If you’re in the mood for a delicious New Mexican meal in Santa Fe, consider a trip to Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen. The take-out restaurant was founded in 1952 by Maria and Gilbert Lopez. In 1985, Al and Laurie Lucero bought the restaurant and decided to revive it to its original 1950s look and feel. The Luceros eventually sold the restaurant to Santa Fe Dining Inc., which is now responsible for the restaurants in Santa Fe. Maria’s menu is known for its legendary margaritas and chile Rellenos.
La Choza
Casual eatery with colorful decor. Vegetarian options are available. This restaurant also offers a large selection of craft beers. It’s located just south of the Santa Fe Plaza. The casual atmosphere of this place makes it a favorite with locals. The food is delicious and affordable.
This Santa Fe restaurant is a true treat for foodies. It’s located in an old adobe building that used to be the Mercer Ranch. The margaritas are among the best in town, and you can pair almost any meal with a drink. The menu includes spicy and non-spicy options, and the servers will help you decide which dishes will suit you.
Known for its authentic Mexican fare, The Pantry has been a Santa Fe institution for over 60 years. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is popular with locals. Its menu includes Huevos Rancheros, quesadillas, fajitas, and more. In addition to breakfast, the Pantry also serves sandwiches, burgers, and steaks. You can order just about anything you’d expect at a Mexican restaurant, and the prices are also highly affordable.
El Callejon Taqueria
The down-home atmosphere at El Callejon Taqueria makes for a great dining experience. Traditional Mexican cuisine, such as tacos, fajitas, and mole, is served in a relaxed, casual setting. The food is made with fresh, local ingredients and is prepared by skilled chefs.
This restaurant serves authentic Mexican dishes prepared with natural meats and refuses to use trans fats. The menu features all types of tacos. You can choose between three tacos and a side order of black beans, escabeche, salsa, and barbacoa. Try the Al Pastor taco or other entrees if you’re craving something spicy.
This Santa Fe new Mexican restaurant also serves vegetarian fare. The interior is decorated with Frida Kahlo prints, and the food is prepared with freshly made mole sauces. Many of the dishes here go beyond the typical Mexican bites and are served with an inventive twist. Some specialties include shrimp enchiladas, stuffed poblano peppers, and peppered beef tenderloin. The menu also includes dishes suited for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant
Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant is a casual dining experience that serves traditional Mexican fare. The restaurant serves beer and margaritas, and live music is usually available most nights. The friendly atmosphere and excellent service make this a good place to spend an evening with friends.
The restaurant is vegetarian-friendly, and the menu is very affordable. The Mexican food served here is very flavorful. There is also outdoor seating if you’d prefer to avoid dining inside. Despite its rustic charm, the service at Los Magueyes is excellent.
Located in the Santa Fe Arts and Crafts District, Los Magueyes is a popular choice for dining in Santa Fe. There’s often a wait at this famous restaurant, but it’s well worth it. The food is authentic and tastes great. It is a great place to enjoy Mexican food while visiting Santa Fe.
The food at Los Magueyes is delicious. I especially enjoyed the beef enchiladas, served in a traditional Mexican style with sauces. There were also delightful beef tacos.
Radish & Rye
The New American Restaurant serves plates from New American cuisine. Ingredients are sourced locally, and the menu pairs well with a large selection of bourbon. Guests can indulge in various New American dishes, including brisket, bison, and pork chops.
Radish & Rye in Santa Fe has a farm-to-table philosophy. They source all of their ingredients locally and feature dishes created by local farmers. The menu features words that are inventive and full of flavor. The ambiance is simply breathtaking. You can dine on various dishes, including fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and chile threads.
If you prefer comfort food, try Dr. Field Goods Kitchen, a farm-to-table establishment. The chefs use only the freshest ingredients and source meats and produce from local sources. The restaurant also offers a great beer menu.
Coyote Cafe
The elegant Coyote Cafe in Santa Fe offers southwestern cuisine with a local flare. The stylish eatery also has a rooftop bar. Cocktail lovers will be delighted by the menu and drinks. The prices are moderate, and the atmosphere is cozy. The service is impeccable.
Mark Miller, the chef and owner of Coyote Cafe has been in the restaurant industry since the early 1980s. He moved to California in 1967 to pursue his studies, working at Chez Panisse and in Paris with Richard Olney. After he opened the Fourth Street Grill in Berkeley, he started the Coyote Cafe. Mark Miller has been credited as the “father of modern southwestern cuisine.”
The Coyote Cafe has been named one of the best restaurants in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It has an extensive and varied menu, including a mesquite-grilled prime ribeye. There are also a variety of seafood dishes on the menu, including elk tenderloin and Patagonian sea bass.
El Fogata Grill
Low-key outpost with hearty Latin & New American fare. Sides, beer, and a kids’ menu round out the experience. The ambiance is casual but chic, and the food is consistently good. This is a great place to dine out with friends or family.
The restaurant is family owned and operated, specializing in southern Mexican regional fare. Authentic southern Mexican flavors, herbs, and folklore are featured throughout the menu. A typical meal costs under $30. The restaurant offers delivery services and has ample bike parking. It provides a friendly and professional staff.
In addition to traditional American fare, the menu offers French-influenced dishes. Chefs craft daily specials using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The prices are slightly higher than at other Santa Fe restaurants, but they are well worth it.
Rancho de Chimayo
At Rancho de Chimayo, you can enjoy traditional New Mexican dishes in the pueblo restaurant. There’s an outdoor patio where you can enjoy the fresh air and your meal. You can also relax in one of the several lounges and enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains.
The restaurant is housed in a century-old adobe. The name “Rancho” means “superior red flaking stone” in Tewa, the native language of the region. The Jaramillo family’s owners serve sumptuous chiles Rellenos, stuffed sopapilla, prickly pear lemonade, and many other dishes. The restaurant also offers a cookbook to teach you how to make chiles at home.
In 1965, Florence and Arturo, two locals of Chimayo, started the restaurant to present authentic New Mexican foods and offer economic opportunities to their community. It was hard to find a place to eat then because people were not accustomed to driving for a meal. Florence could not get financing for the restaurant from a bank, and food service companies would not deliver to such a remote location. Eventually, Florence and Arturo had to go through the trouble of hauling back groceries to their home village.