After several visits, we are officially moving this restaurant off the visit list for HHI. After my last review, the owner did email asking what could be improved. I told him it was attitude not the food and he hoped we would come back. We were able to come last Tuesday. I let him know that. I'd hoped that he would stop by and at least acknowledge that we came in to spend money. Not the case. The food as always was very good. They should add the sampler platter to the menu and offer the duck taquitos on the main menu. Service was very slow. It took at least 10 minutes to get our drinks. Although since we had a clear view of the bar we could tell that was the bartenders fault and not our waitress. It then took a while for our meal to be served. We paid and left. We were not acknowledged as we walked out the door as the host seemed more interested in chatting with staff. Again the food was good but the service is not worth paying for.
(2)
Anthony B.
Great place. Service was good food was hot and well presented. Would recommend this place to anyone
(4)
Violet B.
One of my favorite places on the island. So much so, that I went twice in one trip! The rooftop patio and live music is the absolute best, so relaxing and romantic. Then you add that all of their food is amazing. From the fresh guacamole, soups, salad, and steaks. My boyfriend loved the painted desert soup so much that he orders 2 bowls back to back. I look forward to going every every time I go to Hilton Head.
(5)
Douglas H.
Outrageous Chimichanga is the way to go here. Great presentation and mouthwatering fillings you will definitely have left overs of this beast! Great house margaritas. The salsa and guac were a little bland which left me giving them a 4 instead of 5 stars. Upstairs bar area is very quaint open air with couches and fire. Nice staff very friendly go get the finest chimichanga on the island!
(4)
Lee P.
I have had the pleasure of dining at Santa Fe a number of times over the past 20 years while visiting Hilton Head from Chicago. This is an impressive restaurant. Any restaurant that stays in business this long is impressive on its own. But Santa Fe has improved over the years. The food is perfectly prepared. And the menu is unique -- true southwestern in a community on the opposite coast. Each visit is more than worth every penny.
(5)
Danny R.
Great meal. My wife love the painted Desert Soup and I loved the black Angus ribeye. I had it blackened and it was done perfectly. We ate on the roof, which was okay but not anything spectacular. Service was very good. We will be back.
(5)
Elliott B.
Every year when in HHI, the family makes sure we stop at Santa Fe because it is one of our favorites on the island. We really enjoy being able to relax with the cozy atmosphere, and eat the meal that is reliable to be good. While this is no gourmet French restaurant, it is a very good stop for Mexican food with no fuss. While the prices may be steep, it is definitely worth it. The flavors, and quality of food is always high, and there's something on the menu for all ages and tastes. Family favorites include the painted desert soup which provides a perfect blend of spice and sweetness. Not to mention, the presentation is excellent. The cowboy steak is also a must for meat lovers. Blackened and always cooked to perfection, the steak is served with a fried onion garnish and it's just as good the next day as a leftover. The ceviche and grouper is also delicious and fresh. With those few items, you're guaranteed a 4 star meal. While they do have other delicious options, I encourage people to try the restaurant a few times to find what they like, because it certainly has a lot of hidden delights!
(4)
Vikki T.
You have to admit most menu prices at the beach are going to be overpriced or more than you would expect to pay for something comparable "back home". Despite the reviews I read on Yelp I was looking for a convenient location for dinner on my own and Mexican sounded very appealing. I made a reservation online for 8:00 p.m. and was seated immediately after I arrived. It was a Wednesday night and the restaurant was quite crowded. I figured that was a good sign but most tables were large families with children which equates to visitors and not locals. I opened the menu and was taken aback at the prices. $5 for cheese dip isn't bad but Mexican dishes at an average of $25 a plate??? I had committed at this point. I figured if the rib eye burrito is almost $30 then it must be spectacular. So I ordered it. The cheese dip was fair. The service was okay and the rib eye burrito was quite disappointing. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't $30 good either. If anyone wants to tell me you pay for atmosphere then I want some money back. The place was like a Southwestern Romper Room.
(2)
Tom T.
Four of us had a wonderful dinner at SFC our last night on HHI last week. The menu is varied and interesting, the wine list pretty good, the service terrific, the atmosphere energetic, and the food absolutely wonderful. Three of us had the grouper and loved it, and my lamb chops were among the best I've ever eaten. It may not seem a logical choice when on a coastal island, but this is a don't-miss, in our collective opinion. Be sure to make a reservation.
(5)
Liz M.
Delicious!! This was a wonderful restaurant with incredible food. Family friendly too.
(5)
Christopher R.
Way too expensive for what you get. 30 dollars for an entree and not even a house salad? Luke out server was very good and personable even though it was only his second day. Nice wine list and drinks but when it comes to the food for the price it's not worth it. Had the stuffed free range chicken, which should have noted it wasn't anything more than a thigh, and it was small and very dry with no sauce whatsoever. Very good flavor though. Many other choices to go to for a better, more inexpensive dinner. Was disappointed. Edit: I moved my rating to a 3 from a 2 because the owner did email me about my concerns and that shows to me that their is care for this place of business, Plus, after writing him back I did not take into account that the 2 people I was with did enjoy their meal and I should have mentioned that. Will be visiting Santa Fe Cafe again and will write a follow up and my experience. Which I hope is much better.
(3)
Mark S.
Southwest cuisine, done in some interesting ways. Got there early, and had a seat at the bar. We were tempted to just eat there, we had a comfortable spot, and excellent bartender, but decided to head to our table. We had a grilled shrimp cocktail which was fantastic. You could get two of these and a salad, and make a great dinner out of it. We both got the filet fajitas. This is a pricey item, but well worth it. Very flavorful and totally delicious. Went perfectly with the bottle of Bordeaux we ordered. No room for dessert for us but I saw a few go by that looked tempting. If you are on Hilton Head Island, I would put this one on your "check it out" list, for sure!
(4)
Jane D.
The food was really good but not worth the price, especially given the inattentive server. Even when called to our table, she left aruptly as fast as she could get away and was very fogetful, like when my teenage son asked for his coke to be refilled she didn't even know she'd forgotten until at least 10 minutes later when we spotted her again. She was very quick to say "no" to every special request we made (I think we stopped at 2 because of her bad attitude) such as when we asked if since there is no kid's menu, can my 11 year old son order a 1/2 plate of 2 lambchops instead of 4. There wasn't even a crowd so really there was just no excuse to not be attentive unless hers was she was bitter for being called to work during the USC-LSU football game when most everyone else was somewhere else watching the game. The atmosphere is nice and on the rooftop they even have a small band playing. If you want to watch tv say for a ballgame, stay downstairs because unless you are sitting at the bar, you won't be able to see it upstairs. This was the 2nd time I have been to this restaurant. On the first trip, the service wasn't as bad. The food actually was better the second trip. Both times, I thought the price was too high for what you get.
(3)
Michelle P.
This was fabulous! Our new favorite restaurant in Hilton Head. The Painted Desert Soup is a must!
(5)
TJ M.
Long black hair in my food - enough said!
(1)
Victor M.
Ok, my very first review! This place is GREAT! The black bean soup and the guacamole are to DIE for. I actually met Marshall tonight. He is the owner and was aweso e to deal with! Great guy!
(5)
Jessica B.
Upscale Mexican! We got the Lux margarita. Definitely get the guacamole for an appetizer. Loved the painted desert soup. It is a creamed based soup but it was served piping hot and it was delicious. I also had the ribeye burrito and only ate half because it was ENORMOUS but it made for some great leftovers. I will admit it was the most expensive burrito I've ever had but it was very satisfying. My boyfriend had the chicken fajitas- the chicken is served as a full chicken breast which he loved instead of having small strips of chicken since he is a protein lover. Overall we had a great time there.
(4)
Jennifer J.
It is our first time to Hilton Head and we like to eat where the locals eat. This place was great. We lucked into sitting at the Chef's table (or really the Chef's bar). It was great to see the chefs work. They were a well oiled machine but they were still personable and answered any questions. We had the chicken BBQ tacos and shrimp tacos. They could not get any better.
(5)
Eddie K.
My wife and I used to love sitting at the Chef's table and watching them prepare our food. But the last couple of times the bone-in ribeye was not very good. But sit on the deck and have the Painted Desert soup and the nachos. Margaritas are fantastic!
(3)
Christopher W.
Second time in a year. Food was amazing. Prices are fair. You have to get the Chimichangas!!!
(5)
Malissia M.
On our 30th annual vacation to Hilton Head, we found this place, which we had never seen or considered (how? It's right off 278 and visible from the street...) Anyhow, most of our party of 7 loves all things Mexican or tex mex or any variety thereof, so we gave it a spin. We were seated pretty close to our reservation time, after they shimmied a round table and a square table together. Simply stated, the waitress was way too busy to take on a party of 7. She greeted us after several minutes. She ran several tables' food before taking our drink orders, etc. but she was pleasant, so there's that. Apps came out before drinks, but I suppose that's understandable, salsa and queso is easier than 6 margaritas and a glass of wine. We ordered our food as the margaritas came out and honestly it felt like it took ages for the food to come out. Another staff member brought it out, which is fine, but my grandmother's fajitas probably took 4-5 minutes longer than the rest of the family's entrees. Not perfect. Fajita portion was small, but reported to be tasty. The pork chops were great, according to my dad, and I had a shrimp Diablo special that was so spicy (great for me! But take their "spicy" label to mean just that) and I loved it! It wasn't all that big, but more than enough for me. Boyfriend's chimichanga was huge! And good quality. The salmon was beautiful and very good. All in all, it was not a restaurant I'll be dreaming about in the future but it was fun to try.
(3)
Brian D.
Great service. Bent over backwards to seat us ASAP. We sat close to the door and saw them provide the same good service to an unannounced patty of 9. They were busy but moved some tables and got them seated within 15 minutes. Oh, the food was awesome as well. Salsa was fresh and the sirloin burrito was something else. House Margarita mix wasn't too sweet, just right.
(4)
Isaiah F.
Hide yo children! Hide yo wives! Hide yo wallets! Decent Mexican fare and nice atmosphere but too pricey for what you get. For the quality/quantity of food you get the price point needs to take a step or two down. We started off with the app sampler and were disappointed on the flavor. There was none. The crab cakes were by far the best part of it and they were tiny. Next we split the shrimp fajitas which were pretty good. It comes with 6 large shrimp which is plenty for the 4 tortillas they give you. The previous paragraph is just as blah as the food we got. No flavor, no style, no substance. On a positive note, the service was great, the atmosphere was nice and there's live music outside.
(3)
Jeff K.
Sit outside, the guitarist Raymundo makes the experience unlike any other on the island. Food is good, but a bit pricey.
(4)
Walter P.
Ate there three nights ago. I got the jambalaya and my wife got the steak fajitas. She thoroughly enjoyed the fajitas, and stated that she's never had such tender meat in a fajita. The jambalaya was fantastic. Definitely had some heat to it. I liked that. The churros were a bit lack luster, unfortunately, however the presentation was fantastic. Lastly, I had the painted desert soup. It tasted good, but the presentation was a work of art. I was quite impressed. Definitely on the pricey side, but I think it was worth it. Lastly, the service was fantastic!
Had the veggie fajitas, awesome grilled flavor!! Sopapillas were amazing! Great atmosphere
(4)
Tim E.
Loved this place. In an area with so many dinner options this place stands out. The smell of mesquite welcomes you as soon as you exit your parked vehicle. If you like fresh guacamole - don't pass it up. This place isn't just Mexican food. We had everything from fresh seafood to the Cowboy cut bone in ribeye. Everything came out in a fabulous presentation and the flavors didn't disappoint. Great options, fairly priced, nice atmosphere and good service. The only reason for four stars and not five is because I didn't get my preordered glass of "wine with dinner" until I was half way through with my crab cakes. Once received it was a perfect pairing. That said, don't pass this place up when in HHI.
(4)
Todd B.
Great place. Be sure to make reservations for the roof top or sit at the bar where no reservations are needed. Hidden oasis in Hilton Head, live music starts at 7pm. Fajitas, ribeye burrito, chimichanga, all were done to perfection. Not your run of the mill food here. Lux margarita was delicious, fresh juices, nice mix of tequila, fresh and tart how a real margarita should taste. Everything about this place was great, but go for the roof top.
(5)
Kayla J.
Terrible Service, Terrible Margaritas, Great Chips & Salsa. First of all...we waited 2 hours for our food, when it arrived, one of the orders was wrong and it took AN HOUR for them to bring the corrected meal. Our entire family had already eaten and plates had been cleared before the remaining meal was brought and at that point, we had already waited over 2 hours for our food so we just asked for it to be boxed up. After 45 minutes, we finally asked for a manager, who happened to also be the bartender (what type of restaurant doesn't have a manager on the floor constantly check on tables, food, kitchen, etc but rather behind the bar oblivious to everything going on in the dining area?). Secondly, margaritas were extremely weak...didn't even think there was alcohol in them so I had to ask for a shot of tequila on the side to pour into it. I felt bad for the lady waiting on our table as I knew she was new but due to lack of management and understaffed restaurant, there was only so much she could do to appease the situation.
(1)
Kateryna G.
The food: 4/5. We started with guac, queso and salsa. Generally, I have low expectations for complementary salsa, but it was surprisingly flavorful. Guac portion was smaller than I expected, but it was also good. I ordered their house special grouper, and while the fish was very moist, the crust was a little too thick and greasy for my taste. The side of rice and veggies was very good. For dessert I got Kahlua mousse which was great but also rich, so one order is probably better to be shared. Margaritas were nice and strong. The service: 5/5. The service was attentive and always there when needed. The place itself is very cute with an outdoor patio and live music. It would make a great location for a celebration or a romantic date night. Overall: 4.5/5. A solid dinner option for Mexican food and/or seafood.
(4)
Jen A.
Best Rib-eye ever and I'm from Texas!!!! Loved the atmosphere and service. Highly recommend this to anyone traveling to Hilton Head.
(5)
Nikki W.
Fantastic meal to start a trip to the island. The cheviche was incredibly fresh and a good hearty portion at that. There were no complaints with the chicken tacos either, except they were a little scant on the BBQ sauce. . Highlights include attentive and friendly staff and the best dag gum margaritas I've had in a long time. A bit pricey but very worth it.
(4)
Tim A.
The Lix margarita is authentic and smooth, can't recommend passing it up. I had the shredded beef burrito and this thing was huge. Bigger doesn't always mean better, but in this case it definitely did. The decor is unique and attractive, and the staff was patient and attentive. Didn't bother us, but came when we needed them.
(5)
Tina H.
I hadn't eaten here in 20 years, loved it back in the day, so I wanted to check it out. Food is still really good! Started with the guacamole, was a bit bland and presentation wasn't great, but it was still good. I ordered the Chimichanga as my entree and it was definitely impressive and delicious :) My husband ordered dessert (I had a bite), a bread pudding of sorts, and it was also good. All in all, it was a good meal I would go back for sure!
(4)
Janet C.
You can't go wrong with any of their food. I've had and LOVED: Painted Desert Soup, Santa Fe Salad, Outrageous Chimichanga, Ribeye Burrito, Filet Fajitas, Grouper, Cowboy Cut Ribeye, and more! Always a favorite in our family!
(5)
Leslie B.
I really enjoyed Sante Fe Cafe. We shared the fried oysters, ceviche, each had the Painted Desert soup and shared the grouper entree. My two favorites were the ceviche and painted desert soup! Honestly a meal in itself. The ceviche portion is huge and so full of fresh flavors. The desert soup had a nice kick to it. Great flavor. I liked the grouper- it is rich! We were so full by the time the entree came. Their serving sizes are very generous. I enjoyed the white sangria too!
(4)
Natasha V.
This place is great! The salsa is amazing. I also loved the painted soup. I got the fajita which is kinda build your own. I love this place great Mexican food.
(5)
Jenna T.
Loved the painted soup and the rooftop! Live music at night really set the mood :-) My husband had a "man" moment when he was able to order a 40 oz steak. Make sure to make reservations in advance for their rooftop patio!
(5)
Debbie S.
Beautiful, comfy roof top patio, great service, fantastic guacamole, and LOVED the wine (The Boxer - Molly Dooker Shiraz). Great experience, will go back!
(5)
Steve F.
Went back again for a second time. Again it was excellent. We Had the Painted Dessert soup and Santa Fe Salad, the Jambalaya and the short ribs.
(5)
Gary L.
Salsa and chips tasted like jar salsa and grocery store chips. The crab cakes were half cooked and cold. The blackened tile fish was good, the rice and vegetables were cold. The best part was the service, but not much else. Wouldn't waste my dinner time here a second time.
(1)
Jackie H.
Great Mexican food but expect much higher prices than your typical Mexican joint. Salsa was so so I like mine with more kick but that's just me. The outrageous chimichanga was exactly as advertised and the ribeye burrito was phenomenal. The gauc is just ok but the queso dip was killer.
(4)
S V.
First dinner we went to on our honeymoon and probably my favorite. I love Mexican food but this wasn't very typical for Mexican. Their salsa and chips were excellent. Not sure if I was just really hungry, but the chips were fresh and the salsa was very tasty. The salsa seemed like it was very freshly made and we were really happy with that. The service was pretty spot on. All the wait staff was really attentive and paid really close attention to us. I opted for the ribeye burrito. Amazing. If I go back anytime soon, I think I might try just the ribeye. I thought, hey, they're gonna but some steak in a tortilla with some other stuff and boom. But no, they actually put in a medium cooked ribeye inside the burrito. Plus, they had some really good beans and other fixings inside the burrito. But the real kicker was the sauce that came around the burrito on the plate. Damn! That was some amazing sauce. I would've licked my plate, but I didn't want to scare my new bride. I highly recommend this place. We sat on the roof and the ambience was great. Do yourself a favor and hit this place while you're on the island.
(5)
Ryan N.
Lovely location for lunch with a wide array of items on the menu for everyone to enjoy. I chose the fish tacos and was not disappointed. The fish was a little big for the taco shell, but I'm not one to complain for it being too big! Seating was quick, especially for a group of eight. Server was attentive and friendly. Definitely check this place out when visiting Hilton Head Island!
(4)
Lesley P.
Our experience at the Sante Fe Cafe was quite nice. We had the ribeye, the blackened tilapia and the chicken fajitas. All were good. The service was fine and I loved being able to book a reservation through Open Table.
(4)
Robert F.
The margaritas were very good! Food and service were just ok. I had the shrimp cocktail to start. The shrimp was undercooked and the sauce was average. I enjoyed the blackened tilapia. The service was a little lacking as well. It won't be my first choice the next time I am in Hilton Head but I might return.
(3)
Kevin W.
Went here with a gal who has lived in Santa Fe, .... She was impressed. The food was delicious, I got the chicken fajitas, she got the burrito. The scene is cool, sorta woody, with the southwest santa fe feel.
(5)
Ryan W.
Great queso but the had NO ENCHILADAS. How can you be called a Mexican restaurant with out enchiladas.
(2)
Maura W.
Filet Mignon fajitas. Need I say more?! This place is the best. Every year when we are in Hilton ahead we go here at least once. The wait staff is the same each year, margaritas are awesome, live music is perfect after a day in the sun, and the food is just wonderful. Awesome for those with celiac and gluten sensitivities, like me! Sit at the chefs table and watch them cook! So very friendly and fun.
(5)
Jill C.
I would like to know how they were able to advise guests that the average cost was $30 and they get you in the door with an online advisory of $$ only. Please check out the menu before you load the teens in the car and decide this is economical. Do the math. Secondly, I loved their margaritas, but they serve them in regular glasses---sturdy ones, like the kind from which you drink milk in a diner. If they want $10-12 for a margarita, they should sport the cost of presenting the classic glasses. Burrito was good--quality ingredients but not worth $18. I got a burrito. Rice would have been another $5.00. The guacamole was pretty, but very creamy....I tend to like mine on the chunky side. Salsa also very thin. Mole sauce was sweet. Zero music. It was thunderstorming, so I doubt the band was on the patio.....it sounded like a cafeteria in there. Atmosphere was nice and Santa Fe-looking. Service was perfect. But I won't be back.
(2)
David T.
2/22/15 Bonus night in Hilton Head (courtesy of Delta cancelled flights-- they took 3 days away coming down, and gave one back going home)! OK, so 2nd attempt at BBQ -- Bullies, closed! Hungry, so, what's around? thanks, Yelp! This was some awesome Mexican, and yes, with a BBQ flare! Caution -- do not go here if you aren't hungry! How can you go wrong with fresh chips, salsa & guac? You can't, at least not here! Next up, Painted Desert Soup -- two soups side by side with a beautiful painted cactus scene on it -- just like the picture, and delicious! Ceviche was also delicious -- just needed a bit more liquid, and the caesar with fresh anchovy didn't disappoint! Mains -- Chicken quesadilla was delicious; and then 3 of us split 2 orders of BBQ Chicken Tacos plus 1 Shrimp Fajita. Yup. We still got our BBQ, just had to go to a mexican restaurant for it! The CK BBQ WAS AMAZING! Everything was delicious, but this was their 5 star item for sure!
(4)
Dave B.
We met some friends here and had a fantastic time. I had the Grouper, and it was excellent. We have four more days on the island, and I will go back for another Grouper, and of course, a few tasty margaritas! Enjoy!
(5)
Gina H.
This is my favorite lunch place. Fish tacos and burrito is fantastic The desert soup and sante fe salad is fantastic. Also the best whole made margarita on the island my kids love the food prices are reasonable
(5)
Megan R.
Had a fantastic dinner at Santa Fe on Monday evening. The service was excellent and they happily allowed us to wait out a heavy storm at our table. We started with a Caesar salad, Painted Desert Soup and Tortilla Soup. All the starters were fresh and had layers of flavor not always found in traditional soups or salads. My companions shared a Cowboy steak! It was enormous but so tender and delicious that they finished every last bite! My meal was the Tortilla Crusted Salmon. The presentation was beautiful. The touch of creamy sauce on top complimented the crunchy salmon perfectly! To end the night we had sopapillas. Fluffy and light dough balls served with coconut ice cream? Yes please!! I will be coming back here every visit to HHI!!
(5)
Chris L.
I highly recommend coming here! This is one of the best restaurants in all of hilton head! The food is simply delicious.try the black bean soup or the delicious chimichangas! The salsa is fresh an tastes great! Top notch service just make sure to call ahead because they're busy during the summer!
(5)
Paula W.
As others have noted the Painted Desert soup was a delight. Lovely service, great meals, charming atmosphere. We have been to the Santa Fe Cooking School in Santa Fe and this restaurant channels its unique favors.
(5)
Sid A.
Painted soup was great. Server was great. I had pork tenderloin (highly recommend). Sweet potato straws were good and very decorative. Not a fan of refried black bean dish. My daughter has filet mignon fajitas. Steak was delicious and cooked perfectly. Things keeping it from 5* 1. Decor 2. Chairs or lower price. We're be back.
(4)
Karen R.
This place is nothing short of fabulous. My mom and I were caught in a heinous thunderstorm and were looking for a place to get some decent food that wasn't a chain. We walking in in yoga pants and sweaters and sat at the bar, so we were concerned we were too casual because immediately upon walking in, the ambience and decor was so astonishing. Anyways- food was friggin awesome - painted desert soup gets a double A+ from this girl, and I would rather pay decent prices for quality food. If you want a $5 burrito, go to Taco Bell. Nothing to complain about here - MUST TRY!!!!!
(5)
Heather T.
Chips and salsa are very good. The quesadilla, soup and salad combo is enough for two in my opinion and is very tasty. The painted soup is very good. Good kids selections just cut the shredded beef up in the taco a bit more for the kiddos. Margaritas were just okay. Overall a very good place and very good service.
(4)
Rhonda L.
We had a really special meal here in a beautiful setting on our trip to Hilton Head. The fried oysters were luscious, the Cowboy Steak cooked to perfection, and my rib-eye burrito unlike anything I had eaten before. My husband is still talking about his fajitas. I am not sure what kind of margarita I had, but it was the best I have ever tasted. Yes, it is pricey - but the service, food, and atmosphere made the price worthwhile.
(5)
Melissa D.
Always a great spot! I've been here so many times. I love their patio and live music! The food and service are great. I've never had a bad dish here. The margaritas are great as well.
(4)
Mary S.
Loved the painted desert soup and the dinner salad. D. had a pork chop dinner that was also excellent.
(5)
P M.
Ok we gave this place another try with some friends. There were 8 of us... Cadillac margaritas were really good. Monster Ribeye was great! Still the odd fajitas had everyone laughing...what is that? Lol...make sure and not order the $2 worth of chicken for the $24+ they charge. Waiter was really good and attentive! The tall girl who ran the food was a real odd ball. All in all the company and ambience made the night fun.
(3)
Amy H.
The Painted Dessert soup is terrific. Presentations of all entrees are attractive. Service is attentive and friendly. Restaurant decor is cozy. The appetizer sampler has something for everyone and enough to share for 4 people. The chips that they serve with salsa taste homemade. I like their white sangria. It's not too sweet.
(5)
Diana B.
This is the best mixture of rustic and tex-mex ever! The happy hour drinks are excellent and stay around for dinner afterwards. The upstairs bar with comfortable seating and a fireplace (when it is cold) is incredible - and the margaritas Scott makes are perfect!
(5)
Michelle B.
Such a wonderful meal! Service was attentive but not overbearing. Food was excellent. The painted desert soup was the perfect blend of flavors, not heavy but filling. The stuffed portobella is a lovely combination of veggies. Again, filling but not heavy. Fabulous! We will be returning soon!
(5)
Lorenzo G.
Went here for dinner last night with my parents, girlfriend, and her sister. I must say we were quite disappointed, which is unfortunate because the Cowboy cut was good but that was about it. We made reservations the night before. We were seated in an area so dark we could barely see each others faces let alone our food. To make matters worse, the food runner spilled burrito juice all down my back while bringing out our food, which ruined my shirt and made dinner that much more uncomfortable to go with the horrible seating. She barely apologized and didn't even tell our server. The service was severely lack luster, we saw our server only a few times, and she didn't even say anything while clearing the plates and saw 3 out of the 5 guests had barely touched their food because the sauce was overbearing and soaking the food. As a longtime resident of Hilton Head I am so disappointed with Santa Fe and I will not be returning for a meal there, ever.
(1)
Hoke S.
My wife and I make it a point to have a date night here on every trip to Hilton Head. The food is excellent and the ambience perfect for a great conversation.
(4)
Shawn H.
First off, I am having a very hard time with this review. Mainly due to some of the prices on the menu..... for what it is. Being from, born, raised in California and of Mexican descent, I have eaten so much Mexican/Southwestern food it is ridiculous. I know Hilton Head is an upscale getaway for people with money to burn. I have money to burn but this was a hard pill to swallow. $21 for a Chimichanga, fish tacos.....come on. Pay for chips and salsa? You will never find that at any restaurant on the west coast, no matter how pricy. If you can charge $18 for a simple burrito, you can give complimentary chips and salsa. Steaks and the pork seemed to be fairly priced. Well lets get on with the review..... Service: Host was nice and seated us promptly. We had an early reservation for 5:30. Started getting busy around 6ish. Our waitress was fantastic!!! Knew the menu well and was very pleasant. Ambiance: Very nice. Typical for a southwestern restaurant. Did not get a chance to visit the upstairs area or the patio as some of the other reviewers say it is great. Food: I ordered from the early dining menu ($24) and had painted desert soup to start. Fantastic!!! Great flavor. Followed with the outrageous chimichanga. Although it was good, nothing to write home about. It did not seem to be fried at all. The tortilla was barely crisp. I was watching the servers take it to other tables and those seemed to have the beautiful golden brown color you would find. I guess it is different when you order from the early menu. That, and my dessert (Churros) seemed to be a smaller portion than the regular menu items. I ended up being a little pissed off about this when my daughters ordered the churros for dessert and theirs came with a choice of vanilla or coconut ice cream in addition. Mine was only the churros. Had I have known this, I would have gladly paid the $28.50+ and ordered from the regular menu. Kids both had the regular burrito. Not bad. Wife had the chicken quesadilla. Mother had the crab cakes. They both enjoyed them. Salsa was not even close to my standards. Tasted like it was poured right out of the Pace Picante sauce bottle. If you tell me that was homemade, I will respond...... your kidding right? If I come back it will most likely be only for lunch.
(2)
Bob T.
Food was very fresh and good except the kids' meals were disappointing. Painted soup was excellent. Decor was nice and there is seating outside on the roof if the weather is nice. I am used to NY restaurant prices and was surprised at the meal costs. Chicken fajitas are $24/ plate and filet mignon fajitas are $36/plate. Most meals were $20/plate or more A little steep for Mexican food.
(3)
Computer U.
Stopped by this place for lunch on a rainy day. Food was very tasty. Restaurant was clean. They can go without charging $1 for the chips and salsa, but overall would go back.
(4)
Matthew Z.
Fairly nice decor and atmosphere. My first red flag was the terrible salsa. I wondered how a restaurant with 4 stars on yelp could pass with such a poor example of the most basic thing. Next was the chicken tortilla soup, also very poor. After a modest meal our bill was 160 dollars for 4 people. I would not recommend this establishment to anyone.
we love this restaurant and have been there many times. it never disappoints.
(5)
Debbie D.
This restaurant did not live up to the reviews. My husband and I had a hit-and-miss meal. The queso fundido appetizer was flavorful and cheesy. Their from scratch margarita mix made for a well balanced and delicious cocktail. My husband's burrito was also very good. Here is where everything fell apart. My dish, Sante Fe Plato Combination was a grave disappointment. The goat cheese chile relleno could barely be recognized under the heavy batter. The goat cheese tasted sour. The corn tamale tasted freezer burnt and was dry. The wild mushroom & red chile cheese enchilada tasted good but you would have to strain to find mushrooms. I told our pleasant waitress about the freezer-burnt tasting tamale but did not expound about the rest of my meal. I ate some of my husband's burrito to replace my meal. As a consolation, the restaurant offered a $4 discount. I did not ask for a discount, and I don't ask for discounts when food disappoints me. I do not write restaurant reviews but felt this one was necessary. I rely on yelp to find good meals when we are out of town. I just didn't want foodies out there thinking this place was true to its ratings. There is at least one real clinker of a meal here. I will not be back.
(2)
Ian H.
Overpriced. My wife and I each ordered different burritos. They were priced at $20 each. I love Mexican food and fusion mex food but our meals certainly didn't live up to the price. The burritos were served alone on a plate with no salad, beans, rice or any accompaniment. I would pay top dollar for great Mexican food but The Santa Fe Cafe could not deliver.
(2)
Matt R.
First off, this restaurant should not be labeled Mexican, it's Southwest cooking (as evidenced by the name). Expect chiles, not tacos. The margaritas were subpar, and somewhat disappointing. (During our dinner, the table of five each ordered one, and when round two came along, everyone switched to a non-margarita drink.) The food, however, was rather good. I had the chile relleno, and it was great. Yes, the prices are high, but so are most places on the island. The service was rather lackluster. Overall, just an alright dinner. Good food, but poor drinks and disappointing service. Dinner was not a bust, but forgettable.
(3)
Peggy G.
Always come here when on the Island, margaritas, salsa, spinach salad Is the best I have had in a long time, crab cake, cowboy steak and grouper..can't go wrong
(4)
Fred H.
Awesome atmosphere service and food. My wife had the grouper and I had the pork tenderloin. Both were delicious but her grouper was something special. Great patio area with live entertainment. I would definitely recommend this place. Santa Fe Cafe is now on my Hilton Head short list along with Red Fish and The Sage Room.
(5)
Brian T.
Home of the $23 Burrito. Ok it wasn't on the dinner menu ( on the lunch menu) but holy cow! Great guitar player/ singer. Way overpriced. Food was tasty but c'mon, I can buy 3 similar burritos at Moes for $23. Oh, and indicative of the pricing issue is the $2.50 for chips and salsa when every other Mex place around serves bowls of the stuff for free. Unlike MANY other HHI restaraunts that have folded over the past years, this place has been around a while and it appears to thrive...if it's still around in 5 years maybe I'll go back and try to figure out what I seem to be missing....
The food here is amazing! The guacamole is great! The shrimp cocktail appetizer - also delicious! The scallops santiago was one of the best dishes I have EVER eaten! The depth of flavors in this eye rolling dish are fantastic! My husband had the pork tenderloin entree and every component of that dish was also outstanding, even the black beans! To the creator(s) of these dishes and the chef(s) preparing them - applause! Every dish is unique in its spice/flavor profile, well balanced, and fresh! The shrimp, scallops and pork tenderloin were perfectly cooked. Well worth every penny....this is FINE southwestern dining! Be prepared to say YUM several times throughout this culinary experience! Well done!
(5)
Danielle J.
This place is so hidden away, i dont even know how i first came across it....but it is absolutely adorable! they have a great happy hour special, but you have to be sure to order the correct margaritas...i ordered a flavored one and they failed to tell me it was on special.. if its nice outside, the deck upstairs/outside is adorable, with a fire pit, otherwise inside is pretty nice too....very southwestern decor, but classy... the food is pretty good too, but fairly overpriced
(4)
Charlie S.
Awesome food, ambiance, service, and drinks!!
(5)
Bob W.
First time here in a few yesrs. Started with margaritas and civiche. Very good, though was surprisrd that no chips or crackers came with the civiche. Backened shrimp tacos and grilled shrimp fajitas for entrees. Both excellent. Even the black beans were tasty. Enjoyed the meal..
(4)
He M.
Very yummy painted desert soup. Decent chimichanga, much better burrito. Pricy for the quality.
(3)
Jordi G.
I am in HHI for vacation maybe two weeks of every year. A week for thanksgiving and a week or two during the summer. Restaurants here are a pretty lost cause, with poor-quality food and high prices/phony atmospheres being the norm. Santa Fe Cafe definitely had the high prices and phony atmosphere part down, but the food was okay. I wouldn't give the food more than 3.5 stars, but the atmosphere reminded me of some stupid chain restaurant where they set a movie about how much the workers hate the place and what they do to the food. We were promptly seated with a group of 10 and no reservation (don't know if this is a good or bad sign) and had a strange pseudo-obnoxious waiter with a shirt tucked into a giant belt buckle who thought he was a little too cool for being a waiter at a tex-mex restaurant, but oh well. Between the table I think i tried almost every entree on the menu. We had a nice bottle of wine, a few guacamoles, shrimp quesadilla appetizers, then I had roasted chicken myself. Tried chile rellenos plate, pork tenderloin, salmon, fajitas, lamb, corn and red pepper soup and santa fe salad. The presentation was nice (especially the soup with the cactus and desert drawn into the soup--i didn't want to eat it!!) but the food was meh. Probably won't be back but if you are in the mood for this type of food, it's worth checking out.
(3)
Ryan D.
Drinks were great as was service sat on the outdoor couch and enjoyed the live music
(5)
Sandy S.
Wonderful dining experience. Enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was superb.
(5)
Rosemarie d.
Pleasantly surprised.. this place is pretty darn great! Please note: this is NOT a cheap Mexican establishment... rather... it is a nice southwestern restaurant. As such, this place will cost you a pretty penny. The bf and I spent more than $70 for our two dishes, dessert, a beer and a margarita... all were delish... well, except the beer... sadly, I don't remember the name, I only remember that it was a local brew. I definitely recommend the outrageous chimichanga. NOM NOM NOM. The bf ordered the combination platter - chile relleno, tamale & enchilada. Portions are HUGE! We got the souffle with vanilla ice cream - delish. Definitely not a place to be missed when you're on vacation on Hilton Head Island.
(4)
Adam H.
I didn't have a problem finding the place- its no more hidden than any other business on HHI. If you have a GPS you'll find it easily- its just off the highway but there are some trees in front that could obscure the entrance. As for the food, its fantastic. Best meal I've had on the island so far. Keep in mind that this is not Mexican- its Southwest. So don't expect burritos and tacos- you'll find Grouper, Pork, Steaks and Quail on the menu. I had the cornmeal oysters for an app and the Pork Tenderloin for dinner. Both were very enjoyable. My wife had the combo with the goat cheese chili relleno and like it a lot. We brought 2 kids and went early so it wasn't a problem. We ate inside but the roof patio may have been the better choice- go there if the weather is nice. Overall the food was great, drinks were top shelf and the service was above average. Nice decor too. Highly recommended.
(5)
Corey M.
Fantastic food and atmosphere. The crab cake appetizer was delicious and the grouper entree melts in your mouth. Consider splitting a salad and entree with your date as the portions are gigantic.
(5)
Dustin L.
Great atmosphere. Ordered the Cowboy bone in Ribeye (blackened). Hands down, one of the best steaks i have had in a really long time.
(4)
Mohun K.
Good, tasty southwestern food. First time visitor to HHI, and I was not disappointed.
(4)
Fred D.
This place was hard to find, with Google (and google via yelp) being really confused about where it was. So was our resort's desk clerk, but she was close enough that we found it. The service and food were excellent. I had a grilled venison with blackberry sauce, a special for the day, that was excellent. The "painted desert" soup was absolutely superb in both taste and beautiful presentation. My family was also very impressed. My vegetarian daughter ordered a combination (chile relleno, tamale, enchilada) that she absolutely loved. (Note that it comes with a non-vegetarian sauce by default, so be sure to highlight if this is an issue.) Only caveat: I agree with the reviewer who said it is on the expensive side. And there is no children's menu; my son wound up getting a double order of cheese quesadillas for $12 for a kid. Perhaps this is par for the course when the entrees are $20-30 though.
(5)
Jimmy K.
Nice place. Good ambiance. Make reservations if going to the deck. Limited choices on menu. Portions questionable.
(3)
Benjamin B.
I am a big fan of Santa Fe. It was my first meal on Hilton Head Island, and it set a great tone for the week. Here are some thoughts: - We called on the night of our arrival and they squeezed us in with a reservation. - They have a nice outdoor patio upstairs that has an outdoor bar. - The margartia, rocks with salt, was delicious. - The chips are homemade and seem to come out hot. The salsa was also excellent. - I had the outrageous chimichanga, and it was awesome. That thing is huge. - My wife had the fajitas, and they were also awesome. The beef was a filet mignon, and it tasted great. We really wanted to do dessert, but were too full.
(5)
Lori W.
We have been fans of this restaurant for over 11 years. Serious fans. Bill is an amazing margarita maker - a must, especially with the varied styles available. The joke is that I always order the Grouper entree and vary my appetizers. Chips & salsa here should be a charge (for the guy who said he can go to Moe's ...well...this isn't Moe's and he probably thinks Moe's is too overpriced too...). Just last week, I had a new red pepper appetizer (and the grouper of course!) that was chock full of veggies. smashing. Flavors and variety: outstanding. This is a local favorite of HHI and deservedly so. Owner Marshall makes everyone feel welcome too. The rooftop bar is worth a visit - very unique. We've had great service every time too - they know what to recommend and they know the menu well. There is a reason Santa Fe has thrived and expanded. sometimes I'm tempted to drive the 8 hours from DC just to get a fix...
(5)
Lexy S.
Decided to come for Cinco de Mayo. Ordered the Lux Margarita made with fresh limes. Very good. No heartburn from bad margarita mix here. Received the guacamole before our drinks but no big deal. I have to say each time we come the food is good and the server was much better than the last 2 times, but the service is sooo slow. I think they have too many tables or something, because I saw him working hard. But, I never had water, margaritas, or chips:(
(3)
George L.
We are big fans of Santa Fe, & try to visit every time we are on the island. It has a nice ambiance & we look forward to the rooftop on a warmer visit. Good margarita's & beer selection. The guac is very good. You must try the Painted Desert Soup. It actually has a desert scene decorated on the top, looks great & tastes great too. The pork is very nice as is the burrito. Our service has always been good. Is it expensive? I am from Chicago so I didn't think so. When your in HHI, visit Santa Fe!
(4)
Douglas O.
I agree, this place is not the easiest to find. We passed it several times from the hotel. The food took a while but was very good. The Chicken Quesadilla, Soup, salad combo was the perfect size dish. The servers were friendly, food delivered promptly (when ready by the kitchen). The design of the place flowed well, and would be a place to go back and enjoy a few drinks and apps for the next visit while on holiday. I don't see an option for "Parking in the trees" but that is where we ended up parking!
(4)
Daniel P.
The food was excellent! The service was superb! The ambiance was authentic!
(5)
Todd S.
The bathroom was very dirty, the portions were small, and the prices were far too expensive.
(2)
Ree N.
Wow! The food presentation was wonderful and all of our selections were over the top fabulous! I had the Painted Desert Soup that was a definite work of art!!
(5)
Blake W.
Awesome food and service! One of my favorite places to go for a nice dinner for years. Intelligent menu, not the average hilton head restaurant.
(5)
Arnold D.
Santa Fe Cafe was not my first choice. In fact, the only reason I ate there was because I hadn't made real plans for dinner last Saturday and every other restaurant I went to was PACKED! The restaurant was mostly full when I got there a little after 8:30, and since I was eating by myself I grabbed a seat at the otherwise empty bar. The bartender greeted me immediately, kept talking to me as he made my drink, then began talking to me about my dinner options. I chose the Cowboy steak, which was huge and delicious and opted for the pistachio cheesecake for desert on the recommendation of another guest. The food was fantastic, the portions were extremely generous, the service was top notch and the general vibe of the entire place was classy but not at all pretentious. I'm writing this now because I'm headed back for dinner tonight. If you're looking for something substantial and gratifying, I can't recommend Santa Fe Cafe enough!
(4)
Jennifer V.
We are visiting in Hilton Head and figured we would go here based on the decent reviews and the proximity to our hotel. We showed up pretty early (around 5:30) and it wasn't too busy yet. I got the grouper and my husband got the combination plate. The grouper was delicious and my husband thought his was good, but nothing spectacular. I thought it was a bit overpriced too and you had to pay for chips & salsa, which is usually complimentary at Mexcian restaurants.
(4)
Mason W.
The best meal yet during trip. The oysters were a tasty start and the grouper was excellent. We finished with chocolate mousse that was rich and delish!
(4)
Larry M.
Beautiful restaurant with limited options for vegans...but given how generally vegan-unfriendly Hilton Head is, any options are good ones. They were helpful in identifying a couple of dishes we could eat (veg fajitas and burrito) and the presentations were lovely. The fajitas were over peppered so we weren't charged for them. Great margarita. Pretty empty late Dec and late eve on a Tuesday, but looks like the kind of place that draws crowds in season. Really nice outdoor roof deck, too.
(4)
David B.
The island's Southwestern restaurant is a great place to order a top shelf marg and unwind on the rooftop patio. Great guac, chips, salsa, soup, salads, and entrees like quail, tenderloin fajitas, salmon, etc.
(4)
Ratna P.
This place was great! The atmosphere is sophisticated, and the food was delicious. My family and I are vegetarian, and though there were not a bunch of options on the menu, there were several variations available for some of the dishes. For example the Outrageous Chimichanga, which you could get with black beans, rice, and veggies instead of beef and chicken. This is what I had, and it was delicious! We also ordered chips, salsa, and queso as starters, and they were pretty good, especially the queso. For our entrees, my mom had the Santa Fe Salad, and she enjoyed it, saying it had an interesting flavor and was very fresh. My dad had the Santa Fe Plato Combination, which he liked a lot, saying it had a unique number of ingredients that worked well together, like the wild mushroom and red chile cheese enchilada. The service was very good, too: the waiter was friendly and ready to meet our vegetarian needs. My only complaint would be that the tables were a bit small considering the plates were pretty big. It is expensive here, but worth it in my opinion. Check it out if you are ever in the area!
(5)
Grant R.
Had the lamb which was delicious, wife had chimichanga and liked it. Nice on the roof top - nice place but a bit overpriced.
(4)
Stephanie C.
Great food, great atmosphere. The first time we went, the atmosphere was ruined due to some loud children, but the second time it was perfect. It is a little pricey but worth it.
(5)
Stephanie D.
Excellent! Eat on the rooftop..open sky, great music, split the fajita's.
(5)
Todd M.
Great food. The grouper melts in your mouth and has a slight spicy kick. The lamb was seasoned nicely and cooked to perfection. Service was excellent. A word of caution: the area upstairs can get get noisy!
(5)
Leslie B.
Had a wonderful dining experience here last night. We ate outdoors and listened to live music, a very talented guitar player. The menu is broad, including chicken, steak, lamb and also more typical southwestern fare. I recommend the painted desert soup, guacamole, pork tenderloin, chicken and salmon. We didn't have room for dessert , but saw some great looking sundaes go by. Will definitely return!
(4)
Mandy Y.
Overpriced! The margaritas were good and the tortilla soup was good. Don't get the soup to go! $7 for about 3/4 c. of soup is a rip off. Ha! Absolutely not worth the $$.
(2)
Panda P.
Great food and Margaritas! I highly recommend this place.
(4)
William B.
We have avoided this restaurant for many years. We gave in on this trip. We were well rewarded. A great menu backed up by great food and service. We will go back on our next trip to Hilton Head Island in the spring.
(5)
Michael S.
Every time Im down around this way I make it a point to come by this place! Everything about this place is wonderful, from the ambiance to the wait staff to the food. If you're in Hilton head, this is a must!
(5)
Glenn P.
Never disappointed at Santa Fe! Lamb Chops were unbelievable! Grouper always excellent. This is probably one if the BEST restaurants to which I have ever been!
(5)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :807 William Hilton Pkwy,Ste 700
Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Kathea S.
After several visits, we are officially moving this restaurant off the visit list for HHI. After my last review, the owner did email asking what could be improved. I told him it was attitude not the food and he hoped we would come back. We were able to come last Tuesday. I let him know that. I'd hoped that he would stop by and at least acknowledge that we came in to spend money. Not the case. The food as always was very good. They should add the sampler platter to the menu and offer the duck taquitos on the main menu. Service was very slow. It took at least 10 minutes to get our drinks. Although since we had a clear view of the bar we could tell that was the bartenders fault and not our waitress. It then took a while for our meal to be served. We paid and left. We were not acknowledged as we walked out the door as the host seemed more interested in chatting with staff. Again the food was good but the service is not worth paying for.
(2)Anthony B.
Great place. Service was good food was hot and well presented. Would recommend this place to anyone
(4)Violet B.
One of my favorite places on the island. So much so, that I went twice in one trip! The rooftop patio and live music is the absolute best, so relaxing and romantic. Then you add that all of their food is amazing. From the fresh guacamole, soups, salad, and steaks. My boyfriend loved the painted desert soup so much that he orders 2 bowls back to back. I look forward to going every every time I go to Hilton Head.
(5)Douglas H.
Outrageous Chimichanga is the way to go here. Great presentation and mouthwatering fillings you will definitely have left overs of this beast! Great house margaritas. The salsa and guac were a little bland which left me giving them a 4 instead of 5 stars. Upstairs bar area is very quaint open air with couches and fire. Nice staff very friendly go get the finest chimichanga on the island!
(4)Lee P.
I have had the pleasure of dining at Santa Fe a number of times over the past 20 years while visiting Hilton Head from Chicago. This is an impressive restaurant. Any restaurant that stays in business this long is impressive on its own. But Santa Fe has improved over the years. The food is perfectly prepared. And the menu is unique -- true southwestern in a community on the opposite coast. Each visit is more than worth every penny.
(5)Danny R.
Great meal. My wife love the painted Desert Soup and I loved the black Angus ribeye. I had it blackened and it was done perfectly. We ate on the roof, which was okay but not anything spectacular. Service was very good. We will be back.
(5)Elliott B.
Every year when in HHI, the family makes sure we stop at Santa Fe because it is one of our favorites on the island. We really enjoy being able to relax with the cozy atmosphere, and eat the meal that is reliable to be good. While this is no gourmet French restaurant, it is a very good stop for Mexican food with no fuss. While the prices may be steep, it is definitely worth it. The flavors, and quality of food is always high, and there's something on the menu for all ages and tastes. Family favorites include the painted desert soup which provides a perfect blend of spice and sweetness. Not to mention, the presentation is excellent. The cowboy steak is also a must for meat lovers. Blackened and always cooked to perfection, the steak is served with a fried onion garnish and it's just as good the next day as a leftover. The ceviche and grouper is also delicious and fresh. With those few items, you're guaranteed a 4 star meal. While they do have other delicious options, I encourage people to try the restaurant a few times to find what they like, because it certainly has a lot of hidden delights!
(4)Vikki T.
You have to admit most menu prices at the beach are going to be overpriced or more than you would expect to pay for something comparable "back home". Despite the reviews I read on Yelp I was looking for a convenient location for dinner on my own and Mexican sounded very appealing. I made a reservation online for 8:00 p.m. and was seated immediately after I arrived. It was a Wednesday night and the restaurant was quite crowded. I figured that was a good sign but most tables were large families with children which equates to visitors and not locals. I opened the menu and was taken aback at the prices. $5 for cheese dip isn't bad but Mexican dishes at an average of $25 a plate??? I had committed at this point. I figured if the rib eye burrito is almost $30 then it must be spectacular. So I ordered it. The cheese dip was fair. The service was okay and the rib eye burrito was quite disappointing. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't $30 good either. If anyone wants to tell me you pay for atmosphere then I want some money back. The place was like a Southwestern Romper Room.
(2)Tom T.
Four of us had a wonderful dinner at SFC our last night on HHI last week. The menu is varied and interesting, the wine list pretty good, the service terrific, the atmosphere energetic, and the food absolutely wonderful. Three of us had the grouper and loved it, and my lamb chops were among the best I've ever eaten. It may not seem a logical choice when on a coastal island, but this is a don't-miss, in our collective opinion. Be sure to make a reservation.
(5)Liz M.
Delicious!! This was a wonderful restaurant with incredible food. Family friendly too.
(5)Christopher R.
Way too expensive for what you get. 30 dollars for an entree and not even a house salad? Luke out server was very good and personable even though it was only his second day. Nice wine list and drinks but when it comes to the food for the price it's not worth it. Had the stuffed free range chicken, which should have noted it wasn't anything more than a thigh, and it was small and very dry with no sauce whatsoever. Very good flavor though. Many other choices to go to for a better, more inexpensive dinner. Was disappointed. Edit: I moved my rating to a 3 from a 2 because the owner did email me about my concerns and that shows to me that their is care for this place of business, Plus, after writing him back I did not take into account that the 2 people I was with did enjoy their meal and I should have mentioned that. Will be visiting Santa Fe Cafe again and will write a follow up and my experience. Which I hope is much better.
(3)Mark S.
Southwest cuisine, done in some interesting ways. Got there early, and had a seat at the bar. We were tempted to just eat there, we had a comfortable spot, and excellent bartender, but decided to head to our table. We had a grilled shrimp cocktail which was fantastic. You could get two of these and a salad, and make a great dinner out of it. We both got the filet fajitas. This is a pricey item, but well worth it. Very flavorful and totally delicious. Went perfectly with the bottle of Bordeaux we ordered. No room for dessert for us but I saw a few go by that looked tempting. If you are on Hilton Head Island, I would put this one on your "check it out" list, for sure!
(4)Jane D.
The food was really good but not worth the price, especially given the inattentive server. Even when called to our table, she left aruptly as fast as she could get away and was very fogetful, like when my teenage son asked for his coke to be refilled she didn't even know she'd forgotten until at least 10 minutes later when we spotted her again. She was very quick to say "no" to every special request we made (I think we stopped at 2 because of her bad attitude) such as when we asked if since there is no kid's menu, can my 11 year old son order a 1/2 plate of 2 lambchops instead of 4. There wasn't even a crowd so really there was just no excuse to not be attentive unless hers was she was bitter for being called to work during the USC-LSU football game when most everyone else was somewhere else watching the game. The atmosphere is nice and on the rooftop they even have a small band playing. If you want to watch tv say for a ballgame, stay downstairs because unless you are sitting at the bar, you won't be able to see it upstairs. This was the 2nd time I have been to this restaurant. On the first trip, the service wasn't as bad. The food actually was better the second trip. Both times, I thought the price was too high for what you get.
(3)Michelle P.
This was fabulous! Our new favorite restaurant in Hilton Head. The Painted Desert Soup is a must!
(5)TJ M.
Long black hair in my food - enough said!
(1)Victor M.
Ok, my very first review! This place is GREAT! The black bean soup and the guacamole are to DIE for. I actually met Marshall tonight. He is the owner and was aweso e to deal with! Great guy!
(5)Jessica B.
Upscale Mexican! We got the Lux margarita. Definitely get the guacamole for an appetizer. Loved the painted desert soup. It is a creamed based soup but it was served piping hot and it was delicious. I also had the ribeye burrito and only ate half because it was ENORMOUS but it made for some great leftovers. I will admit it was the most expensive burrito I've ever had but it was very satisfying. My boyfriend had the chicken fajitas- the chicken is served as a full chicken breast which he loved instead of having small strips of chicken since he is a protein lover. Overall we had a great time there.
(4)Jennifer J.
It is our first time to Hilton Head and we like to eat where the locals eat. This place was great. We lucked into sitting at the Chef's table (or really the Chef's bar). It was great to see the chefs work. They were a well oiled machine but they were still personable and answered any questions. We had the chicken BBQ tacos and shrimp tacos. They could not get any better.
(5)Eddie K.
My wife and I used to love sitting at the Chef's table and watching them prepare our food. But the last couple of times the bone-in ribeye was not very good. But sit on the deck and have the Painted Desert soup and the nachos. Margaritas are fantastic!
(3)Christopher W.
Second time in a year. Food was amazing. Prices are fair. You have to get the Chimichangas!!!
(5)Malissia M.
On our 30th annual vacation to Hilton Head, we found this place, which we had never seen or considered (how? It's right off 278 and visible from the street...) Anyhow, most of our party of 7 loves all things Mexican or tex mex or any variety thereof, so we gave it a spin. We were seated pretty close to our reservation time, after they shimmied a round table and a square table together. Simply stated, the waitress was way too busy to take on a party of 7. She greeted us after several minutes. She ran several tables' food before taking our drink orders, etc. but she was pleasant, so there's that. Apps came out before drinks, but I suppose that's understandable, salsa and queso is easier than 6 margaritas and a glass of wine. We ordered our food as the margaritas came out and honestly it felt like it took ages for the food to come out. Another staff member brought it out, which is fine, but my grandmother's fajitas probably took 4-5 minutes longer than the rest of the family's entrees. Not perfect. Fajita portion was small, but reported to be tasty. The pork chops were great, according to my dad, and I had a shrimp Diablo special that was so spicy (great for me! But take their "spicy" label to mean just that) and I loved it! It wasn't all that big, but more than enough for me. Boyfriend's chimichanga was huge! And good quality. The salmon was beautiful and very good. All in all, it was not a restaurant I'll be dreaming about in the future but it was fun to try.
(3)Brian D.
Great service. Bent over backwards to seat us ASAP. We sat close to the door and saw them provide the same good service to an unannounced patty of 9. They were busy but moved some tables and got them seated within 15 minutes. Oh, the food was awesome as well. Salsa was fresh and the sirloin burrito was something else. House Margarita mix wasn't too sweet, just right.
(4)Isaiah F.
Hide yo children! Hide yo wives! Hide yo wallets! Decent Mexican fare and nice atmosphere but too pricey for what you get. For the quality/quantity of food you get the price point needs to take a step or two down. We started off with the app sampler and were disappointed on the flavor. There was none. The crab cakes were by far the best part of it and they were tiny. Next we split the shrimp fajitas which were pretty good. It comes with 6 large shrimp which is plenty for the 4 tortillas they give you. The previous paragraph is just as blah as the food we got. No flavor, no style, no substance. On a positive note, the service was great, the atmosphere was nice and there's live music outside.
(3)Jeff K.
Sit outside, the guitarist Raymundo makes the experience unlike any other on the island. Food is good, but a bit pricey.
(4)Walter P.
Ate there three nights ago. I got the jambalaya and my wife got the steak fajitas. She thoroughly enjoyed the fajitas, and stated that she's never had such tender meat in a fajita. The jambalaya was fantastic. Definitely had some heat to it. I liked that. The churros were a bit lack luster, unfortunately, however the presentation was fantastic. Lastly, I had the painted desert soup. It tasted good, but the presentation was a work of art. I was quite impressed. Definitely on the pricey side, but I think it was worth it. Lastly, the service was fantastic!
(4)Jen V.
Santa Fe Café is one of my favorite restaurants on the island! Start with a glass of their fantastic sangria, it is really good! Pair that with their painted desert soup... I repeat, get their painted desert soup. Not only does it taste really good, it is beautiful! I have tried a few things on the menu but I always come back to the quail for my main dish. It is so sweet/savory but is such a nice mix. I can't say enough good things about this place, the food is delicious, the service is good, and the atmosphere is fun. A must try for a nice dinner on the island. I always come back :)
(5)Devon N.
Had the veggie fajitas, awesome grilled flavor!! Sopapillas were amazing! Great atmosphere
(4)Tim E.
Loved this place. In an area with so many dinner options this place stands out. The smell of mesquite welcomes you as soon as you exit your parked vehicle. If you like fresh guacamole - don't pass it up. This place isn't just Mexican food. We had everything from fresh seafood to the Cowboy cut bone in ribeye. Everything came out in a fabulous presentation and the flavors didn't disappoint. Great options, fairly priced, nice atmosphere and good service. The only reason for four stars and not five is because I didn't get my preordered glass of "wine with dinner" until I was half way through with my crab cakes. Once received it was a perfect pairing. That said, don't pass this place up when in HHI.
(4)Todd B.
Great place. Be sure to make reservations for the roof top or sit at the bar where no reservations are needed. Hidden oasis in Hilton Head, live music starts at 7pm. Fajitas, ribeye burrito, chimichanga, all were done to perfection. Not your run of the mill food here. Lux margarita was delicious, fresh juices, nice mix of tequila, fresh and tart how a real margarita should taste. Everything about this place was great, but go for the roof top.
(5)Kayla J.
Terrible Service, Terrible Margaritas, Great Chips & Salsa. First of all...we waited 2 hours for our food, when it arrived, one of the orders was wrong and it took AN HOUR for them to bring the corrected meal. Our entire family had already eaten and plates had been cleared before the remaining meal was brought and at that point, we had already waited over 2 hours for our food so we just asked for it to be boxed up. After 45 minutes, we finally asked for a manager, who happened to also be the bartender (what type of restaurant doesn't have a manager on the floor constantly check on tables, food, kitchen, etc but rather behind the bar oblivious to everything going on in the dining area?). Secondly, margaritas were extremely weak...didn't even think there was alcohol in them so I had to ask for a shot of tequila on the side to pour into it. I felt bad for the lady waiting on our table as I knew she was new but due to lack of management and understaffed restaurant, there was only so much she could do to appease the situation.
(1)Kateryna G.
The food: 4/5. We started with guac, queso and salsa. Generally, I have low expectations for complementary salsa, but it was surprisingly flavorful. Guac portion was smaller than I expected, but it was also good. I ordered their house special grouper, and while the fish was very moist, the crust was a little too thick and greasy for my taste. The side of rice and veggies was very good. For dessert I got Kahlua mousse which was great but also rich, so one order is probably better to be shared. Margaritas were nice and strong. The service: 5/5. The service was attentive and always there when needed. The place itself is very cute with an outdoor patio and live music. It would make a great location for a celebration or a romantic date night. Overall: 4.5/5. A solid dinner option for Mexican food and/or seafood.
(4)Jen A.
Best Rib-eye ever and I'm from Texas!!!! Loved the atmosphere and service. Highly recommend this to anyone traveling to Hilton Head.
(5)Nikki W.
Fantastic meal to start a trip to the island. The cheviche was incredibly fresh and a good hearty portion at that. There were no complaints with the chicken tacos either, except they were a little scant on the BBQ sauce. . Highlights include attentive and friendly staff and the best dag gum margaritas I've had in a long time. A bit pricey but very worth it.
(4)Tim A.
The Lix margarita is authentic and smooth, can't recommend passing it up. I had the shredded beef burrito and this thing was huge. Bigger doesn't always mean better, but in this case it definitely did. The decor is unique and attractive, and the staff was patient and attentive. Didn't bother us, but came when we needed them.
(5)Tina H.
I hadn't eaten here in 20 years, loved it back in the day, so I wanted to check it out. Food is still really good! Started with the guacamole, was a bit bland and presentation wasn't great, but it was still good. I ordered the Chimichanga as my entree and it was definitely impressive and delicious :) My husband ordered dessert (I had a bite), a bread pudding of sorts, and it was also good. All in all, it was a good meal I would go back for sure!
(4)Janet C.
You can't go wrong with any of their food. I've had and LOVED: Painted Desert Soup, Santa Fe Salad, Outrageous Chimichanga, Ribeye Burrito, Filet Fajitas, Grouper, Cowboy Cut Ribeye, and more! Always a favorite in our family!
(5)Leslie B.
I really enjoyed Sante Fe Cafe. We shared the fried oysters, ceviche, each had the Painted Desert soup and shared the grouper entree. My two favorites were the ceviche and painted desert soup! Honestly a meal in itself. The ceviche portion is huge and so full of fresh flavors. The desert soup had a nice kick to it. Great flavor. I liked the grouper- it is rich! We were so full by the time the entree came. Their serving sizes are very generous. I enjoyed the white sangria too!
(4)Natasha V.
This place is great! The salsa is amazing. I also loved the painted soup. I got the fajita which is kinda build your own. I love this place great Mexican food.
(5)Jenna T.
Loved the painted soup and the rooftop! Live music at night really set the mood :-) My husband had a "man" moment when he was able to order a 40 oz steak. Make sure to make reservations in advance for their rooftop patio!
(5)Debbie S.
Beautiful, comfy roof top patio, great service, fantastic guacamole, and LOVED the wine (The Boxer - Molly Dooker Shiraz). Great experience, will go back!
(5)Steve F.
Went back again for a second time. Again it was excellent. We Had the Painted Dessert soup and Santa Fe Salad, the Jambalaya and the short ribs.
(5)Gary L.
Salsa and chips tasted like jar salsa and grocery store chips. The crab cakes were half cooked and cold. The blackened tile fish was good, the rice and vegetables were cold. The best part was the service, but not much else. Wouldn't waste my dinner time here a second time.
(1)Jackie H.
Great Mexican food but expect much higher prices than your typical Mexican joint. Salsa was so so I like mine with more kick but that's just me. The outrageous chimichanga was exactly as advertised and the ribeye burrito was phenomenal. The gauc is just ok but the queso dip was killer.
(4)S V.
First dinner we went to on our honeymoon and probably my favorite. I love Mexican food but this wasn't very typical for Mexican. Their salsa and chips were excellent. Not sure if I was just really hungry, but the chips were fresh and the salsa was very tasty. The salsa seemed like it was very freshly made and we were really happy with that. The service was pretty spot on. All the wait staff was really attentive and paid really close attention to us. I opted for the ribeye burrito. Amazing. If I go back anytime soon, I think I might try just the ribeye. I thought, hey, they're gonna but some steak in a tortilla with some other stuff and boom. But no, they actually put in a medium cooked ribeye inside the burrito. Plus, they had some really good beans and other fixings inside the burrito. But the real kicker was the sauce that came around the burrito on the plate. Damn! That was some amazing sauce. I would've licked my plate, but I didn't want to scare my new bride. I highly recommend this place. We sat on the roof and the ambience was great. Do yourself a favor and hit this place while you're on the island.
(5)Ryan N.
Lovely location for lunch with a wide array of items on the menu for everyone to enjoy. I chose the fish tacos and was not disappointed. The fish was a little big for the taco shell, but I'm not one to complain for it being too big! Seating was quick, especially for a group of eight. Server was attentive and friendly. Definitely check this place out when visiting Hilton Head Island!
(4)Lesley P.
Our experience at the Sante Fe Cafe was quite nice. We had the ribeye, the blackened tilapia and the chicken fajitas. All were good. The service was fine and I loved being able to book a reservation through Open Table.
(4)Robert F.
The margaritas were very good! Food and service were just ok. I had the shrimp cocktail to start. The shrimp was undercooked and the sauce was average. I enjoyed the blackened tilapia. The service was a little lacking as well. It won't be my first choice the next time I am in Hilton Head but I might return.
(3)Kevin W.
Went here with a gal who has lived in Santa Fe, .... She was impressed. The food was delicious, I got the chicken fajitas, she got the burrito. The scene is cool, sorta woody, with the southwest santa fe feel.
(5)Ryan W.
Great queso but the had NO ENCHILADAS. How can you be called a Mexican restaurant with out enchiladas.
(2)Maura W.
Filet Mignon fajitas. Need I say more?! This place is the best. Every year when we are in Hilton ahead we go here at least once. The wait staff is the same each year, margaritas are awesome, live music is perfect after a day in the sun, and the food is just wonderful. Awesome for those with celiac and gluten sensitivities, like me! Sit at the chefs table and watch them cook! So very friendly and fun.
(5)Jill C.
I would like to know how they were able to advise guests that the average cost was $30 and they get you in the door with an online advisory of $$ only. Please check out the menu before you load the teens in the car and decide this is economical. Do the math. Secondly, I loved their margaritas, but they serve them in regular glasses---sturdy ones, like the kind from which you drink milk in a diner. If they want $10-12 for a margarita, they should sport the cost of presenting the classic glasses. Burrito was good--quality ingredients but not worth $18. I got a burrito. Rice would have been another $5.00. The guacamole was pretty, but very creamy....I tend to like mine on the chunky side. Salsa also very thin. Mole sauce was sweet. Zero music. It was thunderstorming, so I doubt the band was on the patio.....it sounded like a cafeteria in there. Atmosphere was nice and Santa Fe-looking. Service was perfect. But I won't be back.
(2)David T.
2/22/15 Bonus night in Hilton Head (courtesy of Delta cancelled flights-- they took 3 days away coming down, and gave one back going home)! OK, so 2nd attempt at BBQ -- Bullies, closed! Hungry, so, what's around? thanks, Yelp! This was some awesome Mexican, and yes, with a BBQ flare! Caution -- do not go here if you aren't hungry! How can you go wrong with fresh chips, salsa & guac? You can't, at least not here! Next up, Painted Desert Soup -- two soups side by side with a beautiful painted cactus scene on it -- just like the picture, and delicious! Ceviche was also delicious -- just needed a bit more liquid, and the caesar with fresh anchovy didn't disappoint! Mains -- Chicken quesadilla was delicious; and then 3 of us split 2 orders of BBQ Chicken Tacos plus 1 Shrimp Fajita. Yup. We still got our BBQ, just had to go to a mexican restaurant for it! The CK BBQ WAS AMAZING! Everything was delicious, but this was their 5 star item for sure!
(4)Dave B.
We met some friends here and had a fantastic time. I had the Grouper, and it was excellent. We have four more days on the island, and I will go back for another Grouper, and of course, a few tasty margaritas! Enjoy!
(5)Gina H.
This is my favorite lunch place. Fish tacos and burrito is fantastic The desert soup and sante fe salad is fantastic. Also the best whole made margarita on the island my kids love the food prices are reasonable
(5)Megan R.
Had a fantastic dinner at Santa Fe on Monday evening. The service was excellent and they happily allowed us to wait out a heavy storm at our table. We started with a Caesar salad, Painted Desert Soup and Tortilla Soup. All the starters were fresh and had layers of flavor not always found in traditional soups or salads. My companions shared a Cowboy steak! It was enormous but so tender and delicious that they finished every last bite! My meal was the Tortilla Crusted Salmon. The presentation was beautiful. The touch of creamy sauce on top complimented the crunchy salmon perfectly! To end the night we had sopapillas. Fluffy and light dough balls served with coconut ice cream? Yes please!! I will be coming back here every visit to HHI!!
(5)Chris L.
I highly recommend coming here! This is one of the best restaurants in all of hilton head! The food is simply delicious.try the black bean soup or the delicious chimichangas! The salsa is fresh an tastes great! Top notch service just make sure to call ahead because they're busy during the summer!
(5)Paula W.
As others have noted the Painted Desert soup was a delight. Lovely service, great meals, charming atmosphere. We have been to the Santa Fe Cooking School in Santa Fe and this restaurant channels its unique favors.
(5)Sid A.
Painted soup was great. Server was great. I had pork tenderloin (highly recommend). Sweet potato straws were good and very decorative. Not a fan of refried black bean dish. My daughter has filet mignon fajitas. Steak was delicious and cooked perfectly. Things keeping it from 5* 1. Decor 2. Chairs or lower price. We're be back.
(4)Karen R.
This place is nothing short of fabulous. My mom and I were caught in a heinous thunderstorm and were looking for a place to get some decent food that wasn't a chain. We walking in in yoga pants and sweaters and sat at the bar, so we were concerned we were too casual because immediately upon walking in, the ambience and decor was so astonishing. Anyways- food was friggin awesome - painted desert soup gets a double A+ from this girl, and I would rather pay decent prices for quality food. If you want a $5 burrito, go to Taco Bell. Nothing to complain about here - MUST TRY!!!!!
(5)Heather T.
Chips and salsa are very good. The quesadilla, soup and salad combo is enough for two in my opinion and is very tasty. The painted soup is very good. Good kids selections just cut the shredded beef up in the taco a bit more for the kiddos. Margaritas were just okay. Overall a very good place and very good service.
(4)Rhonda L.
We had a really special meal here in a beautiful setting on our trip to Hilton Head. The fried oysters were luscious, the Cowboy Steak cooked to perfection, and my rib-eye burrito unlike anything I had eaten before. My husband is still talking about his fajitas. I am not sure what kind of margarita I had, but it was the best I have ever tasted. Yes, it is pricey - but the service, food, and atmosphere made the price worthwhile.
(5)Melissa D.
Always a great spot! I've been here so many times. I love their patio and live music! The food and service are great. I've never had a bad dish here. The margaritas are great as well.
(4)Mary S.
Loved the painted desert soup and the dinner salad. D. had a pork chop dinner that was also excellent.
(5)P M.
Ok we gave this place another try with some friends. There were 8 of us... Cadillac margaritas were really good. Monster Ribeye was great! Still the odd fajitas had everyone laughing...what is that? Lol...make sure and not order the $2 worth of chicken for the $24+ they charge. Waiter was really good and attentive! The tall girl who ran the food was a real odd ball. All in all the company and ambience made the night fun.
(3)Amy H.
The Painted Dessert soup is terrific. Presentations of all entrees are attractive. Service is attentive and friendly. Restaurant decor is cozy. The appetizer sampler has something for everyone and enough to share for 4 people. The chips that they serve with salsa taste homemade. I like their white sangria. It's not too sweet.
(5)Diana B.
This is the best mixture of rustic and tex-mex ever! The happy hour drinks are excellent and stay around for dinner afterwards. The upstairs bar with comfortable seating and a fireplace (when it is cold) is incredible - and the margaritas Scott makes are perfect!
(5)Michelle B.
Such a wonderful meal! Service was attentive but not overbearing. Food was excellent. The painted desert soup was the perfect blend of flavors, not heavy but filling. The stuffed portobella is a lovely combination of veggies. Again, filling but not heavy. Fabulous! We will be returning soon!
(5)Lorenzo G.
Went here for dinner last night with my parents, girlfriend, and her sister. I must say we were quite disappointed, which is unfortunate because the Cowboy cut was good but that was about it. We made reservations the night before. We were seated in an area so dark we could barely see each others faces let alone our food. To make matters worse, the food runner spilled burrito juice all down my back while bringing out our food, which ruined my shirt and made dinner that much more uncomfortable to go with the horrible seating. She barely apologized and didn't even tell our server. The service was severely lack luster, we saw our server only a few times, and she didn't even say anything while clearing the plates and saw 3 out of the 5 guests had barely touched their food because the sauce was overbearing and soaking the food. As a longtime resident of Hilton Head I am so disappointed with Santa Fe and I will not be returning for a meal there, ever.
(1)Hoke S.
My wife and I make it a point to have a date night here on every trip to Hilton Head. The food is excellent and the ambience perfect for a great conversation.
(4)Shawn H.
First off, I am having a very hard time with this review. Mainly due to some of the prices on the menu..... for what it is. Being from, born, raised in California and of Mexican descent, I have eaten so much Mexican/Southwestern food it is ridiculous. I know Hilton Head is an upscale getaway for people with money to burn. I have money to burn but this was a hard pill to swallow. $21 for a Chimichanga, fish tacos.....come on. Pay for chips and salsa? You will never find that at any restaurant on the west coast, no matter how pricy. If you can charge $18 for a simple burrito, you can give complimentary chips and salsa. Steaks and the pork seemed to be fairly priced. Well lets get on with the review..... Service: Host was nice and seated us promptly. We had an early reservation for 5:30. Started getting busy around 6ish. Our waitress was fantastic!!! Knew the menu well and was very pleasant. Ambiance: Very nice. Typical for a southwestern restaurant. Did not get a chance to visit the upstairs area or the patio as some of the other reviewers say it is great. Food: I ordered from the early dining menu ($24) and had painted desert soup to start. Fantastic!!! Great flavor. Followed with the outrageous chimichanga. Although it was good, nothing to write home about. It did not seem to be fried at all. The tortilla was barely crisp. I was watching the servers take it to other tables and those seemed to have the beautiful golden brown color you would find. I guess it is different when you order from the early menu. That, and my dessert (Churros) seemed to be a smaller portion than the regular menu items. I ended up being a little pissed off about this when my daughters ordered the churros for dessert and theirs came with a choice of vanilla or coconut ice cream in addition. Mine was only the churros. Had I have known this, I would have gladly paid the $28.50+ and ordered from the regular menu. Kids both had the regular burrito. Not bad. Wife had the chicken quesadilla. Mother had the crab cakes. They both enjoyed them. Salsa was not even close to my standards. Tasted like it was poured right out of the Pace Picante sauce bottle. If you tell me that was homemade, I will respond...... your kidding right? If I come back it will most likely be only for lunch.
(2)Bob T.
Food was very fresh and good except the kids' meals were disappointing. Painted soup was excellent. Decor was nice and there is seating outside on the roof if the weather is nice. I am used to NY restaurant prices and was surprised at the meal costs. Chicken fajitas are $24/ plate and filet mignon fajitas are $36/plate. Most meals were $20/plate or more A little steep for Mexican food.
(3)Computer U.
Stopped by this place for lunch on a rainy day. Food was very tasty. Restaurant was clean. They can go without charging $1 for the chips and salsa, but overall would go back.
(4)Matthew Z.
Fairly nice decor and atmosphere. My first red flag was the terrible salsa. I wondered how a restaurant with 4 stars on yelp could pass with such a poor example of the most basic thing. Next was the chicken tortilla soup, also very poor. After a modest meal our bill was 160 dollars for 4 people. I would not recommend this establishment to anyone.
(2)Myra H.
I am a repeat customer. There is much more to this restaurant than great Mexican flavors. Cowboy cut ribeye is outstanding and big enough to share. I also recommend the lamb entrée.
(4)Janice G.
we love this restaurant and have been there many times. it never disappoints.
(5)Debbie D.
This restaurant did not live up to the reviews. My husband and I had a hit-and-miss meal. The queso fundido appetizer was flavorful and cheesy. Their from scratch margarita mix made for a well balanced and delicious cocktail. My husband's burrito was also very good. Here is where everything fell apart. My dish, Sante Fe Plato Combination was a grave disappointment. The goat cheese chile relleno could barely be recognized under the heavy batter. The goat cheese tasted sour. The corn tamale tasted freezer burnt and was dry. The wild mushroom & red chile cheese enchilada tasted good but you would have to strain to find mushrooms. I told our pleasant waitress about the freezer-burnt tasting tamale but did not expound about the rest of my meal. I ate some of my husband's burrito to replace my meal. As a consolation, the restaurant offered a $4 discount. I did not ask for a discount, and I don't ask for discounts when food disappoints me. I do not write restaurant reviews but felt this one was necessary. I rely on yelp to find good meals when we are out of town. I just didn't want foodies out there thinking this place was true to its ratings. There is at least one real clinker of a meal here. I will not be back.
(2)Ian H.
Overpriced. My wife and I each ordered different burritos. They were priced at $20 each. I love Mexican food and fusion mex food but our meals certainly didn't live up to the price. The burritos were served alone on a plate with no salad, beans, rice or any accompaniment. I would pay top dollar for great Mexican food but The Santa Fe Cafe could not deliver.
(2)Matt R.
First off, this restaurant should not be labeled Mexican, it's Southwest cooking (as evidenced by the name). Expect chiles, not tacos. The margaritas were subpar, and somewhat disappointing. (During our dinner, the table of five each ordered one, and when round two came along, everyone switched to a non-margarita drink.) The food, however, was rather good. I had the chile relleno, and it was great. Yes, the prices are high, but so are most places on the island. The service was rather lackluster. Overall, just an alright dinner. Good food, but poor drinks and disappointing service. Dinner was not a bust, but forgettable.
(3)Peggy G.
Always come here when on the Island, margaritas, salsa, spinach salad Is the best I have had in a long time, crab cake, cowboy steak and grouper..can't go wrong
(4)Fred H.
Awesome atmosphere service and food. My wife had the grouper and I had the pork tenderloin. Both were delicious but her grouper was something special. Great patio area with live entertainment. I would definitely recommend this place. Santa Fe Cafe is now on my Hilton Head short list along with Red Fish and The Sage Room.
(5)Brian T.
Home of the $23 Burrito. Ok it wasn't on the dinner menu ( on the lunch menu) but holy cow! Great guitar player/ singer. Way overpriced. Food was tasty but c'mon, I can buy 3 similar burritos at Moes for $23. Oh, and indicative of the pricing issue is the $2.50 for chips and salsa when every other Mex place around serves bowls of the stuff for free. Unlike MANY other HHI restaraunts that have folded over the past years, this place has been around a while and it appears to thrive...if it's still around in 5 years maybe I'll go back and try to figure out what I seem to be missing....
(2)Michael W.
My wife and her family visit Hilton Head every summer to stay at a timeshare and regularly visit Santé Fe. The last couple years I've felt like it was OK, but this year they revamped the menu a little bit and it's awesome now! I had the Prime Rib Burrito, which came out and was easily as big as my plate. The prime rib wasn't a cheap knock off, it was legit. And the ambiance of the upstairs patio is second to none in a beautiful area of the country. Most of the time they have live music playing in the background too with current and oldie favorites. Highly recommended to check out!
(5)Jennifer D.
The food here is amazing! The guacamole is great! The shrimp cocktail appetizer - also delicious! The scallops santiago was one of the best dishes I have EVER eaten! The depth of flavors in this eye rolling dish are fantastic! My husband had the pork tenderloin entree and every component of that dish was also outstanding, even the black beans! To the creator(s) of these dishes and the chef(s) preparing them - applause! Every dish is unique in its spice/flavor profile, well balanced, and fresh! The shrimp, scallops and pork tenderloin were perfectly cooked. Well worth every penny....this is FINE southwestern dining! Be prepared to say YUM several times throughout this culinary experience! Well done!
(5)Danielle J.
This place is so hidden away, i dont even know how i first came across it....but it is absolutely adorable! they have a great happy hour special, but you have to be sure to order the correct margaritas...i ordered a flavored one and they failed to tell me it was on special.. if its nice outside, the deck upstairs/outside is adorable, with a fire pit, otherwise inside is pretty nice too....very southwestern decor, but classy... the food is pretty good too, but fairly overpriced
(4)Charlie S.
Awesome food, ambiance, service, and drinks!!
(5)Bob W.
First time here in a few yesrs. Started with margaritas and civiche. Very good, though was surprisrd that no chips or crackers came with the civiche. Backened shrimp tacos and grilled shrimp fajitas for entrees. Both excellent. Even the black beans were tasty. Enjoyed the meal..
(4)He M.
Very yummy painted desert soup. Decent chimichanga, much better burrito. Pricy for the quality.
(3)Jordi G.
I am in HHI for vacation maybe two weeks of every year. A week for thanksgiving and a week or two during the summer. Restaurants here are a pretty lost cause, with poor-quality food and high prices/phony atmospheres being the norm. Santa Fe Cafe definitely had the high prices and phony atmosphere part down, but the food was okay. I wouldn't give the food more than 3.5 stars, but the atmosphere reminded me of some stupid chain restaurant where they set a movie about how much the workers hate the place and what they do to the food. We were promptly seated with a group of 10 and no reservation (don't know if this is a good or bad sign) and had a strange pseudo-obnoxious waiter with a shirt tucked into a giant belt buckle who thought he was a little too cool for being a waiter at a tex-mex restaurant, but oh well. Between the table I think i tried almost every entree on the menu. We had a nice bottle of wine, a few guacamoles, shrimp quesadilla appetizers, then I had roasted chicken myself. Tried chile rellenos plate, pork tenderloin, salmon, fajitas, lamb, corn and red pepper soup and santa fe salad. The presentation was nice (especially the soup with the cactus and desert drawn into the soup--i didn't want to eat it!!) but the food was meh. Probably won't be back but if you are in the mood for this type of food, it's worth checking out.
(3)Ryan D.
Drinks were great as was service sat on the outdoor couch and enjoyed the live music
(5)Sandy S.
Wonderful dining experience. Enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was superb.
(5)Rosemarie d.
Pleasantly surprised.. this place is pretty darn great! Please note: this is NOT a cheap Mexican establishment... rather... it is a nice southwestern restaurant. As such, this place will cost you a pretty penny. The bf and I spent more than $70 for our two dishes, dessert, a beer and a margarita... all were delish... well, except the beer... sadly, I don't remember the name, I only remember that it was a local brew. I definitely recommend the outrageous chimichanga. NOM NOM NOM. The bf ordered the combination platter - chile relleno, tamale & enchilada. Portions are HUGE! We got the souffle with vanilla ice cream - delish. Definitely not a place to be missed when you're on vacation on Hilton Head Island.
(4)Adam H.
I didn't have a problem finding the place- its no more hidden than any other business on HHI. If you have a GPS you'll find it easily- its just off the highway but there are some trees in front that could obscure the entrance. As for the food, its fantastic. Best meal I've had on the island so far. Keep in mind that this is not Mexican- its Southwest. So don't expect burritos and tacos- you'll find Grouper, Pork, Steaks and Quail on the menu. I had the cornmeal oysters for an app and the Pork Tenderloin for dinner. Both were very enjoyable. My wife had the combo with the goat cheese chili relleno and like it a lot. We brought 2 kids and went early so it wasn't a problem. We ate inside but the roof patio may have been the better choice- go there if the weather is nice. Overall the food was great, drinks were top shelf and the service was above average. Nice decor too. Highly recommended.
(5)Corey M.
Fantastic food and atmosphere. The crab cake appetizer was delicious and the grouper entree melts in your mouth. Consider splitting a salad and entree with your date as the portions are gigantic.
(5)Dustin L.
Great atmosphere. Ordered the Cowboy bone in Ribeye (blackened). Hands down, one of the best steaks i have had in a really long time.
(4)Mohun K.
Good, tasty southwestern food. First time visitor to HHI, and I was not disappointed.
(4)Fred D.
This place was hard to find, with Google (and google via yelp) being really confused about where it was. So was our resort's desk clerk, but she was close enough that we found it. The service and food were excellent. I had a grilled venison with blackberry sauce, a special for the day, that was excellent. The "painted desert" soup was absolutely superb in both taste and beautiful presentation. My family was also very impressed. My vegetarian daughter ordered a combination (chile relleno, tamale, enchilada) that she absolutely loved. (Note that it comes with a non-vegetarian sauce by default, so be sure to highlight if this is an issue.) Only caveat: I agree with the reviewer who said it is on the expensive side. And there is no children's menu; my son wound up getting a double order of cheese quesadillas for $12 for a kid. Perhaps this is par for the course when the entrees are $20-30 though.
(5)Jimmy K.
Nice place. Good ambiance. Make reservations if going to the deck. Limited choices on menu. Portions questionable.
(3)Benjamin B.
I am a big fan of Santa Fe. It was my first meal on Hilton Head Island, and it set a great tone for the week. Here are some thoughts: - We called on the night of our arrival and they squeezed us in with a reservation. - They have a nice outdoor patio upstairs that has an outdoor bar. - The margartia, rocks with salt, was delicious. - The chips are homemade and seem to come out hot. The salsa was also excellent. - I had the outrageous chimichanga, and it was awesome. That thing is huge. - My wife had the fajitas, and they were also awesome. The beef was a filet mignon, and it tasted great. We really wanted to do dessert, but were too full.
(5)Lori W.
We have been fans of this restaurant for over 11 years. Serious fans. Bill is an amazing margarita maker - a must, especially with the varied styles available. The joke is that I always order the Grouper entree and vary my appetizers. Chips & salsa here should be a charge (for the guy who said he can go to Moe's ...well...this isn't Moe's and he probably thinks Moe's is too overpriced too...). Just last week, I had a new red pepper appetizer (and the grouper of course!) that was chock full of veggies. smashing. Flavors and variety: outstanding. This is a local favorite of HHI and deservedly so. Owner Marshall makes everyone feel welcome too. The rooftop bar is worth a visit - very unique. We've had great service every time too - they know what to recommend and they know the menu well. There is a reason Santa Fe has thrived and expanded. sometimes I'm tempted to drive the 8 hours from DC just to get a fix...
(5)Lexy S.
Decided to come for Cinco de Mayo. Ordered the Lux Margarita made with fresh limes. Very good. No heartburn from bad margarita mix here. Received the guacamole before our drinks but no big deal. I have to say each time we come the food is good and the server was much better than the last 2 times, but the service is sooo slow. I think they have too many tables or something, because I saw him working hard. But, I never had water, margaritas, or chips:(
(3)George L.
We are big fans of Santa Fe, & try to visit every time we are on the island. It has a nice ambiance & we look forward to the rooftop on a warmer visit. Good margarita's & beer selection. The guac is very good. You must try the Painted Desert Soup. It actually has a desert scene decorated on the top, looks great & tastes great too. The pork is very nice as is the burrito. Our service has always been good. Is it expensive? I am from Chicago so I didn't think so. When your in HHI, visit Santa Fe!
(4)Douglas O.
I agree, this place is not the easiest to find. We passed it several times from the hotel. The food took a while but was very good. The Chicken Quesadilla, Soup, salad combo was the perfect size dish. The servers were friendly, food delivered promptly (when ready by the kitchen). The design of the place flowed well, and would be a place to go back and enjoy a few drinks and apps for the next visit while on holiday. I don't see an option for "Parking in the trees" but that is where we ended up parking!
(4)Daniel P.
The food was excellent! The service was superb! The ambiance was authentic!
(5)Todd S.
The bathroom was very dirty, the portions were small, and the prices were far too expensive.
(2)Ree N.
Wow! The food presentation was wonderful and all of our selections were over the top fabulous! I had the Painted Desert Soup that was a definite work of art!!
(5)Blake W.
Awesome food and service! One of my favorite places to go for a nice dinner for years. Intelligent menu, not the average hilton head restaurant.
(5)Arnold D.
Santa Fe Cafe was not my first choice. In fact, the only reason I ate there was because I hadn't made real plans for dinner last Saturday and every other restaurant I went to was PACKED! The restaurant was mostly full when I got there a little after 8:30, and since I was eating by myself I grabbed a seat at the otherwise empty bar. The bartender greeted me immediately, kept talking to me as he made my drink, then began talking to me about my dinner options. I chose the Cowboy steak, which was huge and delicious and opted for the pistachio cheesecake for desert on the recommendation of another guest. The food was fantastic, the portions were extremely generous, the service was top notch and the general vibe of the entire place was classy but not at all pretentious. I'm writing this now because I'm headed back for dinner tonight. If you're looking for something substantial and gratifying, I can't recommend Santa Fe Cafe enough!
(4)Jennifer V.
We are visiting in Hilton Head and figured we would go here based on the decent reviews and the proximity to our hotel. We showed up pretty early (around 5:30) and it wasn't too busy yet. I got the grouper and my husband got the combination plate. The grouper was delicious and my husband thought his was good, but nothing spectacular. I thought it was a bit overpriced too and you had to pay for chips & salsa, which is usually complimentary at Mexcian restaurants.
(4)Mason W.
The best meal yet during trip. The oysters were a tasty start and the grouper was excellent. We finished with chocolate mousse that was rich and delish!
(4)Larry M.
Beautiful restaurant with limited options for vegans...but given how generally vegan-unfriendly Hilton Head is, any options are good ones. They were helpful in identifying a couple of dishes we could eat (veg fajitas and burrito) and the presentations were lovely. The fajitas were over peppered so we weren't charged for them. Great margarita. Pretty empty late Dec and late eve on a Tuesday, but looks like the kind of place that draws crowds in season. Really nice outdoor roof deck, too.
(4)David B.
The island's Southwestern restaurant is a great place to order a top shelf marg and unwind on the rooftop patio. Great guac, chips, salsa, soup, salads, and entrees like quail, tenderloin fajitas, salmon, etc.
(4)Ratna P.
This place was great! The atmosphere is sophisticated, and the food was delicious. My family and I are vegetarian, and though there were not a bunch of options on the menu, there were several variations available for some of the dishes. For example the Outrageous Chimichanga, which you could get with black beans, rice, and veggies instead of beef and chicken. This is what I had, and it was delicious! We also ordered chips, salsa, and queso as starters, and they were pretty good, especially the queso. For our entrees, my mom had the Santa Fe Salad, and she enjoyed it, saying it had an interesting flavor and was very fresh. My dad had the Santa Fe Plato Combination, which he liked a lot, saying it had a unique number of ingredients that worked well together, like the wild mushroom and red chile cheese enchilada. The service was very good, too: the waiter was friendly and ready to meet our vegetarian needs. My only complaint would be that the tables were a bit small considering the plates were pretty big. It is expensive here, but worth it in my opinion. Check it out if you are ever in the area!
(5)Grant R.
Had the lamb which was delicious, wife had chimichanga and liked it. Nice on the roof top - nice place but a bit overpriced.
(4)Stephanie C.
Great food, great atmosphere. The first time we went, the atmosphere was ruined due to some loud children, but the second time it was perfect. It is a little pricey but worth it.
(5)Stephanie D.
Excellent! Eat on the rooftop..open sky, great music, split the fajita's.
(5)Todd M.
Great food. The grouper melts in your mouth and has a slight spicy kick. The lamb was seasoned nicely and cooked to perfection. Service was excellent. A word of caution: the area upstairs can get get noisy!
(5)Leslie B.
Had a wonderful dining experience here last night. We ate outdoors and listened to live music, a very talented guitar player. The menu is broad, including chicken, steak, lamb and also more typical southwestern fare. I recommend the painted desert soup, guacamole, pork tenderloin, chicken and salmon. We didn't have room for dessert , but saw some great looking sundaes go by. Will definitely return!
(4)Mandy Y.
Overpriced! The margaritas were good and the tortilla soup was good. Don't get the soup to go! $7 for about 3/4 c. of soup is a rip off. Ha! Absolutely not worth the $$.
(2)Panda P.
Great food and Margaritas! I highly recommend this place.
(4)William B.
We have avoided this restaurant for many years. We gave in on this trip. We were well rewarded. A great menu backed up by great food and service. We will go back on our next trip to Hilton Head Island in the spring.
(5)Michael S.
Every time Im down around this way I make it a point to come by this place! Everything about this place is wonderful, from the ambiance to the wait staff to the food. If you're in Hilton head, this is a must!
(5)Glenn P.
Never disappointed at Santa Fe! Lamb Chops were unbelievable! Grouper always excellent. This is probably one if the BEST restaurants to which I have ever been!
(5)