The best restaurants in Santa Fe County

Ozu is a restaurant and market serving fresh homestyle Japanese food. Think satisfying, from-scratch comfort and a small shop with senbei and shichimi so you can keep the goodness going at home. Put it on your week plan, your taste buds will thank you.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, August 5, 2026

Whether you're craving fresh seafood, sizzling Chinese plates, or rolls made right in front of you, Empire Sushi and Grill Buffet delivers a lively, pile-your-plate experience locals can rally around. Bring friends or the kids, then finish strong at the juicy fruit bar because balance matters.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, August 15, 2026

Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina nails that Santa Fe sweet spot, where signature cornbread arrives with a butter trio you’ll want to hoard and the elk tenderloin steals the evening, while the rooftop cantina keeps the sunset company with bright, balanced drinks.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 11, 2026

Gatsby's is the Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge locals break out when the mood swings from green chile comfort to full-on splurge. Think Green Chile Clam Chowder, bison tartare, and a 30-day dry aged ribeye, with seafood like Chilean Seabass and fried oysters, plus caviar if you’re feeling a little Gatsby about it.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 14, 2026

Masa Sushi keeps it fresh with a lively exhibition kitchen that turns dinner into entertainment, plus a deep lineup of rolls and comforting Japanese plates. Ideal for a midweek reset when you want ocean vibes in Santa Fe, friendly service, and zero fuss.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, August 30, 2026

Restaurant Martin is your “I want to feel fancy without the fuss” move... refined New American plates in a sleek dining room and a garden-lined patio that makes Santa Fe evenings hit different. Perfect for date nights, big news celebrations, or just reminding yourself you have great taste.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 9, 2026

Casual taco joint featuring Mexican fare such as burritos, enchiladas and fajitas, plus an all-day breakfast menu.

Thin-crust cravings meet laid-back vibes at Back Road Pizza, a community-loved spot that treats you like a regular and keeps it consistent, from crisp pies to hearty salads. Voted Santa Fe’s #1 Best Pizza in The Reporter’s Best of Santa Fe for years, and yes, they were on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 25, 2026

Horno Restaurant calls itself a gastropub where street food meets indoor dining, and it delivers with creative plates alongside familiar seafood, steaks, and pasta, plus a thoughtful wine list and cocktails. Great for locals chasing big flavor without the fuss, the vibe reads polished yet relaxed.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 7, 2026

Basically Santa Fe’s living room since 1905, Plaza Cafe Downtown keeps locals fueled with all-day breakfast and New Mexican comfort food that never tries too hard.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 21, 2026

Chain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.

When you want a solid breakfast that leans inventive without getting precious, Tune-Up Café hits the spot, then sticks around for regional lunch and dinner, plus pizza and a low-key bar. Family-friendly vibes, hearty plates, and the kind of flavors locals quietly gatekeep.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 12, 2026

From globally inspired plates that actually play nice together to a deep lineup of wines by the glass, Terracotta Wine Bistro is the kind of spot you drift into for a casual weeknight and end up lingering. Plus live guitar nights and a lively, artful vibe.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 4, 2026

Boisterous Australian-themed chain serving steaks, seafood & other hearty steakhouse fare.

Rowley Farmhouse Ales is an award winning brewery and farm to table gastropub brewing rustic farmhouse and sour ales with a mixed culture focus. Expect an extensive New Mexico to global draft and bottle list, a focused wine list, and dishes from local farms that pair beautifully with a pint or two.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 5, 2026

Santa Fe’s Radish & Rye pairs farm inspired cuisine with southern sensibilities and a deep American brown spirits list, boasting over 175 bourbons, ryes, and American single malts. Go for the local sourcing and award winning cocktails, stay for plates that marry comfort with curiosity.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 17, 2026

Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza - Santa Fe serves authentic wood-fired pies and calzones, baked lasagna and pastas, panini and piadine, plus signature salads and crafted drinks. Established in 1992, they’ve spent over 30 years proving weeknight dinner can be easy, fresh, and legitimately craveable.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 19, 2026

Whether you’re craving a foldable, no-fuss slice or committing to a classic pie, Pizza Centro nails that New York-style bite Santa Fe folks keep hunting for. Quick counter service, legit calzones, and sandwiches make it an easy go-to when you’ve got zero patience and maximum hunger.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 10, 2026

Cafe Pasqual's keeps it local with organic produce, pasture-raised meats, and responsibly sourced sustainable fish, turning Mexican fare into the kind of comfort you crave on a random Tuesday. Grab a spot at the community table in the historic adobe, then wander the art gallery next door.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 2, 2026

Anthony's Grill pairs Mongolian-style stir-fry with Asian flavors and soul-food staples, so there’s room for both the veggie-heavy bowl and the wings mood. Pick your protein, pile on fresh vegetables, then experiment at the sauce bar. Your lunch, your rules, no committee meeting required.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 26, 2026

Sunrise Family Restaurant keeps it local with from-scratch New Mexican and American plates, the kind that make weekday mornings feel like a win.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 28, 2026

Izanami Restaurant at Ten Thousand Waves is the kind of upscale izakaya you hit when you want precise flavors without the fuss, from wagyu and thoughtful small plates to an extensive lineup of premium Japanese sake and craft beer. Chill, polished, and reliably delicious for Santa Fe nights.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 18, 2026

When you need a warm-up that outperforms the space heater, Saigon Cafe serves straightforward Vietnamese comfort like steaming pho, springy vermicelli bowls, and other familiar staples. Easygoing vibe, quick plates, and flavors that make you plan tomorrow’s leftovers before you’ve finished the first slurp.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 11, 2026

Pho Ava Vietnamese Restaurant serves a satisfying lineup of pho and other noodle soups, plus spring rolls, vermicelli bowls, banh mi, and bubble tea. It’s a casual spot for fresh Vietnamese favorites, with Japanese ramen on the menu too, because sometimes the hardest choice is what to slurp.

Santa Fe's quietly stellar Kai Sushi & Dining balances tradition and creativity, with pristine nigiri, sashimi, and inventive rolls built from certified-vendor fish.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 6, 2026

Santa Fe Bite carries the Bobcat Bite torch with an award-winning green chile cheeseburger, plus Mexican favorites, breakfast plates, and house-roasted coffee. Add a shake or local beer, order online when you can’t slip away from the office, and consider their move toward employee ownership a bonus.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 27, 2026

Casual counter-serve chain serving a variety of chicken wings & sides.

Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.

Whether your week needs a legit juicy burger or a plant-based win, The Burger Stand - Santa Fe keeps it classic and creative with meat and veggie patties, draft beers, and a comfy patio scene. Treat yourself to an easy hang and a reliably great bite this week.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, August 21, 2026

Santa Fe BBQ is all about New Mexican style smoke, the kind that makes you plot your week around their BBQ dates. Big, juicy turkey legs, other slow-smoked meats, and legit mac 'n' cheese with cornbread make it a reliable fix when dinner needs a little swagger.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 4, 2026

Cowgirl nails that smoke-and-sauce craving, pours cheeky margaritas, and keeps a solid music calendar so dinner turns into a hang. Need an easy weeknight plan? Hit the pickup window or order bulk to-go, plus vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, August 23, 2026

Piccolino is a family-owned Santa Fe spot serving family-style Italian favorites, pizza, and seafood with a New Mexican twist. With checkered tablecloths and chatty regulars, it has the feel of a neighborhood place where dinner can be deliciously unfussy.

If your week calls for a foldable New York style fix, Bruno's Pizzeria turns out wood fired pies, giant Full Moon slices, stromboli, calzones, and Nonno’s cannoli from five generations of Italian pie slingers. Named New Mexico’s Best Pizza 2025, it’s a reliable Santa Fe craving crusher.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 23, 2026

Fu Sushi leans into inventive specialty rolls like the fiery Dragon Roll and indulgent Godzilla Roll, plus pristine nigiri and sashimi when you want the straight-up ocean. Go all-you-can-eat or keep it classic, then outsource dinner with bento boxes or party trays.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 13, 2026

Whether you're craving a low-drama roll situation or just a clean, tasty sushi fix between errands, Joy's Sushi Bar keeps it simple and satisfying. Easy online ordering means dinner lands on the table without a production, perfect for Santa Fe locals who want fresh, no-fuss Japanese flavors.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 26, 2026

Between hand-painted windows, a sunlit courtyard, and a fountain that hushes your inbox, La Plazuela At La Fonda nails refined New Mexican with twists. Think La Fonda’s Signature Tortilla Soup, pan fried rainbow trout, and a filet-and-enchiladas combo that hits the comfort-and-date-night sweet spot.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 3, 2026

From green chile-studded classics to the Sunny Chicken Pesto and an unapologetically hearty Stromboli Calzone, Upper Crust Pizza Downtown nails the craveable stuff with that rustic Santa Fe comfort vibe. It’s the kind of spot you default to when you want award-winning pies, solid salads, and easygoing good times.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, August 31, 2026

La Boca is the lively, sherry-loving Spanish spot from eight-time James Beard Award nominee Chef James Campbell Caruso, pouring an all-Spanish wine list and serving modern, seasonal tapas backed by local ingredients; hit the Taberna for live music five nights a week and let the staff steer your pairings.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 16, 2026

Pranzo Italian Grill is that longtime Santa Fe spot where upscale Italian comfort lives in a converted warehouse warmed with Tuscan colors, with plates like Pig & Pear pizza, Lunedi Meatballs, and Linguini Vongole plus a cheeky Negroni Flight if your evening needs decisions outsourced.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 5, 2026

El Flamenco Cabaret pairs tapas-style small plates and Spanish beverages with an intimate stage where the music, heelwork, and palmas hit like espresso. If you need a weeknight jolt that isn’t caffeine, grab a friend and let the dancers shake off your Tuesday.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 3, 2026

El Rincon Café is dialing up northern New Mexican comfort with finesse, sourcing from the Santa Fe Farmers Market and farms, turning Chimay chile, produce, and carefully chosen meats into plates shaped by Spanish and Indigenous traditions and guided by the late Chef Estevan Garcia’s standards, which is your cue to…

From the Santa Fe newsletter, August 17, 2026

Since 1948, The Pantry has been Santa Fe’s meeting place for from-scratch plates, all-day breakfast, and what they proudly call the best chile in Santa Fe. Family-run, fast, and friendly, it’s the kind of spot that turns a regular Tuesday into a hug for your taste buds.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, August 28, 2026

Jambo Cafe turns weeknights into mini getaways with Swahili-influenced plates from Chef Ahmed Obo, like jerk chicken, goat stew and flaky savory pies, all kissed with just-right heat.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 24, 2026

When you're craving legit Texas oak-smoked brisket, prime steaks, and New Mexican touches without crossing town, The Ranch House delivers in a cozy, casually sophisticated spot with a lively bar and open-air patio. Order bulk BBQ to-go for the crew, or settle in with a cocktail and let the smoke do the talking.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 25, 2026

Harry's Roadhouse is that whimsical, colorful standby locals lean on for regional eats, seriously good comfort food, and a weekend brunch worth setting an alarm for. The weekly specials keep it fresh, the patio keeps it easy, and that Top 10% TripAdvisor nod doesn't hurt either.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, October 19, 2026

Santa Fe classic Dinner For Two is all about prime steaks with that perfect char, a legit craft cocktail program, and show-stopping tableside moments like a Caesar tossed to order and flaming Bananas Foster. File under date-night saver or treat-yourself Tuesday.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, August 24, 2026

Sweetwater Harvest Kitchen keeps things bright and nourishing with a fully gluten-free kitchen and a menu that actually travels, from a Paleo Burrito to Salmon Donburi and a Vegan Chile Relleno. Perfect for a midweek reset or when you want flavor without the food coma.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 12, 2026

Whether you’re craving a quick miso-and-bento situation or plotting a full-on roll parade, Sushi8 delivers fresh, affordable Japanese comfort with playful specials like Hello Kitty, Black Dragon and Crazy Tuna, plus hibachi, teriyaki and udon. Treat yourself this week, takeout or chill dine-in.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, August 22, 2026

Piazza Caffè leans Italian to the core, with house-made pasta, Roman-style thin-crust pizza, and focaccia baked daily.

From the Santa Fe newsletter, September 20, 2026

Eclectic New American fare served amid elegant, minimalist decor in a circa-1756 adobe home.