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."
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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
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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
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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..
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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 --
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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)
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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. |
Cafe Pasqual's--
121 Don Gasper Ave. Send to Phone Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-983-9340
Katharine Kagel is well known in Santa Fe and was one of the first
to blend traditional Mexican cooking with the flavors of Asia --Vietnamese
flash sautéed scallops -- Breakfast, lunch and dinner are
served at Cafe Pasqual's. This place is good for vegetarians
as well as meat lovers. Restaurant is small with a community
table. Website and Menus -- Gayot
14/20 review -- Tripadvisor
4 stars --
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 --
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