The Chile Capital
No visit to the City Different would be complete without an exploration of its culinary heritage. Home of the “Chile Capital of the World,” New Mexican food is a rich blend of Pueblo Native American, Spanish, and Mexican cuisine. Many restaurants in Santa Fe have been featured on the Food Network, on shows like Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Food Paradise, The Best Thing I Ever Ate, and more! Whether you’re looking to get your day started with a delicious green chile breakfast burrito or go out on the town for a drink or two with family and friends, Santa Fe is a culinary mecca that is unique in its history and distinctive in its approach!
A Breakfast Burrito, or Two!
When it comes to breakfast, it’s tough to beat a burrito from The Pantry restaurant. Opened in 1948, The Pantry offers a menu filled with the flavors of New Mexico. Moderately priced and with a cozy, welcoming, and cheerful atmosphere, we recommend the Huevos Rancheros, a signature New Mexican dish that The Pantry has perfected! Other great options include the Breakfast Burrito with bacon and smothered in cheese and green chile, the Fresh Corned Beef, and oh-so-sweet Blue Corn Cinnamon Pancakes! Start your day off right in the City Different with a morning at The Pantry – now with three locations around town!
Other great ways to get up and go are a hot coffee and an order of the Tune-Up Breakfast from the Tune-Up Cafe. A local favorite, the Tune-Up has a huge menu that covers not only breakfast but lunch and dinner as well! Like The Pantry, Tune-Up offers the flavors of New Mexico while also boasting an impressive menu of popular American cuisine, with pizza, burgers, and pasta! We recommend the Huevos El Salvadorenos for breakfast, the Las Enchiladas for lunch, and the El Rito (a local lamb burger) for dinner! If you can’t get enough of breakfast in Santa Fe, then other staple restaurants that we recommend are Chocolate Maven, Cafe Fina, and Tia Sophia’s!
Enchiladas, Margaritas, and More
No culinary tour of Santa Fe is complete without a visit to The Shed. Opened in 1953 on Burro Alley then moved to its current location on E. Palace Avenue in 1960, The Shed is owned and operated by the Carswell family and has been since its foundation. Located in a historic adobe hacienda, The Shed is famous for embodying every aspect of Santa Fe’s history, in both its festive atmosphere and its dedication to capturing the unique boldness of New Mexican cuisine. Try the red chile enchiladas, the green chile burger, and anything with blue corn! Top off the meal with a margarita and French apple pie.
Fine Dining in Santa Fe
Santa Fe is also famous for housing some of America’s most celebrated and accomplished fine dining establishments. From the Fiery Sweet Chile & Honey-Grilled Mexican White Prawns of Geronimo, to the Tellicherry Peppered Elk Tenderloin of Coyote Cafe, to the Slow Braised Pork Osso Bucco Cassoulet of The Compound, the finest of Santa Fe has been featured in OpenTable’s “Top 100 Restaurants in America” time and time again. Looking for a romantic culinary getaway, or a place to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, or just looking to lose yourself in the rich and delicious flavors of Santa Fe? Then treat yourself to a night out: we promise, it will be a meal you will never forget!
