Restaurants can be found in abundance in front of the bus station in the variety of Parillas and empanada stands. Calle San Martín also has many options to choose from usually serving pastas, salads, pizzas and typical dishes. Calle Pelegrini is Recoleta also has an abundance of options and is better for a late dinner. Stroll the strips and take you pick.
La Citi Sport (25 de Mayo esq. Sgo. Del Estero, Tel.# 0342 4531425 or San Martín esq. La Rioja, Tel. # 03424554764) has two locations, one in Recoleta and one on San Martín. It has a sports bar type atmosphere and is always playing whatever fútbol match happens to be most important in the world of the Argentine. Open through the siesta it is a go even when the rest of the town is asleep. Menu serves pizzas, pastas, burgers and typical dishes. Good value for the peso. Try the La Citi Sport Lomo special for a filling combo of meat, eggs, salad and fries for under $5. The location in Recoleta is open later.
Café Triferto (San Martín and Falucho, Tel. # 03424004004) is another option on San Martín. With lots of space, both indoor and outdoor dining and free WiFi it is a great place to pass some time with a snack and a beverage. They serve great coffee, salads, crepes and pizza. Don't expect to be in and out fast however, each server has a lot of ground to cover and ordering eating and paying will easily take an hour. Luckily it is in a prime location for people watching so relax, enjoy and sip you Java while taking in Santa Fe's main drag.
The La Casa (San Martín 2777 comes highly recommended by the locals. Serving both authentic Parilla (BBQ) and Chinese food, you are guaranteed to walk away full. An all you can eat buffet starts at around $6. If it is closed when you go for the first time check back again later, often times the workers are as confused by the establishments hours as the clients. If you want, strike up a conversation with one of them as they wait around for the owner to show up so they can start work.