Eating an exquisite meal outside on the patio at Sol Food Café is one of the joys of summer. Sol Food is a farm-to-table restaurant offering Southwestern flavors with a touch of California cuisine. Add a mimosa to your meal for a sublime brunch or lunch while enjoying the distinctive voices of local musicians who play on weekends.
At Sol Food, they use the highest quality ingredients, including local produce and meats. Sol Food Café and Market are known for their pesto—a family recipe handed down from Anna’s father, who learned to make it in the mid-1950s from an Italian man in San Francisco. Pesto is a signature ingredient in many of the café’s dishes.
Since Anna and Chris Woodall established Sol Food Market in 2008, it has been a favorite destination for fresh, organic food. With the addition of the café six years ago, it has become an import- ant gathering place for locals and visitors alike, who return again and again for their favorite dishes.
Locals say they love Sol Food Café for its coffee, breakfasts, and delicious lunch- es. Employee Erin Mahlbacher shared, “People comment on the thoughtful menu, and many say that Sol has the best sandwiches they’ve ever eaten. The atmosphere outside on the patio is magical, and inside, people love the art. They also comment on the wonderful little village we have up here.”
Fresh pastries are available every morning, and the cakes are gourmet creations. Favorites include the carrot cake and Persian Love which is a cardamom rose olive oil cake with mascarpone frosting topped with pistachios and rose petals.
Sol Food Market
The market features a variety of organic food as well as to-go items. “Our prepared foods have become very popular,” Woodall explained. "We make a variety of meals daily with world cuisine options like Asian, Southwestern, Italian, and Indian."
Now is the season for fresh organic produce, including sweet, ripe Colorado peaches and cherries.
Arroyo Seco
The little village of Arroyo Seco, on the way to Taos Ski Valley, is a thriving community. “All the businesses complement and support each other,” Anna Woodall said. “After taking a class at Joy Yoga, people come to the café for cold-pressed organic juices, salads, and sandwiches—all locally sourced and organic—for breakfast or lunch to continue their healthy lifestyle.”
Woodall said the yoga studio was originally established by Anice Joy as Hot Yoga. “Anice Joy was beloved by the village,” Woodall said. She explained that there is a scholarship—the Anice Joy Teacher Train- ing Scholarship—awarded each year in her honor. Joy passed away in 2020. “Her memory lives on through the scholarship and Joy Yoga,” Woodall said.
The scholarship is sponsored by Arroyo Seco Live, “a nonprofit organization that focuses on bringing our small community of Arroyo Seco together through world music and culture,” according to the organizers. They host festivals that promote education and local artists, along with arts and crafts. “Sol is blessed to be part of this community,” Woodall said. “The village of Arroyo Seco has everything you need, with Sol Food being the central hub of the community for groceries, yummy food, and socializing. Most residents love it so much they often say they never want to leave the village—even for a quick trip to town. The boutiques and restaurants here are gems rarely found in small towns, including Aceq, which serves a menu more likely to be found in a big city.”
Woodall encourages everyone to check out the new shops in Arroyo Seco, including Old Bones gallery, owned by Ekin Balcıoğlu, which is dedicated to showcasing handcrafted ceramics, textiles, and fine art. Sew Me Home is a new conscious and cozy handmade clothing shop. Amanda Mackay, owner of Sew Me Home, said, “Sol Food is like a second home to me—it’s family. Anna provides the community with the biggest organic and local selection, as well as the sweetest crew that brings their whole hearts and lots of laughter. Sol Food is a treasure chest of all the best Seco has to offer.”
Favorites at Sol Food Café
Citrus Olive Oil Pancakes
Gluten-free pancakes served with organic fresh fruit and maple syrup, topped with whipped cream.
Figment of Your Imagination Sandwich
Wild Leaven sourdough bread, Applegate turkey, fig jam, St. André triple crème brie, grilled onions, mixed greens, and fig balsamic.
La Sequena
Fresh-baked croissant with turkey, gruyère, avocado, tomato, sprouts, and chipotle mayo.
Ensalada del Sol
Mary's citrus-marinated chicken breast, Angel's triple crème brie, candied walnuts, cucumbers, and sprouts, drizzled with pesto.
Mediterranean Falafel Plate
Naan bread topped with house-made falafels, hummus, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes, drizzled with house-made green goddess dressing and sprinkled with goat cheese.
SOL FOOD MARKET AND CAFÉ
591 Arroyo Hondo/Arroyo Seco Road
Open seven days a week from 8 am to 8 pm; the café is open every day from 8 am to 3 pm.
