Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina

More a restaurant than a proper bar, Coyote Cafe is included on this list thanks to the wonders of Dr Frankenstein-meets-mixologist Quinn M Stephenson. Head-scratch-inducing creations such as the Winter Pear-a-Dise – ice-cold rum poured inside an edible, frozen pear ($14); Smoking Jacket – cherry-bathed bourbon over ice served tableside in a circular ice globe surrounded by cherrywood smoke ($14); the Edible Gin Martini, a Bombay martini accompanied by gin-soaked cucumbers ($15); and the grande dame of them all, Champagne Blossom – a healthy serving of sparkling wine served with blood-orange water pearls that reportedly "dance in the glass" for $14.

In 1987, Mark Miller redefined Southwestern cuisine with Coyote Café. He reached for regional ingredients and crafted contemporary dishes, creating a culinary legacy that continues in the restaurant long after his 2008 departure. The eatery’s success has waxed and waned, but it’s been serving with new verve of late, especially with the early 2025 return of Dakota Weiss as executive chef (also the creator of Capital Coal Neighborhood eatery).

A Santa Fe hot spot since it opened in 1987, this pioneer of contemporary Southwestern cuisine has been renovated and modernized over the last decade under the guidance of owner Quinn Stephenson. Today, the restaurant serves some of the most consistently perfectly executed cuisine in the city, led by a professional and knowledgeable culinary team. The wine list is one of the most impressive in town, and the cocktails are creative.

The outdoor cantina upstairs at the famed Coyote Cafe makes a perfect spot to perch and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the bustle of the Santa Fe streets. Try the Lava Lamp cocktail, a more-delicious-than-it-sounds blend of draft beer and a frozen margarita. Other concoctions like the prickly pear margarita make excellent companions to the warm, thickly cut tortilla chips and fire-roasted salsa.

Sip margaritas with a viewFor a modern, high-end take on Southwestern cuisine, stop at Coyote Cafe in downtown Santa Fe for chile morita prawns over griddled grit cakes, or duck leg confit with chayote and sweet corn succotash. But for something more casual, keep it low-key at Coyote Cantina. Oh wait, yes—same place.

For a rooftop view with your margarita, try the convivial Rooftop Cantina perched atop Coyote Café – for the young and young at heart.

Elsewhere downtown, Coyote Cafe and Coyote Cantina are a one-two punch of original Santa Fe vibes and flavors. The former is the indoor restaurant, a longstanding fine dining fixture since 1987, serving up contemporary Southwestern flavors like venison carpaccio, summer squash soup with squash blossom relish, a duo of quail with preserved lemon masa and seared grass-fed filet mignon with blackened serrano and tomato butter. On the casual side, head outside and upstairs to the Coyote Cantina rooftop, one of Santa Fe’s most popular rooftop bars, renowned for its tart margaritas and superb snacks, like slow-braised pork nachos, mini chimichangas and griddled corn cakes with jumbo prawns and chipotle butter.

Enthusiasm for creativity and inspired flavors has been part of our restaurant scene since at least 1987, when chef Mark Miller put high-end Santa Fe cuisine on the culinary map with his Coyote Cafe (505-983-1615; coyotecafe.com). Today, French-trained chef Martín Rios has “raised the bar” for Santa Fe at his Restaurant Martín (505-820-0919; restaurantmartin.com), according to culinary editor Cheryl Jamison. Another favorite is the Compound (505-982-4353; compoundrestaurant.com), a Santa Fe landmark since the 1960s, reinvigorated by James Beard Foundation Award–winning chef Mark Kiffin, and frequently lauded for its exceptional attention to detail.

A double whammy of a restaurant and bar, located smack dab in the middle of Santa Fe's historic downtown district, Coyote Cafe & Cantina is a longtime staple for both fine dining and casual rooftop imbibing. Coyote Cafe skews upscale and elegant, offering primo date night vibes with elevated New Mexican dishes in an art-filled space. While outside, up the stairs, is the cantina, featuring some of the best rooftop views in Santa Fe, along with a margarita-heavy drink list and Southwestern snacks.

The most famous of its chefs is Mark Miller, proprietor of the Coyote Cafe, who has been a prime mover in making the chili pepper fashionable. A former anthropologist who believes that the New Mexican food tradition is pre-Columbian in origin, he uses truly traditional ingredients to re-create the kinds of dishes he imagines cliff-dwelling Native Americans ate centuries ago: venison with ancho chili and prickly-pear sauce, wild mushroom tamales, and goat leg baked in sage.

Coyote Cantina is a colorful, kitschy rooftop bar connected to the longstanding fine-dining establishment Coyote Café. Structures aren't built high in Santa Fe, so a perch on the edge of the outdoor area is just high enough to peek at the mountains, but low enough to do some detailed people watching. Here, it's all about the tropical-inflected cocktails, and you can choose from several types of margaritas—yes, the turquoise margarita is actually turquoise-colored.

If there’s a better place in town for people watching than the Coyote Café's rooftop Cantina, we’re not sure we’ve been there. Think of it like a gorgeous summer bastion for tasty dining that’s a little more affordable than the dining room proper—and that’s before you get to the drinks. Just pass the gorgeous coyote mural on your way to the seating area, then prepare to marvel at the sheer number of creative cocktails, familiar concoctions and innovative mixology.

The distinction about the name stems from the fact that La Cantina occupies the rooftop section of the Coyote Cafe, although this isn't generally known. Those who have made the discovery are delighted by Chef Mark Miller's Southwestern creations, including Oaxacan chicken mole, mango margaritas, and roasted pork tacos. To add to the charming rooftop cantina ambiance, you'll have a magnificent view of the surroundings, with awesome sunsets to take in.

The Coyote Cantina sits atop one of Santa Fe’s storied restaurants, the Coyote Cafe, in the heart of downtown. Perched on high in this rooftop restaurant, you can swill craft cocktails and dine on famous Southwest fare while the sunset splashes vivid colors on buildings that surround you. The cantina underwent a recent renovation and is now enclosed in glass, but windows resembling garage doors slide open in warm weather, bringing the outside in.

Erin- The Cantina is one of the Santa Fe places I've heard so much about from Dustin, so I was really excited to experience it with him. We had a great time drinking margaritas, snacking on chips and a trio of delicious salsas while enjoying our waiters perform show tunes. Yes, I am amazed that Dustin loves this place because they sing show tunes, which he does nothing but complain about if I ever ask him to go to a musical with me.

Opened in 1987, Coyote Café is a downtown mainstay that continues with a reputation for adding global style to French-Asian influences. The upstairs rooftop cantina offers the perfect bird’s-eye view of bustling downtown Santa Fe with bar snacks and small plates like tempura shrimp, tacos, and margarita variations galore. At the Coyote Café, you feel a sense of community and a genuine passion for modern Southwestern cuisine.

Coyote Cafe The numero-uno inventer of modern southwestern cuisine, Coyote Café is still alpha of the pack for eclectic, contemporary dining. Recipes highlight regional and native ingredients in preparations that initially seem odd-couple, but make you fall in love at first bite. Recalibrate your taste buds with dishes like seared diver scallops with a red-chile vanilla crepe, or rack of lamb with mole negro.

The Coyote Cafe & Cantina has arguably the best margaritas in Santa Fe, including a fabulous prickly pear margarita that offers a literal taste of New Mexico (talk about local flavor!). With its perch above Historic Santa Fe Plaza, Coyote Cafe is also a great restaurant for instant cultural immersion. There’s cool graffiti-style art on the walls, and many locals hang out here alongside the tourists.

Downtown’s Coyote Cafe may be known for its fine southwestern dining downstairs, but the scene upstairs at Coyote Cantina has a more relaxed vibe — and a great happy hour. Grab a stool at the rooftop bar and snack on some house-made chips and salsa ($4) or guacamole ($9) while sipping your afternoon margarita. We suggest a classic Silver Coin or a Norteño, made with green chile-infused tequila.

The outdoor cantina upstairs at the famed Coyote Cafemakes a perfect spot to perch andenjoy a bird's-eye view of the bustle of the Santa Fe streets. Trythe Lava Lamp cocktail, a more-delicious-than-it-soundsblend of draft beer and a frozen margarita. Other concoctions like the prickly pear margarita make excellentcompanions to the warm, thickly cut tortilla chips and fire-roasted salsa.

Judging the event held at the Coyote Cafe’s kitchen were scintillating four-time James Beard award-winning cookbook author Cheryl Alters Jamison and two-time New Mexico Chef of the Year Martin Rios. Despite not plating his buere blanc sauce, Chef Lambert won the first round with a wildly creative creation featuring green apple sweetbreads with Jamaican mop sauce and crispy tostones.

The Coyote Cafe’s chic rooftop bar is all about mastering the art of mixology. Coyote’s handcrafted cocktails are as aesthetically pleasing and cleverly named as they are tasty — try the “Desert Flower” or the “Salty Seniorita.” The roof is open year-round, so you can get your drink on anytime you please. Head there at sunset to pair your marg with some seriously gorgeous views.

Experience one of the area’s finest restaurants from a rooftop bar offering fantastic views of the surrounding landscapes. Did you know the Coyote Cafe and Cantina is one of the town’s most famous and celebrated restaurants with good food?. It is a must-visit to experience what keeps others returning multiple times to enjoy dinner and drinks and why it is a local favorite.

Coyote Cantina Rooftop: Perched above the renowned Coyote Cafe, this seasonal open-air bar pulses with energy. It's a quintessential Santa Fe spot for sipping potent margaritas (try their signature Norteño), people-watching over Water Street, and enjoying the lively atmosphere under the New Mexico sky. Brightly colored tables and street-art murals add to the fun vibe.

Coyote Café and Cantina – There are two options for dining here, a high-end experience in or a laid back, outdoor rooftop cantina. After a long day of exploring, we opted for margaritas, chips, and guac at the casual cantina. But this iconic restaurant also has a beautiful dining room with soaring ceilings and a Chihuly chandelier that anchors the room.

The dining room is accented with colorful folk art and cowhide chairs. Menu items include huitlacoche tamales, red chile onion rings, and corn cakes and cowboy steaks, but the emphasis is on using freshly grown, local produce combined with the right blend of spices to create a sophisticated palette of tastes and textures. Read more about Coyote Café →

Enjoying a couple of the best margaritas in Santa Fe during happy hour at the Coyote Cafe’s Rooftop Cantina. Coyote Cafe catapulted to fame shortly after opening in The City Different over 35 years ago. It is still one of the most famous downtown Santa Fe restaurants, renowned for using indigenous ingredients to create inventive Southwestern cuisine.

It’s never good to imbibe on an empty stomach so we hurried over to the rooftop of Coyote Cantina where I proceeded to stuff my face on delicious shrimp skewers and still more tamales. This is also where I had my first ever Aphrodisiac Shot. It’s a passion fruit lemon drop shot topped with vanilla cotton candy. A little tart and a little sweet.

With a reputation established on innovative New Mexico cuisine, this downtown mainstay offers a first-class experience in an elegant yet relaxed environment. Coyote Café is constantly improving on already delicious southwestern staples. Make sure to visit the rooftop cantina with an incredible view of the lively streets of downtown Santa Fe.

Cuisine Type: Café, Mexican RestaurantLocation: 132 W Water St # ST-2137, Santa Fe, NM 87501Website: Coyote Cafe. Coyote Cafe is a café and Mexican restaurant offering a diverse menu that combines Southwestern and Mexican flavors. Guests can enjoy dishes such as green chile cheeseburgers, enchiladas, and chile rellenos.

It's never good to imbibe on an empty stomach so we hurried over to the rooftop of Coyote Cafe & Cantina where I proceeded to stuff my face on delicious shrimp skewers and still more tamales. This is also where I had my first ever Aphrodisiac Shot. It's a passion fruit lemon drop shot topped with vanilla cotton candy.

COYOTE CANTINA-The Coyote Cantina is considered one of the best rooftop venues in the City Different. Situated atop the Coyote Cafe, the Cantina offers Southwestern dining complete with the signature Coyote flavors and flare, plus all the mixology. The atmosphere is casual, relaxed, and is open all year-round.

A pioneer of modern Southwestern cuisine, Coyote Café has been a Santa Fe institution since the 1980s. The rooftop cantina is a great spot for casual dining, margaritas, and sunset views. Popular Dish: Green Chile Cheeseburger with house made brioche bun.Best For: Casual dining with a lively atmosphere.

We love recommending Coyote Cafe to guests – and think it has a well-deserved spot on this list of the best restaurants in Santa Fe. Their rooftop Cantina is a fun place to dine al fresco, but we also love sitting at the chef’s counter, watching the show, and tasting the kitchen’s delicious offerings.

In summer months, head to the rooftop for miles of thick, freshly cut corn chips with creamy avocado with tomatillo, lime, pico de gallo, and something called fire-roasted cantina. The outdoor seating is the perfect place to rest and sip a Lava Lamp, an effervescent mix of frozen margarita and beer.

After more than 30 years in service, it’s an icon in the city. The menu is Southwestern, with a creative and eclectic spin. Originally opened by a celebrity chef back in 1987, Coyote Cafe helped pioneer the use of native ingredients in contemporary dishes, earning it the buzz it still enjoys today.

The food is fine-dining style with a modern take on southwestern cuisine like peppered elk tenderloin or lobster tails, but the atmosphere isn’t at all stuffy. There’s also a lower-budget option in summer in the colourful rooftop cantina where you can get small plates like tamales and tacos.

If you’re looking to spice things up and get a little more creative, try the Coyote Cafe and Cantina. Overlooking the busy streets of Santa Fe, this restaurant gives you a unique perspective of the city. The food is delicious, the style impeccable, and the atmosphere unlike anything else.

Another great option is the Coyote Cafe, which first opened its doors in 1987. The Coyote Cafe is known for its creative, Southwestern-inspired dishes, as well as its famous margaritas. Other highlights on the menu are the roasted green chile cheeseburger and the chipotle chicken pizza.

For my taste, the best house margarita can be found at the Agave Lounge; the prickly pear margarita from Rancho de Chimayo and the Norteno from Coyote are also top-notch. If it’s variety you’re looking for, head to Maria’s, where there are over 200 margaritas and 140 types of tequila.

Among Santa Fe's most popular special-occasion restaurants, Coyote Café offers creative fine dining and an atmosphere of casual elegance, with comfortable upholstered seating and just enough colorful touches to add interest to the dining room. The main restaurant is open year-round…

And, for good reason—they live up, and dare I say…exceed their stellar reputation. Lead by Chef Eric DiStefeno, Coyote Café is a collection of talented and passionate individuals who are seasoned in the art of Southwestern hospitality. Some of the dishes I’ve tried include:

Coyote Cantina: Located on the historic Plaza, Coyote Cantina boasts a lively atmosphere and a delightful “Coyote Margarita,” crafted with fresh-squeezed lime juice and top-shelf tequila. It’s the ideal spot for margarita enthusiasts looking to soak in Santa Fe’s culture.

This was another one recommended by locals and seemed to be fairly popular especially with it’s 4.5 google review. We ate rooftop (no indoor dining available due to COVID) and absolutely loved looking over downtown. I thought the food was just ok.

At Coyote Rooftop Cantina there is a vibrant ambiance filled with artwork. Here you can try the Norteno Margarita made with hatch chile-infused tequila. This drink is for the spice lovers out there along the Santa Fe Margarita Trail!

Coyote Cafe—Opened by chef Mark Miller in 1987, Coyote Cafe is highly regarded as the place that set the standard for modern Southwestern cuisine. Feeling like something a bit more casual, head upstairs to the Cantina.

Coyote Cantina: A second-story bar above the more refined Coyote Café, Coyote Cantina offers a colorful atmosphere: Turquoise chairs, pink pillars, and similarly hued murals provide the background for cocktail sipping.

The Coyote Cantina — The Coyote Cantina is considered one of the best rooftop venues in the City Different. Situated atop the Coyote Cafe in the Plaza, the Cantina offers Southwestern dining…plus all the mixology!

Our other dinners were at Estevan, Coyote Cafe and La Plazuela (inside the La Fonda). None of them rate as high as Geronimo but they are within walking distance of the plaza and are good choices for local cuisine.

Indulge in contemporary New Mexican cuisine at the famed Coyote Cafe, where the rooftop cantina also offers a vast selection of tequilas and mezcals to enjoy alongside live music during warmer months.

Rounding out the Top 3 Best Margaritas in Santa Fe, we have Coyote Cafe. This is a cocktail with a classic taste and one where I wanted to say “keep ’em coming!. ” Just an overall refreshing drink!

And if you get a chance t go back to the Santa Fe Plaza in the evening, then stop by Ecco for a gelato or to Coyote Café’s Cantina for a drink in one of the best rooftop venues in Santa Fe.

Catering and events are opportunities for Coyote Cafe to work more closely with our guests, occasions for us to share our dedication to celebration in exciting new ways.

- Rating: 4.1/5 (745 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 132 West Water St. Santa Fe, New Mexico - Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars, Desserts- Read more on Yelp

End your evening with dinner at one of the city’s finest restaurants such as Joseph’s Culinary Pub, Coyote Café, or 315 Wine Bar. Photo courtesy: Joseph's of Santa Fe

Going off of a friend of a friend's recommend but they saw Coyote cafe, Terra, or Mama Patcha cafe. They said the food is much better than their respective names.

Santa Fe’s Hot new ultra lounge featuring molecular mixing techniques, fire shows, and a little flair thrown in for fun. Weekend music and dancing as well!

Then, the next night, do the same at their sister restaurant Coyote Cafe. You have to ask for vegan as they don’t offer it on the menu, which is a bummer.