Santa Fe Restaurants

Charles Dale, formerly of Terra, has resurfaced with his own sweet bistro in the space that used to house Aqua Santa. Soupe a l'oignon, salade mesclun, we think the word "bistro" tells you what you need to know!

This year’s winner – last year’s, too – of the annual Santa Fe SouperBowl, this innocuous spot in a Cerrillos Road strip mall is consistently ranked high on TripAdvisor with good reason. African influences and hearty soups sell out daily, and it’s a local’s favorites!

For comfort food with flair and classic desserts, this bright and spacious diner hits the spot. Try a comfy booth or the breezy patio for a satisfying breakfast, lunch or dinner. Three squares, seven days a week, see ya at the Zia!

Classic American dishes are the main attraction here, with large portions of fresh vegetables accompanying well-prepared favorites like steak, rack of lamb, and fresh grilled salmon. After dinner, the piano bar swings!

Sister venue of the San Francisco Street Bar & Grill, the mall location should not get in the way. Pub classics, a variety of beers on tap and a happy atmosphere make this a favorite of locals.

This downtown pub on the Plaza offers a nice selection of brews, a classic burger and a variety of salad selections, all at affordable prices, so you can splurge on another night in Santa Fe.

A clubby, upscale atmosphere and a classy menu enhanced by Southwestern flourishes set this one apart from your average steakhouse, and the bar menu is one of the best in town with a classy copper bar at which to linger.

This warmly elegant restaurant in a historic compound is known for its exciting wine list and a flourish of local flavor on the menu of classics. In warmer weather, opt for outdoor seting in one of the city’s lushest patios. For more casual dining, the adjacent Casa Sena Cantina offers lighter dishes delivered by singing waiters!

It really IS dinner for two, with a four-course tasting menu too! Moderately priced and family-operated, this warm and welcoming spot also invites larger parties to sample an extensive wine list over a leisurely dinner.

This classic downtown steakhouse serves most items a la carte, and they’re definitely big enough to share. Don’t let the odd location, tucked behind a bank building, fool you – you won’t leave this place hungry!

Years of consistency yield a serene Asian oasis, offering perfectly prepared tempura, sushi and other Japanese classics, with the chefs-owners always close at hand to ensure quality and satisfaction.

You’ll have to drive to get there, but you’ll be really glad you did! Fresh and affordable, this kitchen turns out some of the tastiest Asian food in Santa Fe, just as good for a tailgate take-out as it is in the restaurant.

This tiny spot exists for the days when you want spicy food but you don’t want Mexican. Tucker behind the city parking lot on Water Street, the luncheon buffet is always popular.

Charles Dale, formerly of Terra, has resurfaced with his own sweet bistro in the space that used to house Aqua Santa. Soupe a l'oignon, salade mesclun, we think the word "bistro" tells you what you need to know!

Provencal cuisine paired with terrific wine is always a winner, and this place serves them in a warmly congenial setting with a patio designed for lingering. Check out the wine bar for an extensive list of wines by the glass and daily specials.

The Southwest goes to Paris via this elegantly minimal restaurant featuring continental classics with just a hint of chile to liven things up. Choose the sleek dining room, the tranquil patio or the lively bar for a different experience each time.

Still in the same La Fonda Hotel spot where they first opened years ago, this simple cafe is an easy daytime choice for a bowl of soupe a l’oignon, a quick cappucino or chocolate croissant to pick you up for an afternoon on the Santa Fe Plaza.

A brunch or lunch delight, with fresh and delicious country salads, excellent sandwichs and a vast selection of pastries, which amply make up for the parking challenge. Breakfast and lunch only.

Yes, a real bakery, real croissants! Serving a civilized breakfast and lunch, you can have crepes all day!

You just might score a rooftop table overlooking a slice of Santa Fe, but either way, the slice you’re eating will be delicious! Artisanal pizza choices, salads and microbrew selections make this a pleasant option for casual dining downtown.

One of the few establishments in town that stays open past 10 p.m., this moderately priced mainstay features an award-winning wine list, an extensive menu of Italian favorites and gourmet thin-crust pizza.

One of Santa Fe’s most authentic Italian kitchens and a fine wine list draw regulars to this casually elegant spot, where freshly made pasta and stone-baked pizzas top the list of favorites.

Well-priced, creative Italian dishes in a lively setting are the highlight at this trattoria-style restaurant, located right in the heart of downtown, making it simple to stroll down to the Plaza after dinner.

The modest exterior and simple decor belie the complexity of flavors emerging from the kitchen; the inventive Italian-style menu also features pizzas and salads, with additions from the new owners. Ask for specific directions so you don’t pass it by!

Housed in a former train depot, this popular spot serves plentiful and wallet-friendly New Mexican dishes to the crowds of locals and travelers who line up for their chile fix. No reservations, but the line moves along quickly, and so does the kitchen!

Start the day like a local! Join the downtown business people for breakfast burritos, or sample chiles rellenos and other New Mexican fare at lunch at this old-time hangout.

The quintessential Santa Fe eatery occupies a centuries-old building and serves up classic chile-infused New Mexican fare. Wash it down with a pitcher of sangria, and you’ll think you’re back in the days when New Mexico was the northern capital of New Spain.

After a brief interlude, “The Pink” is back, thanks to original owners, the Hoback Family! This old-time hangout with classic decor serves up New Mexican fare and popular signature dishes created by founder, Rosalea Murphy, with a lively bar scene in the adjacent Dragon Room.

Tucked away next door to the Inn, this casual, family-owned spot serves up classic cuisine from Old Mexico. along with the best of New Mexican fare.

Known mainly for their unbelievably extensive margarita menu, northern New Mexico dishes help make this casual eatery a local favorite. It can be noisy, but it’s always fun!

Sister property to the Shed, the out of the way location should not deter! Fresh, flavorful New Mexican fare makes this a repeat destination for local diners who want to be seated quick and enjoy their burritos!

This popular hangout serves up authentic New Mexican fare as well as less-fiery cuisine in a charming adobe with patio seating in season. No reservations accepted, so go early to avoid a wait.

If you’re tired of eating it New Mexican-style, try it Mexican-style, with soft corn tortillas making for a great fish taco and some mighty big burritos. With two locations, Bumblebee Bob’s “bee-stro” is as popular with locals as it is with visitors!

Don’t let the mall location faze you, these folks know their chile! Another branch of the Tomasita’s/Tia Sophia’s/Diego’s familia is back in business at the DeVargas Mall, serving up fresh and tasty New Mexico specialties, with lighter-size platos available. And their long-standing connection to the Farmers’ Market makes this a real farm-to-table meal!

The newest entry in the tapas derby, this one adds in touches of the Middle East to spice up its creative, ever-changing menu. The small tables and lively buzz are part of the convivial vibe, so save that intimate tete-a-tete for later, and go for the fun.

Another exciting tapas restaurant, this congenial spot would be as at home in Madrid as it is in downtown Santa Fe. Wash down the tapas and paella with a Spanish wine or an oloroso sherry, or drop by their Chispa bar for live music and a nitecap.

Santa Fe’s oldest bar and restaurant, this historic spot on Canyon Road offers the some of the best people-watching in town, a happening bar with live music and a sophisticated menu of tapas and other Spanish specialties. This one’s a must!

Not just vegan and veg, the Treehouse also offers breakfast and lunch with gluten-free baked goods to satisfy the sweet tooth and still be diet-conscious!

Ensconced in the location of the old Aztec Cafe, this new spot offers vegan and vegetarian treats and gluten-free choices for those who eat alternatively, as well as coffee, tea and pastries.

Not really new to Santa Fe, just to our list! For vegans and vegetarians, and meat-eaters who want to eat with them, this is the spot. Fresh and unique cuiine that doesn’t make you feel like you are eating sawdust, and the most delectable chocolate truffles to end a meal. This is one of Santa Fe locals’ special spots!

This year’s winner – last year’s, too – of the annual Santa Fe SouperBowl, this innocuous spot in a Cerrillos Road strip mall is consistently ranked high on TripAdvisor with good reason. African influences and hearty soups sell out daily, and it’s a local’s favorites!

One of the earliest proponents of fusion fare, this pan-Asian-cum-Southwestern favorite occupies a historic building with a central courtyard for al fresco dining in clement seasons.

Martin Rios is back! This James Beard award-winner is finally back in the kitchen at his new location to bring his mouth-watering and tummy-warming fare to his fans. Look to see fresh seasonal ingredients in sophisticated presentations, lunch and dinner with brunch on weekends.

No need to avoid hotel fare at this venerable spot, and the award-winning wine list and haute cuisine with a Southwestern accent distinguish it admirably.

Housed in a historic building and considered one of Santa Fe’s finest restaurants, Geronimo gets consistent raves for its tasteful decor, professional service and outstanding menu of Continental cuisine updated with Asian influences and Southwestern flair.

In a nutshell, Galisteo Bistro is a chef-owned operation where the food is made by hand, with the owners on the floor each night assuring that the food is good and their guests are happy. Featuring hearty home cooking in the blended spirits of Italy, Spain, New Orleans, and the New England coast, you’ll find a good rendition of the cuisine of several cultures and regions.

This is the place that first put upscale Southwestern cuisine on the map, and it’s still a winner! For a lighter meal in a lively atmosphere, try the open-air, rooftop Coyote Cantina next door, but note that the Cantina does not take reservations.

One of Santa Fe’s original fine dining choices, the Compound offers fresh seasonal choices by a James Beard award-winning chef, a dining room wisely maintained in the original design by Alexander Girard, creator of the Folk Art Museum, and the best parking on Canyon Road.

The menu of organic and sustainably grown dishes spiced with Asian and Latin American flavors is one of the most imaginative in town. The decor is festive and the fun is contagious – and if you ask to be seated at the community table, you’re sure to meet some interesting dinner companions. Cafe Pasqual was the only New Mexico restaurant recently named on a list of “Restaurants Worth the Money” in the October 2009 issue of Gourmet Magazine.

Hardly new to Santa Fe, we're glad the Palace is back! With a beautiful face-lift, this downtown institution has returned to the fold. Though not easy for vegetarians and vegans, the kitchen turns out ample portions of delicious classics, with live music on the weekends.