Save up to $1,322 on our trips! Limited spots. Book Now.

Among other things, Santa Fe is known for bringing a medley of cultures together, and this is especially true when it comes to the local food. The city offers everything from Mexican cantinas to African restaurants. Read our list to discover the 10 best restaurants in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Pantry Restaurant

CWA3PC pantry restaurant cafe santa fe nm eighth 8th place 2012 july ranking of top 50 restaurants in new mexico

Established in 1948, the Pantry Restaurant has been a community gathering spot for over 65 years. The friendly neighborhood diner offers a combination of American comfort food classics, as well as New Mexican cuisine. The breakfast menu is served all day and features classics such as waffles, pancakes, omelettes, and French toast. In addition to breakfast, the Pantry prepares sandwiches, burgers, quesadillas, tacos, burritos, meatloaf, and chicken fried steak. Keep an eye out for the chile, curly fries, and guacamole. You may also order a glass of wine, bottle of beer, and a delicious slice of cake for dessert.
Address and Telephone: 1820 Cerrillos Rd. Santa Fe, NM, USA, +1 505 986 0022

Tune-Up Café

CM926X Oct. 31, 2012 – U.S. – The Tune-up Cafe, in Santa Fe, Wednesday October 31, 2012. (Credit Image: © Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal/ZUMAPRESS.com)

Featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, the Tune-Up Café has become locally famous, and it’s no surprise why. The café serves amazing breakfast and brunch, such as house-made granola, corned beef hash, stuffed French toast, pancakes, omelettes, and incredible coffee. Along with breakfast, Tune-Up offers American and Mexican lunch and dinner plates, from everything to salmon tacos to a buffalo burger. Although the café is a great place for families and kids, the restaurant features a full-service bar; the drinks menu includes beer, wine, sangria, sake cocktails, and more. Whether you’re coming in for breakfast or an after-work cocktail, the desserts are a must try. Ask about the pie of the day.
Address and Telephone: 1115 Hickox St. Santa Fe, NM, USA, +1 505 983 7060

Elevation Bistro

E66244 Usa. 15th Aug, 2014. Andres Portugues, the exeutive chef at Elevation Bistro, works in the restaurant’s kitchen in Santa Fe, Friday August 15, 2014. © Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal/ZUMA Wire/Alamy Live News

Located off an ivy-covered alley, this cozy bistro serves gourmet New American cuisine. With a pizza oven covered in mosaic tiles and an outdoor patio adorned with twinkle lights, Elevation Bistro oozes atmosphere. Refresh yourself with a grilled romaine wedge salad, or fill up on a po-boy sandwich made with fried oyster, served with sweet potato fries. The menu features everything from fresh mussels to brick-oven pizza, to grilled cheese to bacon-wrapped steak. Elevation also has quite the impressive wine list, and offers bottled beers, as well as on tap. Ask about gluten-free alcoholic beverages. Before you leave, order the caramelized banana split. You won’t regret it!

Price: Mid-Range

Opening Hours: 11:00am-11:00pm Monday-Sunday

Address and Telephone: 103 E. Water St. Santa Fe, NM, USA, +1 505 820 0363

Watch out for: green chile mac ‘n cheese

Jambo Café

CWA3PM jambo restaurant cafe santa fe nm second place 2012 july ranking of top 50 restaurants in new mexico hispanic

Adjacent to the Santa Fe University of Art and Design, this award-winning cafe has been named the ‘Best International Cuisine’ five years in a row, and has been featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The ethnic restaurant offers traditional African-Caribbean cuisine from a variety of countries, including Kenya, Morocco, Ethiopia, and more. Enjoy dishes such as jerk chicken wings, fried plantain crab cakes, Lamu Coconut tiger shrimp, goat stew, banana leaf wrapped mahi mahi, and Jamaican rum pecan pie for dessert. In addition to serving deliciously exotic meals, Jambo offers monthly classes, demonstrations, fundraisers, live music performances, and more. They even organize a kids’ foundation.
Address and Telephone: 2010 Cerrillos Rd. Santa Fe, NM, USA, +1 505 473 1269

The Shed

Established in a historic adobe hacienda, The Shed provides the people of Santa Fe with warm hospitality and a delicious blend of regional Spanish, and Mexican cuisine. Visit during lunch and enjoy a blue corn tortilla enchilada, gazpacho, or huevos rancheros. Dinner favorites include the blue cheese and walnut salad, green chile plate, and flat iron steak. The menu also features burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and burritos. Following an eclectic tradition, every meal is served with French garlic bread. Show your love for The Shed by purchasing T-shirts, collectibles, and other merchandise. You can even order their famous chile, and other spices, to enjoy at home. Be sure you try one of their numerous signature margaritas, as well as the tequila-based cocktails.
Address and Telephone: 113 1/2 East Palace Ave. Santa Fe, NM, USA, +1 505 982 9030

Loyal Hound

Loyal Hound proves that it’s not one size fits all when it comes to pubs and bars. With its open space concepts and comfortable furniture, this local neighborhood haunt brings together all the best aspects of diners, cafes, and restaurants. The Loyal Hound is the perfect place to visit for an after-work drink, or some late night pub grub. Sip on one of their premium wines or craft beers or have the bartender whip you up an original cocktail. The food menu features snacks, such as deviled eggs and nachos, as well as larger entrée meals, like sandwiches, burgers, and pork and waffles. Be sure to try some of their delicious homemade desserts, and keep an eye out for special events.
Address and Telephone: 730 St. Michael’s Dr. Santa Fe, NM, USA, +1 505 471 0440

Café Pasqual’s

AP64M6 Pasqual’s Restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a popular touristic destination

In business for over 30 years, Café Pasqual’s serves delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine, prepared with fresh and organic ingredients, sourced from the local farmers and growers of Santa Fe. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Café Pasqual’s serves dishes like barbacoa quesadillas, pan seared sea scallops, mole enchiladas, and chile cheese bison burgers. Although many of the menu items feature meats and fish, Café Pasqual’s is equipped to prepare vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes as well. Directly above the restaurant on the second floor is an open art gallery. After your meal, explore and appreciate the lovely artwork created by local and regional artists. The gallery features everything from paintings and drawings, to sculpture and jewelry.
Address and Telephone: 121 Don Gaspar Ave. Santa Fe, NM, USA, +1 505 983 9340

El Parasol

Open since 1958, El Parasol has been providing the people of Santa Fe with delicious Mexican food. The quick and casual joint serves tacos, made with shredded beef, ground beef, chicken, or carnitas. The menu also includes handmade pork and chicken tamales, filling burritos, breakfast burritos, and combo plates. For a perfect blend of New Mexican and classic American, enjoy a cheeseburger, with toppings such as green chile and guacamole. There’s even a tortilla burger on the menu! Watch out for vegetarian options and housemade tortilla chips. You can even purchase a variety of salsas and chiles to pair them with. Call ahead and pick your order up at the restaurant window for convenience.

Address and Telephone: 1833 Cerrillos Rd. Santa Fe, NM, USA, +1 505 995 8015

Casa Chimayo Restaurant

Casa Chimayo is a family-owned restaurant that puts an innovative, modern spin on old family recipes. In a bright and lively atmosphere, enjoy various quesadillas, burritos, fajitas, tacos, and large combo platters and entree plates. Chimayo is known for its sun-dried red chile and roasted green chile, created from fresh pods grown by local Santa Fe farmers. In addition to serving lunch and dinner, Chimayo hosts a fantastic brunch each Sunday morning. Enjoy dishes such as huevos rancheros, huevos con chorizo, blue corn pancakes, and a stuffed breakfast burrito. Pair your meal with a morning mimosa, which is just one of the many great drinks that are available. Casa Chimayo also offers red and white wines, sangria, margaritas, mojitos, and other craft cocktails.
Address and Telephone: 409 W. Water St. Santa Fe, NM, USA, +1 505 428 0391

Clafoutis

JPFPE3 August 1, 2017 – U.S. – Anne-Laure Ligier, left, co-owner, and Charlotte Kolkmeyer serves items from the bakery at Clafoutis restaurant in Santa Fe, Tuesday, August 1, 2017. In the foreground is a galette topped with raspberries. (Credit Image: © Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Wire)

Though Clafoutis is located in the center of Santa Fe, this country chic crêperie will make you feel as if you’ve stepped right into France. Open for breakfast and lunch, this popular restaurant bakes fresh bread and pastries each day, and serves the best crepes in town. Sample savory crepes such as the ham and cheese, or stick with something sweeter, like the crepes made with nutella, caramelized peach, or fresh fruit. In addition to crepes, Clafoutis serves omelettes, French toast, quiches, bruschettas, salads, and sandwiches. If you don’t have time to sit and enjoy your meal, grab a delicious French coffee and tasty pastry to go. The puffs, eclairs, and truffles are among some of the local favorites, so be sure to give them a try.
Address and Telephone: 402 N. Guadalupe St. Santa Fe, NM, USA, +1 505 988 1809

About the author

Shyla has just graduated Lafayette College. Even though she went to school in Pennsylvania, USA, she was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Shyla is an English major, so writing and reading are kind of her thing. She also loves all things Disney, pop culture, TV/movies, and Christmas. Her dog Precious is Shyla's pride and joy and you can often find the two of them walking around in the California sun. Last year, she traveled around Europe for the first time and the next place on her list is Brazil!

close-ad