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Jambo Cafe Logo
Jambo Cafe Logo

Welcome to Jambo Cafe!

HOURS:  Monday – Saturday, 11 am – 9 pm

TAKE OUT: Order by Phone at 505-473-1269

ALLOW 30 minutes for preparation Friday and Saturday / 15 minutes all other days

Location: 2010 Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe in the College Plaza Shopping Center at the corner of Cerrillos and St. Mike’s

NEED A GIFT CARD? Click Here to Purchase

Shop Jambo Bazaar!

Cook Like Chef Ahmed!

Now in our 2nd printing!  By Chef Ahmed Obo, The Jambo Café Cookbook: My Journey from Africa to America is part memoir and part cookbook, Chef Ahmed shares 70 recipes including traditional Swahili fare, Jambo Café favorites, and completely new creations.

Jambo Gear!

We love you! The Jambo Community are some of the most kind-hearted people around. We so appreciate seeing a Jambo Café T-shirt or hat around town and beyond. Bring Jambo home with you—wherever that is—and spread the Jambo love by sharing food together, being good to one another, and giving to those in need.

Spice It Up!

Spices are the way in East African cooking. Influenced by foods, sauces, and seasonings from countries circling the Indian Ocean. From Bird’s Eye chili to Korintje cinnamon to Green Cardamom to blends like Berbere, Harissa, Pili Pili and more. Delicious! 

About Jambo Cafe

Winner of numerous awards,  Jambo Café is proud to be named by the Santa Fe Reporter for the Best International Cuisine for 14 years running and Chef Ahmed Obo for “Best Chef” from 2015 – 2024. Jambo Café was featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives in 2013 and again in 2023. In 2022, Chef Ahmed Obo received a nomination from the James Beard Awards for Best Chef in the Southwest. In 2023, the Jambo Bazaar opened up inside the restaurant, featuring African art and textiles, jewelry, home goods, spices and more. In 2024, Chef Obo was nominated and awarded “Best Chef” by the New Mexico Restaurant Association.

Chef Ahmed and Jambo Cafe hits the road during the summer/fall season with our food truck. Jambo Hapa, (Hapa means “here” in Swahili), and serves up Jambo favorites. We have had a delightful Summer/Autumn season and were thrilled to be a part of our favorite events:  Globalquerque!, Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta, The Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown and more. We’ll see you out and about in the Spring of 2025. 

Chef Ahmed

The exotic locale of Lamu Island, off the coast of Kenya, with its fusion of Swahili, Indian, Arabic, and European influences, is at the heart of Owner-Chef Ahmed Obo’s spirited cuisine. It was there, in his mother’s aromatic kitchen, that Ahmed mastered his homeland’s unique and fragrant cooking style, beginning a culinary adventure eventually leading him to Santa Fe, New Mexico where, in August 2009, he opened Jambo Café. We’re proud to celebrate15 years of service in Santa Fe. We extend our gratitude to all the locals who continue to support Jambo Cafe and for the travelers who find their way to our door. We love serving you!

Jambo Café has a legion of loyal fans who wax eloquent over Chef Obo’s mouth-watering fare. Whether it’s take-our or a catered meal you crave, Jambo Café will tempt your palate with spices just right.

Jambo Bobcat Bite

Jambo Bobcat Bite, the latest venture by Chef Ahmed Obo, owner of Jambo Café. Known for his dishes featuring fragrant spices, tangy tastes with a touch of fruit; Jambo Bobcat Bite is a unique opportunity for Chef Ahmed to expand into a different flavor profile.

Jambo Hapa

Jambo Hapa is back in action! We are out and about during the late spring, summer, and early autumn to many of our usual haunts in Northern New Mexico. Enjoy a variety of music and festivals with Jambo Cafe and Chef Ahmed! 

Jambo Kids Clinic

Jambo Kids Clinic, a project of the Jambo Kids Foundation provides much needed healthcare and wellness to the children and families of Lamu, Kenya, Chef Ahmed’s beloved hometown! Due to a technical issues we are rebuilding the website. More soon! 

Stay in touch!

Address

2010 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM

Phone

505.473.1269

Hours

Monday–Saturday,
11 a.m.–9 p.m

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