Top 10 Places to Dine in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2027
By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 5 min read
Direct answer
Sazon, Chef Fernando Olea's Mexican restaurant at 221 Shelby Street, is the best place to dine in Santa Fe, with a James Beard Best Chef: Southwest award and a nine-course degustacion at $180. Restaurant Martin is #2 as a MICHELIN Recommended restaurant, and Jambo Cafe is #3 as a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand.
Signature Cornbread with a butter trio; Mussels Posole; Pan-Roasted Chilean Sea Bass
Modern Southwest cooking and a rooftop cantina
Pick by what you want
Best overall
Sazon
Best Michelin fine dining
Restaurant Martin
Best value
Jambo Cafe
Best red and green chile
The Shed
Best historic setting
Geronimo
The ranking
1
Sazon
Answrs VerdictSanta Fe's James Beard winner, a small, mole-led Mexican menu with a nine-course tasting.
Signature: Chef Fernando Olea's mole; the Cholula, a tower of chile poblano stuffed with ground lamb, pork and beef over a cold walnut saucePrice: $50 for the Cholula; Camaron-Tini $29; nine-course degustacion $180Where: 221 Shelby Street, within two blocks of the Santa Fe PlazaHours: Dinner Monday-Saturday 5pm-8pm, closed Sundays; business casual, no children under 10Awards: Chef Olea won the 2022 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest; 2020 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
Sazon sits at 221 Shelby Street, two blocks from the Plaza. Chef Fernando Olea won the 2022 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest and the restaurant holds a 2020 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Dinner runs Monday-Saturday 5pm-8pm; the Cholula, a chile poblano tower, is $50 and the nine-course degustacion is $180.
Go ifA special-occasion Mexican tasting dinner
Skip ifYou are bringing children under 10 or want a late dinner (hours end at 8pm)
Why #1 over #2: It pairs a James Beard winning chef with a real tasting menu, where Restaurant Martin is Michelin recommended but cooks for fewer nights.
2
Restaurant Martin
Answrs VerdictMichelin-recommended fine dining from a James Beard finalist chef, open Wednesday through Sunday.
Chef: Martin Rios, a Culinary Institute of America graduate who cooks progressive American food with Southwestern and Asian influences and French techniqueRecognition: MICHELIN Recommended in the first Michelin Guide Southwest (2026); James Beard Best Chef: Southwest finalist in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022Where: 526 Galisteo Street, Santa FeHours: Wednesday - Sunday, dinner service 5pm - closePrice level: $$$ (MICHELIN Guide price category)
Restaurant Martin at 526 Galisteo Street is family owned by Chef Martin Rios and his wife Jennifer. It is MICHELIN Recommended in the first Michelin Guide Southwest and Rios was a James Beard Best Chef: Southwest finalist in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022. Dinner is Wednesday - Sunday from 5pm.
Go ifRefined, chef-driven dinner in a family-owned room
Skip ifYou want to eat on a Monday or Tuesday (dinner is Wednesday - Sunday only)
Why #2 over #3: Its James Beard finalist chef and Michelin listing put it above Jambo Cafe, though it serves fewer nights.
3
Jambo Cafe
Answrs VerdictChef Ahmed Obo's Lamu-inspired cooking, a Michelin Bib Gourmand and a Food Network repeat.
Signature: Coconut Chicken Curry with coconut basmati rice and garlic spinach; Fried Cornmeal Plantain Crab CakesPrice: $20.95 for the Coconut Chicken Curry; Crab Cakes $13.95Where: 2010 Cerrillos Road, College Plaza Shopping CenterHours: Monday - Saturday, 11 am - 9 pmAwards: MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2026; on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives in 2013 and 2023
Jambo Cafe at 2010 Cerrillos Road is Chef Ahmed Obo's East African and Caribbean restaurant, a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand in 2026 and a Food Network Diners, Drive-ins and Dives stop in 2013 and 2023. The Coconut Chicken Curry is $20.95 and the Crab Cakes are $13.95; it is open Monday - Saturday, 11 am - 9 pm.
Go ifEast African and Caribbean flavors at a Bib Gourmand price
Skip ifYou want to eat on a Sunday (closed)
Why #3 over #4: It has a Bib Gourmand and lunch hours, which Paper Dosa lacks.
4
Paper Dosa
Answrs VerdictA Michelin Bib Gourmand for dosas, with most of the menu gluten free.
Signature: Classic Masala dosa, a thin South Indian crepe of fermented rice and lentil batter with a potato filling; all dosas are gluten freePrice: $15 for the Classic Masala; large Paper Dosa $18Where: 551 W. Cordova Road, Santa FeHours: Tuesday through Saturday, 5:00pm to 9:00pmAwards: MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2026
Paper Dosa at 551 W. Cordova Road serves South Indian dosas, thin crepes of fermented rice and lentil batter, and all dosas are gluten free. The Classic Masala is $15 and the large Paper Dosa is $18. It earned MICHELIN Bib Gourmand status in 2026 and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
Go ifSouth Indian dosas and curries, easy on vegetarians
Skip ifYou want lunch or a Sunday or Monday dinner (open Tuesday through Saturday evenings)
Why #4 over #5: It is a vegetarian-friendly Bib Gourmand with a fixed dinner menu, where La Choza is built around meat and chile.
5
La Choza
Answrs VerdictThe locals' chile spot since 1983 and a Bib Gourmand, in a Mercer Ranch adobe.
Signature: Green Chile Clam Chowder and New Mexican Posole; the Michelin Guide also names tamales, enchiladas, stuffed sopapillas and a half-frozen mocha cakePrice: Veg-Posole cup $7.50, bowl $10.00; Green Chile Clam Chowder cup $6.50, bowl $9.00Where: 905 Alarid Street, Santa FeHours: Monday - Saturday: lunch 11:00am - 2:30pm, dinner 4:30pm - 9:00pm; Sunday closedAwards: MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2026; serving since 1983
La Choza at 905 Alarid Street has served New Mexican food since 1983 from the old adobe headquarters of Mercer Ranch. The Michelin Guide names its tamales, posole, enchiladas, stuffed sopapillas and mocha cake. A cup of Green Chile Clam Chowder is $6.50 and the Veg-Posole bowl is $10.00.
Go ifRed and green chile, posole and a patio meal
Skip ifYou need a reservation for a small party (walk-in list only)
Why #5 over #6: It is a Bib Gourmand with chile and a patio, where Paloma's Michelin listing is the lower Recommended tier.
6
Paloma
Answrs VerdictA lively, agave-focused Mexican room that Michelin recommends.
Signature: Lamb Posole with heirloom purple posole; masa dishes made with organic heirloom blue corn from MasiendaPrice: $37 for Steak Fajitas; Lamb Posole $21; Ceviche $20Where: 401 South Guadalupe Street, Santa FeHours: Winter hours Tuesday - Sunday 5pm - 9pm; Monday closedRecognition: MICHELIN Recommended in the first Michelin Guide Southwest (2026)
Paloma at 401 South Guadalupe Street is a Mexican-inspired restaurant and agave bar, MICHELIN Recommended in 2026. Its Steak Fajitas are $37, the Lamb Posole is $21 and the Ceviche is $20. Winter hours are Tuesday - Sunday 5pm - 9pm, and it is closed Monday.
Go ifMezcal cocktails and modern Mexican food
Skip ifYou want a Monday dinner (closed)
Why #6 over #7: It has a current Michelin listing and posted prices, which Geronimo does not publish.
7
Geronimo
Answrs VerdictSanta Fe's fine-dining address in a 1756 adobe, with a seasonal global menu.
Setting: The 1756 adobe "Borrego House" on Canyon Road, with thick adobe walls, kiva fireplaces and wood beamsKitchen: Executive Chef Sllin Cruz's "Global Eclectic" menu, which changes seasonallyWhere: 724 Canyon Road, Santa FeAwards: AAA Four Diamond and Mobil/Forbes 4 Star awards, per its websitePrice: Not published
Geronimo occupies the 1756 adobe "Borrego House" at 724 Canyon Road, with kiva fireplaces and wood beams. Executive Chef Sllin Cruz runs a seasonal "Global Eclectic" menu, and the restaurant lists AAA Four Diamond and Mobil/Forbes 4 Star awards. Hours and prices are not published on its site.
Go ifHistoric-adobe fine dining on Canyon Road
Skip ifYou need hours and prices before you go (neither is published on its site; call 505-982-1500)
Why #7 over #8: Its 1756 adobe setting is older than Cafe Pasqual's corner room, but it publishes less planning information.
8
Cafe Pasqual's
Answrs VerdictThe 1979 corner cafe serving organic, sustainable food from breakfast through dinner.
Signature: Mole Enchiladas Rolled with Mary's organic roasted chicken, corn tortillas and cilantro ricePrice: $46 for the Mole Enchiladas; Grilled Bison Burger $28Where: 121 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa FeHours: Breakfast and lunch every day 8 am to 3 pm; dinner Sunday - Thursday 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday until 10:00 pmHistory: Santa Fe's James Beard Award winning corner cafe since 1979
Cafe Pasqual's at 121 Don Gaspar Ave is a James Beard Award winning corner cafe open since 1979. It serves breakfast and lunch every day 8 am to 3 pm and dinner from 5:30 pm. The Mole Enchiladas are $46 and the Grilled Bison Burger is $28.
Go ifBreakfast, lunch or dinner on a lively corner
Skip ifYou want a bargain dinner (dinner entrees on the posted menu start at $41)
Why #8 over #9: It serves all three meals, where The Shed focuses on lunch and dinner.
9
The Shed
Answrs VerdictThe Carswell family's Santa Fe institution since 1953, famous for red chile.
Signature: Red chile blue corn enchiladas; Carne Adovada PlatePrice: $14.50 for the #5 Enchilada Plate; Carne Adovada Plate $17.50Where: 113½ East Palace Avenue, half a block from the PlazaHours: Monday - Saturday: lunch 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM (walk-ins only), dinner 5:00 PM - 9:00 PMHistory: Family-owned since 1953; James Beard Foundation American Classics award, 2003
The Shed at 113½ East Palace Avenue has been family-owned since 1953 and won a 2003 James Beard Foundation American Classics award. The #5 Enchilada Plate with red chile is $14.50 and the Carne Adovada Plate is $17.50. Lunch is walk-ins only, Monday - Saturday.
Go ifClassic red chile enchiladas in a family-run adobe
Skip ifYou want a lunch reservation (lunch is walk-ins only)
Why #9 over #10: It is the cheaper, more traditional chile meal, where Coyote Cafe is modern Southwest at higher prices.
10
Coyote Cafe
Answrs VerdictThe 1987 Southwest pioneer, now with a rooftop cantina serving from 11:30 a.m.
Signature: Signature Cornbread with a butter trio; Mussels Posole; Pan-Roasted Chilean Sea BassPrice: $12 for the Signature Cornbread; Mussels Posole $34; Pan-Roasted Chilean Sea Bass $56Where: 132 W. Water Street, Santa FeHours: Cafe daily from 5:00 p.m.; rooftop Cantina daily from 11:30 a.m. (walk-in only)History: Opened by celebrity chef Mark Miller in 1987
Coyote Cafe at 132 W. Water Street was opened by celebrity chef Mark Miller in 1987. The Signature Cornbread is $12, the Mussels Posole $34 and the Pan-Roasted Chilean Sea Bass $56. The cafe opens daily from 5:00 p.m. and its rooftop Cantina daily from 11:30 a.m.
Go ifModern Southwest cooking and a rooftop cantina
Skip ifYou want an inexpensive dinner (mains on the posted menu run from $34 to $56)
How we ranked these
We ranked each place on independent recognition (James Beard, the MICHELIN Guide Southwest 2026, AAA), then on the signature dish and how easily a visitor can plan around posted hours and prices. Every pick is in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and its address, hours and menu come from its own website or the MICHELIN Guide page. Tia Sophia's also earned a Bib Gourmand, but its own website carries no menu, so it is left out. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
Which Santa Fe restaurants earned a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand?
Four Santa Fe restaurants received Bib Gourmand status in the first Michelin Guide Southwest: Jambo Cafe, La Choza, Paper Dosa and Tia Sophia's. No Santa Fe restaurant received a star.
Which Santa Fe restaurants are MICHELIN Recommended?
Restaurant Martin and Paloma are on the Recommended list, alongside Arroyo Vino, Izanami at Ten Thousand Waves, Joseph's Culinary Pub and Market Steer.
Where can I get red and green chile in Santa Fe?
The Shed at 113½ East Palace Avenue has served red chile enchiladas since 1953, and its sister restaurant La Choza at 905 Alarid Street has served chile since 1983. The Shed's #5 Enchilada Plate is $14.50.
Which Santa Fe restaurants are closed on certain days?
Sazon is closed Sundays, Restaurant Martin serves dinner only Wednesday - Sunday, Paper Dosa is open Tuesday through Saturday, Paloma is closed Mondays, and La Choza is closed Sundays.
Price of a signature main at a glance
The Shed (#5 Enchilada Plate)$14.5
Paper Dosa (Classic Masala)$15
Jambo Cafe (Coconut Chicken Curry)$20.95
Paloma (Steak Fajitas)$37
Cafe Pasqual's (Mole Enchiladas)$46
Sazon (Cholula)$50
Price of a signature main, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
