Best Artisan Chocolate
Kakawa’s many offerings have grown a devoted following in the local chocolate-sphere and, with three locations across town, you’re never too far from an excellent truffle or a molten chocolate elixir drink. When you visit Kakawa, you’re engaging in a rich history dating back to time immemorial. The business is also all about supporting farmers, engaging with history and promoting deliciousness—the holy choco-trinity.
1050 Paseo de Peralta, (505) 982-0388; 851 San Mateo Road, (505) 930-5968; 1300 Rufina Circle, (505) 930-5460
Should you visit The ChocolateSmith, you, too, might start to question whether its “gourmet” descriptor is strong enough. Find a huge swath of products for special (or daily) occasions across an array of local and organic ingredients, and make sure to try the dipped fruits and nuts.
851 Cerrillos Road, (505) 473-2111
Upscale clothing, jewelry, bags, gifts and chocolate? Talk about a one-stop shop. Hey, serape fans? Your ship has come in, and no one will judge you if you bite into a coconut cardamom or tiramisu truffle while you’re perusing the goods at either of two Santa Fe locations.
109 E Palace Ave., (505) 989-3887; 312 Montezuma Ave., (505) 467-8694
Best Asian Restaurant
1. Izanami
Oh, it’s worth the drive up to Ten Thousand Waves to dine at Izanami, even if you’re not indulging in a soak or massage at the spa. Izanami’s izakaya style comes with no small number of dishes to obsess over, too, from the grilled wagyu steak or smoked pork ribs to bass grilled with miso, roasted mushrooms, rice balls and…well, let’s just say chef Kiko Rodriguez has assembled an addictive lineup alongside notable wine, sake and beer lists.
21 Ten Thousand Waves Way, (505) 982-9304
Whether visiting for the casual yet upscale-ish food, the absolutely massive bar menu (the Mai Tai is particularly popular) or the comfy dining room, Jinja has proven its staying power with its Southwest-meets-South-Pacific menu.
510 Guadalupe Ave., (505) 982-4321
What a year it’s been for Dumpling Café owner Jason Zeng, who not only counts Dumpling Tea and Dim Sum and Zeng among his holdings, but has sparked a feverish fanbase for his Dumpling Café in one of the more challenging locations in Santa Fe. Our take? The veggie dumplings are fab, but don’t miss out on the pork.
500 Sandoval St., (505) 780-5890
Best BBQ
Owners Josh Baum and Ann Gordon merged a fine dining sensibility with traditional BBQ and a beautiful dining room experience for The Ranch House. Not only will you find all the BBQ hits on the menu, Baum, also the chef, has numerous salad, sandwich and burger options, plus a bulk BBQ to-go menu, standout desserts, happy hour specials and, maybe most importantly, queso waffle fries with pork, brisket or *gulp* green chile brisket.
2571 Cristo’s Road, (505) 424-8900
2. Cowgirl BBQ
Like there’d be a local’s list of great BBQ options that didn’t include the ol’ C-Girl. The BBQ at this-here joint is likely a big reason so many continue to support the fabled spot, but the robust bar and seasonal offerings don’t hurt, either. Oh, they cater, too. Just sayin’.
219 S Guadalupe St., (505) 982-2565
3. Rudy’s BBQ
Sure, it’s the new kid on the block and also a chain, but Santa Feans took to Rudy’s pretty much right away, and it’s not uncommon to see a line formed at the Southside locale. Get all the beef, pork, chicken and sides you could ever want served up in a casual, comfy atmosphere.
6581 Cerrillos Road, (505) 395-4227
Best Bread
They say the classics never go out of style, and it might not get more classic when it comes to bread in Santa Fe than the downright-beloved Sage Bakehouse. A staple on countless local menus and in countless local homes, we’re talking artisan bread here, with recipes that still taste the same as they ever did. Bread might be the ultimate comfort food, and when Santa Feans want that comfort, they choose Sage.
535 Cerrillos Road, (505) 820-7243
2. Bread Shop
Though relatively new in the Santa Fe scope of things, this Midtown bakery from owners Jacob Brenner and Mayme Berman became so popular that one wonders how we ever made do without it. Find various loaves and treats, plus specialty grocery items and crazy good sandwiches for carnivores and vegetarians alike. Coffee, too!
1703 Lena St., (505) 230-8421
Despite being a newer addition to the CHOMP food hall, family owned bakery Wild Leaven has 12 years in the bread biz and a penchant for long fermentation sourdough, local ingredients and heritage and heirloom grains. Owners Jessica and Andre Kempton also have a Taos location.
505 Cerrillos Road, wildleavenbakery.com
Best Breakfast
1. The Pantry
Santa Fe now counts several Pantry locations across town with varying menus, but the original location in Midtown remains one of the busiest and most locally popular eateries of all time thanks, at least in part, to its all-day breakfast menu. Find all the eggs, bacon, waffles, pancakes, French toast and potatoes folks crave in the morning, plus numerous New Mexican items. Try the carne adovada breakfast burrito to taste true magic.
1820 Cerrillos Road, (505) 986-0022
2. Clafoutis
Say “oui!” to Cordova Road’s most popular French café and choose from breakfast hits like omelets, egg croissants, crepes, waffles and more. Don’t forget Clafoutis switches to lunch at 11:30 am—but the bakery case keeps on a-rockin’ until it runs out or the restaurant closes for the day.
333 W Cordova Road, (505) 988-1809
3. Tia Sophia’s
One of the few places downtown that seemingly fills up with more locals than tourists, Tia’s placing in the breakfast category just feels right—especially since owner Nick Maryol says that while his grandpa didn’t invent it, he was still one of the first to include a breakfast burrito on a restaurant menu.
210 W San Francisco St., (505) 983-9880
Best Burger
We’re coming up on the year-and-a-half mark since the original Santa Fe Bite (née Bobcat Bite) owners John and Bonnie Eckre sold the business to new owners Angela Mason and Armando Rivas, and everything still tastes the way it did in the old days. Santa Fe Bite is as good as it gets in the burger game, and the burger game around here is strong. Pro tip? The real ones get a side of home fries with their green chile cheeseburger.
1616 St. Michael’s Drive, (505) 428-0328
Jambo’s chef Ahmed Obo has plenty of his own recipes to back up his strong rep, but he sure nailed the precise taste of the old Bobcat Bite burger. Obo also fleshed out the menu when he took over the restaurant just outside town. Still, you should get the burger.
418 Old Las Vegas Hwy., (505) 467-8654
Whether you visit the Railyard or Rufina locations of the long-popular local eatery and brewery, expect a consistently excellent burger, be it the classic or the cheese and chile-stuffed Alien Burger with bacon and a blue corn-dusted relleno.
1607 Paseo de Peralta, (505) 989-3278; 2920 Rufina St., (505) 954-1068
Best Cakes
1. Chocolate Maven Bakery & Café
In retrospect, the Maven might have led the chocolate ganache charge in Santa Fe, at least in terms of volume, richness and quality. Oh, but the cakes don’t stop there. Lemon buttercream? Carrot cake? Sour cream coffee cake? Tres leches? Strawberries and cream? If you need a cake for any taste or occasion (even if the occasion is just plain wanting a cake), it would be hard to find a more enticing local menu.
820 W San Mateo Road, (505) 984-1980
2. Clafoutis
Whether you need a sheet cake or the good old classic, Clafoutis has a small but mighty menu, including chocolate and fruit varieties. Also, for the record, you can get a Napoleon cake brimming with puff pastry and custard. Gasp!
333 W Cordova Road, (505) 988-1809
Perhaps you’ve seen sweet treats from the Southside bakery in local grocery stores like Kaune’s, but believe us when we say it’s well worth visiting the fountainhead whenever possible, especially if you’re in the market for cakes, torts and more. Tres leches fans, take note!
4350 Airport Road, (505) 557-6156
Best Catering Company
1. Cowgirl BBQ
A restaurant-slash-catering business doesn’t make it in this town without a high level of word-of-mouth, and when you ask around about the quality of Cowgirl’s catering offerings, the word-of-mouth is usually something about how it rules. Cowgirl offers a huge list of BBQ items, of course, but also boasts tapas, desserts, on-site or in-house buffets, plus apps and snacks you might not expect. We love when a known entity still has surprises up its sleeve.
219 S Guadalupe St., (505) 982-2565
As the ubiquity of food trucks continues its glorious rise, What the Truck wins fans in droves with its catering options. Yes, you can get New Mexican classics, but also special hors d’oeuvres, deli items, fresh coffee and…well, let’s just say they do a lot and people love it.
7855 Old Santa Fe Trail, (505) 795-6651
Nary shall you find a Santa Fean who hasn’t at some point whispered the words “Walter Burke Catering” when asked who serves up quality food for events, gatherings, weddings—you name it. Its place on this list feels real matter-of-fact, actually.
(505) 473-9600
Best Chef
1. Chef Ahmed Obo (Jambo Café)
At this point, it might just be easier to designate Obo the winner-for-life of the Best Chef category—this marks more years on top than anyone can remember. Santa Fe loves the James Beard-nominated Obo for so many reasons, be it his flagship Jambo Café in Midtown and its Afro-Caribbean flair; the Jambo Hapa food truck’s abbreviated menu at local events; or the Jambo Bobcat Bite burger/lunch spot. He’s also a well known contributor to numerous nonprofit ventures, and a repeat winner in The Food Depot Souper Bowl fundraiser.
2010 Cerrillos Road, (505) 473-1269
2. Chef Martín Rios (Restaurant Martín)
Rios has made waves in the local community for years with his decidedly upscale-yet-accessible downtown Restaurant Martín. He’s also been up for a James Beard Award an astonishing 10 times, and his to-go Build-a-Bowl dining service during the pandemic was a lifesaver.
526 Galisteo St., (505) 820-0919
Erica Tai is having a hell of a year as her restaurant Alkemē from executive chef Hue-Chan Karels continues to lure diners. Tai was both shortlisted for a James Beard Award and featured in SFR’s annual Restaurant Issue, all while helping to craft the most exciting Asian fusion menu in Santa Fe since…ever, maybe.
227 Don Gaspar Ave., (505) 982-9704
Best Cocktails
If there’s a better place in town for people watching than the Coyote Café's rooftop Cantina, we’re not sure we’ve been there. Think of it like a gorgeous summer bastion for tasty dining that’s a little more affordable than the dining room proper—and that’s before you get to the drinks. Just pass the gorgeous coyote mural on your way to the seating area, then prepare to marvel at the sheer number of creative cocktails, familiar concoctions and innovative mixology.
132 W Water St., (505) 983-1615
2. Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery
If you’re already visiting Tumbleroot for a concert or something, you might as well sample one of the cocktails from the house-made list. Might we recommend the classics, like a mojito or Moscow mule? Ask about their whiskeys, too, and the popular gin.
2791 Agua Fría St., (505) 303-3808
3. Tonic
Proprietor Winston Greene certainly has built quite the sipper’s oasis in downtown Santa Fe. Tonic truly embraces the concept of the craft cocktails, including the naming therein. Try the Haar of the Dog with blended Scotch, spider rum and lemon oil; or the Dragon’s Roost with mezcal, fresh pineapple and dragonfruit foam.
103 E Water St., tonicsantafe.com
Best Coffee
Though known for the darker roasts, Ohori’s, which turns 40 this year, has a wide variety for light roast fans, too, including Mexican and Peruvian roasts. “When I travel, people don’t seem to do coffee like we do,” co-owner Tai Brinegar says. “The way we roast coffee in a drum roaster, with fire? It’s completely artisan, by hand—there are no computers. And you can taste the difference.” SFR readers agree—as do numerous devout SFR employees, who patronize Ohori’s daily.
1098 ½ S St. Francis Drive, (505) 982-9862; 505 Cerrillos Road, (505) 982-9692
When Iconik surprise-opened its new location Red on Cerrillos Road, it didn’t take long for the throngs to arrive. You’ll find a similarly large fanbase at its Lupe location downtown and flagship spot on Lena Street, plus an ever-changing lineup of international roasts and tasty food.
1600 Lena St.; 1366 Cerrillos Road; 314 S Guadalupe St., (505) 428-0996
3. Java Joe’s
Santa Feans from the Southside and Midtown swear by both Java Joe’s locations, and its myriad roasts also give stalwart downtown-based coffee lovers plenty of reason to drive over. We know this category is about coffee, but try a chocolate chip cookie during your caffeine quest—seriously.
2801 Rodeo Road, (505) 474-5282; 1248 Siler Road, (505) 930-5763
Best Croissants
Mille owners Stephanie and Marcel Remillieux surely know they have something special on their hands some three-ish years after they opened downtown café and bakery Mille. Croissant-wise, Santa Fe says they’re the best in the game, which might account for why les Remillieuxs took over a commercial kitchen space in Midtown late last year to augment the restaurant. “I jumped at the opportunity because we’re running out of space,” Marcel told SFR in 2023. “We’re already doing more than 1,000 morning pastries a week.” Don’t fret, though; with that kitchen space running, you’ll almost certainly find a croissant should you visit Mille. Phew!
451 W Alameda St., (505) 930-5942
2. Clafoutis
Well, what did you expect from a French bakery that already made BOSF 2024 several times over? Of course Clafoutis owners Anne-Laure and Philippe Ligier were always going to have a killer croissant.
333 W Cordova Road, (505) 988-1809
3. Chocolate Maven Bakery & Café
You’d be surprised how many local restaurants serve Maven croissants, but should you visit the bakery itself, you’ll find numerous sandwich and bakery case options (the green chile and cheese croissant is *chef’s kiss*); y’know, just in case you don’t scarf one down on its own immediately.
820 W San Mateo Road, (505) 984-1980
Best Fine Dining
1. Geronimo
Geronimo has become the go-to recommendation within Santa Fe’s stacked fine dining scene, and nary a year goes by without Trip Advisor, Forbes, AAA, Wine Spectator or some other outlet bestowing the highest honors upon the Canyon Road mainstay for its food and wine. Executive Chef Silin Cruz is so popular, in fact, that some folks make the sojourn to town just to sample his skills. That’s huge, frankly, and a testament to Geornimo’s menus, service and ambience.
724 Canyon Road, (505) 982-1500
2. The Compound
Compound owner Mark Kiffin isn’t only a James Beard Award-winning chef, he’s also a community minded Santa Fean whose ultimate goal is to please Compound regulars and newbies alike. That Alexander Girard-designed building on Canyon Road sure doesn’t hurt, nor do the stellar wine and cocktail menus.
653 Canyon Road, (505) 982-4353
3. Santacafé
Owner Quinn Stephenson (also of Coyote Café) famously worked his way up from a busser position to restaurateur. That fact, in conjunction with chef Dale Kester’s constantly evolving menu, firmly places Santacafé in the pantheon of all-time Santa Fe greats.
231 Washington Ave., (505) 984-1788
Best Food Truck
1. Fusion Tacos
With roughly a dozen trucks out there across town, plus a new brick-and-mortar in Eldorado and sister restaurant Fusion Delicias Café, how does one even nail down which Fusion is the best? One doesn’t, because they’re all pretty phenomenal. Perhaps most famous for birria tacos, the rest of Fusion’s menu is also the stuff of taco legends. Try the crispy carnitas for something truly special, just make sure you don’t underestimate the spiciness of the included salsa.
When El Chile Toreado made the shortlist for a James Beard Award recently, Santa Feans weren’t shocked. For years, we’d already known where some of the best breakfast burritos and tacos in town came from, and we never slept on the hot dogs, either.
807 Early St., (505) 500-0033
A relative newcomer to the local mobile culinary cuisine, Bo’s started gaining fans from its spot in the food truck mecca on Old Santa Fe Trail straight away. And it has only gained popularity since it opened, thanks to an authenticity that expands beyond the name and into every order of curry, pad Thai and stir fry.
502 Old Santa Fe Trail, (505) 310-5826
Best Frozen Treats
1. La Lecheria
Santa Fe fell in love with chef Joel Coleman when he opened the sadly defunct gastropub Fire & Hops, and we kept the love alive when Coleman left to focus on his craft ice cream business La Lecheria. Creating hits like vanilla bean and chocolate with sea salt, rubbing shoulders with unexpected flavors like sweet corn, coconut miso and goat cheese blackberry, Coleman not only gets to flex his creative muscle, he expansd what we all thought was possible with ice cream. Oh, and there’s a truck, too, if you’re lucky enough to find it.
500 Market St., (505) 428-0077
2. Frogurt
America’s long-standing love affair with frozen yogurt continues in Santa Fe at Rodeo Road’s Frogurt, where the self-serve options are many and the sheer number of toppings is enough to stump the sweetest sweet tooths.
2801 Rodeo Road, (505) 474-6336
Even though most people tend to think of Kakawa as the place with the hot chocolate elixirs, it’s still the place that serves up special sundaes with season-specific ice cream concoctions. Fantastic.
1050 Paseo de Peralta, (505) 982-0388; 851 San Mateo Road, (505) 930-5968; 1300 Rufina Circle, (505) 930-5460
Best Gastropub
With a coterie of great burgers, comfort food options, affordable salads and rotating specials, Second Street sure knows how to keep the hungry happy at both its locations. “It’s great to get the acknowledgement that the community supports us,” Second Street co-founder Rod Tweet says. “Head chef Alvaro Ramirez has been with us about a year, year-and-a-half, and he’s doing great work. I personally am thankful for the support—we do feel a responsibility to do a great job.”
1607 Paseo de Peralta, (505) 989-3278; 2920 Rufina St., (505) 954-1068
Co-owners Chef David Sellers and Heather Sellers have serious restaurant pedigrees, but their joint venture Horno is the first one they’ve solely owned together. Since launching in 2022, Horno has won fans with dishes like grilled pork belly tostadas, teriyaki-glazed octopus and so much more. Ask about the special fried chicken days next time you visit, too.
95 W Marcy St., (505) 303-3469
Not only did chef Josh Gerwin successfully move his restaurant and butcher shop from Midtown to the former location of the Santa Fe Bar & Grill in the DeVargas mall, he kept some of the old dishes, added others and still somehow continues to offer one of the best cubanos in town.
187 Paseo de Peralta, (505) 982-3033
Best Gluten-Free
Celiac disease is no joke, nor are the throngs who cut gluten from their diets for various other reasons. Owner Soma Franks takes the mission seriously across an ever-popular menu that includes delicious breakfast tacos, comforting soups, creative salads and gluten-free options that are anything but boring. Try the bison burger for a culinary revelation, but don’t forget the pumpkin quinoa veggie burger if you don’t do meat.
1512 Pacheco St., (505) 795-7383
Santa Feans swear by baker Dionne Christian’s gluten-free treat haven in the Design Center, not just because it sidesteps the gluten, but because just about every item on offer tastes just as good as its glutinous counterparts. Don’t forget about all the vegan options, either.
418 Cerrillos Road, (505) 346-2669
3. Alkemē
The new-ish spot from chefs Hue-Chan Karels and Erica Tai proves that dishes need not contain gluten to be absolutely delicious. We’ve yet to hear anything but glowing praise for Tai’s chops and Karels’ restaurant acumen.
227 Don Gaspar Ave., (505) 982-9704
Best International Cusine
1. Jambo Café
Quelle surprise! Naw, just kidding. It’s not surprising in the least that chef Ahmed Obo’s homestyle African fare tops the list once again—for the 13th time, mind you. In fact, local diners adore just about everything on Obo’s menu, be it the cornmeal plantain crab cakes or organic jerk chicken, the soup of the day or the slow cooked oxtail. If you’ve not had Obo’s island spice coconut chicken stew, you might not have lived. And, honestly, the key lime pie at Jambo is among the finest available within city limits.
2010 Cerrillos Road, (505) 473-1269
2. Paper Dosa
After who can even remember how many years, Paper Dosa chef Paulraj Karuppasamy still holds a place in the hearts of many a local diner. Paper Dosa is all about South Indian cuisine like dosas and uttapam, which might not be as well known to American diners, but have certainly made a splash in Santa Fe.
551 W Cordova Road, (505) 930-5521
Mille’s cassoulet hit local legend status so fast that one wonders how we ever lived without it. Don’t forget about the quiches and/or Monte Cristo sandwich, either, plus French-inspired salads and other delights.
451 W Alameda St., (505) 930-5942
Best Italian Restaurant
1. Piccolino
Some restaurants don’t have to vie for attention in Santa Fe because they’re just plain good and everybody knows it. Here, Piccolino sets the gold standard in that arena. The unassuming eatery maintains its loyal clientele through a combination of family-friendly atmosphere and consistently good food. Folks say the Alfredo is to die for, as is the robust veal menu. Calzone and pizza fans have plenty to love, too, and there are dozens more options from there.
2890 Agua Fría St., (505) 471-1480
2. Andiamo!
When it comes to downtown Italian joints, Santa Fe has had tons of options over the years, but Andiamo! in the Railyard has staying power, thanks to upscale trappings and Italian hits that won’t decimate your wallet. And don’t sleep on the take-home bolognese kit for two.
322 Garfield St., (505) 995-9595
3. Rustica Fresh Italian Kitchen
All anyone needed to know about Rustica when it initially opened some years back was that it came to us from The Ranch House’s Josh Baum. Try the pork milanese with a crispy cutlet and know that the warm chocolate budino is one of the city’s best desserts.
2574 Camino Entrada, (505) 780-5279
Best Locally Brewed Beer
Folks who’ve been around town a while can certainly recall a time when the Santa Fe Brewing Co. boasted a couple killer beers and a strong local presence. In the time since its 1988 inception, however, the brand has become a regional powerhouse with owner Brian Lock and his crew creating numerous ongoing and seasonal brews, building a full-on campus dedicated to beer and entertainment, opening satellite locations in town and in Eldorado and making New Mexico proud with its commitment to quality.
35 Fire Place, (505) 424-3333
As anyone who ever quaffed a Second Street Kolsch on a hot day will tell you, the brewery has an excellent grasp on what Santa Fe wants and needs in the beer department, and it offers its expertise across numerous everyday and seasonal beers.
1607 Paseo de Peralta, (505) 989-3278; 2920 Rufina St., (505) 954-1068
Now practically a permanent fixture of BOSF, Rowley Farmhouse Ales is the brewery run by chemist John Rowley. We don’t need to tell you why a chemist would make an excellent brewer, but we’ll still remind you that Rowley’s stouts, IPAs and saisons are dreamy.
1405 Maclovia St., (505) 428-0719
Best New Mexican Restaurant
1. La Choza
Surprise! Just kidding. La Choza continues to rule Santa Fe’s competitive New Mexican cuisine category. Not only has the Carswell family been in the game since the 1950s, they just plain know chile. Granted, whoever told all the tourists about La Choza has upped the wait for a table considerably, but with interior and exterior renovations in recent years and the same enchiladas, tacos, stuffed sopas, burritos and margaritas we’ve all known and loved for millennia, the wait’s still worth it. Pro tip: The green is good, but the red is unparalleled.
905 Alarid St., (505) 982-0909
2. Tomasita’s
Make sure you shout “Happy 50th!” at any Tomasita’s employee you see this year, and especially owner George Gundrey. That’s right—the iconic Railyard-based chile shrine has been serving it up for five decades now and remains as popular as ever with its massive menu of New Mexican favorites. Don’t forget the margarita list, either.
500 S Guadalupe St., (505) 983-5721
3. The Shed
It won’t surprise the locals to see The Shed here, though we’d point out that’s two placements for the Carswell family, which owns both the storied Plaza-adjacent Shed and its sister restaurant La Choza. What else can be said that hasn’t? The chile is famous; the bar is, too; and the service is quite excellent.
113 ½ E Palace Ave., (505) 982-9030
Best New Mexico Distillery
A cursory glance at the awards section of Santa Fe Spirits’ website shows that the local company has been no stranger to recognition over the last 14 years. Here in Santa Fe, the name alone is one that promises top quality and innovative spirits. Everyone surely knows the flagship Colkegan whiskey lineup, but the apple brandy is a big hit, too, as is Wheeler’s gin—a product that reportedly took two years of development to meet founder Colin Keegan’s high standards. Oh, and they do tastings and tours, too.
7505 Mallard Way, (505) 467-8892
2. Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery
The name Tumbleroot likely conjures images of live music and community involvement at the Agua Fría Street venue or Tumbleroot Pottery Pub downtown, but the output from the Southside distillery itself has been cause for celebration since it opened in 2018. If you’re looking for a nice and locally made bottle of something, Tumbleroot belongs on your list.
32 Bisbee Court, (505) 603-4740
It wouldn’t be hyperbolic to call As Above, So Below’s Caley Shoemaker one of the finest distillers in the country right now. In addition to the company’s Astrologist whiskey, Ritual vodka and Sigil gin, find absinthe and jams, plus hired-gun work for brands like Big Nose Kate.
545 Camino de la Familia, (505) 916-8596
Best New Mexico Winery
1. Gruet
Whether or not you consider yourself well-versed in the world of wine, the very thought of the stuff likely conjures one name in your mind before all others: Gruet. The now internationally known brand turns 40 this year, too, and was the company that demonstrated New Mexico is as viable a winemaking locale as anywhere. Gruet now counts several tasting rooms among its offerings, plus more wines than we could possibly print here. This is as iconic as it gets.
Velarde’s Black Mesa counts more than 30 wines in its quiver, plus a decidedly un-snobby vibe that helps bring more would-be aficionados into the fold. Add five hard ciders to the repertoire, too, and you can see why New Mexicans love this boutique-level brand.
Though the wine is made in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, the VARA Santa Fe Tasting room is firmly ours—and it’s the type of space where one might while away a few hours poring over vintages, cocktails, flights and tapas. You can even take wines and spirits home with you.
329 W San Francisco St., (505) 898-6280
Best New Restaurant
Once again, it’s a banner year for chef Ahmed Obo—who also took the top slot for Best Local Chef—and his Santa Fe culinary empire. The magical thing about Jambo Bobcat Bite just outside town is in how Obo managed to recreate the taste and feel of the burger originally developed by Bonnie and John Eckre, while expanding literally everything else about the business. Larger menu? Check. Great new breakfast options? Check. Beautiful indoor and outdoor dining areas? Check. Fair prices and top-shelf food? Double check.
418 Old Las Vegas Hwy., (505) 467-8654
2. Alkemē
To-go options from chef Hue-Chan Karels’ Open Kitchen concept was a godsend during the lockdowns, and her post-pandemic Alkemē in the same elevates every aspect of the business. Much is due to chef Erica Tai’s Asian fusion skills, and Karels at this point is a bonafide local food hero.
227 Don Gaspar Ave., (505) 982-9704
3. Baked & Brew
After just about a year in business at the corner of Baca Street and Cerrillos Road, Baked & Brew from chef and baker Kate Holland has been so popular that it’s not uncommon for the food to sell out before closing time. Stop by for the option-heavy breakfast sandwich; stay for the out-of-this-world sweets, treats and soups.
1310 Cerrillos Road, (505) 954-1346
Best Pizza
Earlier this month, Back Road owner Piper Kapin unveiled the restaurant’s newly remodeled patio, and things just got a whole lot shadier at Santa Fe’s favorite pizza joint. Back Road is one of the few places where you can snag soft serve ice cream, plus pints from La Lecheria. Our top pizza pick? The Gerald with spinach, pesto, roma tomato and feta alongside the classic marinara and mozz. “I hope it’s because we have a really good product and welcoming space,” Kapin says of the restaurant’s many years at the top of this category. “We try to treat our customers respectfully and we try to be here for the community.”
1807 Second St., (505) 955-9055
Il Vicino still has the goods after so many years in business—it opened in 1992—and Santa Fe still files up to the counter for 12″ pizzas, creative sandwiches and delicious root beer. The vast menu has lots for vegetarians, too.
321 W San Francisco St., (505) 986-8700
3. Pizza Centro
Across two locations, Pizza Centro serves up pies that are as close to New York pizza as it gets in Santa Fe. The classic pizzas are, of course, worth it, but we highly recommend the Alphabet City with flash-fried eggplant, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, balsamic glaze, sundried tomatoes, spinach and roasted red peppers.
418 Cerrillos Road, Suite #10, (505) 988-8825; 3470 Zafarano Drive, (505) 471-6200
Best Steak
Did you know The Bull Ring originally opened all the way back in 1971? Oh, sure, it’s changed hands since then, but has consistently remained a popular dining destination for locals, tourists, politicians, celebs and/or anyone looking for a top-notch steak. And though executive chef Socorro Balcorta has numerous meaty options on offer, like the New York steak sandwich, BBQ baby back pork ribs or grilled chicken sandwich, steak dishes like the T-bone, the porterhouse for two or the El Matador with green chile and mushrooms are the true stars of the show.
150 Washington Ave., (505) 983-3328
Chef Kathleen Crook left her space in Hotel St. Francis to take over the former El Mesón on Washington Avenue. By the time you read this, the new spot will have only been open a couple of weeks. To put that another way, Market Steer is so popular that it closed down to move and Santa Fe still voted for its steaks in droves.
213 Washington Ave., marketsteersteakhouse.com
3. Palace Prime
This particular locale has hosted many different restaurants over the years, but chef Doug Hesselgesser’s Palace Prime might just top them all. Hesselgesser’s menu is concise, too, or perhaps the right word is uncluttered. It’s just you, the steak and your will facing off together.
142 W Palace Ave., (505) 919-9935
Best Tea
1. The Teahouse
Santa Feans were surprised when chef Martin Blanco infused The Teahouse menu with Filipino flair earlier this year, but not only are a number of ube dishes welcome additions, the Canyon Road hotspot’s commitment to tea continues, unwavering. We’re talking dozens of varieties, from fancy stuff for advanced drinkers, classic black teas, oolongs, caffeine-free and special kits to help novices learn the ropes. Find also various price points and educational opportunities.
821 Canyon Road, (505) 992-0972
This one’s for the boba fans who long for tons of varieties to go with their suspended gelatinous floating balls. While we can’t assign enough superlatives to the whipped pineapple boba, the key lime pie might take the top prize for its flavor and ability to refresh.
1722 St. Michael’s Drive, (858) 212-6149
3. Artful Tea
Artful Tea moved from its original Marcy Street location to San Mateo Road earlier this summer, and remains worth visiting for one of the largest selections of tea in all the land. Chances are, if you have a specific desire or just want to try something new, they’ve got you covered.
901 W San Mateo Road, (505) 795-7724
Best Vegetarian
This is Santa Fe—of course we’re going to have tons of options for vegetarians. Though it wasn’t always so easy. Good thing, then, that eateries like Sweetwater Harvest Kitchen take the vegetarian thing seriously. Brunch and lunch both overflow with choices, from the house made granola and pumpkin pancakes fit for the paleo set, to the tasty salads and enticing Buddha bowls and kimchi fried rice. Dinner wows, too, thanks to dishes like a carrot-hummus pizza, a cashew basil pesto pizza and the glass noodle stir fry.
1512 Pacheco St., (505) 795-7383
2. Jambo Café
You’d think it would get harder to come up with ways to call Jambo and owner/chef Ahmed Obo awesome, but it really isn’t, especially when there are so many vegetarian-friendly choices. Obo’s lentil stew is a revelation, frankly, and the organic coconut curry feels like a divine gift.
2010 Cerrillos Road, (505) 473-1269
3. Vinaigrette
Owner Erin Wade’s All Kale Caesar is an enduringly popular salad, but the Omega might be the dish to beat, with its leafy greens and kale served alongside avocado, red onion, tomato, bell pepper, roasted pine nuts and blue cheese vinaigrette dressing. There are plenty of other meat-free options from there.
709 Don Cubero Alley, (505) 820-9205