Navigating Santa Fe’s culinary scene during the busy Zozobra weekend and Fiesta de Santa Fe requires strategic planning around the downtown Plaza and Railyard districts. Book reservations at top destinations, like La Plazuela or the Anasazi Restaurant, to enjoy world-class Southwestern cuisine in proximity to the historic festivals. For more casual dining, nearby staples like Del Charro and Tomasita’s offer authentic New Mexican favorites perfect for refueling between events.
Labor Day Weekend brings a feast of fanfare and fun to Santa Fe, kicking off on Friday with the annual demise of the city’s favorite combustible puppet, Zozobra. The festivities continue over the weekend with the celebration and ceremony of the weeklong Fiesta de Santa Fe.
Throughout it all, food and drink is pivotal in celebrating these events properly. We’ll show you the City Different’s best places to eat and best bars and breweries for locally brewed beers, spirits, and fine wines during happy hour or whenever!
You can also check out the many margarita spots around town following the Margarita Trail and beyond.
However you choose to celebrate, ¡Que viva la fiesta!
What is Zozobra?
If you’re new to Santa Fe or just passing through, you might not know about Zozobra, affectionately nicknamed “Old Man Gloom.” Zozobra is a 50-foot-tall marionette built and burned every year on the Friday before Labor Day in Santa Fe, New Mexico. People stuff him with notes detailing the troubles they’ve faced over the past year and unsavory paperwork like divorce decrees and bills.
After a battle between Zozobra, his minion Gloomies, and brave Torchbearers, Zozobra finally succumbs to The Fire Spirit. As he goes up in flames, the community symbolically releases their negativity and embraces renewal for the new year ahead.
What is Fiesta de Santa Fe?
Fiesta de Santa Fe is an annual weeklong festival initially commemorating the Spanish reconquest of the city in 1692. The festival continues to evolve, with the community striving to create a celebration that reflects a shared history and a unified future. The Santa Fe Fiesta is considered the oldest continuous community celebration in the country.
Where are the best places to eat Zozobra weekend & during Fiesta de Santa Fe?
Here are some of the best restaurants to try over Zozobra weekend and during the Santa Fe Fiesta (or, anytime, really!).
La Plazuela at La Fonda on the Plaza
- Cuisine: Northern New Mexican & Contemporary American Fusion
- Address: 100 E. San Francisco St.
- Neighborhood: Santa Fe Plaza / Downtown
Found on the historic hotel’s original 1920s sunlit patio, La Plazuela at La Fonda on the Plaza offers an intimate dining experience framed by soaring skylights and iconic hand-painted glass windows. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Lane Warner, a Culinary Institute of America graduate and former New Mexico Restaurant Association Chef of the Year, the restaurant has spent decades perfecting its approach to regional gastronomy.
Del Charro Saloon
- Cuisine: Southwestern
- Address: 101 W. Alameda St.
- Neighborhood: Santa Fe Plaza / Downtown
Fuel your fiesta fun at Del Charro Saloon, a Santa Fe favorite found at the Inn of the Governors, known for its lively atmosphere and classic Southwestern fare. Enjoy an unbeatable deal that can satisfy any budget with their famous $10 lunch special. Walk-ins welcome.
Escondido
- Cuisine: Coastal, Central, and Northern Mexican
- Address: 1101 Paseo Corazón Suite 100
- Neighborhood: Agua Fria / Southwest Santa Fe
Enjoy incredible cocktails and exquisite fine-dining from the world-renowned and James Beard Semifinalist Chef Fernando Ruiz in a tucked-away, intimate location with rooftop access. Escondido features innovative small plates to share with friends and decadent entreés.
Kitchen + Bar at Drury Plaza Hotel
- Cuisine: Southwestern and American
- Address: 828 Paseo De Peralta
- Neighborhood: Santa Fe Plaza / Downtown
Located on the first floor of the hotel, Kitchen + Bar offers guests a relaxed, contemporary setting to unwind with local draft beers, specialty margaritas, and comforting bites. The kitchen focuses on approachable, high-quality pub classics with distinct New Mexican flavors, like fire-roasted Hatch green chiles and local corn salsas. Walk-ins welcome.
Tomasita’s
- Cuisine: Traditional Northern New Mexican
- Address: 500 S. Guadalupe St.
- Neighborhood: Railyard District
Housed in a historic red-brick passenger train depot in the Railyard District, Tomasita’s is a beloved Santa Fe institution that has served classic, scratch-made Northern New Mexican comfort food for over 40 years. The family-owned restaurant is famous for its fiery, locally grown Hatch red and green chiles, flat-stacked blue corn enchiladas, slow-braised carne adovada, and puffy, cloud-like sopaipillas served hot with honey butter.
Celebrate with Santa Fe’s Finest Food
As Zozobra burns and Fiesta de Santa Fe fills the streets with music and joy, take the time to savor Santa Fe. Take your pick from the City Different’s historic dining rooms.
The Zozobra and Fiesta de Santa Fe celebrations invite you to partake in Santa Fe flavors and immerse yourself in the city’s 300+ year history. Gather your friends and family, explore the City Different’s diverse culinary offerings, and celebrate Labor Day Weekend in Santa Fe!
FAQs
Do I need restaurant reservations for Zozobra weekend and Fiesta de Santa Fe?
Yes, downtown Santa Fe restaurants during Zozobra weekend and the Fiesta de Santa Fe fill up fast. These historic events draw thousands of visitors to the Santa Fe Plaza and surrounding neighborhoods. Popular dining rooms like La Plazuela and the Anasazi Restaurant book out weeks in advance. For spots that operate primarily on a walk-in basis, such as Del Charro Saloon or Tomasita’s, expect significantly longer wait times during peak lunch and dinner hours. Planning your meals outside of primary dining times can help reduce your wait.
Where can I find traditional New Mexican food near the Santa Fe Plaza festivities?
You can find exceptional traditional Northern New Mexican food right on the Santa Fe Plaza or within a short walking distance. La Plazuela at La Fonda on the Plaza offers upscale regional specialties like blue corn enchiladas and stuffed chile rellenos in a historic setting. If you want a casual local favorite, Del Charro Saloon at Inn of the Governors is just a few blocks away and serves excellent Southwestern fare. Additionally, Tomasita’s is located nearby in the Railyard District and is famous for its scratch-made carne adovada, flat-stacked enchiladas, and hot sopaipillas served with local Hatch red and green chiles.
What are the signature Santa Fe foods I should try during the weekend?
The signature flavors you must try during the festival weekend revolve around New Mexico’s famous Hatch red and green chiles. When dining out, you will frequently be asked “red, green, or Christmas,” which means choosing your favorite chile sauce or mixing both. Standout local dishes include carne adovada (pork slow-braised in red chile), Frito pie, blue corn enchiladas, and fresh sopaipillas served with honey butter. To experience the city’s modern beverage culture, you can taste craft margaritas along the official Santa Fe Margarita Trail or sample locally brewed beers and spirits at downtown bars.
Are there good dining options away from the crowded downtown Plaza area?
Yes, there are excellent dining options located away from the heavy downtown festival crowds. Escondido, in the Agua Fria neighborhood in southwest Santa Fe, offers an intimate fine-dining experience featuring Coastal, Central, and Northern Mexican cuisine curated by James Beard Semifinalist Chef Fernando Ruiz. The Railyard District, home to Tomasita’s, provides a lively alternative just a short distance from the Santa Fe Plaza, featuring historic architecture and easy access to local breweries. Choosing restaurants in these outer neighborhoods allows you to enjoy world-class culinary experiences while leaving the immediate downtown congestion.
Can I find vegetarian and vegan options at Santa Fe restaurants during the festivals?
Yes, Santa Fe restaurants are highly accommodating and provide excellent vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-friendly options during the holiday weekend. Many upscale establishments, such as the Anasazi Restaurant, place a strong emphasis on locally sourced, farm-to-table seasonal produce, offering dedicated plant-based entrees. Casual spots like Kitchen + Bar at the Drury Plaza Hotel feature customizable vegetarian options like veggie pizzas and salads accented with roasted corn salsa. When ordering traditional New Mexican items like beans or chiles, always ask your server if they are prepared with lard or meat broths to ensure they fit your preferences.
This article was posted by Jesse Williams
