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Ristra Restaurant
Ristra Restaurant

Ristra Restaurant Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.ristrarestaurant.com
  • Phone: (505) 982-8608
  • Hours of Operation: Lunch: Tuesday - Saturday: 11:30am - 2:30pm; Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 5:30pm - 9:30pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: French, Southwest
  • Executive Chef: Xaver Grenet
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
  • Private Party Contact: Eric Lamalle (505) 982-8608

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Guadalupe/St. Francis
  • Parking: Public Lot
  • Parking Details: Lots of public and private parking.
A word from Ristra Restaurant
Ristra’s Victorian building captures New Mexico’s spirit. Dine in one of the serene rooms, or our elegant full bar.

"This popular restaurant turns out clearly presented, powerful flavored food that draws on the cuisines of both France and the Southwest,”
– Gourmet Magazine.

“Ame…rica’s top restaurant.” “The spot for excellent, imaginative cuisine. Excellent service plus a sophisticated setting with a wonderful patio.”
– Zagat. Featured in Bon Appétit, Travel + Leisure, and New York Times plus the prestigious James Beard Foundation.Continued
Foodspotting photos
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerOutdoor Dining
  • Diners' Choice WinnerRomantic
  • Diners' Choice WinnerSpecial Occasion
Diner Reviews
  • "I found this place via Google Maps and couldn't recommend it more for a romantic dinner out. Amazing food, helpful staff and a great atmosphere made for an excellent night."
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "Ristra is one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Fe. It's fine dining in a comfortable and welcoming environment at reasonable prices. The staff is always amiable, invisible when you want them to be, right there when you need them. It's probably my favorite date restaurant."
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "Service was attentive but the waiter brought me a ginger ale instead of ordered gin and tonic. The pears in the grilled pear salad were delicious but the overall salad was bland - a different cheese perhaps? The duck breast was a bit too salty tho the potato spinach dish was great. My husband did not think his halibut was as fresh as it might be - "just a day off". It was my birthday and the staff knew it but there was no complimentary dessert although this is an expensive restaurant. We were the only customers there at an early dining time. The outdoor ambience was very nice but there were weeds in the garden. All in all, I can't give it the "excellent" rating I was hoping for. I am afraid I can't recommend it to discerning friends."
    Dined on 6/22/2014
  • "This is the second time we have had an anniversary dinner here. It was so good last year we made a repeat trip here! We especially love the intimate outdoor patio area in front of the house."
    Dined on 6/10/2014
  • "Food was great from beginning to end. Service was great up until it was time for the bill. It took 30 minutes to get the bill processed. Took the luster off a nice evening."
    Dined on 6/9/2014
  • "Had a large group (8) dinner on a Monday evening. The kitchen was able to accommodate a guest who doesn't eat peppers, spicy or sweet, and our waiter was kind enough to review the options with our guest. Aside from that, service was slow and forgettable. Asked for a birthday candle on dessert for birthday guest: nothing. Had a note on our reservation that we had a birthday guest: nothing. Food was acceptable, but not really worth the price. Pork "rack" was a pork chop that was overcooked -- thank goodness for the sauce or it would have not been palatable. The stuffed chicken breast was also overcooked and borderline bouncy."
    Dined on 6/9/2014
  • "Excellent food, service and ambience. We will definitely return again and again!"
    Dined on 5/17/2014
  • "Had a fabulous meal on the wisteria-draped front porch."
    Dined on 5/17/2014
  • "This was our second trip to this restaurant. Both times we have had great service, great food and a nice relaxing evening. The recommended wines were good. the first time we ate outdoors and the atmosphere was wonderful. The second time we ate indoors and could hear the entire conversation of a group in our room. It provided some comedy but we preferred the quiet and wonderful vines of the outdoor dining. "
    Dined on 5/11/2014
  • "Poor - over priced, one Server for 20 tables, no privacy Bad Value!"
    Dined on 5/11/2014
  • "Went here for my anniversary. GREAT food wonderful ambiance. As I was eating I was scheming on when I could go back. "
    Dined on 5/10/2014
  • "We had five people who chose a total of two entrees and four appetizers, and all of the dishes were excellent. Those of us who had seafood were pleased (especially given the distance from the ocean), as were the two vegetarians. Our server seemed to be brand new so not knowledgeable about wines but the service otherwise was great. We were seated at a round table so conversation was facilitated, and we were overall very pleased."
    Dined on 5/3/2014
  • "We have enjoyed this restaurant on many occasions but soured this time when the Crispy King Salmon had the pale pink look and lesser taste of Atlantic Salmon (still quite good) rather than the red-orange tinge and robust flavor known for King Salmon, and the crispy skin was not right. Was it a poor market pick by the chef, a poor presentation, or a substitution? Our pork chop while flavorful, was not as tender and moist as in the past as well. Maybe an off night for the kitchen? Insult to injury came when the bill had surcharges added on as separate line items for two featured cocktails adding to the advertised price. We were told the cocktails required premium liquor and the charges reflected that. We didn't request premium liquor!"
    Dined on 5/2/2014
  • "Wide choice of appetizers with large portions; Prices reasonable, nice variety of wines by the glass. Open 7 nights a week. Overall, very good."
    Dined on 4/13/2014
  • "Expected it to be much better than it was for the cost. Not quite sure why it was listed with "top" restaurants."
    Dined on 3/30/2014
  • "We have been eating At "Ristra" for many years. We always take our guests there."
    Dined on 3/30/2014
  • "The staff was friendly and helpful. The ambiance was quiet, calm, and relaxing. The food is out of this world. I was told to try the collar tips (not on the menu) and I forgot however, all the food I ate was delectible. Will definitely be returning on our next trip!"
    Dined on 3/29/2014
  • "A really bad experience, three of our entrees were inedible and two were send back. Service was enthusiastic and friendly but clumsy and inexperienced. It is a shame since this used to be a fine restaurant which has plummeted in quality since losing their chef several months ago."
    Dined on 3/5/2014
  • "The excellent menu for Restaurant Week brought us in. We were especially looking forward to the mussels appetizer. We were very lucky to get the last two servings. The mint, chipotle and cream was a perfect sauce and after enjoying the mussels we sopped up every drop with our bread. My lamb shank was melt in the mouth tender and I took half my meal home the serving was so large. For dessert my husband and I halfered the truffle-like chocolate dessert and the rhubarb- and strawberry- filled crepe. Both were a delicious way to end a great meal."
    Dined on 3/2/2014
  • "Six of us dined at Ristra on a Saturday night. The food was very good, but the service was abysmal. We got there at six and left at 8:40. Our waiter was not apologetic at all about his service but was rather surly instead, though he did seem overwhelmed with too many tables."
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "We had 7:30 reservations on a Friday night during Restaurant Week so it was bound to be busy but they did not seem to be prepared. We did not get seated until almost 8. Fortunately there was room at the bar to pass the time and the bartender was a nice entertaining guy. Our meals were very good (the duck was excellent) but by the time we finished it had taken 2 hours and the waitress seemed in no hurry to bring the check or pick it up. We will probably try Ristra again but if the service is the same it will be the last time. There are many other options in Santa Fe."
    Dined on 2/28/2014
  • "Located in a house turned into a restaurant, the bar of Ristra is new and modern while the dining is in the older part which adds a certain charm while also feeling a bit cramped. We've been to Ristra half a dozen times and the menu stays basically the same. My husband loves the lamb shank and it never fails to be perfect. I've had varying dishes from their salmon to duck breast - all of which have been delicious if not stellar. But my favorite dish is their prawn flautas with a side of citrus salad and a basil aioli dipping sauce. This past visit, the flautas were a bit too salty but as always, delicious, crispy treats with the basil sauce. The rhubarb/strawberry crepe dessert was, as always, divine!"
    Dined on 2/28/2014
  • "We decided to try Ristra during Restaurant Week. We were not disappointed. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation but were seated immediately by very friendly staff. After selecting a nice bottle of a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon we we started of with the tiger prawn appetizer which went extremely well with the basil dipping sauce. Our entrees of the lamb shank and the confit duck were delicious and paired well with the wine selection. We would highly recommend the bread pudding dessert."
    Dined on 2/28/2014
  • "My meal at Ristra was outstanding-everything was delicious and perfectly prepared. I would not hesitate to go back. It was one of the best meals I have eaten in Santa Fe."
    Dined on 2/27/2014
  • "great food, and noise level low enough so we could talk without shouting. A true blessing in today's overly loud-music restaurant environment."
    Dined on 2/25/2014
  • "We picked this restaurant from over 20 restaurants offered during restaurant week. I had the Shrimp flautas and my husband had the Butternut squash soup. There was a plastic strip in his soup, and my shrimp was not washed. it still had the black strip down the outer side. The only nice part of the restaurant is the bar area, it looks remodeled. The dining area has old carpet, the tables are very close to each other, its almost like you are dining with the couple next to you. I'm very disappointed in the food, and the atmosphere. I was really looking forward to a great dining experience. Regards, DISAPPOINTED"
    Dined on 2/25/2014
  • "This was my second visit. Off season week night, so the restaurant was very quiet, which was OK, since we were a large group. I ordered the salmon. I told the server I wanted the salmon cooked through, opaque throughout. I had to send it back twice to get it out of the rare stage. My server was very attentive and actually scooped the plate away the second time as soon as he saw me cut into the fish. My son ordered the molten chocolate cake for dessert...it wasn't molten. It was solid throughout. The restaurant is lovely and I would return again. We did have a nice evening."
    Dined on 2/17/2014
  • "Ristra has always been a consistent go-to restaurant. We probably should not have gone on Valentines Day... for some reason they only had 2 servers for the entire restaurant so the service was spotty and slow. They were nice and (sort of) apologetic but they forgot the champagne, brought bread after we had been there almost 45 minutes etc. My filet was very good and cooked perfectly but my husband had the lamb shank which was mediocre and a bit tasteless. While we don't like to feel 'rushed', the meal took several hours. We will still go back but never on a holiday!"
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Have eaten here for years under Chef Xavier and now sous chef Reuben has taken the reigns with great success! Calamari was crisp and delightful, flies gras grilled perfectly, my duck was expertly prepared at my requested rare/med. rare and my husbands rare elk...fork tender. Tomas recommended a lovely French Vouvray for my meal that was just perfect. Highly recommend Ristra!"
    Dined on 1/22/2014
  • "The appetizers and main courses were all superb. The descriptions on the menu, however, could be more accurate on the pork rack that was really a very good chop. The desserts could use some work. The bread pudding lacked a distinctive taste and the pear tart was doughy. Overall an excellent restaurant and well worth a visit in Santa Fe. One of our favorites."
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "The service was good, most particularly, the wait staff were attentive! The food was delicious! We love the "house" as we used to eat there when it was "Mama Lolas" in the 1980s. Great to see an older building continue to be used."
    Dined on 1/11/2014
  • "Ristra recently lost their chef. We were concerned but expected the restaurant could continue its excellent reputation. Right now it appears to be struggling. While the food was good, it was not the outstanding fare they presented in the past. This has been one of our favorite restaurants in Santa Fe, so we hope they can recover from loss of owner and chef."
    Dined on 12/29/2013
  • "Inconsistent quality of meals. 10 person group and all had very different food experiences - from excellent lamb to poor veggie dish. Room was to small - unable to move among tables without disturbing adjacent table or forcing them to leave their chair to allow passage."
    Dined on 12/24/2013
  • "Having dined there frequently in the past, we were a little disappointed in our last visit. As there was no bar tender that night we were only offered beer and wine. I ordered the pork rack which was actually a pork chop. I ordered it medium and it was served well done. The carrots were so undercooked that it was difficult to cut them and one flew off my plate splattering the way too salty sauce over my husband and myself. Our waiter,Edward, was excellent. He did have another pork chop prepared perfectly, but again, the sauce was extremely salty. Next time we will eat in the bar where we have always been very pleased with the bar menu."
    Dined on 12/2/2013
  • "We expected more. The room was interestingly decorated for a restaurant in Santa Fe. The waiter was friendly but could have used more seasoning in a place as expensive as Ristra. Spilled drinks, misplaced orders and a long wait for the check. But the most unforgiveable thing?--, overcooked fois gras on rhubarb mush! We likely won't return."
    Dined on 11/29/2013
  • "A most delightful place. We had a most pleasant dinner, food was excellent, service was attentive and courteous, good wine list, and the ambiance was fabulous; a quiet place where one can have a conversation without having to shout across the table....no background music....YEAH. Would go back as long as the current chef is there"
    Dined on 11/16/2013
  • "Excellent food. I had the scallops for an appetizer, the breast of duck and the frozen nougat for dessert, which the server described as "the underdog of the dessert menu." All were excellent, and my wife particularly liked the mango and raspberry coulis that came with the nougat. Enjoyed the Alsatian Pinot Gris. It was a Saturday night and the gang around the bar was even getting a little rowdy about nine pm, which I thought was interesting for such an upscale place. No bar fights, just laughter, with one woman alone at the end of the bar by the wall with a glass of wine trying to read a book. Only in Santa Fe."
    Dined on 11/9/2013
  • "Innovative menu, with excellent service. We were a party of 4 with different tastes. All enjoyed the fine food and presentation. Especially the elk."
    Dined on 10/15/2013
  • "Located in a dingy neighborhood in a small converted older home badly in need if landscaping. We expected modern southwestern quisine in a great atmosphere but got moderately good food in a less than stellar surroundings. The food was traditional fare with lamb chops, pork chops, halibut, salmon. The food was tasty but not presented in an artful way. Service was good. The dining experience was disappointing"
    Dined on 10/5/2013
  • "Food so-so. One server for the whole restaurant. Nice patio in the summer. We won't be going back."
    Dined on 10/5/2013
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • New Mexico Winners
  • Romantic
  • Santa Fe / Mountains Winners
  • Outdoor Dining
  • Romantic
  • Special Occasion
Learn more ›