Where to eat Mexican food in Albuquerque: The Best Restaurants and Bars

February 20, 2020 Fernanda Pittenger

Discover Restaurants offering the best Mexican food in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. Whether you're into history, culture, outdoor adventures or just in need of some new and unique scenery, Albuquerque offers exciting attractions for all ages and interests, anytime of the year. In the historic section of Old Town, ancient Indian and Spanish cultures come to life through old churches, quaint shops and piazzas, winding brick paths and adobe benches. Browsers can spend a whole day making their way through the more than 100 stores, boutiques and galleries that sell Southwestern goods as well as unique products from around the world. During the winter holiday season, Old Town is adorned with small lit candles and thousands come to stroll through the streets, listen to live music and celebrate. It is truly a sight to see. But the history doesn't stop there. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and the Petroglyph National Monument offer a glimpse of old Indian customs and art. Families will find plenty to do at the Albuquerque Biological Park, which features a zoo, aquarium and botanic garden. Outdoor types will find ample opportunities for hiking, biking and golf. After working up an appetite, head to any number of fine restaurants that serve up a choice of hot or even hotter New Mexican cuisine. To top it all off, take a ride on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway for spectacular views of all this vibrant city has to offer.
Things to do in Albuquerque

10. Sadie's of New Mexico

6230 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107-5703 Mexican, Southwestern Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night Free Wifi, Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +1 505-345-5339 http://www.sadiesofnewmexico.com/
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Overall Ratings

4 based on 1887 reviews

Reviewed By CKT808

This was a really huge restaurant. We were there when they opened at 10:30 for breakfast after going to the Balloon Fiesta. We shared guacamole and breakfast sopaipilla sliders. we had one bacon and two sausage sliders. Then they brought 2 sopaipillas for dessert with honey. I've never had something like this for breakfast, but it was wonderful. The sopaipllla were the best I've ever had. All of that food was only $15.

9. High Noon Restaurant & Saloon

425 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104-1428 Mexican, American, Southwestern, Bar, Contemporary Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +1 505-765-1455 http://www.highnoonrestaurant.com/
Food
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4 based on 950 reviews

High Noon Restaurant & Saloon

Reviewed By srobby

It was tough to find a restaurant in Old Town open on a Sunday evening so we stopped by High Noon without a reservation. There was a thirty minute wait even though many tables were open due to a "small kitchen." The menu was small and the prices were high but the ambiance was special. The food was OK and the wait staff friendly

8. Mary's & Tito's Cafe

2711 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107-1329 Mexican, Southwestern Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service +1 505-344-6266 http://maryandtitosalbuquerque.dishdesigner.website
Food
Service
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Overall Ratings

4 based on 378 reviews

Mary's & Tito's Cafe

Reviewed By PhilipB666

We tried this on a Saturday evening expecting large crowds. Sparsely attended. Interior is rundown with booths that need upgrading. We ordered blue corn enchilada plate and a combination plate. They were both above average but not 4-5 star. Meals did not come with sopapaillas, only a flour tortilla. The awards this restaurant received were during the days it was run by Mary and Tito, deceased owners. It will not be part of our regular rotation of New Mexican restaurants that we frequent.

7. Sadie's on Academy

5400 Academy Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109-3302 Mexican, Southwestern Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service, Reservations [email protected] +1 505-821-3388 http://www.sadiesofnewmexico.com/sadies-academy
Food
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4 based on 231 reviews

Sadie's on Academy

Reviewed By dbaaronson

Good palce to sample many of the specialities of New Mexico. Sopapillas, chile rellenos, tamales and both red and green sauces. Many things are spicy (by design), so if you don't have much of a spice tolerance you may want to review the options with one of the servers. Great meal.

6. Cocina Azul

1134 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102-1866 Mexican, Southwestern Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service +1 505-831-2500 http://www.cocinaazul.com
Food
Service
Value
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Overall Ratings

4 based on 525 reviews

Cocina Azul

Reviewed By LvBruin

I was greeted very nicely. The service was great but the Huevos Rancheros was very disappointing. The egg portion was separate from the beans (pinto) and was generally tasteless. The hash browns were terrible, smelled and tasted like grease. The price for breakfast ($5.95) was cheap but they charge $2.95 for regular coffee which is ridiculous. I won’t return. This was one of the most disappointing breakfasts I have had. How can you disappoint at breakfast?

5. Duran Central Pharmacy

1815 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104-1143 Mexican, Southwestern Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Table Service [email protected] +1 505-247-4141 http://duransrx.com
Food
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4 based on 245 reviews

Duran Central Pharmacy

In business since 1942, Duran Central Pharmacy is one of the oldest commercial establishments in Albuquerque. The pharmacy has grown considerably over the years, reflecting changes in the health and medical fields. The original soda fountain has grown int

Reviewed By russellp117

We had such a great dinner, we went back for their lunch special; Carne Adovado (red chili marinaded pork)! Id was th best I have had anywhere! Large cubes of pork swimming in a red chili gravy. It was very spicy! They serve it with pinto beans with cheese, and mashed potatoes with cheese. Included is one of their legendary han rolled flour tortilla. Get there early! They run out of carne adovodo which is only served on Thursdays. Also, do not park in the lawyers shared lot. They seem to get upset.I am glad you enjoyed! Thanks for the great review! We appreciate the business!

4. Padilla's Mexican Kitchen

1510 Girard Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106-1823 Mexican, Southwestern Lunch, Dinner Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service +1 505-262-0115 http://padillasmexicankitchenalbuquerque.coffeebarworld.website
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4 based on 317 reviews

Padilla's Mexican Kitchen

Reviewed By Ontheroadnurse

We decided to try this restaurant based solely on TripAdvisor recommendations. The recommendations were spot on! The food was amazing! The women’s bathroom was near the kitchen and it isn’t very often that you get to see the kitchen in such a busy restaurant. The floor was spotless! Cleanest kitchen I have ever seen in a restaurant! It was a bit pricey, but I could not eat all of my enchilada so I had a second meal. Worth a trip and be prepared to wait and bring cash, no charge cards accepted! While we waited for our meals, we were given chips and red sauce..

3. The Range Cafe

2200 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107-1721 Mexican, American, Southwestern, Cafe Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service +1 505-888-1660 http://rangecafe.com
Food
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4 based on 408 reviews

The Range Cafe

Reviewed By John N

This was our third trip to the Range, and we had another great experience. Authentic Mexican - large portions (expect to take some home) and friendly service - thank you Nathan.Their desserts are wonderful - save some room. Plenty of free parking across the street. The place can be pretty loud when they have live music. Interesting gift shop too. We will return when we are in the area.

2. Monroe's Restaurant

1520 Lomas Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104-1255 Mexican, American, Southwestern Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discove [email protected] +1 505-242-1111 http://www.monroeschile.com
Food
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4 based on 832 reviews

Monroe's Restaurant

Monroe's has been serving the best in New Mexican cuisine to local residents and their families. Monroe's began as a small drive-in near Old Town in Albuquerque, specializing in reasonably priced - high quality New Mexican food. As Monroe's expanded to be

Reviewed By corfurose

One of the servers was great. She’s the reason for the one star. The other server was was not nice at all, but I get it... Balloon season... probably working a lot and annoyed with the crowds. My rating is mostly about the food anyways. It was not good. It’s like this place is actually just a front for a meth dealing business and not actually meant to be edible food at all. The salsa tastes like the cheap Hernandez I get at the grocery store and the chili had zero flavor. I had both the red and the green atop the chicken enchiladas. I had to dump a bunch of Cholula on my entire meal in order to make it edible. They also don’t have a full liquor license so Margaritas are made with wine. Also, not good and very disappointing. I came here based on Trip Advisor reviews and I really don’t understand how this place has such high marks. Do not go here. You will be disappointed. The Range is not far away and they have a full liquor license and their chili has great flavor. The server I had here should go there and make the fortune that she deserves. Thank you for giving us a try and shooting out some feedback. I will let you know that we definitely do not operate the breaking bad style front you referenced. I am sorry we failed to satisfy your chile fix as we have done for so many over our 50+ years here in Albuquerque. I will give my staff a reminder to deliver service with a smile. Outside of that, thank you for giving us a try and have a blessed and wonderful weekend.

The 10 Best Things to Do in Albuquerque, United States

1. Tomasita's Albuquerque

4949 Pan American West Fwy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109-2230 Mexican, Southwestern Lunch, Dinner, Drinks Takeout, Seating, Free Off-Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Full Bar +1 505-450-7298 http://www.tomasitas.com
Food
Service
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Overall Ratings

4 based on 98 reviews

Tomasita's Albuquerque

Tomasita’s restaurant is a New Mexico tradition serving classic Northern New Mexican Cuisine. Locally owned and operated in Santa Fe, New Mexico by the Maryol/Gundrey family for over 40 years, we take great pride in quality food, friendly and fast service

Reviewed By StationToStation

The restaurant is quite large and can handle large groups if necessary. It was busy so the locals obviously like it. It's a Mexican restaurant with a slant towards New Mexico flavors and dishes. The food was reasonably flavorful but nothing special. Still, it wasn't expensive.

Most Popular Restaurants in Albuquerque

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