Welcome to Jambo Cafe
"Jambo Cafe embodies a fusion of African and Caribbean flavors, offering a diverse menu with options for everyone, including pescatarian, vegan, and vegetarian dishes. Located in Santa Fe, NM, this black-owned restaurant provides a unique dining experience with a casual ambiance and excellent service. Customers rave about the oxtail, sweet smoke paprika hummus plate, Kenyan style beer kebabs, and more. With attention to detail in both food presentation and taste, Jambo Cafe is a must-visit for those seeking delicious and innovative flavors in a vibrant setting."
-
2010 Cerrillos Rd Santa Fe, NM 875052010 Cerrillos Rd Santa Fe, NM 87505 Hotline: (505) 473-1269
Welcome to Jambo Cafe, a vibrant culinary gem located at 2010 Cerrillos Rd in Santa Fe, NM. This delightful establishment blends the rich traditions of African and Caribbean cuisine, inviting diners on a flavorful journey that celebrates the fusion of cultures. Often praised for its warm ambiance and inviting decor, Jambo Cafe is more than just a restaurant; it's a celebration of food and community.
One of the standout dishes here is the Curry Encrusted Pistachio Goat Cheese, beautifully presented over roasted vegetables and organic field greens, drizzled with a tangy pomegranate vinaigrette. This dish offers a harmonious blend of flavors that dances on the palate while also being gluten-free. Another crowd favorite, as highlighted by patrons, is the Lamu Coconut Pili Pili Shrimp that features wild shrimp gracefully resting over basmati rice, swimming in an East African coconut tomato hot spice sauce, paired with sautéed garlic spinach. It's an exploration of flavors that captures the essence of coastal cooking.
For those who crave something heartier, the Grilled Jerk Chicken served with red beans, coconut basmati rice, and delicious fried plantains is a must-try. Diners rave about the layers of flavor, as shared by customer Anna H., who mentions the tender oxtail and spicy collards that beautifully complement the sweet potato cake. It's dishes like these—echoing the generous spirit of African-Caribbean cooking—that make each visit memorable.
As you step inside Jambo Cafe, your senses are greeted by enticing aromas and a warm atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a meal with loved ones. The staff is attentive, ensuring that every dining experience is smooth and enjoyable. From the spicy collard greens to the refreshing ginger lemonade, every offering is crafted with precision and passion. The delightful reviews from visitors speak volumes: the food is not only satisfying but also beautifully presented, making it an ideal spot for food lovers and adventurers alike.
Moreover, Jambo Cafe supports a good cause with its attached store, showcasing artisanal products made by Kenyan artists, giving diners a chance to bring home a piece of culture. Each visit to Jambo Cafe is not just about indulging in exquisite flavors, but also about making a connection to the vibrant cultures that inspire its menu. Make sure you stop by—this is one culinary journey you won't want to miss!
Wow! The oxtail is so delicious. Layers of flavor, spicy collards, and sweet potato cake. I always get 3 sides of roti because it's so good, and an extra side of the collard greens. Fresh and flavorful. The fresh ginger lemonade is super refreshing.
Thanks to a recommendation from a friend, we ended up here on our visit to Santa Fe. The ambiance was quite chill. The light was soft and dim. The music was energizing. The decor was intriguing. The service was quick and very pleasant. The food was absolutely tasty and delightful! We ordered the sweet smoke paprika hummus plate, the Kenyan style beer kebabs, and the Moroccan spiced beef brisket wrap. The hummus was quite tasty and smooth. The meat from both entries was tender, well marinated, and nicely seasoned. The portions were good as well! Definitely a spot we can count on when we make our way to Santa Fe again.
Amazing restaurant with attentive staff, good decor and a store next to it. Tired beef brisket burger and bbq chicken burger. Instead of a bun they use flat bread but it didn't impact the flavor. You cant go wrong with either - harissa fries or cumin fries. Tamarind drink is delicious. Mango ginger lemonade was more of a gingerly. Meat is from grass fed, sustainably raised animals- halal which is a plus. This place is packed even on week days. Will definitely be returning to try other curries
Absolutely devine, very large space with beautiful decorations. Attentive staff and friendly service. The food was presented well and delicious. If you are in town give this place a try, you will not be disappointed.
This was hands down my favorite restaurant I've been too. The smells as soon as you walk in make your mouth water. The service is fast and the food is to die for. I got the coconut chicken curry, my boyfriend had the combo plate with chicken curry, goat stew and lentil curry with roti. Just absolutely amazing everything. If we ever find ourselves visiting here again; this will always be a stop for us. They also have a shop attached with items made from artists back in Kenya, that help those artists back home which we thought was amazing and bought a souvenir.
ROAD TRIP (AGAIN): Our wives join Tom Neiman and Jim Tritten as we venture north to the City Different (Santa Fe for you east coasters). Jambo is a culinary delight featuring authentic Swahili dishes and African-Caribbean fusion. If that isn't enough, Jambo offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Impeccable service and an astonishing interior complement your dining experience. Most highly recommended. Join Chef Ahmed at Jambo as they celebrate 15 years in business on August 11th at 4:00 PM. Click on the following YouTube link to see our complete report and Chef Ahmed himself. https://youtu.be/KScIlKZ2w2M?si=RbbgyY26_BdZHoFV
If you want to taste some unique different flavors stop by Jambo. My daughter and I are exploring Santa Fe and trying new tastes. We had been to Jambo many years ago and wanted to try it again. We started with their crab cake and plantain appetizers. The crab cake was full of crab. It had a nice cornmeal crust. It was delicious. I had the cinnamon dusted plantains. They were awesome. They were cooked just right with a light dusting of cinnamon. They were good plain or dipped into the pineapple curry was amazing. I had their special garlic marinaded ruby trout. It was perfectly tender and full of flavors. It was on top of a rice cake and covered in bok choy. It was delicious. My daughter had the Moroccan spiced beef brisket pita. The beef was so tender and delicious. The fries were very interesting. She had the combo sweet potato fries and cumin fries. They were delicious plain and with the harissa sauce. So many unique and different flavors. The restaurant was an African theme with muted lighting. It was fun and unique. Our server was great. She was friendly and checked in with us. She let us take our time and enjoy it all. The bathrooms were fine. They only have 2 single use bathrooms.
I've heard really good things about Jambo and was very excited for the opportunity to check them out. You'll find them in an unassuming strip mall area, but once you walk in, you're definitely not feeling like you're in Santa Fe anymore. They have a gift shop conjoined with the restaurant. The menu is rather expansive with lots of options and lots of flavor. I started off with the cinnamon dusted plantains, which were amazing. we got some of the jerk chicken, which had some very flavorful beans and rice and also topped with a few plantains. Overall, the food was very good. I would've had room for dessert because they have a couple very interesting options. Service wasn't the best, we never got refills and it felt like we were constantly having to flag people down after long periods of waiting for things.
Tried the lamb burger with the mixed fries basket today for lunch, plus a cup of the soup of the day. Everything was seasoned to perfection! Waitress was sweet and very helpful. We love the atmosphere here.
OVERALL In search of something unique and that I had never tried in Santa Fe, NM, I found Jambo Cafe scouring Google Earth like I usually do. From their Yelp page, they pride themselves in offering "Pan-African and Caribbean cuisine in a vibrant, spacious setting." Definitely add this place to your bookmarks. RATING BREAKDOWN Food: 4 | Service: 5 | Ambiance: 4 | Price: 3 PARKING There was ample free parking in the plaza lot. LOCATION/AMBIANCE The Jambo sign was easily visible from Cerrillos Road. When I walked in I noticed a podium so I waited for the host/hostess. The restaurant was at about 75% capacity at around 8PM. I was immediately guided to the back to the takeout area which was viewable from the entrance. Splashes of African & Caribbean decor accented the walls and ceilings. Takeout orders aren't announced when they set them on that back counter. You just have to keep checking the tickets to see if it's yours. THE GRUB Kenyan Style Beef Kabobs (kebabs) were just under $23. This dinner entailed "marinated beef tenderloin tips with herb garlic saffron potatoes, sauteed haricot verts topped with a pomegranate sauce." They threw in a couple of bone marrow pieces in my to-go box. The tanginess of the pomegranate sauce was a bit intense alone, but it complemented the tenderloin cuts extremely well. I'd definitely go back to try other dishes unique to Africa. LITTLE YELPER'S CLUB I don't recall seeing a kid's menu or any children in the dining room for that matter. SERVICE The crew was all very welcoming & friendly when I walked in to place a takeout order on 2/16/2024. MY FAVORITE PART... The beef kebabs dinner. NOT SO FAVORITE PART... They would not answer the phone during my three attempts. TIP Definitely order the kebabs medium rare or rarer as their beef is very lean.