Savor Thanksgiving in Santa Fe: Gourmet Feasts from Top Chefs and Cooking Classes
Santa Fe's Thanksgiving: A Culinary Celebration
Santa Fe provides countless reasons to step away from your home kitchen this Thanksgiving. Follow the lead of locals and let our world-renowned chefs craft a sensory feast. Top restaurants offer specially curated Thanksgiving menus to delight every guest. For home cooks, our esteemed cooking schools provide hands-on classes to master new recipes.
Santa Fe boasts a rich tradition of communal dining, whether you prepare the meal or dine out. When the Pilgrims held the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621, Santa Fe had already served as the provincial capital for over a decade, setting the stage for today's exceptional holiday spreads.
A Cornucopia of Thanksgiving Delights from Santa Fe's Premier Chefs
Explore the exquisite Thanksgiving offerings from Santa Fe's acclaimed restaurants, designed to inspire and satisfy.
Restaurant Martín
Meet Chef Martín Rios, owner and culinary innovator at Restaurant Martín. 
Selected as a Guest Chef for the 2011 James Beard Awards Gala, Chef Rios earns ongoing praise in outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Dallas Morning News, The Los Angeles Times, and The Boston Globe. Previously Executive Chef at Geronimo, Inn of the Anasazi, and The Old House, he now delights diners in a historic adobe setting opened in 2009.
His Thanksgiving menu blends tradition with innovation: organic turkey with classic trimmings, Colorado Lamb Shank Risotto, and Maine Lobster Beignets.
Terra
Terra Restaurant at Four Seasons Rancho Encantado presents a three-course Thanksgiving menu from noon to 8 p.m., with half-price for children aged 5-12. Highlights include sage-butter basted turkey with green chile piñon stuffing and Pumpkin Pasta with fall vegetables and red chile pistachios for vegetarians. 
Terra Restaurant enchants with panoramic views and artful Southwestern cuisine.
Luminaria
At Inn and Spa at Loretto, Luminaria offers a three-course feast from noon to 8 p.m. (reservations required). Chef Brett Sparman's menu features roasted turkey, Blue Corn Crusted Trout, Talus-Wind Ranch Lamb T-Bones, and vegetarian grilled cilantro tofu.
La Plazuela
La Plazuela at La Fonda on the Plaza serves a Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., blending Northern New Mexico flavors with organic local ingredients. Executive Chef Lane Warner, in place since 1993, elevates classics. 
Guests enjoy natural light in the 1920s-era patio at La Plazuela.
Thanksgiving on the Go in Santa Fe
For active explorers, savor portable Thanksgiving flavors. At Rio Chama, try the TurDucken Burger with smoked turkey, chicken, duck meatloaf, and cranberry mayo—perfect for holiday shopping. TerraCotta Wine Bistro offers a Shaved Turkey Breast Panini with pea shoots, Havarti, and green chile aioli, ideal pre- or post-spa. On Canyon Road, El Farol's tapas include grilled quail with espresso barbecue sauce and roasted duck breast (reservations advised for Thanksgiving).
Master Thanksgiving Dishes at Santa Fe Cooking Schools
Thanksgiving in Santa Fe is perfect for honing skills at top cooking academies, preparing for the holiday season.
Santa Fe Culinary Academy
November workshops cover soups, New Mexican dishes, and vegetarian Thanksgiving dinners. View the full schedule online. 
Chefs demonstrate innovative vegetarian feasts.
Santa Fe School of Cooking
Classes include tamale-making for Christmas and a "Modern Southwestern Thanksgiving" demonstration with a full meal. Check the November calendar. 
Students learn to prepare green chiles for dishes like Green Chile Turkey Enchiladas.
Plan Your Thanksgiving Pilgrimage to Santa Fe
Thanksgiving in Santa Fe combines gratitude, relaxation, and indulgence. Bring your appetite for exceptional food, culture, art, history, spas, and outdoor adventures—your senses will feast.
