Sata Fe, NM is known for many things, such as its art, its diverse population, its dedication to tradition, and its excellent food. Over the last three decades, the food scene has expanded exponentially, and now people come from all over to be tempted by the city’s fare. The following is a list of the Best Restaurants in Santa Fe:
1. Sazón
$$$$ | (505) 983-8604 | WEBSITE
A regular customer states, ” Sazón is Perfect for a special occasion…” The restaurant specializes in New World Latin American cuisine. The chefs use only the finest ingredients, including traditional flavors with a nouveau twist that makes them extra special.
They specialize in moles and feature several mole sauces. They carry a wide variety of tequilas, from inexpensive to astronomical for the connoisseur. Service is personable, and the atmosphere is unsurpassed in Mexican authenticity and elegance.
2. Geronimo
$$$$ | (505) 982-1500 | WEBSITE
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Trip Advisor lists Geronimo as one of the Top Ten restaurants in the United States. The winner of multiple gastronomic awards, the restaurant is located in a historic building and sports an elegant interior. Both the restaurant itself and the food is exquisite.
It is known for its French-Asian fusion and traditional American fare. The top chefs who work at Geronimo create new specials each day, using only the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients, including herbs and spices, when possible. While pricey, the restaurant is one of the best.
3. Market Steer Steakhouse
$$$$ | (505) 992-6354 | WEBSITE
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According to reviewers on Yelp, Market Street Steakhouse is considered by many locals as…” the best local steakhouse in Santa Fe.” Market Steer Steakhouse dinners range from $35-75 per person, and seem to earn their accolades. The menu includes steak, chicken, fish, lamb and special salads.
Among some traditional fare, the menu includes unusual offerings, such as Smoked Bone Marrow and Spiced Colorado Lamb T-Bones. Even vegetarians walk away happy after sampling one of the restaurant’s stellar salads. This is a perfect place for a special celebration.
4. Saveur
$$ | (505) 989-4200 | WEBSITE
Saveur is a favorite local Santa Fe restaurant with an exotic flare, serving a continental menu consisting primarily of crepes, hot sandwiches, soups, baked goods and special breakfasts. The fare is French-based with an American twist and the menu has an array of offerings.
Edibles range from lobster to buffalo and are more than worth the moderate prices. They even offer a “create your own sandwich” option that enables diners to concoct their favorite ingredients served between two pieces of the restaurant’s own freshly baked bread.
5. Cafe Grazi
$$ | (505) 471-0108 | WEBSITE
Noted for its reasonably-priced, authentic Italian food, Cafe Grazi is known as a “memorably delicious dining experience”. The restaurant is elegant and the traditional Italian food is flavorful and delicious, from the Ahi Tuna Nicoise Salad to the Tiramisu.
The restaurant is touted for its excellent service and superior food. Closed Sundays, Cafe Grazi is open for business from 11-9i, Mondays through Saturdays. Reservations are recommended.
6. Cafecito
$$ | (505) 310-0089 | WEBSITE
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One need not be Argentinian to enjoy the authentic Argentinian fare from Cafecito. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Cafecito serves up some of the best empanadas in the area, not to mention their Gaucho Style breakfasts and outstanding desserts.
This restaurant is vegan-friendly, but serves a wide variety of meat dishes that are popular among locals. The pleasing atmosphere and friendly staff are a real treat, but the food is the highlight of the visit.
7. Clafoutis
$$ | (505) 988 1809 | WEBSITE
Open for breakfast and lunch, Clafoutis French Restaurant is a local favorite. The restaurant serves freshly baked pastries, traditional and non-traditional French breakfasts and breadboard lunches hand-in-hand with friendly service in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.
The chefs at Clafoutis only use the finest ingredients, the majority of which are locally-sourced. This is a family-oriented restaurant that one customer writes has “…different selections, including crepes and croquet monsieur sandwiches…” There is something for everyone here, including vegans, vegetarians and those who eat gluten-free. Santa Fe locals love it.
8. Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Cafe
$$ | (505) 988-9688 | WEBSITE
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One of the Best Restaurnats in Santa Fe for vegetarians and meat eaters alike, is Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Cafe. The restaurant advertises “healing foods,” but we make no claims to its effectiveness. We simply love the multi-layered flavors, exquisite ingredients and friendly service.
Customers can start their day with the restaurant’s smashed avocado toast and enjoy a satisfying Thali plate for lunch. Each dish is individually prepared, satisfying and delicious. The menu is based on Ayurvedic principles and centers around East Indian cuisine.
9. Jambo Cafe
$$$ | (505) 473-1269 | WEBSITE
Jambo Cafe has received the local Santa Fe newspaper’s award for Best International Cafe for 12 straight years, and for good reason. The menu offers primarily Caribbean/African food and has a variety of tasty options that include such traditional favorites as jerk chicken, as well as vegetarian options like the coconut organic tofu curry, which also comes in a chicken version.
One customer wrote, “The fried plantain crabcake appetizers are incredible. It’s hard to go wrong at the Jambo Cafe.” The menu has a wide variety of interesting, mouth-watering options.
10. Opuntia Cafe
$$ | (505) 780-5796 | WEBSITE
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Opuntia advertises itself as a “Tea house in a greenhouse,” which aptly describes its simple, nutritious and delicious food offerings. The restaurant specializes in whole foods that are naturally prepared without any preservatives or artificial ingredients.
They serve breakfast and lunch, offering such cuisine as chai-spiced granola and tofu scrambles, to 100% beef burgers to Japanese bowls. This is truly international cuisine unlike that experienced elsewhere. The staff is ultra-polite. The atmosphere is very zen and peaceful. The food is reasonably priced and delicious and is a great place to take the whole family.
11. Izanami
$$$ | (505) 982-9304 | WEBSITE
Izanami steps out of the box to offer truly unique Japanese food to a devoted Santa Fe customer base. Jeff T. writes, “This is the best Japanese Food I have ever tasted. It is really different!” The restaurant is an upscale izakaya, which is a Japanese version of a tapas bar, that serves small plates to share and that serves outstanding signature cocktails.
The atmosphere is beautiful and the service is friendly and efficient. Izanami prides itself on not serving the foods that most Japanese restaurants serve in America. Their food is locally-sourced and incredibly delectable.
12. Yamas Greek Rotisserie
$$$ | (505) 930-5921 | WEBSITE
With menu items that range from moderate to expensive, Yamas Greek Rotisserie offers customers classic Greek dishes that are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to eat.
Customers may choose from Yamas specialties, which consist of such Greek classics as, Moussaka and Pastitsio, to classic vegetarian Spanakopita to chicken and fish and six different sauce offerings. The restaurant also offers a large number of side dishes to accompany their entrees. The casual atmosphere is jovial and high energy with a staff that knows what it is doing.
13. Midtown Bistro
$$ | (505) 820-3121 | WEBSITE
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Whether you eat out on the beautiful patio with trees wrapped in tiny lights or you prefer to eat inside, the American food at Midtown Bistro is memorably succulent. The menu offers fresh, house-made soups, fabulous salads and appetizers, deluxe sandwiches and other entrees that change seasonally.
The chefs use all-fresh, locally-sourced ingredients when possible. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly and the dining experiences at Midtown Bistro are consistently pleasant and delicious. The same customers have patronized this establishment for years.
14. La Boca
$$$ | (505) 982-3433 | WEBSITE
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An outstanding Spanish tapas restaurant, La Boca has been open since 2006 when it was founded by Chef James Campbell Caruso, an 8-time James Beard Award nominee who continually creates new and exciting dishes for his customers.
In addition to its savory small plates filled with meats and seafood, vegetables and pastries, La Boca also has a European-style wine bar that serves an extensive variety of Sherry and Spanish wine that was mindfully chosen by the chef who can suggest pairings with the food served at the restaurant.
15. La Fogata Grill
$$ | (505) 983-7302 | WEBSITE
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La Fogata Grill serves Latin American and New Mexican cuisine from a family-owned environment right in the middle of Santa Fe. The owners are committed to the authenticity of the food from southern Mexico, such as Veracruz and Oaxaca and its fabulous herbs and colorful dishes.
The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, and is noted for its renditions of chile en nogado and chili relleno, among other dishes. The atmosphere is family oriented, lively and fun and a place where music and laughter abound.
Conclusion
This list of the fifteen best restaurants in Santa Fe features affordable, family-oriented locations, as well as locations that are more suitable for adults. We have included a variety of cuisines presented at price points that can accommodate every budget. Our best advice to you is to try them all!
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
