Third Places: Santa Fe Edition
I'm taking you on a date!
If you’ve been here for a minute, you probably know how much I love third places.
I’m their biggest fan! I’ll go to battle for them!
As the tech world continually releases products that send a shiver down my spine, I’m leaning into visiting spaces that cultivate real human to human connection.
So, as I wait at the airport to catch my flight out of New Mexico, I thought we could go on a little virtual date. I’m taking you out around town to some of my favorite spots in Santa Fe.
Keep in mind, I’m not a local. Also keep in mind, if you want to find classic New Mexican food, this isn’t it. This date is more about sharing the third places that I found myself returning to because they felt like a home away from home.
An Old Gas Station turned Cozy Cafe
Driving down the Old Las Vegas Highway, you feel like you’re in a Lana Del Rey music video. Blue skies, the wide open road, and high desert on all sides. If you’re lucky, you’ll stumble upon this old gas station that was transformed into a cute breakfast joint.
I loved Cafe Fina so much that I ate here a few times! It’s outside of Santa Fe, off the beaten path, but totally worth it. Go for a morning hike at Galisteo Basin and then have brunch here.
It seems like a family owned and operated spot and the parking lot is always full (a very good sign). They offer a simple brunch menu. Simple, but delicious.
The breakfast burrito? Massive! Delicious! Spicy!
The quiche? A crispy crust (no soggy bottoms there) with a flavorful oniony filling.
The ricotta pancakes? Fluffy cloud cakes topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and berries. Oh my God…just try them.
I love that Cafe Fina is unassuming. There isn’t a drop of pretentiousness (is that a word?) to be found there. Just delicious food, friendly service, and lots of locals coming to have breakfast.
For Book Lovers and Deep Thinkers
Admittedly, I didn’t go here much this visit, but I went here all the damn time when I was in Santa Fe last winter. Collected Works is Santa Fe’s oldest locally owned bookstore and has been a community staple for 46 years.
They host talks from all kinds of great artists, writers, and thinkers. In the winter, it’s a lovely spot to sit by the fire. The new book smell doesn’t cost you anything and there’s also a little coffeehouse to get a drink while you browse the banned book section.
The Bar without Alcohol
I stumbled on Casa de Kava by accident, and I’m so glad that I did. I was walking around downtown Santa Fe and feeling a bit peckish when I saw the sign for a Kava bar. I’ve taken Kava as a supplement, but a whole bar centered around it? I had to try.
Casa de Kava is New Mexico’s first Kava bar- it’s a third place that doesn’t involve any alcohol.
My bartender was so welcoming, explaining the origins of Kava and how their menu works. He even treated me to a cup of ceremonial Kava and explained that in Fiji, when presented with Kava you yell “Bula!” (hello) and throw it back in one gulp.
I left the bar feeling happy and relaxed, without any of the comedown that comes along with alcohol.
Are herbal bars the third place of the future? I dunno, but I would love to see more places like Casa de Kava, where a person can find connection while staying sober.
An Elixir Laboratory
This isn’t the kind of place that I would visit every day, but it’s a great spot to go for *a little treat*. And what a treat it is!
I don’t go here to get a plain old coffee, like a peasant. Oh no, if I’m going to CrashMurderBusiness, I want one of their magical elixirs.
These drinks are a work of art. Perfectly blended flavors, beautiful presentation, and cutesy names- it’s a very photogenic spot. Relax in one of the yellow armchairs before hitting the Farmer’s Market down the road.
I simply can’t pick one drink to recommend, so here are my top two:
Loveliness of Ladybugs: Ceremonial matcha, milk, locally made rose cordial syrup.
Race of Roadrunners: Organic cacao from Ghana, local red Chile, espresso, milk, coconut sugar, smoked sea salt.
A Burrito to Remember
Sadly, I cannot recommend Betterday for its drinks. The coffee was underwhelming and I was not happy with the watery iced chai that I tried as a backup plan. I’m not alone in my thoughts on the coffee. Julia on Google reviews put it this way:
“The red headed curly haired guy is the only one who knows how to make a cappuccino. The others who work there think brown bubbles on a bed of brown mush is a cappuccino. I told them twice, hey I don’t know what this is, but it’s not a cappuccino or a latte.”
Now, I didn’t run into this mythological redhead who can make a mean cappuccino, but I have to agree with Julia that the drinks let me down.
BUT. The saving grace of Betterday Coffee is that they have one of the best breakfast burritos I’ve ever had. I consider myself to be a sort of breakfast burrito connoisseur, and theirs did not disappoint.
Scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, jack cheese, and the perfect amount of smoky green or spicy red chili (or go Christmas style and get both). I also added some of their house-smoked thick bacon chunks to mine. They aren’t taking any notes from Chipotle’s CEO. They tuck a massive amount of goodness into one of their homemade tortillas.
Betterday is attached to a vintage store, and it attracts people who are way cooler than me. Well-dressed, stone-faced hipsters make for some good people watching while you work or read.
You can also usually catch a live musician playing outside of the co-op next door. Overall, a fun spot to hangout.
More than a few of my favorite things
Santa Fe is already a magnet for artists, so you can imagine what the booths look like at the Farmer’s Market.
On one side of the railyard, you’ll find organic produce, colorful sage bundles and buckets of sunflowers. Fresh-baked green chili bread and breakfast burritos that sell out quickly. Herbalists display their lotions and potions next to a poet who will create a personalized piece on their typewriter.
If you stroll over the tracks, you’ll find the Artist’s Market brimming with colorful paintings, handmade jewelry, and talented musicians.
You can catch this market every Saturday and Tuesday in the summer months. It’s like a gathering of all the beautiful and delicious things in life. If you go in the height of the summer, go early, ride your bike, take the train, or walk to avoid a parking nightmare.
When your blood sugar drops, stop by La Lecheria and get a green chili ice cream cone. It’s the perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and creamy.
Until we meet again, New Mexico. As always, you were enchanting.