New Mexico Dining Guide

A selection of some of GuestLife’s favorite restaurants and clubs in New Mexico, sorted by cuisine.

AMERICAN

Gold Street Caffé
218 Gold St., S.W.,
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 765-1633
A culinary cornerstone of Albuquerque’s renaissance, this dapper storefront café with exposed brick walls and high ceilings serves the tastiest breakfast fare in town, plus lunch and dinner entrées. Celebrating a decade of serving made-from-scratch food utilizing the best ingredients, Gold Street Caffé offers something for everyone. The city’s best coffee, house-made pastries, great beers and an eclectic wine selection make it a place not to miss! Hours: Mon. 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tue.-Sat. 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

La Casa Sena/La Casa Sena Cantina
20 Sena Plaza, 125 E. Palace Ave.,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 988-9232
Located in an historic plaza and surrounded by Santa Fe’s most beautiful courtyard, La Casa Sena features innovative American Cuisine. The seasonal menu combines traditional New Mexican, Southwestern and International cooking styles all served with distinctive Santa Fe flair. With an award-winning wine list and wine shop featuring more than 1,200 selections, La Casa Sena is a must-stop for food and wine lovers alike. “La Cantina,” next door, features a more casual menu served by singing waiters.

Zia Diner
326 S. Guadalupe St.,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 988-7008
Serving upscale, down-home comfort food, the Zia Diner has been the locals’ favorite for 20 years. Located in a beautifully restored railyard warehouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this high-energy restaurant features all the diner classics, updated — including a famous green chile and pinenut meatloaf — plus innovative daily specials, delicious salads and award-winning desserts. Known for friendly, professional service, sit at the Zia’s stainless steel soda fountain or on the beautiful patio. Full bar, great draft beers, kids’ menu. Open daily 7 a.m.-10 p.m. MC/V/Amex/Discover.

CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN

The Compound Restaurant
653 Canyon Rd.,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
(505) 982-4353
Mark Kiffin and The Compound Restaurant were selected by the James Beard Foundation as one of America’s best restaurants, winning “Best Chef of the Southwest.” Santa Fe’s premier restaurant with Kiffin’s acclaimed seasonal contemporary cuisine. The New York Times, Gourmet Magazine, Wall St. Journal and Wine Spectator have all selected the Compound as Santa Fe’s favorite. The Compound presents its craft within historic adobe walls, picturesque gardens and romantic dining rooms. Special events are brought to life with the finest in service and cuisine for 12-250 guests.

Fuego at La Posada de Santa Fe
330 E. Palace Ave.,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 986-0000; (866) 331-ROCK; Fax: (505) 982-5474
One of Santa Fe’s AAA Four-Diamond restaurants, Fuego, invites you to celebrate fine food beautifully presented. Long considered one of Santa Fe’s most romantic dining rooms, Fuego is an elegant setting where dining is a sumptuous experience — from the unforgettable ambiance to the perfect vintage selected by our wine steward. On Sundays, experience the Rancher’s Brunch, a four-course indulgence. Dine on Santa Fe’s favorite patios in warmer weather and enjoy cocktails and bistro fare in the Staab House. Complimentary valet parking. For reservations please call 986-0000.

Railyard Restaurant & Saloon
530 S. Guadalupe,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 989-3300
Railyard Restaurant & Saloon invites you to sample our menu of “American Classics Revisited.” Located in the historic Santa Fe Railyard within the Gross Kelly Warehouse at 530 South Guadalupe, we offer steaks, seafood and spirits in a nonsmoking environment with continuous service throughout the day, ample parking and late dining. For more information please call (505) 989-3300.

GLOBAL

De la Tierra at El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa®
317 Kit Carson Rd.,
Taos, NM 87571
(800) 828-TAOS; (505) 758-3502
Providing a premier, fine dining experience for the most discriminating guest, the award-wining De la Tierra restaurant at El Monte Sagrado is a true culinary destination. As amplified by the resort itself, the eclectic menu is a celebration of cross-cultural diversity with global and local influences. Award-winning Executive Chef Ruben Tanuz bases his cooking flavors and ingredients on his New Mexico heritage and background. The extensive wine list includes a wide but precise selection of domestic and international varietals.

GLOBAL FUSION

Geronimo Restaurant
724 Canyon Rd.,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 982-1500
Now in its 16th year, Geronimo is consistently unsurpassed and remains the only restaurant in New Mexico with a Mobil four-star rating and a highly coveted Four-Diamond award. Owners Cliff Skoglund and Chris Harvey have succeeded in bringing unparalleled sophistication to the 1756 adobe home where tradition and innovation seamlessly merge. “A truly sublime culinary experience,” The Albuquerque Journal. The romantic, elegant atmosphere creates a fabulous canvas for the Global Fusion-Southwest cuisine of celebrated Executive Chef Eric DiStefano.

ITALIAN

Pranzo Italian Grill
540 Montezuma Ave.,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 984-2645; fax: (505) 986-1123
Michael O’Reilly, owner of O’Keeffe Café and Pranzo Italian Grill, is a jazz nut. With the purchase of Pranzo, which provides “Comfort Food for your Famiglia:” pasta, pizza, and osso buco, with an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator, he converted the enclosed terrace level to a jazz club. From 9 p.m to midnight a trio takes over with soloists both local and national. Pranzo’s Terrace room, located in the Sanbusco Market Center, has city light views of Santa Fe and a light late-night menu and full bar. No smoking. Reservations recommended.

JAPANESE

Samurai Grill and Sushi Bar
5701 Gibson Blvd., S.E.,
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 260-0011
Between its sophisticated atmosphere and fine Japanese food, Samurai Restaurant is a winner. The space is partitioned into separate dining areas and five large (Teppan) grills where chefs expertly slice, dice and grill rice, meats, noodles and vegetables and serve them directly onto your plate. Surrounding the grills are more intimate dining areas with a sushi bar that serves creative, fresh sushi and sashimi. The lively Sushi Bar showcases fresh fish. Extremely kid-friendly and with excellent, authentic Japanese cuisine, Samurai offers an exciting fine dining experience.

MEXICAN

Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill
• 5031 Montgomery NE,
Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 837-BUM-B (837-2862)
• 3423 Central Ave. (Nob Hill);
Albuquerque, NM 87106, (505) 262-BUM-B (262-2862)
• 301 Jefferson (downtown);
Santa Fe, NM 87501, (505) 820-BUM-B (820-2862)
• 3777 Cerrillos Rd. (South Side);
Santa Fe, NM 87507, (505) 988-FAST (988-3278)
Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill serves the freshest food … fast! Choose from humongous burritos, tacos, fresh salads with flavorful beef, chicken, shrimp or fish and delightful veggie specials! Plus enjoy our fabulous salsa bar, serving up New Mexico’s best collection of freshly made salsas and chips — complimentary with every meal. The freshest of ingredients, we’re fast, fun, friendly and BEE-licious! Come and taste what the buzz is about!

NATIVE AMERICAN

Amaya at Hotel Santa Fe
1501 Paseo de Peralta,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 982-1200
Mixing classic technique, contemporary flair, and fresh seasonal ingredients from traditional American Indian fare, Chef Patrick Kline and Sous Chef Curtis Spell create innovative dishes sure to please any palate. Amaya highlights local pueblo and Northern New Mexico influences, as well as regional foods from around the U.S. The casual, inviting atmosphere keeps the focus on fine food and conversation, and the restaurant opens onto a patio for seasonal outdoor dining. Lunch and dinner are served seven days a week.

NEW AMERICAN/SOUTHWESTERN

Santacafé
231 Washington Ave.,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 984-1788
This Southwestern bistro, and Santa Fe institution since 1983, is renowned for fine dining. Set in a 19th century adobe, the interior features four candlelit dining rooms with corner fireplaces. The O’Keeffe-inspired patio provides a dramatic backdrop for Santa Fe’s “power” lunch crowd. New American cuisine is tweaked in a Southwestern context and the food is simply and elegantly presented. The cuisine has drawn accolades from The New York Times, Gourmet, Bon Apetit and Wall Street Journal.

NEW MEXICAN

La Plazuela Restaurant
La Fonda Hotel on the Plaza, 100 E. San Francisco,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
(505) 982-5511
In the heart of historic La Fonda hotel on the Plaza, La Plazuela has been acclaimed for its “refreshingly creative menu” in “one of the most beautiful dining rooms in town.” The skylights and hand-painted windows create a truly special atmosphere, perfect for savoring Latin gourmet cuisine, traditional New Mexican specialties and fresh guacamole, prepared tableside. La Fiesta Lounge offers a daily New Mexican lunch buffet and live entertainment nightly. The fifth floor Bell Tower Bar is open seasonally for cocktails and great sunset views.

Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen
555 W. Cordova Rd.,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 983-7929
A Santa Fe tradition for five decades specializing in Old Santa Fe home cooking and fajitas. Watch tortillas being made by hand. A choice of more than 100 margaritas, reputed to be the best in the world, are each made from scratch and hand-shaken. Owners Al and Laurie Lucero have even published a book, The Great Margarita Book (Ten-Speed Press), with recipes and the history of tequila. Most Mexican beers available. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Tomasita’s Santa Fe Station
500 S. Guadalupe,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 983-5721
Located at the renovated red brick station house (circa 1904), Tomasita’s is a Santa Fe institution. A visit to Santa Fe is not complete without experiencing their wonderful food. Voted by locals as the best New Mexican restaurant, serving the best green chile, red chile, soaipillas, chile rellenos and margaritas, Tomasita’s caters to palates desiring the true spicy taste of Northern New Mexico. Seasonal patio dining. Open Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Visa, MC, Discover and American Express accepted. Parking. First come, first served.

SEAFOOD

Landry’s Seafood House
5001 Jefferson St., N.E.,
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 875-0101
Classic Seafood ... With fresh seafood and spectacular scenery, Landry’s Seafood House echoes the sights, sounds and sensations of a 1940s seafood house. Our mouth-watering menu has the very best of everything from irresistible appetizers like Oyster Bar Trash, a delicious combination of blackened shrimp and crabmeat, to fresh salads and our world-famous seafood specialties, such as our freshly prepared Gulf snapper, stuffed flounder or our Shrimp Fresca. And for those who desire non-seafare, Landry’s offers tempting steaks and chicken delicacies. You’re always welcome at Landry’s Seafood House!

SOUTHWESTERN/FRENCH

Ristra
548 Agua Fria St.,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 982-8608
Ristra’s Victorian building captures New Mexico’s spirit. Dine in one of the serene rooms or our elegant full bar. “This popular restaurant turns out cleanly presented, powerfully flavored food that draws on the cuisines of both France and the Southwest,” — Gourmet Magazine. “The spot for excellent, imaginative cuisine. Excellent service plus a sophisticated setting with a wonderful patio,” — Zagat. Featured in Gourmet, Bon Apetit, Travel & Leisure and The New York Times plus the prestigious James Beard Foundation. Dinner nightly. Patio dining. Private room available. Bar menu. Cocktails.

SOUTHWESTERN

Gabriel’s Restaurant
4 Banana Ln.,
Santa Fe, NM 87506
(505) 455-7000
Five minutes north of the opera on Hwy 285. Savor the cuisine of the Southwest and Old Mexico at the eatery Zagat labels “one of America’s top restaurants, a true Mexican classic, rated excellent in all categories.” Enjoy the spacious outdoor patio with a spectacular view. Inside, the thick adobe walls and kiva fireplaces create a cozy, romantic atmosphere. Featuring guacamole made fresh at your table, renowned margaritas, handmade corn tortillas and mouth-watering baby back ribs. Lunch and dinner served daily. Visit Gabriel Gallery, right next door.

Señor Lucky’s at The Palace
142 W. Palace Ave.,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 982-9891
Fresh lively, energetic, Señor Lucky’s at the Palace is a Santa Fe original. The best drinks downtown, unique food and a festive atmosphere are quickly earning Señor Lucky’s a reputation as the place to dine in Santa Fe. Southwestern and Western flavors merge at Señor Lucky’s at the Palace. Owners Cliff Skoglund and Robert Hall have succeeded in bringing great food and relaxing atmosphere at an affordable price. The Lucky’s atmosphere creates a fabulous backdrop for the Southwest Western influenced creations by chef Eric DiStefano, who is also chef at Geronimo.

STEAKS AND SEAFOOD

The Bull Ring of Santa Fe
150 Washington Ave.
(New Mexico Bank & Trust Building; one block north of the Plaza),
Santa Fe, NM 87501, (505) 983-3328
Santa Fe’s tradition-rich Bull Ring offers a special atmosphere just one block from the City Different’s historic Plaza. It is Santa Fe’s prime steak house, offering US Prime, corn-fed, Mid-Western beef, served sizzling to your desire. The menu is also highlighted with lamb, veal, pork chops, ribs, prime rib, chicken and fresh fish. Full bar with extensive wine list. Lunch: Mon.-Fri. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; dinner daily from 5 p.m.

Ore House on the Plaza
50 Lincoln Ave.,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 983-8687
Visit the Ore House for wonderful lunches and dinners served daily featuring the freshest seafood, prime beef and New Mexican specialties. A heated balcony overlooking the Plaza is open year-round for lunches, appetizers and cocktails. “Balcony Happy Hour” is 4-6 p.m., with drink specials and complimentary chips and salsa. The Ore House is Santa Fe’s margarita headquarters, with 100 custom varieties, and the winner of the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for one of the best wine lists in the world. Reservations are recommended.

Rio Chama
414 Old Santa Fe Trail,
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 955-0765
Featuring prime and choice steaks in a beautiful and comfortable setting, the Rio Chama has become one of Santa Fe’s premier restaurants. The menu also includes Southwestern fare, fresh seafood, prime rib and much more. We feature private and semi-private tables in our spacious and elegant dining rooms. The comfortable and spacious bar has lots of booths, couches and big screen television. Happy hour is 4-6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Summer months feature outdoor dining patios and bar.

Tiwa Steak House — Isleta Casino & Resort
South of Albuquerque on I-25, Exit 215
(505) 724-3800
Make tonight something special. A truly magnificent place, the Tiwa Steakhouse at Isleta Casino & Resort features a casual atmosphere, spectacular views and the area’s best steaks, chops, fresh fish and beautiful salads. The wonderful menu complements the beautiful dining room. Get there early to enjoy a beverage in one of the area’s finest views of the river bosque from the Tiwa patio. Live entertainment Friday nights. New Mexico’s finest steakhouse, The Tiwa, where every night is special.

BARS AND CLUBS

Anaconda Bar at El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa™
317 Kit Carson Rd.,
Taos, NM 87571
(800) 828-TAOS; (505) 738-3502
The Anaconda Bar at El Monte Sagrado™ offers live jazz and blues, Latin and world rhythm music in a casually elegant atmosphere, Friday and Saturdays nights. An amazing snake sculpture wriggles across the ceiling to a 1,100-gallon saltwater fish tank. Enjoy a full lineup of premium spirits, beer and wine by the glass selections complemented by a light and eclectic bar menu that is a celebration of cross-cultural diversity with global and local influences.