7 Best Cafes in Santa Fe: Cute Spots to Get Your Caffeine Kick!

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Yo yo yoooo how’s everybody doing??? I’m checking in with you live from one of the many beautiful cafes in Santa Fe, New Mexico…..

Yeah, okay that’s a lie. I never write blog posts in real time.

BUT, this one will be about the many beautiful cafes in Santa Fe, New Mexico! Surprise!

(yeah okay I know, not one of my best openings, but whatever we’re moving on)

I haven’t written about my time in Santa Fe yetttt (though I’ll include a link when I do!), but I was only in the city for two full days. So I honestly didn’t get to see everything that Santa Fe has to offer, but I did see a lot of the cafes in Santa Fe.

Why?

Because…Idk maybe there’s something wrong with me. There’s no reason someone should get a cup of caffeine at over ten cafes in two days. It’s actually quite mad, if you think about it. Why would anyone willingly do that to their own body?

But hey, I’m a freaK, what can I say.

Cafes in Santa Fe

I traveled all around Santa Fe for a good warm drink. Since I visited in October, for the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, the weather was basically as perfect as it could get! It was chilly in the mornings, perfect for a hot drank, then it warmed up in the afternoon so you could stroll around the galleries with an iced chai in hand. It was really the best of both worlds.

In terms of content, I decided not to list the opening/closing times for these cafes in Santa Fe since they change so frequently, but rest assured, most of them are at least open every day before 3pm!

35 North Coffee and Pastelaria

35 North was actually the last of the cafes in Santa Fe that I visited, but since it’s kind of in the middle of all the action, I decided to list it first. It is located at the top of a little shopping structure, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. In fact, as I was walking up, someone from the balcony complimented my hat.

Thank you, kind stranger.

35 North, along with its sister restaurants (there are 8 of them!!!), are committed to sustainability – yeah yeah, I know that word is kind of loaded now, but they mean it! They are a partner for Conservation International, a organization that works to make coffee the first fully sustainable agricultural product and they actually PUBLISH their action reports, so that’s pretty dope. On top of all that, you’ll walk away with a great drink as well.

Iconik Coffee Roasters

Iconik is one of the more popular cafes in Santa Fe, but since there are a few locations (*cough* like the one on Guadalupe St *cough*) you’ll be able to find a seat! They have a very large menu, but also carry all of the basic favorites, so I would definitely recommend Iconik for a group as everyone will be able to find something they like. I loved the warm and inviting atmosphere, so if you’re here on business (or just have business to attend to), Iconik would be a great working space as well.

If you fall in love with the flavor, you can pick up a bag to go, or even sign up for their monthly subscription box. They also have their signature chai (an earl grey blend) for sale if you’re not a fan of coffee.

Sagche’s Coffee House

Sagche’s was a surprise entry, but I am so glad I stopped by! It is a family-owned cafe started by two brothers from Guatemala. You can kindaaaa see their family photo in the image, but yanno – window glare and whatnot. Anyways, before I get into the nitty-gritty, I want to also point out that they source their coffee beans from OdaCrem, a family-operated coffee farm down in Alburquerque, New Mexico who got their coffee roots from their home country of El Salvador and Costa Rica where they grew up. So it’s just a whole lotta Central American love at Sagche’s!

When you walk in, you immediately get the familial, down-to-earth feel of the restaurant. The staff is super lovely and approachable, and the no-frills atmosphere adds to the calm and relaxed atmosphere.

I truly hate using the term “traveling like a local,” but in this case, it definitely applies. It is outside of the Santa Fe tourist belt, but lively enough that you’ll see regulars chatting it up with the staff and grabbing their favorite tables.

Agapao Coffee

Agapao’s was the first of many cafes in Santa Fe that I would try – and little did I know I would fall in love at the first sip. I usually have a lot more businesses featured in these round-ups, but Agapao really set the bar HIGH for cafes in Santa Fe and if they couldn’t hold a unique candle to the amazing-ness that Agapao brought to the scene, they just didn’t make the cut.

So I visited Agapao’s little mini coffee stand, which was in a random parking lot and staged next to a dude selling chili peppers at a booth (he had quite the line so I’m assuming they were good). However, there is also a brick-and-mortar you can pop into if you’re looking for a table.

Out of all the cafes in Santa Fe I visited, I would say Agapao had the sweeter options, especially when it came to their chai, which I absolutely loved. In fact, I want to go back to Santa Fe just to try more items on their delicious menu!

Angel’s Coffee Shop

I’m not gonna lie. I came here for the tres leches. The fact that it also had coffee was just a bonus.

So, the cake was bomb. While the food scene in Santa Fe…was not what I expected (I’ll have to save that for another post), they had some really great desserts. Angel’s cakes were part of the reason. They have a ton of different options of pastries, but they are most known for their cakes. Super moist, super flavorful, and super fulfilling. Seriously, they just hit the spot after walking around looking at art all day.

Once you get your cakes and pastries, you’ll definitely want to pair them was a hot beverage. They perfectly complement and cut down the excessive sweetness you might get from shoveling twelve slices of carrot cake down your mouth, and you won’t have to worry about the sugar crash after!

Gallery Cafe

Yoooo – the folks working at Gallery Cafe CRACKED ME UP. I was in the area looking at a home decor store (which turned out to just sell patio furniture…and I don’t have a patio….) and I noticed my hand was free. Which meant it was time to fill it with a beverage. The menu isn’t too large, and they don’t have chai (*SOBBING), but they brew a mean roast or tea. The energy at the cafe was electric, and you could tell the employees all got along and had a great relationship.

I really appreciate businesses that foster these kinds of relationships and trust between coworkers.

Another plus that puts this stop as one of the best cafes in Santa Fe is its proximity to a lot of shops and businesses that are outside of the downtown area. You get the best of both worlds with all of the fun that comes with browsing, but 2392498792% less crowds.

Remix Audio Bar

Also in the same area as Gallery Cafe (actually…basically across the street, but I digress) is Remix Audio Bar. I actually found it by accident, because the bottom floor is a DELICIOUS ice cream shop. That alone is enough to put it on the list of best cafes in Santa Fe. But, if you go up the stairs, you’ll find this hidden cafe that is themed after…

Any guesses?

Music! YEAH! How did you know?!?!?

So all of the tables have vinyl records under the glass, there’s always a great playlist setting the mood, as well as a super cool barista/(bartender???) serving up drinks and good vibes. It almost had a speakeasy feel to it, but with coffee!

Tea Cafes in Santa Fe

Now you KNOW it ain’t a vacation unless somebody gets boba. However, it wasn’t the easiest of treats to come by in Santa Fe. Shocker, right? But I did find a solid bubble tea place right in the heart of downtown! It’s called Sweet House, and you’ll have to walk down a little hallway to find it.

Does it get extra points for being hidden??

Anyways, it was right across from an amazing smelling dumpling place (aptly named Dumpling Tea) that also sold bubble tea, but since I had just eaten lunch, I sadly concluded it would have to wait until my next trip to Santa Fe. If you’re looking for more tea-centric spots, I’d also recommend ArtfulTea, The Teahouse, and Opuntia Cafe. After all, tea cafes in Santa Fe are just as important! And, if you’re a fan of chocolate, definitely hit up Kakawa Chocolate House!

I unfortunately do not like chocolate, so I don’t have a personal experience there, but I’ve only heard amazing things from those who have gone.

Conclusions of Cafes in Santa Fe

As another city trip wrapped up and my mind buzzed with caffeine, it made me wonder if…visiting so many cafes in Santa Fe, or any place really, was a normal travel activity. But we all judge cities based on something, right? Whether it’s the city’s shopping, or culinary scene, or adventurous activities, or nightlife, or hot singles ready to mingle…for me, it just so happens to be cafes.

Oaxaca, for example, knocked it out of the PARK with all of the amazing coffee in Oaxaca.

There weren’t TOO many to choose from here, but I did manage to find a few gems of cafes in Santa Fe, and that was enough for me to feel satisfied with my trip. Even if I did literally nothing else, I had fun sipping warm bevvies and enjoying the crisp but clear air.

Have you ever been to Santa Fe? What did you think of their cafe scene? Let me know in the comments below!

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