15 Of The Best Places To Eat In Albuquerque, New Mexico

1. Nexus Brewery

While in Albuquerque, you won’t be able to ignore the substantial number of breweries in the city. One such brewery is the Nexus Brewery, dedicated to bringing craft beers and tasty food to the city of Albuquerque. Paired with the beer, Nexus Brewery serves New Mexican “soul food,” ranging from a light lunch to a hearty dinner. With top rated nachos and the obligatory red or green chili topping, your mouth will be watering before you walk in the door.

Nexus Brewery

Address: 4730 Pan American Fwy east, Suite D, Albuquerque, NM 87109

Website: Nexus Brewery

2. Monroe's

Located near Old Town Albuquerque, Monroe’s has been offering delicious, reasonably-priced New Mexican cuisine for over 50 years. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Monroe’s has become a family gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Enchiladas, chimichangas, burritos, and chile relleno are served alongside omelets, burgers, and chicken fingers, meaning there’s something for everyone at Monroe’s.

Monroe's

Address: 1520 Lomas Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Website: Monroe’s

3. St. Clair Winery and Bistro

If you’re craving Italian food but don’t want to go to yet another Olive Garden, head to St. Clair Winery and Bistro. Perfect for a family meal or date night destination, St. Clair Winery and Bistro offers more than spaghetti, serving dishes like caprese, chicken parmesan, salmon Rockefeller, and more. While at the Bistro, make sure you sample the St. Clair or D.H. Lescombes wines. Both wines are grown and produced in New Mexico, creating the perfect pairing for your meal. For the best bistro experience, stop by Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night for a live music performance.

St. Clair Winery & Bistro

Address: 901 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104

Website: St. Clair Winery & Bistro

4. Two Fools Tavern

Despite being thousands of miles away from Europe, you can have an authentic Irish Pub experience, right in the heart of Albuquerque. Holding true to European cuisine, Two Fools Tavern serves dishes like cottage pie, fish & chips, bangers & mash, and corned beef & cabbage. If you don’t know what those dishes are, you’re not alone. Just ask the staff or even the two fools themselves, Tom and Jeff, for recommendations and they’re sure to help you pick the best meal of your vacation. Of course, what would an Irish pub be without the booze? Two Fools Tavern boasts a wide variety of beers on tap and the largest whisky selection in the Southwest, creating the perfect Friday night destination.

Two Fools Tavern

Address: 3211 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

Website: Two Fools Tavern

5. Papa Felipe’s Mexican Restaurant

For a complete Mexican food restaurant experience, try Papa Felipe’s Mexican Restaurant. With every meal prepared from scratch, your meal will be fondly remembered as one of the best you had while in the Land of Enchantment. Can’t get enough of Papa Felipe’s? You can always take home a jar of their spicy salsa and have more delivered directly to your house after the first jar runs out.

Papa Felipe's Mexican Restaurant

Address: 9800 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112

Website: Papa Felipe’s Mexican Restaurant

6. Blake’s Lotaburger

1/2 Blake's Lotaburger on Montgomery Blvd, Albuquerque NM

2/2 Burger in a basket

Most “Best Places to Eat” articles don’t include fast-food joints. Here’s the exception. While in Albuquerque, head to Blake’s Lotaburger for mouthwatering burgers, loaded breakfast burritos, and speedy service all in one place and topped with green chili. Blake’s Lotaburger has quickly grown into the fast-food destination of New Mexico. With over 40 locations in the Albuquerque area alone, and more spread out throughout the state, Blake’s Lotaburger continues to grow and provide excellent service to the state.

Blake's Lotaburger

Address: Multiple locations throughout Albuquerque

Website: Blake’s Lotaburger

7. Mary & Tito's Café

If you’re looking for a comfier, more relaxed meal, head to Mary & Tito’s Café for delicious, traditional New Mexican food. This friendly Mom & Pop style diner serves food like chile rellenos, huevos rancheros, chicharrones, and bean burritos, and is sure to become your favorite destination for New Mexican cuisine.

Mary & Tito's Cafe

Address: 2711 4th St NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Website: Mary & Tito’s Cafe

8. Standard Diner

Located in Downtown Albuquerque, Standard Diner is truly the standard for tasty food with an old-timey feel. Set in a refurbished service station, the diner brings to life the time of Route 66 diners, but with a modern-day twist. Standard Diner’s food is made from scratch, using quality ingredients, and ranges from homestyle comfort food to diner favorites. As a versatile eatery, you can enjoy fried pickles with a cocktail at the bar, or sit down with the family for a tantalizing chicken fried steak dinner. Whatever you chose, Standard Diner is a necessary stop on your Albuquerque vacation.

Standard Diner

Address: 320 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102

Website: Standard Diner

9. The Grove Café and Market

Before starting your day’s worth of Albuquerque adventures, head to The Grove Café and Market for a delicious breakfast, lunch, or brunch. Using locally sourced, sustainable, and organic ingredients when possible, The Grove serves eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, soups, and more. With a full line of espresso, coffee, tea, beer, wine, and mimosas, the café is a perfect place to get your morning buzz or take an afternoon break.

The Grove Cafe and Market

Address: 600 Central Ave SE, Ste A, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Website: The Grove Cafe and Market

10. Backstreet Grill

Serving a blend of Mexican and American cuisine, Backstreet Grill is the perfect restaurant if you just can’t make up your mind. Want pizza? Backstreet Grill combines the Italian dish with Mexican culture to bring you such pies as the Santa Fe chicken pizza and Richard’s red chile pizza. Craving a hearty entrée? Steak, pork chops, and salmon are featured on the menu. Is it 6 pm and you have a hankering for breakfast? Don’t fret, the breakfast menu is served all day. And if you’re looking to stick to tradition, Backstreet Grill serves Old Town street tacos, shrimp tacos, chips & guacamole, chimichangas, and more, perfect for a Mexican food dinner.

Backstreet Grill

Address: 1919 Old Town Rd NW #6, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA

Website: Backstreet Grill

11. Owl Café

Like the Standard Diner, Owl Café is a diner set on keeping the Route 66 spirit alive—but with a twist. True to its name, the Owl Café is set in a building shaped like an owl. While serving traditional diner food and New Mexican cuisine, Owl Café is host to many special events including classic car shows, Balloon Fiesta deals, candy drives, and much more. Whenever you visit, Owl Café is sure to be the perfect place for a unique diner experience.

Owl Cafe

Address: Owl Café, 800 Eubank Blvd., Albuquerque, NM 87123

Website: Owl Café

12. Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro

Located in the Nob Hill district, Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro is a modern restaurant perfect for a trendy date night you’ll never forget. Feel fancy at the bar or at a table as you pair wine and food together for the perfect dinner experience. Dinner is served daily, and on Saturdays and Sundays, the Bistro is open for brunch. Menu items include chicken Florentine, speciality steaks, lamb, and more, creating a delectable dining experience.

Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro

Address: 3009 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

Website: Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro

13. Vernon’s Speakeasy

If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, travel back in time at Vernon’s Speakeasy. Known as one of Albuquerque’s best-kept secrets, this hidden steakhouse serves perfectly-cooked steaks, sautéed shrimp, tasty desserts, and fancy cocktails, all behind a secret door in Los Ranchos Liquors. A password is required, so be sure to make a reservation for a one-of-a-kind meal.

Vernon's Speakeasy

Address: 6855 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107

Website: Vernon’s Speakeasy

14. Mr. Powdrell’s BBQ House

Serving Albuquerque for over 50 years, Mr Powdrell’s BBQ House continues to serve deliciously tender meats to all who enter. In a family-run and operated café setting, Mr Powdrell’s serves Southern sides and cobblers alongside their traditional barbeque. What’s more, you can bring your own meat. That’s right. Have a steak that needs to be prepped? Mr Powdrell’s will do the dirty work, smoking, slicing, saucing, and packaging your cow to perfection.

Mr. Powdrell's BBQ House

Address: 5209 4th St NW, and 11301 Central Ave 87123, Albuquerque, NM 87107

Website: Mr. Powdrell’s BBQ House

15. High Noon Restaurant & Saloon

1/2 High Noon Restaurant & Saloon at Mountain & San Felipe Roads

2/2 Steak dinner

Finally, if you’re craving something off the typical menu head to High Noon Restaurant & Saloon. At High Noon Restaurant & Saloon, you can always enjoy a traditional beef steak, or bite into a wild game burger. That’s right, High Noon’s menu doesn’t have just chicken, pork, and beef, but also cuts from animals born and raised by nature. Following your meal, be sure to enjoy a glass of wine, a pint of beer, or one of the restaurant’s specialty drinks, which will add the perfect touch to your meal and Albuquerque experience.

High Noon Restaurant & Saloon

Address: 425 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Website: High Noon Restaurant & Saloon

Taste more

Taste more than just New Mexican cuisine in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From pubs, to steakhouses, to fast-food burgers, to diners, Albuquerque’s cuisine is sure to make your mouth water and bring you back for more. Just make sure you have an answer to the most important question: red or green?