The Plaza Café

The Plaza Café is consistently one of my favorite places in Santa Fe. Friendly service and great food.

The food was great for an evening meal. Yummy fresh menudo, Cobb salad, and meatloaf dish. The staff was upbeat and service was great!

This place is very fun! The atmosphere takes you back to a different era. I had a hard time deciding on what to order because everything sounded so good! I ended up ordering the blue corn, flat enchiladas with calabacitas inside. It came with both red and green chili on the side and both were the best I’d ever had! I stole some of my hubby’s fries and dipped them in the chili and that was really good! The only complaints I have is we were crowded into a booth and they only have one two single stalled bathrooms so the line to wash or hands was really long. Other than that I would definitely come back and suggest it to others. Across the street is a lovely park to take a stroll in after. I’m sorry I didn’t take pictures, I was too hungry and forgot.

We went for breakfast and managed to get in. But then we got seated between the kitchen door and a waiter station — which proved to be quite loud.
We ordered food, and I tried to order the breakfast burrito (which comes with the option of bacon, sausage, or ?). Instead of meat, I asked to have avocado, The waiter (young and not very confident) stated there were no substitutions! (They were adding something to the burrito, why not some avocado instead?) I asked, and he looked confused. Instead we agreed to bring the avocados on the side.
Perhaps I have more experience with Mexican food coming from Los Angeles, but the breakfast was just meh.

I spent a few weeks just outside Santa Fe and stopped into this café –local institution on my last day in New Mexico. I met a local chef during my visit in the state who recommended stopping in Plaza Café to taste their authentic New Mexican cuisine.
The café’s casual atmosphere is reminiscent of a mid-​century retro establishment. There is a New Mexican, traditional American, and Greek-​diner cuisine vibe. The café is right across the street from the plaza. Do not be fooled about the location. This café is not your typical rip-​off tourist trap!
Despite devoted to a seafood and occasional fowl diet, I wandered off my comfort zone and ordered up a bowl of the famous Plaza Café Frito pie. After the first bite, I had a wide smile on my face. The spicy bowl of deliciousness included crunchy Fritos, carne asada, beans, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. The vegetables are fresh and the bowl presentation was colorful (not only scrumptious, but also visually pleasing). Serving size is generous, but not gluttonous.
I eyed the other dishes coming out of the kitchen. All of the entrees looked pleasing to the eye.
Since I was solo, I sat at the counter. The wait staff is friendly and very helpful to first time patrons. There is no doubt that this is an institution and will hopefully serve hungry patrons (locals and visitors) for another 70 years.

Two stars for rotten service. The food was delicious (thus 2 stars instead of 1) but my party felt absolutely neglected. We were seated and ignored for approximately 10 minutes; we were about to get up to leave when a waiter came by, stood next to our table and just looked at us with his pad and pencil. The level of attention we received would have been subpar for a buffet, which this restaurant is not.

Love this place! Went there with a good friend and we had a blast! Blue Corn Pancakes are amazing! Great atmosphere and we will for sure be back!

How can you review an institution? The Plaza Café claims to be the oldest restaurant in Santa Fe.
Although it is on the Plaza and gets a lot of tourists it also has a local following.
In its current iteration, it is partly diner, with burgers and other sandwiches along with hearty breakfasts and other diner items, but it also has some traditional New Mexican dishes.
We went the New Mexico route: cheese enchiladas (served Christmas style, with green and red sauce) and a chicken burrito with green chili, both served with rice and beans.
Both were very good, although not the best we’ve ever had.
The sapodillas, which come with these dishes, were first-​rate.
I also had a cup of tortilla soup, which I’d rate only a C+. The corn and carrots in the soup looked like they came ready-​made from a can or a freezer.
Service was fast and efficient. The food came out within a few minutes of ordering.
On a Thursday night before high season, the restaurant probably was only half full at around 8 pm.
With two beers, a cup of soup and two entrée plates, the meal came to around $ 45 before tip.

Don’t let the looks of this place deceive you. The food is excellent! My mom and I were in Santa Fe and wanted to try someplace we had never been before. The outside of the Plaza Café is a tad deceptive as it is sort of nondescript and it looks like a diner inside. My mom and I were sat in a booth back by the kitchen which would not have been my first choice of a place to sit, however, our waiter was nice and helpful. The portions are LARGE! My mom ordered the pulled pork sandwich and I got the spicy fish and fries. The food was really really good.

I am a huge fan of Chicken Mole, the cashew Mole at this place is possibly the best I’ve ever eaten. I wanted to finish it but the fluffy goodness of the sopapillia that came with the mole bowl was too good to pass up and I ate it smothered with honey.
The table next to mine was having a chatty good time but when their food came every one fell silent but for a few yummy noises that I over heard. I heard one exclaim to the server that it was the best enchiladas they had ever eaten. Every one else at the table concurred
Yummy goodness in a casual diner setting with big windows to watch the plaza. I want to come back and I haven’t left yet

Great breakfast place located right on the Plaza in Santa Fe. Funky, retro décor that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back to the 1940’s/1950’s. And one of the cleanest restaurants we’ve ever visited. Looked like you could eat off the floor, and the staff was constantly hustling to wipe down counters and tables when not waiting on customers.
I had the Traditional breakfast — eggs, hash browns, bacon and toast. Wife had the French toast and bacon. All were very good, but the bacon was outstanding. It’s listed on the menu as the best bacon in Santa Fe, and I believe it. The café also offers traditional New Mexican breakfasts, but since we were about to step onto a plane for the flight home, we decided to stick with a more traditional (for us) breakfast. The local who sat next to us ordered a New Mexican-​style breakfast and clearly enjoyed it. We won’t hesitate to visit the café again next time we’re in Santa Fe. Good, solid food and very efficient staff!

Worth it… Totally worth it…
Make a point to come here for authentic Santa Fe cuisine. I had the incredible not to be missed blue corn piñon pancake AND a chile relleno omelette
Served piping hot with a smile by a very charming young waiter…
Thoroughly enjoyed myself!

We found this place on Unilocal and it did not disappoint. Excellent customer service and the food was great. I had the spicy fish and chips and was pleasantly surprised. Their ice tea is mango flowers and peach and freshly brewed… I think I had 4 full glasses because it was that good. And we finished the meal with one of the homemade pies: Apple caramel.
Please make sure you save room for dessert!!! They have like 20 different options between pies and cakes and cookies abd they’re all home made.
I’m planning to go back for more pie before my trip ends.
Did I mentioned the EXCELLENT customer service? I would give them 5 stars just for that!

This place looks like a diner. BUT. Its as good as it gets for Santa Fe Chile cusisine. WOW.
the Green Chili. with Carnitas. Amazingly good. Then the Posole with Red Chile and Pork. another outstanding dish. It had red onions chopped, cilantro and shredded cabbage and lime to take the Posole soup to a new level. The cashew mole enchiladas was Good. the other two dishes just was at a different level. Finally, dont know how we did it. but shared the caramel pecan apple pie. Roll me out the door. Agree with some of the other reviewers. its on the PLAZA but food is solid. Definitely a restaurant that holds its own. I am surely coming back.

Totally legit! I repeat this is NOT a tourist trap just because it’s on the square. You will regret it if you don’t try a blue corn pancake for breakfast at this place.
Sooo good! That pancake comprised of blue corn, pinons and pine nuts was OUT OF THIS WORLD good! We hardly even needed butter or syrup because we loved the individual flavor so much. Very distinctively New Mexico. Yum!
His burrito was huge. I mean huge. Shamelessly huge. You got kids? A handful of em? Just order a burrito and split it three ways. This is like a family-​size meal kind of burrito. I guess it was good because… can you believe it he ate the whole thing? Geez. I liked my chicken enchiladas a lot but I like a ton of cheese and found myself wanting a little bit more. C’mon man… lay it on me! And the red sauce here is spot-​on delicious. We also really enjoyed our sopapilla. Of course!

We came for an early dinner. It wasn’t packed but it was steady. I had a hamburger, but the meat didn’t have much taste. It had a good char and the fries were good, but it needed some spices.
Husband had the Indian taco. He didn’t enjoy the carne asada that was on there. He said that the marinate made it taste bitter and there was pieces of fat in it as well.
Waiter was ok. Came by a few times but wasn’t super attentive. Overall it was a good experience and we will be back to try other menu items.

We tried the original plaza café after having great luck with the south location. We had the same great food here as well.
Burger with green chili, IPA and green chili Frito pie.
This time we sat at the counter and had great service.
Thanks!!!

Still REALLY REALLY REALLY GOOD! I brought someone new, an extremely picky eater, and his eyes lit up like Christmas trees when he sunk his teeth into his burrito… And he IS OBSESSED with the donut-​like bread that is served to the table prior to the main meal…
What are you waiting for? Get to The Plaza Café while you’re in Santa Fe… Although, I do warn you, you will in fact HAVE TO WAIT a little bit because this place is one popular joint… And for good reason!

My first time in Santa Fe to attend an event at a museum just a short stroll away and this looked like a place I could eat quickly.
Ordered a tortilla soup, which was good but nothing amazing (could have used more than two tiny spots of avocado for instance). But it wasn’t bad at all.
Decided to splurge and buy a $ 7 piece of pie. I was a little hesitant based on the price, but I was seated at the counter and the pies had been staring at me the whole time.
O M G
The pies here’ll change your life.
Got a slice of Apple Caramel Pecan pie, which he warmed in the microwave. It was so rich and delicious. I couldn’t begin to finish it! Took it home where I worked on it for the next few days, just savoring a few bites at a time (warmed in the microwave again). Mmmmmmmmmm
I should add that I have never been a pie fan. This is maybe only the second apple pie I’ve ever had in my life. And I often don’t like nuts in my desserts. But this pie was just such a nice balance of each component, and I don’t know — like seven inches of apple slices???
This was the highlight of my trip to Santa Fe BY FAR.
Stop in, get something you like, and then DO NOT LEAVE without pie!

We arrived in town later in the afternoon, having driven down from the Denver area, and wished to have some ‘southwestern’ meal. Many of the restaurants in the area had separate meal options for lunch and dinner, and many of the dinner menus did not include what we were looking for.
Upon reading the menu board, we chose The Plaza Café, and it was a very nice choice. The menu included many reasonably priced menu items. I chose the Indian Taco, which is difficult to find in my part of the country. It was very well prepared, and it came with both red and green chilis.
Our waiter seemed a bit distracted at first, and had trouble taking our order. He came back to the table, twice, and I appreciate the fact that he wanted to make sure that he got our order correct. He was very friendly, so when our order came as ordered, his slight hesitation was overlooked.
The ambience is actually very nice, very retro, but in a chic sort of way. The place was busy, probably with tourists like myself, but not disconcerting at all. I enjoyed the taste of the well prepared food, and you very likely will also.