Albuquerque restaurants reflect the rich cultural heritage and ethnic diversity that is the very heart of the city. Dining experiences range from casual fare to fine cuisine. Celebrating a milestone anniversary or birthday or planning to pop the question during your stay? We will be happy to make suggestions for a restaurant with the atmosphere you seek. In the meantime, let us tempt you with this dining guide of some of our favorite restaurants in Albuquerque.
Restaurant Antiquity (505-247-3545) This is our very favorite restaurant in Old Town. Fine dining in an intimate, romantic atmosphere. Extraordinary food and exquisite 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. Luis Campos usually plays classical Spanish guitar on weekend evenings. 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 seven different types of fabulous margaritas. Full bar; casual attire acceptable; open for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended on weekends and holidays. Dinner at High Noon is also a featured highlight of our Ghost Tour Package.
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. Open for lunch and dinner (reservations recommended).
La Crepe Michel (505-247-1251) Traditional French crepe dishes, salads, quiches, fish and other French specialties. Owned and operated by Claudie and her mother and yes, they are from France. Casual dress, reservations recommended for evenings and weekends. Beer and wine available.
Ambrozia (505-242-6560) Ambrozia is the place for “foodies,” those who enjoy culinary adventures and dare to try more unusual dishes with combinations of ingredients and spices not found on a standard dinner menu. Who would think of black pepper ice cream? Ambrozia offers a varied menu of delightful dishes and has an extensive wine cellar. Open evenings only. Call for reservations.
St. Clair Winery & Bistro (505-242-6560) This café and wine-tasting room is just north of Old Town. Great comfort food. Other menu items are available, but I can never get past the garlic chicken with mashed potatoes or the pot roast. Sample wines from St. Clair 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 (505-247-4141) Just southeast of Old Town, Duran 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, but some may be a little warm for visiting gringos. Linoleum floors, chrome tables and chairs, complete with a lunch counter, and all absolutely spotless. Open Monday-Friday 11-6:00 and Saturday 11-2:00, so it’s lunch or early dinner. Closed on Sunday. Tip: 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. |
