After living and working in Santa Fe (half-time) since 2022, and visiting often for many, many years before now, I have a good handle on Santa Fe’s best coffee shops. I’ve outlined those below based on what mood you’re in or what you need out of the day. I hope you fall in love with these special places as much as I have.
Santa Fe’s Best Coffee Shops for Digital Nomads
I’ll start with the digital nomads, because this is what I know best. I go to coffee shops to get a break from my home office, and try to get out of the house once a week for a few hours. The things I can accomplish at a coffee shop are totally different from what I get out of working from home. Here’s my list of the best coffee shops for digital nomads in Santa Fe.
- Java Joe’s on Siler– not only do they have the best coffee in town, best matchas, and best assortment of chai lattes to choose from (try their ginger chai latte and tell me if it’s not the most delicious chai you’ve ever had), Java Joe’s has great working options, too. They have a good amount of tables that you can spread out on, a good community table, and some high tops as well. Their staff is friendly, and most important, it’s a super chill place where all the locals go. Sometimes you just gotta escape the tourists here, and Java Joe’s is the best for that. They don’t have vegan treats, but they have plenty of delicious options for those not as strict – their green chile croissant is divine, and the berry coffee cake is so dreamy. For a true indulgence, you can’t beat their cinnamon rolls. Java Joe’s is my absolute fave – we buy their coffee in bulk and drink it exclusively at home, too.
- Iconik on Lena – possibly a better place to work than Java Joe’s, but I’m not a huge fan of their coffee. I know many others who disagree, so give them a try and report back. The Lena location is definitely more crowded (I recommend getting here by 9 a.m. or parking is a beast). They have a ton of delicious treats and full-on meals to choose from, many of which can be made vegan. Their dark chocolate sea salt cookie is the most delicious thing you will ever put in your mouth.
- Iconik on Guadalupe – a bit more touristy than Lena, with similar fantastic menu options (this location has the avocado dukkah toast which is insane delicious). Their seating is a tad more uncomfortable and the crowd here is a little more unique, but it’s a great option when you’re looking for a change of scenery, and in a great walkable part of town by the Railyards.
- Iconik Red (On Cerillos) – this is the Iconik location with the best parking, however you still need to get here kinda early to secure a good spot. They have a ton of good seating options for working, and, the same with the other locations, the food choices are excellent. This room is closer in size to Lena so it’s much easier to find a spot to work in than Guadalupe. The only bummer here is sometimes they play modern country and I just can’t deal. If you can, then you may love this location the most. If not, go to Java Joe’s or one of their other locations.
- 35 North Coffee – this one is lower on the list just because it’s in the Plaza and I tend to not go downtown due to tourists and lack of easy parking. However, if you go early, you’ll often find a close-by spot, and you can always shop and walk around after with plenty to choose from. Their coffee selection is good, they have a great patio, and a huge conference room you can set up in or rent for team needs.
Santa Fe’s Best Coffee Shops for the Food
Let’s face it: you’re not just going for the coffee, you’re going for the delicious food, too! This is Santa Fe, after all, and quite possibly the best city for foodies in North America. Here’s my list of the best coffee shops in Santa Fe for those looking for a bite to eat, too.
- Baked and Brew – they have the yummiest selection of pastries, desserts, sammies, parfaits…. you name it. It’s a small place so not great to set up for awhile, but the selection of food (and drinks) is fab, and it’s a cool building, too.
- Iconik (Guadalupe, Lena, and Cerillos locations) – their breakfast tacos are apparently delicious, and they have so many bowls and toasts to choose from, too. Each location has a slightly different selection. As noted above, the dukkah toast at Guadalupe makes it my top choice, and all locations offer their dark chocolate sea salt cookies. Seriously, you will never taste a better cookie. They have a really great assortment of pastries, too…. there’s just so much to choose from at their coffee shops!
- Cafecito – this is third only because it’s more of a cafe, but they have awesome coffee drinks, too. I cannot get enough of their empanadas, or their patio for that matter. This is the cutest cafe in Santa Fe, and their food and drinks are absolutely delicious, too. I will say, this is not a place to just come for the coffee; it’s a cafe and the food is worth ordering. However, the coffee and lattes are wonderful, too.
Santa Fe’s Best Coffee Shops for the Vibe
- Iconik on Lena – this place just oozes cool. There’s a ton of seating, a great patio, they play fantastic music, and there’s such a great selection of people here. It’s also a cool part of town, with a pottery studio, bread shop, and expensive textiles/home goods-type store all within walking distance. The only bummer is the lack of parking, so get here early or plan on walking.
- Java Joe’s on Siler – yes, this is controversial, as there’s nothing cute about Java Joe’s, but the crowd here is one of my faves. Everyone comes here, mostly locals, and everyone knows everyone else. It just feels good here, even if the coffee shop isn’t the cutest.
- Cafecito – yet again, there’s really no cuter casual restaurant in Santa Fe than Cafecito. Their food and drinks are wonderful and there’s so much to choose from at this fantastic Argentinian cafe.
Santa Fe’s Best Coffee Shops for Those Looking for a Gift
If you’re here to shop, you definitely need a break to grab a great cup of coffee. Here’s the best coffee shops in Santa Fe for those also looking for a unique gift. And no cheesy business here! I will not send you to a souvenir shop or an overpriced touristy place, I promise. These are actually cool places to get a gift.
- Ohori’s on St. Francis – I think I’m the only person in Santa Fe who doesn’t like Ohori’s coffee, so please give this place a try for that and not just their gifts. However, it’s not my fave (coffee is so relative), but their St. Francis location has a gift shop in the same building, and it’s a super cute place to hop in and get your bestie something unique. There’s not a ton of parking here, but I’ve never been towed from parking at the business next door. Santa Fe seems pretty chill about parking options.
- Crash Murder Business – right next door (in the same building) to one of Santa Fe’s best jewelry designers Cynthia Jones, the small chocolate and cashmere shop appropriately named Chocolate and Cashmere, and a selection of other artists and shops (as well as all the shops on Guadalupe including the best shoe store On Your Feet and the farmers market and artisans markets on the weekends), this might be the best place to stop for a coffee while looking for something unique. There’s a ton of coffee shops in this area, and there’s not a lot of seating here, but the coffee and lattes are great.
- Sky Coffee – if you’re here on the weekend, you’ll be right next door to the farmers market or the artisan market, depending on the day, so this is a wonderful option for a coffee and a treat (if you’re not getting the treats from the farmers market, that is). It’s also close to REI, The Ark Books and Gifts (the best bookstore in Santa Fe), tons of art galleries, and F2 Supply if you’re looking for an awesome Santa Fe souvenir that’s not cheesy.
- The Good Stuff – if you’re looking for a record with your coffee, you’ve found the best place in town. This is a good to-go option and they have a handful of cute Santa Fe-inspired t-shirts as well.
Santa Fe’s Best Coffee Shops for Those in a Hurry
I get it – you’re on the run or wanting to go on a gorgeous drive and want to just get your drink to go. There’s a few drive-thru options that are not the corporate chain. Go to one of these:
- Java Joe’s on Rodeo – the best coffee in Santa Fe has two locations, and the Rodeo location has a drive-thru. It also has good seating for those not in a hurry, but I’m partial to their Siler location if you’re looking to sit and work for a bit.
- Agapao Coffee – this is only a drive-thru, and honestly I have yet to go, for that reason alone. However, the locals love this place, so I recommend it based on those I talk to.
- Baked and Brew – this cute option has a drive-thru so grab your fave drink and fave snack and hit the road.
OK, y’all, those are the best of the best coffee shops in Santa Fe! Enjoy your time in our gorgeous city and hit up a few of these incredible coffee shops while you’re here. I’m certain you’ll have a wonderful time.
Peace and love,
Jen