This is the third article in a three-part series on outdoor dining in Santa Fe and Part Two of casual outdoor dining Santa Fe style. Read Part One of casual outdoor dining.
La Choza, the sister restaurant to The Shed (see below), is located trackside on a small street in the Railyard District. It has long been popular with locals as it was never as crowded as The Shed, but that seems to have changed. They finally got full bar service and accept reservations, which for years they didn’t. It is a bustling place. The tree-shaded patio is a wonderful oasis to enjoy a margarita and a New Mexican dinner. Both restaurants are known for their NM chile. Order the Stacked Blue Corn Carne Adovada Enchiladas smothered in green or red chile (the NM state question is rumored to be “Red or green?” and prepare to enjoy. Warning; taste the chile first, it can be hot; if it is, get a side of sour cream it can cut the heat or take a sip of beer or margarita. They are open every day but Sunday. Lunch is served from 11am to 2:30pm and dinner is 5pm to 9pm. They accept dinner reservations and they are strongly recommended; call (505) 982-0909. They have a full alcohol license.
The patio at the newly reopened Museum Hill Café has some of the best views in town. The café is on Millman Plaza off Camino Lejo, aka Museum Hill. Four of the city’s museums call this area home. This is a great place to dine whether you need a break while visiting the museums or just want to eat enjoying the spectacular views. The café’s new owner Weldon Fulton’s goal is to offer casual food at reasonable prices. Regular hours are 9am to 5pm daily. From Memorial Day through the end of September, they serve a light dinner until 8pm on Friday evenings when the museums’ offer extended summer hours. They are available to cater private events every other night. The sunset views are spectacular. They are waiting for approval of a wine and beer license.
The Railyard Restaurant and Saloon was gone for a brief period reincarnated as La Stazione Café, but it’s back. The new menu embraces both of the restaurant’s incarnations. The American-style entrees are back offering steaks and fish and there are Italian dishes offered. Located in the Railyard area as the name implies; the front patio is a great place to watch the traffic on busy Guadeloupe Street. They are kid-friendly and the kiddie menu offers some perennial favorites and even has a place for the young-ones to color. After dining, take a stroll and check out the shops and galleries in this dynamic area. Monday to Saturday lunch is served from 11am to 2:30pm; dinner is from 5pm to 9pm. The bar menu is available continuously all day. On Sundays the bar opens at 2pm and dinner is served from 5pm to 9pm. For reservations call (505) 989-3300. They have a full alcohol license.
Santa Fe Bar and Grill located at the DeVargas Mall on the intersection of Paseo de Peralta and Guadeloupe Street offers a great southwest influenced pub menu at reasonable prices. The patio in front of the restaurant is a great place to hang out in warm weather for dining, snacking or drinking. It is also a great place to bring the kids. They also own the popular San Francisco Street Bar and Grill downtown. Serving pub-style food and more, they opened in 1985 and changed locations in 2002. The windows in their second-floor location allow diners to watch the action on both San Francisco and Don Gaspar Streets; but alas, no patio. Santa Fe Bar and Grill is open daily serving continuously from 11am to 10pm. They only accept reservations for parties of six or more. They have a full alcohol license.
Second Street Brewery has two locations, both with patios. The original was in the arty Second Street area of town and the latest, opened in 2010 is in the Farmer’s Market Building in the trendy, new Railyard District. A true pub, they make their own brew and the menu reflects the casual pub philosophy; it’s a great place for burgers and more. The menu has soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees; prices are reasonable. Both locations have live music. Hours are from 11am to 10pm Monday through Thursdays; they extend service to 11pm on Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours are noon until 10pm. Every night except Sunday; the pub can stay open serving beer until 2am based on demand. Serving wine and beer.
The Shed, a Santa Fe landmark serving Northern New Mexican cuisine since 1953 is a destination restaurant. It’s on the to-dine list of people visiting Santa Fe; it’s been written about in magazines, newspapers and guidebooks. Located at the west end of the historic Sena Plaza building, you have to spot their small sign to find them. This popular spot is almost always busy. Be prepared to wait at lunch (reservations not accepted), sit in the bar or browse the many shops in the building. Luckily they take dinner reservations; reserve early because in high season they fill up quickly. If you can’t get a reservation, try their sister restaurant, La Choza. The main difference besides ambiance; La Choza serves sopapillas with your meal and The Shed offers garlic bread, a quirky tradition for a New Mexican-style restaurant. The Shed’s tree and umbrella-shaded patio is at the front of restaurant, you’ll pass it as you go in. If you want a table out here, be prepared to wait, they are in high demand. The Shed is open Monday to Saturday. Lunch is served from 11am to 2:30pm and dinner from 5:30pm to 9pm. For dinner reservations call (505) 982-9030. They have a full alcohol license.
Tune-up Café is a relative newcomer to the Santa Fe dining scene. Within months of opening it was featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. The café is owned by husband and wife team, Jesus and Charlotte Rivera. Jesus cooked at the famous and fabulous Café Pasqual’s, a Santa Fe Legend and learned well. A native of El Salvador, he brings the foods of his homeland to his eclectic menu. Charlotte does the baking. The café occupies the space former home of the legendary Dave’s Not Here and the “Dave’s Was Here Burger” commemorates the late establishment. The patio, a few steps from Hickox Street Hickox Street is almost always packed. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. They serve breakfast lunch and dinner Monday to Friday from 7am to 10pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 10pm. They only take reservations for parties of six or more. Wine and beer are served.
Viga, the casual restaurant at La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa has both indoor and patio dining. If you want to get away from the admittedly low-key hustle and bustle of Santa Fe, their patio is the perfect spot. Located behind the dining room it is adjacent to the hotel’s pool area. The menu is casual with a southwestern/New Mexican flair. They serve breakfast lunch and dinner. If you want a more up-scale dining experience at the hotel opt for Fuego. While at La Posada, pamper yourself at their spa. or swim in that tempting pool. For a charge, non-guests can use the pool and exercise facilities. Viga serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Breakfast is from 6:30am to 11am (one of the earliest in town); lunch is served from 11am to 2pm and dinner is from 4:30pm to 10pm. For reservations call (505) 954-7671. They have a full alcohol license.
Vinaigrette tucked in a little alley south of downtown, is one of those restaurants that catch on immediately. It was busy from the beginning. The restaurant as the name implies, is about salads. Their website calls it a “salad bistro” and that’s an apt description. They also have a wine bar with a great list. There are other menu options, but salads are the stars here and you should go with them; they are innovative and delicious. In season, many of the ingredients are grown in owner Erin Wade’s garden in Nambe north of Santa Fe. The concept is brilliant; simple and delicious; Wade should franchise it. The chic inside dining area is open, airy and California contemporary. The brick-paved patio is timeless and welcoming, nestled out back behind the building. Vinaigrette is open Monday through Saturday serving continuously from 11am to 9pm. Reservations are accepted for dinner only and are highly recommended. (505) 820-9205. Wine and beer are served.
Authors note: There are a gazillion places offering outdoor dining in Santa Fe. If I missed your favorite, let me know.
As a former hotel concierge and the owner of a travel concierge and trip-planning business in Santa Fe, the writer may have been a guest of a business or service mentioned in an article on this site. While these experiences have not influenced any articles on this site, this information is provided in the spirit of full disclosure.
Comments
Been to the Shed many times several years ago..it was superb then..this is a good list of casual dining spots.
Cheers...
With so many choices, do Santa Fe residents ever eat at home?
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