10 Best Restaurants In Santa Fe

Celebrity Chef Mark Miller founded Coyote Café in 1987 and put Santa Fe on the map as a top food destination. This iconic restaurant has continued to thrive offering fine dining in the form of creative contemporary dishes bursting with regional flavors and served in a chic environment. 

The main menu features delicious dishes of seafood, steak, and duck, with plenty of options for vegetarians, too. The rooftop Coyote Cantina has a relaxed vibe with more affordable, casual food options. Even if you don’t eat on the rooftop, make sure to go up just to see the amazing views. 

Café Pasqual’s is more than a restaurant, it’s an experience. Go here to savor the organic, fresh foods that celebrate a fusion of traditional and modern Mexican fare. Think down-home comfort foods like tamales and enchiladas alongside fresh takes on chicken and seafood. 

Make sure you give yourself enough time to explore everything at Café Pasqual’s. There’s an art gallery next door featuring the works of dozens of artists. There’s also a store with tons of food and gift items. Café Pasqual’s serves food all day, so you can head there any time you need to refuel from your Santa Fe adventures. 

Casa Chimayo changed owners in 2021, with the new owners equally committed to honoring traditional Mexican cooking while adding a fresh twist. The new Casa Chimayo has many of the old favorites but has added some contemporary dishes to their dinner menu. 

Starters include guacamole, soups, and fresh salads. For your main entree, you can choose from traditional New Mexican plates like enchiladas or tacos, or try an array of hearty dishes like lamb, chicken, salmon, pork, or crab. You may not think you can do it, but you must save room for dessert. You’ll regret not trying even a tiny bite of one of the sweet treats, so give yourself permission to indulge. 

The cozy Shed has been family-owned and operated since 1953. You’ll feel like family when you dine here, in a historic adobe hacienda that dates back centuries. The cuisine is a scrumptious blend of Pueblo, Spanish, and Mexican flavors served for lunch and dinner. The family-friendly theme continues with a separate kid’s menu plus gluten-free and veggie options. 

The Shed is well-known for its red chili enchiladas and blue corn dishes. The drinks menu offers so many kinds of margaritas, that it’s hard to choose just one. This restaurant has family-style takeout as an option, so even if you want to stay in, you can still enjoy The Shed’s delicious dishes from the comfort of your home away from home. 

Paloma is a Mexican-influenced restaurant that’s all about fresh flavors. They work closely with New Mexican farmers and pride themselves in using sustainably sourced ingredients. After being a dinner-only spot for a while, they have opened up to serving brunch, too.

The simple, fresh menu offers small plates like salads, nachos, and ceviche. Mexican comfort food staples like tacos and fajitas feature delicious salsas and moles. Quench your thirst with margaritas, micheladas, and a dazzling array of agave-infused drinks mixed with tequila, mezcal, and sotol. Be sure to try the Mexican chocolate flan for dessert. 

Head to the amazing Sazón for a truly unforgettable culinary experience. You can expect James Beard Award-winning chefs and that blend traditional Mexican flavors with the best ingredients from around the globe. 

Sazón has a traditional dinner menu with appetizers, salads, and main dishes. To get the full experience, though, make a reservation for the daily degustación, a 9-course meal seated at 7.30 pm each night. This upscale restaurant also has ample wine, mezcal, and tequila offerings, curated to complement each meal. Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time, because Sazón is quite popular. 

Sometimes, there’s nothing more comforting when traveling than biting into a great slice of pizza, and then Back Road Pizza is your go-to destination for pizza in Santa Fe. The locals have voted it the best pizza in Santa Fe for more than a decade. 

Back Road Pizza is thin-crust pizza, but Santa Fe style. Its light flour crust is rolled in cornmeal, creating its distinct flavor and texture profile. Fresh toppings from local farmers and ranchers round out the perfect pie, whatever your preference. If you are too full to eat dessert, grab a pint of local, handcrafted ice cream to go. 

The Spanish words la boca translate to “the mouth” in English, and yours will thank you for dining here. La Boca’s chef is an 8-time James Beard Award nominee, so you know you are in good hands. 

The tapas restaurant features Spanish-style cooking with freshly sourced, local ingredients. You’ll feel like you have been transported to Spain as you sip the finest sherries and Spanish wines while nibbling on your small plates. La Boca is known for its warm hospitality with friendly, eager-to-please staff. Make a reservation ahead of time to make sure you get a table at this popular spot. 

For the ultimate Santa Fe brew pub experience, check out Beer Creek Brewing Company. While it’s not in the downtown area, it’s definitely worth the trip to sample the brewery’s “farm to tap” beer. The shady patio will be a welcomed respite from the Santa Fe sun as you sip samplers. 

Beer Creek Brewing Company makes its brews completely from ingredients sourced in New Mexico. Choose from stouts, IPAs, lagers, blondes, and ales to quench your thirst and satisfy your palate. Small bites are on the menu, including pizzas and sandwiches. After dinner, grab a 6-pack to go to savor throughout your vacation. 

Tia Sophia’s is the go-to restaurant if you want to eat like a local. This no-frills restaurant has been serving up Southwestern comfort food for decades, which is why locals and tourists flock there. Tia Sophia’s doesn’t do dinner, so be sure to make breakfast or lunch plans instead. 

Tia Sophia’s offers different specials every day. Breakfast burritos with fluffy eggs and your choice of fillings are always popular. The blue corn pancakes make for an authentic Santa Fe breakfast. Those with dietary restrictions need not worry, there are gluten-free and vegetarian menu items. With such an extensive menu, you might have to make it a point to go to Tia Sophia’s more than once on your trip.