6 Favorite Places to Eat in Albuquerque

 

Albuquerque, New Mexico is known for its culinary experiences. New Mexican cuisine shares a distinctive blend of Native Pueblo, Mexican, and Spanish flavors. While we did explore tasty New Mexican dishes during our trip, we also sampled other cuisines and loved what we discovered! Here are our 6 best Albuquerque restaurants from our adventure:

1. Duran's Central Pharmacy: Duran's offers quite a unique experience and one that I highly recommend when visiting Albuquerque. As the name implies, yes, Duran's Central Pharmacy has a pharmacy as well as a sizeable store whose wares included a plethora of New Mexico and Mexican made items. However, we mainly visited to explore authentic New Mexican cuisine at Duran's New Mexico Diner which was founded in the 1960's. The menu features many New Mexican favorites highlighting red and green chiles or the two together known as Christmas chile. Flour tortillas are made freshly and there is counter service -- a true throw back to a bygone era.

** Interesting Fact: Duran's Central Pharmacy is located on the famed Route 66 and has been an iconic staple since 1942.

Duran's combo plate and green chile.

2. Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza: After a long day traveling the Turquoise Trail, we settled in at Il Vicino for some wood fire pizza and microbrews. Yes, Il Vicino also has its own local microbrews! Talk about a perfect combination! The place was hopping on a Friday evening and definitely worth a little wait!

**Interesting Fact: Il Vicino Brewing Company changed its name to Canteen Brewhouse in 2014.

Delicious wood oven pizza, microbrews, and salad at Il Vicino in Albuquerque.

3. Church Street Cafe: Located in Casa De Ruiz in Old Town, Albuquerque's oldest residence, Church Street Cafe tempts with New Mexican flavors in a truly historic setting. We ate at Church Street Cafe twice during our Albuquerque getaway and enjoyed both. Plus, the setting in the historic adobe is absolutely charming with many authentic New Mexican pieces to explore.

**Interesting Fact: Casa De Ruiz was constructed in the early 1700s during the founding of Albuquerque. 

A cheese enchilada, Spanish hot chile dip and fry bread.

4. Indian Pueblo Kitchen: No trip to Albuquerque is complete without a breakfast or lunch at Indian Pueblo Kitchen! The restaurant nestled inside of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center features traditional Pueblo cooking and cuisine with a Pueblo flare. We enjoyed the bison stew and the Pueblo Turkey Melt. Both dishes were delicious! Plus, the fry bread is a must! 

Scrumptious bison stew, fry bread, and a Pueblo turkey melt at Indian Pueblo Kitchen.

5. Viet's Pho: If you are looking for yummy Vietnamese food in Albuquerque, check out Viet's Pho. Their menu is huge and has the largest selection of noodle bowls that I have ever seen. I went with a shrimp rice noodle bowl -- and inhaled it!

We loved eating at some of the best Albuquerque restaurants!!!

Spring rolls and shrimp rice noodle soup at Viet Pho's.

6. The Grove Cafe & Market:  The Grove Cafe & Market offers fresher, healthier options highlighting local ingredients from sustainable farms. The cafe has a full range of breakfast, lunch, and brunch options as well as baked treats, coffee concoctions, bubbly and more. We loved our meal at The Grove including an incredible tortilla soup. 

All the good flavors and colorful veggies with our Italian sandwich and tortilla soup
at The Grove Cafe & Market in Albuquerque.

What are your Albuquerque dining favorites? Leave a comment!