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    Café Castro

    4.1 (337 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Order Café Castro Takeout or Delivery

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    CAFÉ CASTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Café Castro

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    Chicharron Burrito
    Andrew R.

    Café Castro's is back open! They were closed for months, but opened again, and the food and service is as superb as in the past. I had my old standby, which I missed so much: a Chicharron Burrito with red chile. I still think the red chile here is about the best in town. Perfect heat, great flavor, I usually go for Christmas but not here, the red is the best! My wife had the Tuesday Flight of Taco, which is an amazing deal for only $11.99. Six, yes, six chicken tacos, two more than she could eat, so two left over for dinner. Super yummy. Two huge Sopapillas, which are perfectly fried. More yum! Great service from Jesus. Oh, and very good Horchata with refills. Café Castro is one of, if not the best, New Mexican joints in Santa Fe.

    Green Chile Cheeseburger on sopaipilla
    Alice F.

    Nice, family run place with exceptional food. Service was friendly and attentive, and my partner got to practice his Spanish. We ordered a variety of items: the green chile cheeseburger on a sopaipilla, a side of posole (Christmas), a pork tamal, chicken enchilada, and chile relleno, and the green chile pork stew. The star of the table was the one thing I didn't get a picture of: the green chile stew! Meltingly tender pork and potatoes were delicious and the chile flavor was yummy. My next favorite was the tamal, which had quite a bit of meat in it. I preferred it with the green chile, but my partner preferred the red chile. The posole was probably my third favorite, with fluffy hominy and great texture. Really, there wasn't a bad plate or bowl on the table. I wasn't expecting much when I entered, but I would definitely return.

    disgusting slop of goo. GROSS

    When you search up this "restaurant" on google a video pops up of some weird woman talking about how the food has layers but in my honest and well thought opinion the chef clearly attempted to give this dish "depth" through layering, however no amount of structural stacking can distract from the fact that it looks like a culinary recreation of SpongeBob's Goo Lagoon. The main component possesses a thick, viscous sheen reminiscent of industrial molasses, creating an oily, marbled abyss that feels more like a geological sample than a meal. The way the melted cheese streaks across the dark, heavy sludge only reinforces the "primordial ooze" aesthetic, making the plate look less like a dinner and more like something dredged from the murky depths of a cartoon swamp. Ultimately, the visual heaviness is so overwhelming that the "layers" feel less like a gourmet technique and more like a warning, resulting in a dish that looks genuinely exhausting to consume.

    Laurel A.

    I can't say enough amazing things about Cafe Castro! Came to NM on vacation and this was our first meal - Boy, this set the bar high! We got some local beers, chile relleno, enchilada plate, side taco and complimentary sopapillos (I believe that's the correct name, ha!) Hands down the BEST Chile relleno I've ever had. WOW. The green sauce was amazing. Every person working was soo incredible. Everyone was so nice and hospitable. The restaurant is so cute, with such a great aesthetic and some beautiful art! Wish I could eat here again!! 10/10

    Nom Nom Nom Tacos!
    Donn D.

    I had the Flight of Tacos, which were pretty darn good. After a long day on the road they really hit the spot like my old man used to say. The inside isn't much to look at, but it's got great reviews for a reason. The food is good, but not overpriced. More importantly it's a place you don't have to dress up to go to, which in Santa Fe can be more difficult than you would think unless you just want fast food or Outback. So sort of a happy medium between The Paloma and Filiberto's. The sopapillas didn't have much flavor unfortunately, and you don't get free chips and salsa when you order. Not even a single basket. You have to pay for them. At a Mexican food restaurant? Rookie mistake in my opinion.

    John P.

    Another great dining experience! Great service, food and price. Had the Wednesday vlue corn enchiladas special.

    Menu
    Donna C.

    Met a friend here for lunch. She's new to town and this was her first time to dine here. We enjoyed the trio of dips and chips and both ordered the blue corn chicken enchiladas special. I'm pretty sure it was her first time trying Posole, and she loved it. She enjoyed everything. Whew!! So much pressure when I recommend a place. The cafe is charming inside and out. Ample parking. Lovely staff. Prices are great and the traditional New Mexico cuisine is delicious.

    Entrance
    Melissa H.

    Found this place through Yelp. It's family/local owned which really caught my attention. When I have a stay over in Santa Fe, I always have to treat myself to authentic NM cuisine. I caught them right before they closed, but they were still very welcoming. I decided to take out, since I wanted to just relax in my hotel room. The guy that assisted me recommended the flautas. They were excellent. Their red sauce and green sauce equally good. True to NM tradition (one of my faves) I also received a complimentary sopapilla, which was delicious! Next time I'm in town, I hope to sit down at the restaurant and enjoy it. It was quaint and welcoming with wonderful aroma all around. Ps... very reasonably priced.

    The side dining room, everything was extremely clean and well kept.

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    14 days ago

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    11 months ago

    Tried this place for the first time. The food was good. Good sopapillas. Nice service too.

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great spot for authentic, no nonsense Mexican food. Service was attentive, food was delicious and huge portions.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Service was very good as was the food. The guacamole was nice and a bit spicy - but that might be my personal preference..

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    5 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Delicious carne adovada, hot and fresh sopapilla. Friendly servers, nice atmosphere. My new favorite New Mexican restaurant in Santa Fe.

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Just good Mexican food at very reasonable prices with friendly service. Big dining room and alcohol available. Not much else to say. Yum!

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    1 year ago

    Long time historic restaurant authentic New Mexican food.. great staff. The best sopapillas!!!

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    Tomasita's - Tamale Blue Plate Monday Combo

    Tomasita's

    4.0(2k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    Really good service, staff are friendly. The food is amazing too (forgive me if it's not a 9/10 to…read morelocals since I'm Chinese and I never tried any Mexican style cuisine other than tacos before). Anyways the place is overall great. Nice ambience and has pretty big parking space.

    - Vibes: Upscale yet casual, good for families - Crowd: busy…read moreon a weekday evening but short wait - Value for price: 5/5, not terribly expensive and great quality - Service: Fantastic. Kind and quick - Parking: onsite lot, gets very crowded Came to Tomasita's on a Monday night while visiting my friend in Santa Fe. They don't take reservations and although it was very busy we were seated within 10 minutes. My friends raved about the "swirl" margaritas (Santa Fe classic, apparently) so we got a frozen margarita flight. We were able to adjust the drinks in the flight- they even made me a frozen spicy margarita although that wasn't technically on the menu. Very helpful wait staff. We shared the flautas and loaded nachos. Both were rich but fantastic. We asked for both with a side of green chiles (highly recommend). The flautas came with sopaipillas which were fresh, soft and YUMMY. (They even brought two more when we asked!) This is a vibrant place to come for special occasions or even a nice family dinner. Highly recommend especially if you're visiting!

    Photos
    Tomasita's - Interior through the front door

    Interior through the front door

    Tomasita's - Christmas Chile Tamale Plate ($17)

    Christmas Chile Tamale Plate ($17)

    Tomasita's - The Swirl

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    The Swirl

    Tres Colores

    Tres Colores

    4.6(319 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    If you're in Santa Fe and not ordering the tamale plate at Tres Colores, you're doing it wrong…read more This dish is the definition of New Mexico done right--two perfectly steamed tamales, one smothered in rich red chile and the other in savory green chile. The red has that deep, earthy flavor with just the right kick, while the green brings a brighter, roasted heat that balances everything out. Together? That classic "Christmas style" combo that hits on every level. The masa was soft and flavorful (not dry like you get at some places), and the filling was generous and well-seasoned. The sides sealed the deal--fluffy Spanish rice, hearty beans, and a fresh, crisp salad that cut through the richness perfectly. Portion size was solid, presentation was clean, and everything tasted like it was made with care--not rushed, not watered down for tourists. Service was quick, friendly, and exactly what you want when you're trying to keep a night moving. Authentic, satisfying, and exactly what you hope for when you come to Santa Fe. I'd order this again without hesitation!!!

    Most of our group enjoyed their meals. I certainly did. I had the red and green smothered adovado…read moreand it was tasty. The ultimate house marg was smooth and tasty, worth the dollar upgrade. The tacos weren't better than Texas tacos so if you're expecting that order something else. Chips and salsa is a must- three different salsas and they're all so good

    Photos
    Tres Colores - Order up front and food brought to you

    Order up front and food brought to you

    Tres Colores - Beet salad.  Fantastic!

    Beet salad. Fantastic!

    Tres Colores

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    Tune-Up Cafe - Mole Colorado Enchiladas

    Tune-Up Cafe

    4.3(1.6k reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    A Santa Fe Treasure - Tune-Up Café…read more Diners like cafe's varied menu, which includes flavorful Salvadoran dishes, delicious pies, and numerous gluten-free options. They also highlight the reasonable prices, generous portions, and the cozy, authentic. I had the Chile Rellenos, and "amazing" feels like an understatement. They were perfectly executed: the chiles were tender yet held their structure, the cheese was beautifully melted, and the batter was light and golden without being greasy. What really sets them apart is the depth of flavor in the sauces. Whether you go red, green, or "Christmas," you can taste the authenticity and the quality of the ingredients in every bite. It's the kind of meal that makes you want to slow down and savor it, yet leaves you planning your next visit before you've even finished. Between the incredible service and the standout flavors, Tune-Up Café is easily one of the best culinary experiences in the city. A must-visit for locals and travelers alike!

    Everything about this place is amazing. The food selections are all good and we have never had a…read morebad meal here. The margaritas were extremely tasty. I had the fish of the day tacos. The fish was moist and flavorful. It came with a side of rice and beans and you could tell the refried beans were made fresh! My spouse had the softshell crab sandwich on brioche which was absolutely incredible. We topped it off with a piece of Pear and raspberry pie. We are both very particular about our crusts and this one did not disappoint. This is one of those places that from the outside looks like a hole in the wall. Do not let that fool you. Stop in and order! You will not be disappointed. Staff are also amazing - very friendly

    Photos
    Tune-Up Cafe - Patio dining. Super chill low key fun vibe here!!!

    Patio dining. Super chill low key fun vibe here!!!

    Tune-Up Cafe - Cubano sandwich and sweet potato fries

    Cubano sandwich and sweet potato fries

    Tune-Up Cafe - Side salad

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    Side salad

    The Shed - Hive Bakery cake

    The Shed

    3.9(2.8k reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Although I recommend this place because it's so cute, the food good & the wait staff kind, I…read moreprobably won't be back. The atmosphere is adorable. We sat indoors which was nice but the patio looked amazing! The menu has almost no variety but is very gluten-free friendly. Oh & the red sauce is hot, heads up. The margaritas are great. All of the staff we encountered was kind & helpful & happy. On a Friday night at 6:45 there was a 1.5 hour wait so clearly a happening place.

    The atmosphere here is great. Loved how they set up the place and all the decorations…read more The food I felt was okay. I had more flavorful New Mexican cuisine elsewhere. The shrimp and the vegetable appetizers were kind of ehhh. I did love the green chile stew. The enchiladas were good but nothing special. I also got a paloma and it was strong. Definitely tasted mezcal but not much of the other flavors. Also, they corrected their mistake but I did call in a reservation. It took three phone calls on two different days. The person who picked up took my reservation but apparently did NOT record it in their reservation book. When we got there our reservation was no where to be found and even worse, the hostess said this had been happening a few times but they didn't know who was taking these reservations and not writing them down. Now if it was a one off, I'm just unlucky, but if you're telling me it's an issue, I think it's something management should really work harder on solving. The hostess was nice enough to be like you'll be our first priority for seating if any reservations don't show up and we were able to get a table fairly quickly which I really do appreciate. Other than that one staff issue with the reservation, the other staff were all amazing and our waitress came by a few times to check in on us and her and other staff came around to refill water.

    Photos
    The Shed - The doors from inside to out, showing the low historical door dating back at least a century

    The doors from inside to out, showing the low historical door dating back at least a century

    The Shed - Carne Adovada Plate

    Carne Adovada Plate

    The Shed - Exterior/patio area

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    Exterior/patio area

    El Callejon Taqueria and Grill - Barbacoa Taco Plate

    El Callejon Taqueria and Grill

    4.3(1k reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    OK, I'm giving this place 5 stars for the food. The service actually sucked, but the food was…read moreoutstanding! I had the Pollo Asada Burrito and my wife had the Shrimp Fajitas. The topped the burrito with green and red sauce... delicious!!! The flour tortillas were warm and soft awesome. As for the service... not good! The bartender is a rockstar, but the other server was not good. Forgot to give our drink order, forgot we asked for water, and forgot the beer I ordered. Actually, the food made up for it! Give ECT a try if you're in the Santa Fe Plaza area.

    I should have taken the mango agua fresca as the warning sign. It was not an agua fresca at all. It…read morewas basically mango syrup mixed with water. Just call it mango juice because that is what it was. The only bright spot of the entire meal was our waiter. He was friendly, attentive, and genuinely great. I ordered the barbacoa plate, which came with four incredibly tiny tacos and beans. For $22, I was honestly shocked at how little meat was in each taco. Maybe a tablespoon at most. On top of that, the barbacoa had so many burnt pieces that they completely overpowered the flavor. I could barely taste anything besides char. I only finished it because I was starving. The beans were somehow even worse. They tasted like plain boiled beans with absolutely no seasoning. Not even salt. My girlfriend ordered the chicken enchiladas with mole for $28, and they were just as disappointing. It was basically two tiny rolled tortillas with the chicken sitting next to them instead of inside them. It made no sense. The mole sauce was decent, but it leaned much sweeter than savory. The only thing we left talking about was how disappointed we were. For the prices they charge, the portions and quality were nowhere close to worth it. We actually stopped at the Valero down the street afterward so I could grab a Milky Way ice cream because I was still hungry. That ended up being the best part of the night. Restaurant was beautiful too I guess.

    Photos
    El Callejon Taqueria and Grill - View walking in

    View walking in

    El Callejon Taqueria and Grill - Chips, salsa fresca, guacamole

    Chips, salsa fresca, guacamole

    El Callejon Taqueria and Grill - Large bar with minimal restaurant seating.

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    Large bar with minimal restaurant seating.

    Café Castro - newmexican - Updated September 2026

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