Founders Nidal and Rania Al-Qudah opened their doors at 1001 East University Avenue in 2004, introducing authentic Aegean and Levantine cooking to a borderland region dominated by Hatch green chile diners.
Situated in University Plaza right across from the New Mexico State University campus, the unassuming storefront provides a light, scratch-cooked alternative to heavy commercial fast food.
Decades of refusing to cut corners on traditional family recipes made Santorini a Doña Ana County institution through its spit-carved rotisserie gyros with house tzatziki, flaky spinach-stuffed spanakopita, and honey-drenched walnut baklava.
Quick Bite – Santorini, Las Cruces, NM 🥙
The kitchen hums through peak service as cooks shave tender ribbons of spiced beef and lamb straight from the vertical rotisserie spit onto warm, pillowy pita flatbreads.
Steam billows from large pots of house-simmered chicken lemon avgolemono soup while bakers arrange trays of golden phyllo dough packed with seasoned spinach and imported Greek feta.
Sweeping reader ballots in the Las Cruces Sun-News Best of the Mesilla Valley awards for top Mediterranean dining and healthy cuisine has cemented its reputation as a bona fide Southern New Mexico culinary oasis.
The Local Atmosphere – Santorini, Las Cruces, NM 🇬🇷
Crisp white and cobalt blue accents, casual dining booths, framed photos of the Greek isles, and the aroma of roasted garlic and oregano give the space an inviting, breezy charm.
University professors, visiting scholars, healthcare workers, and multi-generational local families crowd the dining room each afternoon to split shareable mezze plates and crisp Greek salads.
Diners routinely make the drive across the Mesilla Valley from surrounding towns like Mesilla, Tortugas, Fairacres, Doña Ana, and El Paso to secure a table for lunch.
Signature Bites – Santorini, Las Cruces, NM 😋
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Traditional Gyro Platter: Spiced rotisserie beef and lamb shaved thin, served over seasoned rice with warm pita, diced tomatoes, onions, and cool cucumber tzatziki.
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Scratch-Baked Spanakopita: Layers of paper-thin phyllo pastry stuffed with spinach, herbs, and tangy crumbled sheep’s milk feta.
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Lemon Avgolemono Soup: Traditional Greek soup featuring rich chicken broth, rice, shredded poultry, and a silky, bright egg-lemon emulsion.
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Classic Baked Moussaka: Comforting casserole layered with seasoned ground meat, sliced eggplant, and potatoes, smothered beneath a thick browned béchamel blanket.
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Greek Country Village Salad: Crisp romaine, ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, and pepperoncini, crowned with a thick block of imported feta.
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House-Made Walnut Baklava: Crisp buttered phyllo leaves layered with finely chopped walnuts, cinnamon, and drizzled generously with spiced honey citrus syrup.
Takeaway Bite – Santorini, Las Cruces, NM 😎
Stopping into Suite D4 at 1001 E University Ave connects visitors directly with more than twenty years of authentic family hospitality.
The kitchen maintains an uncompromising commitment to hand-rolled grape leaves, custom-spiced meats, and wholesome Mediterranean flavors over processed commercial short cuts.
That steadfast dedication to authentic regional cooking is why this mom and pops and hole in the wall treasure remains an award-winning staple in Las Cruces.
📍: 1001 E University Ave Ste D4, Las Cruces, NM 88001
🕒: Mon-Sat: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sun: Closed