
Plaza Cafe Downtown
Santa Fe's oldest restaurant, offering a delicious mix of New Mexican comfort food and classic diner fare in a lively, retro setting.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Plaza Cafe Downtown

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Santa Fe's oldest restaurant, offering a delicious mix of New Mexican comfort food and classic diner fare in a lively, retro setting.
"A true gem in the Plaza neighborhood, offering a vast assortment of American and Mexican cuisine at reasonable prices."
Try the Avocado Tacos
Opt for the unique vegetarian crispy avocado tacos, crusted with quinoa and sesame seeds.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
Experience more attentive service by visiting during less busy times.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
New Mexican, American Diner
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Santa Fe's Oldest Restaurant
Dine at a Santa Fe institution, serving New Mexican and American classics since 1905. Experience a taste of history.

Flavorful New Mexican Cuisine
Savor unique regional dishes like crispy avocado tacos and rich pozole, complemented by refreshing margaritas.

Vibrant Diner Atmosphere
Enjoy a lively retro diner vibe with colorful decor and friendly staff, perfect for a casual and enjoyable meal.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try the Avocado Tacos
Opt for the unique vegetarian crispy avocado tacos, crusted with quinoa and sesame seeds.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
Experience more attentive service by visiting during less busy times.
Comfortable Outdoor Seating
Request cushions for outdoor seating to enhance comfort during your meal.
Don't Skip Dessert
Save room for their large dessert selections, like the delicious key lime pie.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try the Avocado Tacos
Opt for the unique vegetarian crispy avocado tacos, crusted with quinoa and sesame seeds.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
Experience more attentive service by visiting during less busy times.
Comfortable Outdoor Seating
Request cushions for outdoor seating to enhance comfort during your meal.
Don't Skip Dessert
Save room for their large dessert selections, like the delicious key lime pie.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Plaza Cafe Downtown is celebrated as Santa Fe's oldest restaurant, offering a blend of classic American diner fare and authentic New Mexican cuisine. Diners rave about the consistently good food, friendly service, and vibrant atmosphere, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. While the restaurant can get crowded and loud, the generous portions and historical charm make it a beloved dining destination.
"Ate here multiple times during our week stay in Santa Fe and everything was fabulous. Yummy drinks, great breakfast - probably the best bacon I can remember having - wonderful cocktails. Will definitely be back next time we are in town!"
Rebeccah Parks
"Whenever I’m in Santa Fe I try a new restaurant. This trip was the Plaza Cafe. It was PACKED! We were a party of 3 with 2 dogs so we waited 10-15 minutes to be seated outside with the perros. The hostess was multi-tasking & helping everyone all at once. The Mexican Mocha was a treat. We got the fish tacos & the avocado tacos. Both were great! Fantastic atmosphere; amazing food!"
DW Plato
"Had an early brunch here. We ordered migas, omelette, oats, Mexican shaksuka, coffees, and enchiladas. Ended with quattro leches cupcakes.
Everything was delicious! The Mexican shaksuka had a spice kick to it. It was amazing.
The migas - eggs cooked well and mixed with the corn tortillas and topped with the green chilli sauce. Yum yum yum
The cappuccinos gave us the morning caffeine and adrenaline boost we needed.
The quattro leches cupcake brought the whole meal together on a vacation."
Shruti Subramanian
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Plaza Cafe Downtown is known for being Santa Fe's oldest restaurant, serving a mix of New Mexican and American diner classics, including popular breakfast dishes and margaritas.
Reservations are not typically required, but the restaurant can get busy, especially during peak hours. Be prepared for a potential wait.
Popular dishes include the crispy avocado tacos, huevos rancheros, pozole, and their famous margaritas.
Yes, the restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor seating can be comfortable, especially with cushions.
Some New Mexican dishes can have a spice kick, like the Mexican Shakshuka. It's advisable to ask your server about spice levels if you're sensitive.
While the menu has breakfast items, it also includes lunch and dinner options. Their website or staff can confirm if breakfast is served all day.
They offer a selection of desserts, with key lime pie and cupcakes being mentioned as delicious options.
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The famous Plaza Café boasts the title of Santa Fe’s oldest restaurant, proving that things can only get better with age. Santa Fe’s best bacon makes a handsome addition to southwest breakfast classics like chilaquiles (corn tortillas prepared in green or red salsa and topped with eggs and melted cheese) or fried steak and eggs. A whole half of the menu is dedicated to ‘the healthy side’, with egg white omelettes, burritos and scrambles offering a welcome alternative to the conventionally heavy breakfast options, as well as yoghurt parfaits and oatmeal.
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Located a couple of blocks from The Plaza and one block from the art galleries in The Canyon, the IOTA is a medium-size hotel/inn (71 rooms) which offers both a buffet breakfast as well as an afternoon wine & cheese reception to its guests.
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For instance: Tomasita's, El Paragua in Espanola(great and fabulous), Tecolote, Tia Sophia's, La Posas, Bert's Taqueria, Dave's Not Here, Plaza Cafe, La Plazeula at La Fonda (very good), etc, etc, etc, etc......
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One of our favorite things to do in Santa Fe is to walk the beautiful streets of legendary Canyon Road, around the downtown Plaza, or in the upandcoming Railyard District, discovering one gallery after another. You may even have the chance to meet some of the artists at Santa Fe’s famous Friday evening gallery openings throughout the year. Two of our favorite galleries include the Gerald Peters Gallery and the Nedra Matteucci Gallery, both of which feature beautiful representations of American art from nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including the Taos Society of Artists, artists of the American West, and masters of American Impressionism and Modernism.
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Santa Fe's oldest restaurant serves up New Mexico-inspired diner fare from its prime location on the city's plaza. While there are plenty of comfort food favorites like chicken fried steak and spaghetti and meatballs, Plaza Cafe really shines with its regional takes on these beloved favorites. An otherwise classic meatloaf gets stuffed with corn and green chile, while a pork chop dinner comes with a side of calabacitas, a veggie-packed side of squash, corn, tomato, onion, and garlic.
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As Santa Fe’s oldest restaurant, the Plaza Cafe will take you back in time in a family-friendly retro setting, serving all the finest Southwestern comfort food you can handle. This restaurant is the place to go for friendly service in a historic setting, providing delicious menu items, including everything from breakfast to appetizers and burgers to New Mexican cuisine. One of the best things about dining at the Plaza Cafe is the unique menu creations crafted by the Razator family.
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Delicious blue corn enchiladas smothered under chile and cheese, with my beloved sopaipilla and a tasty margarita, on the Plaza Café patio in the historic Santa Fe Plaza. Santa Fe’s oldest restaurant, the Plaza Café dates back to 1905, and has been owned and operated by the same family since 1947. The Plaza Café offers a large menu that includes a variety of New Mexican specialties, as well as American favorites.
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Santa Fe is home to the breakfast burrito and no place does them better than the Famous Plaza Cafe. If you’ve ever wondered where locals eat in Santa Fe, this is a favorite, offering handheld burritos if you’re eager to start experiencing everything Santa Fe has to offer. If you prefer a sit-down breakfast, order your breakfast burrito smothered with your choice of red or green chile.
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BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNERLocated at 54 Lincoln Ave on the historic Plaza, The Plaza Café is Santa Fe’s oldest restaurant. They have been serving highly acclaimed, authentic northern New Mexican cuisine since 1905. The menu is extensive and diverse, a combination of New Mexican fare, Greek specialties and American diner classics.The Plaza Café is very popular and waits are common.
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If you believe that practice makes perfect, then The Plaza Cafe is as perfect a breakfast as you can find in Santa Fe. Serving up the first meal of the day for more than 100 years, the cafe blends tastes from Mexico, Greece, and homegrown American classics. With all the charm and dedication of a ’50s diner, this century-long staple cooks up some of the best AM dishes in town.
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Santa Fe’s oldest restaurant, Plaza Cafe serves a delicious mix of American, Greek, and traditional New Mexican food right on the Plaza. Their spicy posole and honey-drizzled sopapillas will warm you right up on a cold day, and there’s outdoor seating with a view of the historic district when the weather is fine. 54 Lincoln Avenue (on the Plaza).
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If you’re with very young children, I recommend keeping it casual at La Choza, Del Charro, The Shed, The Famous Plaza Cafe, Casa Chimayo, Santa Fe Bar & Grill, or Cowgirl. At Cowgirl the kids can play on the jungle gym outside, while the grown-ups taste the favorites from the Margarita Trail, or choose from a menu of 24 craft beers at the bar.
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The Downtown Plaza Area is one of the most popular destinations to shop in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The area features a variety of shops and boutiques that sell everything from Native American artwork and pottery to imported Mexican textiles and jewelry. You can also find many cafes, restaurants, galleries, bars and nightclubs within this area.
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Though not a flea market in true sense, The Plaza is one of the favorite hangout spots in New Mexico. Having a special mention in the National Registry of Historic Places, The Plaza is not only popular for its scenic beauty but is loaded with a fine number of ancient shops and vendors which takes you closer to the history of the place.
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Plaza Cafe-Like a diner, the Plaza Cafe has a big menu that appeals to all eaters. While you can get huevos rancheros or a breakfast burrito the size of your head, you can also opt for one of the best Greek salads you will ever have. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Plaza Cafe is the perfect spot for a single diner or a group.
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This shady square is centuries old, but it’s still a prime spot for stellar people-watching, summer concerts, and festivals all year long. Many of the city’s historical attractions, boutiques, and over 400 restaurants are a just short walk away. Get an overview of the neighborhood from a colorful Santa Fe pedicab.
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The food wasn’t my favorite of the trip, but the place is full of history and the staff made you feel right at home. Situated on the Plaza in Downtown Santa Fe, you can feel the history as you scan the walls lined with black and white photos from the past. It’s Santa Fe’s oldest restaurant and dates back to 1905!
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Even older than Maria’s and The Shed, The Paza Cafe Downtown has been serving hungry visitors since 1905!. They serve up classic American comfort food with a Southwestern twist and I assure, the food is good!. Located just steps away from the historic Santa Fe Plaza, this restaurant serves up three meals a day.
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Recommended by my Uber driver, it was the first restaurant I ate at a full meal at. While it calls itself a Cafe, it feels more like a family restaurant and serves traditional New Mexican dishes so I am including it in this section. It opened in 1905 and the Razatos family has owned the restaurant since 1947.
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Our spot at the southwest corner of San Francisco and Guadalupe Street is just a hop away from the Plaza and downtown hotels. You can easily find our parking lot on West Water Street, right across from Restaurant Mille. Plus, parking is free on weekends and after 5 PM on weeknights—just look for our logo!
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As the oldest restaurant in Santa Fe, Plaza Café is a gathering place for those who enjoy great Southwestern food, reasonable prices, and historical folklore. A balanced mix of New Mexican, American, and Greek dishes, with boxed lunches available for takeout. A Santa Fe tradition for more than 50 years.
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The Plaza Cafe is a staple here in Santa Fe and definitely somewhere you can eat any time of day, but breakfasts there are especially tasty!. The food is great, and the view is unbeatable. If you want the true Santa Fe experience, get a seat by the window and watch the world of the Santa Fe Plaza go by.
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Plaza Cafe: When I asked the host he was very overwhelming with enthusiasm at the options and safety for gluten free items for celiacs. Once we sat down and I spoke to the waiter he was very underwhelmed with options due to the small kitchen. I did end up ordering the posole which I figured was safest.
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54 Lincoln Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 ~ (505) 982-1664 ~ http://www.santafeplazacafe.com. A blend of New Mexican and Mom’s home cooking waits for you at the Plaza Café. Whether you’re craving blue corn pancakes, a salad, New Mexican food or down-home comfort foods, the Plaza Café has them all.
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Santa Fe’s oldest restaurant has plenty of nearby competition, namely The Shed and the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi restaurant. Neither offers an Indian fry bread taco. I’m especially keen on this truly American taco, having delved into its history and significance for Cowboys & Indians.
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Santa Fe’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, opened in 1905 by Greek immigrants the Ipiotis brothers, offers the best diner food in Santa Fe. It’s served in a suitably funky atmosphere, too, with colorful ceiling lights, linoleum-top tables, a neon wall clock, old…
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Serving artists, locals, and stray bohemians since 1835, I have still not uncovered which is older, El Farol or the Palace Restaurant & Saloon. PERSONAL NOTE: The food is good and I love the entertainment they provide. It is a very eclectic restaurant and bar.
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Make sure to allow some time just for wandering around the Plaza and downtown area. There are lots of shops, art, beautiful buildings, street entertainers, food stands, artisan venders, etc. Again, even better when it’s not a million degrees outside I imagine!
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Plaza Café offers delicious comfort food made from fresh, local, and quality ingredients. They have multiple locations in the city too. But what makes them stand out is their retro design and cute diner that can make you feel nostalgic for the good old days.
There are more art galleries around the downtown Plaza, but this area is known for its enticing, family-owned shops selling cookware, cutlery, leather goods, clothing, jewellery and gifts. Santa Fe's museum shops are a great source of unique gifts.
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A lot of times restaurants on the main square in town are the most touristy and not the best quality. While I’m sure Plaza Cafe is full of tourists, the food and service were very good. The outdoor patio facing the square is lovely too!
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The Famous Plaza Cafe in Santa Fe, NM, has been serving New Mexican cuisine for more than 100 years!. The sopapillas here are always fresh and warm. There’s nothing better than biting into a pillowy pastry after a delicious meal!
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- Rating: 4.1/5 (1244 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 54 Lincoln Ave. Santa Fe, New Mexico - Categories: American, Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch- Read more on Yelp
2023-02-01T17:55:35.402Z Best Lunch Spots in Santa Fe, New Mexico
The Plaza Cafe, Santa Fe’s oldest restaurant, has been serving dishes since 1905. As the name suggests, it's located right in the heart of Santa Fe along the Plaza.
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While it’s not directly in the touristy Plaza area, it’s easily reached and has the added benefit of slightly easier parking than downtown spots.
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Best Diner is Plaza Cafe south side, with awesome desserts and breakfast served all day located at 3466 Zafarano St.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit