Thunderbird Bar & Grill

50 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501, United States
$$$ Bar & grill
(1426 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

If you're on a culinary journey through Santa Fe, Thunderbird Bar & Grill is a delightful destination to consider, offering a vibrant blend of flavors that distinctly represent New Mexican cuisine. Nestled at 50 Lincoln Ave, this bar and grill features a cozy atmosphere that perfectly balances rustic charm with contemporary vibes. You might even find yourself on a lovely balcony, taking in picturesque views while enjoying your meal—just one of the hallmarks that keeps guests returning.

Thunderbird's menu is a vibrant showcase of local flavors. Begin your meal with the Green Chile Pork Stew or the rich Chicken Tortilla Soup, both priced at a reasonable $8.95. These warm offerings are perfect for igniting your taste buds and setting the tone for an exceptional dining experience. If you're a salad lover, the Lincoln House Salad dazzles with seasonal mixed greens, grape tomatoes, and spicy candied walnuts, topped off with decadent bleu cheese crumbles for only $9.95.

As you move to the main event, you can't go wrong with the Steak & Enchiladas. This dish features a succulent 6oz Bistro Steak grilled to perfection, accompanied by cheese and bean enchiladas draped in the zesty sauce of your choice, creating a symphony of flavors at just $20.95. Not to be overlooked, the Roasted Chicken Breast with Granma’s Mole is another unmissable highlight, served with Spanish rice and sautéed broccolini, all bathed in a rich mole sauce that transports you straight to culinary heaven for $18.95.

For those looking to indulge in something unique, the Green Chile Mac & Cheese is a must-try. This dish showcases penne pasta enveloped in house-made cheese sauce, accented with the perfect amount of green chile, and topped with toasted breadcrumbs—a crowd-pleaser at only $11.95.

Real customer experiences echo the charm of Thunderbird Bar & Grill. One delighted patron, David Foust, speaks highly of the excellent service provided by Victor and the friendly atmosphere cultivated by owner Rick. He reminisces about enjoying their hangover burger on the balcony, delighting in the attention to detail with his meal split across two plates for sharing, highlighting that personal touch that makes dining here feel special. Another customer, Marianne Stambaugh, described her perfect day spent outside on the balcony savoring a wilted spinach salad and the acclaimed chili, all while taking in the vibrant plaza views.

While some guests note the limited menu, they often look past it due to the consistently good food and exceptional service that Thunderbird Bar & Grill provides. It’s important to remember that this gem is situated upstairs, so be prepared for some fun exercise before indulging in your meal!

Thunderbird Bar & Grill blends local cuisine, inviting ambiance, and genuine service that earns smiles from its patrons. The next time you find yourself in Santa Fe, make sure to carve out time in your itinerary to experience this local favorite. Great flavors await you!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Serves great dessert
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves food at bar
Serves healthy options
Serves late-night food
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

1426 Reviews
David Foust

04 Sep 2025

Thunderbirds is one of our favorite restaurants in Santa Fe. Yesterday we enjoyed lunch on the balcony overlooking the plaza. We had the hangover burger which was prepared exactly as we requested and arrived split on two plates since we were sharing the large burger. Our server, Victor, was excellent. The owner, Rick, is always friendly and checks on the guests and visits with them. We also enjoy going to the balcony overlooking the plaza for drinks. It is also a great place to watch college football games!

Brandon Vandyke

02 Sep 2025

Pretty good. Limited menu and sometimes seating can be uncomfortable. High table and chairs with a baby kinda sucked but overall this place is pretty good. Cool views off the two balcony's. Decent cocktails.

Marianne Stambaugh

13 Aug 2025

We had a delicious meal outside on the balcony on a perfect day. I highly recommend the wilted spinach salad with portobello mushrooms and grilled chicken. The chili was excellent too. The server was pleasant and attentive without hovering. We enjoyed looking out over the Plaza while we dined. The prices were reasonable. This is one of our new favorites.

McKayla Haldorson

20 Jul 2025

First time and Santa Fe, and my friend picked the best spot for lunch. We were able to sit on the balcony with a beautiful view of the mountains as well as ample people watching opportunities. The chicken nachos were superb.

Patricia Heartsill

13 Jul 2025

Just know it's upstairs and there is not an elevator (that we could find). Other than that, this THE place in Santa Fe. The drinks, food and service was top notch. I didn't want to leave!

Gary McKay

08 Jul 2025

We were here on a Monday for lunch. Loved the atmosphere. We sat on the second floor balcony. Our server was great and the food was delicious. The manager went out of his way to make us feel special. Would eat here again and highly recommend this place.

Join the Thunderbird Bar & Grill Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.