El Rincon Cafe is a mexican restaurant in Downtown, Santa Fe.
El Rincon Cafe is a mexican room in Downtown. Tue-Sat 17:30-20:30 only; Sun 17:30-19:30. The seasonal tasting menu rewards a long unhurried visit.
Editorially verified June 2, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: Tucked upstairs in Hotel Chimayo on Washington Avenue, the family-owned El Rincon Cafe runs a seasonal New Mexican fusion menu with a French twist.
Tip: Tue-Sat 17:30-20:30 only; Sun 17:30-19:30. The seasonal tasting menu rewards a long unhurried visit.
Address: 125 Washington Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Kakawa Chocolate House is looks like a chocolate shop, runs like a research kitchen; the historic drinking chocolates are a santa fe-only experience.
Why locals love it: Looks like a chocolate shop, runs like a research kitchen; the historic drinking chocolates are a Santa Fe-only experience.
Tip: Order a flight of three drinking chocolates: a Mesoamerican, a Colonial European, and a modern Santa Fe chile.
Cafe Fina on Old Las Vegas Highway in Eastside is the counter-service breakfast burrito and green-chile cheeseburger sleeper, tucked behind a gas station.
Why locals love it: Counter-service comfort food on Old Las Vegas Highway tucked behind a gas station; the breakfast burrito and green chile cheeseburger are sleeper-hit menu items locals defend.
Tip: Order the migas at brunch; the kitchen runs Tuesday through Sunday from 08:00-15:00.
El Chile Toreado is a trailer parked on early street that has fed santa fe locals breakfast for two decades; the plaza tourist current rarely reaches it.
Why locals love it: A trailer parked on Early Street that has fed Santa Fe locals breakfast for two decades; the Plaza tourist current rarely reaches it.
Tip: Arrive before 09:00 on weekends; the carne asada burrito with green chile is the order.
Jambo Cafe is buried in the college plaza strip mall on cerrillos; ahmed obo's swahili coconut goat stew is the city's least-likely tourist destination.
Why locals love it: Buried in the College Plaza strip mall on Cerrillos; Ahmed Obo's Swahili coconut goat stew is the city's least-likely tourist destination.
Tip: Order the goat stew if available; the jerk chicken sandwich is the safer fallback.
Kakawa Chocolate House is looks like a chocolate shop, runs like a research kitchen; the historic drinking chocolates are a santa fe-only experience.
Why locals love it: Looks like a chocolate shop, runs like a research kitchen; the historic drinking chocolates are a Santa Fe-only experience.
Tip: Order a flight of three drinking chocolates: a Mesoamerican, a Colonial European, and a modern Santa Fe chile.
Arroyo Vino on Camino La Tierra west of the Plaza is the wine-shop-plus-restaurant where you pick a bottle in the shop and pay retail plus $20 at table.
Why locals love it: A 10-minute drive west of the Plaza on Camino La Tierra puts most visitors off; the 600-bottle list at $20 over retail makes the trip pay back fast.
Tip: Pick a bottle in the shop, walk it next door to the table, pay retail plus $20; the kitchen plates around it.
Rowley Farmhouse Ales is a maclovia street warehouse you'd never find by accident; the saisons and mixed-fermentation sours rival any small us sour program.
Why locals love it: A Maclovia Street warehouse you'd never find by accident; the saisons and mixed-fermentation sours rival any small US sour program.
Tip: Try the tasting flight; the kitchen plates one of the best farm-to-table burgers in town as ballast.
