Cafe Pasqual’s | Courtesy Cafe Pasqual’s/Kitty Leaken The perfect example of how to take the best from North American and Mexican cooking traditions to create the most delicious of fusion dishes, Cafe Pasqual’s is one of Santa Fe’s most popular restaurants. Diners can choose to tuck into fine gourmet foods such as grilled applewood-smoked bacon, wrapped in mission figs and served on a bed of arugula with bleu cheese, or a double lamb chop brushed with pomegranate molasses and served with a sauté of garlic and pattypan squash, and a potato chive cake. For a spicier dinner, diners can order the marinated and slow-cooked shredded Angus beef chilli tacos, or the mole enchiladas with organic pulled-chicken and cilantro rice.

This cheerful cubbyhole is owned by James Beard Award–winning chef and cookbook author Katharine Kagel, who champions organic, local ingredients, and whose expert kitchen staff produces mouthwatering breakfast and lunch specialties like huevos motuleños (eggs in a tangy tomatillo salsa with black beans and fried bananas) and mahi-mahi tostadas. Dinner offerings range from chicken enchiladas to warm Thai noodle salad. The café's shop offers souvenirs such as cookbooks, aprons, and baseball caps, and there's an art gallery next door selling bronzes, ceramics, glassware, and more.

For forty-four years, Katherine Kagel, the founder and chef of Cafe Pasqual's (aka: the Alice Waters of Santa Fe) has been serving early risers breakfast at her coveted corner cafe. With its sturdy wooden tables and kaleidoscopic ceiling cutouts, you’ll sip some of the best organic coffee around – a warm dark roast Central American blend poured in the cafe’s namesake mugs. After proper caffeination (and whole wheat pancakes), head upstairs to the eatery’s hidden-from-the-street gallery and beeline to the earthy, durable Mica cookware collection.

Cafe Pasqual’s has been open for over 40 years, and is quintessential Land of Enchantment: Colorful papel picado hang from wall to wall, chile ristras dangle above heads, and folk art paintings are spread throughout the dining room. Dinnertime gets busy with townspeople and visitors alike celebrating getting a table, but we like breakfast best. That’s when the dining room is quieter and you can appreciate all the colorful details jazzed up with natural light.

The next morning, I packed up my things, checked out and wandered around the Plaza alone, hoping to catch some of the first Native American artisans who sell their wares in the area every weekend. Though I wasn’t super hungry, I decided to grab a (quite pricey) breakfast at Cafe Pasqual’s, a James Beard award-winning all-day restaurant. As a solo diner, I was sat immediately at the community table, but the rest of the narrow dining room was full.

One of those rare restaurants that's beloved by tourists and locals alike, Cafe Pasqual's (named for San Pasqual, the folk saint of Mexican and New Mexican kitchens and cooks) has been a downtown staple for more than 40 years. With an emphasis on organic and sustainable cuisine, Pasqual's seats just 50 diners at a time and is dedicated to making everything—from chile sauces to ice cream to bread—in-house. The colorful dining room is filled with hand-painted Mexican tiles and murals by Leovigildo Martinez, a renowned Mexican painter.

Step into Café Pasqual’s and prepare to be transported to a world of culinary delights. This iconic Santa Fe eatery is renowned for its creative twists on traditional Southwestern cuisine, with a brunch menu that features dishes like blue corn piñon pancakes, green chile stew, and huevos motuleños. From the vibrant decor to the farm-fresh ingredients sourced from local producers, every detail at Café Pasqual’s reflects a commitment to quality and authenticity that keeps diners coming back for more.

Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert in a quaint adobe structure where you can experience comfort foods made in Southwestern style at Cafe Pasqual’s. Dining at this restaurant is magical, and many locals love to go to Cafe Pasqual’s to experience dining as the vacationers do. When dining at this restaurant, you will be surrounded by bright colors, lots of memorabilia, and everything that reminds you that you are in the heart of New Mexico.

Not surprisingly the happy newlyweds “loved the fresh Southwestern cooking style and could not get enough green chiles.” Among their favorites were Cafe Pasqual’s for enchiladas, Terra for chiles rellenos and Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen for margaritas. Surprisingly they found Geronimo “too buttoned-up for my taste.” Cookie, the “crumb-catching mutt” for whom the blog is named didn’t accompany Kathryne to Santa Fe. (Thank you, Becky Mercuri)

At Café Pasqual’s, you have wide variety of choices for any meal of the day, from Southern-style cooking with a New Mexican twist and Mexican food to seafood dishes, tender meat, and plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options/substitutions. If you’re looking for more opportunities to taste the gems of Santa Fe, they also have mole enchiladas and green or red chiles incorporated in dishes across the menu.

Because they've garnered a lot of national press, you'll also encounter lots of tourists. James Beard Award-winning chef/owner Katherine Kagel has long supported organic, fresh and local and that's what she serves in her small corner eatery in downtown Santa Fe. She calls her approach, "Never, ever," meaning that no chemicals, antibiotics, hormones or anything artificial is ever used in her food.

A lively lunch crowd at the color-filled, character-rich, and always popular Cafe Pasqual’s, one of the best casual restaurants in Santa Fe. As one of the best casual restaurants that Santa Fe offers, Cafe Pasqual’s is always jam-packed. Open the door to the modest brown adobe on the corner of Don Gaspar Avenue and Water Street, and you’ll discover a lively, friendly atmosphere inside.

The list of recommendations is endless, but several places you’re guaranteed an excellent meal include: The Pantry, Tecolote, or Palacio Cafe for breakfast; Tune-Up, Cowgirl (get their green chile cheeseburger), Caffe Greco, or Shohko for lunch; and La Choza, The Shed, El Farol, Paloma, or Cafe Pasqual’s for dinner. For an uber-special night out, try Sazon, the Compound, or Geronimo.

Cafe Pasqual’s – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—this might be my favorite restaurant in the world. While it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it’s the lunch menu I love, what with its blue-corn enchiladas (featuring a sauce of New Mexican chiles, of course) and side of gruyère potato cake. It certainly also doesn’t hurt that ingredients are organic and fresh.

A festive corner café with colorful Mexican folk art décor, Café Pasqual’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner using fresh, seasonal, organic produce and naturally raised meats. Chef Katharine Kagel’s gourmet Santa Fe creations reflect Asian and Mediterranean influences. Savor special omelets of the day, golden blintzes, or avocado toast with poached eggs and the works.

For 36 years, Cafe Pasqual’s has been serving cuisine inspired by the culinary traditions of New Mexico, Old Mexico, the Mediterranean, and Asia. Cafe Pasqual’s is named for the folk saint of Mexican and New Mexican kitchens and cooks, San Pasqual. Their colorful, historic, pueblo-style adobe is located one block southwest of Santa Fe’s Downtown Plaza.

My morning shortlist includes various time-tested classics — Café Pasqual’s, the Plaza Café, a trio of Pantry’s, and Tia Sophia’s, among others. That time, I chose Tia’s, a vision of its breakfast burrito dancing in my head. Santa Fe’s awash in fine examples of this hearty way to start the day, but I’m completely enamored with the Tia’s version.

A local institution since 1979, Café Pasqual’s is one of the best brunch Santa Fe destinations, hands down. The restaurant’s festive interior is matched by bold flavors, think huevos rancheros, green chile tamales, and organic smoothies. Situated just off the Santa Fe Plaza, it’s the perfect way to start your day in the heart of the city.

Café Pasqual’s serves organic cuisine drawn from the traditions of Mexico, New Mexico, Asia, and the Mediterranean. Located in one of the oldest free-standing buildings in Santa Fe, the café is decorated by a full-length wall mural painted by a local artist. We dined there for breakfast and found the service and food to be outstanding.

As one of the worst-kept secrets of Santa Fe’s breakfast scene, you’re going to want to arrive at Cafe Pasqual’s early. The crowds form almost immediately once the doors open. You don’t have to be a local to know Pasqual’s-their reputation for breakfast excellence has spread far and wide thanks to heaps of word-of-mouth praise.

Housed in an old adobe house one block from Santa Fe Plaza, Cafe Pasqual’s is an institution. Again, expect long waits at lunch but note that you can call ahead for dinner. The chile relleno plate ($28), the huevos barbacoa, and the mole enchiladas (both $18) are excellent, but our favorite dish was the mahi mahi tostada.

Cafe Pasquals, reminiscent of Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse, serves fantastic food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Legal Tender, a cool historic saloon 19 miles from town, offers simple and delicious fare like Green Chile Stew. And for burger enthusiasts, Bobcat Bite is your go-to for a variety of mouthwatering burgers.

If you’re into fresh ingredients and creative twists, Café Pasqual’s is your spot. Think heirloom corn tamales, smoked trout hash with red chile, and their standout mole enchiladas—all made with organic, locally sourced ingredients. The colorful decor is just as fun as the food, and the vibe is warm and artsy.

Café Pasqual's is an always-bustling bastion of Southwestern cooking. This downtown spot fills up fast, so it's best to arrive when it opens at 8 a.m. Once seated at a community table, order a hot cup of coffee, and corned beef hash with two eggs, or griddled polenta with sautéed chorizo, corn, and red chile.

Cafe Pasqual’s – This came highly recommended from a friend. Once we learned about its popularity, we decided to arrive early to get on the lunch waitlist – spending our wait time at their upstairs gallery and nearby shops. When we finally got our meals – everything was too good to believe.

Part restaurant, part gallery, Cafe Pasqual’s embodies two of the best things about Santa Fe: the food and the art. The menu is colorful and eclectic, with a mix of New Mexican standards and other made-from-scratch options. The restaurant is also very vegetarian- and vegan-friendly.

Nestled inside the cool adobe structure, Café Pasqual’s kitchen turns out authentic Santa Fe food while the walls share the craft of local artists. Check out the local art while you wait for your unique local dishes to arrive. Locals and travelers alike rave about Café Pasqual’s.

Café Pasqual’s • 121 Don Gaspar Ave., (505) 983-9340 • Hear us now and thank us later: Put in a reservation. Not only because there’s always a waitlist, but you’ll soon learn it’s well deserved. This is killer New Mexican food with one of the best Mexican hot chocolates around.

Cafe Pasqual’s: Someone recommended this to be on my gluten free ABQ page and I’m so glad!. There was a bit of a wait but we were able to get in faster by sitting at the communal table. They have gluten free bread and are mindful to cook away from toasted if celiac.

Some of our favorite family-friendly eateries during the trip included legendary Café Pasqual’s, Vinaigrette and SweetWater Harvest Kitchen, all of which are committed to sustainable practices and sourcing locally grown and organic ingredients as much as possible.

Cafe Pasqual’s enchiladas are featured in the intro photo to this post, and they were amazing. Do not miss this New Mexican restaurant, located in Downtown Santa Fe. The ingredients are mostly organic and the soba salad and agave margaritas were fantastic, too.

She actually managed to eat here twice during our short visit. It has always served authentic New Mexican wholesome food with excellent vegetarian options. It is located on the plaza in historic Santa Fe, does not take reservations and has a line out the door.

Enjoy the ambiance of a colorful fiesta while feasting on delicious specialties like smoked trout hash at Cafe Pasqual’s. This small restaurant serves up the big, bold flavors of New Mexico and Old Mexico, along with a few Mediterranean and Asian dishes.

After seeing crowds gather around the door during my first visit, I had to know more about Cafe Pasqual’s. On my next trip, I made my way to Cafe Pasqual’s right when they opened. I was seated at one of their large family style tables with other parties.

Cafe Pasqual’s – Located in the heart of town, this is another one of Santa Fe’s best places to eat, and for good reason. It’s a James Beard Award Winning restaurant. Be ready for big crowds, but if you’re willing to brave the wait, it’s worth it!

- Rating: 4.2/5 (1806 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 121 Don Gaspar Ave. Santa Fe, New Mexico - Categories: Vegetarian, Mexican, Art Galleries- Read more on Yelp. You may also like: People from these metros are looking to buy homes in Santa Fe

Maybe start with breakfast at Café Pasqual’s first, then walk around the plaza. The trees during the spring are gorgeous and during Christmas time, they are all lit up!. Also, there are many shops and restaurants surrounding the plaza.

They serve a variety of food, from elevated New Mexican to Contemporary Mexican. Their food never disappoints, and the long line outside is the testament to that. Great for lunch or dinner, just arrive early to get a table.

Cafe Pasqual’s-For more than 40 years, Cafe Pasqual’s has been a local favorite. Breakfasts are sublime, but so are lunch and dinner. Their commitment to scratch cooking and organic ingredients make it worth the wait.

We had wonderful meals (and coffee / chai was delicious too!) I can’t have gluten or egg and was super pleased with the beautiful fruit/yogurt/granola bowl - delicious!!!. My husband’s plate looked incredible as well!

Café Pasqual’s, 121 Don Gaspar: The famous James Beard Award Winning Restaurant. I love the atmosphere but it can get crowded. If there are no tables, join the communal table in the center of the dining room.

Café Pasqual’s “Know your farmer,” says Katherine Kagel, founder/owner/executive chef. All food is organic. Although the restaurant has been around since 1979, it still feels like a best-kept secret.

If you can't choose between red or green chile sauce, order yours Christmas-style for a taste of both. Another great breakfast spot by a former Cafe Pasqual chef is farther West at Tune-Up Cafe.

Afterward, fill your belly at the inimitable Cafe Pasqual's, grab cocktails at La Reina, a trendy tequila bar, and get some shut-eye at the Hotel Santa Fe, native-owned by the Picuris Pueblo.

Cafe Pasqual’s is another highly regarded breakfast and lunch spot. It is located in the center of downtown, at the corner of East Water Street and Don Gaspar Ave. It opens at 8:00 AM.

Cafe Pasquals – best place for brunch and they’ll sub tofu for eggs in most dishes. Be prepared for a long wait as this is close to the Plaza, yet the food and decor is worth it!

This place has so much character and personality and completely incredible Santa Fe style food too. We trusted our waiter and ordered some of their crowd favorites!

we liked Guadalupe Cafe for casual breakfasts - great coffee and blue corn muffins, and Cafe Pasqual for the food and the conversation at the communal table.

Restaurants we wanted to enjoy but couldn’t get in to experience: the a claimed Geronimo, the long standing Café Pasqual and renowned The Shed!