Cafe Sierra Negra

A quaint cafe perfect for journeys to Ghost Ranch and the surrounds. Service was fantastic. Everyone was so friendly. Food was delicious. We ordered roasted garlic on toast (a daily special), the artichoke app, and the brisket sandwich (another daily special). Highly recommend if you’re in the area.

Loved the good vibes. It’s a small cozy cafe with good menu. The wait can get longer because they make everything from strach. But they serve the food with a huge smile. I ordered these California Quesadillas, which were delicious.

Wonderful all around. What a gem. We stopped for brunch on our way from Ojo Caliente to Abiquiú after reading all the good reviews. The food was great. Loved checking out the art on the walls. Pretty views. Love the decor. Wish we had room to try the desserts!

Great service and the chicken green chili was delicious. I am a basque cheesecake addict and I insist on getting it anywhere I go that makes it including it’s birthplace La Viña in San Sebastián. Honestly, I thought this was as good, if not better.

They were definitely preoccupied with just one table that they obviously knew. Service was incredibly slow and not very friendly. Wasn’t able to find them to ask questions. They were definitely unaware of several customers. It was a long wait and they brought stuff to the table not even at the same time. And it wasn’t just my table that that was going on. I watched all the tables and people getting their food at different times not an entire table at the same time. I wanted a drink, and my food was done before I could even get somebody’s attention. I waited quite a while before I finally walked up to the counter to pay in order to get service.

Hidden gem on the way back from Ghost Ranch! We were so happy we stopped. The food is outstanding & the potions were generous. The desserts were amazing as well. Service was friendly & attentive. Be sure to stop in & give this place a try! We cannot wait to come back next time we visit Santa Fe!

What a wonderful gem in the wilderness! Situated close to Georgia O'Keeffe's ranch, which attracts visitors and aspiring artists, this very diverse, colorful and skilled team provide a welcome respite to the New Mexico desert. The staff were absolutely amazing - so witty and nice, they brightened our hungry mood at every turn. The food was excellent. Most of us had the fish tacos, which were properly cooked with the fish still moist and an amazing pico de gallo with peppers and mangoes that just popped. One of us had the juevos rancheros, a unique take on this dish that comes in a broad soup bowl to retain the sauces. The person ordering it said it was, "just terrible, you don't want any" and proceeded to lick the plate clean.

Glad I did. We went on a saturday 1•11 positive energy, new beginnings...to try this place out for the first time. Vibes... Great artist work, paintings and bright colors, nothing dull here. Great selection on the menu. Abiqui has about half a dozen places to grab a bite to eat, Cafe Sierra Negra is a great stop, health oriented and has a wide selection of beverages as well. Wait was not long, food was hot and tasty. I ordered the Poblano Relleno, our "substitute" server was generally nice also. Indoor and outdoor seating...next to the hwy. 🇺🇸

Small little cafe Yes Food: idk if I'm starving because I just hiked the chimney in the hot scorching sun around 12-2 pm Anyways my fish tacos were amazing and that pineapple salsaaaa with it was sooooo refreshing. I forgot what my husband got but it was delicious... I also ordered this Mexican beer in a can a lagger which is amazing and refreshing. Overall, it was great. The service was wonderful

I would say that this is a nice place to go when visiting Abiquiu. The word ''chill'' comes to mind. I ordered the shrimp tacos and my companion had the green chili hamburger. They were both quite decent. I will say that everything looked very fresh. The menu was interesting. I noticed a whole artichoke was available and I saw a family of there sharing one at the next table. It looked yummy. We took two chocolate chip-oatmeal-walnut-cranberry cookies for dessert that night. Again, decent. Though it took quite a while to get our meals, we weren't in a hurry so that was not a problem. The prices were on the higher side but on the upside, the employees took good care of us. Next time I'm in the neighborhood, I'll go back to this charming place. Artwork on the wall was a nice plus. So was the patio in front.

On our way to Chama, we stopped in the small village of Abiquiu at Cafe Sierra Negra. Our first stop on a week long vacation in NM. Years ago, I owned restaurants and worked in the hospitality industry so my food expectations are very high. Sierra Negra is a jewel of a cafe. Its menu reflects the excellent fresh culinary preparation with great creativity. It is a corky place with New Mexico charm with wonderful art. The food is out of this world, the quality and presentation are superb. My wife had fish tacos in homemade corn tortillas; my son had a ham and Brie panini, a Basque cheesecake and a Chia Latte. They had several specials posted on a chalkboard that I had a hard time deciding what to order. I settled for their salmon quiche with a delicious mixed salad. Sierra Negra was my top culinary experience during our week long vacation!

Such a cute little place in Abiquiu. The staff couldn't have been more friendly and even took time to chat with us. We stopped in for an early dinner, and loved every minute. Mr. B started with a Boxing Bear Brewing, Chocolate Milk Stout beer, I had a glass of Justin Sauvignon Blanc, one of my favorite wineries and wine. We settled on our dinner's and Mr. B went with the special of the night, Chicken Tacos. These were not your typical Chicken Tacos, they were packed full of fresh ingredients and incredible Southwest Spices. I went with the Roasted Poblano Relleno. A fresh poblano chile was roasted, stuffed with quinoa, corn, black beans, and shallots topped with melted pepper jack cheese. The pepper was resting in house made red sauce and on the side was a crispy cabbage slaw with chopped mango for some sweetness. There is plenty of parking, a small outdoor patio if you so choose. But the day we visited as soon as we were seated it started pouring rain. We absolutely loved this spot in Abiquiu.

I love this little quirky little café. It was a positive experience and the food was great. The coffee was great and the service was great. Loved looking at the artwork and the view views out the window.

We stopped here on our way to camp at the lake based on the yelp reviews. This quaint little restaurant is full of character, amazing food and ambiance. It's definitely worth the stop! We had fish tacos, steak tacos and arugula salads and green chili chicken stew. I'd I ever get sick, I might have to drive here just for the stew.

The location is adorable and we loved that there was special shaded parking for dogs. The service was very friendly. Clearly a local joint, kind enough to ask about our travels. We had the breakfast chile relleno, the huevos rancheros, and the green chile stew, -"" of which were fresh, healthy and delicious but not "NM hot" if that's your thing. The cool art on the walls, and beautiful flowers around the outdoor seating make the ambiance lovely. Definitely stopping in again

A late lunch at Cafe Sierra Negra was a perfect capstone to a wonderful daytrip out to Ghost Ranch. That this humble and simple meal was one of the three best dining experiences we had during a week-plus in New Mexico is saying something, because we had a veritable smorgasbord of fantastic food during our visit to the state. Credit goes to the wife for zeroing in on this little roadside cafe in preparing for this outing. A low-slung building nestled among a few trees, it's easy to miss: Although it has an Abiquiu address, its U.S. 84 setting right across from a Family Dollar is a couple of miles east of the little Georgia O'Keeffe-heavy Abiquiu tourist agglomeration. Anyway, the internet hype seems justified: A bowl of green chile stew was better than a dish this deceptively simple seemingly has any right to be. Terrific depth of flavor, wonderful seasoning, tender pieces of succulent pork, a few veggies (carrots and potatoes mostly) and accompanied by a toasted olive bread that was one of the best baked items I'd had in a while. The wife had scrambled-egg tacos--even simpler--but said the tortillas alone were worth the price of admission. Speaking of O'Keeffe, the proprietor of this restaurant used to manage tours at the nearly O'Keeffe home. It's safe to say that she has found her calling with this place. The lonesome desert setting lends the modest cafe some gravitas and magic. But given food this good, it doesn't really need any extra. I realize this was only a single lunch, but both the wife and I would wholeheartedly recommend this place if you're out this way.

Wonderful local restaurant we had beef taco, arugula salad and quesadla everything was very well prepared. Deserts lemon cake and carrot cake were very good. The staff was also very friendly and helpful. If your in the area it's a good one!

Stop searching, this is your breakfast/lunch stop in Abiquiu! Espresso, beers, great food selection with interesting ingredients... this is not your usual food place in the middle on nowhere. 5 stars!

Visiting from Chicago, found this place while visiting the Georgia O'Keefe welcome center. Food was yummy. Had the Roasted Poblano Relleno and the Green Chili Stew. Service was good and the inside had a great southwestern ambiance

In the past, I've driven past Cafe Sierra Negra, blissfully unaware that I was missing out on one of New Mexico's culinary gems. Well, never again! This place is amazing. The ambiance is wonderful, fantastic service and then the menu hits you with an avalanche of amazing vegetarian options that'll make even the most devoted carnivore pause. Every dish felt intentional, delicious, and downright celebratory of flavor. And the desserts? Oh, the desserts. Be sure to save room. Verdict: Highly recommend!!! 10 out of 10. Your taste buds will thank you.

This was a great stop while out exploring and hiking the area. It's a colorful, sunny, and friendly place. Since it was chilly outside I ordered the Green Chili and Chicken Stew with a side of ciabatta. It was ideal. Hearty, bright, fresh, and just enough spice to warm me up. The well-buttered bread was also really excellent. I appreciate the fast, affordable lunch. Thank you ladies!

Wow! Such good food and people here. We had the fish tacos and green chile burger. We appreciated the local and ethical food sourcing, the fresh flavors, and nice people working there. A gem!

What's surprise! On our way to Santa Fe and passing through Abiquiui at lunch time. Saw my fellow Yelpers loved this place so we took a chance. We were not disappointed. Green Chili Chicken Stew was probably the best that have ever passed these lips! Green Chili Stew is usually is made with pork but I'm telling you, this chicken version was soooo good! Broth was incredibly flavorful, perfectly seasoned, & stew was filled with veggies in addition to the chicken. Breakfast scrambled egg tacos were open-faced with melted cheese on top (breakfast served all day) Again, perfectly prepared & delicious. And then....a special treat. House-made (everything is house made here, another plus plus plus) cookie...oatmeal, cranberry, chocolate chip, walnut! Oh. My. Gosh. Yummy many times over! So, if you find yourself in this area, you really need to patronize this place. Enjoy delicious food while enjoying local artists work on the walls. Beer & wine also served although we just stayed with water & tea.

I had lunch here this week while visiting Abiquiú for a few days. The vibe, with the artwork and the exuberant and helpful non-binary waitperson, is relaxed and welcoming. It was a refreshing change from the harried service at Café Abiquiu at Abiquiu Inn. The shrimp tacos were delicious and fresh. I couldn't resist taking home a piece of double chocolate fudge cake.

Four of us stopped in for lunch before taking the O'Keeffe house tour and we all left happy. The food was fresh and flavorful and everyone was happy with their meal. They offered a fun red chili ginger ale and a lot of dessert options. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. If you're in a hurry you might not be able to appreciate this cafe's charm. But if you have some time to spare you won't be sorry for stopping in.

Driving to Chama River area this gem of a restaurant is located right outside of Abiquiu. Originally stopped at the local hotel cafe, but decided to drive on , And I'm glad I did. The ambience was very eclectic and the walls were covered in amazing art work. We were attended to quickly and after seeing the menu decided on getting breakfast in addition to lattes, the original reason for exploring that morning . The three ladies that worked there were very friendly and the food came out quickly. The menu and our dishes were true to the local cuisine but with its own unique flair. The flavors were rich and savory. I would definitely recommend this place!

What an amazing find. The food was so fresh and delicious. It was like your friend was making lunch for you. Filled with love! We ordered the steak tacos, joyful salad and Chile rellenos which were amazing. We also had a strawberry crepe, carrot cake and cheesecake. The desserts are really good and we ordered three (we kept adding more!) Paired with a glass of wine and it was a perfect lunch. Our waitress Wenca was a delight and took such great care of us. Please stop here! You won't be disappointed.

Food was fresh and delicious! Highly recommend the quesadilla. Service was great and they gave great recommendations to us out of towners

I don't live in Abiqui , NM but I would certainly make the trek again all the way from California to this cafe. The food was freshly made, and. really, really good. the kind of "good" you'd find in fine dining. I am totally stealing all they were short. staffed, but the sweetest, most gracious service crew. they absolutely charmed us, and if I ever am driving through I will absolutely suggest you stop in and enjoy

We spotted this across from the random Family Dollar store on our way to the Ghost Ranch for a trail ride, and while on the trail, our guide recommended the fish tacos, so we stopped on our way back and were happy we did! Ordering was outside at a walk-up window, but utensils and food were brought to our table once we sat down. Empanada was also a great choice, but may sell out, as we scored the last one with eggs for the day around 12:15pm. The outdoor space may be a bit chilly or windy depending on the season, but it's nice that there's an indoor space option as well. There's a kind note about letting cars with dogs park in the shade of the trees too. Ingredients were all great quality and tasted fresh, along with an excellent beverage selection. Definitely give it a try!

Went here for lunch 1st week in April 2025. Not too far from the Georgia O'Keefe home museum. Food, service and ambience average.

We stopped by on our way back from Ghost Ranch. I had the green chili cheeseburger. It was just the perfect size and flavor.

Fantastic fantastic fantastic! My wife and I made the trip to the reservoir and started to get hungry past espanola. We stopped in and boy am I glad! I got a nice salad and my wife the huevos. The staff was very friendly and food very fresh. It was on the pricey side, but everything is nowadays. Check it out if you're in the area!

This is a nice place for a little something different from the same old, same old in the area. It is eclectic and different and defined a fab favorite for those traveling through. It may not be everyone but keep an open mind as everything is homemade.

Driving back from Ghost Ranch and this is perfect place for lunch. Very quaint and home style food like someone cooking from scratch. The green chili stew was fantastic and highly recommended. I had the fish tacos and wasn't impressed as over dressed with thousand island dressing that I didn't expect. Got a few oatmeal cookies to go and they were great.

We stumbled upon this quaint cafe on our way back home to South Alabama from Colorado. It's a little town with not much to see but the majestic mountains it sits amongst. This little gem is a treasure for sure in Abiquiu NM. The menu is simple and full of fresh local produces and meats. Healthy and delicious and well worth the stop. Our 13 year old said it was the best meal for her the whole 2 week trip. Our waitress Kim was also friendly and very efficient running the dining room on her own.

Absolute gem! So grateful I found this place. Homemade food that tastes incredible, and the people are very friendly and welcoming. We got the pork tacos, Turkey crepe, and two cups of the hatch Chile soup. Highly recommend for a good meal with high quality ingredients

Best fish tacos I've ever had! Love the ambiance and setting...and the artwork! Indoor and outdoor seating, parking.

This cute little cafe was our oasis. We had been out all day hiking and needed a hearty dinner. Everyone (party of 7) found something they loved. Decor was lively and entertaining, service was great.

Absolutely delicious food!!! A gem in the desert! Must stop here and eat!!! Ben - our waiter was fantastic!

If you're on your way back to Santa Fe from Ghost Ranch or the lake, don't drive past this place! Stop here! I was here around 3:30 pm on Wed 6/15/22 after a day at the lake. It was actually pretty busy, so I waited a bit for my fish tacos, but man, were they worth the wait! They were fresh & delicious! Some of the best fish tacos I've ever eaten. I also had the iced coffee which was very tasty as well. The service was very friendly and attentive. As I waited for the tacos, the server brought me a cookie, as an apology. It was yummy too & I appreciated the gesture. (Tip: Take 1 home and warm it in the microwave for a few seconds. Soooo good!). There is indoor seating, but I enjoyed the cute, well shaded patio. Overall, this place is great. I highly recommend & look forward to returning the next time I'm in town.

If you're visiting Ghost Ranch you must eat at Cafe Sierra Negra. It's hands down one of the best meals I had on my entire trip & perhaps in my entire life & that's saying a lot. If you're driving too fast along NM HWY 285 you'll easily miss it, but if you do, you'll regret you did. This gem is a classical music playing, home-baked goods serving, part art gallery, part restaurant. You'll be served your warm meal in front of a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. This spot had the most flavorful green chili I've ever had & the tastiest/freshest pico de gallo too. The basque cheesecake is like no other, & the carrot cake had a homemade marzipan frosting. Truly one of the best meals I've ever had in my life. Excellent service and food

Stumbled upon this colorful and creative restaurant about an hour outside Santa Fe. Drove past, turned around and was utterly delighted by the fresh, delicious foods and creative meals on the menu. In fact, so pleased that on the trip back from CO, I changed our route to eat there again! The owner was attentive and lovely and her husband, an artist with many paintings on the walls, was wonderful to converse with... their sweet dog who actually smiles, completed the family on our 2nd visit. Great coffee, desserts and food. I'll certainly return!

When we pulled into the Cafe Sierra Negra, we were a family of four, tired and hungry and not sure what to expect. We'd gotten a recommendation from a staffer at the Georgia O'Keefe House in Abiquiu - but you never can be sure, right? HOLY COW, WE WERE BLOWN AWAY. Owner Melodie Milhoan is a kind, thoughtful kitchen miracle. The Fish Tacos. Insane. Beautiful. artworks for your mouth. I'm including a picture because we practically cried when they arrived, and then again when we ate them. SOOOO GOOD. Melodie hand-made the tortillas. She cut and seasoned the slaw fresh (crisp, fresh lettuce, not over-dressed, not pre-prepped in a bowl!!!). Local tomatoes, fresh and flavorful. The fish, crisp and delicious. Her sauce - my mouth is watering again remembering it. The Green Chili Stew. Slow-cooked pork that melts in your mouth. Carrots, celery, onions. The broth: just the right green chile spice-y. My youngest son who won't eat anything with flavor drank mine and begged for more. Soooo satisfying. Dessert - we had a drive ahead of us. I ordered Melodie's HAND-MADE CINNAMON BUN and coffee. I'd seen them when we arrived, couldn't wait to try one, and was SO HAPPY - did I mention hand-made? seriously? yes. seriously. Dating myself, but I had a Kyle McLaughlin Twin Peaks "damn good coffee" moment. Closed my eyes to absorb the cinnamon bun/coffee magic. Opened my eyes to family staring at me. Worried son: "you ok, dad?" me: "oh YES." Melodie took the leap and opened Cafe Sierra Negra in the middle of the pandemic. She's a story of resilience, pluck and kitchen skill. Do yourself a favor - eat here. I can't wait to come back.

We arrived near closing time, but they were incredibly welcoming. Food was great, service was quick and very friendly. I bought a loaf of some amazing homemade cherry/ walnut bread to take home, which I love. Beautiful spot!

This place is a gem. The quality of food, flavors, and care...we locals are really lucky to have sierra negra. It's not a city spot; it's a local spot where you take time, allow time- don't expect a city vibe. i love the staff, the cheesecake, tacos, green chile stew, dhal. everything is so delicious!

Staff was sweet and welcoming despite being occupied with preparations for a large group event in the back room. Food and beverage choices offered good quality and variety to appeal to a variety of tastes. Everything was fresh, tasty and nicely presented. Definitely the best experience we had in the area and worth the detour if you're visiting Ojo Caliente.

Great food, very pleasant space, nice staff. Our table had a green Chile chicken stew, shrimp quesadillas, fish tacos, a mezze plate, and a burger, all very well prepared.

This was the best food I had in New Mexico and I was just passing through on my way to ghost ranch. My girlfriend and I both got soups which were excellent and the bakery bread that was served was out of the world good. Even the coffee was better than anywhere else I got coffee. We got it to go but wish we had stayed.

It was a pleasure to visit Cafe Sierra Negra for lunch! Besides some southwestern choices, its menu includes items you wouldn't expect to find in the hills of New Mexico, such as spinach crepes and an artichoke dish. I appreciated that there were a few vegetarian and vegan options. The food was freshly made. The staff was very friendly and cheerful. The two dining areas are decorated with original art pieces. Because my partner went for the $20 special (steak tacos), our lunch with my huevos rancheros, two coffees, and a giant oatmeal cookie was close to $45 before tip; but it was worth it.

Great food and great service. Psyched that you were open on a Tuesday night for dinner when nothing else around was. Fresh homemade organic ingredients and dishes with New Mexican flavors that rival Cafe Pasquale dishes.

Excellent price fix Valentines dinner! We will be back, but need two days to get there! Next trip!

Delicious food, extremely nice setting. Helped make the drive to Abiquiu worthwhile. Have to mention the above and beyond service by Binka. My wife was skeptical at first, but was won over quickly by the wonderful attention. Very enjoyable!

This was the best meal I've had in New Mexico. The menu was so original and filled with fresh tastes. Being a vegan in New Mexico is not easy but Melodie's menu provided several choices including dal with homemade bread. The salad was filled with wonderful tastes and textures. Leave room for dessert. No fru fru desserts here. Just a solid line up which made chosing difficult. Polished off with an excellent soundtrack. What more can I say!!

A delicious and unexpected oasis, so perfect after a day of hiking at Ghost Ranch! Chiles Rellenos are my go-to dish: it's always my first choice at a new restaurant. This one was deep, complex, rewarding. Although I tend to prefer the flavor of green chile, poblano has more structure to allow the other ingredients to stand out - and they did: the chile was thick, roasted to just the right tenderness, filled with a satisfying rice-and-black-bean mix and topped with a smoky red chile (and perhaps chipotle?) sauce. The coleslaw side was crisp, tangy, with plenty of diced red and green pepper. My wife ordered the vegan dal, which was fragrant and mouthwarming. Service was friendly and prompt. Perhaps more importantly, when I sent an email inquiry later that evening, the owner quickly and helpfully replied with the information we needed.

New since our last visit to Abiquiu this small, sunny cafe is a wonderful find for us. We stopped in for morning coffee and coffee cake and found our kind of place. Good coffee and cake plus great friendly service. Looked over the menu and decided to return for supper of green chile chicken stew and a black bean and corn empanada. Perfect for a light supper. The green chile stew was very finely seasoned--spicy enough for me but not too spicy for my wife. We'll be returning for more.

A great family-run restaurant with awesome northern New Mexican dishes. And the capuccino wasn't bad either! Would highly recommend to anyone going to Abiquiu.