Santa Fe's Best Pizza

The “greatest part” is the advice, the bouillabaisse is a fragrant fish stew, and the sticky toffee pudding is the architecture of a balanced dinner. The best tables offer both evidence and edible arrangements, proof that the happiest hours pass unnoticed.

One detail makes an excellent meal, the rabbit du jour is out of this world, and the matzo ball soup is on the house. The dining establishments are the linchpin.

The best bites are pasta fagioli.

Back Road Pizza

Highlights
Finest crispy crust found
Generous ingredients, perfect cooking
Award-winning pizza reputation
Green chile Margherita standout
Great service, great knots

Back Road Pizza has earned its award-winning reputation through consistent, unpretentious excellence. The crust achieves a perfect, crisp shatter that gives way to a chewy interior, a textural achievement I have not found elsewhere in the city. The ingredients are applied with a generous hand, and the cooking is precise. The green chile Margherita is a standout, a clever local twist on a classic that works far better than it has any right to. The service was efficient and friendly, and the garlic knots are a worthy indulgence. It is a simple formula, executed without flaw.

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Upper Crust Pizza Downtown

Highlights
Lunch special under eight dollars
Fresh, foldable New York slices
Homemade Thousand Island dressing
Balanced spices in every dish
Warm, inviting downtown atmosphere

For those of us who measure pizza by the fold, Upper Crust Downtown provides a reliable solution. The lunch special is a remarkable value, offering a couple of fresh, foldable slices for under eight dollars. The crust has a pleasant give, and the sauce boasts a balanced spice that warms the palate without overwhelming it. The homemade Thousand Island dressing is a fine companion to the salad, and the entire affair is served in a space that feels both warm and inviting. In a city of chile, it is nice to know a proper New York slice is always near.

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Lino's Trattoria & Pizzeria

Highlights
Excellent fresh salads
Tender, well-balanced lasagne
Perfectly cooked pasta
Fabulous service for groups
Fresh, from-scratch taste

At Lino's Trattoria & Pizzeria, the kitchen seems to have a deft hand with the basics. The salads are a step above standard, composed with fresh, crisp greens and a light, bright dressing. The lasagne is a masterclass in balance, with tender noodles and a savory filling. Their pastas are cooked to a perfect al dente, and it is clear that nothing sits under a heat lamp. For a group, the service is nothing short of fabulous, effortlessly managing a large party while maintaining a warm, personal touch. The food tastes as though it was made from scratch, with care, and that is a compliment of the highest order.

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Esquina Pizza / Copita Wine Bar

Highlights
Dough, crust, and sauce exceptional
Warm, generous, and welcoming owners
Quality wines and batch cocktails
Perfect patio for pleasant weather

The real star at Esquina Pizza is the foundation. The dough is given a proper fermentation, the crust is charred and blistered, and the sauce is a bright, acidic counterpoint to the rich cheese. They simply get it right. The owners are warm, generous, and clearly passionate about their craft, and that energy extends to the kitchen. The wine list is well-curated, and the batch cocktails are a fine way to start an evening. On a pleasant day, the patio is the best seat in the house. It is a simple pleasure, done well.

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Low 'n Slow Featuring HAWT Pizza

Highlights
Return-worthy El Norton pie
Paul Kokalis’s masterful crust
Exceptional drinks and bartenders
Perfected pizza execution daily

Low 'n Slow Featuring HAWT Pizza is a regular stop for me, especially when the craving for the El Norton pie hits. It is a return-worthy masterpiece of layered flavors and textures. Paul Kokalis has mastered the art of the crust; I am convinced he has somehow perfected the daily execution. The result is a pizza that is consistently exceptional. The drinks are expertly poured, and the bartenders are some of the best in town. If you are looking for a great meal and a great time, this is the place. The execution is flawless.

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Tender Fire Kitchen - The Restaurant

Highlights
Incredible pizza crust
Top-notch Cesar dressing
Warm, welcoming atmosphere
Excellent, affordable wines
Outstanding family service

Tender Fire Kitchen understands that sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The pizza crust is undeniably incredible, but the supporting cast is just as strong. The Caesar salad is a standout, with a rich, well-seasoned dressing that tastes homemade. The staff treats you like family, offering warm and outstanding service. Their wine list is both excellent and affordable, making it an easy choice for a weeknight treat. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, a place where you are encouraged to relax and stay for a while. It is a genuine, comforting experience.

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El Rey Pizza Pop-up by Tender Fire

Highlights
Exceptional service, memorable staff
Creative white-sauce pizza
Local mushrooms on pepperoni
Remarkable Caesar salad
Worth repeated visits

The pop-up ethos often breeds experimentation, and El Rey Pizza is a fantastic example. The staff here is exceptional; I was greeted warmly on a busy night despite the chaos. Their white-sauce pizza is a creamy, savory creation that has a creative edge. My friend was happy to find local mushrooms on the pepperoni, a strange but masterful choice. The Caesar salad is a genuine surprise, a far cry from a boring pre-dinner salad. It is so good that I find myself returning for it alone. I suspect I will be back for many more visits.

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Upper Crust Pizza El Dorado

Highlights
Generous toppings on every slice
Tasty pizza worth seeking out
Memorable stop off the beaten path
Satisfying for adventurous local diners

Upper Crust Pizza has a second location in El Dorado that is a satisfying detour for the local diner. The pizza is worth seeking out, with generous toppings on every single slice. The crust is consistently good, holding its own under the weight of the mozzarella and sauce. It is a memorable stop, the kind of place you might not expect to find off the beaten path. The menu is simple, but the execution is consistent. If you are in the area, it is well worth a stop for a slice or a whole pie.

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Hervé

Highlights
Exceptional, welcoming staff service.
Ideal for special celebrations.
Impressive whiskey selection available.
Upscale yet comfortably inviting.
Consistently memorable dining experiences.

Apothecary Dining - One Sacred offers an experience that is as thoughtful as it is unique. The entire menu is gluten-free, a detail that does not compromise the flavor. Even the dog is welcome, making it a beautiful, open space with a great patio. The tofu spring rolls are a standout, with a crispy skin and a savory filling. They also have a creative menu of non-alcoholic cocktails that are worth a trip alone. The portions of fries are generous, and the whole space feels like a well-kept secret. It is a refreshing take on casual dining.

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Apothecary Dining - One Sacred

Highlights
All gluten free menu
Dog friendly beautiful space
Excellent tofu spring rolls
Creative NA cocktails
Generous fresh fries portions

Horno Restaurant feels like a special treat, the kind of place that earns its reputation with every dish. The room is attractive, but it is the plates that truly impress. The bouillabaisse is a fragrant, beautifully executed bowl of seafood, and the wings are a must-order, with a sticky-sweet glaze that is pure comfort. The ingredients are fresh and the prep is precise. It is no wonder that they recommend a reservation on the weekends. Just be sure to save room for the lemon blueberry tart, which is a perfect ending to a wonderful meal.

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Horno Restaurant

Highlights
Reservation recommended on weekends
Beautifully plated, delicious dishes
Fresh ingredients, well-executed recipes
Excellent bouillabaisse and wings
Don't skip lemon blueberry tart

Hervé is for the special occasion, the kind of place where the meal feels like a celebration from start to finish. The staff is exceptional, offering a level of welcome that makes you feel less like a customer and more like a guest. The room is upscale yet comfortably inviting, a rare combination. Their whiskey selection is impressive, but the meal itself is the true performance. Each dish arrives beautifully plated, and the flavors are as memorable as the service. It is a place committed to consistency; every visit has been a memorable one, and I have never left disappointed.

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El Nido

Highlights
Fresh sushi, beautifully presented
Attentive service during busy hours
Ideal for date night
Squash blossom with goat cheese

El Nido is the right move for a date night, a quiet refuge where the sushi is as beautiful to behold as it is to eat. The fish is undeniably fresh, and the presentation is artful without being fussy. Even at its busiest, the staff remains attentive, ensuring your water is full and your needs are met. Do not pass on the squash blossom, which is delicately fried and stuffed with a rich, creamy goat cheese. It is an unexpected delight. The space is intimate, and the service is polished. For a quiet, well-executed meal in town, it is a reliable choice.

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