Where to Eat in Santa Fe: The Best Restaurants and Bars

April 14, 2018 Rosalyn Ihle

Venture into the unspoiled beauty of 7,000-foot Rocky Mountain vistas, marvel at the contrast of ancient native culture mixed with modern arts, feast on legendary cuisine and relax in rustic sophistication. A visit to Santa Fe, Travel & Leisure's #1 Cultural Getaway, feels a lot like a visit to Europe. The Spanish Colonial charm of this historic destination has been enchanting travelers for over 400 years. And Santa Fe shows no signs of slowing down.
Things to do in Santa Fe

1. Geronimo

724 Canyon Rd, Top of Canyon rd valet parking as good as the service inside..., Santa Fe, NM 87501-2724 Outdoor Seating, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Street Parking, Valet Parking, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar American, International, Contemporary, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Dinner SGD 39 - SGD 105 +1 505-982-1500
Excellent
80%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Geronimo

Elegant fine dining in a 1756 adobe home. Santa Fe's only Mobil 4 Star/ AAA 4 Diamond Restaurant.

Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member

Geronimo is a beautiful restaurant with amazing food. My wife and I shared two appetizers both seafood based and fresh. We also had the elk and sea bass as entrees. All the food was delicious and the portions were perfect. This restaurant deserves all the accolades it typically gets. If you go to Santa Fe, make a reservation at Geronimo.

2. Sazon

221 Shelby St, Corner of Shelby Street and East Alameda, Santa Fe, NM 87501-2149 Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards Mexican, Latin, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Dinner, Late Night, Drinks SGD 46 - SGD 79 +1 505-983-8604
Excellent
85%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 586 reviews

Sazon

Housed in an iconic old adobe building in the center of Santa Fe, Sazon gives its patrons a taste of what the authentic Mexico, with its fastest growing ethnic cuisine in terms of popularity, is all about. The artwork is stunning. Starting with a massive chandelier in the main hallway, custom made in Guadalajara and featuring over 16 different lamps, to the furniture and artwork, it is obvious that special attention has been given to the interior decoration. The oil on canvass paintings are beautiful, featuring artists from Mexico City, Guadalajara and Cabo, Mexico. The dining room is warm and inviting with lots of space so you don't feel crowded, but also plenty of romantic and private spots where one can be wrapped in their own cocoon. There is a back room that is part of the dining room but can also be sectioned off for private parties. Lighting has been well thought out and highlights the art without being intrusive. The bar is stunning exhibiting a great sensitivity to the Santa Fe adobe style yet bringing its own clean and refreshed look. The bar, made from recycled parapara wood from Ecuador, houses the largest selection of tequila and mescal in Santa Fe. Bartenders know their craft as evidenced by the signature cocktails featuring tequila and mescal which are subtle and seductive. Try a Sazonrita which is Mezcal, Patron Citronge, fresh lime, agave, and muddled cucumber over ice. It will make a believer out of you when it comes to mescal!

Reviewed By lindapF1137CO - Oklahoma City

This is an upscale restaurant with amazing food. The service was fast, friendly and helpful. I had the Chilean sea bass and it was cooked perfectly and my husband had the duck tenderloin and he loved it. We had the zucchini blossom for an appetizer based on another reviewer recommendation and they were delicious. It is a little expensive $150 for two without drinks but we loved it.

3. Clafoutis

333 W Cordova Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505-1850 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible French, Cafe, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch +1 505-988-1809
Excellent
75%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Clafoutis

Clafoutis is a French Restaurant and Bakery that serves Breakfast and Lunch. We baked fresh bread and pastries daily.

Reviewed By culler83 - Santa Fe, New Mexico

Ann (who is French) and her team have run an amazing French restaurant in Santa Fe for years (it is now on its second location at Body off Cordova). The food and coffee is about as close as you are going to get to a Parisian experience in Santa Fe and I HIGHLY recommend it when you are ready for a break from Chile. Surprising (for Santa Fe) the prices are also very good for the quality of what you are getting...brunch is best, but consider lunch here as well. Expect a 20-45 minute wait if you are going during popular times, but you can sit on the porch and get food to go if you are pressed for time (or want to have a terrific picnic).

I'm going to say it...this is the best simply baked bread in Santa Fe! (though the onion bread at Dinner for Two will ALWAYS be my favorite)

4. Jambo Cafe

2010 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505-3378 Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Takeout, Reservations, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Credit Cards Caribbean, African, Soups, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner SGD 10 - SGD 29 +1 505-473-1269
Excellent
73%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Jambo Cafe

African and Caribbean dishes and specialties from award-winning Chef Ahmed Obo. Jambo Cafe specializes in new combinations of traditional dishes with a decidedly spicy flair. Winner of many awards, "Best Soup" for the Souperbowl 4 years running and "Best International Cuisine" in the Santa Fe Reporter for 5 years. We serve vegetarian and seafood options alongside our chicken, beef, lamb, and goat dishes. Locating in College Plaza near corner of St. Michaels Drive and Cerrillos Road. Plenty of parking.

Reviewed By RussellJW - Falls Church, VA

One of a kind African-Caribbean fusion food restaurant that is a popular choice for good, affordable meals. .The combination plate of chicken curry, goat stew and coconut lentils, with rice were a good choice for experiencing the menu. Salads were fresh. Several specials available. Located in a strip mall, Jambo Café is unpretentious with comfortable, colorful décor. Get a reservation -- the place is popular especially on weekends. Then expand your food horizons and tempt your palate with some African influenced food.

5. The Ranch House

2571 Cristos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87507-3265 Highchairs Available, Free Wifi, Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards American, Southwestern, Barbecue, Steakhouse, Bar, Pub, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner SGD 13 - SGD 39 +1 505-424-8900
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 722 reviews

The Ranch House

Reviewed By DEngelJ - CT

Very attractive and restful decor. Delicious barbecue and Tex-Mex food. Stacey was an excellent server. What more could we possibly want?

6. Pantry Restaurant

1820 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505-3370 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol Mexican, American, Southwestern, Diner, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch SGD 13 +1 505-986-0022
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Pantry Restaurant

The Pantry Restaurant has been a Santa Fe landmark since 1948. We offer a unique take on a diner, where the cuisine of Northern New Mexico meets traditional American food. We have been serving quality fresh from scratch comfort food for over sixty years. You will be pleased with our fast and friendly service while enjoying the best Chile in Santa Fe. As a family owned business we pride ourselves on serving the freshest and most quality ingredients to all of our guests and we promise to treat you like part of the family.

Reviewed By SantaFeJoanne - Santa Fe, New Mexico

An all-day breakfast for those of us who can’t handle the super-carb breakfast but love pancakes. They have cinnamon corn pancakes that are soooo good, and a really wide variety of lunch and dinner too. We have yet to find a dish here we don’t like. Parking is no hassle, but there might be a wait. The locals know about this place. The wait staff has been really excellent.

7. Palacio Cafe

209 E Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501-2012 Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible Mexican, American, Southwestern, Cafe, Soups, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch SGD 10 - SGD 13 +1 505-989-3505
Excellent
73%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Palacio Cafe

Reviewed By brittanymart - Pueblo, Colorado

Small, authentic, family owned New Mexican restaurant. Everyone in the family enjoyed their meal. I would have to say the green Chile stew was fantastic! The kids said BLTG was "the best EVER"!! We will absolutely be back!!

8. Cafe Fina

624 Old Las Vegas Hwy, Santa Fe, NM 87505-1410 Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wifi American, Cafe, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch, Dinner +1 505-466-3886
Excellent
65%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 180 reviews

Cafe Fina

Reviewed By sosantafe - Santa Fe, New Mexico

We eat here several times a month and the food is always good. Quiche is excellent especially if they get it warm enough when serving. Green chili cheeseburger is excellent served on home made bun with lots of sides. Salads are super as is the chicken noodle soup.

9. Paper Dosa

551 W Cordova Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505-1825 Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol Indian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Dinner +1 505-930-5521
Excellent
74%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 203 reviews

Paper Dosa

Reviewed By VN F - Santa Fe, New Mexico

I would have appreciated a finger bowl or damp napkin. Much of the simplied menu is based on the South Indian "dosa," a thin crepe served as a bread, intended to be dipped into soups and sauces. The flavors are milder but leaning more Southeast Asian than other Indian food in town. Most of the menu is gluten free and only a few items come with chicken, seafood, or lamb. Good beer and wine are available as well as a spicy house chai, mango lassi, coffee, iced tea and sodas. We particularly enjoyed the chicken curry and the chile-onion pakora and its sauce. The dosas and "uttapam" (a pizza-like disc of vegetables cooked onto dosa) come with sambar (a soup) and chutneys that did not impress us. The well-lit space has about two-thirds of the tables customers could fill so they tend to have people waiting for tables in prime hours. They do not take reservations unless you have a party of at least 6. There is a long counter and one large, share-able table in addition to booths and smaller tables. The service was very good and helpful with guidance. There is a fairly-priced prix fixe for folks who don't want to share plates.

10. Bang Bite Filling Station

411 W Water St, Santa Fe, NM 87501-1878 Takeout, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible American, Grill, Fast Food Lunch, Dinner +1 505-469-2345
Excellent
77%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 156 reviews

Bang Bite Filling Station

Reviewed By MaryEllenM27 - Kalispell, Montana

Not just huge,delicious burgers of many styles and lovely french fries anymore. The variety of sandwiches has expanded and they are nothing short of superb. Pulled Pork, Cheezy Cubano, Swiss/Cheddar/Green Chile Grilled Cheese, Crunchy Deep Fried Chicken, and the odd sounding but excellent Bacon/blue cheese/maple syrup burger are some recent favorites. I never thought the latter could be that good but it was shockingly good. The menu is dynamic and changes from time to time but the classics remain for afficionados of Bang Bite.

This food truck has earned all of the accolades it gets. There are outdoor umbrella tables to sit at. Oh, and most importantly, it is super clean. We have seen their daily clean up just before they close up the food truck. We eat there a lot. Its more casual and even better than a lot of the more famous sit-down restaurants with high priced menus. Oh, yes, and family friendly too.

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