Santa Fe Guidebook
Food scene
For a nice meal and truly the world’s best margarita, do not miss Paloma. Owner Marja Martin has cultivated a dangerously good menu and now we’re sotol fiends because of their extensive Mexican spirit list. She took her whole staff to Oaxaca this year to explore and learn and that’s the kind of business we want to see thriving. Local food vendors listed on the site, they’re doing everything right there.
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Paloma Restaurant
401 S Guadalupe StFor a nice meal and truly the world’s best margarita, do not miss Paloma. Owner Marja Martin has cultivated a dangerously good menu and now we’re sotol fiends because of their extensive Mexican spirit list. She took her whole staff to Oaxaca this year to explore and learn and that’s the kind of business we want to see thriving. Local food vendors listed on the site, they’re doing everything right there.
This is a delicious, family-run Afro-Caribbean restaurant that is reasonably priced and a local favorite. We recommend the jerk chicken plate and chances are good you’ll get to meet owner and chef Ahmed Obo.
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Jambo Cafe
2010 Cerrillos RdThis is a delicious, family-run Afro-Caribbean restaurant that is reasonably priced and a local favorite. We recommend the jerk chicken plate and chances are good you’ll get to meet owner and chef Ahmed Obo.
For a delicious breakfast, smoothie or light lunch, this airy restaurant is a great choice. Erin Wade is serving up a delicious cacao coffee smoothie that we can’t get enough of and while avocado toast might be basic bitch breakfast territory, the one at Modern General is boss bitch. Erin also owns the nearby Vinaigrette if you want something a little more buttoned-up.
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Modern General
637 Cerrillos RdFor a delicious breakfast, smoothie or light lunch, this airy restaurant is a great choice. Erin Wade is serving up a delicious cacao coffee smoothie that we can’t get enough of and while avocado toast might be basic bitch breakfast territory, the one at Modern General is boss bitch. Erin also owns the nearby Vinaigrette if you want something a little more buttoned-up.
A Korean-New Mexican infusion, this place has everything from outstanding breakfast tacos to salmon edamame bowls. Co-owners Soma Franks and Fiona Wong have been serving up amazing dishes here since 2012. Don’t sleep on their shrimp and grits.
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Sweetwater Harvest Kitchen
1512 Pacheco StA Korean-New Mexican infusion, this place has everything from outstanding breakfast tacos to salmon edamame bowls. Co-owners Soma Franks and Fiona Wong have been serving up amazing dishes here since 2012. Don’t sleep on their shrimp and grits.
Delicious, modern take on Southern Indian cuisine. (For a more traditional Indian with a great lunch buffet, try India House)
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Paper Dosa
551 W Cordova RdDelicious, modern take on Southern Indian cuisine. (For a more traditional Indian with a great lunch buffet, try India House)
You can thank our friend Ayanna for forcing us to try this local champagne. We’re not bubbly alcohol people, but you have to be open to things in New Mexico or you’ll be kicked out. Glad we did! They have a tasting room off the plaza. Bring your friends or your enemies!
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Gruet Winery Santa Fe Tasting Room
210 Don Gaspar AveYou can thank our friend Ayanna for forcing us to try this local champagne. We’re not bubbly alcohol people, but you have to be open to things in New Mexico or you’ll be kicked out. Glad we did! They have a tasting room off the plaza. Bring your friends or your enemies!
For simple, authentic local burritos, this little hole in the wall place makes its own tortillas and the burritos are amazing. Especially the barbacoa. Also very close to Meow Wolf if you need some fuel for your immersive adventure.
Alicia's Tortilleria
1314 Rufina CirFor simple, authentic local burritos, this little hole in the wall place makes its own tortillas and the burritos are amazing. Especially the barbacoa. Also very close to Meow Wolf if you need some fuel for your immersive adventure.
Joseph's Culinary Pub
428 Agua Fria StLove their intimate vibes and upscale pub food.
Java Joe's
1248 Siler RdGreat nearby coffee and pastries. Check their hours before you go.
Downtown Subscription
376 Garcia StLocal fav for coffee near downtown.
Rowley Farmhouse Ales
1405 Maclovia StLove the beer selections! Great pub food!
Great beer selections! Try their Japanese brews and veggie burger.
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Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery
2791 Agua Fria StGreat beer selections! Try their Japanese brews and veggie burger.
Henry & The Fish
217 W San Francisco StHealthy salads, great sandwiches, smoothies and coffee.
Cafecito
922 Shoofly StThis is a fantastic brunch and lunch spot in the Railyard District!
This is our favorite fine dining in town! Great whiskey selection too.
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Radish & Rye
505 Cerrillos RdThis is our favorite fine dining in town! Great whiskey selection too.
Betterday Coffee
905 W Alameda StGreat coffee right by our fav grocery store.
Pre-order your delicious pizza and pick up at El Rey. They do sometimes take walk ups but better to order in advance.
Tender Fire
1862 Cerrillos RoadPre-order your delicious pizza and pick up at El Rey. They do sometimes take walk ups but better to order in advance.
This cozy wine lover’s paradise serves upscale bar food and the owners and staff are fantastic.
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TerraCotta Wine Bistro
304 Johnson StThis cozy wine lover’s paradise serves upscale bar food and the owners and staff are fantastic.
Light vegetarian fare with rotating menus each week. Pre order on Monday thru Wednesday for pick up on Friday.
Aruna cafe
1314 Rufina CircleLight vegetarian fare with rotating menus each week. Pre order on Monday thru Wednesday for pick up on Friday.
Annapurna’s® World Vegetarian Café
1620 St Michaels DrVegetarian and Ayurvedic yums
Ras Rody's Jamaican Vegan
1320 Agua Fria StCome for lunch or just pick up the best pecan pie in the universe.
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Chocolate Maven
821 W San Mateo RdCome for lunch or just pick up the best pecan pie in the universe.
Japanese deliciousness next to Ten Thousand Waves with an extensive sake selection. Reservations necessary.
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Izanami Restaurant
21 Ten Thousand Waves WayJapanese deliciousness next to Ten Thousand Waves with an extensive sake selection. Reservations necessary.
What do you get when you slather creativity all over a coffee business? This magical place is tailor-made for caffeine adventurers. Highly recommend Glory of Unicorns (adult style) and Streak of Tigers. If they have cinnamon buns or jam-filled donut holes, jump on them. Locally made, incredibly yummy and not too sweet.
Owner and boss lady Ranier also teaches movement classes in the back (StudioAMIEL) and is an embarrassingly talented artist. Her work is on display all over the cafe.
CrashMurderBusiness
312 Montezuma AvenueWhat do you get when you slather creativity all over a coffee business? This magical place is tailor-made for caffeine adventurers. Highly recommend Glory of Unicorns (adult style) and Streak of Tigers. If they have cinnamon buns or jam-filled donut holes, jump on them. Locally made, incredibly yummy and not too sweet.
Owner and boss lady Ranier also teaches movement classes in the back (StudioAMIEL) and is an embarrassingly talented artist. Her work is on display all over the cafe.
Quite possibly the best coffee in town, for sure the best coffee off The Plaza. Stop in for a caffeine recharge and a sweet treat made by Mille.
35˚ North Coffee and Pastelaria
60 E San Francisco StQuite possibly the best coffee in town, for sure the best coffee off The Plaza. Stop in for a caffeine recharge and a sweet treat made by Mille.
Gastropub meets street food PLUS the best wine selection in downtown. Save room for dessert and if they have the pop tart, jump on it.
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Horno Restaurant
95 West Marcy StreetGastropub meets street food PLUS the best wine selection in downtown. Save room for dessert and if they have the pop tart, jump on it.
La Mama
Best wine bar with delicious eats in town!
Groceries
We love this place - they have all the most delicious groceries, and it’s our favorite. All local farmers and providers.
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La Montañita Co-op Food Market - Santa Fe
913 W Alameda StWe love this place - they have all the most delicious groceries, and it’s our favorite. All local farmers and providers.
If you are here on a Tuesday or Saturday, this is a must - wonderful produce and specialty products like soaps and honeys from all around New Mexico, in a great part of town. A really fun experience. Bring cash and/or buy Farmer’s Market tokens at the info booth.
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Isitolo saba-Farmers e-Santa Fe
1607 Paseo De PeraltaIf you are here on a Tuesday or Saturday, this is a must - wonderful produce and specialty products like soaps and honeys from all around New Mexico, in a great part of town. A really fun experience. Bring cash and/or buy Farmer’s Market tokens at the info booth.
What to Do
If you haven’t heard of this art extravaganza, just go. Funded by Game of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin, a collective of wildly talented Santa Fe artists created a seemingly endless labyrinth which is a portal to another world. Go! It’s just down the street! Once we went to a concert there last minute and parked across the street and we couldn’t believe this was our life. Check out their schedule for all their live events.
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Meow Wolf
1352 Rufina CirIf you haven’t heard of this art extravaganza, just go. Funded by Game of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin, a collective of wildly talented Santa Fe artists created a seemingly endless labyrinth which is a portal to another world. Go! It’s just down the street! Once we went to a concert there last minute and parked across the street and we couldn’t believe this was our life. Check out their schedule for all their live events.
I-Museum ka-Georgia O'Keeffe
217 Johnson StMuseum of Contemporary Native Arts
108 Cathedral PlI-Cathedral Basilica kaSt. Francis of Assisi
131 Cathedral PlMuseum of International Folk Art
706 Camino LejoMuseum of Indian Arts & Culture
710 Camino LejoGhost Ranch
U.S. 84Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
500 Terrace AveSITE Santa Fe
1606 Paseo De Peraltagallery FRITZ
540 S Guadalupe StHandmade watercolors, beautiful art supplies, local pottery plus art classes for adults and children. Don't leave without trying their custom denim line. It's rugged, classic, and perfect for looking the part of painter... regardless of your skills.
L’Ecole Des Beaux Arts
717 Canyon RoadHandmade watercolors, beautiful art supplies, local pottery plus art classes for adults and children. Don't leave without trying their custom denim line. It's rugged, classic, and perfect for looking the part of painter... regardless of your skills.
Liquor/Wine
For a great selection of wines that includes New Mexico’s own excellent La Chiripada Wines, this is the place to go.
(RELOCATING — reopening soon!)
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Susan's Fine Wine and Spirits
632 Agua Fria StFor a great selection of wines that includes New Mexico’s own excellent La Chiripada Wines, this is the place to go.
(RELOCATING — reopening soon!)
Healing
Inspired by a Japanese “onsen” natural hot spring, this is a delightful place to truly unwind. With several large public hot soaking baths, cold dips, saunas, meditation rooms, as well as private massages that should be booked in advance, you should really make time for this as a special treat.
If this tickles your fancy and you want to take your hot spring game to the next level, we recommend the drive to Ojo Caliente next.
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Ten Thousand Waves
21 Ten Thousand Waves WayInspired by a Japanese “onsen” natural hot spring, this is a delightful place to truly unwind. With several large public hot soaking baths, cold dips, saunas, meditation rooms, as well as private massages that should be booked in advance, you should really make time for this as a special treat.
If this tickles your fancy and you want to take your hot spring game to the next level, we recommend the drive to Ojo Caliente next.
Ojo Caliente
Alkemesta Beauty Bar
1210 Luisa StAna does incredible, natural facials. Make sure to book way in advance.
Elizabeth Harris
2029 Hopi RdThe best cranial sacral massage in Santa Fe. Maybe even the world? Book in advance.
Sightseeing
La Chiripada is a lovely, family-owned winery making a small selection of delicious wines in picturesque Dixon, NM, known for it's annual Art Studio Tour. About an hour's drive
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La Chiripada Winery
La Chiripada is a lovely, family-owned winery making a small selection of delicious wines in picturesque Dixon, NM, known for it's annual Art Studio Tour. About an hour's drive
Hikes
Dale Balls is a scenic 22-mi. network of mountain trails with a variety of terrain for hiking, running & biking. Super fun, and not too challenging!
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Dale Ball Trails
Dale Balls is a scenic 22-mi. network of mountain trails with a variety of terrain for hiking, running & biking. Super fun, and not too challenging!
76 Rio En Medio Rd
This is a fun hike that leads to a waterfall in Tesuque!
We've never been, but have heard this is a beautiful area worth checking out - Los Alamos nearby is a very cool town too!
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Bandelier National Monument
15 Entrance RdWe've never been, but have heard this is a beautiful area worth checking out - Los Alamos nearby is a very cool town too!