lunch specialties like huevos motuleños (eggs in a tangy tomatillo salsa with black beans and fried bananas) and mahi-mahi tostadas. Dinner offerings range from chicken enchiladas to warm Thai noodle salad. The café's shop offers souvenirs such as cookbooks, aprons, and baseball caps, and there's an art gallery next door selling bronzes, ceramics, glassware, and more. Don't be surprised by the lines out front—it is on every tourist list for a reason (reservations are available for dinner only and strongly recommended).

A Santa Fe hot spot since it opened in 1987, this pioneer of contemporary Southwestern cuisine has been renovated and modernized over the last decade under the guidance of owner Quinn Stephenson. Today, the restaurant serves some of the most consistently perfectly executed cuisine in the city, led by a professional and knowledgeable culinary team. The wine list is one of the most impressive in town, and the cocktails are creative. The adjacent Coyote Cantina sits on the rooftop space and offers a lively social scene with more casual fare. On the ground floor sits the private dining room called the Den, which is available for special-occasion rentals.

This bastion of sophisticated contemporary cuisine occupies the historic Borrego House, built in 1756 by Geronimo Lopez, a massive-walled Canyon Road adobe with intimate white dining rooms, beamed ceilings, wood floors, fireplaces, and cushioned bancos (banquettes). It's a popular destination for a special meal, perhaps local rack of lamb with roasted leeks and a Merlot–natural jus reduction or mesquite grilled Maine lobster tails with a creamy garlic chile sauce. Desserts are artful and rich and the wine list is extensive. The restaurant is known for both its cuisine and its highly refined service, along with steep prices to match. In summer you can dine under the front portal; in winter the bar with fireplace has a sexier, less formal vibe.

Since its 2021 opening, this family-owned and -run restaurant has quickly become one of Santa Fe's favorite dining spots, thanks to chef David Sellers's reputation for great food and his goal of ensuring that Horno remains attainable for locals. Unlike the sticker shock many downtown eateries impose, Horno has a seasonal, rotating menu of delectable street food dishes with global influences at decent prices. It is also one of the few spots open on Monday year-round, making it the go-to hang-out spot when most other restaurants are closed. Sellers was also crowned winner of the popular annual TACO WARS competition in both 2019 and 2023.

An eight-time James Beard nominee, chef/owner James Campbell Caruso is known for his authentic yet creatively updated Spanish tapas, which are served at both his intimate dining room called La Boca, and the more lively, bustling Spanish pub located directly behind it and aptly named Taberna. La Boca has a more leisurely and romantic vibe and its big windows look out onto fashionable Marcy Street, while Taberna offers a livelier, communal atmosphere featuring live music and ample seating, spilling out into a cloistered courtyard. A full meal in either spot can also include authentic paella, and both areas are similarly priced, though the main restaurant is a tad more expensive. In both, you'll find a long list of fine Spanish wines and sherries. La Boca Bodega is another addition where guests can buy olive oils, spices, chorizo, and more. It also features a coffee bar that serves bocadillos (sandwiches), pastries, and charcuterie boards. 

Owner Quinn Stephenson (who also owns fine dining institution Coyote Cafe) now runs this long-acclaimed member of Santa Fe's culinary vanguard with a lighter menu focused on fresh, fusion cuisine, and it remains one of Santa Fe's must-eat destinations. The minimalist, elegant restaurant is located two blocks north of the Plaza in the historic Padre Gallegos House and offers inventive dishes from chef Dale Kester. The playful bronze animal sculptures found both indoors and out add an earthy-yet-ethereal atmosphere. The inviting shaded patio is pretty, quiet, and the place to see-and-be-seen during warm weather while the private dining room seats about 12 and can be rented out for special occasions.

Chef Cristian Pontiggia's enthusiasm and desire for perfection are both evident via the artfully presented dishes served here. The native of Lombardy, Italy, presents elegant food with some whimsical molecular gastronomy flare, and he has racked up multiple awards from the international Chaine de Rotisseurs Society. Guests can treat themselves to an eight-course prix-fixe degustation menu, which includes a smattering of house-made pastas, seafood, meat, cheeses, and dessert (wine pairing is an additional fee). The restaurant also has a full bar with Italian-inspired cocktails, and be sure to check out the on-site deli offering all kinds of wonderful Italian cured meats and cheeses to take home.

Expect to wait in line at this downtown eatery that's been family operated since 1953, serving flavorful New Mexican food and popular margaritas. Even if you're a devoted green chile fan, definitely try the locally grown red chile the place is famous for; it is rich and earthy, with a bit of spice. Other specialties include red chile enchiladas, green chile stew with potatoes and pork, and charbroiled Shedburgers. The large selection of soups and salads will appeal to all visitors, and be sure to save room for their famous mocha cake. The rambling, low-doored, and atmospheric adobe dating from 1692 is decorated with folk art, and they have kept prices remarkably fair considering the iconic location. 

This family-run downtown joint has been in operation since 1974, serving some of the area's best New Mexican breakfasts and lunches. Order anything and expect a true taste of local tradition, including perfectly flaky, light sopaipilla; Tia's delicious burritos stuffed with homemade chorizo disappear fast on Saturday so get there early. Mammoth chile-smothered breakfast burritos will hold you over for hours on the powdery ski slopes during winter. Be aware that the red and green chiles are spicy and you're expected to understand this elemental fact of local cuisine.

With a near-fanatical following for its traditional and creative doughnuts, Whoo's offers mouth-watering flavors that incorporate outside-of-the-box combinations and local flare. For those preferring savory over sweet, try the delicious handheld breakfast burritos. A selection of organic coffee and tea is also available.

Chef Eduardo Rodriguez led some of Santa Fe’s most famous kitchens for nearly 25 years before opening his own eatery, naming it after the north-central Mexican region of his birth. The culinary marriage between the southwestern United States and Mexico shows up in dishes like mole negro chilaquiles (eggs, Chihuahuan cheese, black beans, chicken, and mole sauce) for brunch and whole fried snapper with crab saffron risotto, calabacitas (sautéed zucchini), and salsa Veracruz for dinner. Sweets include flan de elote and churros, and the patio is charming for brunch in warm weather.

There are plenty of spots near the Plaza for grabbing a latte, but this coffeehouse stands out for brewing exceptional house-roasted, single-origin coffees from Guatamala, Kenya, Sumatra, and other java hot spots around the world. You can order a pour-over made with beans of your choosing, or sample the house-made chai, nitro cold brew, and "latitude adjustment" (coffee blended with organic grass-fed butter, MCT oil, and coconut oil). The airy café with exposed-brick walls is in the back of Arcade retail complex on the south side of the Plaza and serves delicious baked goods, too, from sweet treats such as freshly made beignets to lox-and-cream cheese breakfast croissants.

A longtime locals' favorite, Andiamo! scores high marks for its friendly staff, consistently good northern Italian food, and comfortable dining room. Produce from the farmers' market down the street adds to the seasonal surprises of this intimate restaurant set inside a sweet cottage in the Railyard District. Start with the addictively delectable crispy polenta with rosemary and Gorgonzola sauce and consider such hearty entrées as crispy duck leg confit with grilled polenta, dried figs, and sautéed spinach or linguine with spicy grilled shrimp and olives in a shallot, garlic, and tomato sauce. There's a super wine list with varied prices. Save room for the tiramisu or chocolate pots de crème.

Run by the family behind Tia Sophia's and Tomasita's, this casual New Mexican restaurant is where locals go to avoid the crowds at other Downtown eateries. Located inside DeVargas shopping center (just five minutes north of the Plaza), Atrisco offers authentic dishes the way Santa Feans like them—smothered in red or green chile (or both, referred to as "Christmas" style). The stuffed sopaipillas are highly recommended, and the meat loaf with jalapeño mashed potatoes will please the "meat-and-tater" crowd looking for hearty fare at slightly less than Plaza-adjacent prices.

This old-school, regional fast-food chain serves tasty breakfast burritos and juicy burgers. Perfect for a quick bite with the kids, don't forget to get a healthy helping of green chile on your burger.

A rollicking, popular bar and grill with several rooms overflowing with Old West memorabilia, Cowgirl has reasonably priced Southwestern, Tex-Mex, barbecue, and Southern fare. Highlights include barbecue, buffalo burgers, chiles rellenos, and salmon tacos with tomatillo salsa. If you catch one of the nightly music acts—usually rock or blues—you're likely to leave smiling. When the weather is good, grab a seat on the spacious patio out front, order a delicious margarita and some green-chile cheese fries, and settle in for great people-watching. The attached pool hall has a loaded jukebox to keep toes tapping. Alas, service can be spotty.

Slovakian transplant Annamaria O’Brien's bustling bakery and brunch spot is as bright and crisp as her food. The menu borrows a bit from the chef's Eastern European roots with favorites such as paprikash, langos, and goulash, but also features regional American dishes like cornmeal waffles with buttermilk fried chicken and a surprising bone broth "morning soup." The quiche of the day is always delicious. Nearly everything served at Dolina was either grown on the Dolina farm or sourced as locally as possible. After your meal, be sure to peruse the goodies in the bakery case—tarts, pastries, and tvaroh (a ricotta-like fresh cheese) await, best accompanied by a macchiato or Mexican mocha. Make sure you wear your walking shoes as it's nearly impossible to find a parking spot in Dolina's tiny lot.

This neighborhood café-newsstand sells fancy coffees, various snacks, and sumptuous pastries as well as one of the largest assortments of newspapers and magazines in town. The shaded patio is a fun spot to people-watch and a great place to fuel a Canyon Road stroll.

Locals congregate in the courtyard or on the front portal of Downtown Subscription, a block east of Canyon Road. A great, friendly spot to people-watch, this café-newsstand sells coffees, snacks, and pastries, plus one of the largest assortments of newspapers and magazines in town. It has lovely outdoor spaces to sit and sip during warm weather.

This airy, contemporary café across from the Downtown public library has large plate-glass windows, and brushed-metal tables inside and out on the sidewalk under the portal. Try the delicious and creative gelato flavors (strawberry-habanero, brandied cherry, fig-and-walnut, chocolate-banana) or some of the espressos and coffees, pastries, and sandwiches (roast beef and blue cheese, tuna with dill, cucumber, and sprouts).

Considered one of Santa Fe's best food trucks, El Chile Toreado offers hearty, delicious, and affordable New Mexican breakfast and lunch. Although it has made it onto many “must-eat” lists, it has retained both quality and convenience, cementing itself as a perennial local favorite.

The cities of Oaxaca and Santa Fe actually have several things in common (a thriving art scene, a complex history, and fantastic food), and this modern Mexican eatery brings a bite of Oaxacan culture into its dishes based upon Mesoamerican culinary traditions. A tribute to the cuisine of its namesake region, the star of the show here is, of course, mole, which you can enjoy with a number of mouthwatering sauces over meats and vegetables. Diners can also choose from authentic tacos, burritos, and quesadillas with dine-in and take-out options.

Tucked inside a cozy house on busy Guadalupe Street, Fire & Hops turns out flavorful, local, seasonal, and affordable gastropub-style food while also offering a stellar list of craft beers from regional breweries such as Bosque, Bow & Arrow, La Cumbre, Marble, and Ex Novo. Fire & Hops also features an extensive wine and cider list, and reserves a tap for hard kombucha crafted by celebrated local producer HoneyMoon Brewery. Among the food choices, you can't go wrong with the Thai red curry, the Cubano sandwich with beer-brined pork, a generous bowl of expertly executed ramen, or the immensely popular small plates, the most popular of which is crispy fried Brussels sprouts. Be aware that there's no on-site parking except for a pair of handicap-accessible spaces (and a 16-slot bike rack), but it's not too hard to find a spot on the street in the vicinity (check the website for tips on where to park).

The Southwestern-accented and Mediterranean fare created by chef Jose Rodriguez here is beautifully presented, and the scenery, especially during the warmer months, is part of the charm. Get a table on the patio surrounded by hollyhocks, flowering shrubs, and centuries-old adobe walls, or for a musical meal (evenings only), sit in the restaurant's adjacent Club Legato, which features live jazz and talented singers. Some favorite entrées include Moroccan lamb tagine or pan-seared ruby trout. An impressive on-site wine shop sells many of the estimable vintages offered on the restaurant's wine list.

Sister to the Shed restaurant located downtown, La Choza (which means "the shed" in Spanish), serves tasty, traditional New Mexican fare. It's hard to go wrong here: chicken or pork carne adovada (marinated in red chile and slow-cooked until tender) burritos, white clam chowder spiced with green chiles, green chile stew, and the classic huevos rancheros are exceptional. The dining rooms are colorful, dark and cozy, with vigas across the ceiling and local art on the walls. The staff is friendly and competent, and the margaritas are potent and flavorful. Make a reservation (even during the week) or you will easily find yourself waiting over an hour for a table.

Take a break from wandering the markets, stores, and galleries of the Railyard with an adventurous dive into seasonal ice cream flavors like red chile honey, butterscotch miso, citrus basil, and sweet corn (traditionalists can still enjoy a scoop of vanilla bean, mint chip, or chocolate sea salt). Santa Fe native Joel Coleman brings years of experience to this old-fashioned creamery that sources organic dairy and eggs, forgoing preservatives and stabilizers. La Lecheria ice creams are also sold by the pint in select stores and appear on the occasional restaurant dessert menu (visit their website for latest spots). Guests can also find baked goods in their Railyard shop. 

This modern American café has a strong hipster vibe that's in step with the influx of newcomers to Santa Fe who've brought whispers of Portland, Austin, and Santa Monica. The menu features basics done well, including bagels and granola for breakfast and burgers and grain bowls for lunch. The front porch is a great place to have a latte or glass of wine and watch the world go by, and the small gourmet grocery inside has Swedish candies, Spanish olives, French cheeses, and fun soft drinks.