22 Best Restaurants in Santa Fe, New Mexico

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

A day filled with museums is bound to work up an appetite, and while there aren't too many places to eat around Museum Hill, luckily this café offers burgers, burritos, salads, and soups to help refuel your body and mind. There is a large shaded patio for warm-weather dining, and it also serves beer and wine. It's a casual spot that fills up quickly so prepare to wait a bit if you arrive during peak hours or make a reservation in advance.

This gluten-free bakery serves baked goods, soups, sandwiches, and other goodies (with lots of vegan options) that are so delicious you won't miss the gluten. And good news for visitors who fall in love with the treats here: they ship nationwide.

This big red food truck is a constant along Old Santa Fe Trail, serving up quick and delicious BBQ sandwiches, coleslaw, beans, and all the fixins. It's the perfect break from typical New Mexican food while still experiencing some unique local flavor.

This funky spot has colorful walls and wood details, booths, a few individual tables, and a community table. The shaded patio out front is a great summertime spot to enjoy the toothsome Southwest-inspired cooking, from breakfast through dinner. Start the day with savory breakfast rellenos, fluffy buttermilk pancakes, or the smoked-trout hash. The extensive lunch and dinner menus include juicy burgers (both meat and veggie) and some of the best vegetarian enchiladas around. Don't miss the Salvadoran pupusas. Homemade baked goods include a variety of pies and cakes. The staff is friendly and efficient and the care taken by owner/chef Jesus Rivera is evident.

Begun by Jeff and Kari Keenan, the talents behind the terrific artisan shop ChocolateSmith, which is next door and also well worth investigating for a sweet snack, Whoo's has developed a near-fanatical following for its traditional as well as creative doughnuts (maple-bacon with dark-chocolate glaze and chile-brown sugar, blueberry-jelly with cherry glaze, white-chocolate pistachio), which are prepared daily from scratch, sourcing organically as much as possible. Get here early—Whoo's is open daily from 7 until 3 (or until that day's doughnuts have sold out).