Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina

Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina

132 W Water St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, United States

+1 505-983-1615

Southwestern restaurant (US), Bar, Lounge
(2819)
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About This Place

Located in the heart of Santa Fe at 132 W Water St, Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina offers an exceptional Southwestern dining experience that seamlessly blends authentic flavors with a contemporary twist. This vibrant eatery is a true treasure for those seeking the bold, hearty tastes of New Mexico’s culinary heritage elevated with refined techniques and fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere is energized yet inviting, perfectly balancing casual elegance with a lively, sociable vibe. The rooftop cantina is a standout feature, providing a sun-drenched escape with panoramic views of Santa Fe that pairs beautifully with a refreshing cocktail in hand. It's the perfect spot to start your evening or unwind after a day exploring the city.

The menu is a celebration of Southwestern favorites alongside innovative creations that delight the palate. Signature dishes like the Steak Tacos and Baja Fish Tacos showcase bold chiles and fresh spices, delivering irresistible layers of spice, smokiness, and zest. For those craving something more refined, the Seared Diver Scallops served with mascarpone Arborio rice and a luscious passionfruit butter sauce offers a delightful balance of seaside sweetness and creamy richness, while the Grilled Maine Lobster Tails elevated with house-made guajillo pappardelle bring an unexpected depth of flavor to the table.

Vegetarian and lighter options shine as well, such as the Southwest Rolled Caesar salad, featuring organic romaine, Parmesan Reggiano, and green chile polenta croutons that add a delightful crunch and hint of heat. Starters like the Faroe Island Salmon Crudo with charred habanero oil and black garlic porcini puree tease the taste buds with smoky, earthy layers.

Dessert lovers will find themselves enchanted by sweets like the silky Banana Cream Pie, accented with caramelized bananas and Mexican vanilla ice cream, and the decadently spiced For The Love of Chocolate mousse pairing dark chocolate with Mexican cinnamon and champagne orange sauce — each bite a perfect harmony of comfort and indulgence.

What truly elevates Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina is the outstanding service and welcoming spirit. Regular diners praise servers like Andy and Austin for their attentive, warm hospitality and genuine enthusiasm, making every visit feel personalized and special. Several guests have noted the staff’s deep knowledge—particularly when accommodating dietary needs, such as dairy allergies—ensuring everyone can enjoy an exceptional meal without worry.

While the menu is frequently complimented for its creativity and flawless execution, the rooftop bar stands out as a favorite retreat for locals and visitors alike, offering expertly crafted drinks like the signature Green Chili Margarita, Dirty Martini, and a fine selection of champagnes that perfectly complement the vibrant flavors of the food.

In short, Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina embodies the spirit of Southwestern cuisine with sophistication and heart, making it a must-visit for anyone in Santa Fe who appreciates memorable food, inspiring surroundings, and stellar service. Whether you're indulging in sumptuous Venison Carpaccio or savoring the smoky sweetness of BBQ Duck Quesadilla, each dish tells a story of rich tradition and creative passion that will keep you coming back again and again.

Service options
Outdoor seating Takeaway Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Fast service Great beer selection Great cocktails Great dessert Great wine list Rooftop seating Serves local specialty
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Comfort food Happy-hour drinks Healthy options Organic dishes Private dining room Small plates Spirits Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Brunch Lunch Dinner Catering Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Bar on site Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Historic Lively Romantic Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly Groups Tourists
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended Accepts reservations Usually a wait
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
High chairs
Parking
Paid parking lot Paid street parking Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    11:30 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    11:30 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:30 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Thursday
    11:30 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Friday
    11:30 AM - 09:30 PM
  • Saturday
    11:30 AM - 09:30 PM
  • Sunday
    11:30 AM - 09:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • John Wertheim
    4 week ago

    We are new residents of Santa Fe and we are making our rounds and trying all the great restaurants. Coyote Cafe has been our favorite restaurant so far. You have to make a reservation. We arrived early and had a drink in their rooftop bar. Our servers in the restaurant were Andy and Austin. Both of these guys were top notch and smiled and laughed with us. The food was amazing! We started with the Prawns appetizer. My wife had the Ravioli and I ordered the Elk. Our sides we had sushito peppers and a green chili bacon Mac and cheese. Everything was delicious! We will definitely be coming back to this place!

  • Meagan Ryan
    1 month ago

    I want to start by giving major kudos to the service team here! Our server, Andy, was incredibly friendly and helpful throughout our meal. He and the two other team members who refilled our water and cleared tables were all attentive and kind. I have a dairy allergy, so I usually struggle to find options at fine dining restaurants, but Andy went above and beyond. He was very knowledgeable about the ingredients in each dish and helped me find several options I could enjoy. I ended up ordering the scallops with date, piñon, and orange mole and it was absolutely delicious! I highly recommend giving this place a try, especially if you appreciate great service and thoughtful attention to dietary needs.

  • Emily Edison
    2 month ago

    What a fantastic surprise! The rooftop bar was just perfect on a sunny afternoon. Our server recommended some dishes that had been served for many years at the restaurant and they were delicious! Corn cakes and prawns were perfectly seasoned- a little spicy a little sweet. The red chile pork posole with frito pie was amazing. Margarita was on point as was the friendly service. Cheers!

  • Corey
    2 month ago

    I would eat here over and over and over again. The food is delicious and the service was friendly, informative and basically perfect. I enjoyed the griddled corn cakes with prawns and it was one of the best lunches I’ve enjoyed ever. I also had a couple of their specialty margaritas with a lime foam top that were great. Great vibes all around.

  • Angela Balogh
    3 month ago

    I’ll start by saying I’ve been here before and was blown away by everything. Tonight…..not so much. A group of 7 of us had dinner at Coyote Cafe and none of us left impressed. We started with a few appetizers and cocktails. All were delicious, especially the Cesar salad. The main courses were not as good. We had the scallops, elk, duck, and flat iron steak. The elk and duck were good. No complaints but not raving about them. The flat iron was cooked and plated perfectly but the spices just about ruined the dish. It wasn’t just one person’s opinion, the entire table tried it and had the same conclusion. Three people ordered the scallops and nobody enjoyed the dish. I was one of them and I actually sent it back (I never do that). They were all plated beautifully and the texture of mine were perfect. The problem is the flavor. We all agreed the spices were not complimentary to scallops. Mine actually tasted like fuel or some sort of petroleum (I’m assuming something they used to char them) making the scallops inedible. They did replace my dish with the previously mentioned flat iron steak without any issues. But when we got the check, we were charged for both dishes and had to have it corrected (they fixed it without issue). The desserts were delicious. I really wanted to go and show all my friends how great this place was but we all left underwhelmed. Maybe I’ll try it again, but I’m not exactly rushing back.

  • Sean Moran
    3 month ago

    We had a great meal here upon recommendation from a friend who knows Santa Fe and enjoys dining out. The food was creative while still being approachable and delicious! Everything was fresh and flavorful with local ingredients. I had the butter lettuce salad and the lobster and my partner had the sea bass entree. The corn bread with three types of butter was delicious also. Great cocktails as well! Our waiter was the best: friendly, knowledgeable, and professional.

  • Ashley Bunch
    3 month ago

    Go to cantina all the time- haven’t been to main restaurant in a while. Every holiday we try to support our local restaurants so decided to come here for thanksgiving. Boy do I regret as a local not coming here more for dinner after today. The prawns were amazing. The mushroom tamale full of flavor. The wagu short rib was epic, and the elk tenderloin full of flavor. Desserts so tasty. Dakota is killing it. Love her other spots too. Will def be coming here more for dinner.

  • Andrea Allie
    3 month ago

    Best food we had in Santa Fe! We were beginning to lose hope until we stumbled upon this gem! The service could have used some help. We did go on an extremely busy Saturday. We sat at the bar so we didn’t expect the full quality of service and did anticipate on having to wait some. But when the bartender did interact with us, it seemed very minimal and was not very helpful at all. However, when we received our food, it was beyond our expectations. Would definitely recommend going here on not such a busy time to give them a chance to have a better quality of service. Lovely views!

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