25 Must-Visit Restaurants in Albuquerque
Nestled at the crossroads of I-25 and I-40, Albuquerque is a vibrant Southwestern hub of culture, cuisine, art, music, and film. Often dubbed the “smallest big city,” this lively mini-metropolis, home to nearly 600,000 people, is much more than just a desert stopover. The atmosphere is eclectic, enjoyable, and relaxed, earning it the playful moniker of the “land of mañana,” with a charm that rivals larger cities.
The culinary scene in the Duke City extends far beyond its renowned chile-smothered enchiladas. While the entire city boasts delightful flavors, the Nob Hill neighborhood along Route 66 is emerging as a culinary hotbed. Once quiet corners on Central Avenue are now alive with some of the finest bars and Mytouries the city—and the nation—has to offer. Yet, Albuquerque's gastronomic landscape stretches well beyond Route 66, with pathways leading into the north and south valleys. No matter where you are in the Duke City, these restaurants are setting the standard.
Justin De La Rosa began his writing career at Local iQ Magazine in Albuquerque, earning a Local Hero Award for Edible’s Best Food Writer in 2014. He later contributed to 5280 Magazine, The Denver Post, 303 Magazine, and Denver Life Magazine. Currently, he works as a beverage manager, writer, and marketer in his beloved Albuquerque.
La Guelaguetza
Located just south of Route 66 in Albuquerque's South Atrisco neighborhood, the talented chefs at La Guelaguetza were semifinalists for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2022. In addition to celebrated traditional Oaxacan cuisine and mariscos, you'll discover unique Mexican dishes like chapulines (crickets) and hormigos (ants). Be sure to try the flavorful birria tacos, zesty shrimp ceviche, and rich chicken mole.
Monte Carlo Steakhouse
Upon entering Monte Carlo, you’ll notice a package liquor store upfront, but that's merely a disguise for the exceptional steakhouse and speakeasy tucked away in the back. The dim dining room, featuring curved vinyl booths and walls lined with Budweiser memorabilia, creates the perfect ambiance for savoring a menu focused on grilled rib-eyes and green chile cheeseburgers. You'll also find a selection of Greek dishes like pork kebabs, dolmas, and baklava.
Antiquity Restaurant
This classic Old Town steakhouse upholds the tradition of fine dining, serving as the go-to venue for anniversaries, engagements, and other significant celebrations. Tables are elegantly set with black tablecloths, while waitstaff deliver timeless dishes such as beef carpaccio, oysters Rockefeller, and bacon-wrapped filet mignon topped with bearnaise sauce. Despite the evolving landscape around it, Restaurant Antiquity continues to embody a timeless dining experience.
Sawmill Market
Sawmill Market, the largest food hall in Albuquerque, made its debut in March 2020 as the first of its kind in the area. Since then, it has become a beloved spot for both locals and visitors, featuring a vibrant selection of over 20 vendors. Here, you can enjoy handmade pastas from Tulipani, sweet and savory waffles from XO Waffle, fresh poke bowls from Notorious P.O.K.E., and a variety of local drinks. Experience it all within the market hall or on the expansive patio.
Disclaimer: The author of this article serves as the beverage manager at one of the bars in Sawmill Market.
Duran Central Pharmacy
The charm of this speakeasy-style restaurant, nestled at the back of an Old Town pharmacy, lies in the unique experience of mopping up red chile with a buttery tortilla surrounded by magazine racks and drugstore toys. While dining in, savor daily specials like green chile chicken enchiladas, or grab some of Duran’s tamales to-go for those inevitable chile cravings later on.
Campo at Los Poblanos
Campo at Los Poblanos is renowned as one of the top dining spots in Albuquerque. In recent years, it has garnered significant accolades from the James Beard Foundation, thanks to its seasonal menu featuring wood-fired dishes crafted from local ingredients. Signature offerings include carrot cavatelli paired with lemon-chicken sausage, green chile cream, charred carrots, and crispy chicken skin, while seasonal additions like roasted mushroom and goat cheese agnolotti with pecan romesco and blistered shishitos rotate throughout the year.
Barelas Coffee House
Though not located on Route 66, the Barelas neighborhood is steeped in history, with its railroads marking the beginnings of commerce in the Rio Grande Valley. Established in 1978, Barelas Coffee House has been a local favorite ever since, serving up New Mexican classics. While delicious chile dishes can be found throughout the city, locals, tourists, and even former President Obama seek out this hidden gem for a comforting bowl of green chile with beans.
505 Central Food Hall
Naming itself after Albuquerque's cherished area code, this vibrant food hall serves as a lively hub in downtown. Featuring around 10 Mytouries, patrons can enjoy ramen from Naruto, pan pizzas from Thicc, and fried chicken sandwiches from Kukri Chicken, along with coffee, desserts, and beverages all in one place. Don’t miss the in-house package liquor store, Packie’s, for a selection of local beers and spirits to take home.
El Modelo Mexican Foods
While El Modelo boasts an extensive and delightful menu, this Mytoury could thrive solely on its exceptional tamales. Made fresh each day, you can choose from pork with red chile or chicken with green chile. Place your order at the counter, then sit with locals at the communal tables to enjoy your tamales or enchiladas drenched in red chile and cheese. Pro tip: Bring a dozen tamales from El Modelo to any potluck or family gathering, and you'll quickly become the star of the show.
Sunday Bagels
Finding a truly exceptional bagel in Albuquerque was a challenge until recently. This weekly bagel pop-up, which began in 2021 by offering online orders for pickup outside a commissary kitchen, has now transitioned to two fixed weekend locations in downtown Albuquerque: Saturdays at Zendo Coffee and Sundays at Gravity Bound Brewing. You'll discover classic options like sesame, onion, and everything bagels, as well as creative rotating varieties such as blue corn bagels made with wild rice, herbes de Provence, Earl Grey tea, and local blue corn. Preorders become available on Wednesday mornings; follow them on Instagram to ensure you don't miss out.
Mary & Tito’s Cafe
Since 1963, Mary & Tito’s has set the benchmark for carne adovada in Albuquerque—a New Mexican pork dish simmered in red chile. The descendants of founders Mary and Tito Gonzales continue to operate the restaurant, safeguarding the original recipes that have cultivated a loyal following. While carne adovada is a fantastic choice, you won’t be judged for selecting a combination plate generously topped with flavorful, spicy green chile.
Grove Cafe & Market
For over 16 years, Grove Cafe has dedicated itself to providing top-notch breakfast dishes in Albuquerque’s East Downtown area. When it first opened, it offered something unique, emphasizing sustainable and locally sourced meals like a rich croque madame or a breakfast burrito filled with Tully’s Italian sausage, goat cheese, and green chile. These beloved classics are now complemented by seasonal offerings on always-intriguing menus. Be sure to pick up some cookies or fluffy English muffins from the market to enjoy before your next visit.
Farm & Table
Although the term farm-to-table is often used loosely these days, Farm & Table in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque truly embodies this concept. Owner Cherie Montoya gained recognition a decade ago for her innovative American cuisine featuring locally sourced ingredients, such as a New Mexico rib-eye paired with radishes, potatoes, eggplant, garlic, and sumac. Over the years, many chefs have honed their skills here, including Steve Riley from Mesa Provisions and Sean Sinclair from Kin in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Montoya has also showcased alumni chefs with guest appearances. While it may be off the main Route 66 path, Farm & Table has significantly shaped the Albuquerque culinary landscape.
Frontier
Renowned as a staple for college students seeking New Mexican breakfast, Frontier features large dining areas filled with hungry patrons recovering from late nights and professors gearing up for classes at the nearby University of New Mexico. While it may not be chef-driven or particularly refined, both locals and visitors flock here daily for hearty breakfast burritos and the beloved rolls, generously sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and coated in butter.
The Shop Breakfast and Lunch
At many Mytouries, breakfast or brunch is often an afterthought, but the team at the Shop truly values it as the most important meal of the day. Chef Israel “Izz” Rivera has been serving up some of the finest daytime dishes in Albuquerque for nearly a decade. The chilaquiles, adorned with roasted pork shoulder and drenched in a rich red chile sauce, offer the comforting flavors that regulars seek in the morning, while the signature burger draws them back at lunchtime. Be sure to follow the restaurant’s Instagram to stay updated on any extended weekend closures, as Rivera prioritizes his staff's well-being and their much-needed time off.
Mesa Provisions
Under the skilled guidance of chef Steve Riley, Mesa Provisions has quietly emerged as a contender in the discussion of Albuquerque’s top dining spots. Located in Nob Hill, the restaurant continually refines its interpretations of American classics infused with Southwestern flavors. The watermelon aguachile highlights vibrant freshness paired with a gentle kick from jalapeño, while the succulent smoked half chicken is presented in an upscale New Mexican style, accompanied by beans, red chile, pepita crema, and duck fat tortillas.
Gather/3128 Social House
This dual concept occupies the former space of Nob Hill Bar & Grill. Chef Joe Anguiano, a veteran of Michelin-starred establishments like Zuberoa in Spain, along with co-owner Dustin Darnell, rejuvenated this neighborhood staple in 2022. Gather, the more intimate of the two venues, specializes in cocktails and small plates, while 3128 Social House offers larger, upscale yet approachable dishes, such as beer can-roasted chicken accompanied by barley risotto and mushrooms.
M’tucci’s Bar Roma
After the long-standing Kelly’s Brew Pub closed its doors in 2020, M’Tucci’s Bar Roma took over the historic filling station-turned-restaurant site. Following nearly a year of renovations, this fifth branch of the M’Tucci’s Italian restaurant group has quickly become a favorite in the city, serving house-made pasta, salumi, and other Roman specialties. Additionally, the team’s exclusive cocktail bar, Teddy Roe’s, hidden in the alley behind the restaurant, has also gained significant attention.
Happy Accidents
Since its launch in 2021 by Kate Gerwin, Blaze Montana, and Adrienne Miller, Happy Accidents has garnered acclaim, especially after being named Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar at the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail festival in 2022. With a sustainable approach that minimizes waste while enhancing creativity, the bar offers a diverse cocktail menu featuring highballs, martinis, and inventive options, all set in a uniquely adorned space. Operating under a craft distiller’s license, the team can tailor each cocktail's components. Additionally, Miller leads a scratch kitchen that serves dishes inspired by New Mexican, Southern, and Asian flavors. If it was sheer luck that this trio found a vibrant spot in Nob Hill, it’s a fortunate twist for all of us.
Ihatov Bread and Coffee
Nobutoshi 'Nobu' Mizushima and Yuko Kawashiwo were recognized as Outstanding Baker semifinalists at the 2022 James Beard Awards after establishing their first brick-and-mortar shop in Nob Hill in 2020. They garnered immense support, raising over $16,000 through a Kickstarter campaign to open their bakery, where they specialize in savory breads and pastries. You can also find them selling their delicious baked goods at the Rail Yards Market and various pop-up events throughout the year.
Central Bodega
As the latest hotspot in Nob Hill, Central Bodega was launched by Jessica and Seth Beecher in the summer of 2022. This cozy spot offers locals an extensive wine selection and craft cocktails to complement salads, small plates, and light dishes like mussels and homemade pasta. With its inviting atmosphere, it has quickly become a favorite for happy hours and romantic weekend outings.
Frenchish
The playful name sets the tone: at Frenchish, you can expect a menu that reimagines French classics through the lens of chefs Jennifer James and Nelle Bauer. This upscale Mytoury is a go-to for dishes like salade niçoise and steak frites, but it also offers a standout Frenchie Burger topped with caramelized onions, Gruyère cheese, and Dijonnaise, along with a creative vegetarian carrot hot dog.
Loyola’s Family Restaurant
Located just a few blocks east of Nob Hill, Loyola’s Family Restaurant is a New Mexican-style diner set within a midcentury modern building. The kitchen serves up dishes like huevos rancheros drenched in chile, a generous chicken-fried steak accompanied by mashed potatoes and gravy, and a range of comfort food classics. Operating like a well-tuned machine, Loyola’s consistently delivers hot, satisfying meals quickly.
Tin Can Alley
Situated on Albuquerque’s north side, Tin Can Alley is a vibrant shipping container complex featuring various food and beverage vendors from across New Mexico, akin to its sister site, Green Jeans Farmery. Here, you can savor a beer from Santa Fe Brewing Company alongside a Neapolitan pizza from Amore Pizzeria, enjoy a steaming bowl of pho from Pho Kup, or indulge in signature Cubano sandwiches from Guava Tree Cafe.
Coda Bakery
While Albuquerque’s International District is filled with Vietnamese Mytouries, the banh mi at Coda Bakery is a must-try for aficionados of this iconic stuffed sandwich. Lunchtime often sees a line of eager customers in the narrow space, all waiting to order jambon, headcheese, and pork belly served on a freshly baked Vietnamese baguette.
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