Top restaurants list
10 Best Mexican Restaurants In Santa Fe
- 10 restaurants
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Updated February 20, 2026
The ten best Mexican restaurants in Santa Fe include La Choza, The Shed, Tomasita's, Sazon, El Callejon Taqueria and Grill, La Plazuela at La Fonda, Casa Chimayo, Coyote Café and Rooftop Cantina, Los Potrillos, and Tacos y Burritos La Fe. Santa Fe is famous for its singular focus on New Mexican cuisine, a unique food culture centered on the state's native red and green chiles, offering signature dishes like blue corn enchiladas smothered in chile, carne adovada, and green chile stew.
Mexican restaurants in Santa Fe are found near the historic downtown Plaza and in the Railyard District. The array of eateries includes world-famous historic institutions, elegant fine-dining rooms in landmark hotels, and straightforward local taquerias. A meal at The Shed is a bustling crowded affair in a historic hacienda, while La Plazuela offers a quiet romantic dinner in a beautiful courtyard. Dining at one of Santa Fe's Mexican restaurants costs between $15 and $150 per person.
La Choza is the best overall choice, set apart by its award-winning chile, its slightly less crowded location in the Railyard, and its status as a local favorite. For a quick and traditional meal, El Callejon Taqueria and Grill serves some of the best Mexican food in Santa Fe from its hidden alleyway location. Sazon provides a premier fine-dining meal with its creative, mole-focused menu. Restaurants like Sazon offer dedicated vegan options, while nearly all New Mexican establishments, including La Choza and The Shed, have extensive gluten-free choices that use corn as a base.
The top Mexican restaurants in Santa Fe are listed below.
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1
La Choza is a celebrated Santa Fe restaurant serving classic New Mexican cuisine in a colorful, historic building. The establishment, the sister restaurant to The Shed, is a local institution located in the city's Railyard District.- Item Prices
- 380
- Average Item Price
- $8.55
La Choza Menu PricesMore about La Choza
Type of Restaurant:
Casual Dining
Type of Food:
New Mexican
Signature Dishes:
TamaleChalupaEnchilada Plate
Location:
905 Alarid St, Santa Fe, NM 87505, United States
Special Feature:
The restaurant is renowned for its award-winning red and green chile, which is the centerpiece of nearly every dish on the menu.
What Makes It Special:
La Choza is known for its consistent, high-quality execution of traditional New Mexican comfort food in a lively, festive, and perennially popular setting.
What Sets It Apart:
Its location away from the downtown Plaza and its reputation as a go-to for both locals and visitors give it a distinct, less tourist-congested character compared to its sister restaurant.
Operating Hours:
Monday–Saturday: 11:00 AM–2:30 PM, 4:30 PM–9:00 PMSunday: Closed
Price:
$10 to $20 per person
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2
The Shed is a world-famous restaurant that has been serving traditional New Mexican food in a historic hacienda since 1953. The establishment is located just off the Santa Fe Plaza and is known for its vibrant atmosphere and long lines.- Item Prices
- 9
- Average Item Price
- $13.44
The Shed Menu PricesMore about The Shed
Type of Restaurant:
Casual Dining
Type of Food:
New Mexican
Signature Dishes:
The ShedburgerOriginal BurgerEnchiladas
Location:
113 1/2 E Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501, United States
Special Feature:
The restaurant's signature is its pungent, spicy red chile sauce, which is made from chile grown specifically for the restaurant.
What Makes It Special:
The Shed is a Santa Fe institution, celebrated for its decades-long history of serving classic New Mexican dishes in a unique, multi-roomed historic building.
What Sets It Apart:
Its prime location just off the Plaza and its legendary status as a must-visit culinary landmark make it a quintessential Santa Fe dining experience.
Operating Hours:
Monday–Saturday: 11:00 AM–2:30 PM, 5:00 PM–9:00 PMSunday: Closed
Price:
$20 to $30 per person
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3
Chicken Salads Mexican Latin American Burritos Tacos Family Meals Family Friendly Affordable Meals New Mexican Group Friendly Kids FriendlyTomasita's is a large, bustling restaurant in the Santa Fe Railyard district that has been serving classic New Mexican food since 1974. The establishment is a local landmark, famous for its potent margaritas and traditional chile recipes.- Item Prices
- 357
- Average Item Price
- $11.73
Tomasita's Menu PricesMore about Tomasita's
Type of Restaurant:
Casual Dining
Type of Food:
New Mexican
Signature Dishes:
Carne AdovadaFlautas CompuestasSuper Tortilla Burger
Location:
500 S Guadalupe St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, United States
Special Feature:
The restaurant is renowned for its "Swirl" margarita, a frozen margarita with a swirl of sangria, which has become a local institution.
What Makes It Special:
Tomasita's is a go-to for its lively, high-volume atmosphere and its consistent delivery of satisfying, classic New Mexican comfort food.
What Sets It Apart:
Its combination of a large, energetic space with a very popular and well-regarded bar program makes it a premier destination for a festive meal.
Operating Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 11:00 AM–9:00 PMFriday–Saturday: 11:00 AM–10:00 PMSunday: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Price:
$10 to $20 per person
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4
Los Potrillos is a casual, family-owned restaurant in Santa Fe serving a menu of classic Mexican-American comfort food. The establishment is a local favorite, known for its friendly atmosphere and generous portions.- Item Prices
- 240
- Average Item Price
- $11.91
Los Potrillos Menu PricesMore about Los Potrillos
Type of Restaurant:
Casual Dining
Type of Food:
Mexican-American
Signature Dishes:
FajitasChile RellenoEnchiladasQueso Dip
Location:
1947 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505, United States
Special Feature:
The restaurant is a long-standing fixture on Cerrillos Road, known for its consistent and unpretentious approach to familiar Mexican-American cuisine.
What Makes It Special:
The restaurant is a dependable neighborhood spot known for its welcoming environment, fast service, and consistently satisfying comfort food.
What Sets It Apart:
Its role as a straightforward, family-friendly neighborhood restaurant with an extensive, crowd-pleasing menu makes it a reliable choice for a classic meal.
Operating Hours:
Saturday–Friday: 8:00 AM–9:00 PMMonday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9:00 AM–9:00 PMWednesday: Closed
Price:
$10 to $20 per person
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5
5. Sazon
Sazon is a fine-dining restaurant in downtown Santa Fe from Chef Fernando Olea. The establishment offers a sophisticated menu of contemporary and traditional interior Mexican cuisine in an elegant, art-filled setting.More about Sazon
Type of Restaurant:
Fine Dining
Type of Food:
Haute Mexican, Modern Mexican
Signature Dishes:
XochimilcoCoyoacanPulpo
Location:
221 Shelby St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, United States
Special Feature:
The dining experience often begins with the "Sazon," a tasting of the chef's signature moles presented with tortillas for dipping.
What Makes It Special:
Sazon is a destination for its inventive, chef-driven food that reinterprets Mexican cuisine through a fine-dining lens, with a focus on complex moles.
What Sets It Apart:
Its unique fusion of high-end, artistic presentation with the deep, traditional flavors of interior Mexico makes it a singular fine-dining establishment.
Operating Hours:
Monday–Saturday: 5:00 PM–9:00 PMSunday: Closed
Price:
Over $100 per person
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6
6. El Callejon Taqueria and Grill
El Callejon is a casual, counter-service eatery tucked away in an alley near the Santa Fe Plaza. The establishment is a local favorite, known for its straightforward menu of authentic tacos, burritos, and grilled items.More about El Callejon Taqueria and Grill
Type of Restaurant:
Taqueria
Type of Food:
Traditional Mexican, Street Food
Signature Dishes:
Tacos al PastorLechon TacosAdovada
Location:
208 Galisteo St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, United States
Special Feature:
The restaurant's "hidden gem" location in a narrow alleyway (callejón) provides a unique and intimate setting away from the main tourist crowds.
What Makes It Special:
The eatery is a reliable go-to for a quick and flavorful meal, celebrated for its fresh ingredients and classic taqueria preparations.
What Sets It Apart:
Its role as a straightforward, high-quality downtown taqueria makes it a dependable and beloved choice for a classic Mexican street food meal.
Operating Hours:
Saturday, Friday: 11:30 AM–11:00 PMThursday, Sunday: 11:30 AM–10:00 PMTuesday–Wednesday: 4:30 PM–10:00 PMMonday: Closed
Price:
$20 to $30 per person
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7
7. La Plazuela at La Fonda
La Plazuela is a fine-dining restaurant located in the stunning, light-filled courtyard of the historic La Fonda on the Plaza hotel. The establishment serves upscale New Mexican cuisine in a romantic, historic setting.More about La Plazuela at La Fonda
Type of Restaurant:
Fine Dining
Type of Food:
New Mexican, Southwestern
Signature Dishes:
Filet Y EnchiladaHuitlacoche TamalLa Fonda Steak Frites
Location:
100 E San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, United States
Special Feature:
The restaurant is situated in a beautiful, skylit atrium with a central fountain and hand-painted windows, creating a memorable and elegant environment.
What Makes It Special:
The restaurant is a destination for its unique, historic atmosphere that combines the grandeur of old Santa Fe with a refined, contemporary menu.
What Sets It Apart:
Its singular location within the iconic La Fonda hotel makes it a premier destination for a special occasion or a quintessential Santa Fe experience.
Operating Hours:
Monday–Sunday: 7:00 AM–9:00 PM
Price:
$30 to $50 per person
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8
8. Casa Chimayo
Casa Chimayo is a family-owned restaurant in downtown Santa Fe that specializes in the traditional, homestyle cuisine of the Chimayó Valley. The establishment is known for its use of authentic, locally sourced Chimayó chile.More about Casa Chimayo
Type of Restaurant:
Casual Dining
Type of Food:
New Mexican (Chimayó-Style)
Signature Dishes:
Burritos de ChimayoChile RellenosStuffed Sopaipilla
Location:
409 W Water St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, United States
Special Feature:
The menu is centered on the specific food of the Chimayó Valley, a region renowned for its unique, heirloom red chile.
What Makes It Special:
The restaurant is a destination for its genuine, high-quality homestyle food that delivers the specific flavors of the Chimayó region.
What Sets It Apart:
Its clear focus on the unique food of Chimayó, particularly its use of authentic Chimayó red chile, makes it a destination for a specific food experience.
Operating Hours:
Tuesday–Saturday: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM, 5:30 PM–9:00 PMSunday–Monday: Closed
Price:
$30 to $50 per person
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9
9. Coyote Café and Rooftop Cantina
Coyote Café is a world-renowned, multi-level establishment in downtown Santa Fe. It consists of a fine-dining restaurant downstairs and a lively, casual Rooftop Cantina upstairs.More about Coyote Café and Rooftop Cantina
Type of Restaurant:
Fine Dining (downstairs), Casual Cantina (upstairs)
Type of Food:
Modern Southwestern (downstairs), Upscale Mexican (upstairs)
Signature Dishes:
Smoked Wagyu Beef RibDuck Leg ConfitPork Belly Tacos
Location:
132 W Water St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, United States
Special Feature:
The Rooftop Cantina offers an open-air, high-energy social setting with panoramic views of the downtown Santa Fe streets.
What Makes It Special:
The establishment is a legendary Santa Fe institution, celebrated for its decades-long history of culinary innovation and its status as a premier social hub.
What Sets It Apart:
Its dual concept of a fine-dining restaurant and a lively rooftop bar provides two distinct, high-quality experiences in one iconic location.
Operating Hours:
Monday–Thursday, Sunday: 11:30 AM–9:00 PMFriday–Saturday: 11:30 AM–9:30 PM
Price:
Over $100 per person
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10
10. Tacos y Burritos La Fe
Tacos y Burritos La Fe is a small, no-frills taqueria in Santa Fe that serves authentic Mexican street food. The establishment is a simple, counter-service spot cherished by the local community for its traditional recipes.More about Tacos y Burritos La Fe
Type of Restaurant:
Taqueria
Type of Food:
Traditional Mexican, Street Food
Signature Dishes:
Pinches TacosFlautasGarnachas
Location:
6600 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87507, United States
Special Feature:
The taqueria operates with a simple, cash-only model, maintaining the character of a classic neighborhood spot.
What Makes It Special:
The eatery is a go-to for a genuine street taco experience, celebrated for its high-quality meats, simple preparation, and authentic flavors.
What Sets It Apart:
Its unwavering dedication to the traditional taqueria craft in an unpretentious setting makes it a purist's choice for authentic street food.
Operating Hours:
Saturday, Wednesday–Friday: 7:00 AM–8:00 PMMonday–Tuesday: 7:00 AM–5:30 PMSunday: Closed
Price:
$10 to $20 per person
On the map
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes Mexican Restaurants in Santa Fe Famous?
Santa Fe's Mexican restaurants are famous for their focus on New Mexican cuisine, which is a unique food culture centered on the state's native red and green chiles. Food tourism in Santa Fe is built entirely around this specific local food, attracting visitors who want to experience the "Official State Question": "Red or Green?" This sets Santa Fe apart from any other city in the country. The cooking is defined by the slow-stewing of meats in chile sauces (carne adovada) and the art of smothering everything from enchiladas to cheeseburgers in red or green chile. The special ingredients are the locally grown chiles themselves, particularly those from Hatch and Chimayó, which have a flavor profile that cannot be replicated.
What Types of Mexican Restaurants are Commonly Found in Santa Fe?
Santa Fe's famous cuisine is available in world-famous historic dining establishments and neighborhood taquerias. The most common types of Mexican restaurants in Santa Fe are listed below.
- Historic New Mexican Restaurants: These are the heart of the local food offerings, legendary, multi-generational establishments that have become culinary landmarks. The Shed and La Choza are prime examples.
- Fine-Dining Establishments: This category includes high-end, chef-driven restaurants that offer inventive interpretations of interior Mexican or Modern Southwestern food. Sazon and Coyote Café fit this category.
- Large, Festive Cantinas: These are major destinations with a primary focus on a lively, family-friendly environment and an extensive menu of classic New Mexican comfort food. Tomasita's is a well-known example.
- Restaurants in Historic Hotels: These are elegant dining rooms located within Santa Fe's iconic hotels, offering an upscale and historic dining experience. La Plazuela at La Fonda is a key example.
- Kitchens Focused on a Single Region: These are establishments that center their menus on the food of a specific New Mexican region, such as the Chimayó Valley. Casa Chimayo represents this type.
- Neighborhood Taquerias: These are small, family-operated spots dedicated to serving traditional Mexican street food with classic preparations. El Callejon and Tacos y Burritos La Fe are examples.
Are There Authentic Mexican Restaurants in Santa Fe?
Yes, Santa Fe is a world-renowned center for authentic New Mexican food, a distinct regional cuisine with centuries of history. Legendary establishments like The Shed and La Choza have been serving the same traditional red and green chile recipes for over 50 years. Casa Chimayo is a restaurant dedicated entirely to the specific home cooking of the Chimayó Valley, using its famous heirloom chile. Tomasita's has been a local institution for classic New Mexican comfort food since 1974. These restaurants are not just authentic, they are the standard-bearers for this unique food culture.
What are the Signature Dishes at the Best Mexican Restaurants in Santa Fe?
The most well-known plates from Santa Fe's best Mexican restaurants are all centered on the state's famous red and green chiles. A selection of the most popular and defining dishes served in Santa Fe is described below.
- Red and Green Chile: Not a dish itself, but the foundational sauce that defines the entire cuisine. It is made from locally grown chiles and is used to smother nearly every dish. The Shed is famous for its red chile, while La Choza is known for its green.
- Blue Corn Enchiladas: Enchiladas made with blue corn tortillas, stuffed with cheese, chicken, or beef, and smothered in red or green chile. This is a signature dish at both La Choza and The Shed.
- Carne Adovada: A classic New Mexican stew of tender pork slow-cooked in a rich, spicy red chile sauce. La Choza and Casa Chimayo are destinations for this dish.
- Green Chile Stew: A hearty stew made with roasted green chiles, pork or beef, potatoes, and onions. This is a staple at nearly every New Mexican restaurant.
- Stuffed Sopaipilla: A fluffy, deep-fried pastry pocket stuffed with savory fillings like beans and meat, then smothered in chile. Tomasita's is known for its version.
- Sopa de Amor: A unique creation from Chef Fernando Olea, this is a creamy poblano soup with an amaretto foam. Sazon is the only place to find this signature dish.
How Do Santa Fe Mexican Restaurants Compare to Las Cruces' Best?
Santa Fe's Mexican restaurants have a separate character from the best Mexican restaurants in Las Cruces. Santa Fe's food is characterized by a high number of world-famous, historic institutions and upscale, fine-dining establishments, while Las Cruces is known for a more down-to-earth, neighborhood-focused food culture. The food environment in Santa Fe is shaped by its status as a major international tourist destination, with many restaurants that are culinary landmarks. The food scene in Las Cruces, while also centered on New Mexican chile, is more defined by its local, family-run eateries and its proximity to the Hatch Valley.
Do Mexican Restaurants in Santa Fe Offer Vegan Options?
Yes, Mexican restaurants in Santa Fe offer vegan options, with places like Sazon, La Plazuela, and most traditional New Mexican restaurants providing plant-based meals. The fine-dining restaurant Sazon has a dedicated vegetarian menu with many items that can be made vegan. La Plazuela offers creative vegetable-based entrees. Classic New Mexican restaurants like La Choza and The Shed can prepare their enchiladas and burritos with beans and vegetables and without cheese.
Do Mexican Restaurants in Santa Fe Offer Gluten-Free Options?
Yes, Mexican restaurants in Santa Fe have many gluten-free options, as New Mexican cuisine is heavily based on corn. The menus at La Choza and The Shed are almost entirely gluten-free, with the exception of the flour tortillas and sopaipillas. Fine-dining restaurants like Sazon and La Plazuela also have extensive gluten-free offerings. All traditional New Mexican restaurants serve their enchiladas and other plates with corn tortillas.
What is the Average Price of a Meal at Mexican Restaurants in Santa Fe?
A meal at a Mexican restaurant in Santa Fe costs between $15 for a quick meal to over $150 for a fine-dining experience. A single person's meal at a taqueria like El Callejon or Tacos y Burritos La Fe costs between $15 and $30. A dinner for a small group at a classic, sit-down place like La Choza or Tomasita's will be between $60 and $150. For a budget-friendly meal, an individual can eat for under $20 at a local taqueria. An evening at a high-end restaurant like Sazon or Coyote Café will cost between $80 and $150 per person.
Is Mexican Food Popular in Santa Fe?
Yes, Mexican food, specifically in its unique New Mexican form, is not just popular in Santa Fe, it is the city's primary cultural and culinary identity. The city's entire reputation as a food destination is built on its famous red and green chile. The food environment is saturated with New Mexican restaurants, from world-renowned, 50-year-old institutions like The Shed to humble, local taquerias. The question "Red or Green?" is a part of daily life. The legendary status of these establishments confirms that New Mexican food is the heart and soul of Santa Fe.
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