Restaurants near Wheelwright Museum of The American Indian

Santa Café - A Delightful Dining Experience I recently dined at Santa Café in Santa Fe and had an overall enjoyable experience. The ambiance was inviting, and the menu offered a great variety. The meal started with a fresh, flavorful salad that set a great tone. The pasta was absolutely out of this world—perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. The enchiladas were equally delicious, showcasing bold and satisfying tastes. Their wine selection was thoughtfully curated and paired wonderfully with the dishes we tried. For dessert, we opted for the carrot cake. While it was good, it wasn’t quite the standout that the rest of the meal had been. The service started a bit slow, as it took some time for our server to get to our table initially. However, once things got underway, the service was excellent—attentive and friendly. Overall, Santa Café is a great spot for a memorable meal in Santa Fe. I’d definitely return, especially for that incredible pasta!

This is where we go when we want to treat ourselves and spend a really special evening with friends or family. It never disappoints. The decor and atmosphere is lovely. The food is great and perfect for sharing. We love the yellowtail roll, the fried oysters, the pork ribs - to name only a few. the servers are pleasant, friendly, personable without being intrusive. Secret tip: for some reason it's not on the menu, but they offer sake flights and that's a fun way to try out different ones. Our only problem yesterday, and this was not the fault of the restaurant, was the unruly, extremely shrill, probably drunk group of six people at the neighboring table. It was impossible to converse or even relax. This group should have gone to a bar instead, they were ill-placed in this serene environment and they were super annoying. Fortunately the staff were able to find us a different table and it became a beautiful evening as usual.

We went based on a recommendation about it being good for gluten free (my partner, whose birthday it was). Mentioned it to our server and she said she’d let us know if anything we ordered wasn’t gluten free. We ordered way too much but couldn’t help ourselves. Every damn dish was amazing. Our server was super helpful and personable. Atmosphere was great too! Would highly recommend!

The service was fantastic, and very friendly. So was the food. Prices are high but they let us split the filet mignon, which was all we needed. It was perfectly cooked. Because they were busy (holiday season), the place was noisy but it really didn’t matter to us.

Having been long-time fans of Market Steer Restaurant's old location, we approached their new spot with a mix of excitement and curiosity. Could it possibly recreate the magic of our cherished memories of dining just days before Christmas, gazing out the window as snow fell softly outside? Happily, the answer is a resounding yes. The new location is every bit as beautiful as the old, if not more so. The attention to detail in the finishes and the overall design of the space is remarkable. From the moment we stepped inside, the restaurant exuded sophistication and warmth, making it feel both familiar and refreshingly new. The service continues to be one of Market Steer's greatest strengths. Our server and busser were attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. The server’s recommendations for both the food and the wine list were spot on, showcasing their expertise and passion for creating an exceptional dining experience. As for the food, it surpassed even our fondest memories. The subtle flavors in the salad and soup were perfectly balanced, and the bread—accompanied by a delectable butter—was irresistible. The star of the meal, however, was undoubtedly the steak. Cooked to perfection with seasoning that was flawless, it needed no embellishments, though the accompanying blue cheese butter and chimichurri were delicious options. The sides, too, were outstanding, with impeccable portion sizes and flavors that elevated the entire meal. From the restaurant’s exquisite design to the exceptional service and superb food, it’s clear that the owners have poured their hearts into every detail of their business. Their hard work and commitment to excellence are evident at every turn. The only tiny detail that could have elevated the experience even further would have been having our coats ready at the door as we left—an admittedly small and unimportant gesture, but one that would have added an extra touch of hospitality to an already unforgettable evening.