Guidebook for Albuquerque
Food Scene
Best salads ever, healthy choices, full bar and cute interior as well as patio. Try the chopped salad.
103 personas locales recomiendan
Vinaigrette
1720 Central Ave SWBest salads ever, healthy choices, full bar and cute interior as well as patio. Try the chopped salad.
This is my favorite local NM food. It is by a cluster of neat places to visit near Mountain and 12th close to downtown and Old Town. My favorite is the carne adovada chile relleno plate. Portions are huge so share if you can.
100 personas locales recomiendan
Cocina Azul
1134 Mountain Rd NWThis is my favorite local NM food. It is by a cluster of neat places to visit near Mountain and 12th close to downtown and Old Town. My favorite is the carne adovada chile relleno plate. Portions are huge so share if you can.
This restaurant calls itself Italian. I call it gluten free paradise, the only place where the GF pizza crust is phenomenal. The truffle fries are addictive, pasta dishes well prepared and happy hour fun.
18 personas locales recomiendan
Farina Alto Pizzeria & Wine Bar
10721 Montgomery Blvd NEThis restaurant calls itself Italian. I call it gluten free paradise, the only place where the GF pizza crust is phenomenal. The truffle fries are addictive, pasta dishes well prepared and happy hour fun.
Flying Star is a local chain. This and the Rio Grande location are my favs. There are so many options from fresh pastries, desserts, salads, sandwiches, coffee, beer/wine and more. and all locations have a patio. Love it. Their coffee shop, Satellite Coffee is the best!
232 personas locales recomiendan
Flying Star Cafe
3416 Central Ave NEFlying Star is a local chain. This and the Rio Grande location are my favs. There are so many options from fresh pastries, desserts, salads, sandwiches, coffee, beer/wine and more. and all locations have a patio. Love it. Their coffee shop, Satellite Coffee is the best!
This is a true taste of old old New Mexico. They close before 5PM, but the best place is their patio for brunch on the weekends which often has a one-person live music event. Excellent.
19 personas locales recomiendan
Perea's Restaurant
4590 Corrales RdThis is a true taste of old old New Mexico. They close before 5PM, but the best place is their patio for brunch on the weekends which often has a one-person live music event. Excellent.
This is a true iconic diner-type restaurant in an old Latino area of ABQ called Barelas. The street art around the area, mostly murals is worth a drive in itself. This cafe has an old school counter and is always packed - nearly 100% locals from legilslators to grandma to cops. Love the carne adovado breakfast. It closes early Saturday around 2pm and is closed Sunday.
60 personas locales recomiendan
Barelas Coffee House
1502 4th St SWThis is a true iconic diner-type restaurant in an old Latino area of ABQ called Barelas. The street art around the area, mostly murals is worth a drive in itself. This cafe has an old school counter and is always packed - nearly 100% locals from legilslators to grandma to cops. Love the carne adovado breakfast. It closes early Saturday around 2pm and is closed Sunday.
This restaurant by Old Town has a different atmosphere and menu upstairs and down. I recommend upstairs for the big patio and mountain views. The menu is more limited but happy hour there is the best! Full bar. Moslty locals. Downstairs in more formal and less of an atmosphere.
74 personas locales recomiendan
Seasons Rotisserie & Grill
2031 Mountain Rd NWThis restaurant by Old Town has a different atmosphere and menu upstairs and down. I recommend upstairs for the big patio and mountain views. The menu is more limited but happy hour there is the best! Full bar. Moslty locals. Downstairs in more formal and less of an atmosphere.
Satellite Coffee is the daughter of Flying Star cafes which are also excellent. The New Mexican breakfast burrito is soooo good! The atmosphere is lively and nearly all locations have couches and a patio too.
45 personas locales recomiendan
Satellite Coffee
2300 Central Ave SESatellite Coffee is the daughter of Flying Star cafes which are also excellent. The New Mexican breakfast burrito is soooo good! The atmosphere is lively and nearly all locations have couches and a patio too.
This New Mexican cafe is on a small side street in Old Town and has a hidden patio in the back. On weekends there is sometimes a Spanish guitar player during brunch near the patio fountain. Great heuvos rancheros! Many places in the area are super touristy but this one remains true to great local food.
57 personas locales recomiendan
Church Street Cafe
2111 Church St NWThis New Mexican cafe is on a small side street in Old Town and has a hidden patio in the back. On weekends there is sometimes a Spanish guitar player during brunch near the patio fountain. Great heuvos rancheros! Many places in the area are super touristy but this one remains true to great local food.
GO HERE> Just go! This place is old school ABQ and has gotten foodie fame in recent years but remained NM true! The state cookie is the biscochito and theirs are the best. Every kid deserves a cookie, they say and hand you a free one. Pizzas are excellent there, salads just ok, empanadas delicious and everything is fresh. The outdoor patio is excellent and often has live music. Its the best taste of ABQ culture and almost always all locals. Plus you.
67 personas locales recomiendan
Golden Crown Panaderia
1103 Mountain Rd NWGO HERE> Just go! This place is old school ABQ and has gotten foodie fame in recent years but remained NM true! The state cookie is the biscochito and theirs are the best. Every kid deserves a cookie, they say and hand you a free one. Pizzas are excellent there, salads just ok, empanadas delicious and everything is fresh. The outdoor patio is excellent and often has live music. Its the best taste of ABQ culture and almost always all locals. Plus you.
This breakfast/brunch cafe is adorable and closes by around 2PM. Its cute and welcoming. Salads are excellent and the menu comprehensive. I like to go to the consignment shop that shares the parking lot afterwards.
60 personas locales recomiendan
Hannah & Nate's
4512 Corrales RdThis breakfast/brunch cafe is adorable and closes by around 2PM. Its cute and welcoming. Salads are excellent and the menu comprehensive. I like to go to the consignment shop that shares the parking lot afterwards.
Slate Street Cafe has a cute upstairs lounging area. Its small and tucked away but don't miss it. Brunch is popular and I know why.
35 personas locales recomiendan
Slate Street Cafe
515 Slate Ave NWSlate Street Cafe has a cute upstairs lounging area. Its small and tucked away but don't miss it. Brunch is popular and I know why.
Java Joe's has excellent Mexican and New Mexican breakfast! The fruit plate may sound boring but is anything but! Hot fresh coffee always and live music sometimes. There is a farmers market open early weekends closeby.
41 personas locales recomiendan
Java Joe's
906 Park Ave SWJava Joe's has excellent Mexican and New Mexican breakfast! The fruit plate may sound boring but is anything but! Hot fresh coffee always and live music sometimes. There is a farmers market open early weekends closeby.
This large restaurant is usually busy but it a great place to bring a crowd, thanks to an extensive menu. The salmon dinner is phenomenal and so is the service.
Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen
4865 Pan American Fwy NEThis large restaurant is usually busy but it a great place to bring a crowd, thanks to an extensive menu. The salmon dinner is phenomenal and so is the service.
Monroe's has an iconic New Mexico feel and great New Mexican food. It is nothing fancy, but very popular---for a reason. There are two locations but this one is a favorite.
47 personas locales recomiendan
Monroe's Restaurant
1025 4th Street NorthwestMonroe's has an iconic New Mexico feel and great New Mexican food. It is nothing fancy, but very popular---for a reason. There are two locations but this one is a favorite.
Yummylicious coffee in a hip industrial space. Bring your laptop and plan to stay a while. Downtown and walkable to other sites. GF pastries usually available too.
75 personas locales recomiendan
Zendo
413 2nd St SWYummylicious coffee in a hip industrial space. Bring your laptop and plan to stay a while. Downtown and walkable to other sites. GF pastries usually available too.
Its a pharmacy. Its a cafe. Its.....BOTH. Really! This old old old pharmacy has a cafe inside and the red chile (stew) and pasole is excellent. Think old school diner New Mexican style. Very casual. You wouldn't dress up to go to the pharmacy, now would you?
88 personas locales recomiendan
Duran Central Pharmacy
1815 Central Ave NWIts a pharmacy. Its a cafe. Its.....BOTH. Really! This old old old pharmacy has a cafe inside and the red chile (stew) and pasole is excellent. Think old school diner New Mexican style. Very casual. You wouldn't dress up to go to the pharmacy, now would you?
This popular burger spot has great BBQ, something otherwise impossible to find locally. Happy hour is cheap and offers fun appetizers cheap, like green chile "fries".
24 personas locales recomiendan
5 Star Burgers
1710 Central Ave SWThis popular burger spot has great BBQ, something otherwise impossible to find locally. Happy hour is cheap and offers fun appetizers cheap, like green chile "fries".
This cluster of restaurants with common seating areas is essentially a container mall. Unique, fun and quirky to find the entrance the first time. Expect super casual, gravel parking lot, picnic type seating and great food. Only a few places sell alcohol and you must sit in their restaurant to imbibe, but the patios are adjacent to the common area. There are also some elevated picnic pavilion areas too. Its fun. Just go. At least once.
73 personas locales recomiendan
Green Jeans Farmery
3600 Cutler Ave NEThis cluster of restaurants with common seating areas is essentially a container mall. Unique, fun and quirky to find the entrance the first time. Expect super casual, gravel parking lot, picnic type seating and great food. Only a few places sell alcohol and you must sit in their restaurant to imbibe, but the patios are adjacent to the common area. There are also some elevated picnic pavilion areas too. Its fun. Just go. At least once.
No huge on ambiance, cut their Mexican and New Mexican food holds it own. Try carne adovada enchiladas. Yum.
Richard's Mexican Restaurant
3301 Menaul Blvd NENo huge on ambiance, cut their Mexican and New Mexican food holds it own. Try carne adovada enchiladas. Yum.
Stunning views from this restaurant at the base of the tram. Mostly enjoyable at sunset. Healthy options and a full bar.
16 personas locales recomiendan
Sandiago's Grill at the Tram
40 Tramway Rd NEStunning views from this restaurant at the base of the tram. Mostly enjoyable at sunset. Healthy options and a full bar.
Great cevicheria with food and a full bar. Nice views from the bar.
16 personas locales recomiendan
Poki Poki Cevicheria
3517 Wyoming Blvd NEGreat cevicheria with food and a full bar. Nice views from the bar.
Lovely quaint spot for organic dining with a great happy hour.
48 personas locales recomiendan
Artichoke Cafe
424 Central Ave SELovely quaint spot for organic dining with a great happy hour.
Sweet sweet staff serving authentic thai food in a cozy environment. Love their cashew nut chicken, tofu kra pow and pineapple curry.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Thai Spice
7441 Paseo Del Norte NESweet sweet staff serving authentic thai food in a cozy environment. Love their cashew nut chicken, tofu kra pow and pineapple curry.
Locals claim a good happy hour....I haven't confirmed it yet...
7 personas locales recomiendan
Scarpas
9700 Montgomery Blvd NELocals claim a good happy hour....I haven't confirmed it yet...
Farm & Table
8917 4th St NWOrganic food in a romanitc setting....
Delicious food at the American Indian cultural Center. Outdoor patio with kivas for baking bread. Fresh food and native american favorites as wel as New Mexican ones.
17 personas locales recomiendan
Pueblo Harvest
2401 12th St NWDelicious food at the American Indian cultural Center. Outdoor patio with kivas for baking bread. Fresh food and native american favorites as wel as New Mexican ones.
Locals say the Italian fare is good here...haven't confirmed it!
52 personas locales recomiendan
Scalo Northern Italian Grill
3500 Central Ave SELocals say the Italian fare is good here...haven't confirmed it!
Arts & Culture
This is the true Old Town of ABQ and is a must-see. Walk around the town square, buy your souvenirs, enjoy live entertainment on the town square, check out the historic church and eat some good local food at Church St Cafe.
184 personas locales recomiendan
Plaza de la Ciudad Vieja
200 N Plaza St NWThis is the true Old Town of ABQ and is a must-see. Walk around the town square, buy your souvenirs, enjoy live entertainment on the town square, check out the historic church and eat some good local food at Church St Cafe.
The Albuquerque Museum has incredible art inside and stunning sculpture outside. There is an amphitheater where there is live music sometimes and Third Thursdays are free always. I love this place and go often. The cafe is small but the limited menu is good and there is coffee, beer, wine too. The museum shop has a great selection and good sales too!
219 personas locales recomiendan
Museo de Albuquerque
2000 Mountain Rd NWThe Albuquerque Museum has incredible art inside and stunning sculpture outside. There is an amphitheater where there is live music sometimes and Third Thursdays are free always. I love this place and go often. The cafe is small but the limited menu is good and there is coffee, beer, wine too. The museum shop has a great selection and good sales too!
This venue is the real thing should you be curious about or already appreciate American Indian culture, food, music, dance or art. It has it all and is authentic. Museum, gift shop, restaurant with outdoor patio with kivas (great fry bread baked on site), indian dancing and sometimes live bands in the courtyard. There are fees for the museum and special events but reasonable ones.
158 personas locales recomiendan
Centro Cultural Pueblo Indio
2401 12th St NWThis venue is the real thing should you be curious about or already appreciate American Indian culture, food, music, dance or art. It has it all and is authentic. Museum, gift shop, restaurant with outdoor patio with kivas (great fry bread baked on site), indian dancing and sometimes live bands in the courtyard. There are fees for the museum and special events but reasonable ones.
This informative museum offers amazing history to present as you track the nuclear weapons program. Lots of authentic pieces to view inside and out. Great tour guides.
81 personas locales recomiendan
El Museo Nacional de Ciencia y Historia Nuclear
601 Eubank Blvd SEThis informative museum offers amazing history to present as you track the nuclear weapons program. Lots of authentic pieces to view inside and out. Great tour guides.
Located by the Balloon Fiesta Park this museum is a must see for aviation and ballooning enthusiasts!
62 personas locales recomiendan
Museo Internacional del Globo Anderson Abruzzo de Albuquerque
9201 Balloon Museum Dr NELocated by the Balloon Fiesta Park this museum is a must see for aviation and ballooning enthusiasts!
Cultural and historic museum celebrating Hispanic culture. There is also a good restaurant on the property, La Fonda.
108 personas locales recomiendan
National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th St SWCultural and historic museum celebrating Hispanic culture. There is also a good restaurant on the property, La Fonda.
Essentials
Sprouts is much like Whole Foods. Its nearby the house and has fresh healthy food options as well as vitamins etc. For staples like say..paper towels.. Smiths is across the street.
140 personas locales recomiendan
Sprouts Farmers Market
5112 Lomas Blvd NESprouts is much like Whole Foods. Its nearby the house and has fresh healthy food options as well as vitamins etc. For staples like say..paper towels.. Smiths is across the street.
Likely this quirky and wonderful grocery store is part of your life already, but it is good to know where it is in ABQ. They often have tastings of wine and snacks too.
49 personas locales recomiendan
Trader Joe's
2200 Uptown Loop Rd NELikely this quirky and wonderful grocery store is part of your life already, but it is good to know where it is in ABQ. They often have tastings of wine and snacks too.
Entertainment & Activities
This winery actually has decent wine (for NM!) but I go for the experience. The scenery is lovely with Spanish architecture and the small pond with benches around it and a water feature makes it relaxing.
81 personas locales recomiendan
Casa Rondeña Winery
733 Chavez RdThis winery actually has decent wine (for NM!) but I go for the experience. The scenery is lovely with Spanish architecture and the small pond with benches around it and a water feature makes it relaxing.
Luxury seating in a nice theater. Can reserve seats online in advance. Reclining seats, self-serve popcorn and sodas.
14 personas locales recomiendan
Icon Cinemas
13120 Central Ave SELuxury seating in a nice theater. Can reserve seats online in advance. Reclining seats, self-serve popcorn and sodas.
This historic movie theatre downtown is small, but has specials events as well as movies. Check out surrounding blokcs as well.
47 personas locales recomiendan
KiMo Theatre
423 Central Ave NWThis historic movie theatre downtown is small, but has specials events as well as movies. Check out surrounding blokcs as well.
The local zoo often hosts fun events, especially during Christmas where the lights are incredible. Acquarium next door.
263 personas locales recomiendan
ABQ BioPark
903 10th St SWThe local zoo often hosts fun events, especially during Christmas where the lights are incredible. Acquarium next door.
Acuario ABQ BioPark
2601 Central Ave NWNext to the zoo and worth a visit.
The picturesque church is on the square in Old Town, surrounded by touristy but cute shops. There is often entertainment on the square and native americans selling jewelry on the weekends on blankets outside.
19 personas locales recomiendan
San Felipe de Neri Church
2005 N Plaza St NWThe picturesque church is on the square in Old Town, surrounded by touristy but cute shops. There is often entertainment on the square and native americans selling jewelry on the weekends on blankets outside.
highly recommended by my guests...and a firend who proposed to his fiance (now wife) on the course! 27 holes.
9 personas locales recomiendan
Santa Ana Golf Club
288 Prairie Star Rdhighly recommended by my guests...and a firend who proposed to his fiance (now wife) on the course! 27 holes.
Isleta Eagle Golf Course
4001 NM-47Recommended by one of my guests (I don't golf!)
Paako Ridge Golf Club
1 Club House DrRecommended by one of our guests~
Sightseeing
Route 66 runs through ABQ and is most places is the same as Central Avenue. Some parts are true taste-of-New Mexico while others are..not so tasteful. But you have to ride along route 66!
Route 66 West
Route 66 runs through ABQ and is most places is the same as Central Avenue. Some parts are true taste-of-New Mexico while others are..not so tasteful. But you have to ride along route 66!
Nob Hill is a lively area near a university which has loads of small shops, restaurants and bars. Its fun and quirky and a nice place you can park your car and walk around and enjoy.
209 personas locales recomiendan
Nob Hill
Nob Hill is a lively area near a university which has loads of small shops, restaurants and bars. Its fun and quirky and a nice place you can park your car and walk around and enjoy.
Stop at the visitor center and enjoy a walk to discover the petroplyphs. This was actually volcanic many many years ago.
71 personas locales recomiendan
Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Center
6510 Western Trail NWStop at the visitor center and enjoy a walk to discover the petroplyphs. This was actually volcanic many many years ago.
Parks & Nature
This short hike is steep but great is the rewards of the views and serenity.
Piedra Lisa-south Trailhead
State Route 333 DThis short hike is steep but great is the rewards of the views and serenity.
This mostly biking trail is phenomenal and you can easily ride 50 miles...well I can't...but if I could... It is a paved trail running mostly along the Rio Grande along the "sidelands" called the Bosque. Excellent biking and there are a few designated stops along the way. I like to pick it up just west of Old Town.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Bosque Trail
Bosque TrailThis mostly biking trail is phenomenal and you can easily ride 50 miles...well I can't...but if I could... It is a paved trail running mostly along the Rio Grande along the "sidelands" called the Bosque. Excellent biking and there are a few designated stops along the way. I like to pick it up just west of Old Town.
Sandia Peak is a ski area when the snow is deep enough, but regardless of the season, it's fun to take the tram to the peak, hike around a bit and have a hot chocolate or cocktail at the only concession at the top. Midway, were you ride the tram, there is also a restaurant and gift shop. Both are touristy but the views are spectacular, especially approaching sunset.
15 personas locales recomiendan
Sandia Peak Ski & Tram
10 Tramway Loop NESandia Peak is a ski area when the snow is deep enough, but regardless of the season, it's fun to take the tram to the peak, hike around a bit and have a hot chocolate or cocktail at the only concession at the top. Midway, were you ride the tram, there is also a restaurant and gift shop. Both are touristy but the views are spectacular, especially approaching sunset.
This hike is a ten mile hike - 5 miles up - literally - and 5 miles down! The summit is sadly anticlimactic, but the changes in topography and nature all along the way are amazing. Begin at about 5K feet and hit about 10K at the summit. Bring snacks!
11 personas locales recomiendan
Pino Trailhead
This hike is a ten mile hike - 5 miles up - literally - and 5 miles down! The summit is sadly anticlimactic, but the changes in topography and nature all along the way are amazing. Begin at about 5K feet and hit about 10K at the summit. Bring snacks!
Only $2 to enter and a great spot near the tram to head out for a hike.
54 personas locales recomiendan
Elena Gallegos Open Space
7100 Tramway Blvd NEOnly $2 to enter and a great spot near the tram to head out for a hike.
Drinks & Nightlife
The rooftop bar at Hotel Chaco, Level 5, requires reservations. It offers incredible views and is a great place to go at sunset. Down below on the lobby level is a bar that usually doesn't offer food, but you can enjoy your drinks outside in a stunning patio area with lounges and firepits.
31 personas locales recomiendan
Hotel Chaco
2000 Bellamah Ave NWThe rooftop bar at Hotel Chaco, Level 5, requires reservations. It offers incredible views and is a great place to go at sunset. Down below on the lobby level is a bar that usually doesn't offer food, but you can enjoy your drinks outside in a stunning patio area with lounges and firepits.
Tractor Brewing company is a popular local favorite for a brew. This location is new as of late summer 2017.
Tractor Brewing Company Four Hills
13170 Central Ave SETractor Brewing company is a popular local favorite for a brew. This location is new as of late summer 2017.
Bow & Arrow is so unpretentious, it is easy to miss it from the road. The front patio is just average, but inside, the lofted ceilings and rustic design is impressive. Seating is mostly communal, making it a good place to connect with new friends.
54 personas locales recomiendan
Bow & Arrow Brewing Company
608 McKnight Ave NWBow & Arrow is so unpretentious, it is easy to miss it from the road. The front patio is just average, but inside, the lofted ceilings and rustic design is impressive. Seating is mostly communal, making it a good place to connect with new friends.
This venue is pretty much the go-to place for folks who like country music and dancing. 'Nuff said.
17 personas locales recomiendan
The Dirty Bourbon
9800 Montgomery Blvd NEThis venue is pretty much the go-to place for folks who like country music and dancing. 'Nuff said.
This hotel has incredible music (for free) in the lobby many weekend nights including well-known local artists who have played professionally for decades. You may hear blues one night or spanish guitar another. There is a restaurant and spanish tapas bar attached, but the lobby is terrific with romantic little "cabana" areas to have privacy while you also have table service. Unique venue and you don't need to stay at the hotel to enjoy it.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Hotel Andaluz
This hotel has incredible music (for free) in the lobby many weekend nights including well-known local artists who have played professionally for decades. You may hear blues one night or spanish guitar another. There is a restaurant and spanish tapas bar attached, but the lobby is terrific with romantic little "cabana" areas to have privacy while you also have table service. Unique venue and you don't need to stay at the hotel to enjoy it.
This wine-centric restaurant and bar has the most stunning views on the upstairs deck as well as pretty good views downstairs on the patio. Comfy seating. It gets a little "club-like" later in the evening, but happy hour is perfect. Can't beat the views.
25 personas locales recomiendan
Vintage 423
8000 Paseo Del Norte Blvd NEThis wine-centric restaurant and bar has the most stunning views on the upstairs deck as well as pretty good views downstairs on the patio. Comfy seating. It gets a little "club-like" later in the evening, but happy hour is perfect. Can't beat the views.
Wine bar and bistro as the name implies. Impressive wine list...as it should be. In Nob Hill, a fun area to walk around in.
49 personas locales recomiendan
Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro
3009 Central Ave NEWine bar and bistro as the name implies. Impressive wine list...as it should be. In Nob Hill, a fun area to walk around in.