Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, is a city steeped in history. With a vibrant art scene and plenty of places to stay and dine, it’s often ignored when it comes to tourist destinations but it really shouldn’t be. Contemporary yet traditional, it’s small wonder the city’s tagline is: ‘The City Different’.
When it comes to dining options, there’s a whole host of restaurants here too, serving food typical of the Southwest all the way to ones that celebrate global cuisine.
With plant based and organic lifestyles becoming a rising trend, the city has also seen some wonderful establishments diversify their menus to accommodate such customers.
As we know this city well, here are some of the best vegetarian restaurants in Santa Fe and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the city.
You’ll find purely vegan joints here all the way through to restaurants that serve both meat and vegetarian dishes – but their vegetarian menus are extensive and impressive.
The Seven Best Vegetarian Food & Restaurants In Santa Fe:
1. Root 66 Vegan Cafe
A new addition to the restaurant scene in Santa Fe is Root 66 (we love the pun), a family owned and operated vegan café.
Since taking over in November 2021, head chef and baker Jack Egber has expanded the now extensive vegan menu with plenty of baked goods through his enterprise, Jack’s Magic Bakery. He prides himself on his challah (a bread traditionally served during Jewish holidays) which is created using his own personal recipe, which he has spent years perfecting. In fact that challah has earned him accolades in the business, and several dishes at this cafe feature it as a main ingredient.
The so-called ‘pit stops’ on the menu have us coming back for more too, with several really addictive dishes on offer by the scoop. The cranberry chickpea salad is a particular favorite where you’ll get a healthy mix of celery and carrots served with a side of, you guessed it, baby challah bun. The humble coleslaw is also well worth grabbing! You can even mix and match up to four ‘pit stops’ to make a road trip! This place is ‘Root 66’ after all.
The bakery here is what jumpstarted the revamp and you cannot miss out on Jack’s delicious oven baked goods – the Peppermint Patties and Biscochitos being excellent offerings.
Our four-legged friends also have a new favorite vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Santa Fe, as Root 66 also features Jack’s Magic ‘Bark-ery’, which dishes out organic vegan treats for dogs! That’ll get your pup’s tail wagging!
This café is open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and operates as a specialty Jewish bakery on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. You’ll want to head there early, the stuff here sells out like hot cakes! Without a doubt, Root 66 is one of the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Santa Fe.
Address: 1704 Lena St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
2. Paper Dosa
What started as a catering business hosting weekly pop-ups is now a full-fledged sit-down restaurant serving South Indian fare with a decidedly New Mexican twist.
The interior of Paper Dosa is classy with beige walls complementing the wooden furniture perfectly. Traditional South Indian patterns or ‘kolam’ on the walls will transport you straight to a household in Chennai or Mysore, but whilst homely there is is still very much a fine dining vibe here.
The menu here centers around the humble dosa – a crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter, served with an assortment of sides and fillings. It takes a certain amount of skill to elevate a simple staple like the dosa to fine dining heights but that is a skill head chef and owner, Paulraj Karuppasamy, has mastered.
And the best thing? Well, while most menus will have vegans and vegetarians struggling to find options that suit them, the script here is flipped! There’s only a handful of meat-based dishes amongst a plethora of plant-based offerings.
The Bhel Puri here is a great way to start off your meal as it’s the perfect mix of sweet, savory, sour and spicy. Of course, it’s the dosa that takes center stage with locals swearing by it. The crisp brown dosa is huge and barely fits on your plate! Enjoy it stuffed with ‘masala’ – a tempered potato mixture with caramelized onions and cashews – or with a whole host of other fillings ranging from paneer to basil. The dishes can be ordered vegan too – just inform the server that you want to skip the clarified butter.
If you’re in the mood for some DIY, the restaurant has you covered too thanks to their customizable build-your-own dosa kits available for purchase. That then allows you to try your hand at dosa making in the comfort of your own home!
Paper Dosa has limited hours and is open from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, so you are encouraged to get there early. If you’re planning on dining with large party, it’s best to call ahead for a reservation.
There’s also a lovely patio that’s open for dining on Sundays, so don’t miss out on that opportunity!
Address: 551 W Cordova Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505
3. Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Cafe
Annapurna in Sanskrit translates to ‘the giver of sustenance’ and the food here definitely reflects that as it’s based on the practice of ayurveda, which has an emphasis on nourishing the body and soul. It’s a laid back self-service outlet which even features a pet friendly patio to dine in.
Unsurprisingly this café has a very earthy feel to it, with lovely pastel shaded walls. When you walk in, your eyes are immediately drawn to the lovely drapery that hangs from the ceiling – most definitely worthy of the ‘gram! The seating is spartan, which really enhances the rustic feel of the place.
The menu here heavily features staples from India, but also has dishes from across the globe. You have to try the Kitchari – a mildly spiced porridge of rice and split mung beans – which is touted as the ‘ultimate ayurvedic dish’. The Thali is a great option as well if you wish to sample a large selection of dishes as it features three different vegetable preparations, two lentil stews along with rice and Indian flatbread.
That being said, it’s the Pad Thai that really steals the show here and which tends to have locals coming back for more. Don’t forget to round off your meal with a nice hot cup of chai as well.
Make sure you also check out their bakery case which features daily dessert options, most of which are vegan, gluten-free and soy-free.
Annapurna’s lays a heavy emphasis on fresh, organic produce with no processed foods. So if you wholeheartedly embrace the vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, or are simply making conscious dietary choices, this is easily one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Santa Fe for you.
The café is open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m every day of the week.
Address: 1620 St Michaels Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87505
4. Sweet Water Harvest Kitchen
Sweet Water Harvest Kitchen offers a natural and sustainably sourced menu in a bright, modern setting.
Yet while not a solely vegetarian joint, the kitchen at Sweet Water dishes out a whole host of vegan, gluten friendly (in fact everything is gluten free here) and paleo dishes, so you can rest assured your dietary preferences will be accommodated.
The menu itself features world cuisine with everything on offer from burritos to Buddha bowls, and with a lovely cozy patio where you can relax under the shade of trees while leaning on cushions, you can dig in to you meal in real comfort.
We’ll talk more about the food in a minute, but we can’t ignore the fact this is a lovely setting to dine in too. We can’t think of better words to describe the interiors than fresh and vibrant thanks to the centerpieces on the tables and the foliage that dots the restaurant.
All of which is juxtaposed beautifully with the trendy metal and wood furnishing. You’ll really be taken in by the warm hues of brown and green mingling with the white plaster walls – it’s a treat for the eyes and your phone’s camera!
As for the food, the salads are a standout here, especially the house salad which comes with a delicious maple, lime and sesame dressing. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss out on their Vegan Chocolate Cream Pie, which is also gluten free and made in house!
There’s also an extensive beverage list to choose thanks to a fine selection of wine, sake and beer. The wines are organic and biodynamic.
The food here is prepared to order, so you may have a bit of wait time, but the fresh and nutritious ingredients more than make up for it. The servers are also warm and friendly.
This restaurant also has separate menus for brunch and supper. So, if you’re in Santa Fe and are looking for a healthy option to dine out, Sweet Water Harvest Kitchen is a fantastic choice!
Address: 1512 Pacheco St Bldg B, Santa Fe, NM 87505
5. Apothecary Restaurant at Santa Fe Oxygen and Healing Bar
The Apothecary Restaurant offers a really unique dining experience in Santa Fe.
Intricate wooden chairs mix with leather upholstery, with a smattering of throw rugs and cushions – so you’ll have your choice of seating options. There’s also plenty of abstract art on the walls for you to admire while you dine. It’s a sort of mix of otherworldly and homely.
The philosophy at The Apothecary revolves around personal healing with an emphasis on enriching the human experience. This is reflected in their menu which features comfort foods with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and paleo-friendly specialties. The Jubilee Pizza is a highlight, featuring a gluten free yucca crust with options for 8” or 12” pies.
Go for the Caprese which even has a vegan cheese option, and then cap off your meal with a slice of their vegan Key Lime Pie – is there anything more American comfort food than Key Lime Pie? For those comfort choices alone, this place deserves it’s spot on our list of the best vegetarian restaurants in Santa Fe.
The menu here is as inventive as it is vast, so make sure you go through its entirety before choosing what to order. If the food takes a while to arrive, worry not! One of the main attractions of the establishment is the fact it’s part of Sant Fe Oxygen Bar, where you can indulge in aromatherapy (with 96% pure oxygen) while lounging on one of their many massage chairs. They’ve even had live music there in the past.
Hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week, which is a blessing for people who wish to dine late. For a dining experience that’s a breath of fresh air, head on over to The Apothecary!
Address: 133 W San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
6. The Burger Stand @ Burro Alley
We know what you’re thinking. What is a burger joint doing on a list of the best vegetarian restaurants in Santa Fe? But hear us out – The Burger Stand offers not one, not two, but three different options for vegetarian patties! And with a happy hour running from 2pm to 6pm Monday-Friday, you can expect fantastic vegetarian burgers and a good deal!
This rustic eatery has a prominent Southwest feel, and there’s a lovely huge patio too if you wish to dine outside – just see the photo below. Or you can just pull up a stool near the bar – seating options abound!
Sometimes you’re just hankering for a burger, and this is one of the few places in Santa Fe to feature an Impossible patty! The menu itself features several different burgers, curated by chef and cookbook author Robert Krause, which can be turned vegetarian or vegan.
The Spicy Shitake, however, takes our prime spot, featuring a mushroom patty with habanero cream cheese and avocado. While the burgers may be the main draw, the Parmesan Truffle Fries and house made pickles are what many regulars clamor for.
This restaurant also serves wine and has plenty of craft beers on tap – the perfect way to work up an appetite while waiting for your food to arrive. It’s open 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. every day of the week.
Address: 207 W San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
7. Café Pasqual’s
Café Pasqual’s offers Mexican food in a lovely homely setting.
Your eyes are going to be drawn every which from the moment you enter. From Mexican tiles to earthenware displays to crocheted knick-knacks that hang from the ceiling – this place is truly a feast for the senses. Everything is bright without being garish and festive without being kitschy. You’ll really be reaching for that phone to capture it all.
The menu at Café Pasqual’s features Mexican classics with a focus on fresh and organic produce. A lot of the dishes here are featured in the two cookbooks the establishment has published and many items can be prepared vegetarian, vegan or gluten free – just ask the server.
The Mole Enchiladas with tofu chorizo are a stand out dish along with the Napo’s Pupusa which features corn cakes stuffed with vegetables and cheese. A steaming mug of Mexican hot chocolate will really complete your meal. At least that’s our excuse when ordering.
This cafe is quaint and small, so there’s often a bit of wait time. But worry not! There’s a lovely café shop and art gallery that you can browse while you wait to be seated.
Hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for breakfast and lunch, and 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for dinner. While Pasqual’s isn’t solely a Santa Fe vegetarian restaurant, it’s definitely a great choice for vegetarians and vegans.
Address: 121 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
