16 Best Restaurants in Santa Fe, New Mexico

This cheerful cubbyhole is owned by James Beard Award–winning chef and cookbook author Katharine Kagel, who champions organic, local ingredients, and whose expert kitchen staff produces mouthwatering breakfast and lunch specialties like huevos motuleños (eggs in a tangy tomatillo salsa with black beans and fried bananas) and mahi-mahi tostadas. Dinner offerings range from chicken enchiladas to warm Thai noodle salad. The café's shop offers souvenirs such as cookbooks, aprons, and baseball caps, and there's an art gallery next door selling bronzes, ceramics, glassware, and more. Don't be surprised by the lines out front—it is on every tourist list for a reason (reservations are available for dinner only and strongly recommended).

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.

Chef Eduardo Rodriguez led some of Santa Fe’s most famous kitchens for nearly 25 years before opening his own eatery, naming it after the north-central Mexican region of his birth. The culinary marriage between the southwestern United States and Mexico shows up in dishes like mole negro chilaquiles (eggs, Chihuahuan cheese, black beans, chicken, and mole sauce) for brunch and whole fried snapper with crab saffron risotto, calabacitas (sautéed zucchini), and salsa Veracruz for dinner. Sweets include flan de elote and churros, and the patio is charming for brunch in warm weather.

Although the name of this cheery bakery suggests sweets, and it does sweets especially well, Chocolate Maven also produces impressive savory breakfast and lunch fare. Meals are "farmers' market–inspired" and feature seasonal dishes, including wild-mushroom-and-goat-cheese focaccia sandwiches, eggs ménage à trois (one each of eggs Benedict, Florentine, and Madison—the latter consisting of smoked salmon and poached egg), and Caprese salad of fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes. A plus for those looking for healthier fare is the option of various plant-based meat options for breakfast or a lunchtime sandwich. Some of the top desserts include Belgian chocolate fudge brownies, mocha-buttercream torte with chocolate-covered strawberries, and a fantastic carrot cake. Don't let the industrial building put you off; the interior is light, bright, and cozy. From the dining room, you can even watch the bakers in action through a large picture window.

Undeniably French, this bustling café serves authentic, delicious food. Walk through the door of this bright, open space and you'll almost certainly be greeted with a cheery "bonjour" from Anne-Laure, who owns it with her husband, Philippe. Start your day with a crepe, a fluffy omelet, or le gauffre (large waffle). Lunch offers quiches with perfectly flaky crusts, an enticing selection of large salads (the salade de la maison has pears, pine nuts, blue cheese, Spanish chorizo, tomatoes, and cucumbers atop mixed greens), and savory sandwiches like the classic croque madame (grilled ham, egg, and cheese) on homemade bread. The classic onion soup is comforting on a cold day. Save room for the café's namesake dessert, clafoutis. The baguettes and pastries are perfectly prepared—no small feat at 7,000 feet elevation.

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.

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.

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.

This busy, friendly, art-filled compound 6 miles southeast of Downtown consists of several inviting rooms, from a diner-style space with counter seating to a cozier nook with a fireplace, and an enchanting courtyard out back with juniper trees and flower gardens. The varied menu of contemporary diner favorites, pizzas, New Mexican fare, and bountiful salads is supplemented by a long list of daily specials, which often include delicious international dishes and an array of scrumptious homemade desserts. Favorites include smoked-chicken quesadillas and grilled-salmon tacos with tomatillo salsa and black beans. Breakfast is fantastic. On weekends, if you're there early, you might just get a chance at one of the phenomenal cinnamon rolls. Desserts here are homey favorites, from the chocolate pudding to the blueberry cobbler. Many gluten-free and veggie options are available, and Harry's is also known for stellar margaritas. The owners are committed to recycling and sustainable business practices.

This bright, modern bakery and café is tucked away just off the hustle and bustle of busy Cerrillos Road. The interior is crisp and clean with Matisse-inspired pops of color, and the food is French-inspired casual fare that includes crepes, salads, and sandwiches. On the bakery side, it's hard to leave without taking something home, whether it's a baguette or brioche, a gleaming fruit tart, or a (not-so) simple cookie. 

A couple of miles south of Downtown in a spacious adobe building with pitched ceilings and a charming patio, Midtown Bistro offers modern American cuisine, such as pork chops with truffle oil, crab cakes with lemon aioli, or vegan quinoa and black bean pilaf. It's a spot that delights visitors wishing to avoid the downtown Plaza crowds in high season. Lunch is more casual, with an emphasis on salads and sandwiches. A short but smart wine list delivers bottles from all over the world.

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.

Aptly named after the brilliant and colorful sunsets enjoyed from its outdoor patio, SkyFire, part of Bishop's Lodge Resort, is both elegant and comfortable. The menu melds Mexican and Southwestern fare with lighter offerings such as Hamachi ceviche, Wapiti tamal, and duck enchiladas as well as heftier options like elk short ribs, whole fried fish, and a 31-ounce bison tomahawk steak. The cocktail and wine lists make for a fun time even if you're only stopping here for drinks.

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.

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.