Welcome to Santacafé
Santacafé, a Southern-inspired café and bar located in Santa Fe, offers a delightful dining experience. With a charming patio surrounded by hollyhocks, the ambiance is as inviting as the menu. From fresh salads with perfectly cooked salmon to hearty filet mignon, the food is consistently exceptional. The impeccable service and delicious signature cocktails add to the overall appeal. Despite minor room for improvement in some areas like communication of specials, Santacafé remains a hidden gem worth visiting for a top-notch meal in a beautiful setting.
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231 Washington Ave Santa Fe, NM 87501231 Washington Ave Santa Fe, NM 87501 Hotline: (505) 984-1788
Welcome to Santacafé, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Located at 231 Washington Ave, this establishment breathes life into the Southern cafe and bar scene, offering a unique blend of vibrant flavors and an inviting atmosphere.
Under the direction of Executive Chef Dale Kester, Santacafé presents a menu that is not only diverse but also deeply rooted in local ingredients and seasonal inspirations. Whether you’re indulging in a sumptuous Sumac Crusted Lamb Loin during Thanksgiving or savoring an Apple & Walnut Salad for dinner, each dish is thoughtfully crafted to reflect the rich culinary heritage of the region.
The dining experience is as much about the ambiance as it is about the food. Guests often rave about the patio setting, surrounded by beautiful hollyhocks, which makes every meal feel like a charming escape from the everyday hustle. The combination of delightful foods paired with well-crafted cocktails creates a tranquil yet lively atmosphere that keeps customers returning for more.
Feedback from patrons speaks volumes about Santacafé’s dedication to exceptional service and quality dining. As one customer, Mitchie B., enthused, the restaurant’s offerings are "light yet satisfying," accommodating a variety of appetites with ease. Others, like Hilary D., have praised the flawless execution of dishes and the pleasant environment—key reasons the cafe remains a highly recommended spot for both locals and visitors.
Moreover, don't overlook the tempting seasonal specials—such as the Flourless Chocolate Torte or the comforting Short Rib Ragu during Valentine's Day—that showcase Santacafé's commitment to culinary excellence throughout the year. It’s a place where every meal feels like a celebration, wrapping you in warmth and flavor.
In summary, Santacafé is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience that beckons you back time and time again. So, if you’re in the area, make sure to secure a reservation and immerse yourself in the delightful flavors that await.
I have been to this restaurant several times and it never disappoints. The service is exceptional! However, it is the food that keeps me coming back for more! We were seated in the patio next to the beautiful holly hocks. I ordered the salad with salmon. The fresh greens with the light vinaigrette were a perfect portion for lunch. The menu offers both lighter fare and hearty food for the big appetite. Highly recommend reservations. This restaurant has been around for several years and once you've tried it, you will see why.
I honestly can't remember having a more delicious and satisfying meal that I had here tonight. The service was impeccable. We sat on the patio, which was lovely and very comfortable. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. Fabulous list. Lovely signature cocktails. You name it.
Great patio area! Drinks were tasty. Dinner was definitely top notch. This is definitely a diamond in the rough. There's definitely room for improvement... one our water glasses had a blatant lipstick stain, we heard after we put in our order there was specials but our waiter didn't tell us about them, our waiter disappeared for long periods of time but was friendly. Only one steak knife brought out (2 steaks and lamb ordered.) The service just didn't match the level of service usually received at Santa Fe's top notch restaurants and for the price that's definitely expected. The calamari was a bit boring until you dip it in the spiced oil. The filet and the rack of lamb were superb.
Very good as per usual. Love the quiet aesthetics of the inside settings. Food and service good if not mind-blowing.
Everything is perfect... menu has lovely choices, service is exceptional.... Sit in the courtyard it's delightful.... Highly recommend
On our last night in Santa Fe our hotel recommended this place. We couldn't be more appreciative. The food and service was exceptional. My wife had the Salman and I had the filet. Both were excellent. This place is a bit off the beaten path but definitely worth the visit.
We enjoyed our outdoor lunch this week. The celery soup was delicious. The dumplings and spring rolls were perfection. Dessert today was the star..,.carrot cake... order it! Great food, excellent service in a beautiful setting,
I've been to Santacafé twice now and the first time was phenomenal. The second time was great but not fantastic. We showed up at 6:20 for a 6:30 reservation and were told the table wasn't ready but we could wait at the bar. Took about 15 minutes for the bartender to get our drink order and the norteño I got was delicious. Our table still wasn't ready but we were finally seated after asking again at 6:50. My mom and I shared the mushroom soup appetizer and it was amazing with great depth of flavor. I ordered the maitake agnalotti for my entree and it was good but not great. It was a small dish for a main and there wasn't deep mushroom flavor like the soup had. My mom got the lobster salad which was super fresh and the dressing was delicious. My brother and his girlfriend both got the vietnamese lobster and loved it! My other brother got the miso cod which had the perfect texture and flavor. We finished dinner with the lemon cake which was tasty and they brought us a complementary chocolate torte (i assume because of the 20 minute wait for our table). A very well rounded, upscale dining experience that could be better with a few tweaks.