The Best New Mexican Cuisine in Albuquerque

Stufy's

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (13) • $

"I had not been in this place before. I had food from this chain when I was kid. The food has not changed. It is not good though nothing special. They were quick to get it done and it was hot and good. The building needs some work."

Church Street Café

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$

"Like any other review, please take this one with a grain of salt lol I only ordered hot chocolate here lol We were in Old Town late in the evening and NOTHING was open. It was cold, we went to see the tree/lights, and were craving hot chocolate. This was the only place open around 7 pm at night. We went in and ordered 2 hot chocolates. It tasted like Abuelita hot chocolate with a dash of Chile powder, extra cinnamon, and richer chocolate. It was delicious and hit the spot! So in reality, we did not order food, but rather only Hot Chocolate. Service was great. The workers made conversation with us and did not make us feel like a bother. Old town was very quiet as was the restaurant. So if you're in the area and craving some hot chocolate - I recommend visiting Church Street Cafe!"

The Pantry Rio

★★★★★ 4.5 (321) • $$

"The food is so good, I came back the following morning! The first morning I sat inside, the second outside. The only thing about outside is that there's no fly fans or anything to keep the bugs away, so that's only only downfall. The service is friendly and they work well together. Both mornings I had the traditional breakfast with veggie sausage. The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the veggie sausage tasted too meaty for me. I like how they offer bottomless coffee and that the music is lovely without being too loud to talk to anyone. If I come back to Santa Fe, I'll be coming back here!"

El Patron ABQ

★★★★☆ 3.5 (584) • $$

"A great option when you are craving some not so healthy Mexican eats, including lots of chips and salsa. They have really thin chips which I like it makes some extra crispy and their salsa is really good. The building itself is really beautiful and there's some really cool decor. Having too much fun looking at their light fixtures and when you walk in, there's a fire going which was really nice.They have a pretty solid, happy hour with seven dollar drinks and seven dollar food items. I do think that some of the food items are better deals than others. The cheeseburger chimichanga I got was a good deal, especially with a little queso but a friend got a shrimp tostada, which was just a lot less food."

The Skillet

★★★★☆ 4.4 (225) • $$

"Stopped by for a drink while on a road trip pit stop. Such a cool vibe and location. Would have loved to arrive hungry, they had so many cool tacos I wanted to try. Good selection of beers on tap. Definitely stop here! Worth a quick detour off the interstate."

El Camino Dining Room

★★★★☆ 3.8 (89) • $$

"El Camino Dining Room on Route 66 in Albuquerque, NM, was one of our favorite stops during our visit... a visit focused on fan-boying our way through various Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul filming locations. From the moment you step through the door, you are transported to the nostalgic era of the 1950s, with its historical aura and charming decor that perfectly captures the spirit of that time.The quaintness of El Camino Dining Room is truly enchanting. The attention to detail in preserving a vintage diner atmosphere is commendable, and every corner of the restaurant exudes a sense of authenticity. The small counter, the heavily lacquered wood tables, mismatched chairs, old-school coffee mugs... the whole place was a fun throwback to a different time of travel across our great country.What adds an extra layer of excitement for fans of the AMC series Better Call Saul is the knowledge that this charming establishment was featured in several episodes. The connection to the show adds a unique allure, and you can almost imagine the characters from the series enjoying a meal in this nostalgic setting... even though the show made the place seem a lot larger than it actually is!One of the standout features of El Camino Dining Room is the generous portion sizes. The dishes served here are not only delicious but also hearty, ensuring that you leave completely satisfied. The menu offers a variety of classic American comfort foods, each prepared with care and attention to quality. Reasonable prices, even with the worldwide markup of everything that has happened over the last couple of years.The outstanding service further elevates the dining experience. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely passionate about creating a memorable visit for patrons. Our interaction with the owner was a highlight, as she took the time to engage in casual conversation and share fascinating stories about Jonathan Banks and Rhea Seehorn, adding a personal touch to our experience.The owner's anecdotes about the actors from Better Call Saul added an extra layer of excitement to our visit. It was a pleasure to hear behind-the-scenes stories while enjoying a delicious meal. The casual and friendly atmosphere encouraged a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience.El Camino Dining Room is a must-visit destination for those seeking a taste of Route 66 nostalgia, excellent food, and a touch of TV history. The staff even let me geek out and recreate a couple of photo-angles from behind the counter. If you're a fan of the show, or just a fan of unpretentiously good food and better service, you have to stop in here on your next visit to the ABQ."

Field Goods Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.8 (403) • $$

"After our visit to Meow Wolf, we stopped by at Dr. Field Goods Kitchen which is close by for dinner.It's a causal joint, on the small size, specialized in fusion, with a New Mexico twist.We got a Margherita Pizza and shared it, we added pepperoni and olives on half of it. The pizza was good, the ingredients were fresh, they used heirloom tomato-s, the complaint? The crust was too thin so you couldn't pick it up, had to be classy and use a knife and a fork.For a gastro pub, I was disappointed with their on tap beer selection. They kept bringing us canned beer. No way! With all the local breweries, do I want a beer I can buy in a supermarket everywhere in US? No way! Just a couple of local IPA-s, which I don't like. But I wanted a local beer so I got the Santa Fe Co IPA. Nor a fun. IPA-s aren't for me.For dessert, we shared their bread pudding, good, liked the caramel sauce on it. a tad dry.Customer service was OK. Prices, decent. The place could be better, a mixed bag for me! I expected better based on reviews and local press."

Stripes Burrito

★★★★☆ 3.7 (6)

"Went by to grab a bite and was very satisfied with the burrito. He was well made and hot with lots of flavor. The staff was friendly and helpful."

Mary & Tito's

★★★★☆ 4.2 (499) • $

"Well, it was awesome 5 years ago when I was here, and as of today's visit it's still awesome!!!The food is nothing fancy, but dam delicious!!! Down to earth, true New Mexican cuisine.Red chile, green chile, beans, rice, the entire menu is authentic. No fluff here!! Pricing is very very affordable!"

Ex Novo Brewing

★★★★☆ 3.9 (82)

"The 3 Star rating is spot on. I had the sticky ribs. They were supper dry. The grits were ok. The person I had dinner with his steak looked great and he said it was. The place is a brew house so I will say it being a little load wasn't to bad. The service was ok but could have been better just a little slow."

Vegan Vato

★★★★☆ 4.4 (39)

"I eat at Vegan Vato two or three times a week via Uber Eats. I love the food, it is perfectly on point. Looking forward to my first visit so I can see who makes all of this great stuff!"

Rancho De Chimayo Restaurante

★★★★☆ 3.7 (439) • $$

"Hadn't been here in a couple of years while visiting as I was disappointed with our (lunch) meals. This time around we decided to have dinner and it was a much better experience!We started off with the chips and salsa (lots of chips, but they charge now: 5.45)! My mom and BFF ordered the chile rellenos and I ordered the stuffed sopaipilla with shredded chicken (breast). I got mine with Xmas (red and green chile) and the rellenos automatically come with green (assuming you ask for red otherwise). Both were very flavorful with the green being hotter. At first glance, everything on the menu seems pricey; however, the portions are HUGE! You also get a complimentary basket of sopaipillas and our server gave us a total of six so we took some home. When we received our check, it was 85 bucks via debit/credit card & 82 bucks cash (not including a tip) which wasn't bad for three people! The only cons about our visit was the service was very slow, but our server was very nice and kind! The 2nd con was I the extra surcharge to use a debit/credit card. I understand merchants have to pay a fee for the service of offering this payment method, but that's a cost of doing business and they shouldn't pass this on to their customers. Regardless, I will definitely be back (for dinner)."

Dick's Pub & Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (125) • $$

"Went here mostly because we wanted to watch the football game. Food was delicious and much better than the expected bar food. Had the Chipotle Salmon and it was yummy! Husband had the chicken sandwich which was spicier than he expected but still delicious. Had several drinks and the bartender and servers were friendly and attentive. Cool place with a casual vibe and would definitely go back if we are in the area again!"

Tortilla Flats

★★★★☆ 3.5 (390) • $$

"This place was on point! We drove up from Albuquerque to go to Meow Wolf and dropped by Tortilla Flats for dinner. It is within walking distance from there so it was perfect. I have to say that the restaurant needs a little bit of updating but their food and service make up for it. There's nothing like simple and traditional New Mexican green chicken enchiladas. Yet these flat tortilla-styled enchis were a perfect taste of comfort. Draped in creamy green chile sauce topped with cheese. I love it when they stick with the traditional posole as a side instead of rice. Now, let's talk about their sopapillas! I can't believe how much I loved them. I never order them because I am not a fan, but I am definitely a fan of theirs. They taste more "bready" than what I am used to having. I know that's not a word, but it's the best I can describe it and I loved them. For a Thursday evening, they were a little busy yet the drinks and food came out pretty quick. The restaurant was clean and so were their bathrooms. Also, the hostess and our server were very friendly."

Kocina De Raphael

★★★★☆ 3.5 (88) • $$

"Food is always fresh! Our favorite is shredded beef burnt cheese tacos with extra salsa. Service is normal really good. Waitresses are friendly. Ambiance is clean-it's time for an update. It's a busy restaurant they can afford to class it up a bit. Restrooms are always clean. If you visit Las Vegas Kocina is a must try for that authentic northern NM vibe."

Golden Piñon New Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (41) • $$

"Golden Piñon is sorta off the beaten path if you're staying in Taos, but is definitely worth dinning at. My wife and I have eaten here the last couple of years and it's always delicious and great service. Today we stopped by and my wife had the cheese enchiladas and I had the shrimp burrito, both of us had our dishes Christmas style and we loved every bite. I was extremely impressed with the way the shrimp were cooked (PERFECTLY) and the burrito had plenty of shrimp also.. Service was fantastic even though Lala and the other server had to take time out to batten down the outside due to a storm that hit quickly. The restaurant is spotless and has very comfortable seating. I highly recommend eating here!!"

Tomasita's

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"I grew up always eating here. So when I visit back home this is my first stop for food.Best place to order the stuffed sopapilla. Green chili smothered and fantastic. Heaven on a plate. The servers and workers here are always on top of their game. Making sure your experience is the best. I have never had one complaint about here. Casual fitting at.osphere of northern new mexico right next to the train station. This is a must stop if you are passing by and a local favorite"

El Charrito Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (140) • $$

"This was my first time here and I was impressed and will be back! Upon entry into the foyer, there's a sign that says to order with the cashier first before being seated. It was a Saturday morning and was quite busy so that foyer gets pretty packed with folks going thru the menu to place their order. I ordered the combination plate x-Mas. I enjoyed a pork tamale, cheese enchilada, and a beef taco. Everything was delicious. The beef taco was filled to the top with beef. The plate came with beans and rice and sopaipillas. Everything was so tasty and satisfying. The service was amazing, not only did we get checked on several times by multiple staff, but they were genuinely friendly and gave smiles and eye contact. I felt try genuine connection with them being attentive to their customers it was very much appreciated."

Stripes Burrito

★★★★☆ 4 (57) • $

"The chicken sandwiches and strips are amazing. Always the best. The burritos? Well, the little diced potatoes they use are not my favorites. It's still a decent burrito - I'd give it a 4 out of 5 - but not my favorite."

The Pantry Dos

★★★★★ 4.5 (189) • $$

"I come here every week. Iconik coffee with breakfast is always a perk. Some of the best, most consistent food in town. Don't miss out on the specials! I've never had something here I didn't like. It's great to go somewhere and see the same faces. You can tell people enjoy working here. Their red and green chile snacks. Nice, spacious and clean restaurant. Smoke parking."

Orlando's New Mexican Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (702) • $$

"Wow, what a treasure. Orlando's was recommended by the owner of the inn where we stayed, and he was spot on. Orlando's was incredible.We stopped in for lunch after exploring Taos, and it was exactly what we were craving. We were seated outside on the patio, and the service was done with a smile, great recommendations and friendliness. Mr. B ordered the special enchiladas, Calabicitas enchiladas, which is sauteed zucchini, onion and cilantro, with a green sauce. I ordered the Blue Corn Cheese Enchiladas with Christmas sauce (Red and Green). The enchiladas were traditional Southwestern style and were served with posole (hominy) and beans. Mr. B enjoyed a local Santa Fe brew, Happy Camper IPA and I had a lovely chilled glass of Pinot Grigio.The food was truly incredible.They have their own parking lot, so parking is easy. There is inside dining, and the outdoor patio. If the weather is lovely, take a seat on the patio, it is really nice.I wish I had an Orlando's near me, I would be a regular."

T J's New Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 (60) • $

"Nice atmosphere with good food and great service. We got the combo with green chili sauce. It was very good. My wife got huevos rancheros with green chili sauce. Very good."

La Cocina

★★★★☆ 4.1 (152) • $$

"Delicious! Never disappointed when we go.The enchiladas were so good, definitely ordering again Our waiter was friendly and informed us right away there would be a delay in getting our food. Which we appreciated.The dessert case is filled with some tempting options but we are always too full to have.The dia de los muertos display is a sweet reminder."

New Mexico Beef Jerky Company

★★★★★ 4.5 (174) • $$

"This might be one of those places you just have to visit when you're in Albuquerque. It's definitely a local favorite for the $10 breakfast burritos that are served all day. They are closed Sundays and Mondays, and they close at 3 PM! They have a parking lot, but it is almost always full. It's not easy to wait for a spot to open up because of how small the lot is. The chicharron breakfast burrito was a flavorful, jam-packed burrito. This is just my preference, but I would pick a different protein next time. The chicharron is too chewy for me.I tried the $13 carne adovada breakfast plate. This is like the burrito but without the tortilla. The meat tasted like chicken. I got the bavarian cream from the dessert shop (it's the register over). It was heavenly."

Horseman's Haven Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (464) • $$

"It's a classic diner. Straightforward, good food. The chile is delicious and hot. The breakfast is great, just tell them to go light on the salt!"

Atrisco Cafe & Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (234) • $$

"Good Friday would not be the same without a stop at Atrisco's! Our meatless Lenten meal consisted of a bean burrito and cheese enchiladas. Salsa and chips to snack on while we waited for our entree. We sit at the bar where everyone is friendly and welcoming. Service is great and those sopapillas are a nice dessert with honey. No doubt we will be back."

Museum Hill Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.5 (112) • $$

"The best museum cafe ever. 2 miles from the Santa Fe Plaza in the center of the old town is the Museum Hill Cafe, with some of the best views of the city down below. You can take a free shuttle from the plaza to the cafe.Before the pandemic. We drove up, with huge parking lots below the cafe. Checked out the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, and Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, both within walking distance, and then stopped by here for lunch. They are only open for lunch Tuesday-Sunday, closed Monday. Wife ordered the $14 poblano quesadilla, and I ordered the $13 chicken tostada. The poblano quesadilla came with 4 quarters of flour tortilla filled with spicy green chilis, onions, cheese, rice and greens, with picco de gallo , sour cream, and guacamole sauces on the side. Would not have been enough for me, but perfect size serving for the wife, who loves the spicy hot green chilis.The chicken tostada came with chopped cubes of grilled white chicken, lettuce, pinto beans, cheese cooked over a corn tortilla, topped with slices of guacamole, with spicy sauces on the side. Excellently presented, and good portion size. Would come again for this dish alone.$4 off with lunch with our North American Reciprocal Museum Card.Afterwards we walked to the Museum of International Folk Art, the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, all on Museum hill. This was the best museum cafe that I've eaten at. Not saying much as I've only eaten at the San Jose tech museum, the Ellis Island museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, none known for their cafeteria food."

Garcia's Kitchen - The Original

★★★★☆ 3.6 (196) • $$

"I was pretty impressed with this restaurant. Staff was helpful, attentive and friendly. Atmosphere was nice and food was excellent. I thought the price was very reasonable for the amount of food I received. I ordered the combination plate with a taco, tamale, enchilada, rice, beans and soppapillas. Everything was excellent. The menu has other items that were also tempting such as the nachos, tostadas and burritos which I will try next time."

Tenampa

★★★★★ 4.5 (74) • $

"My son found this place as we were leaving Albuquerque and heading for Flagstaff. Very unassuming from the parking lot, but what a find! Delicious tamales and sopaipillas. Very attentive and courteous server. If we weren't leaving New Mexico we'd come back in a heartbeat. New Mexico Combo Plate New Mexico Combo Plate New Mexico Combo Plate"

ABQ Grill

★★★★☆ 4.2 (24) • $$

"Delicious food, great service. Bar is small and chill. Loved the flourless chocolate torte as well. Ordered downstairs at the bar & picked up at the bar. I am Celiac / gluten-free, and they were able to answer all of my questions about my diet and help me feel more comfortable eating here with my autoimmune disease. 10/10 recommend!"

Los Amigos Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (119) • $$

"I'm always up for trying restaurants I've never been to before in my home state. Came with family and a friend and they both loved it. Food was really tasty and the chile wasn't too spicy but still flavorful. Ordered a strawberry margarita which tasted more like a strawberry Lemonade (which can be a good thing). Service was lacking, hence the 4 stars. Server who took our drink order just looked at us without asking us what we wanted to drink as if we're supposed to read his mind. Our main server was cordial but not overly friendly. Was lacking a table setting and had to ask twice."

Abraham's Tiendita

★★★★★ 4.7 (16) • $

"Good fast made to order food, and you can call ahead. Staff is always friendly and they have frozen bags of tamales to go!"

La Casita Food Truck

★★★★☆ 3.9 (12)

"Have driven by this gem a few times in Bernallio and decided to do a call in order and pick up. The meal was great and very tasty. I have worked in restaurant industry and have to say looking in at the kitchen and area and you can tell they are top notch with making sure I they have a very clean kitchen. This is a family run business and they were extremely nice and answered questions I had. They have a sitting area outside and to go but no inside seating. If you are in Bernallio stop by, you won't regret it."

El Patron North

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (68) • $$

"Twelve of us showed up for happy hour at 3 pm on a Tuesday. What a lovely time we had. We sat in the bar area so as to be able to order from the happy hour menu. Shane the bartender/server did an excellent job of taking our orders, executing them expertly, and then was also gracious enough to provide separate checks. He did not miss a beat. The kitchen did a good job. All the food was really good - except I admit that the angus beef sliders that I ordered were not exactly what I expected. They were too thick, the bun was too thick, and they were a bit dry unfortunately. However, all the Mexican dishes seemed to please everyone else. Lori was also gracious in helping us to get organized. This restaurant has a small footprint - which means small bar area and adjacent dining space. The menu is good, the prices are good (be aware they do add on a small inflation adjustment charge) and the service was wonderful. I know there have been mixed reviews here for this location of El Patron but trust me - we were very happy and we will surely return again."

Quick Burger

★★★★☆ 4 (5)

"We stopped by this local gem on our way back from fishing @ the Pecos and we were very impressed. As noted, the food menu is very assorted which is a plus if you have any picky eaters among your crew. I went with the green chile cheeseburger and accompanied it with an espresso milkshake. That hit the spot after a long day of fishing. My sister ordered the peanut butter shake and that one was better than mine (although I didn't tell her at the time). We took beef tacos for the road as well, once more variety is key. I will stop by again next time I'm driving through this charming town and this time I'll order a peanut butter milkshake to go with my burger."