The Best Italian Restaurants in Santa Fe
Santa Fe may be best known for its authentic (and excellent) New Mexican food, but that doesn’t mean it has nothing to offer when it comes to other types of cuisine. In fact, Santa Fe has a thriving and diverse restaurant scene that features delicious dishes inspired by cuisines from all over the world.
If you’re looking to enjoy classic Italian food while visiting Santa Fe, you have several different great options to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for upscale pasta and wine or laidback pizza and paninis, here are our top picks for the best Italian restaurants in the City Different.
Our Top Picks
Our top pick: Trattoria A Mano
For fine dining: Sassella
For casual fare: Il Vicino
1. Trattoria A Mano
Where to find them: 227 Galisteo St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
What to get: Calamari Fritti, Spaghetti Carbonara, Tiramisu
Trattoria A Mano is located on Galisteo Street, just a few blocks from the Plaza. This cozy Italian restaurant has great ambiance and even better food, specializing in rustic Italian fare that elevates simple dishes to the next level. This is a great spot to have dinner with friends and. family, and is also a nice location for date nights and special occasions. Their unique menu is seasonal, featuring northern Italian cuisine in the fall and winter months and southern, coastal dishes in the spring and summer.
2. Il Vicino
Where to find them: 321 W San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
What to get: Testarossa Pizza, Hero Piadina
If you’re looking for a low-key spot to chow down on some great pizza, pasta, calzones, and sandwiches, look no further than Il Vicino. This casual spot is located on W San Francisco Street near the El Dorado Hotel and Spa. Whether you’re staying at the El Dorado or are just near downtown, come to Il Vicino for tasty pizza and other dishes with Italian flair. This restaurant has a nice outdoor seating area, and also serves local beer, wine, and cocktails.
3. Osteria d’Assisi
Where to find them: 58 S Federal Pl, Santa Fe, NM 87501
What to get: Burrata Cheese Pomodori Basilico, Linguine de Mare
Osteria d’Assisi is located a few blocks north of the Plaza, near the Cross of the Martyrs. This restaurant takes pride in offering authentic, traditional Italian food, and imports many of its ingredients directly from Italy. Named after the town in Italy where Saint Francis, the patron Saint of Santa Fe, was born, Osteria d’Assisi also features patio dining and curbside pickup for its customers.
4. Andiamo
Where to find them: 322 Garfield St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
What to get: Andiamo Caesar Salad, Tuna Puttanesca, Profiteroles
Andiamo blends Italian cuisine with locally grown and indigenous foods, serving up creative, nuanced dishes just a few blocks away from downtown. They source many ingredients from the nearby Santa Fe Farmers Market, while also importing some key ingredients directly from Italy. Whether you’re craving delicious pasta made from scratch, traditional Italian entrees like chicken parmesan, or just a really good caesar salad, Andiamo has plenty of options to choose from. They also feature an extensive wine menu!
5. Sassella
Where to find them: 225 Johnson St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
What to get: Affettati Misti, Malfatti Verde, Osso Buco di Cervo
If you’re looking for an upscale Italian dining experience in Santa Fe, Sassella is the name of the game. This restaurant is located downtown near the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Star chef Christian Pontiggia has received awards for cooking and wine knowledge from the Chaine des Routisseur, and is recognized as a Master Chef by the Italian government. Dishes at Sassella are artfully prepared and full of flavor, and are perfectly complemented by the restaurant’s many wine and spirits offerings.
In addition to their main restaurant, Sassella also operates a deli where customers can purchase pasta, sandwiches, desserts, and other deli items like meats, cheeses, and bread to enjoy elsewhere.
6. Rooftop Pizzeria
Where to find them: 60 E San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
What to get: Rooftop Supreme Pizza, Marble Double White
Who doesn’t love beer and pizza with a view? Rooftop Pizzeria and their neighbor Draft Station have teamed up to offer, one the one hand, great pizza and apps, and on the other hand, delicious local beer on tap. The restaurants are on the second floor of a building that looks out onto the Santa Fe plaza, and is a great place to catch a stunning Santa Fe sunset out on their balcony seating. You can make your own pizza, or choose from one of their delicious house pizzas. Local beers on tap include brews from Marble and Santa Fe-based Hidden Mountain Brewery.
7. Cafecito
Where to find them: 922 Shoofly St, Santa Fe, NM 87505
What to get: Espresso, Panino Imbattibile
If you’re in the mood for an Italian-style cafe for lighter fare, Cafecito serves Italian and Argentinian inspired coffee, breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner. Cafecito places an emphasis on locally sourced foods, including ingredients from New Mexico-based Reunity Farm, Sage Bakery, Revolution Bakery, ArtfulTea, Chocolate Maven, Zia Beverages, Lotus Farms, Red Mesa Meats, and Hoy Farms.
8. Horno
Where to find them: 95 W Marcy St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
What to get: to be determined (we’re excited to check out their menu when they open!)
Located in the spot formerly occupied by the delicious Italian restaurant Il Piatto, Horno will blend Italian, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asian cuisine. While this spot isn’t open quite yet, we’re looking forward to trying it out when it opens its doors.
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