Albuquerque restaurants reflect the rich cultural heritage and ethnic diversity that is the very heart of the city. Dining experiences in Old Town range from casual fare to fine cuisine. Will you be celebrating a milestone anniversary or birthday or are you planning to pop the question during your stay?
We will be happy to make suggestions or reservations at restaurants in Albuquerque with the atmosphere and cuisine you seek. In the meantime, let us tempt you with this dining guide of some of our favorite restaurants in Albuquerque’s Old Town.
Check the restaurant’s website for current information on menus, days and hours of operation and prices.
Restaurant Antiquity (505-247-3545) This is our top pick for a special occasion. Fine dining in an intimate, romantic atmosphere. Extraordinary food and impeccable service. Here’s a sample of some meals we’ve had: scallops in a jalapeno-citrus cream sauce; shrimp marinated in red chile and beer and grilled to perfection; veal scallopini; coconut-crusted rack of lamb. Are you hungry yet? Cocktail or business casual attire recommended. Wine or beer is available. Open for dinner only. Reservations are recommended any day of the week.
High Noon (505-765-1455) This restaurant’s building dates from the 1860’s, with brick floors, whitewashed walls and vigas. High Noon offers an eclectic dinner menu featuring steaks, wild game, seafood, pasta and New Mexico specialties. The New Mexican combination plate is a wonderful sampler of regional favorites, and they offer many flavors of fabulous margaritas. Full bar; casual attire acceptable; open for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended on weekends and holidays.
Seasons Rotisserie & Grill (505-766-5100) Modern American and European cuisine with an Italian influence. Wood-fired rotisserie and grill with a full-service bar. Excellent food and wonderful ambiance. The lounge on the second floor provides a great view of the sunset, with outdoor dining late spring through early fall. The mango margarita is to die for! Casual to dressy attire. Reservations recommended.
Old Town Cafe Casual fare in a historic building right on the Plaza. Sandwiches, Frito Pie. burrito bowls and lovely drinks.
Church Street Cafe (505-247-8522) Church Street Cafe is a favorite of both locals and visitors and features classic New Mexico cuisine. Dine inside the 300-year old Casa Ruiz or enjoy outdoor seating in the lovely patio with fountains and flowers. It’s casual and comfortable.
Sawmill Market (505-563-4473) Visit this upscale indoor food hall in a remodeled warehouse. You can choose from a number of food vendors so everyone gets what they want. Lots of outdoor seating; casual. Open daily.
Lescombes Winery & Bistro (505-242-6560) This café and wine-tasting room is just north of Old Town. Great comfort food, many cooked with wine. Other menu items are available, but I can never get past the garlic chicken with mashed potatoes or the pot roast with Burgundy. Sample wines from Lescombes Winery as well as other New Mexico wineries, or enjoy lunch or dinner inside or out on the patio. They frequently have live music on weekend evenings in the summer. Open for lunch and dinner. Call for reservations.
Duran’s Central Pharmacy (505-247-4141) Just southeast of Old Town, Duran’s Central Pharmacy is where the locals go for lunch. The pharmacy with the diner in the back has been there for more than 60 years, and some of the waitresses have been there what seems like forever. Watch them make the best tortillas in town. Every dish here is wonderful, although some may be a little warm for visiting gringos. Linoleum floors, chrome tables and chairs, complete with a lunch counter, and all absolutely spotless. Tip: for lunch, either go before 11:30 or wait until after 1:15, or you’ll be waiting a while for a seat. Yes, it’s that good. Casual attire.
Vinaigrette (505-842-5507) Vinaigrette features about 20 different fresh, made-to-order salads, as well as soups and sandwiches. Most of the produce is locally grown on farms owned by the restaurant’s owner. We recommend Vinaigrette for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions. The menu has many choices, so it’s easy to pick and choose. Feel free to ask them to leave out a particular ingredient you can’t eat or ask about substitutions. A lovely salad is a great choice when you’ve overindulged while traveling. Enjoy patio dining on either the east or west side of the restaurant. Vinaigrette is located right on Central Avenue–historic Route 66. Casual attire. Reservations recommended.
Cheese and Coffee (505-242-0326) and Seared (505-999-8414) These two restaurants occupy the same space! Cheese and Coffee is open Mon -Sat 11 am – 2 pm. Look for classic soups, sandwiches and salads. After closing, the restaurant transitions to Seared for dinner Tues – Sat 5 pm – 9 pm. One of our personal favorites is the French cut pork chop, “slow-braised frenched chop served with potatoes au gratin, fennel apple salad, grain mustard sauce.” White table cloths and attentive service make this a delightful dining experience at reasonable prices. Business casual attire. Reservations recommended.
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