Popular Upper West Side Restaurant Reopens After Extended Closure

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — A popular restaurant on the Upper West Side reopened its doors on Friday after an extended closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Santa Fe, a southwestern restaurant at 73 West 71st Street, is reopening its doors more than a month after it originally planned to welcome customers back.

Santa Fe planned to reopen in late January or early February after shutting up shop in August of 2020. However, the owners of the restaurant decided to wait to open due to the changing regulations for outdoor and indoor dining.

"When we closed our doors due to COVID restrictions we were hopeful that it wasn't goodbye," said Santa Fe General Manager Alejandro Fresquez. "We are a true community at Santa Fe with a loyal crowd and a dedication to great food. We can't wait to see all of our friends again!"

The joint has served southwestern and Mexican cuisine for almost four decades on the Upper West Side and is maybe best known for its frozen margaritas — which the New Yorker called the best in the city.

Santa Fe will be doing a soft opening on Friday, but the expected hours of operation will be Sunday through Thursday from noon to 9 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 11 p.m.

You can find out more about Santa Fe on its website.

ILoveTheUpperWestSide was the first to report on Santa Fe's reopening.