My 9 Favorite Restaurants To Experience In Albuquerque, New Mexico

I added Albuquerque, New Mexico, to my RV calendar based on my desire to eat breakfast burritos every day. Seriously, that’s how I often plan my trips, based on places that I hear talked about a lot or read about with a great food scene. My nine favorite restaurants to experience in Albuquerque only whet my appetite for more Southwestern cuisine, so we (me and the hubby) are already talking about wintering there again this year. Here are the places that we really liked and are highly popular — plus the things we liked at each — in alphabetical order.

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1. Blake’s LOTaburger

My son-in-law is named Blake, so Blake’s LOTaburger caught my eye. After talking to folks at our RV campground and some local friends, we quickly learned that this was one of the places to have a great breakfast burrito. Blake’s is a local chain with 75 Southwestern locations, primarily in New Mexico, and also created the original green chile cheeseburger in 1952.

What To Order At Blake’s

I’m not going to lie… the breakfast burrito is pretty darned tasty. It was one of my two favorites of the whole trip. I preferred the classic burrito with beans, while my husband chose the sausage burrito. There is a breakfast sandwich on a grilled bun as an alternative to burritos. Blake’s also serves lunch, dinner, and items such as chicken, chili, onion rings, and shakes.

2. Church Street Cafe

Serving four generations of recipes, Church Street Cafe is in the heart of Historic Old Town and is located in a historic building, Casa de Ruiz. This structure is the oldest in Albuquerque and one of the oldest in the state. My husband and I stopped in for a quick snack. There is indoor seating, plus front and back patios for enjoying the outdoors.

What To Order At Church Street Cafe

While we just went for chile con queso and chips, the best snack on Earth in my book, Church Street Cafe’s menu at Church Street also has tamales, burgers, soups, salads, fajitas, burritos, and chile rellenos. I recommend you to have a sweet treat, and there are plenty to choose from — think gourmet cookies, cinnamon rolls, flan, churros, and sopaipillas. We took home a selection of several.

3. Cocina Azul

While I was out of town, my husband discovered Cocina Azul in Old Town and knew I would love it. He wasn’t wrong. Cocina Azul is another place you’ll find a fantastic breakfast burrito; only this one is way more upscale and picturesque. I’m willing to bet it could compete with any in New Mexico, which is quite a claim. And guess what? Breakfast is served all day.

What To Order At Cocina Azul

We went for breakfast burritos (I promise this list does have other things… keep reading), but my husband changed his mind and had the breakfast platter, which included pancakes. My burrito was a perfect combination of eggs, hash browns, and sausage. There were two sauces to choose from — green chile and a red sauce — and I chose green. The flavors were mellow and really good. I’d rate this breakfast burrito a 10/10. Another dish that piqued my interest was the Spam and eggs.

If you like tea, you’ll find a variety of New Mexico Tea Company options like blood orange, English breakfast, Moroccan mint, and jasmine.

4. Indian Pueblo Kitchen

One of the do-not-miss attractions in Albuquerque is the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. It is only fitting that the popular and educational facility has a stellar Native American and New Mexico cuisine restaurant to go with it, and that’s precisely what you’ll find at Indian Pueblo Kitchen. It is highly desirable and busy, so plan accordingly and put your name on the list. They will let you know when your table is ready via text.

What To Order At Indian Pueblo Kitchen

In either full or half orders, blue corn onion rings are perfect to munch on as you wait for your main courses. They are served with a green chile ranch and salsa chile de arbol, which mixed well together, too. The Monte Cristo sandwich is pretty impressive, with ham, turkey, cheddar, and Swiss cheeses, all piled on Pueblo oven bread. Then the luscious berries and red-chile-infused raspberry preserves take the sandwich to the next level. You get a choice for your side dish between French or sweet potato fries, side salad, or Pueblo potato salad.

I had a hard time choosing because it all sounded wonderful, but I went with the prime rib fry bread dip. The sandwich was tasty, with grilled onions and roasted green chilies, but the red chile au jus was the best part of the meal. I could have drank it straight from the cup. Breakfast is served all day, too, if you so desire.

5. Le Chantilly Fine Pastries

Nestled in a strip mall, we discovered Le Chantilly Fine Pastries as I was googling breakfast spots. Our jaws dropped when we walked in and took one look at the magnificent pastries and massive selection of delicious goodies behind the counter. We had a seat at the bar and ordered lunch before taking home several things that looked too good to pass up.

What To Order at Le Chantilly 

I went for the quiche, and it did not disappoint. There were a few recipe combinations to choose from, and it tasted as though it was served straight from the oven. There were sandwiches and salads, too. I’m a fan of gourmet places like this that offer take and bake meals, and Le Chantilly offered bunches, including green chile mac and spinach lasagne. Which pastries should you try? Chocolate eclairs, jam cookies, and pavé were all incredible. 

6. Owl Cafe

Located in one of the most extraordinary buildings I’ve seen on historic Route 66, The Owl Cafe is an Albuquerque landmark. My husband and I went there for breakfast and dinner. You’ll find a well-rounded menu in this retro eatery with a soda shop feel, Instagram-worthy counter dining, and table jukeboxes.

What To Order At Owl Cafe

For breakfast, try the breakfast burrito if you are hungry. If not so much, go for the half-size French toast combo. You can add an egg (or two) for a small upcharge. At dinner, the Aloha Pork Sandwich is scrumptious. Save room for a handmade old-fashioned shake or malt.

Pro Tip: Indulge in the complimentary dish of beans. They are exceptional!

7. Sadie’s Of New Mexico

One of Albuquerque’s most popular local chain eateries is Sadie’s of New Mexico, which has been around for 65 years. There are three locations to choose from around town. Sadie’s is a 7-time winner for Best Mexican food and Best Margarita in Albuquerque. We went for dinner and sat in the bar area, which was lively and offered excellent service.

What To Order At Sadie’s

Chile con queso is a must! It is so darned good that I nearly ate the whole bowl myself. For your lunch or dinner, try a combination plate where you can select two, three, or four items from a long list. I had the Sopaipilla Dinner with Billy’s Spicy Beef. It’s a lot of food; you may want to share.

Pro Tip: Chips and salsa are complimentary with any food or alcoholic beverage purchase. 

8. Taaj Palace

I love Indian food — it’s probably my favorite — so I couldn’t pass up dinner at Taaj Palace, one of Albuquerque’s many Indian restaurants. They offer a buffet, which is excellent for those unfamiliar with Indian food or those who just enjoy the bounty of choices. 

What To Order at Taaj Palace

I had my favorite meal, chicken tikka masala, which was good and filling. The sauce was just right in terms of its tomato base and was served with jasmine rice and a side of garlic naan, which I ordered a la carte. Taaj Palace is closed on Mondays. A lunch buffet is served Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and a dinner buffet is served Friday through Sunday from 5-8 p.m. Butter chicken is a specialty here.

Pro Tip: Indian food is not spicy. You can order the spice level you want. I typically order mild to medium. Don’t be afraid to try it.

9. The Farmacy

My favorite breakfast was from The Farmacy, along Central Ave along historic Route 66. They make homemade biscuits that are to die for, and, of course, The Farmacy has the New Mexico staple — breakfast burritos. You can order them in red, green, or Christmas, a combo of both red and green Chile sauces. They offer indoor and outdoor dining and are open 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every day but Tuesday.

What To Order At The Farmacy

Try the Lumberjack, a billowy biscuit filled with green chile, cheddar cheese, and eggs, baked, then topped with house-made gravy, a fried egg, and bacon crumbles. Dear goodness, this is one amazing dish! Croque Maiden, Waffles Rancheros, and the French Underground, a waffle with Brie and berry compote, are other tempting breakfast culinary creations.