Santa Fe is a culinary hotspot for local treasures and fine dining alike. Whether you’re here for the holiday events in Santa Fe or simply here to explore, you’re probably wondering where you should eat this winter. These are the five best cozy restaurants in Santa Fe that you need to check out this winter. Whether you need some authentic green chile or are craving something a little more elegant, these are your go-to cozy Santa Fe restaurants to try this winter.
1. Classic Cozy Lunch: Palacio Restaurant
A winter day isn’t the same without a hardy meal from Palacio. Housed in an authentic adobe building, the walls are painted warm reds and oranges and the ceilings are enclosed in old wood beams. The menu is a crowd-pleasing combination of burritos (handheld or smothered), irresistible sandwiches, soups, and so much more. They’re open every day (except Tuesdays) till 9pm, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
2. Authentic Santa Fe Chile: Café Castro
Are you craving red or green chile today? At Café Castro, the locals know to order “Christmas” with their Chalupa Dinner — code for a combination of the green herbaceous chile mixed with the sweet & smoky red chile. The perfect remedy for a cold winter night! This family-owned and operated restaurant has been serving authentic northern New Mexican cuisine since 1990. Enjoy draft beers from Santa Fe Brewing while devouring your tamales, tacos, and chiles rellenos.
3. Fine Dining: Ten Thousand Waves’ Izanami Restaurant
There’s nothing like a plate of gyoza or grilled kushiyaki with hot Japanese sake on a chilly winter night. Izanami Restaurant (owned by Ten Thousand Waves Spa) is the Mexican-Japanese fusion of your dreams. Enjoy esquites (Mexican grilled corn with Japanese yuzu mayo) or grilled avocado & wasabi sauce to keep those winter chills at bay. The ambiance couldn’t be cozier — soft lantern lighting, private booths with utmost comfort, and a garden patio for outdoor dining surrounded by 20 wooded acres just 10 minutes north of downtown Santa Fe.
4. Fine Wine: TerraCotta Wine Bistro
TerraCotta Wine Bistro is one of the best cozy restaurants in Santa Fe. Its Wine Spectator-approved wine list carries hundreds of unique bottles from around the world. Whites, reds, and sweets galore for everyone’s taste buds. The interior harkens to a time of classic French elegance with vintage posters, leather seats, warm yellow lights, and gold metallic countertops. Snack on olives, onion soup, and cheesy bruschetta with your wine while you relax in this winter-perfect eatery.
5. Mediterranean Flare: La Boca
Enjoy live music and performances alongside your delectable Spanish tapas at La Boca. Taste all the classics: patatas bravas, grilled eggplant, jamón serrano, paella, idiazabal cheese, mussels, and so much more, all made with locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Their entirely Spanish wine list showcases the diversity of Spanish varietals and highlights the full spectrum of Spanish Sherries (the ultimate winter wine beverage).
A Cozy Stay Makes It a Winter Getaway
Whether you’re in the mood for a humble cup of chile or a glass of sultry red wine, now you know exactly where to eat this winter in Santa Fe during your stay at Inn of the Turquoise Bear. Check out our lists of outdoor and indoor winter activities to complete your getaway.
