Oh my, my-Southwest food everywhere. 

First off will that be red or green (?) chile of course, or Christmas for both. Most often Hatch. Nearly everyone you meet here has some hand roasted green Chile in the freezer for emergencies. Restaurants can be a little heavy handed  assuming you need some rite of initiation, this is love, assume that they want you to stay. Carefully set a glass of water at the upper right hand quadrant of your plate prior, to enjoying, as some dishes will surprise your pallet with heat that has nothing to do with temperature and everything to do with flavor.

Maria’s sample platter can blister, but the green Chile posolé with tender pork pieces is sublime, and you can order one of the hundred margaritas there to wash it down with. (Go top shelf -Silver coin) because you cleverly had a jalapeño Agave at Secreto Lounge earlier with a girlfriend. 

Sopaipillas = puffy little rectangles of bread served hot and golden brown. Douse with honey, Honey. Consume first while warm, these light ,fluffy pillows of joy. Hit the Shed, family owned and operated since 1953, for Chicken enchiladas, best to order your red or green on the side if you’re a first timer. 

Tia Sophia’s for lunch on the Plaza packed but fast and delicious. Order any plate combo slathered with red or green?

Tapas at La Boca– aim for happy hour as you’ll rarely get in on a weekend. They can get kind of bitchy about you vacating your table right at 5, but it’s worth the blood orange sangrias and the petite plates of piquant excellence. Get the egg dish. And the ridiculously overpriced cheese board-once you taste, it’s well worth it. Order lots of bread with olive oil, and charcuterie. Excellent wine selection. 

Sorry, not sharing the locals fav restaurants, unless you email directly.

Well maybe that goat stew and the lentils, from Jambo because delicious, and the charming owner will check to see if your enjoying it personally. Try the sweet potato fries with curry mayo-oh yes.

Need a little music with your frosty margarita? The Cowgirl community table for dining with others. Quality of music is top notch.

Frito pie at the Five n Dime is a yep-bring kids and try not to lose them slavering over all the wonderful gewgaws they sell. Bourdain worthy? perhaps!

Coyote rooftop for guac and chips and a good view, the bell tower for an even better view.

Blue Corn piñon pancakes at the Plaza cafe when it snows early.

Tea at the tea house.

Liquid chocolate at either Kakawa.

Please be KIND to your waitstaff. Tip them! They are overworked and underpaid they are not servants they are subjected to a wide geography of folks used to being pampered. If you send an item back at least one place on the Plaza will withhold it from their paychecks, regardless who’s fault for the ‘slow’ pastry, you’ve been served. The food in Santa Fe is amazing for the most part, please be patient and kind with the locals caretaking your lunch.