The Best Places for Breakfast and Lunch in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico is full of delicious food. Whether you are just visiting, new in town, or just looking for a new place to eat, this article is for you. Here I've listed and briefly described my favorite spots in Santa Fe for breakfast, brunch, and lunch.

The Pantry Restaurant is located at 1820 Cerrillos Rd in the center of town, just minutes away from downtown. The atmosphere is that of a casual diner. The menu features breakfast and lunch items, with any New Mexican classic that you can imagine. The portions are extremely generous, especially for the prices; most entrees run between $6 and $10. Unfortunately, they are only open for breakfast and lunch. Must tries: Pantry Fries, chorizo omelet, green chili chicken soup.

The Baking Company is located at 504 Cordova Road just a few minutes away from the downtown plaza. This is local favorite coffee shop style restaurant that also serves a small menu of breakfast and lunch items, such as egg plates, pastries, sandwiches, burritos and breakfast burritos along with a wonderful variety of coffee drinks and teas. They also have a smoothie bar for a light, healthy breakfast or snack. The prices are fairly cheap and the atmosphere is casual but artsy. The indoors section is full of small tables, brightly colored décor, and art on the walls. The patio section is also lovely. This is the best place to sit back and read (or write articles!) with a latte or for an afternoon date.

Bagel Mania is yet another breakfast favorite, though slightly more upscale. It is located at 420 Catron St., not far from downtown. The atmosphere is fairly casual, with tables and bar seating. The coffee here some of the best drip coffee I've ever had, and the entrées are both classic and creative. The menu here also features breakfast and lunch features. The portions are generous but the prices are a bit more, with most entrées ranging from $8 to $15. Must try: eggs benedict with crab cakes, salad with crab cakes. (Having lived previously in Annapolis, I was suffering huge withdrawal from the crab options until I found this restaurant.)

The Teahouse is another one of those great places to sit and have a cup of tea while doing homework, chatting with friends, or on a casual date. The atmosphere is casual with both indoor and outdoor seating. Their tea menu is, as you can imagine, quite extensive and takes up most of the menu. However, they do also offer brunch/ snack type foods such as pastries, salads, and sandwiches. The Teahouse is located at 821 Canyon Road, among all the galleries and studios here. It's a great place to stop in and rest when walking around the galleries.

Hopefully now you have some great new ideas on where to start your day, or take a break from it, at any of these delicious spots.