Santa Fe, SECU’s home base, is unabashedly a coffee town.
Out-of-staters (and maybe some out-of-towners) might think Santa Fe’s staple food is the taco or the vegan enchilada, and while the city does love New Mexican cuisine, in both vegan and non-vegan varieties, it also adores coffee. This might be due in part to the many artists getting their much-needed caffeine fix or the tourists with ample time on their hands, or the folks at SECU gearing up for the day (kidding)…But whatever the reason, Santa Fe loves its java. Here are five of Santa Fe’s crème de le crème coffee shops:
Java Joe’s
2801 Rodeo Rd. B8, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | (505) 474-5282
Why it’s so good: Java Joe’s is probably my personal favorite coffee shop in Santa Fe. The staff are always friendly, the coffee is delicious, and they have drive up window if you want something on the go (bonus: if you have your dog in the car with you, they’ll give him or her a free doggie treat!). On the other hand, if you feel like cozying up with a book or catching up with a friend, Java Joe’s has great ambiance for that too. They also have free WiFi and ample parking.
Ohori’s
1098 S St Francis Dr., Santa Fe, NM 87505 | (505) 982-9692 | www.ohoriscoffee.com
Why it’s so good: To be honest, I didn’t even know this place existed until a friend showed it to me. After all, it’s not exactly where you’d expect a coffee shop to be (i.e. behind a gas station at the intersection of St. Francis Drive and Cerrillos Road), but on the other hand, its location is kind of what makes Ohori’s a diamond in the rough. But it’s not just location that makes it great, of course. The coffee house backs up all the love it gets on Yelp by offering the smoothest pour-overs in town and giving you a free cup of coffee for buying a pound of their beans. Sweet.
Iconik
1600 Lena St., Santa Fe, NM 87505 | (505) 428-0996 | www.iconikcoffee.com
Why it’s so good: The funky atmosphere at Iconik is what sets this coffee shop apart from its peers. It’s nestled in the Lena Street Lofts (read: it’s a tad hard to find your first time) and once you step inside, you come upon a bevy of perfectly mismatched objects: the cab of an old pickup truck, a piano (they use it for live music shows), ladders, an old coffee grinder, and giant sacks of coffee beans. The shop’s industrial vibe is surprisingly welcoming, with a variety of communal and private seating options, including a patio in the warmer months. Their coffee is just as good as their ambiance too, and the food and pastries are even better.
The Teahouse
821 Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501 | (505) 992-0972 | www.teahousesantafe.com
Why it’s so good: Despite its name, the Teahouse does have a place on this list. It’s a Santa Fe hot spot best known for offering more than 150 teas from around the world, delectable coffee, hot chocolate, and scrumptious food (insider tip: you must try the Teahouse oatmeal. It’s unlike any oatmeal you’ve had in your life, I promise). The Teahouse also serves beer and wine, in case you wondering.
There’s no free WiFi on weekends, which is sad, but it is such a busy place that it makes sense that they’d have to make room for their legions of adoring (and hungry) fans.
Tribes Coffee House
3470 Zafarano Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | (505) 473-3615 | www.tribessantafe.com
Why it’s so good: Tribes is a great place for working or studying, and being supplied with much needed caffeine and sustenance throughout. They have a wide variety of beans, and you get free self-serve refills, which is convenient when you don’t want to stand in line again), and the food is hearty but healthy. Try the chicken pesto wrap and house salad.