An Insider’s Guide to Santa Fe: Daria de Koning

Originally from New York and most recently based in Los Angeles, jewelry designer and artist Daria de Koning relocated to Santa Fe in 2024, where she recently opened her namesake gallery on historic Canyon Road. Known for her vibrant use of rare gemstones and decades exhibiting in galleries, museums and international design fairs, de Koning brings an artist’s eye to the city’s storied creative landscape. As both a newcomer and longtime collector of art, architecture and craftsmanship, she offers a fresh perspective on Santa Fe's evolving design scene. Here, she shares her favorite places to eat, shop, explore and unwind in New Mexico’s culture capital, from classic restaurants to top hiking trails and independent boutiques.

What is your favorite morning ritual in Santa Fe?

Most mornings begin with a hike with my dog, Kodak. One of my favorite things about Santa Fe is that there’s always another trail to explore, each offering different scenery and visual inspiration. It’s a great way to get the blood flowing, clear out the mental cobwebs and prepare me for a day in the gallery, working on jewelry.

Where do you go for breakfast or coffee?

When I’m meeting local friends, I head to Modern General Feed & Seed, an off-the-beaten track, delicious nook for breakfast with an inventive menu and rarely a wait. The green chile cilantro corn cakes are to-die-for.

For a convenient meeting spot near the Plaza, with good coffee and excellent bites, I head to La Mama. It’s a bright and light space with modern décor and both indoor and outdoor seating—making it a great spot for a post-hike meal with the dog in tow, as well. I love their house granola and yogurt bowl for breakfast or their vegetable sandwich for lunch.

My other breakfast go-to is Dolina, which has fabulous baked goods. Every item on their Eastern European-inspired menu is ridiculously tasty, which is why there’s always a huge line.

Where do you go for lunch or dinner?

Santa Fe is a foodie’s dream city. I like to take out-of-towners for something different, with unique flavors they won’t get elsewhere. My top two restaurants would be Sazón for creative Latin American flavors (from Fernando Olea, winner of the James Beard Best Chef of the Southwest 2022 title) or Casa Chimayo for elevated Mexican cuisine.

If the weather is good, to start off the evening, I like to bring guests to the Bell Tower rooftop bar at the Hotel La Fonda for guacamole and a margarita. Even though it can be a bit touristy, the roof has beautiful sunset views overlooking the town and up to the mountains. (Try the smoky pineapple margarita!)

If I’m exploring the center of the old town, I love to have lunch at the Spanish tapas joint La Boca. I love the European wine bar vibes, and the small plates are great for sharing—perfect for a midday pick-me-up.

For a stylish dinner with a small group, I love Radish & Rye or Joseph’s Culinary Pub. Both serve excellent farm-to-table food, and their atmospheres are cozy and inviting. The menus are constantly changing, but you can’t go wrong with anything you order.

For something romantic and upscale, the legendary Geronimo is a great choice. It’s an elegant restaurant housed in a circa-1756 adobe home, serving elevated cuisine. I like to sit in the tiny, cozy bar room, especially in the winter with the fireplace going. The menu never changes, but it’s consistently well done. Try the New Mexico rack of lamb or the elk tenderloin, and have the “apple” for dessert.

When in need of a cocktail, my go-to is tequila or mezcal. Joe’s Tequila Bar has the ultimate list for a connoisseur. The slightly hidden and secret Tonic is a stellar place to grab a cocktail pre- or post-dinner. When you go in, take a seat at a table; the bar seats are by invitation only.

What activity do you recommend for first-time visitors?

As a native New Yorker, the State of New Mexico is completely awe-inspiring to me. If there’s a bit more time in your agenda, it’s great to get out and drive around to some of the neighboring towns to see the scenery. Some of my favorite day trips are heading down to Madrid, Pecos National Historical Park or out to Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch to see the amazing red rocks and get a sense of where Georgia O’Keeffe lived (book in advance for a house tour). I even head down to Lamy to feel like I’ve been transported back to 1850 (hit up Legal Tender Saloon on the weekends). Visitors should also check out the New Mexico History Museum. It presents a fabulous overview and deep dive into the history of Santa Fe and New Mexico that many have familiarity with; it really sets the stage for where you are exploring.

What is your favorite thing to do again and again?

It never gets old to wander up and down Canyon Road, the famed gallery hotspot in Santa Fe. There is so much to see, and the art and old architectural charm make you feel like you’re in a different country. Plus, it’s peppered with good spots to “rest and snack,” like Ahmyo Wine Garden for a refreshing beverage to keep up your stamina or Café Canyon, which has unbelievable soups. If you can make it to town when there’s a “Canyon Road Art Walk” (the first Wednesday of the month), the whole street stays open late with music, food, art demonstrations and general fun—it’s not to miss!

Which hotels do you recommend in Santa Fe?

Santa Fe offers wonderful accommodations for every style of traveler, whether you prefer to stay in the heart of town or be surrounded by nature. I don’t have a particular favorite, but I think it’s fun to embrace the special Santa Fe style when you’re here, so try a place like The Inn of The Five Graces or Inn of the Turquoise Bear in town, both of which beautifully capture the city’s distinctive architectural style and artistic heritage. Alternatively, head to Bishop’s Lodge by Auberge Collection, which sits just a bit outside of town and provides easy access to the surrounding mountains.

Where do you shop for fashion and accessories?

Santa Fe is the place to double-down on your western wear! There’s a lot to choose from, but I would make your first stop the hidden vintage store Wahoo! Santa Fe, which has an incredible collection of Americana-inspired pieces by Ralph Lauren (and others). For an artistic, completely unique piece of clothing, head to the Railyard District and hit up Running Horse Studio, where you’ll meet Chickasaw artist Jimmy Dean Horn; his block printing on jackets, pants and other fabrics are extremely cool (and he’ll also work on custom pieces using your own textiles). For an incredibly high-end, special cowboy or Panama hat, stop at Montecristi Custom Hat Works. Complete the look with handmade, fabulous boots from Back at the Ranch—and top it all off with some jewelry from my gallery at 821 Canyon Road!

Where do you shop for a special gift?

Daria de Koning fine jewelry, of course! Here you can sit down with a glass of rosé while trying on all the jewels from the vault, but I also have a smattering of other gorgeous, gift-worthy, gem-related art and photography for sale.

I love the Santa Fe School of Cooking for sourcing tasty local treats, which I then pull together to make gift baskets. Also, if you have time when you’re in town, it’s fun to book a hands-on culinary class here. The sessions focus on dishes you wouldn’t normally make at home, with an emphasis on Southwest traditions like salsas, tamales, etc.

Do you have a favorite Santa Fe wellness ritual?

When I want to spoil myself, I block out a day of relaxation at Ten Thousand Waves, a Japanese-style bathhouse up in the foothills. I like to book a massage or facial, which gives you access to the private “community” hydrotherapy circuit (a hot pool, cold plunge and sauna), and I’ll spend the day before and/or after the treatment there with a good book. I also make sure to include time for lunch or dinner from Izanami, one of my favorite restaurants, which is just a stone’s throw away from the spa. Bring friends so you can order the whole menu (seriously).

Where do you go for a dose of nature?

There are so many places to immerse yourself in nature here. I love the Galisteo Basin Preserve with its vast hiking and biking trail system. It’s spacious and open, with awe-inspiring, sweeping views of classic Santa Fe skies and scenery. (Plus, there’s easy parking.) There is very little shade in the Basin, so if it’s hot, I like to go up to the mountains of Hyde Memorial State Park to find tree coverage and a creek for the dog (and myself). Little Tesuque Creek Trail is a short, relatively flat, out-and-back trail along a bubbling creek (until late summer) that I frequent. For a longer hike, I head further up the mountain to the Borrego-Windsor-Bear trail, which is a loop that passes down and up through a beautiful range of forest types, complete with a creek at the bottom of the hill (a welcome spot to refresh in the middle of the hike). I like to bring a picnic for this spot before making the climb back up. If you’re here in the fall, the Aspen Vista Trail Hike has spectacular views—and walking among hundreds of golden-leafed trees is dreamy.

What is your favorite neighborhood to explore?

I’m an architecture junkie, so I love wandering through neighborhoods and looking at all the houses and gardens. It’s particularly lovely to wander around the historic east side of Santa Fe among the old adobe buildings and trees. I love the bubbling arroyo that runs up and down Alameda, under a thick green canopy of trees and vegetation. It’s parallel to Canyon Road, where my gallery is, so I often take a stroll here when I need a nature break (and to walk my dog, who loves to wade into the creek).

Do you have a favorite book set in New Mexico?

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather remains one of the great literary portraits of the Southwest. I also recommend Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides for an engaging nonfiction look at the history of the American West.