Imagine a sizzling burger with gooey cheese, a juicy patty, and a heap of roasted green chiles sitting on top of the patty. This site will take you straight to the famous dining spots in Albuquerque. From green chile cheeseburgers to the sizzling hot Green Chile chicken enchiladas, Albuquerque serves the best of Mexican flavours that mesmerise locals and visitors alike.
Renowned for its rich Southwestern heritage, Albuquerque’s take on the Southern dishes is unmatched. Serving flavour-rich platters day in and day out, this city is like an oasis in the middle of the desert for lovers of food. Here you will find several amazing restaurants famed for their smoky green chile dishes and authentic New Mexican cuisine.
The legendary breakfast burritos draw people from all over the world and the smoky Green Chile dishes have been a highlight of this city for generations. Dine in these popular eateries in Albuquerque and get the best of the city’s flavours on your palate.
7 Most Famous Restaurants In Albuquerque
1) Frontier Restaurant
Serving homestyle Southwestern fare since 1971, Frontier Restaurant has been a beloved eatery in New Mexico. It is often said that your exploration of the dining scene is incomplete without a visit to this restaurant. This iconic eatery is situated near the University of Mexico. Despite its buzzing atmosphere, this place ensures a comforting dining experience for everyone. On the menu, you will see authentic New Mexican cuisine like the legendary breakfast burritos with green chile stew along with freshly baked cinnamon rolls.
Location: 2400 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 5 am–12 am
Must Try: Green Chile Stew Breakfast Burritos, Cinnamon Rolls
Price for 2: $50 approx.
Image Credit: Frontier Restaurant
2) Sadie's of New Mexico
Sadie's of New Mexico has been a family-friendly staple since 1954 that serves amazing Mexican fare within its warm ambience. Every dish presents a sole satisfying experience highlighting the signature blend of traditional New Mexican flavours along with a bold and contemporary twist. Famous dishes like green chile chicken enchiladas and fiery salsa are the highlights on the menu. They also have a separate cocktail menu that compliments the spicy dishes.
Location: 6230 4th St NW Lot, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM 87107, United States
Timings: Mon-Thu: 11 am–9 pm; Fri-Sat: 11 am–10 pm; Sun: 10 am–9 pm
Must Try: Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas and Fiery Salsa
Price for 2: $60 approx.
Image Credit: Sadie's of New Mexico
3) Mary & Tito's Cafe
Mary & Tito's Cafe Is known for its acclaimed new Mexican fare featuring the famed New Mexican style pork dish with their signature red chile. This family-owned restaurant has been in operation since 1963 and it has earned a reputation for serving some of the best new Mexican dishes in the town. Dishes like carne adovada, marinated with red chile sauce and famous sopapillas that feature golden fried dough drizzled with honey are a must-try on the menu.
Location: 2711 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107, United States
Timings: Mon-Thu: 11 am–3 pm; Fri-Sat: 11 am–5 pm; Sun: Closed
Must Try: New Mexican Style Pork Dish with Red Chile, Carne Adovada, Sopapillas
Price for 2: $60 approx.
4) El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina
El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina will give you a sensory dining experience surrounded by lush Gardens and artistic murals. Since 1962 this family-owned restaurant has been a mainstay of Albuquerque's dining scene. Their new Mexican fare is well-liked among the locals as well as visitors. Taste some of the famous dishes like green chile stew with tender chunks of pork along with roasted green chillies and sample their handcrafted margarita with fresh squeezed lime juice and tequila.
Location: 10500 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114, United States
Timings: Mon-Thu: 11 am–8 pm; Fri-Sat: 11 am–9 pm; Sun: 10:30 am–8 pm
Must Try: Green Chile Stew, Handcrafted Margarita
Price for 2: $60 approx.
Image Credit: El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina
5) The Grove Cafe & Market
The Grove Cafe & Market has been gracing the Albuquerque dining scene for more than 16 years. This spot is especially known for its breakfast and lunch dishes. Highlighting sustainable and locally sourced dishes on the menu, every dish promises fresh flavours. Their breakfast burrito with Italian sausage, goat cheese, and green chile along with croque madame are some of the highlights that you should not miss. In addition to this, the English Muffins and cookies also make a delightful repast.
Location: 600 Central Ave SE STE A, Albuquerque, NM 87102, United States
Timings: Mon: Closed; Tue-Sun: 8 am–2 pm
Must Try: breakfast burrito, croque madame, English Muffins
Price for 2: $50 approx.
6) El Modelo Mexican Foods
El Modelo Mexican Foods Serves the best tamales, sopapillas, and huevos rancheros. Their handmade dishes offer a customization option with the choices of your favourite Mexican fillings. Whether you like pork with red chile or chicken with green chile, you can tailor these dishes as per your taste. You will often find a long queue waiting in the counter-serve space, but the crows soon get dissolved with their prompt service. Try the famed chicken tamales or enchiladas with red chile and cheese for a flavoursome Mexican feast.
Location: 1715 2nd St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, United States
Timings: Sun-Thu: 7 am–6 pm; Fri-Sat: 7 am–7 pm
Must Try: Chicken Tamales, Red Chile And Cheese Enchiladas
Price for 2: $40 approx.
7) La Guelaguetza
Famous all over the city, La Guelaguetza draws crowds with its traditional tacos, tamales and comforting stews. Located south of Route 66, this famous restaurant serves the best Mexican staples, all crafted by acclaimed chefs. Along with the Mexican cuisine, you will also see some offbeat dishes like chapulines (crickets) and hormigos (ants) which makes the meal an adventurous and daring fare for many. Try their savoury tacos, shrimp ceviche, and chicken mole for a satisfying experience.
Location: 2401 12th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, United States
Timings: Mon: Closed; Tue-Sun: 9 am–4 pm
Must Try: Savoury Tacos, Shrimp Ceviche, and Chicken Mole
Price for 2: $70 approx.
Image Credit: La Guelaguetza
Without these famous restaurants in Albuquerque, the city’s food trail is incomplete. From spicy tamales to smoky enchiladas, every dish is complemented with the signature red and green chile which makes an ideal Mexican experience.