Fully updated June 2025. Originally published February 2024.
After two trips to Santa Fe, I’m sharing my guide on where to eat, the best restaurants, and where to get New Mexican cuisine. One of my favorite Southwest destinations, Santa Fe, has a fun dining scene with a range of restaurants, and well worth planning a few reservations.
I’ve had the pleasure of taking two trips to Santa Fe, the first being last fall and most recently this spring. I revisited a few favorites and then added in some new ones I wanted to try. I think the food scene in Santa Fe is quite unassuming and is a highlight of a trip there.
There’s more to taste in Santa Fe than its signature New Mexican food. The city is also home to incredible African and Caribbean food, several top-notch Mexican establishments, and barbecue specialists.
So, as you begin to plan out your trip to Santa Fe, this guide will help you decide which places to reserve in advance and where to eat while there. Here’s my list of the city’s top dining destinations, and the restaurants you don’t want to miss in Santa Fe.
Planning a Trip to Santa Fe? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels in Santa Fe:
- Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, for the best luxury hotel
- Hotel Santa Fe, for the best quintessential Santa Fe hotel
Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip
If you’re seeking more to do in Santa Fe, don’t miss my list of 23 essential things to do in Santa Fe!
The Best Restaurants in Santa Fe
Where to Eat for New Mexican Cuisine in Santa Fe
Cafe Pasqual’s
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Cafe Pasqual’s is a must-visit when in Santa Fe. The menu is filled with locally inspired dishes—think enchiladas, corn pancakes with red chile, and roasted poblano mac and cheese—all made with organic ingredients. Expect to wait in line for a table, as it’s a very popular stop, but it’s worth it. During the wait, you can pop into the Cafe Pasqual’s art gallery next door for ceramics, sculptures, and more.
The Shed Restaurant
If there’s one Santa Fe restaurant that gets the most buzz among visitors, it’s The Shed. Part of Santa Fe’s dining scene since 1953, it’s known for serving up classic New Mexican dishes, such as red chile enchiladas and other blue corn specialties. I enjoyed sitting in the inner courtyard, which had a lovely atmosphere. Reservations are essential, as this place gets packed.
Tia Sophia’s
Tia Sophia’s has been attracting both tourists and locals alike to its charming space for more than three decades. Through dishes including its iconic breakfast burritos and red chile cheese enchiladas with a corn tortilla, Tia Sophia shares the culinary heritage of the region and celebrates the flavors of New Mexico. Both the setting and the dishes are colorful and unfussy.
Where to Book for Fine Dining in Santa Fe
Geronimo
Geronimo is the place to go in Santa Fe for an elegant dinner and flawless service. Set in a 1756 adobe home, Geronimo features an eclectic and global menu, but the fine dining experience feels distinctly New Mexican thanks to the surrounding kiva fireplaces and exposed wooden beams. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a more upscale meal in the city.
Sazón
One of the best Santa Fe restaurants, Sazón has been wowing Santa Fe diners since 1991 with its takes on both contemporary and traditional Mexican dishes. It’s Mexico City-born chef, Fernando Olea, nabbed the Best Chef of the Southwest 2022 James Beard Award in part thanks to his complex Mexican moles. The restaurant’s deliberately small menu emphasizes locally sourced meats and produce. I ate here this last trip, and loved the choice of moles with nuts, chocolate, and chile.
The Compound
The Compound is a perfect setting for an upscale lunch. The concept is French-meets-New Mexico, and it makes for an exciting Modern American menu and elevated dining experience. This restaurant was my favorite for more refined dining, and I loved their seasonal dishes, such as poached pear with blue cheese on toast. The restaurant also has an award-winning wine list with more than 500 selections.
La Boca
La Boca is a perfect destination for an intimate, contemporary dinner right in the heart of downtown Santa Fe. Opened in 2006 by an 8-time James Beard Award nominee, it’s a Spanish restaurant and wine bar featuring an extensive and curated menu of wines and sherries. Expect to find elevated takes on familiar tapas, such as patatas bravas, fried shrimp, and grilled artichokes, along with paellas.
Where to Eat for Breakfast in Santa Fe
Dolina Cafe & Bakery
Just outside of Santa Fe’s main downtown is Dolina Café, a modern Slovak-inspired eatery. While it’s difficult to walk past the pastry case in front, which is brimming with cakes, cookies, pies, and croissants, it’s worth it to sit down for a full brunch. The menu features both Eastern European dishes and brunch classics—my cinnamon French toast was incredible, and it’s made in-house daily.
Where to Get a Coffee in Santa Fe
La Mama
One of my favorite stops in town is La Mama. You can go in for lunch or breakfast, but I really enjoy the matcha here and the coffee bar. If you’re looking for small provisions, there is a great curated selection here as well.
Modern General Feed & Seed
Cute little cafe just outside of downtown for coffee and a light breakfast fare. It also has a full store inside to peruse!
Kakawa Chocolate House
Kakawa is well known for its artisanal approach to chocolate, including both its delectable truffles and its historic drinking chocolates. Their elixirs feature different styles from around the world, from the ceremonial drinks consumed in pre-Colombian America to the drinks that gained popularity in Old-World Europe. I loved the Marie Antoinette drink I had, made with orange blossom and a bit of almond milk.
Other Great Restaurants in Santa Fe
Ozu
One of my favorite finds on the first trip to Santa Fe was Ozu, a small Japanese restaurant. They specialize in onigiri and temaki, and it’s a good spot for a quick meal out. Nearby, stroll through art galleries and ceramic shops.
El Nido
Traditional, open-fire cooking techniques are the name of the game at El Nido, which embraces all things spit-roasted, smoked, and ember-cooked. Nearly every dish passes through its custom wood-fired grill or Italian brick oven, imbuing it with special flavor. Don’t miss the house-made pasta, which the restaurant says is prepared with the best ingredients Northern New Mexico has to offer.
Paloma
This vibrant, Mexican-inspired restaurant is a hotspot in the city, highlighting sustainably sourced ingredients, agave-focused cocktails, and artwork created by the local community. Paloma offers both fresh and classic interpretations of Latin American dishes, inspired by Oaxacan cuisine. Its back patio is a great place to dine al fresco on a sunny day.
Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina
Coyote Cafe is a staple on the Santa Fe dining scene. After more than 30 years in service, it’s an icon in the city. The menu is Southwestern, with a creative and eclectic spin. Originally opened by a celebrity chef back in 1987, Coyote Cafe helped pioneer the use of native ingredients in contemporary dishes, earning it the buzz it still enjoys today.
The Ranch House
Originally started as an ode to smoked meats, the first iteration of The Ranch House quickly outgrew its small space and expanded into a larger restaurant with top-notch barbecue. It’s a nice spot for everyday dining, and the variety of American cuisine it serves makes it an easy choice for families. The menu is dotted with New Mexican touches, including sides like green chile slaw, refried beans, and calabacitas.
Frequently Asked Questions: Santa Fe
What Food is Santa Fe Known For?
Santa Fe is known for Southwestern food, and New Mexican chiles are particularly famous. You’ll find them in soups, sauces, and several other dishes throughout New Mexican cuisine, including as a topping for enchiladas, a particularly popular use.
What Part of Santa Fe Should I Stay In?
Santa Fe is an incredibly walkable city, so it’s easy to get around if you’re staying anywhere near the city center. Many shops and restaurants are near Santa Fe Plaza, so a hotel close by would be very convenient. I would consider El Rey Court to be close to the city center, or the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado for a more in-nature experience.
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
