What are the Best Restaurants in Santa Fe-- 2016 Update

"With as many restaurants as art galleries - more than 200 - and a world class Opera House, Santa Fe has become a go-to destination for both the Art's and Food."

OVER THE PAST DECADE THE SANTA FE FARMERS MARKET LOCATED AT THE RAILWAY STATION HAS BECOME ONE OF THE BEST FARMER'S MARKET IN THE U.S. , PROVIDING MANY OF THE TOP SANTA FE RESTAURANTS.- (LEFT) -- DRIED NEW MEXICAN RED CHILES RIGHT -- ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS SANTA FE FARMERS MARKET

The Compound -653 Canyon Rd. Santa Fe, NM 505-982-4353 --Cuisine is New American
Rated one of Santa Fe's Top Ten for Food 2012 by the Gayot Restaurant Guide. James Beard Foundation's "Best Chef in the Southwest 2005,"Mark Kiffin, is chef and owner of The Compound Restaurant and is one of Sante Fe's top chefs. Try his signature muscovy duck breast. Many consider The Compound to be one of the best restaurants in Santa Fe. Gayot Rating- 15/20 -- . -- Yelp 4 stars -- Website and Menus --Dinner Menu with photos

Geronimo - 724 Canyon Rd Santa Fe, NM 87501 --(505) 982-1500 --Cuisine is Fusion / Eclectic
Eric DiStefano is one of Santa Fe's top chefs. The restaurant is one of Gayot's 10 hottest for 2012 and is a Mobil 4 star, AAA 4 diamond rated restaurant. If locals are asked for the single best restaurant in santa fe many will say --Geronimo.

Although Geronimo is one of the top restaurants in Santa Fe it is relatively small and tables can get cramped. Swig, is their trendy upstairs bar. Geronimo home page- Sample Menu - Yelp Reviews (4 stars) - Gayot Rating- 15/20

NEW AMERICAN COOKING WITH FRENCH INFLUENCE IS FOUND IN MANY OF THE RESTAURANTS IN SANTA FE. (LEFT) SEARED TUNA WITH SABOYON SAUCE FROM TERRA RESTAURANT... (RIGHT) STEAK TARTARE FROM THE COMPOUND RESTAURANT..

Restaurant Martín --526 Galisteo Street Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 820-0919
Restaurant Martin was opened in late September, 2009 by Martín Rios, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico and former executive chef at Old House at the Eldorado Hotel. His restaurant Martin was a semifinalist for the 2010 James Beard "Best New Restaurant in the US". Chef Rios received his formal training at the Culinary Institute of America. Featured in the 2008 season of Iron Chef America, Rios is the only New Mexico chef to have won the Robert Mondavi Culinary Award of Excellence. The flavors at Restaurant Martin are Southwestern, but the technique is French and style more modern. Website -- Yelp 4 stars -- Menu Restaurant Marin --

Epazote --CLOSED --- 416 Agua Fria, across from Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, Santa Fe, NM 505-988-5991
Chef Fernando Olea’s contemporary cuisine at restaurant Epazote Restaurant is served in a relaxed atmosphere. Chef Olea is . Inspired by the Aztecs and creatively transforms the traditional ingredients of Mexico into delectable New World dishes. -- specializing in moles -- daily special moles. Chef Olea delights in sharing variations of Mexican mole in his nightly specials. The restaurant Epazote is a combination art gallery/restaurant-- Yelp 4 1/2stars --

Sazón --221 Shelby St Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 983-8604
This is Chef Fernando Olea's new restaurant. As with Espazote amuse bouches of moles start the meal off. Moles shine in many dishes here. Open Table in 2015 awarded Sazón the Diner's Choice Award in Santa Fe, NM for their relaxing ambiance, and delectable food. Sazon keeps the menu small but very interesting -- shrimp enchilada in a creamy sauce of zucchini blossoms, baby grasshoppers taquitos with avocado sour cream sauce and savory and earthy corn truffle over mini tortillas. Website -- Yelp 5 stars -- Menu Restaurant Sazon --

Coyote Cafe -- 132 W Water St Santa Fe, NM (505) 983-1615 Coyote Cafe was started in 1987 by celebrity chef Mark Miller. He created Modern Southwest Cooking using the open kitchen and dining room setting. When chef Miller decided to sell the world-renowned Coyote Cafe, Chef Eric DiStefano knew that it was time to control his own destiny. With partners, Sara Chapman, Tori Mendes and Quinn Stephenson, the Coyote Cafe now continues to serve excellent food in a southwest atmosphere with Chef DiStepano at the helm. -- Website -- Menu -- Yelp reviews (3 stars)

Luminaria -- 211 Old Santa Fe Trail Santa Fe, NM 87501 --(505) 984-7915
Luminaria is located in the Inn and Spa at Loretto. Wine Spectator, America's leading wine appreciation magazine has honored Luminaria Restaurant & Patio with their "Award of Excellence". Recommended dish --Award Winning Tortilla Soup served at your table as well as the shrimp and chorizo.

LUMINARIA SERVES ONE OF THE BEST TORTILLA SOUPS IN SANTA FE CONSISTING OF CRISPY FRIED TORTILLA CHIPS, A SPICY TOMATO BROTH, AVOCADO, CHUNKS OF CHICKEN AND GARNISHED WITH CILANTRO (SHOWN LEFT). ANOTHER SIGNATURE DISH IS THE GARLIC SHRIMP WITH CHORIZO SERVED WITH TOAST (RIGHT)

Three types of bread are served here including home backed blue corn muffin and a red chili pumpkin biscotti. We rate the $29 prixe fixe dinner from 5-6:30 as one of the best restaurant deals in santa fe. The menu includes the excellent tortilla soup with an entre choice and dessert. The chocolate cake however is a disappointment. There is a nice outdoor garden which fills up quickly. Website and menu --. Yelp 4/5 stars.

Acqua Santa 451 W. Alameda St. (Guadalupe St.) Send to Phone Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-982–6297
This is one of Gayot's hottest restaurants for 2012. Chef Brian Knox opened Acqua Santa in 2004. He changes the menu frequently in order to use seasonal produce and local meats. The restaurant is a small cozy one-room adobe that has an open kitchen. There is also an outdoor patio where you can watch the sun set. Caesar's salad with pan fried oysters is one of Chef Knox's signature dishes. The menu at Acqua Santa is weighted more in meats such as lamb and quail. For dessert try the buttermilk panna cota with bittersweet chocolate sauce. Gayot Review 14/20 -- Yelp 4/5 stars

La Boca -- 72 W Marcy St Santa Fe, NM 87503 505- 982-3433
La Boca was opened in 2006 by Chef/Owner James Campbell Caruso. It is an intimate 50 seat Spanish tapas restaurant in the heart of downtown Santa Fe.

TAPAS AT LA BOCA IN SANTA FE COMPARES TO THE BEST IN SPAIN. SHOWN TO THE LEFT A CREATIVE GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH CAPERS, HONEY AND MELTED MONCHEGO CHEESE ... TO THE RIGHT A GRILLED OCTOPUS WITH CANTIMPALITOS.(LITTLE RED SAUSAGES SMOKED WITH PAPRIKA). CHEF CAMPBELL IS THE AUTHOR OF THE THE COOKBOOK EL FAROL: TAPAS AND SPANISH CUISINE.

The menu consists of many tapas dishes --asparagus with smoked salmon and goat cheese, grilled mini chorizos with potato puree , smoky grilled eggplant topped with rich manchego, sweet saffron honey and briny capers -- as well as daily specials written on the blackboard over the bar. Chef Campbell is the author of the cookbook El Farol: Tapas and Spanish Cuisine. yelp 4 stars -- website and menu

Anasazi Restaurant -- 113 Washington Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 988-3236---Cuisine is Contemporary American
The restaurant is located at the Inn of Anasazi. Signature dishes include Duck Enchilada Molé, Diver Scallops and Kurobuta Pork Belly, Achiote Grilled Salmon, Grilled Elk Tenderloin and Angus Beef Duet with Diablo Sauce. Anasazi Restaurant has a new comer to Santa Fe -- Chef Juan Bochenski from Argentina. Gayot 13/20. --Website and Menus -- Yelp 3 1/2 stars reviews --

Galisteo Bistro --227 Galisteo St., Santa Fe, NM 87501-2125 505-982-3700
Galisteo is owned and operated by chefs Robert and Marge Chickering, The Bistro features eclectic, innovative international cuisine in an open kitchen style restaurant. Menu contains many tapas style dishes. 4 1/2 stars tripadvisor -- Website -- Menu --

Terra --198 State Rd. 592 Santa Fe, NM 505-946-5800
Terra is located at the Encantado Resort Four Seasons and has picturesque views of Santa Fe. The hotel also has an on-site art and sculpture gallery. Terra serves inventive interpretations of American cuisine with a strong emphasis on locally grown organic ingredients. With chef Charles Dale at the helm, the cuisine is modern, rustic and regionally inspired. Try his signature dish of seared diver scallops and pork belly in an edamame–green chile puree and soy vinaigrette. During the Opera season a $44 prixe fixe menu of appetizer, entree and dessert is served from 5:30-6:30. Website -- Sample Dinner Menu -- gayot 13/20 --Terra Restaurant is one of Gayots 2012 Hot 10 Santa Fe Restaurants -- Yelp 4 stars

La Plazuela Dining Room --100 E San Francisco St Santa Fe, NM 87501
Good Mexican American food in the historical setting of Hotel La Fonda. This is a great place for lunch be sure to reserve ahead of time.

IF YOU LIKE CHILE RELLENOS, DON''T MISS THEM AT LA PLAZUELA. THEY ARE MADE FRESH AND WITH 3 TYPES OF MEXICAN CHEESE. THEY ALSO ARE ONE OF THE FEW RESTAURANTS THAT MAKE USE OF THE EXCELLENT MARKET ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS WHEN IN SEASON.

La Plazuela has one the best chilli rellenos in Santa Fe. It is stuffed with 3 different Mexican cheeses, very lightly battered and deep fried fresh for each customer. Also excellent are the zuchini blossoms which are stuffed with goat cheese and served with a tomato sauce. Also excellent is the gaucamole prepared at your table. yelp 4 stars --Website and Menu -- 4 /2 stars Tripadvisor

315 Restaurant and Wine Bar --315 Old Santa Fe Tr. Send to Phone Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-986-9190
Executive Chef and Owner Louis Moskow started his training at the Culinary Institute of America. This very small restaurant is classical French Bistro style. 315 is the official restaurant for the Inn of the Five Graces -- a Relais & Chateau. The menu changes seasonally but some dishes e.g., seared duck breast with potato galette, ribbon vegetables and dried cherry sauce; french onion soup; and country paté are available year-round. Moskow also has an impressive wine list with more than 20 wines by the glass. -- yelp 3 1/2 stars reviews -- Gayot 15/20 --website and menu

Old House Restaurant --309 W. San Francisco St. Send to Phone Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-988-4455
Old House Restaurant is located in the Eldorado hotel in a Native American-inspired dining room. Cuisine is contemporary American. Website -- Menus --Gayot 15/20 (listed in Gayot top ten Romantic Restaurants and Top 10 for Food Rating-- Yelp 3 1/2 stars

Shed -- 113 E Palace Ave Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 982-9030
Locals seem to love this restaurant even though the tables are very close and the place gets very crowded and noisy. They do have some great green and red chili sauce you will find in Santa Fe. The restaurant is not located directly on the street but is recessed off the street through a door that leads to a small courtyard.-- Website and Menu -- Yelp 4 stars --

Ristra -- 548 Agua Fria St Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 982-8608
Ristra's cuisine mixes the flavors of France and the Southwest in an elegant setting. The menu may contain some mixed matches like Chile relleno with rabbit and onion confit. Gayot rates this restaurant as one of their hot 10 restaurants of 2012. yelp 3 1/2 stars -- Website --Menu -- Gayot 14/20 --

La Casa Sena --Sena Plaza 125 E. Palace Ave. Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-988-9232
Built in 1868, Sena Plaza is one of the oldest surviving houses in Santa Fe. It is located just one block from the city's plaza. Chef Patrick Gharrity says --"My food is generally not New Mexican in style but is most definitely is in origin! Whenever possible I utilize produce, meats and cheese from right here." --gayot 14/20 -- Website -- Menu

Maria’s --555 West Cordova Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 505/983-7929
The Seattle Times called Maria the Motherlode of American Margaritas.You will also find classic Santa Fe cooking here-- thick tamales and well prepared chile rellenos, fresh-made tacos, blue corn enchiladas with carne adovada. This place has 100 Margaritas to choose from. Website -- Yelp Reviews 4 stars.

Top Breakfast (and Lunch) Places --- Classic Santa Fe Cooking

Santa Fe is one of the great breakfast cities in the United States. And, expect to see long lines from many of the top places. A classic breakfast can consist of Eggs Ranchero -- Eggs over easy served with rice, refried beans and salad. This is served over a warm corn tortilla. Cheddar cheese is melted over the eggs and red, green sauce -- or a combination of the two (Chistmas) sauces --top the dish off.

Tia Sophia's --210 W San Francisco St Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 983-9880
In Santa Fe, burritos are breakfast food as well as lunch and dinner food and Tia Sophia’s burritos have been voted the best by many magazines and newspapers. --Yelp 4 stars -- Tripadvisor 4 stars

Tomasita's -- (near the train station) 500 S Guadalupe St Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 983-5721
Although this long time breakfast place gets some mixed reviews the lines continue to be very long. Could it be the fresh sopaipillas that are served with the meal? Yelp 3 1/2 stars --

Tecolote Cafe -- 1203 Cerrillos Rd Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 988-1362
This is one of the top restaurants for breakfast. Try the breakfast burrito X-mas style Yelp 4 1/2 stars -- Website and Menus

Guadalupe Cafe -- 422 Old Santa Fe Trail Santa Fe, NM 87503 (505) 982-9762
Great for Breakfast -- can be a bit hectic with crowds since it is fairly close to the main square. yelp 4 stars --

Tune-Up Cafe--1115 Hickox St Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 983-7060
Not just New Mexican breakfast here, but you will find pancakes, french toast and house made granola with yogurt.
Website and Menu -- Yelp 41/2 stars --