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Café Pasqual’s
Yes, it’s been covered by every major magazine; yes, you can order T-shirts and baseball caps off the menu; and no, you will definitely not be the only tourist here; but locals adore the Pasqual’s and frequent it for breakfast,...
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El Farol
Said to be the oldest restaurant in town, El Farol occupies a rustic adobe building on Canyon Road, so it’s a great choice for lunch while gallery-hopping; although to get a taste of the boisterous, bohemian ambience, complete with live...
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La Casa Sena
Housed in a hacienda dating from the late 19th century, La Casa Sena occupies a picturesque courtyard, a flower-filled extravaganza centered on a splashing fountain; it’s a half- block from the Plaza but feels a world apart. Like the Café...
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La Choza
When I asked a young gallery owner on Canyon Road where residents go for great food at more reasonable prices, he suggested La Choza. Owned and run by the same team behind the beloved eatery The Shed, La Choza has...
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Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen
This local joint, near the Railyard District, is still said to have the best margaritas in town. It certainly has the longest list with more than 100 options. The Mexican food served in the dark-wood-paneled, somewhat dated dining room gets...
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Museum Hill Café
This is your only lunch option when exploring the fabulous art troves that make up Museum Hill, located southeast of downtown Santa Fe. Luckily, this restaurant, which has lovely alfresco seating and lofty views, does a great job with hearty...
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Pink Adobe
Boasting a menu that runs the gamut from shrimp remoulade and lobster salad to grilled salmon and chicken enchiladas, the Pink Adobe is as whimsical as its former owner, Rosalea Murphy, who established the so-called Pink in 1944. Now part...
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Santacafé
This American bistro is set in a 19th-century house with an outdoor patio and four separate dining rooms. It’s a great spot for lunch when sightseeing in the downtown area, as the menu features tasty, light fare.
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Tesuque Village Market
If you’re visiting Shidoni, the sculpture garden and foundry, this no-frills joint is a good spot for refueling; there’s a market and a restaurant-café serving New Mexico staples. While it’s truly a spot for locals, celebs including Robert Redford and...
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The Shed
One of downtown Santa Fe’s most popular eateries (it’s been in this location since 1960), The Shed occupies a hacienda that dates from the 17th century and has a small bar area and a cozy dining room – the latter decorated...
Santa Fe

As much as Santa Fe is considered an art town, it’s also a food destination, thanks to a wealth of cuisines – Native American, Mexican, New Mexican, Southwestern, Spanish – that come together here. There’s a wonderful array of restaurant options, from local joints to grand dining rooms. Don’t shy away from places that have been written up a million times; most still live up to the accolades and are beloved by locals as well. If you’re not from New York City or Los Angeles, you may experience sticker shock: unless you settle for local hole-in-the-wall places, dining out in Santa Fe is expensive. And make sure you make reservations for dinner.